TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discuss the state's battle against the coronavirus during their Friday afternoon news conference.

The Governor briefly addressed the lawsuits two Kansas churches and their pastors filed Thursday against her over&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20-18-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">an order</a>&nbsp;banning religious gatherings with more than 10 people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, arguing that the directive violates their religious and free-speech rights.

Dr. Norman said that after a number of new virus cases were reported in Western Kansas, the KDHE is sending a team to do more testing and investigate. He also discussed work at Kansas State University to determine if mosquitoes can transmit the virus.

Kansas saw its number of confirmed coronavirus cases jump again by more than 100 in a single day, past 1,700 total, the state health department reported Friday. COVID-19 deaths increased to 84.

TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discuss the state's battle against the coronavirus during their Friday afternoon news conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F905155203283172%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 briefly addressed the lawsuits two Kansas churches and their pastors filed Thursday against her over&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20-18-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">an order</a>&nbsp;banning religious gatherings with more than 10 people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, arguing that the directive violates their religious and free-speech rights.Dr. Norman said that after a number of new virus cases were reported in Western Kansas, the KDHE is sending a team to do more testing and investigate. He also discussed work at Kansas State University to determine if mosquitoes can transmit the virus.Kansas saw its number of confirmed coronavirus cases jump again by more than 100 in a single day, past 1,700 total, the state health department reported Friday. COVID-19 deaths increased to 84.

🎥 Kan. Gov., KDHE Secretary update fight against virus

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas saw its number of confirmed coronavirus case jump again by more than 100 in a single day, past 1,700 total, the state health department reported Friday. COVID-19 deaths increased to 84.

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

The Department of Health and Environment said the state has 1,705 cases of the novel coronavirus in 66 of its 105 counties. That was an increase of 117, or 7.4% from Thursday, with cases in three additional counties.

The state also reported 100-plus increases in case numbers on Saturday and April 8, but the rate of increase had dropped below 5% for several days this week.

The new figure for deaths represents an increase of four over Thursday’s figure, or 5%. It came as Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area reported four new deaths, bringing its total to 35. The county reports 395 coronavirus cases, the most in the state, and has 23% of the state’s cases and 42% of its COVID-19 related deaths, despite having only 5.7% of its population.

The rise in cases and deaths and the expanding geographical spread of the coronavirus came with Republican legislators increasing pressure on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to outline a plan for lifting her stay-at-home order for the state’s 2.9 million residents..

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas saw its number of confirmed coronavirus case jump again by more than 100 in a single day, past 1,700 total, the state health department reported Friday. COVID-19 deaths increased to 84.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHEThe Department of Health and Environment said the state has 1,705 cases of the novel coronavirus in 66 of its 105 counties. That was an increase of 117, or 7.4% from Thursday, with cases in three additional counties.The state also reported 100-plus increases in case numbers on Saturday and April 8, but the rate of increase had dropped below 5% for several days this week.The new figure for deaths represents an increase of four over Thursday’s figure, or 5%. It came as Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area reported four new deaths, bringing its total to 35. The county reports 395 coronavirus cases, the most in the state, and has 23% of the state’s cases and 42% of its COVID-19 related deaths, despite having only 5.7% of its population.The rise in cases and deaths and the expanding geographical spread of the coronavirus came with Republican legislators increasing pressure on Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to outline a plan for lifting her stay-at-home order for the state’s 2.9 million residents..<figure>
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Kansas sees coronavirus cases top 1,700; deaths rise to 84

TOPEKA — In a decision published Friday, the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a ruling by the Saline County District Court in the murder case involving 33-year-old Nicholas Corbin.

According to a summary of the decision "In 2014, Corbin pleaded no contest to murder of his two-month old son. 

The district court rejected his argument he was intellectually disabled. 

In a 2016 appeal, the Supreme Court remanded the case to district court to reconsider its ruling because the applicable law had changed. 

On remand, the district court complied with the Supreme Court's direction and again denied the intellectual disability claim. 

In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Dan Biles, the Supreme Court affirmed the district court's ruling and held its decision was reasonable and supported by the evidence."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587142514410.png" alt="Corbin is being held in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Corbin is being held in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — In a decision published Friday, the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed a ruling by the Saline County District Court in the murder case involving 33-year-old Nicholas Corbin.According to a summary of the decision "In 2014, Corbin pleaded no contest to murder of his two-month old son. The district court rejected his argument he was intellectually disabled. In a 2016 appeal, the Supreme Court remanded the case to district court to reconsider its ruling because the applicable law had changed. On remand, the district court complied with the Supreme Court's direction and again denied the intellectual disability claim. In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Dan Biles, the Supreme Court affirmed the district court's ruling and held its decision was reasonable and supported by the evidence."

Kan. court affirms ruling against man who murdered infant son

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A major aircraft parts supplier in Kansas is expected to bring about 2,100 furloughed workers back to work next week as Boeing prepares to resume production of its commercial airplanes.

Spirit AeroSystems also is planning resume work for more than 1,700 other workers in Wichita over the next three weeks.

