TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Turnout is on the upswing since the Democratic party in Kansas switched from a presidential caucus to an all-mail primary.

With several days of voting left to go, the party already had processed 138,430 ballots as of Monday evening, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article242340181.html" target="_blank">reports</a>. That is compared to a turnout of 39,266 voters in 2016, when caucus goers went for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Voters have until Saturday to get their ballots to party headquarters.

The spike in turnout occurred despite Sanders dropping out this month and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee.

Democrats made the decision last year to drop the caucus format, which required voters to meet and split into groups. The party already was taking steps to encourage mail voting, but switched to an entirely mail-in ballot after COVID-19 raised safety concerns. Every registered Democrat in the state — more than 400,000 people — received a ballot.

“The record-breaking turnout for the 2020 Presidential Primary is testament to the growing enthusiasm and cohesion of Democrats to make Donald Trump a one-term President,” Kansas Democratic Party Chair Vicki Hiatt said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587385328985.png" alt="Democrat mail in ballot" />
 <figcaption>Democrat mail in ballot</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Turnout is on the upswing since the Democratic party in Kansas switched from a presidential caucus to an all-mail primary.With several days of voting left to go, the party already had processed 138,430 ballots as of Monday evening, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article242340181.html" target="_blank">reports</a>. That is compared to a turnout of 39,266 voters in 2016, when caucus goers went for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Voters have until Saturday to get their ballots to party headquarters.The spike in turnout occurred despite Sanders dropping out this month and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee.Democrats made the decision last year to drop the caucus format, which required voters to meet and split into groups. The party already was taking steps to encourage mail voting, but switched to an entirely mail-in ballot after COVID-19 raised safety concerns. Every registered Democrat in the state — more than 400,000 people — received a ballot.“The record-breaking turnout for the 2020 Presidential Primary is testament to the growing enthusiasm and cohesion of Democrats to make Donald Trump a one-term President,” Kansas Democratic Party Chair Vicki Hiatt said in a statement.

Kan. democrat voter turnout up after switch to mail-in primary

TOPEKA, KAN. —Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and frequent critic of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, unveiled a proposal for reopening the state's economy, though such decisions rest with Kelly.

Kansas reported four additional COVID-19-related deaths Tuesday to bring the total to 124. The state had 3,491 confirmed cases, up 163 from Monday.

The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick.

Wagle, who is also running for the U.S. Senate, called for reopening most Kansas businesses at half capacity. Kelly has said she will outline her plan Thursday.

Kelly issued a stay-at-home order that took effect March 30 and expires at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Wagle said stay-at-home restrictions should be retained on assisted living facilities and nursing homes, where COVID-19 outbreaks can be more lethal. She also said Kelly should permit state executive orders to expire so that county health officials can take the lead.

Wagle said that original projections of COVID-19 cases and deaths had been significantly reduced, with health officials now saying there are enough hospital and ICU beds to adequately treat those who become infected.

Public health officials say the cases and deaths have been fewer because of strong social distancing practices.

Kelly said last week that her goal is to start reopening the Kansas economy Sunday but she may not be able to do it because the state was “nowhere near” having the supplies needed for adequate coronavirus testing. The governor has said she is meeting with officials from various industries and plans to release her reopening strategy Thursday.

Before the coronavirus outbreak started, the University of Kansas Health System’s Poison Control Center averaged two calls a day. But it has been averaging three or four a day in March and April, for a 40% increase over the same time period a year ago.

Most calls are from people not following instructions when mixing and using cleaning supplies. Other calls concern children getting into cleaning supplies as they are home from school and daycare.

Dr. Steve Thornton, the center’s director, said uptick in calls is “predictable” and added that the risk going forward is people trying unproven remedies.

TOPEKA, KAN. —Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and frequent critic of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, unveiled a proposal for reopening the state's economy, though such decisions rest with Kelly.NEW NUMBERSKansas reported four additional COVID-19-related deaths Tuesday to bring the total to 124. The state had 3,491 confirmed cases, up 163 from Monday.The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick.REOPENING THE ECONOMYWagle, who is also running for the U.S. Senate, called for reopening most Kansas businesses at half capacity. Kelly has said she will outline her plan Thursday.Kelly issued a stay-at-home order that took effect March 30 and expires at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.Wagle said stay-at-home restrictions should be retained on assisted living facilities and nursing homes, where COVID-19 outbreaks can be more lethal. She also said Kelly should permit state executive orders to expire so that county health officials can take the lead.Wagle said that original projections of COVID-19 cases and deaths had been significantly reduced, with health officials now saying there are enough hospital and ICU beds to adequately treat those who become infected.Public health officials say the cases and deaths have been fewer because of strong social distancing practices.Kelly said last week that her goal is to start reopening the Kansas economy Sunday but she may not be able to do it because the state was “nowhere near” having the supplies needed for adequate coronavirus testing. The governor has said she is meeting with officials from various industries and plans to release her reopening strategy Thursday.FEARS OF SELF-POISONINGBefore the coronavirus outbreak started, the University of Kansas Health System’s Poison Control Center averaged two calls a day. But it has been averaging three or four a day in March and April, for a 40% increase over the same time period a year ago.Most calls are from people not following instructions when mixing and using cleaning supplies. Other calls concern children getting into cleaning supplies as they are home from school and daycare.Dr. Steve Thornton, the center’s director, said uptick in calls is “predictable” and added that the risk going forward is people trying unproven remedies.

Kan. Senate Pres. unveils plan for reopening state's economy

Mayor Peggy Ruebke -photo courtesy city of Nickerson

NICKERSON, Kan. (AP) — In the heart of Kansas and tornado country, officials in the town of Nickerson say they’re faced with the danger of an unreliable tornado siren system.

The sirens didn’t sound when the town last had a tornado threat last year, newly-elected Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/local/unreliable-mayor-residents-say-sirens-in-nickerson-fail-to-consistently-work-properly/">told&nbsp;</a>Wichita station KSN. Ruebke said the county volunteer fire department is in charge of sounding the sirens in town and that they have had some problems and malfunctions with the system. Fixing or replacing the aging siren system could cost thousands of dollars, she said.

“It needs to be addressed. We need to take care of the citizens,” Ruebke said.

The city plans to address the issue at its May council meeting, she said.

Until the system is reliable, Reno County Emergency Management suggested residents use a system the county has paid for called Everbridge that provides tornado and weather alerts. Residents can sign up using email, a landline or cellphone.

