TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas began releasing inmates this week as a way to check the spread of coronavirus in its prison system, but stopped when an outbreak mushroomed and created a danger of returning infected offenders to their communities, Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday.

Kelly said during an Associated Press interview that the Department of Corrections released only six inmates and put them under house arrest for the rest of their sentences. But confirmed coronavirus cases at the Lansing Correctional Facility outside Kansas City have skyrocketed among inmates and staff, and the prison is under quarantine.

“We got the testing results at Lansing and realized that we had some other work to do before we could let anybody else go,” Kelly said. The Department of Corrections said none of the six released were from Lansing.

Problems at the prison didn’t prevent Kelly from promising to lift a statewide stay-at-home order as planned at midnight Sunday or outlining&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">a plan</a>&nbsp;to gradually reopen the state’s coronavirus-battered economy by June 15, starting with restaurants and many other businesses Monday. However, her economic plan frustrated some business owners, who won’t be allowed to reopen until at least May 18 while others can.

The state saw a 5% jump in confirmed coronavirus cases Friday, an increase of 221, to 4,449. It recorded a single new COVID-19-related death to make the state’s tally 130 since early March.

Kelly and Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s top public health administrator, said Friday that Kansas expects to receive some 60,000 testing kits from the federal government in May, a key factor in her decision to reopen the state.

The slowdown in economic activity is hitting the state budget. A new fiscal forecast issued less than two weeks ago projects Kansas will see its tax revenues drop 7.8% in the current budget year that began in July 2019. Tax collections in April suggested the new projections are on the mark: The state collected $578 million in taxes for the month, roughly what the new, more pessimistic fiscal forecast projected.

Dr. Drew Miller, a family physician in Lakin in southwest Kansas, said he still will advise people to stay home as much as possible. He said became comfortable with Kelly’s reopening plan as he reviewed it.

“It’s more conservative than what I thought it would be,” Miller said.

Kelly loosened restrictions on religious gatherings that prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ec624a15ae111e72a20dd6818d64451">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by two churches and their pastors. A legal group representing them, Alliance Defending Freedom, announced plans to drop the lawsuit Friday.

But the disparate treatment of different businesses inspired criticism from some business owners. While restaurants can reopen Monday with social distancing and other restrictions, bars, gyms, fitness centers, hair salons and barbershops, among others, have to wait another two weeks at least.

Nathan Hunt, a retired Army platoon sergeant and combat veteran, said he can open his martial arts academy in Junction City safely. He said he can limit class sizes, clean his business thoroughly and put marks on his mats to keep students apart.

“I know how to corral the kittens,” Hunt said. “I don’t need another mom to tell me how to run my business safely.”

The outbreak at the Lansing prison is problematic for the state because 164 inmates living in a single dormitory-style housing unit tested positive without showing any symptoms. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said 253 inmates at Lansing have tested positive and two have died. Eighty-six employees — about 21% of the staff — have tested positive as well.

The state plans to test roughly 2,000 Lansing inmates and staff this weekend, Norman said.

There also are infections among either staff or inmates in four other correctional facilities, although they are much smaller, the agency said.

Kelly has faced pressure from inmates’ families and an American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas state-court lawsuit to release some inmates.

The ACLU accused the department in a statement of “delay in addressing the very real threat posed by COVID-19 to the incarcerated, to corrections staff, and to the community.”

Kelly said other inmates “on the list” for being released early and put under house arrest “really are victims of the pandemic.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588352329083.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her televised address on Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her televised address on Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas began releasing inmates this week as a way to check the spread of coronavirus in its prison system, but stopped when an outbreak mushroomed and created a danger of returning infected offenders to their communities, Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday.Kelly said during an Associated Press interview that the Department of Corrections released only six inmates and put them under house arrest for the rest of their sentences. But confirmed coronavirus cases at the Lansing Correctional Facility outside Kansas City have skyrocketed among inmates and staff, and the prison is under quarantine.“We got the testing results at Lansing and realized that we had some other work to do before we could let anybody else go,” Kelly said. The Department of Corrections said none of the six released were from Lansing.Problems at the prison didn’t prevent Kelly from promising to lift a statewide stay-at-home order as planned at midnight Sunday or outlining&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abd6bb1cfc4f6349d94f853f04b12bcb">a plan</a>&nbsp;to gradually reopen the state’s coronavirus-battered economy by June 15, starting with restaurants and many other businesses Monday. However, her economic plan frustrated some business owners, who won’t be allowed to reopen until at least May 18 while others can.The state saw a 5% jump in confirmed coronavirus cases Friday, an increase of 221, to 4,449. It recorded a single new COVID-19-related death to make the state’s tally 130 since early March.Kelly and Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s top public health administrator, said Friday that Kansas expects to receive some 60,000 testing kits from the federal government in May, a key factor in her decision to reopen the state.The slowdown in economic activity is hitting the state budget. A new fiscal forecast issued less than two weeks ago projects Kansas will see its tax revenues drop 7.8% in the current budget year that began in July 2019. Tax collections in April suggested the new projections are on the mark: The state collected $578 million in taxes for the month, roughly what the new, more pessimistic fiscal forecast projected.Dr. Drew Miller, a family physician in Lakin in southwest Kansas, said he still will advise people to stay home as much as possible. He said became comfortable with Kelly’s reopening plan as he reviewed it.“It’s more conservative than what I thought it would be,” Miller said.Kelly loosened restrictions on religious gatherings that prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ec624a15ae111e72a20dd6818d64451">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by two churches and their pastors. A legal group representing them, Alliance Defending Freedom, announced plans to drop the lawsuit Friday.But the disparate treatment of different businesses inspired criticism from some business owners. While restaurants can reopen Monday with social distancing and other restrictions, bars, gyms, fitness centers, hair salons and barbershops, among others, have to wait another two weeks at least.Nathan Hunt, a retired Army platoon sergeant and combat veteran, said he can open his martial arts academy in Junction City safely. He said he can limit class sizes, clean his business thoroughly and put marks on his mats to keep students apart.“I know how to corral the kittens,” Hunt said. “I don’t need another mom to tell me how to run my business safely.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586514248901.png" alt="Two inmates at the Lansing Prison have died as a result of the virus." />
 <figcaption>Two inmates at the Lansing Prison have died as a result of the virus.</figcaption>
 </figure>The outbreak at the Lansing prison is problematic for the state because 164 inmates living in a single dormitory-style housing unit tested positive without showing any symptoms. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said 253 inmates at Lansing have tested positive and two have died. Eighty-six employees — about 21% of the staff — have tested positive as well.The state plans to test roughly 2,000 Lansing inmates and staff this weekend, Norman said.There also are infections among either staff or inmates in four other correctional facilities, although they are much smaller, the agency said.Kelly has faced pressure from inmates’ families and an American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas state-court lawsuit to release some inmates.The ACLU accused the department in a statement of “delay in addressing the very real threat posed by COVID-19 to the incarcerated, to corrections staff, and to the community.”Kelly said other inmates “on the list” for being released early and put under house arrest “really are victims of the pandemic.”___

Coronavirus outbreak prompts Kansas to stop prison releases

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems announced Friday that it would lay off 1,450 employees because demand for new airplanes has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic.