“As our customer, Boeing, begins to resume production, Spirit AeroSystems will work with our employees, customers and suppliers to begin a phased-in return to work for some furloughed employees,” Spirit spokeswoman Keturah Austin said.

She added that “this will be a slow process as we work to continue to support our customer’s operations in a manner that is safe for all involved.”

Boeing said Thursday it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f42ebafe22368f14745b9ab1ca7f6570">restart production of its commercial airplanes</a>&nbsp;next week in the Seattle area, putting about 27,000 people back to work at its facilities in the Seattle area after operations were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Boeing employees for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplanes will return as early as Monday with most returning to work by Tuesday,

Boeing is Spirit AeroSystem’s biggest customer, and the impact has rippled to its suppliers.

About 2,100 workers, hourly and salaried, are scheduled to return to various production lines at the Spirit plant in Wichita on Monday, according to a union officials and numbers obtained by the newspaper. They’ll be joined by another 200 workers on April 27; an additional 1,100 on April 29 and nearly 400 on May 4.

Cornell Beard, president of Machinists District Lodge 70, said the returning union workers are still a fraction of the plant’s full work force, “but anything’s better than nothing.”

The coronavirus has exacerbated Boeing’s crisis surrounding the 737 Max, which remains grounded after two deadly crashes. Boeing said Thursday its 737 program “”will resume working toward restarting production”″ of the 737 MAX.

Spirit produces about 70% of the 737 Max, including the fuselage. Contracts with Boeing for the Max represents more than half of Spirit’s annual income.

Future callbacks at Spirit will be largely dependent on Boeing’s performance in getting the 737 Max back in the air, Beard said.

“If another mistake is found, or another defect, or if we just encounter another problem, those projections will change again (and) we’re going to be right back in this pickle,” Beard said.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A major aircraft parts supplier in Kansas is expected to bring about 2,100 furloughed workers back to work next week as Boeing prepares to resume production of its commercial airplanes.Spirit AeroSystems also is planning resume work for more than 1,700 other workers in Wichita over the next three weeks.“As our customer, Boeing, begins to resume production, Spirit AeroSystems will work with our employees, customers and suppliers to begin a phased-in return to work for some furloughed employees,” Spirit spokeswoman Keturah Austin said.She added that “this will be a slow process as we work to continue to support our customer’s operations in a manner that is safe for all involved.”Boeing said Thursday it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f42ebafe22368f14745b9ab1ca7f6570">restart production of its commercial airplanes</a>&nbsp;next week in the Seattle area, putting about 27,000 people back to work at its facilities in the Seattle area after operations were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Boeing employees for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplanes will return as early as Monday with most returning to work by Tuesday,Boeing is Spirit AeroSystem’s biggest customer, and the impact has rippled to its suppliers.About 2,100 workers, hourly and salaried, are scheduled to return to various production lines at the Spirit plant in Wichita on Monday, according to a union officials and numbers obtained by the newspaper. They’ll be joined by another 200 workers on April 27; an additional 1,100 on April 29 and nearly 400 on May 4.Cornell Beard, president of Machinists District Lodge 70, said the returning union workers are still a fraction of the plant’s full work force, “but anything’s better than nothing.”The coronavirus has exacerbated Boeing’s crisis surrounding the 737 Max, which remains grounded after two deadly crashes. Boeing said Thursday its 737 program “”will resume working toward restarting production”″ of the 737 MAX.Spirit produces about 70% of the 737 Max, including the fuselage. Contracts with Boeing for the Max represents more than half of Spirit’s annual income.Future callbacks at Spirit will be largely dependent on Boeing’s performance in getting the 737 Max back in the air, Beard said.“If another mistake is found, or another defect, or if we just encounter another problem, those projections will change again (and) we’re going to be right back in this pickle,” Beard said.

Kan. aircraft parts maker bringing back some furloughed workers

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City tow truck driver has been arrested, accused of chasing down and shooting a man whose vehicle he had been trying to tow, police said.

A report had previously described the Tuesday night incident as a rolling gun battle between two tow truck drivers.

Police determined the shooting occurred after the victim spotted two tow trucks preparing to tow his vehicle in Raytown, then jumped into his vehicle and drove off.

Police said Prentiss Burks, 42, followed in his tow truck, opening fire on the fleeing vehicle. The chase ended near the Glen Lake neighborhood in Kansas City after Burks shot the fleeing vehicle's driver twice in the legs.

Investigators later found a handgun in Burks' possession that matched the shell casings found along the road where shots were fired, police said.

Burks has been charged with second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and a weapons count and is being held on $50,000 bond. Prosecutors are seeking to have his bond increased to $100,000.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two tow truck drivers carried out a rolling gun battle in a western Kansas City neighborhood, seriously wounding one of them, police said.

The shooting happened Tuesday night near the Glen Lake neighborhood. Police said the altercation began in Raytown, when one tow truck driver tried to run over the other, and continued into Kansas City.

At some point, one driver opened fire on the other as they drove north on Norfleet Road, police said. The chase and shooting continued as the tow trucks traveled west and ended a short time later.

Police said one of the drivers was shot twice and was taken by an ambulance to a hospital in serious condition. He is expected to survive, police said.