The StormTrack3 Weather App also is available for free and provides local alerts.

Residents can also use the National Weather Service or buy a weather radio, the county emergency office said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588093004939.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mayor Peggy Ruebke -photo courtesy city of NickersonNICKERSON, Kan. (AP) — In the heart of Kansas and tornado country, officials in the town of Nickerson say they’re faced with the danger of an unreliable tornado siren system.The sirens didn’t sound when the town last had a tornado threat last year, newly-elected Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksn.com/news/local/unreliable-mayor-residents-say-sirens-in-nickerson-fail-to-consistently-work-properly/">told&nbsp;</a>Wichita station KSN. Ruebke said the county volunteer fire department is in charge of sounding the sirens in town and that they have had some problems and malfunctions with the system. Fixing or replacing the aging siren system could cost thousands of dollars, she said.“It needs to be addressed. We need to take care of the citizens,” Ruebke said.The city plans to address the issue at its May council meeting, she said.Until the system is reliable, Reno County Emergency Management suggested residents use a system the county has paid for called Everbridge that provides tornado and weather alerts. Residents can sign up using email, a landline or cellphone.The StormTrack3 Weather App also is available for free and provides local alerts.Residents can also use the National Weather Service or buy a weather radio, the county emergency office said.

Kansas town mayor says tornado sirens unreliable

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 163 to a total of 3491, the state health department reported Tuesday afternoon.

<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 163 to a total of 3491, the state health department reported Tuesday afternoon.Coronavirus deaths were reported at 124<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

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of auto thefts involving the same teen since Saturday.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a suspicious character with a weapon call in the 2700 block of North Greenwich in Wichita regarding two juveniles attempting to enter a locked vehicle, according to officer Charley Davidson.

During the investigation of the call, police located and arrested a 14-year-old who was seen running away from a stolen vehicle that had been left running earlier on Sunday.&nbsp;

At approximately 7:20 a.m. Monday, police responded to an auto theft just occurred call at a business in the 3400 block of South West Street in Wichita after keys were left in a vehicle. 

The same 14-year-old entered the vehicle and fled, striking the 22-year-old male vehicle owner in the process. The vehicle owner sustained minor injuries.&nbsp; 

Police quickly located the stolen vehicle and arrested the 14-year-old without further incident. He was booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of auto theft and aggravated battery, according to Davidson.&nbsp;

On Saturday, police in Derby&nbsp; arrested the 14-year-old juvenile in possession of a vehicle that had been stolen in Wichita on Saturday morning.&nbsp;

The 14-year-old has also been listed and cleared as a runaway eight times this month.

“Since the juvenile law changes, it has impacted our ability to address juvenile offenders swiftly,” said Chief Gordon Ramsay. “This has been especially concerning during this pandemic. WPD will continue working with legislatures and state associations to help address issues of juveniles who lack support, care, and oversight.”

Police remind all citizens not to leave your vehicle running unattended and not to leave your keys in your car. Doing so makes you susceptible to becoming the victim of auto theft. Take extra time and ensure you keep yourself and your property safe.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of auto thefts involving the same teen since Saturday.At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a suspicious character with a weapon call in the 2700 block of North Greenwich in Wichita regarding two juveniles attempting to enter a locked vehicle, according to officer Charley Davidson.During the investigation of the call, police located and arrested a 14-year-old who was seen running away from a stolen vehicle that had been left running earlier on Sunday.&nbsp;At approximately 7:20 a.m. Monday, police responded to an auto theft just occurred call at a business in the 3400 block of South West Street in Wichita after keys were left in a vehicle. The same 14-year-old entered the vehicle and fled, striking the 22-year-old male vehicle owner in the process. The vehicle owner sustained minor injuries.&nbsp; Police quickly located the stolen vehicle and arrested the 14-year-old without further incident. He was booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of auto theft and aggravated battery, according to Davidson.&nbsp;On Saturday, police in Derby&nbsp; arrested the 14-year-old juvenile in possession of a vehicle that had been stolen in Wichita on Saturday morning.&nbsp;The 14-year-old has also been listed and cleared as a runaway eight times this month.“Since the juvenile law changes, it has impacted our ability to address juvenile offenders swiftly,” said Chief Gordon Ramsay. “This has been especially concerning during this pandemic. WPD will continue working with legislatures and state associations to help address issues of juveniles who lack support, care, and oversight.”Police remind all citizens not to leave your vehicle running unattended and not to leave your keys in your car. Doing so makes you susceptible to becoming the victim of auto theft. Take extra time and ensure you keep yourself and your property safe.

Police: 14-year-old arrested for multiple auto thefts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments “that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.”

The memo to U.S. attorneys directs the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division and the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan to coordinate the department’s efforts to monitor state and local policies and take action if needed.

“If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court.”

Barr’s memo comes about two weeks after the Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/93201a33ee3f73017f02d273f868bfba">filed a statement of interest</a>&nbsp;in a civil case in Mississippi, siding with a Christian church where local officials had tried to stop Holy Week services broadcast to congregants sitting in their cars in the parking lot.

The directive also comes as many stay-at-home orders are set to expire and governors eager to rescue their economies are moving to ease restrictions meant to control the spread of the coronavirus, even as new hot spots emerge and experts warn that moving too fast could prove disastrous.

At the same time, protesters have staged demonstrations against stay-at-home orders, and in recent weeks, President Donald Trump has urged supporters to “liberate” three states led by Democratic governors.

Trump was asked at Monday’s coronavirus briefing about the strategy behind the decision by the Justice Department.

“Well, you’d have to ask Attorney General Barr, but I think he wants to see — like everybody, he wants to see people get back and he wants to see people get back to work,” Trump said. “He doesn’t want people to be held up when there’s no reason for doing it. In some cases, perhaps it’s too strict. He wants to make sure people have the rights and they maintain the rights, very importantly.”

The Justice Department argued in the Mississippi filing that officials in Greenville appeared to be targeting religious conduct by singling churches out as the only essential service, as designated by the state of Mississippi, that may not operate despite following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations regarding social distancing.

In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt last week, Barr said the Justice Department could support legal action against states that impose strict measures as the number of coronavirus cases begins to subside.

“The idea that you have to stay in your house is disturbingly close to house arrest,” Barr said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t justified. I’m not saying in some places it might still be justified. But it’s very onerous, as is shutting down your livelihood.”