An email sent to employees Friday says Boeing and Airbus reported their first-quarter financial reports this week and indicated there would be a decline in demand for new airplanes. Spirit is a supplier of parts for both companies.

“All indications right now tell us this lower demand for new commercial airplanes is likely to last for several years,” president and CEO Tom Gentile said in the email.

Affected employees in Wichita will start leaving on May 15 but some “may be asked to work during this 60 day period to provide cross training.” Employees working on the defense side will not be affected.

The email says there will be smaller reductions later this month at other Spirit sites in the U.S.

Spirit announced layoffs of about 2,800 employees earlier this year as a result of the Boeing 737 Max being grounded after two fatal flights. It also offered voluntary layoffs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/acc1c04b3d6ffb8ea60197ad57e8b4f0">Thursday</a>.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems announced Friday that it would lay off 1,450 employees because demand for new airplanes has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic.An email sent to employees Friday says Boeing and Airbus reported their first-quarter financial reports this week and indicated there would be a decline in demand for new airplanes. Spirit is a supplier of parts for both companies.“All indications right now tell us this lower demand for new commercial airplanes is likely to last for several years,” president and CEO Tom Gentile said in the email.Affected employees in Wichita will start leaving on May 15 but some “may be asked to work during this 60 day period to provide cross training.” Employees working on the defense side will not be affected.The email says there will be smaller reductions later this month at other Spirit sites in the U.S.Spirit announced layoffs of about 2,800 employees earlier this year as a result of the Boeing 737 Max being grounded after two fatal flights. It also offered voluntary layoffs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/acc1c04b3d6ffb8ea60197ad57e8b4f0">Thursday</a>.

Kan. aircraft parts maker to lay off of 1,450 employees

SHAWNEE COUNTY– A total of four teens were arrested Thursday following an incident at the Days Inn in Topeka.

Just after noon Thursday, officers from the Topeka Police Department responded to the Days Inn, 1510 SW Wanamaker Road on a report of three persons who were possibly unresponsive in a room at the motel, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

Officers made contact with a total of five people who were responsive, but were showing possible signs of impairment. 

Medical personnel arrived on scene and all five individuals were medically cleared.

Upon further investigation, a total of four teens are facing&nbsp; charges including a 17-year-old boy who was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges Possession of stolen property Criminal carry of a weapon and Criminal damage.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake for a Misdemeanor warrant

A 17-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake on the requested charges of Obstruction and 3 misdemeanor warrants.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake for an alleged Probation violation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588349695065.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY– A total of four teens were arrested Thursday following an incident at the Days Inn in Topeka.Just after noon Thursday, officers from the Topeka Police Department responded to the Days Inn, 1510 SW Wanamaker Road on a report of three persons who were possibly unresponsive in a room at the motel, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.Officers made contact with a total of five people who were responsive, but were showing possible signs of impairment. Medical personnel arrived on scene and all five individuals were medically cleared.Upon further investigation, a total of four teens are facing&nbsp; charges including a 17-year-old boy who was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges Possession of stolen property Criminal carry of a weapon and Criminal damage.A 16-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake for a Misdemeanor warrantA 17-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake on the requested charges of Obstruction and 3 misdemeanor warrants.A 17-year-old girl was arrested and taken to Juvenile Intake for an alleged Probation violation.

Police: Kan. teens reported unresponsive in motel, arrested

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Friday that one staff member working at El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) tested positive for COVID-19. 

This is the fifth KDOC facility with confirmed cases, including Lansing Correctional Facility, Wichita Work Release Facility, Topeka Correctional Facility and Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex.

The staff member is a male over the age of 30. In order to protect the identity of the staff member, no other information will be released.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:

“As with our other facilities, at El Dorado we have coordinated our response with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Zmuda said. “The expertise and support of KDHE is invaluable as we address the challenges that this virus presents.”

The 1,955 bed El Dorado Correctional Facility opened in 1991 and was expanded in 1995 and 2001. The facility is designed for&nbsp;maximum- and medium-custody residents and to serve as the Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU) for all adult males sentenced to KDOC. In RDU, residents receive orientation and are assigned to a custody classification, appropriate programs and a permanent housing assignment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588370358515.png" alt="El Dorado Correctional Facility -photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>El Dorado Correctional Facility -photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Friday that one staff member working at El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) tested positive for COVID-19. This is the fifth KDOC facility with confirmed cases, including Lansing Correctional Facility, Wichita Work Release Facility, Topeka Correctional Facility and Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex.The staff member is a male over the age of 30. In order to protect the identity of the staff member, no other information will be released.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps are being implemented immediately:<ol>
 <li>KDHE conducted contact tracing to determine who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with this individual</li><li>The Butler County Health Department conducted contact tracing to identify anyone outside of EDCF who may have been in close contact with this individual and will notify those persons</li><li>KDOC will remain diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ol>“As with our other facilities, at El Dorado we have coordinated our response with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Zmuda said. “The expertise and support of KDHE is invaluable as we address the challenges that this virus presents.”The 1,955 bed El Dorado Correctional Facility opened in 1991 and was expanded in 1995 and 2001. The facility is designed for&nbsp;maximum- and medium-custody residents and to serve as the Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU) for all adult males sentenced to KDOC. In RDU, residents receive orientation and are assigned to a custody classification, appropriate programs and a permanent housing assignment.

5th Kansas correctional facility reports case of coronavirus

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 300 workers at a northwestern Missouri pork processing plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, state health officials said Friday.

The Triumph Foods plant in St. Joseph is the latest of several meat plants around the country to see huge spikes in confirmed cases of the virus.

Missouri’s health department oversaw testing this week of more than 2,300 asymptomatic workers at the plant. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the department, said in an interview that results for the first 1,625 asymptomatic workers showed that 259 tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Thirty-six others previously tested positive.

Results are still pending for 709 workers.

The infected workers are being told to self-isolate, and efforts are underway to determine who they've had contact with. But Williams is not recommending closure of the plant.

“We think the work they do is incredibly valuable, and these are asymptomatic employees,” Williams said. “So we feel like by working with our normal public health epidemiological case tracing, we can isolate and quarantine these patients.”

Meat plants often employ hundreds of people working next to each other, which can help facilitate the virus' spread.

But Williams said it’s uncertain where the St. Joseph workers contracted the virus.

“It’s very reasonable they may have gotten it not from work but from where they live, who they live with,” Williams said.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants suspended operations under pressure from local authorities and their own workers.

Gov. Mike Parson’s stay-at-home order ends Sunday, and businesses can reopen with some restrictions starting Monday. Members of the St. Joseph City Council met Thursday night and decided to allow the city to reopen despite the Triumph Foods outbreak, city spokeswoman Mary Robertson said.

The risk of outbreaks at places like prisons, nursing homes and meat plants prompted Missouri to begin what Williams calls a “boxed-in” approach to testing. Under the plan, when a potential hot spot is determined, the state tests everyone.

Williams said Missouri now has the ability to perform more than 50,000 tests per week, thanks to a strong focus on expanding testing that includes partnering with private companies.