No names were released, and no arrests had been reported by Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587130559471.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Burks photo Jackson CountyKANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City tow truck driver has been arrested, accused of chasing down and shooting a man whose vehicle he had been trying to tow, police said.A report had previously described the Tuesday night incident as a rolling gun battle between two tow truck drivers.Police determined the shooting occurred after the victim spotted two tow trucks preparing to tow his vehicle in Raytown, then jumped into his vehicle and drove off.Police said Prentiss Burks, 42, followed in his tow truck, opening fire on the fleeing vehicle. The chase ended near the Glen Lake neighborhood in Kansas City after Burks shot the fleeing vehicle's driver twice in the legs.Investigators later found a handgun in Burks' possession that matched the shell casings found along the road where shots were fired, police said.Burks has been charged with second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and a weapons count and is being held on $50,000 bond. Prosecutors are seeking to have his bond increased to $100,000.------------KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two tow truck drivers carried out a rolling gun battle in a western Kansas City neighborhood, seriously wounding one of them, police said.The shooting happened Tuesday night near the Glen Lake neighborhood. Police said the altercation began in Raytown, when one tow truck driver tried to run over the other, and continued into Kansas City.At some point, one driver opened fire on the other as they drove north on Norfleet Road, police said. The chase and shooting continued as the tow trucks traveled west and ended a short time later.Police said one of the drivers was shot twice and was taken by an ambulance to a hospital in serious condition. He is expected to survive, police said.No names were released, and no arrests had been reported by Thursday.

Update: Kansas City tow-truck operator shot fleeing driver

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are struggling to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump’s $250 billion emergency request for a small-business program, stoking uncertainty about when additional support will be available in a key rescue program now exhausted of funds.

A Senate session quickly adjourned without any progress, though staff aides to House and Senate Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin convened another conference call, on legislation to shore up the Paycheck Protection Program and demands by Democrats for potential additions. The Small Business Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">announced Thursday&nbsp;</a>it has reached its $349 billion lending limit and is no longer accepting applications, and Trump immediately weighed in on Twitter to bash Democrats.

“Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program. They are killing American small businesses. Stop playing politics Dems! Support Refilling PPP NOW – it is out of funds!” Trump wrote.

GOP aides said that Mnuchin is prepared to accept additional funding sought by Democrats for hospitals, but that additional aid to state and local governments couldn’t get approval in the current round. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize internal party deliberations.

Thursday’s Senate session featured a short speech by a frustrated majority leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., but no effort to pass Trump’s $250 billion request — or to shame Democrats, were they to block it as they did last week. Instead, McConnell said that he had cleared the $250 billion package on the GOP side but that Democrats would have stopped it.

“Democrats would not let us reopen the program,” McConnell said. “This really should be above politics.”

The Capitol is largely shuttered, requiring consensus from all sides for any legislation to pass, and top GOP leaders are vowing to stick closely to Trump’s request despite Democrats’ additional demands.

The Senate is away from Washington through May 4, but it convenes twice each week for pro forma sessions that could be used to pass more coronavirus aid — though only if no senator objects. The next Senate pro forma is Monday afternoon; no action is expected at a brief Friday House session.

McConnell, asked by a reporter whether he could support any agreement reached by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Mnuchin, was noncommittal.

“Well, look, we’d take a look at it. My members want to plus up the small-business program. We think the need is obvious,” he told reporters. “And all the money for the other programs is not yet out the door. It doesn’t mean we won’t be dealing with them later, but we have an emergency, we ought to deal with it.”

GOP leaders McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are back in Washington to monitor developments. McCarthy, the House minority leader, is closer to Trump, but both seem to fear Mnuchin might be willing to contemplate concessions that rank-and-file Republicans would find objectionable.

At issue is a $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that is a centerpiece of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">massive rescue bill.&nbsp;</a>The Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate for the legislation, passed virtually unanimously last month, pegging its deficit cost at $1.8 trillion. That’s less than the $2.2 trillion informal White House estimate, and the difference is because the CBO believes an almost half-trillion-dollar loan guarantee program designed to stabilize large companies and state and local governments won’t have deficit costs because the money would be paid back.

The program gives grants to businesses with fewer than 500 workers so that they can maintain payroll and pay rent while shutting down their businesses during social distancing edicts.

The program has been swamped by businesses applying for loans and has reached its appropriations limit. Mnuchin says $250 billion more is needed immediately.

But Democrats want money for hospitals burdened under COVID-19 caseloads and additional funding for states and local governments straining as the economy slides into recession.

They also want to make sure the Paycheck Protection Program is opened up more to businesses that don’t have established relationships with banks that have been accepting applications for rescue funding.

Pelosi is pressing to add money to be distributed by community development financial institutions, which are small, nontraditional lenders that focus on making loans in underdeveloped and underserved neighborhoods, typically communities with larger minority populations.

“We want to make sure that, as it gets more money, many more people get access to the credit,” Pelosi said.

Eventually, the need for consensus seems likely to result in a relatively limited package.