Barr said he believes there is a sufficient basis for social distancing rules that have been put in place, but he has cautioned that there may be concern if the restrictive measures continue too long. He has said the U.S. must find a way to allow business to adapt and reopen.

“I think we have to allow people to figure out ways of getting back to work and keep their workers and customers safe,” Barr said in an interview with Fox News earlier this month. “I’m not suggesting we stop social distancing overnight. There may come a time where we have to worry less about that.”

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585143176510.png" alt="Attorney General William Barr during a Coronavirus Task Force Briefing earlier this month -image courtesy White H ouse" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General William Barr during a Coronavirus Task Force Briefing earlier this month -image courtesy White H ouse</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments “that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.”The memo to U.S. attorneys directs the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division and the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan to coordinate the department’s efforts to monitor state and local policies and take action if needed.“If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court.”Barr’s memo comes about two weeks after the Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/93201a33ee3f73017f02d273f868bfba">filed a statement of interest</a>&nbsp;in a civil case in Mississippi, siding with a Christian church where local officials had tried to stop Holy Week services broadcast to congregants sitting in their cars in the parking lot.The directive also comes as many stay-at-home orders are set to expire and governors eager to rescue their economies are moving to ease restrictions meant to control the spread of the coronavirus, even as new hot spots emerge and experts warn that moving too fast could prove disastrous.At the same time, protesters have staged demonstrations against stay-at-home orders, and in recent weeks, President Donald Trump has urged supporters to “liberate” three states led by Democratic governors.Trump was asked at Monday’s coronavirus briefing about the strategy behind the decision by the Justice Department.“Well, you’d have to ask Attorney General Barr, but I think he wants to see — like everybody, he wants to see people get back and he wants to see people get back to work,” Trump said. “He doesn’t want people to be held up when there’s no reason for doing it. In some cases, perhaps it’s too strict. He wants to make sure people have the rights and they maintain the rights, very importantly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587679047074.png" alt="Protesters mounted a slow-moving caravan around the Statehouse April 23 to push for an end to Gov. Laura Kelly's stay-at-home order." />
 <figcaption>Protesters mounted a slow-moving caravan around the Statehouse April 23 to push for an end to Gov. Laura Kelly's stay-at-home order.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Justice Department argued in the Mississippi filing that officials in Greenville appeared to be targeting religious conduct by singling churches out as the only essential service, as designated by the state of Mississippi, that may not operate despite following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations regarding social distancing.In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt last week, Barr said the Justice Department could support legal action against states that impose strict measures as the number of coronavirus cases begins to subside.“The idea that you have to stay in your house is disturbingly close to house arrest,” Barr said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t justified. I’m not saying in some places it might still be justified. But it’s very onerous, as is shutting down your livelihood.”Barr said he believes there is a sufficient basis for social distancing rules that have been put in place, but he has cautioned that there may be concern if the restrictive measures continue too long. He has said the U.S. must find a way to allow business to adapt and reopen.“I think we have to allow people to figure out ways of getting back to work and keep their workers and customers safe,” Barr said in an interview with Fox News earlier this month. “I’m not suggesting we stop social distancing overnight. There may come a time where we have to worry less about that.”For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.

AG to prosecutors: Look for unconstitutional virus rules

NEW YORK (AP) — The second round of loan applications for the government’s small business relief program has been slowed by computer issues at the Small Business Administration.

Lenders complained Monday that they couldn’t get their applications into the SBA system known as ETran that processes and approves loans. The agency said it notified lenders Sunday that it was limiting the number of applications any lender could submit at once.

The SBA began accepting applications at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time for $310 billion in funding. The program’s initial $349 billion was exhausted in less than two weeks after more than 1.7 million loans were approved. That first round was also slowed by computer issues at the SBA,

Banks had thousands of applications ready to go Monday. Richard Hunt, president of the trade group Consumer Bankers Association, said the SBA’s announcement on application limits was too last-minute — bankers had already sent large batches of applications to the agency, not knowing that a new procedure was being planned.

“We learned at the 11th hour that SBA had changed its process. They could have told us well ahead of time,” Hunt said. He said the agency’s computers weren’t able to accept even the reduced number of applications per hour that it had planned.

The ETran system normally handles under 60,000 applications in a year and wasn’t built to handle the volume of applications it has been receiving this month.

The fresh round of funding was expected to go quickly because banks already had thousands of applications in hand and were accepting more as they waited for Congress to approve the additional money. If the new funds do get depleted, it’s feared that many companies will be shut out unless lawmakers are willing to approve a third round.

The loans offer forgiveness for the money owners spend on workers’ pay. Millions of workers lost their jobs as companies such as restaurants, retailers, gyms and entertainment venues were forced to close to curb the spread of the virus.

On Monday, bankers around the country were having trouble getting into the SBA’s system, said Paul Merski, a vice president at the Independent Community Bankers of America.

“Some have been trying all day since it opened,” Merski said. “It’s not different from what happened in the original launch.”

President Donald Trump was asked about the computer issues during a White House news conference.

“I heard there was a glitch. We’ll find out whether or not that’s so. Certainly it did work out very well for the original amount of money. This is the second amount,” Trump said. “We’re relying on the banks to go out and do an accurate job.”

Carol Wilkerson, a spokeswoman for the SBA, said that the agency had created a mechanism that slowed the pace of applications from any one lender at a time.