“Other states haven't done that, but we have,” Williams said. "We have greatly built up a very purposeful capacity to test.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588361396379.jpeg" alt="Northwest Missouri Health Services testing site/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Northwest Missouri Health Services testing site/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Nearly 300 workers at a northwestern Missouri pork processing plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, state health officials said Friday.The Triumph Foods plant in St. Joseph is the latest of several meat plants around the country to see huge spikes in confirmed cases of the virus.Missouri’s health department oversaw testing this week of more than 2,300 asymptomatic workers at the plant. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the department, said in an interview that results for the first 1,625 asymptomatic workers showed that 259 tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Thirty-six others previously tested positive.Results are still pending for 709 workers.The infected workers are being told to self-isolate, and efforts are underway to determine who they've had contact with. But Williams is not recommending closure of the plant.“We think the work they do is incredibly valuable, and these are asymptomatic employees,” Williams said. “So we feel like by working with our normal public health epidemiological case tracing, we can isolate and quarantine these patients.”Meat plants often employ hundreds of people working next to each other, which can help facilitate the virus' spread.But Williams said it’s uncertain where the St. Joseph workers contracted the virus.“It’s very reasonable they may have gotten it not from work but from where they live, who they live with,” Williams said.President Donald Trump issued an executive order this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants suspended operations under pressure from local authorities and their own workers.Gov. Mike Parson’s stay-at-home order ends Sunday, and businesses can reopen with some restrictions starting Monday. Members of the St. Joseph City Council met Thursday night and decided to allow the city to reopen despite the Triumph Foods outbreak, city spokeswoman Mary Robertson said.The risk of outbreaks at places like prisons, nursing homes and meat plants prompted Missouri to begin what Williams calls a “boxed-in” approach to testing. Under the plan, when a potential hot spot is determined, the state tests everyone.Williams said Missouri now has the ability to perform more than 50,000 tests per week, thanks to a strong focus on expanding testing that includes partnering with private companies.“Other states haven't done that, but we have,” Williams said. "We have greatly built up a very purposeful capacity to test.”

Nearly 300 workers have virus at NW Missouri pork plant

KANSAS CITY, KAN. -&nbsp;U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice.

“COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity,” McAllister said. “Nationally, there have been reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and we stand ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.”

McAllister said his office will work closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing.

The Justice Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative" target="_blank">Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative</a>&nbsp;is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.

Launched in 2017, the initiative has&nbsp;filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims.&nbsp;The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years. Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.

The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney offices, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.

The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fairhousing@usdoj.gov" target="_blank">fairhousing@usdoj.gov</a>.

McAllister said complaint forms also are available on his office’s web site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/page/file/1111731/download" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/page/file/1111731/download</a>.&nbsp;Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Taylor is the Civil Rights Coordinator for McAllister’s office (913-551-6730).

More information about civil rights enforcement in Kansas is available&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/civil-rights" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/civil-rights</a>

Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint" target="_blank">HUD’s website</a>&nbsp;or by calling (800) 669-9777.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. -&nbsp;U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice.“COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity,” McAllister said. “Nationally, there have been reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and we stand ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.”McAllister said his office will work closely with state and local partners to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing.The Justice Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/sexual-harassment-housing-initiative" target="_blank">Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative</a>&nbsp;is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.Launched in 2017, the initiative has&nbsp;filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims.&nbsp;The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years. Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney offices, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fairhousing@usdoj.gov" target="_blank">fairhousing@usdoj.gov</a>.McAllister said complaint forms also are available on his office’s web site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/page/file/1111731/download" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/page/file/1111731/download</a>.&nbsp;Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Taylor is the Civil Rights Coordinator for McAllister’s office (913-551-6730).More information about civil rights enforcement in Kansas is available&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/civil-rights" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/civil-rights</a>Individuals may also file a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint" target="_blank">HUD’s website</a>&nbsp;or by calling (800) 669-9777.

U.S. Attorney: Be alert for sex harassment in housing during pandemic

TOPEKA - As predicted, the State of Kansas saw a decrease in total tax collections when compared to April of Fiscal Year 2019. These reductions are largely due to announced tax date extensions, which gave relief to Kansans while moving collections into the Fiscal Year 2021, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

On April 20, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Kansas Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, met to review the fall estimates and make revisions. These revisions take into consideration the changes in tax deadlines, consumer purchasing behaviors, and employer withholdings.

The state's total tax collections for April were $578.1 million. Compared to April last fiscal year that is down $610.7 million or 51.4%. However, the state is in line with the revised estimates as those collections are 0.10% or $360,655 more than the estimate.

Individual income tax collections were $282.5 million; $1.2 million or 0.4% more than the new estimate. Corporate income tax collections were $37.8 million; 2.3% or $888,372 below the estimate.

Retail sales tax collections were $184.1 million; $2.3 million or 1.2% below the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were 2.4% higher than estimated with $41.5 million collected.

TOPEKA - As predicted, the State of Kansas saw a decrease in total tax collections when compared to April of Fiscal Year 2019. These reductions are largely due to announced tax date extensions, which gave relief to Kansans while moving collections into the Fiscal Year 2021, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.On April 20, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Kansas Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, met to review the fall estimates and make revisions. These revisions take into consideration the changes in tax deadlines, consumer purchasing behaviors, and employer withholdings.The state's total tax collections for April were $578.1 million. Compared to April last fiscal year that is down $610.7 million or 51.4%. However, the state is in line with the revised estimates as those collections are 0.10% or $360,655 more than the estimate.Individual income tax collections were $282.5 million; $1.2 million or 0.4% more than the new estimate. Corporate income tax collections were $37.8 million; 2.3% or $888,372 below the estimate.Retail sales tax collections were $184.1 million; $2.3 million or 1.2% below the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were 2.4% higher than estimated with $41.5 million collected.

Kansas tax collections down 51.4% compared to last April

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas business owners were frustrated Friday by Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan to gradually reopen the state’s coronavirus-battered economy because they won’t be able to open their doors again Monday while others can.

Kelly is letting a statewide stay-at-home order expire at midnight Sunday and allowing restaurants and many other businesses to reopen if they observe social distancing and take other steps against the spread of the novel coronavirus. But bars, restaurants, gyms, barbershops and hair salons are won’t be able to reopen until at least May 18.

Nathan Hunt owns a martial arts academy in Junction City and says he can observe social distancing, keep classes small and disinfect his premises to operate safely. The retired Army platoon sergeant and combat veteran said it’s “insulting” that the state won’t trust him to reopen safely while big box retail stores are operating.

But family physician Drew Miller of Lakin in southwest Kansas said state and local officials should continue to be cautious and was surprised and pleased that Kelly’s plan struck him as conservative. He said he will still advise people to stay home as much as possible.

Kelly’s plan still allows local officials to impose stricter rules.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588289593495.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly during Thursday's night's televised address" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly during Thursday's night's televised address</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas business owners were frustrated Friday by Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan to gradually reopen the state’s coronavirus-battered economy because they won’t be able to open their doors again Monday while others can.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588351991326.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly is letting a statewide stay-at-home order expire at midnight Sunday and allowing restaurants and many other businesses to reopen if they observe social distancing and take other steps against the spread of the novel coronavirus. But bars, restaurants, gyms, barbershops and hair salons are won’t be able to reopen until at least May 18.Nathan Hunt owns a martial arts academy in Junction City and says he can observe social distancing, keep classes small and disinfect his premises to operate safely. The retired Army platoon sergeant and combat veteran said it’s “insulting” that the state won’t trust him to reopen safely while big box retail stores are operating.But family physician Drew Miller of Lakin in southwest Kansas said state and local officials should continue to be cautious and was surprised and pleased that Kelly’s plan struck him as conservative. He said he will still advise people to stay home as much as possible.Kelly’s plan still allows local officials to impose stricter rules.