Republicans are agitating to help rural hospitals, while Democrats are also keen to boost aid to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. Aiding the states may be a stretch for now, however, as the issue can easily provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587127575852.png" alt="Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) Virginia, designated to act as Speaker pro tempore in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) Virginia, designated to act as Speaker pro tempore in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are struggling to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump’s $250 billion emergency request for a small-business program, stoking uncertainty about when additional support will be available in a key rescue program now exhausted of funds.A Senate session quickly adjourned without any progress, though staff aides to House and Senate Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin convened another conference call, on legislation to shore up the Paycheck Protection Program and demands by Democrats for potential additions. The Small Business Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">announced Thursday&nbsp;</a>it has reached its $349 billion lending limit and is no longer accepting applications, and Trump immediately weighed in on Twitter to bash Democrats.“Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program. They are killing American small businesses. Stop playing politics Dems! Support Refilling PPP NOW – it is out of funds!” Trump wrote.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GOP aides said that Mnuchin is prepared to accept additional funding sought by Democrats for hospitals, but that additional aid to state and local governments couldn’t get approval in the current round. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize internal party deliberations.Thursday’s Senate session featured a short speech by a frustrated majority leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., but no effort to pass Trump’s $250 billion request — or to shame Democrats, were they to block it as they did last week. Instead, McConnell said that he had cleared the $250 billion package on the GOP side but that Democrats would have stopped it.“Democrats would not let us reopen the program,” McConnell said. “This really should be above politics.”The Capitol is largely shuttered, requiring consensus from all sides for any legislation to pass, and top GOP leaders are vowing to stick closely to Trump’s request despite Democrats’ additional demands.The Senate is away from Washington through May 4, but it convenes twice each week for pro forma sessions that could be used to pass more coronavirus aid — though only if no senator objects. The next Senate pro forma is Monday afternoon; no action is expected at a brief Friday House session.McConnell, asked by a reporter whether he could support any agreement reached by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Mnuchin, was noncommittal.“Well, look, we’d take a look at it. My members want to plus up the small-business program. We think the need is obvious,” he told reporters. “And all the money for the other programs is not yet out the door. It doesn’t mean we won’t be dealing with them later, but we have an emergency, we ought to deal with it.”GOP leaders McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are back in Washington to monitor developments. McCarthy, the House minority leader, is closer to Trump, but both seem to fear Mnuchin might be willing to contemplate concessions that rank-and-file Republicans would find objectionable.At issue is a $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that is a centerpiece of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">massive rescue bill.&nbsp;</a>The Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate for the legislation, passed virtually unanimously last month, pegging its deficit cost at $1.8 trillion. That’s less than the $2.2 trillion informal White House estimate, and the difference is because the CBO believes an almost half-trillion-dollar loan guarantee program designed to stabilize large companies and state and local governments won’t have deficit costs because the money would be paid back.The program gives grants to businesses with fewer than 500 workers so that they can maintain payroll and pay rent while shutting down their businesses during social distancing edicts.The program has been swamped by businesses applying for loans and has reached its appropriations limit. Mnuchin says $250 billion more is needed immediately.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>But Democrats want money for hospitals burdened under COVID-19 caseloads and additional funding for states and local governments straining as the economy slides into recession.They also want to make sure the Paycheck Protection Program is opened up more to businesses that don’t have established relationships with banks that have been accepting applications for rescue funding.Pelosi is pressing to add money to be distributed by community development financial institutions, which are small, nontraditional lenders that focus on making loans in underdeveloped and underserved neighborhoods, typically communities with larger minority populations.“We want to make sure that, as it gets more money, many more people get access to the credit,” Pelosi said.Eventually, the need for consensus seems likely to result in a relatively limited package.Republicans are agitating to help rural hospitals, while Democrats are also keen to boost aid to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. Aiding the states may be a stretch for now, however, as the issue can easily provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.

New pressure on lawmakers as virus aid for firms hits limit

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Kansas churches and their pastors filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Gov. Laura Kelly over&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20-18-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">an order</a>&nbsp;banning religious gatherings with more than 10 people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, arguing that the directive violates their religious and free-speech rights.

<a href="https://apdocs.inside.ap.org/documents/150874-churches-lawsuit-04-16-20.html" target="_blank">The lawsuit</a>&nbsp;comes eight days after top Republican legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/79490ae7c241fab1301bd66e87afd224">attempted to revoke</a>&nbsp;Kelly’s order themselves, only to see the Democratic governor thwart their efforts by contesting their action before the Kansas Supreme Court. The state’s highest court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9cc005f93f1daa0edd5fcfbc581351e5">let her order stand</a>&nbsp;on technical grounds, without deciding whether it violated freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. or Kansas constitutions.

The lawsuit also comes with Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature pressuring Kelly to outline a plan for lifting a separate stay-at-home order for all 2.9 million Kansas residents to help the economy recover.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Kansas also alleges that Kelly’s order violates the churches and pastors’ right to assembly, guaranteed along with religious and free-speech rights by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It also contends that it violates a state law meant to protect religious freedom.

The lawsuit was filed by First Baptist Church in Dodge City and Pastor Stephen Ormond and Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City and Pastor Aaron Harris. The lawsuit said both churches held indoor services Sunday with 20 or more members of the congregation present, celebrating Easter, often the busiest day of the year for Christian churches.