“If a lender goes above the pacing limit they will get timed out,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588075781384.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The second round of loan applications for the government’s small business relief program has been slowed by computer issues at the Small Business Administration.Lenders complained Monday that they couldn’t get their applications into the SBA system known as ETran that processes and approves loans. The agency said it notified lenders Sunday that it was limiting the number of applications any lender could submit at once.The SBA began accepting applications at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time for $310 billion in funding. The program’s initial $349 billion was exhausted in less than two weeks after more than 1.7 million loans were approved. That first round was also slowed by computer issues at the SBA,Banks had thousands of applications ready to go Monday. Richard Hunt, president of the trade group Consumer Bankers Association, said the SBA’s announcement on application limits was too last-minute — bankers had already sent large batches of applications to the agency, not knowing that a new procedure was being planned.“We learned at the 11th hour that SBA had changed its process. They could have told us well ahead of time,” Hunt said. He said the agency’s computers weren’t able to accept even the reduced number of applications per hour that it had planned.The ETran system normally handles under 60,000 applications in a year and wasn’t built to handle the volume of applications it has been receiving this month.The fresh round of funding was expected to go quickly because banks already had thousands of applications in hand and were accepting more as they waited for Congress to approve the additional money. If the new funds do get depleted, it’s feared that many companies will be shut out unless lawmakers are willing to approve a third round.The loans offer forgiveness for the money owners spend on workers’ pay. Millions of workers lost their jobs as companies such as restaurants, retailers, gyms and entertainment venues were forced to close to curb the spread of the virus.On Monday, bankers around the country were having trouble getting into the SBA’s system, said Paul Merski, a vice president at the Independent Community Bankers of America.“Some have been trying all day since it opened,” Merski said. “It’s not different from what happened in the original launch.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588025358752.png" alt="President Trump during Monday's opening moments of the Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during Monday's opening moments of the Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>President Donald Trump was asked about the computer issues during a White House news conference.“I heard there was a glitch. We’ll find out whether or not that’s so. Certainly it did work out very well for the original amount of money. This is the second amount,” Trump said. “We’re relying on the banks to go out and do an accurate job.”Carol Wilkerson, a spokeswoman for the SBA, said that the agency had created a mechanism that slowed the pace of applications from any one lender at a time.“If a lender goes above the pacing limit they will get timed out,” she said._____

Small business virus loan program restarts, runs into snags

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation.

The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to sample at least 2.6% of their populations each month — a figure already met by a majority of states. Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that rate, or higher, the White House said.

The testing issue has bedeviled the administration for months. Trump told reporters on March 6 during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta that “anybody that wants a test can get a test,” but the reality has proved to be vastly different.

The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated, and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of tests per day. While the rate of testing increased as tests developed for higher-capacity platforms, they were still limited by shortages of supplies, from nasal swabs to the reagents used to process the samples.

Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested — either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them.

The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday, expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings like nursing homes. And Trump met with leaders of businesses including CVS, Walmart and Kroger, who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country.

“Testing is not going to be a problem at all,” Trump said later in the Rose Garden.

However, many of the administration’s past pledges and goals on testing have not been met.

Jeremy Konyndyk, a disaster preparedness expert who helped lead the Obama administration response to Ebola, said the administration’s testing plans are well short of what is needed.

Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day, and possibly many more. Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day. Trump said the current total, up sharply in recent days, is over 200,000 per day.

Konyndyk said: “Over the past month, we’ve doubled or if you want to be really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country. We need to take where we are now and expand it tenfold.”

The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration’s guidelines for them to return to normal operations, which were released more than a week ago. It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as “rapid response” programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact. The administration aims to have the market “flooded” with tests for the fall, when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu.

Trump and administration medical experts outlined the plan on a call with governors Monday afternoon, before unveiling them publicly in a Rose Garden press conference.

The White House announcements came as Trump sought to regain his footing after weeks of criticism and detours created in part by his press briefings.

Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with medical experts and reporters. Trump’s aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and, they hope, safer, ground: talking up the economy in more tightly controlled settings.

Republican Party polling shows Trump’s path to a second term depends on the public’s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.

On Monday, the White House initially announced there would be a Trump briefing, but canceled it as Trump’s greatest asset in the reelection campaign — his ability to dominate headlines with freewheeling performances — was increasingly seen as a liability.

But hours later, it became clear Trump had other ideas. He held court in the Rose Garden for a bit less than an hour.

Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said briefings would be held later in the week but “they might have a new look to them, a new focus to them.”

Trump said he hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000, slightly revising upward his public estimate of recent days as the U.S. toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases. Still, he claimed a victory given dire, tenfold-higher predictions if the U.S. hadn’t adopted restrictive social distancing measures.

On his conference call with governors, Trump suggested that many states should consider reopening schools before the end of the academic year, easing the way for parents to go back to work.

“Some of you might start thinking about school openings because a lot of people are wanting to have the school openings,” Trump told the governors. The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of the call.

Meanwhile, the CDC was beginning to release more detailed guidelines on reopening schools, restaurants and other establishments. Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for organizations as they begin to reopen, such as closing break rooms at offices, spacing desks six feet apart at schools and using disposable plates and menus at restaurants. The draft guidance was obtained by The Associated Press from a federal official who was not authorized to release it.

<a href="https://apnews.com/fbc35dc7c386447347d7254597b95b3b">Some states</a>&nbsp;have started to ease closure orders, and Trump is expected to spend coming days highlighting his administration’s efforts to help businesses and employees. Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs, business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress, and begin to outline what he hopes to see in an additional recovery package.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c52eb7fc343906ac2dbb9c60b3cf423e">last left the White House complex</a>&nbsp;a month ago, and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of travel within the next few weeks, aides said. It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen.

The shift toward the economy comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country, with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining.