Kansas business owners upset by governor's reopening plan

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 211 to a total of 4449, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 211 to a total of 4449, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 130<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE<figure>
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KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

CHICAGO (AP) — A sharply worded ruling by a federal appeals court in Chicago on Thursday said the Trump administration policy of threatening to withhold grant money from so-called sanctuary cities to force them to comply with its more stringent immigration policies violates separation-of-powers provisions enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also said a freeze of that policy should extend nationwide, rejecting arguments by U.S. Department of Justice lawyers that if an injunction were OKed in the case it should only apply to the city of Chicago.

Broad executive-branch powers on immigration matters don’t include withholding money allocated by the legislative branch to pressure cities and states to comply with an executive-branch policy, said Judge Ilana Rovner, who authored&nbsp;<a href="http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Submit=Display&amp;Path=Y2020/D04-30/C:18-2885:J:Rovner:aut:T:fnOp:N:2508993:S:0" target="_blank">the 95-page ruling</a>.

“Such a concentration of power,” she said, “would allow tyranny to flourish, and our system of government is wisely set up by the Founders to foreclose such a danger.”

She added: “The separation of powers is a foundation of our government, not a formality to be swept aside on the path to achieving goals that the executive branch deems worthy. … The (grant) conditions imposed here are an executive usurpation of the power of the purse.”

One of the three judges on the panel, Daniel Manion, concurred with the bulk of the ruling. But he said in a separate opinion that he disagreed with approval of a nationwide injunction, saying that “broad, sweeping relief of such nature is rarely appropriate.”

Congress established the main grant at issue, called a Byrne JAG grant, to help local law enforcement buy equipment, including body cameras and bulletproof vests. But Judge Rovner wrote that the Trump administration was wielding the grant “as a hammer to further a completely different policy of the executive branch — presenting a city such as Chicago with the stark choice of forfeiting the funds or undermining its own law enforcement effectiveness.”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot described being thrilled by the ruling in the litigation that stretches back to Donald Trump’s first year as president.

“When I got the news from our corporation counsel earlier this morning, I let out a cheer,” Lightfoot told reporters. She added: “This is a great victory, not only for Chicago, but for our immigrant and refugee communities everywhere in the country.”

Then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel initiated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d8ba6d877f3242ab9b3eae1459525fcf/Chicago-files-federal-lawsuit-over-sanctuary-cities-threat">the legal action in 2017</a>&nbsp;against the U.S. Department of Justice, which oversees the grants, over the tying of grants to compliance with U.S. immigration law as the Trump administration wants it enforced.

Other cities who opted to similarly limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents also filed lawsuits against the department. Several cases are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f2a328bfa091de9f59b34deee463e2fc">still playing out</a>&nbsp;around the country.

Jeff Sessions was U.S. attorney general when Chicago sued in 2017, decrying what he called in the wake of the lawsuit what he called “open hostility” to enforcing immigration laws. His successor, William Barr, has defended the administration policy just as vigorously.

The suit focused on conditions on Chicago and other cities for grants, which included that they share immigration-status records with U.S. agencies and provide federal agents unfettered access to jails that might hold immigrants without proper documentation.

A Justice Department spokesman declined comment Thursday. The department would have the option of appealing the 7th Circuit decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lightfoot said the city “will be right there with them” if the department goes to the nation’s highest court.

Chicago’s sanctuary policies date back to the mid-1980s and successive city councils have confirmed or expanded the protections.

The city has prohibited police from providing federal immigration and customs officials access to people in police custody, unless they are wanted on a criminal warrant or have serious criminal convictions. Local police are also barred from allowing the federal agents use their facilities for interviews or investigations and from responding to agency inquiries about a person’s custody status or release date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588347675953.png" alt="Sanctuary cities map courtesy <a href="https://cis.org/">Center for Immigration Studies</a>" />
 <figcaption>Sanctuary cities map courtesy <a href="https://cis.org/">Center for Immigration Studies</a></figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — A sharply worded ruling by a federal appeals court in Chicago on Thursday said the Trump administration policy of threatening to withhold grant money from so-called sanctuary cities to force them to comply with its more stringent immigration policies violates separation-of-powers provisions enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also said a freeze of that policy should extend nationwide, rejecting arguments by U.S. Department of Justice lawyers that if an injunction were OKed in the case it should only apply to the city of Chicago.Broad executive-branch powers on immigration matters don’t include withholding money allocated by the legislative branch to pressure cities and states to comply with an executive-branch policy, said Judge Ilana Rovner, who authored&nbsp;<a href="http://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Submit=Display&amp;Path=Y2020/D04-30/C:18-2885:J:Rovner:aut:T:fnOp:N:2508993:S:0" target="_blank">the 95-page ruling</a>.“Such a concentration of power,” she said, “would allow tyranny to flourish, and our system of government is wisely set up by the Founders to foreclose such a danger.”She added: “The separation of powers is a foundation of our government, not a formality to be swept aside on the path to achieving goals that the executive branch deems worthy. … The (grant) conditions imposed here are an executive usurpation of the power of the purse.”One of the three judges on the panel, Daniel Manion, concurred with the bulk of the ruling. But he said in a separate opinion that he disagreed with approval of a nationwide injunction, saying that “broad, sweeping relief of such nature is rarely appropriate.”Congress established the main grant at issue, called a Byrne JAG grant, to help local law enforcement buy equipment, including body cameras and bulletproof vests. But Judge Rovner wrote that the Trump administration was wielding the grant “as a hammer to further a completely different policy of the executive branch — presenting a city such as Chicago with the stark choice of forfeiting the funds or undermining its own law enforcement effectiveness.”Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot described being thrilled by the ruling in the litigation that stretches back to Donald Trump’s first year as president.“When I got the news from our corporation counsel earlier this morning, I let out a cheer,” Lightfoot told reporters. She added: “This is a great victory, not only for Chicago, but for our immigrant and refugee communities everywhere in the country.”Then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel initiated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d8ba6d877f3242ab9b3eae1459525fcf/Chicago-files-federal-lawsuit-over-sanctuary-cities-threat">the legal action in 2017</a>&nbsp;against the U.S. Department of Justice, which oversees the grants, over the tying of grants to compliance with U.S. immigration law as the Trump administration wants it enforced.Other cities who opted to similarly limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents also filed lawsuits against the department. Several cases are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f2a328bfa091de9f59b34deee463e2fc">still playing out</a>&nbsp;around the country.Jeff Sessions was U.S. attorney general when Chicago sued in 2017, decrying what he called in the wake of the lawsuit what he called “open hostility” to enforcing immigration laws. His successor, William Barr, has defended the administration policy just as vigorously.The suit focused on conditions on Chicago and other cities for grants, which included that they share immigration-status records with U.S. agencies and provide federal agents unfettered access to jails that might hold immigrants without proper documentation.A Justice Department spokesman declined comment Thursday. The department would have the option of appealing the 7th Circuit decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lightfoot said the city “will be right there with them” if the department goes to the nation’s highest court.Chicago’s sanctuary policies date back to the mid-1980s and successive city councils have confirmed or expanded the protections.The city has prohibited police from providing federal immigration and customs officials access to people in police custody, unless they are wanted on a criminal warrant or have serious criminal convictions. Local police are also barred from allowing the federal agents use their facilities for interviews or investigations and from responding to agency inquiries about a person’s custody status or release date.__

Court nixes policy of tying federal grants to immigration enforcement

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the April 23 shooting death of a 37-year-old Kansas man have arrested a third suspect.