“The State does not have a compelling reason for prohibiting church services where congregants can otherwise practice adequate social distancing protocol,” the lawsuit said.

Both churches had congregation members sit 6 feet apart, in line with public health recommendations on social distancing and took numerous other steps, such as not using collection plates, the lawsuit said.

Kelly spokeswoman Dena Sattler said the governor’s office is reviewing the lawsuit but added, “This is not about restricting religion, it is about keeping people safe and saving Kansans’ lives.”

The number of coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths are still rising in Kansas. The state reported 1,588 cases as of Thursday, with 80 deaths.

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

Kelly’s statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">stay-at-home order&nbsp;</a>took effect March 30 and is set to remain in effect until May 3. It exempts “essential” activities such as buying groceries and obtaining medical care.

The lawsuit argues that Kelly’s order limiting church gatherings to 10 or fewer members of a congregation discriminates against and “shows hostility” toward churches when many secular businesses still can operate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586807038792.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly listens to questions during a press conference Monday in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly listens to questions during a press conference Monday in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Kansas churches and their pastors filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Gov. Laura Kelly over&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20-18-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">an order</a>&nbsp;banning religious gatherings with more than 10 people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, arguing that the directive violates their religious and free-speech rights.<a href="https://apdocs.inside.ap.org/documents/150874-churches-lawsuit-04-16-20.html" target="_blank">The lawsuit</a>&nbsp;comes eight days after top Republican legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/79490ae7c241fab1301bd66e87afd224">attempted to revoke</a>&nbsp;Kelly’s order themselves, only to see the Democratic governor thwart their efforts by contesting their action before the Kansas Supreme Court. The state’s highest court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9cc005f93f1daa0edd5fcfbc581351e5">let her order stand</a>&nbsp;on technical grounds, without deciding whether it violated freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. or Kansas constitutions.The lawsuit also comes with Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature pressuring Kelly to outline a plan for lifting a separate stay-at-home order for all 2.9 million Kansas residents to help the economy recover.The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Kansas also alleges that Kelly’s order violates the churches and pastors’ right to assembly, guaranteed along with religious and free-speech rights by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It also contends that it violates a state law meant to protect religious freedom.The lawsuit was filed by First Baptist Church in Dodge City and Pastor Stephen Ormond and Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City and Pastor Aaron Harris. The lawsuit said both churches held indoor services Sunday with 20 or more members of the congregation present, celebrating Easter, often the busiest day of the year for Christian churches.“The State does not have a compelling reason for prohibiting church services where congregants can otherwise practice adequate social distancing protocol,” the lawsuit said.Both churches had congregation members sit 6 feet apart, in line with public health recommendations on social distancing and took numerous other steps, such as not using collection plates, the lawsuit said.Kelly spokeswoman Dena Sattler said the governor’s office is reviewing the lawsuit but added, “This is not about restricting religion, it is about keeping people safe and saving Kansans’ lives.”The number of coronavirus cases and COVID-19-related deaths are still rising in Kansas. The state reported 1,588 cases as of Thursday, with 80 deaths.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.Kelly’s statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">stay-at-home order&nbsp;</a>took effect March 30 and is set to remain in effect until May 3. It exempts “essential” activities such as buying groceries and obtaining medical care.The lawsuit argues that Kelly’s order limiting church gatherings to 10 or fewer members of a congregation discriminates against and “shows hostility” toward churches when many secular businesses still can operate.___

Kansas governor sued over order limiting religious services

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.

He added, “This is a gradual process.”

The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. They make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak. And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors, who have primary responsibility for public health in their states.

“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”

Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools.

In phase one, for instance, the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public. Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and nonessential travel is discouraged.

In phase two, people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken. Travel could resume.

Phase three envisions a return to normalcy for most Americans, with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections.

Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one.

“They will be able to go literally tomorrow,” Trump said.

Governors of both parties made clear they will move at their own pace.

Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, said the guidelines “seem to make sense.”

“We’re days, maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases, of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound,” he said.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Trump ally, cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state, but said testing capacity and contact tracing would need to be considerably ramped up before restrictions could be safely lifted.

“All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should, and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies,” Justice told reporter

At the earliest, the guidelines suggest, some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases pick up, it could be substantially longer.

In briefing governors on the plan, Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states. Just days before, he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen.

“We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they’re in very good shape,” Trump said. “That’s good with us, frankly.”

The guidelines also include general recommendations to businesses as they plan for potential reopenings, suggesting temperature-taking, rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces.

Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

Governors, for their part, have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity. Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening their economies. Similar pacts were announced earlier in the week in the West and Northeast.

Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday. More than 30,000 people in the United States have died from the virus.

Trump also held conference calls Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force on reviving the economy. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health by moving too quickly.

“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.

The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.

“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.

Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. has “built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary.

“We are struggling with testing at a large scale,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”

There was also concern that the White House was taking too rosy a view on trends in the U.S.

“I would not declare a peak almost anywhere in the U.S. yet,” said Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiology professor who is director of the university’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. He recommended “working to enhance surveillance and testing so if we do hit a peak, it will be possible to identify it with greater certainty.”