Still, medical experts warn that the virus will continue to haunt the country at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b89077d3a652cc564a5b01083de8dbce">until a vaccine</a>&nbsp;is developed. And they say the risk of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c5cbe2bb3160af9054a1ea5249fff091">severe second wave&nbsp;</a>is high if&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;measures are relaxed too quickly or if testing and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/588a99e650336bd3e2dda838e0725a67">contact tracing</a>&nbsp;schemes aren’t developed before people return to normal behaviors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588025544339.png" alt="Admiral Brett Giroir, M.D.,&nbsp;Assistant Secretary for Health during Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>Admiral Brett Giroir, M.D.,&nbsp;Assistant Secretary for Health during Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588025311828.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to sample at least 2.6% of their populations each month — a figure already met by a majority of states. Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that rate, or higher, the White House said.The testing issue has bedeviled the administration for months. Trump told reporters on March 6 during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta that “anybody that wants a test can get a test,” but the reality has proved to be vastly different.The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated, and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of tests per day. While the rate of testing increased as tests developed for higher-capacity platforms, they were still limited by shortages of supplies, from nasal swabs to the reagents used to process the samples.Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested — either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them.The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday, expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings like nursing homes. And Trump met with leaders of businesses including CVS, Walmart and Kroger, who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country.“Testing is not going to be a problem at all,” Trump said later in the Rose Garden.However, many of the administration’s past pledges and goals on testing have not been met.Jeremy Konyndyk, a disaster preparedness expert who helped lead the Obama administration response to Ebola, said the administration’s testing plans are well short of what is needed.Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day, and possibly many more. Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day. Trump said the current total, up sharply in recent days, is over 200,000 per day.Konyndyk said: “Over the past month, we’ve doubled or if you want to be really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country. We need to take where we are now and expand it tenfold.”The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration’s guidelines for them to return to normal operations, which were released more than a week ago. It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as “rapid response” programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact. The administration aims to have the market “flooded” with tests for the fall, when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu.Trump and administration medical experts outlined the plan on a call with governors Monday afternoon, before unveiling them publicly in a Rose Garden press conference.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588025311828.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The White House announcements came as Trump sought to regain his footing after weeks of criticism and detours created in part by his press briefings.Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with medical experts and reporters. Trump’s aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and, they hope, safer, ground: talking up the economy in more tightly controlled settings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588025386191.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Republican Party polling shows Trump’s path to a second term depends on the public’s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.On Monday, the White House initially announced there would be a Trump briefing, but canceled it as Trump’s greatest asset in the reelection campaign — his ability to dominate headlines with freewheeling performances — was increasingly seen as a liability.But hours later, it became clear Trump had other ideas. He held court in the Rose Garden for a bit less than an hour.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588069680758.png" alt="President Trump makes his way to the microphone to open Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump makes his way to the microphone to open Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said briefings would be held later in the week but “they might have a new look to them, a new focus to them.”Trump said he hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000, slightly revising upward his public estimate of recent days as the U.S. toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases. Still, he claimed a victory given dire, tenfold-higher predictions if the U.S. hadn’t adopted restrictive social distancing measures.On his conference call with governors, Trump suggested that many states should consider reopening schools before the end of the academic year, easing the way for parents to go back to work.“Some of you might start thinking about school openings because a lot of people are wanting to have the school openings,” Trump told the governors. The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of the call.Meanwhile, the CDC was beginning to release more detailed guidelines on reopening schools, restaurants and other establishments. Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for organizations as they begin to reopen, such as closing break rooms at offices, spacing desks six feet apart at schools and using disposable plates and menus at restaurants. The draft guidance was obtained by The Associated Press from a federal official who was not authorized to release it.<a href="https://apnews.com/fbc35dc7c386447347d7254597b95b3b">Some states</a>&nbsp;have started to ease closure orders, and Trump is expected to spend coming days highlighting his administration’s efforts to help businesses and employees. Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs, business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress, and begin to outline what he hopes to see in an additional recovery package.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c52eb7fc343906ac2dbb9c60b3cf423e">last left the White House complex</a>&nbsp;a month ago, and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of travel within the next few weeks, aides said. It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen.The shift toward the economy comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country, with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining.Still, medical experts warn that the virus will continue to haunt the country at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b89077d3a652cc564a5b01083de8dbce">until a vaccine</a>&nbsp;is developed. And they say the risk of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c5cbe2bb3160af9054a1ea5249fff091">severe second wave&nbsp;</a>is high if&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;measures are relaxed too quickly or if testing and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/588a99e650336bd3e2dda838e0725a67">contact tracing</a>&nbsp;schemes aren’t developed before people return to normal behaviors.___

White House releases new coronavirus testing guidelines

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon after a chase and crash.

&nbsp;Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, Cody Wayne Gaston, 34, of Netawaka, Kansas, was allegedly driving a motorcycle northbound on Q.4 Road near 262nd, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 

A deputy attempted to stop the motorcyclist for a traffic infraction, when Gaston allegedly fled northbound and wrecked just south of 286th Road.

 Gaston was not injured, and was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, driving while suspended, possession of opiates, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has previous convictions for burglary and forgery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588017119448.png" alt="Gaston photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Gaston photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon after a chase and crash.&nbsp;Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, Cody Wayne Gaston, 34, of Netawaka, Kansas, was allegedly driving a motorcycle northbound on Q.4 Road near 262nd, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, A deputy attempted to stop the motorcyclist for a traffic infraction, when Gaston allegedly fled northbound and wrecked just south of 286th Road. Gaston was not injured, and was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, driving while suspended, possession of opiates, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has previous convictions for burglary and forgery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff: Kansas felon arrested after motorcycle chase, crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can collect $12 billion from the federal government to cover their losses in the early years of the health care law championed by President Barack Obama.

Insurers are entitled to the money under a provision of the “Obamacare” health law that promised the companies a financial cushion for losses they might incur by selling coverage to people in the marketplaces created by the health care law, the justices said by an 8-1 vote.

The program only lasted three years, but Congress inserted a provision in the Health and Human Services Department’s spending bills from 2015 to 2017 to limit payments under the “risk corridors” program. Both the Obama and Trump administrations had argued that the provision means the government has no obligation to pay.

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in her opinion for the court that the congressional action was not sufficient to repeal the government’s commitment to pay. “These holdings reflect a principle as old as the Nation itself: The Government should honor its obligations,” Sotomayor wrote.

In dissent, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the court’s decision “has the effect of providing a massive bailout for insurance companies that took a calculated risk and lost. These companies chose to participate in an Affordable Care Act program that they thought would be profitable.”

The companies, which sold insurance in Alaska, Illinois, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington, cite HHS statistics to claim they are owed $12 billion.

The case is separate from a challenge to the health care law that the court has agreed to hear in its term that begins in October.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can collect $12 billion from the federal government to cover their losses in the early years of the health care law championed by President Barack Obama.Insurers are entitled to the money under a provision of the “Obamacare” health law that promised the companies a financial cushion for losses they might incur by selling coverage to people in the marketplaces created by the health care law, the justices said by an 8-1 vote.The program only lasted three years, but Congress inserted a provision in the Health and Human Services Department’s spending bills from 2015 to 2017 to limit payments under the “risk corridors” program. Both the Obama and Trump administrations had argued that the provision means the government has no obligation to pay.But Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in her opinion for the court that the congressional action was not sufficient to repeal the government’s commitment to pay. “These holdings reflect a principle as old as the Nation itself: The Government should honor its obligations,” Sotomayor wrote.In dissent, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the court’s decision “has the effect of providing a massive bailout for insurance companies that took a calculated risk and lost. These companies chose to participate in an Affordable Care Act program that they thought would be profitable.”The companies, which sold insurance in Alaska, Illinois, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington, cite HHS statistics to claim they are owed $12 billion.The case is separate from a challenge to the health care law that the court has agreed to hear in its term that begins in October.