On April 24, police released information to the community to help locate 28-year-old Jesse Sweeney, Bobbie Williams-Cox, and William Moore regarding the investigation.&nbsp; 

Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.

Police covered off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, contempt of court and failure to appear. He is being held on bonds totaling $258,500, according to online jail records.

On Tuesday, Bobbie Williams, 36, was&nbsp; charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend Blake Mayes, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorey.

She and William Moore, 51, were also charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault when they&nbsp;&nbsp;made first appearances in court.

Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney.&nbsp;

Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area last weekend.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sweeney has previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588334948493.png" alt="Sweeney " />
 <figcaption>Sweeney </figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the April 23 shooting death of a 37-year-old Kansas man have arrested a third suspect.On April 24, police released information to the community to help locate 28-year-old Jesse Sweeney, Bobbie Williams-Cox, and William Moore regarding the investigation.&nbsp; Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.Police covered off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, contempt of court and failure to appear. He is being held on bonds totaling $258,500, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587900733026.png" alt="Williams remains jailed on a $150,ooo bond- photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Williams remains jailed on a $150,ooo bond- photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, Bobbie Williams, 36, was&nbsp; charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend Blake Mayes, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorey.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587856746805.png" alt="Moore photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Moore photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>She and William Moore, 51, were also charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault when they&nbsp;&nbsp;made first appearances in court.Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney.&nbsp;Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area last weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweeney has previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.

Police arrest 3rd suspect in murder of Kan. woman's boyfriend

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The world’s largest pork producer told a judge in Missouri on Thursday that it was working as quickly as it can to comply with federal guidelines that seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus but that it needs some flexibility in an industry where people typically work side by side.

The comments from a lawyer for Smithfield Foods came as a judge weighed whether to issue a mandatory injunction requiring a rural Missouri meat plant to abide by federal guidelines. The lawsuit, filed by a worker identified only as Jane Doe, accuses the Virginia-based company of not doing enough to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">protect workers.</a>

The worker’s attorney, David Muraskin, told the judge that the pork processing plant in Milan, Missouri, is not requiring workers to stand 6 feet apart, is using “small, flimsy” plexiglass to separate workers in break rooms, and is not performing adequate testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The hearing came as the state health department revealed that 92 asymptomatic workers at another pork plant had tested positive for the virus. The health department this week tested more than 2,200 workers at Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, where 34 employees with symptoms had previously tested positive. The agency so far has results for 707 workers, with results for 1,500 others still pending. The plant remains open.

“Having this important information will now allow those individuals, who have not been showing symptoms, to self-isolate,” the company said in a statement. “This is good for our workforce, their families and our community.”

Also Thursday, Tyson Foods announced that it was closing a massive beef processing plant in Nebraska from Friday to Monday for deep cleaning after hundreds of people in surrounding communities tested positive for the virus.

President Donald Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7">an executive order</a>&nbsp;this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cb9fd324e9e3276dd56075a78223b7bb">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local authorities and their own workers. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job, and it came soon after the Missouri lawsuit against Smithfield Foods.

U.S. District Judge Greg Kays offered no timetable Thursday on when he would issue a ruling in the Missouri case. Kays earlier issued a preliminary order telling Smithfield to follow guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Milan is in a remote area of northern Missouri. While hundreds of meat plant workers across the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, Sullivan County, where Milan is located, has no confirmed cases, according to the state health department. But Muraskin said the “risk of harm” merits the injunction.

During the court hearing, Muraskin also cited concerns that Smithfield is paying sick leave only to workers who have tested positive for the virus and are quarantined, while CDC guidance calls for workers with symptoms to stay home.

“They believe they can pick and choose which CDC guidelines to follow,” Muraskin said.

Smithfield attorney Alexandra Cunningham told the judge that the company is doing everything it can to protect workers, consistent with OSHA and CDC guidelines. But she said addressing issues like social distancing “requires a level of judgment” that has some flexibility.

“We are doing what we can as fast as we can,” Cunningham said.

Tyson Foods’ decision to suspend operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant followed a surge of coronavirus cases in the area, including in nearby Sioux City, Iowa. Tyson previously disclosed that some of the plant’s 4,300 workers had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.

In Kansas, four counties with packing plants — Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon — are in the top five of the state’s 105 counties in terms of number of confirmed coronavirus cases per capita. But U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall said that after a recent visit to some plants, he believes they are safe. He said he found that workers had adequate protective equipment, were using it properly and were keeping their distance from each other.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587045646390.png" alt="Image courtesy Smithfield" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Smithfield</figcaption>
 </figure>O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The world’s largest pork producer told a judge in Missouri on Thursday that it was working as quickly as it can to comply with federal guidelines that seek to slow the spread of the coronavirus but that it needs some flexibility in an industry where people typically work side by side.The comments from a lawyer for Smithfield Foods came as a judge weighed whether to issue a mandatory injunction requiring a rural Missouri meat plant to abide by federal guidelines. The lawsuit, filed by a worker identified only as Jane Doe, accuses the Virginia-based company of not doing enough to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">protect workers.</a>The worker’s attorney, David Muraskin, told the judge that the pork processing plant in Milan, Missouri, is not requiring workers to stand 6 feet apart, is using “small, flimsy” plexiglass to separate workers in break rooms, and is not performing adequate testing for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.The hearing came as the state health department revealed that 92 asymptomatic workers at another pork plant had tested positive for the virus. The health department this week tested more than 2,200 workers at Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, where 34 employees with symptoms had previously tested positive. The agency so far has results for 707 workers, with results for 1,500 others still pending. The plant remains open.“Having this important information will now allow those individuals, who have not been showing symptoms, to self-isolate,” the company said in a statement. “This is good for our workforce, their families and our community.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588259947500.png" alt="Entrance to the Tyson Plant in Dakota City, NE -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Entrance to the Tyson Plant in Dakota City, NE -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>Also Thursday, Tyson Foods announced that it was closing a massive beef processing plant in Nebraska from Friday to Monday for deep cleaning after hundreds of people in surrounding communities tested positive for the virus.President Donald Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7">an executive order</a>&nbsp;this week requiring meatpacking plants to stay open amid the coronavirus crisis after more than 20 plants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cb9fd324e9e3276dd56075a78223b7bb">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local authorities and their own workers. The order was widely seen as giving processors protection from liability for workers who become sick on the job, and it came soon after the Missouri lawsuit against Smithfield Foods.U.S. District Judge Greg Kays offered no timetable Thursday on when he would issue a ruling in the Missouri case. Kays earlier issued a preliminary order telling Smithfield to follow guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Milan is in a remote area of northern Missouri. While hundreds of meat plant workers across the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, Sullivan County, where Milan is located, has no confirmed cases, according to the state health department. But Muraskin said the “risk of harm” merits the injunction.During the court hearing, Muraskin also cited concerns that Smithfield is paying sick leave only to workers who have tested positive for the virus and are quarantined, while CDC guidance calls for workers with symptoms to stay home.“They believe they can pick and choose which CDC guidelines to follow,” Muraskin said.Smithfield attorney Alexandra Cunningham told the judge that the company is doing everything it can to protect workers, consistent with OSHA and CDC guidelines. But she said addressing issues like social distancing “requires a level of judgment” that has some flexibility.“We are doing what we can as fast as we can,” Cunningham said.Tyson Foods’ decision to suspend operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant followed a surge of coronavirus cases in the area, including in nearby Sioux City, Iowa. Tyson previously disclosed that some of the plant’s 4,300 workers had tested positive for the virus, but it has not said how many. The Arkansas-based company said it was screening Dakota City employees for the virus this week with the help of the Nebraska National Guard.In Kansas, four counties with packing plants — Seward, Ford, Finney and Lyon — are in the top five of the state’s 105 counties in terms of number of confirmed coronavirus cases per capita. But U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall said that after a recent visit to some plants, he believes they are safe. He said he found that workers had adequate protective equipment, were using it properly and were keeping their distance from each other.___