But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”

“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president.

A big testing ground for Trump’s road map could be Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has stuck close to federal guidance throughout the crisis, will lay out his reopening plan Friday. Abbott has said the process will be gradual, but he is facing pressure from conservative lawmakers to get Texas back to work.

The White House proposal presented Thursday is different from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week, according to a draft of the recommendation obtained by The Associated Press. The CDC talked about using more specific criteria and in many cases looking for improvement over longer periods of time before easing restrictions in high-transmission areas. Examples include wanting to see sustained reductions over 30 days in positive tests for coronavirus, and sustained reductions over 15 days in numbers of coronavirus deaths.

WASHINGTON (AP) — New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.

President Donald Trump unveiled his administration’s plans to ease social distancing requirements on a call Thursday with the nation’s governors. The new guidelines are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit locations.

Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phased gradual reopening of businesses and schools, with each phase lasting at least 14 days, meant to ensure that the virus outbreak doesn’t accelerate again.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the guidelines before their public release.

The recommendations make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.

At earliest, the guidelines suggest that some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether the easing of restrictions leads to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases resume an up-tick, it could be substantially longer.

Trump briefed the nation’s governors on the plan Thursday afternoon, saying they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states.

“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing along side of you.”

Meanwhile, under the federal guidelines, those most susceptible to the respiratory disease would be advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are advised to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

The federal guidelines come after seven governors in the Midwest announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening the economy, after similar pacts were announced earlier this week in the West and Northeast.

Trump held conference calls earlier Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health in an effort to reopen the economy.

Business leaders, too, raised concerns to the president in a round of calls Wednesday, warning that a dramatic increase in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary before they can safely revive operations.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a news conference before the call with the White House that he planned to ask the president for “direct cash assistance,” citing the state’s troubled tax revenues. He also said he would press for “robust health care infrastructure” and mass testing with quick turnaround times before reopening the economy.

Trump said Wednesday that data indicates the U.S. is “past the peak” of the COVID-19 epidemic. He said the numbers have “put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.”

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, added that data from across the country showed the nation “improving,” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum.

She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day. She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday.

But participants in a Wednesday call with Trump that included executives of dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue, according to one participant who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion.

Another participant said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial, as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop.

The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a rush on personal protective equipment. Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe.

Trump was told “the economy will look very different and operations will look very different,” one participant said.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, said the lack of widespread testing was an impediment to lifting the social distancing guidelines. “We are struggling with testing at a large scale.,” he told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”

“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president. “We can’t have 30 million people in this country unemployed or you’re going to have social chaos.”

The panel, which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, also could help give him a measure of cover. If cases surge once restrictions are lifted, as many experts have warned, Trump will be able to tell the public he didn’t act alone and the nation’s top minds — from manufacturing to defense to technology — helped shape the plan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587087044524.png" alt="President Trump answers questions Thursday on the plan during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing- Image courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions Thursday on the plan during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing- Image courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.He added, “This is a gradual process.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086887250.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. They make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak. And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors, who have primary responsibility for public health in their states.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086594833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In phase one, for instance, the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public. Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and nonessential travel is discouraged.In phase two, people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken. Travel could resume.Phase three envisions a return to normalcy for most Americans, with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections.Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one.“They will be able to go literally tomorrow,” Trump said.Governors of both parties made clear they will move at their own pace.Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, said the guidelines “seem to make sense.”“We’re days, maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases, of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound,” he said.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Trump ally, cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state, but said testing capacity and contact tracing would need to be considerably ramped up before restrictions could be safely lifted.“All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should, and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies,” Justice told reporterAt the earliest, the guidelines suggest, some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases pick up, it could be substantially longer.In briefing governors on the plan, Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states. Just days before, he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen.“We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they’re in very good shape,” Trump said. “That’s good with us, frankly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086755141.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The guidelines also include general recommendations to businesses as they plan for potential reopenings, suggesting temperature-taking, rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces.Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.Governors, for their part, have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity. Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening their economies. Similar pacts were announced earlier in the week in the West and Northeast.Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday. More than 30,000 people in the United States have died from the virus.Trump also held conference calls Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force on reviving the economy. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health by moving too quickly.“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. has “built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary.“We are struggling with testing at a large scale,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”There was also concern that the White House was taking too rosy a view on trends in the U.S.“I would not declare a peak almost anywhere in the U.S. yet,” said Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiology professor who is director of the university’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. He recommended “working to enhance surveillance and testing so if we do hit a peak, it will be possible to identify it with greater certainty.”But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president.A big testing ground for Trump’s road map could be Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has stuck close to federal guidance throughout the crisis, will lay out his reopening plan Friday. Abbott has said the process will be gradual, but he is facing pressure from conservative lawmakers to get Texas back to work.The White House proposal presented Thursday is different from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week, according to a draft of the recommendation obtained by The Associated Press. The CDC talked about using more specific criteria and in many cases looking for improvement over longer periods of time before easing restrictions in high-transmission areas. Examples include wanting to see sustained reductions over 30 days in positive tests for coronavirus, and sustained reductions over 15 days in numbers of coronavirus deaths.___WASHINGTON (AP) — New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.President Donald Trump unveiled his administration’s plans to ease social distancing requirements on a call Thursday with the nation’s governors. The new guidelines are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit locations.Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phased gradual reopening of businesses and schools, with each phase lasting at least 14 days, meant to ensure that the virus outbreak doesn’t accelerate again.The Associated Press obtained a copy of the guidelines before their public release.The recommendations make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.At earliest, the guidelines suggest that some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether the easing of restrictions leads to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases resume an up-tick, it could be substantially longer.Trump briefed the nation’s governors on the plan Thursday afternoon, saying they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing along side of you.”Meanwhile, under the federal guidelines, those most susceptible to the respiratory disease would be advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are advised to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.The federal guidelines come after seven governors in the Midwest announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening the economy, after similar pacts were announced earlier this week in the West and Northeast.Trump held conference calls earlier Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health in an effort to reopen the economy.“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.Business leaders, too, raised concerns to the president in a round of calls Wednesday, warning that a dramatic increase in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary before they can safely revive operations.The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a news conference before the call with the White House that he planned to ask the president for “direct cash assistance,” citing the state’s troubled tax revenues. He also said he would press for “robust health care infrastructure” and mass testing with quick turnaround times before reopening the economy.Trump said Wednesday that data indicates the U.S. is “past the peak” of the COVID-19 epidemic. He said the numbers have “put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.”Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, added that data from across the country showed the nation “improving,” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum.She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day. She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday.But participants in a Wednesday call with Trump that included executives of dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue, according to one participant who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion.Another participant said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial, as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop.The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a rush on personal protective equipment. Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe.Trump was told “the economy will look very different and operations will look very different,” one participant said.South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, said the lack of widespread testing was an impediment to lifting the social distancing guidelines. “We are struggling with testing at a large scale.,” he told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president. “We can’t have 30 million people in this country unemployed or you’re going to have social chaos.”The panel, which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, also could help give him a measure of cover. If cases surge once restrictions are lifted, as many experts have warned, Trump will be able to tell the public he didn’t act alone and the nation’s top minds — from manufacturing to defense to technology — helped shape the plan.___