Supreme Court: Insurers can collect $12B from Obamacare losses

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have made an arrest.

Just before 10a.m. Friday a.m., police responded to a robbery in progress at the Popeyes located in the 1200 block of North Broadway, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Officers received information that a male suspect later identified as 23-year-old Michael Valentine attempted to rob the business, but was unsuccessful and left on foot.

Responding officers located Valentine in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and arrested him without further incident.

The investigation revealed that Valentine entered the business armed with a toy gun and demanded cash from employees.&nbsp; The employees refused to give Valentine money, and he left the restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As he left, he brandished a knife and threatened a 41-year-old male employee. There was no loss to the business, and no one was injured, according to Wheeler.

Valentine remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777183">according to online jail records.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587849283542.png" alt="Valentine photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Valentine photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have made an arrest.Just before 10a.m. Friday a.m., police responded to a robbery in progress at the Popeyes located in the 1200 block of North Broadway, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Officers received information that a male suspect later identified as 23-year-old Michael Valentine attempted to rob the business, but was unsuccessful and left on foot.Responding officers located Valentine in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and arrested him without further incident.The investigation revealed that Valentine entered the business armed with a toy gun and demanded cash from employees.&nbsp; The employees refused to give Valentine money, and he left the restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As he left, he brandished a knife and threatened a 41-year-old male employee. There was no loss to the business, and no one was injured, according to Wheeler.Valentine remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777183">according to online jail records.</a>

Police: Suspect used toy gun in attempted Kan. restaurant robbery 

By GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/04/27/kansas-couple%E2%80%99s-single-n-95-mask-a-%E2%80%98snapshot-of-humanity%E2%80%99">Kansas Living Magazine</a>

The smallest things have the biggest impact precisely because they are beautiful, selfless, giving.

For all he’s seen over the past few weeks, the donation of a single 
N-95 mask could have easily been overlooked by New York Gov. Andrew 
Cuomo.

Accompanying the mask was a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z74hwIRPp7E&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=173" target="_blank">letter</a> from Dennis and Sharon Ruhnke. Cuomo read the letter in its entirety during a press conference on April 24.

“I am a retired farmer hunkered down in N.E. Kansas with my wife who 
has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung,” the 
hand-written letter from Dennis reads. “We are in our 70s now and 
frankly I am afraid for her.”

Dennis went on to say he found five masks left over from his farming 
days. Sharon says he used them when cleaning out grain bins that held 
the corn and soybeans he grew. He kept four for his family, but the 
fifth one went to the governor to give to a doctor or a nurse in New 
York.

“It’s that love, that courage, that generosity of spirit that makes 
this country so beautiful,” Cuomo said. “And it’s that generosity for me
 that makes up for all the ugliness that you see. Take one mask, I’ll 
keep four.”

From her home near Troy, Sharon, who retired after 45 years of 
teaching, says she didn’t know Cuomo had read the letter until her son 
called later that afternoon.

“He said, ‘I knew that was you because of dad’s terrible handwriting,’” she says.

Sharon says her husband checked that a niece who’s a paramedic in 
Atchison had enough masks before boxing up the one they didn’t need. He 
sent it to the governor because that’s the first address he found on the
 internet.

“We try to give back as much as we can,” Sharon says. “We help out if
 we can. We don’t have a lot, but we’ll share what we have. We’re just 
thankful that one nurse is going to be able to have the proper mask.”

Sharon says she and Dennis are fortunate to have the support of 
friends and family to help with grocery shopping and running errands, so
 they don’t have to risk their health by going out. Still, times are 
tough for everyone.

“I’m not going to the museum and donating my time,” she says. “I miss
 my grandkids so much. My little granddaughter, she’s 2, and it’s hard 
for her to understand why she’s kissing grandma through the patio door.”

The attention the letter has garnered is a pleasant distraction though.

“I was so moved by a text I received from someone in New York,” 
Sharon says. “They thanked us for the mask and asked if we needed 
anything. Their problems are just unbelievable … for them to even think 
we needed something or think of sending us anything made us feel so 
grateful.”

For his part, Cuomo called the mask and letter a “snapshot of humanity.”

“You have five masks, what do you do,” the governor asked. “Do you keep all five? Do you hide the five masks, do you keep them for yourself or others? No, you send one mask. You send one mask to New York to help a doctor or nurse. How beautiful is that? How selfless is that? How giving is that?”

Kansas Living Magazine is a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588017629918.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/04/27/kansas-couple%E2%80%99s-single-n-95-mask-a-%E2%80%98snapshot-of-humanity%E2%80%99">Kansas Living Magazine</a>The smallest things have the biggest impact precisely because they are beautiful, selfless, giving.For all he’s seen over the past few weeks, the donation of a single 
N-95 mask could have easily been overlooked by New York Gov. Andrew 
Cuomo.Instead, it made a lasting impression.Accompanying the mask was a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z74hwIRPp7E&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=173" target="_blank">letter</a> from Dennis and Sharon Ruhnke. Cuomo read the letter in its entirety during a press conference on April 24.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588017690927.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I am a retired farmer hunkered down in N.E. Kansas with my wife who 
has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung,” the 
hand-written letter from Dennis reads. “We are in our 70s now and 
frankly I am afraid for her.”Dennis went on to say he found five masks left over from his farming 
days. Sharon says he used them when cleaning out grain bins that held 
the corn and soybeans he grew. He kept four for his family, but the 
fifth one went to the governor to give to a doctor or a nurse in New 
York.“It’s that love, that courage, that generosity of spirit that makes 
this country so beautiful,” Cuomo said. “And it’s that generosity for me
 that makes up for all the ugliness that you see. Take one mask, I’ll 
keep four.”From her home near Troy, Sharon, who retired after 45 years of 
teaching, says she didn’t know Cuomo had read the letter until her son 
called later that afternoon.“He said, ‘I knew that was you because of dad’s terrible handwriting,’” she says.Sharon says her husband checked that a niece who’s a paramedic in 
Atchison had enough masks before boxing up the one they didn’t need. He 
sent it to the governor because that’s the first address he found on the
 internet.“We try to give back as much as we can,” Sharon says. “We help out if
 we can. We don’t have a lot, but we’ll share what we have. We’re just 
thankful that one nurse is going to be able to have the proper mask.”Sharon says she and Dennis are fortunate to have the support of 
friends and family to help with grocery shopping and running errands, so
 they don’t have to risk their health by going out. Still, times are 
tough for everyone.“I’m not going to the museum and donating my time,” she says. “I miss
 my grandkids so much. My little granddaughter, she’s 2, and it’s hard 
for her to understand why she’s kissing grandma through the patio door.”The attention the letter has garnered is a pleasant distraction though.“I was so moved by a text I received from someone in New York,” 
Sharon says. “They thanked us for the mask and asked if we needed 
anything. Their problems are just unbelievable … for them to even think 
we needed something or think of sending us anything made us feel so 
grateful.”For his part, Cuomo called the mask and letter a “snapshot of humanity.”“You have five masks, what do you do,” the governor asked. “Do you keep all five? Do you hide the five masks, do you keep them for yourself or others? No, you send one mask. You send one mask to New York to help a doctor or nurse. How beautiful is that? How selfless is that? How giving is that?”Kansas Living Magazine is a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau.