Pork producer says it needs flexibility on virus guidelines

TOPEKA–Law enforcement authorities  investigating a fatal shooting that resulted in the death of two Kansas men is being investigated as a possible self-defense homicide.

The investigation into the death of&nbsp;36-year-old Zennie L. Vasser Jr., whose body was found Wednesday in the 1300 block of SE Locust Street in Topeka, and the shooting death of 37-year-old Mark A Edwards, that occurred late Tuesday in the 1400 block of SE 14th Street in Topeka are connected and stemmed from the same incident, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

The preliminary investigation indicates Vasser Jr. fired a weapon, striking Edwards. A witness to that incident is believed to have fired a weapon in self-defense striking Vasser Jr. 

This is believed to be an isolated incident and police are not looking for additional suspects. This marks the 7th homicide in the City of Topeka in 2020.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal shooting were alerted to a second death near the original crime scene.

Just before 11:30p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving reports of guns shots in the area of the 1400 Block SE 14th in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Police Lieutenant Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; 

At the scene, officers located 37-year-old Mark Edwards suffering from life-threatening injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a call from a citizen who stated that they located a deceased person in the 1300 block of SE Locust Street in Topeka, in the area of the crime scene of Tuesday's homicide investigation, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Gretchen Koenen.

Officers and medical personnel arrived on scene and&nbsp;identified the victim as 36-year-old Zennie L. Vasser Jr. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The Shawnee County Coroner’s Office is conducting their investigation to determine the cause of death. Topeka Police are investigating whether or not these deaths are connected. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 37-year-old Mark Edwards of Topeka, according to Police Lieutenant Jerry Monasmith.

Just before 11:30p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began&nbsp;receiving reports of guns shots in the area of the 1400 Block SE 14th in Topeka, according to Monasmith. 

At the scene, officers&nbsp;located Edwards suffering from life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police released no additional information early Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588242119337.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Wednesday photo by Phil Anderson <a href="https://www.wibw.com/content/news/One-shot-Tuesday-night-in-east-Topeka-570034481.html">courtesy WIBW TV</a>" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Wednesday photo by Phil Anderson <a href="https://www.wibw.com/content/news/One-shot-Tuesday-night-in-east-Topeka-570034481.html">courtesy WIBW TV</a></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA–Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting that resulted in the death of two Kansas men is being investigated as a possible self-defense homicide.The investigation into the death of&nbsp;36-year-old Zennie L. Vasser Jr., whose body was found Wednesday in the 1300 block of SE Locust Street in Topeka, and the shooting death of 37-year-old Mark A Edwards, that occurred late Tuesday in the 1400 block of SE 14th Street in Topeka are connected and stemmed from the same incident, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.The preliminary investigation indicates Vasser Jr. fired a weapon, striking Edwards. A witness to that incident is believed to have fired a weapon in self-defense striking Vasser Jr. This is believed to be an isolated incident and police are not looking for additional suspects. This marks the 7th homicide in the City of Topeka in 2020.--------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal shooting were alerted to a second death near the original crime scene.Just before 11:30p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving reports of guns shots in the area of the 1400 Block SE 14th in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Police Lieutenant Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; At the scene, officers located 37-year-old Mark Edwards suffering from life-threatening injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.Just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a call from a citizen who stated that they located a deceased person in the 1300 block of SE Locust Street in Topeka, in the area of the crime scene of Tuesday's homicide investigation, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Gretchen Koenen.Officers and medical personnel arrived on scene and&nbsp;identified the victim as 36-year-old Zennie L. Vasser Jr. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The Shawnee County Coroner’s Office is conducting their investigation to determine the cause of death. Topeka Police are investigating whether or not these deaths are connected. -------------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 37-year-old Mark Edwards of Topeka, according to Police Lieutenant Jerry Monasmith.Just before 11:30p.m. Tuesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began&nbsp;receiving reports of guns shots in the area of the 1400 Block SE 14th in Topeka, according to Monasmith. At the scene, officers&nbsp;located Edwards suffering from life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.Police released no additional information early Wednesday.

Police: 2 Kansas men dead in self-defense homicide

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">announced Thursday </a>that she will allow many Kansas businesses to reopen next week if they can maintain social distancing and said she hopes to lift all coronavirus-inspired state limits on mass gatherings and other restrictions by June 15.

Kelly said in a televised speech that she is lifting a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;Monday and moving to gradually reopen the state’s battered economy. But her plan won’t allow bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops, hair and nail salons or state-owned casinos to reopen until at least May 18. Also, local officials will be allowed to impose their own, stricter rules.

<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">Click here </a>for additional details on the plan.

The governor outlined <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">her plan</a> as Kansas saw its largest spike in confirmed coronavirus cases since its first in early March. Cases jumped by 500 or 13.4% in a single day, to 4,238, largely because of spikes in counties with meat-packing plants and at a state prison. COVID-19-related deaths reached 129, up four.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Corrections said it had begun testing all of the more than 1,730 inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility, outside the Kansas City area. The number of COVID-19 infections among inmates there who were swabbed after showing symptoms or being housed alongside sick inmates grew to 88.

Kelly called her plan an effort to balance “non-negotiable public health considerations with jaw-dropping, unsustainable economic realities.”

“Kansas will approach this process slowly, gradually and cautiously,” she said in her speech.

The Democratic governor has been under pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature to lift restrictions in the wake of a surge of claims for unemployment benefits and expectations of a sharp drop in state revenues.

The state Department of Labor reported that 27,663 more Kansas workers filed initial unemployment claims last week, up dramatically from 1,323 during the same week a year ago but down from the 31,849 new claims from two weeks ago.

Top Republican legislators criticized Kelly for treating businesses differently. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, told reporters during an online Zoom video conference that owners of all kinds of businesses believe they can operate safely with social distancing and other steps, such as deep cleaning.