Trump gives governors plan to reopen economy

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges of a chase and arrest.

Just after 3:30a.m. Thursday, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford pickup in the 5500 block of SW Randolph Road for a traffic violation, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.&nbsp; 

The pickup failed to stop for the deputy, initiating a pursuit.

The pursuit went north on SW Burlingame Rd, west on SW 37th&nbsp;Street and south on SW Kiowa Street.&nbsp; The driver of the pickup rammed a deputy’s patrol car in the 3800 block of SW Kiowa Street and drove back north on Kiowa Street.&nbsp;&nbsp; A controlled vehicle intervention maneuver was utilized in the 3500 block of SW Kiowa Street which safely disabled the truck and ended the vehicle pursuit.&nbsp; The suspect attempted to flee on foot, but deputies, with the assistance of a K-9, were able to take the suspect into custody.

The investigation on scene indicated the driver, Rob A. Voelker, 27, of Carbondale, was a Fugitive from Justice and the pickup truck was reported stolen through the city of Topeka.&nbsp; The Topeka Police Department arrived on scene to recover the stolen truck.

Mr. Voelker was arrested and transported to the Department of Corrections on requested charges of Reckless driving&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Felony Flee and elude, Aggravated battery on LEO,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aggravated assault on LEO , Possession of stolen property&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Felony Interference, Violation of the executive order,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Fugitive from justice (Felony warrant, Other Traffic Violations, In addition, Mr. Voelker has charges pending from the Topeka Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587074363286.png" alt="Voelker photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Voelker photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges of a chase and arrest.Just after 3:30a.m. Thursday, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford pickup in the 5500 block of SW Randolph Road for a traffic violation, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.&nbsp; The pickup failed to stop for the deputy, initiating a pursuit.The pursuit went north on SW Burlingame Rd, west on SW 37th&nbsp;Street and south on SW Kiowa Street.&nbsp; The driver of the pickup rammed a deputy’s patrol car in the 3800 block of SW Kiowa Street and drove back north on Kiowa Street.&nbsp;&nbsp; A controlled vehicle intervention maneuver was utilized in the 3500 block of SW Kiowa Street which safely disabled the truck and ended the vehicle pursuit.&nbsp; The suspect attempted to flee on foot, but deputies, with the assistance of a K-9, were able to take the suspect into custody.The investigation on scene indicated the driver, Rob A. Voelker, 27, of Carbondale, was a Fugitive from Justice and the pickup truck was reported stolen through the city of Topeka.&nbsp; The Topeka Police Department arrived on scene to recover the stolen truck.Mr. Voelker was arrested and transported to the Department of Corrections on requested charges of Reckless driving&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Felony Flee and elude, Aggravated battery on LEO,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aggravated assault on LEO , Possession of stolen property&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Felony Interference, Violation of the executive order,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Fugitive from justice (Felony warrant, Other Traffic Violations, In addition, Mr. Voelker has charges pending from the Topeka Police Department.