Kansas couple’s single N-95 mask a ‘snapshot of humanity’

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and have made an arrest.

Just after 2:30p.m Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the 2000 block of SE Pennsylvania in Topeka on a report of a possible aggravated battery, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers located a victim at a nearby location suffering from what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to a local hospital for medical treatment.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Devonte Jones, 18, and a 17-year-old suspect.

Jones was booked on requested charges Violation of Governor’s Proclamation. The 17-year-old was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Use of a Weapon and Violation of Governor’s Proclamation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588017634497.png" alt="Jones from a previous arrest in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Jones from a previous arrest in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and have made an arrest.Just after 2:30p.m Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the 2000 block of SE Pennsylvania in Topeka on a report of a possible aggravated battery, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers located a victim at a nearby location suffering from what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to a local hospital for medical treatment.The investigation resulted in the arrest of Devonte Jones, 18, and a 17-year-old suspect.Jones was booked on requested charges Violation of Governor’s Proclamation. The 17-year-old was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Use of a Weapon and Violation of Governor’s Proclamation

2 Kansas teens arrested after weekend shooting

Editor's note: The KHP originally reported the crash was part of a police pursuit.

FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after&nbsp; 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by Heinry W. Peters, 23, Satanta, Kansas, was eastbound on U.S. 50 just east of the Wyatt Earp Boulevard Junction

The pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Ronald Atwell, Jr., 63, Santa Ana, California, who was in the road.

Peters was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY — Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was eastbound on U.S. 50 just east of the Wyatt Earp Blvd. Junction during a police pursuit when it struck a dark object in the road.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Editor's note: The KHP originally reported the crash was part of a police pursuit.FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after&nbsp; 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by Heinry W. Peters, 23, Satanta, Kansas, was eastbound on U.S. 50 just east of the Wyatt Earp Boulevard JunctionThe pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Ronald Atwell, Jr., 63, Santa Ana, California, who was in the road.Peters was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.--------FORD COUNTY — Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was eastbound on U.S. 50 just east of the Wyatt Earp Blvd. Junction during a police pursuit when it struck a dark object in the road.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KHP IDs victim in fatal SW Kansas crash

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman held their press conference Monday afternoon.

The governor reported the state has launched a new<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/"> coronavirus website</a>&nbsp;to assist Kansans with additional information beyond medical information. It is a centralized place for resources Kansans need as the state responds to and recovers from the damage done as a result of the pandemic.

 The site is ADA compliant, mobile optimized and available in Spanish.&nbsp; The site will also provide information on state resources to help Kansans from job openings and more.

Dr. Norman reported that a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate diagnosed with the virus died over the weekend. The man was over the age of 50 with a number of underlying health conditions, according to Norman.

He also shared that&nbsp; Kansas Poison control has seen approximately a 40 percent increase in cleaning chemical cases "including a man who drank a product over the weekend based on advice he'd received." 

"We're doing what we can to&nbsp; counter-message that kind of remedy," said Norman.

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman held their press conference Monday afternoon.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F912623055864233%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>The governor reported the state has launched a new<a href="https://covid.ks.gov/"> coronavirus website</a>&nbsp;to assist Kansans with additional information beyond medical information. It is a centralized place for resources Kansans need as the state responds to and recovers from the damage done as a result of the pandemic. The site is ADA compliant, mobile optimized and available in Spanish.&nbsp; The site will also provide information on state resources to help Kansans from job openings and more.Dr. Norman reported that a Lansing Correctional Facility inmate diagnosed with the virus died over the weekend. The man was over the age of 50 with a number of underlying health conditions, according to Norman.He also shared that&nbsp; Kansas Poison control has seen approximately a 40 percent increase in cleaning chemical cases "including a man who drank a product over the weekend based on advice he'd received." "We're doing what we can to&nbsp; counter-message that kind of remedy," said Norman.

🎥  Gov., KDHE Secretary update battle against virus

TOPEKA, Kan. –&nbsp;A Lansing Correctional Facility resident who&nbsp;died&nbsp;Sunday, April 26, had tested positive for COVID-19.

The resident was a man over the age of 50 with underlying medical conditions who tested positive for the virus on April 19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

&nbsp;He was transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center on April 20.&nbsp;The official manner of death for all COVID-19 deaths is natural causes.&nbsp;

The individual was serving 25 years to life in prison for first degree murder and had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since 2009. For the privacy of his family and due to confidentiality laws, the KDOC will not release his name nor his underlying medical conditions. His family has been notified.

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. Serving only males, the facility capacity is 2,432 residents.

TOPEKA, Kan. –&nbsp;A Lansing Correctional Facility resident who&nbsp;died&nbsp;Sunday, April 26, had tested positive for COVID-19.The resident was a man over the age of 50 with underlying medical conditions who tested positive for the virus on April 19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;He was transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center on April 20.&nbsp;The official manner of death for all COVID-19 deaths is natural causes.&nbsp;The individual was serving 25 years to life in prison for first degree murder and had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since 2009. For the privacy of his family and due to confidentiality laws, the KDOC will not release his name nor his underlying medical conditions. His family has been notified.The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. Serving only males, the facility capacity is 2,432 residents.

Kan. inmate serving time for murder died from coronavirus

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-hasnt-stopped-cancer-surgeries-kansas-its-boosted-telemedicine">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — Doctors diagnosed Courtney 
Buchmann’s breast cancer on March 6, three days before the first 
confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kansas.