“We’ve got more bankruptcies coming down the pike every week,” said Wagle, a U.S. Senate candidate and frequent Kelly critic who outlined her own, less restrictive plan earlier this week. “The economy is hitting the cliff. Money’s not coming in. People are having a hard time paying their bills.”

Kelly’s plan envisions four phases to reopening the economy, each lasting 14 days — or more, if public health data calls for lengthening them. Her plan assumes that legislative leaders extend a state of emergency set to expire May 15, for another month. She issued&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EO-20-29-Implementing-Phase-One-of-Ad-Astra-Plan.pdf" target="_blank">an executive order&nbsp;</a>Thursday to put the first phase into effect.

“All of the steps carry benefits and unavoidable risk,” Kelly said.

In Johnson County, the state’s most populous country, and neighboring Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area, officials issued stay at home orders through May 10. The area was the state’s first coronavirus hot spot, and the two counties together account for 95 or nearly 74% of the state’s COVID-19-related deaths.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms clearing up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

The actual number of cases is thought to be far higher than the number confirmed because of limited testing. Also, studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

Under Kelly’s plan, bars and nightclubs can continue to offer curbside drink service but won’t be allowed to open to patrons until at least May 18, and then at half capacity.

Restaurants don’t face capacity limits but must observe limits on mass gatherings in entrances and lobbies. If tables reach the mass-gathering limits, they must be 6 feet from other tables. If restaurants want to seat people in back-to-back booths, they must erect barriers between them.

Her plan calls for limiting mass gatherings to 10 until May 18, to 30 until June 1 and 90 until June 15. Businesses also are getting industry-specific guidance on&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/" target="_blank">a state website,</a>&nbsp;and people are strongly encouraged to wear masks in public.

Churches won’t have to follow the mass-gathering rules if they practice social distancing, deep clean their facilities and follow other guidance, such as not passing collection plates. Kelly had ordered them to limit the number of congregation members for in-person services to 10, but two churches and their pastors sued her.

“I don’t know if life will ever truly ever go back to ’normal,” Kelly said.

The governor also is feeling pressure from prison inmates’ families to release some prisoners early. She has said she will announce a plan for that but has suggested it won’t affect large numbers.

At the Lansing prison, 75% of 240 inmates from one unit with open dormitory living were found to be positive and not showing symptoms of the disease, though the Department of Corrections said the exact number wasn’t available yet. Seventy-nine staff members — or 19% of its workforce — also have been infected. A facility-wide quarantine will be in place for a minimum of 14 days.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has announced that she will allow many Kansas businesses to reopen next week if they can maintain social distancing.

She also said Thursday that she hopes to lift all state limits on mass gatherings and other restrictions by June 15. Kelly is lifting a statewide stay-at-home order Monday. 

But her plan won’t allow bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops, hair and nail salons or state-owned casinos to reopen until at least May 18 and local officials will be allowed to impose stricter rules. Meanwhile, the state began testing all inmates at its prison in Lansing because of a growing coronavirus outbreak.

In a media release from the Governor's office Kelly said, “I am incredibly proud of how the people of Kansas met the moment and answered the call to hunker down. It has been a difficult time that has taken a painful toll … financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and professionally on Kansans. But because Kansans took this seriously, COVID-19 has inflicted far less devastation on Kansas than it did in other states.”

The framework is structured to return more flexibility to local community response efforts, while still operating under a statewide, regulatory baseline. It allows local governments to impose additional restrictions beyond those outlined at the state level, if they deem it necessary to local COVID-19 response efforts. Local governments that choose not to impose additional restrictions are required to operate within the regulatory baseline established by the state. This approach will increase flexibility for local communities while also ensuring a gradual, safe transition statewide.

"My Ad Astra plan was developed in collaboration with my state health department, state emergency management team, business leaders and a diverse team of community leaders,” Kelly said. “It aims to balance the needs and concerns identified throughout diverse regions of the state, and sectors of the Kansas economy, but without compromising public health and safety. Data must drive this process … not dates.”

The Governor will evaluate the state’s disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next “Phase.” Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.

Throughout all these phases, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

These are basic public health guidelines that will slow the spread of this disease, regardless of which phase is in effect, and are essential to minimizing community transmission of COVID-19 in the absence of a vaccine.

“Even if Kansans do everything perfectly for the next couple of months, new outbreaks are almost inevitable until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, manufactured and made widely available. It is essential that we make this transition slowly, gradually and cautiously,” the Governor said.

Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovid.ks.gov%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C6afd59ef2fd74370e6c108d7ed67a1e8%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637238901653312866&amp;sdata=P0%2BkIRPtJ9rDIoaoFNJpIMsvSi0oiwitqkgGkrwI5TA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">covid.ks.gov</a>, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588289593495.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced her <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen</a> the State during a Thursday evening statewide broadcast" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced her <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen</a> the State during a Thursday evening statewide broadcast</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">announced Thursday </a>that she will allow many Kansas businesses to reopen next week if they can maintain social distancing and said she hopes to lift all coronavirus-inspired state limits on mass gatherings and other restrictions by June 15.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F367751797500343%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Kelly said in a televised speech that she is lifting a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;Monday and moving to gradually reopen the state’s battered economy. But her plan won’t allow bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops, hair and nail salons or state-owned casinos to reopen until at least May 18. Also, local officials will be allowed to impose their own, stricter rules.<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">Click here </a>for additional details on the plan.The governor outlined <a href="https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/">her plan</a> as Kansas saw its largest spike in confirmed coronavirus cases since its first in early March. Cases jumped by 500 or 13.4% in a single day, to 4,238, largely because of spikes in counties with meat-packing plants and at a state prison. COVID-19-related deaths reached 129, up four.Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Corrections said it had begun testing all of the more than 1,730 inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility, outside the Kansas City area. The number of COVID-19 infections among inmates there who were swabbed after showing symptoms or being housed alongside sick inmates grew to 88.Kelly called her plan an effort to balance “non-negotiable public health considerations with jaw-dropping, unsustainable economic realities.”“Kansas will approach this process slowly, gradually and cautiously,” she said in her speech.The Democratic governor has been under pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature to lift restrictions in the wake of a surge of claims for unemployment benefits and expectations of a sharp drop in state revenues.The state Department of Labor reported that 27,663 more Kansas workers filed initial unemployment claims last week, up dramatically from 1,323 during the same week a year ago but down from the 31,849 new claims from two weeks ago.Top Republican legislators criticized Kelly for treating businesses differently. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, told reporters during an online Zoom video conference that owners of all kinds of businesses believe they can operate safely with social distancing and other steps, such as deep cleaning.“We’ve got more bankruptcies coming down the pike every week,” said Wagle, a U.S. Senate candidate and frequent Kelly critic who outlined her own, less restrictive plan earlier this week. “The economy is hitting the cliff. Money’s not coming in. People are having a hard time paying their bills.”Kelly’s plan envisions four phases to reopening the economy, each lasting 14 days — or more, if public health data calls for lengthening them. Her plan assumes that legislative leaders extend a state of emergency set to expire May 15, for another month. She issued&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EO-20-29-Implementing-Phase-One-of-Ad-Astra-Plan.pdf" target="_blank">an executive order&nbsp;</a>Thursday to put the first phase into effect.“All of the steps carry benefits and unavoidable risk,” Kelly said.In Johnson County, the state’s most populous country, and neighboring Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area, officials issued stay at home orders through May 10. The area was the state’s first coronavirus hot spot, and the two counties together account for 95 or nearly 74% of the state’s COVID-19-related deaths.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms clearing up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.The actual number of cases is thought to be far higher than the number confirmed because of limited testing. Also, studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.Under Kelly’s plan, bars and nightclubs can continue to offer curbside drink service but won’t be allowed to open to patrons until at least May 18, and then at half capacity.Restaurants don’t face capacity limits but must observe limits on mass gatherings in entrances and lobbies. If tables reach the mass-gathering limits, they must be 6 feet from other tables. If restaurants want to seat people in back-to-back booths, they must erect barriers between them.Her plan calls for limiting mass gatherings to 10 until May 18, to 30 until June 1 and 90 until June 15. Businesses also are getting industry-specific guidance on&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/" target="_blank">a state website,</a>&nbsp;and people are strongly encouraged to wear masks in public.Churches won’t have to follow the mass-gathering rules if they practice social distancing, deep clean their facilities and follow other guidance, such as not passing collection plates. Kelly had ordered them to limit the number of congregation members for in-person services to 10, but two churches and their pastors sued her.“I don’t know if life will ever truly ever go back to ’normal,” Kelly said.The governor also is feeling pressure from prison inmates’ families to release some prisoners early. She has said she will announce a plan for that but has suggested it won’t affect large numbers.At the Lansing prison, 75% of 240 inmates from one unit with open dormitory living were found to be positive and not showing symptoms of the disease, though the Department of Corrections said the exact number wasn’t available yet. Seventy-nine staff members — or 19% of its workforce — also have been infected. A facility-wide quarantine will be in place for a minimum of 14 days.-----TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has announced that she will allow many Kansas businesses to reopen next week if they can maintain social distancing.She also said Thursday that she hopes to lift all state limits on mass gatherings and other restrictions by June 15. Kelly is lifting a statewide stay-at-home order Monday. But her plan won’t allow bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops, hair and nail salons or state-owned casinos to reopen until at least May 18 and local officials will be allowed to impose stricter rules. Meanwhile, the state began testing all inmates at its prison in Lansing because of a growing coronavirus outbreak.In a media release from the Governor's office Kelly said, “I am incredibly proud of how the people of Kansas met the moment and answered the call to hunker down. It has been a difficult time that has taken a painful toll … financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and professionally on Kansans. But because Kansans took this seriously, COVID-19 has inflicted far less devastation on Kansas than it did in other states.”The framework is structured to return more flexibility to local community response efforts, while still operating under a statewide, regulatory baseline. It allows local governments to impose additional restrictions beyond those outlined at the state level, if they deem it necessary to local COVID-19 response efforts. Local governments that choose not to impose additional restrictions are required to operate within the regulatory baseline established by the state. This approach will increase flexibility for local communities while also ensuring a gradual, safe transition statewide."My Ad Astra plan was developed in collaboration with my state health department, state emergency management team, business leaders and a diverse team of community leaders,” Kelly said. “It aims to balance the needs and concerns identified throughout diverse regions of the state, and sectors of the Kansas economy, but without compromising public health and safety. Data must drive this process … not dates.”The Governor will evaluate the state’s disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next “Phase.” Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.Throughout all these phases, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:<ol>
 <li>Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;</li><li>Remaining home when sick or running a fever;</li><li>Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;</li><li>Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;</li><li>Working remotely, if possible.</li>
 </ol>These are basic public health guidelines that will slow the spread of this disease, regardless of which phase is in effect, and are essential to minimizing community transmission of COVID-19 in the absence of a vaccine.“Even if Kansans do everything perfectly for the next couple of months, new outbreaks are almost inevitable until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, manufactured and made widely available. It is essential that we make this transition slowly, gradually and cautiously,” the Governor said.Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovid.ks.gov%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C6afd59ef2fd74370e6c108d7ed67a1e8%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637238901653312866&amp;sdata=P0%2BkIRPtJ9rDIoaoFNJpIMsvSi0oiwitqkgGkrwI5TA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">covid.ks.gov</a>, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

🎥 The Latest: Kan. to lift limits Monday on many businesses, not all

LABETTE COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 10p.m. Thursday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr driven by Matayea R. Lomax, 20, Pittsburg, was westbound on U.S. 400&nbsp; six miles west of U.S. 59.

The car crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by&nbsp; Smith, Melinda M. Smith, Neodesha, head-on.&nbsp;

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.

EMS transported Lomax and passengers in the Chevy Wilfredo Mai, 31; Stetson Ringle, 4; Kimber Ringle, 7, and Cailen Ringle, 8, all of Neodesha, to&nbsp;Labette County Medical Center where Lomax died.

A passenger in the Lincoln Eliana Gonzales, 19, Pittsburg, was not injured. All seven were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 10p.m. Thursday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr driven by Matayea R. Lomax, 20, Pittsburg, was westbound on U.S. 400&nbsp; six miles west of U.S. 59.The car crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by&nbsp; Smith, Melinda M. Smith, Neodesha, head-on.&nbsp;Smith was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.EMS transported Lomax and passengers in the Chevy Wilfredo Mai, 31; Stetson Ringle, 4; Kimber Ringle, 7, and Cailen Ringle, 8, all of Neodesha, to&nbsp;Labette County Medical Center where Lomax died.A passenger in the Lincoln Eliana Gonzales, 19, Pittsburg, was not injured. All seven were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

2 Kan. women dead, 4 hospitalized after head-on crash

TOPEKA —Kansas House Republican leadership responded to Governor Kelly's Thursday evening televised address asking for more details.&nbsp; In a social media press release, House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said the governor's addressed left Kansans with more questions than answers.&nbsp; Earlier this week, Senate president Susan Wagle, who is also a candidate for the U.S. Senate, issued her own plan to reopen the Kansas economy.

TOPEKA —Kansas House Republican leadership responded to Governor Kelly's Thursday evening televised address asking for more details.&nbsp; In a social media press release, House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch said the governor's addressed left Kansans with more questions than answers.&nbsp; Earlier this week, Senate president Susan Wagle, who is also a candidate for the U.S. Senate, issued her own plan to reopen the Kansas economy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">House Republican leadership responds to the lack of detail in Governor Kelly’s address tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReopenKansas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReopenKansas</a> <a href="https://t.co/jIkZI5pTNQ">pic.twitter.com/jIkZI5pTNQ</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1256028007921324032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kelly is lifting a statewide stay-at-home order Monday. But her plan won’t allow bars, gyms, theaters, barbershops, hair and nail salons or state-owned casinos to reopen until at least May 18 and local officials will be allowed to impose stricter rules.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FREEKANSAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FREEKANSAS</a> Two days ago, I outlined a detailed plan to re-open Kansas safely. We can no longer be held captive by a stay at home order. Governor, implement my plan protecting the vulnerable while allowing Kansans to work SAFELY with social distancing. End the shut down! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/frEk7IALM5">pic.twitter.com/frEk7IALM5</a>&mdash; Susan Wagle (@SenatorWagle) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorWagle/status/1255885591344005120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>