Buchmann worried, as 
hospitals braced for an overflow of coronavirus patients, whether the 
potentially life-saving surgery she suddenly needed would be deemed 
elective.

Instead, a quick shift to online consultations with her doctors, the surgery went ahead without much change.

Yet the stress that comes with cancer remained. And a tough decision got rushed.

Right after her diagnosis, Buchmann quickly scheduled two appointments with doctors at the <a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/about-us" target="_blank">University of Kansas Cancer Center</a>.

Her
 brother, a physician, went with her to her first appointment with her 
surgeon. She was hoping to bring her sister-in-law, an oncologist, to 
the next one a few days later. By that point, the doctor’s office wasn’t
 allowing any visitors to come to appointments.

“So as I had my appointments, COVID was really changing the landscape,” Buchmann said.

Those changes also altered a tough decision.

Rather
 than wait for the results of a genetic test that would help her decide 
on getting a double mastectomy, she went ahead and scheduled surgery to 
just remove the cancerous tissue.

“We wanted to go ahead and 
operate on the cancer I currently had while KU still had masks,” she 
said. “While they were still seeing cancer surgery as essential.”

About that same time, the<a href="https://www.facs.org/covid-19/clinical-guidance/triage" target="_blank"> American College of Surgeons began issuing guidance</a>
 to hospitals on how to best prepare for the surge of COVID-19 patients.
 And which surgeries were truly needed. The group offered guidance to 
help prepare U.S. hospitals for the same problems other countries faced.

“Many
 hospitals were literally overwhelmed with admissions,” said David Hoyt,
 executive director of the American College of Surgeons. “So, just to 
free up beds to be able to care for these patients, to preserve 
protective equipment, gowns, gloves, masks. All the things that you 
need.”

And it seemed to work. While many people had to delay knee or hip replacements, Kansas <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-hospitals-wont-say-how-full-theyre-getting-coronavirus-patients">hospitals</a> <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-hospitals-wont-say-how-full-theyre-getting-coronavirus-patients" target="_blank">have so far handled the influx of COVID-19 patients</a> without too many issues.

Some
 models project Kansas will soon reach its peak, and that it has 
capacity to spare. Meanwhile, cancer treatment has gone forward almost 
the same as it had before.

The one major difference is that most appointments before and after surgery now happen online.

“Today, I have eight patients who showed up on my schedule,” Dr. Shaker Dakhil, president of the <a href="https://cancercenterofkansas.com/" target="_blank">Cancer Center of Kansas</a> said. “And beside their appointment, it says virtual visit.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587993705414.png" alt=" Central Care Cancer Center in Wichita, Kansas. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Central Care Cancer Center in Wichita, Kansas. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-hasnt-stopped-cancer-surgeries-kansas-its-boosted-telemedicine">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — Doctors diagnosed Courtney 
Buchmann’s breast cancer on March 6, three days before the first 
confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kansas.Buchmann worried, as 
hospitals braced for an overflow of coronavirus patients, whether the 
potentially life-saving surgery she suddenly needed would be deemed 
elective.Instead, a quick shift to online consultations with her doctors, the surgery went ahead without much change.Yet the stress that comes with cancer remained. And a tough decision got rushed.Right after her diagnosis, Buchmann quickly scheduled two appointments with doctors at the <a href="https://www.kucancercenter.org/about-us" target="_blank">University of Kansas Cancer Center</a>.Her
 brother, a physician, went with her to her first appointment with her 
surgeon. She was hoping to bring her sister-in-law, an oncologist, to 
the next one a few days later. By that point, the doctor’s office wasn’t
 allowing any visitors to come to appointments.“So as I had my appointments, COVID was really changing the landscape,” Buchmann said.Those changes also altered a tough decision.Rather
 than wait for the results of a genetic test that would help her decide 
on getting a double mastectomy, she went ahead and scheduled surgery to 
just remove the cancerous tissue.“We wanted to go ahead and 
operate on the cancer I currently had while KU still had masks,” she 
said. “While they were still seeing cancer surgery as essential.”About that same time, the<a href="https://www.facs.org/covid-19/clinical-guidance/triage" target="_blank"> American College of Surgeons began issuing guidance</a>
 to hospitals on how to best prepare for the surge of COVID-19 patients.
 And which surgeries were truly needed. The group offered guidance to 
help prepare U.S. hospitals for the same problems other countries faced.“Many
 hospitals were literally overwhelmed with admissions,” said David Hoyt,
 executive director of the American College of Surgeons. “So, just to 
free up beds to be able to care for these patients, to preserve 
protective equipment, gowns, gloves, masks. All the things that you 
need.”And it seemed to work. While many people had to delay knee or hip replacements, Kansas <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-hospitals-wont-say-how-full-theyre-getting-coronavirus-patients">hospitals</a> <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-hospitals-wont-say-how-full-theyre-getting-coronavirus-patients" target="_blank">have so far handled the influx of COVID-19 patients</a> without too many issues.Some
 models project Kansas will soon reach its peak, and that it has 
capacity to spare. Meanwhile, cancer treatment has gone forward almost 
the same as it had before.The one major difference is that most appointments before and after surgery now happen online.“Today, I have eight patients who showed up on my schedule,” Dr. Shaker Dakhil, president of the <a href="https://cancercenterofkansas.com/" target="_blank">Cancer Center of Kansas</a> said. “And beside their appointment, it says virtual visit.”He
 said the visits look very much like an in-person visit would. He has 
his computer in front of him. He asks them questions about their disease
 and listens to any of their concerns.“We kept everything exactly the same,” he said, “and this has been working beautifully.”Dakhil hopes that some of the changes made to deal with the coronavirus stick around after the pandemic.And while it could be intimidating, health officials are encouraging people to not wait to get treated and try the new system.“If
 there’s something that you think is important enough that you would 
call the doctor’s office, then consider a telemedicine appointment.” 
Lori Ranallo, nurse practitioner at the University of Kansas Health 
System Cancer Center and state ambassador for the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/kansas.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a> said.Buchmann,
 the breast cancer patient, said she would have thought you were crazy 
if you’d told her back in February she’d be having doctor’s appointments
 over Zoom, but she’s now had three of those video calls.“It hasn’t sent me into an extraordinary panic,” Buchmann said. “I would say I’m at baseline you-have-cancer panic.”Brian
 Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en" target="_blank">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.