K9 helps deputies catch Kansas fugitive from justice

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Seven more people at a nursing and rehabilitation home in Kansas City, Kansas, have died from COVID-19, taking the facility’s toll to 19 in an outbreak that is believed to have started with an infected worker.

The Wyandotte County-Kansas City health department announced an increase of four deaths Thursday on top of three Wednesday at Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation. A total of 116 residents and staff have tested positive at the facility, making it the state’s largest cluster.

A new health department report shows a staff member at the facility started displaying symptoms of the coronavirus around March 24, and went to work on March 27 and 28 with a cough and fever. The report said the employee was allowed to work without appropriate personal protective equipment.

The worker then went to the emergency room on March 29, and the COVID-19 test came back positive the next day. But health officials didn’t confirm until April 3 that the employee worked at Riverbend. By then, residents were getting sick.

Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the joint city-county health department, said that it appears a number of people may have been exposed when the employee went to work with symptoms. But she noted that the department is still investigating to see if there may have been an earlier instance of exposure.

“Unfortunately, any setting where many people are grouped together increases the risk of spread, and the risk for serious illness is especially high for older adults and people with underlying health conditions, like many of the residents in a facility like this,” she said in a written statement.

A statement posted on the facility’s website said coronavirus-infected patients on one floor have been “fully stabilized,” while they are hopeful the others will be stabilized soon. They said plans are being made to return hospitalized patients to the home.

The state health department is bringing on 400 volunteers to help assist local departments tracing the contacts of people with the coronavirus. The Wyandotte County health department also has 20 University of Kansas medical student volunteers and five staffers doing contact tracing.

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases increased Thursday to 1,588, a jump of 94 cases from Wednesday. The number of deaths increased by four to 80.

A Lawrence area church has found what it believes is a way to continue meeting despite Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order banning religious gathering with more than 10 worshipers.

On Wednesday, Heritage Baptist Church held a service under a tent, with between 75 and 100 people in attendance. A single protester held a sign that read, “Don’t be selfish — Go home — God will be there too,” the Lawrence Journal-World reports.

The Rev. Scott Hanks, the congregation’s leader, said the church had determined that Kelly’s order, which limits the number of worshipers meeting in “the same building or confined or enclosed space,” would still allow for outdoor services.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jenn Hethcoat said it reached a similar conclusion, as long as social-distancing requirements are observed. The church also held an Easter service in which about 40 vehicles were spotted parked outside. But it wasn’t cited because of a technical issue; Kelly’s order hadn’t yet been published in the state’s legal newspaper.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, nursing and rehabilitation home has seen three more COVID-19-related deaths to bring its total to 15, and the state health department plans to bring on 400 volunteers to help trace people who’ve had contacts with people infected with coronavirus.

The outbreak at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation home in Wyandotte County has become the state’s largest coronavirus cluster, with the number of coronavirus cases likely to surpass 1,500 statewide on Thursday. Wyandotte County also has the state’s highest number of COVID-19-related deaths, with 31 of the 76 reported, or 41%.

<a href="https://twitter.com/UGHealthDept/status/1250544993921572864" target="_blank">The Wyandotte County-Kansas City health department reported</a>&nbsp;that six more people have tested positive for coronavirus at the Riverbend home, making the total 116. Cases have been confirmed in 92 residents and 24 employees, and nine people remain hospitalized.

Nursing homes have been hit hard by the coronavirus, with the state Department of Health and Environment reporting at least a dozen outbreaks with more than 200 cases.

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

Tracing the contacts of people with coronavirus generally is done by local health departments, but the state health department assists, and it is bringing on 400 volunteers. Some will be medical students and others will be existing health department employees.

The Wyandotte County health department also has 20 University of Kansas medical students are volunteering their time on contact tracing, joining five staffers in doing the work.

“It does not require a medical, a nursing or a technology degree to do the contact tracing,” said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman. “People can do it from an office or their home. It’s not face-to-face.”

The state saw a 4.8% increase Wednesday in confirmed coronavirus cases, up 68 to 1,494. The number of reported COVID-19 related deaths jumped 10%, up seven to 76.

Wyandotte County has a disproportionately high number of cases, 362, or 24% of the state’s total, despite having only 5.7% of the state’s population.

Sixty-three of the state’s 105 counties have reported cases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587053239931.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during Wednesday's press conference" />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman during Wednesday's press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Seven more people at a nursing and rehabilitation home in Kansas City, Kansas, have died from COVID-19, taking the facility’s toll to 19 in an outbreak that is believed to have started with an infected worker.RIVERBEND OUTBREAKThe Wyandotte County-Kansas City health department announced an increase of four deaths Thursday on top of three Wednesday at Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation. A total of 116 residents and staff have tested positive at the facility, making it the state’s largest cluster.A new health department report shows a staff member at the facility started displaying symptoms of the coronavirus around March 24, and went to work on March 27 and 28 with a cough and fever. The report said the employee was allowed to work without appropriate personal protective equipment.The worker then went to the emergency room on March 29, and the COVID-19 test came back positive the next day. But health officials didn’t confirm until April 3 that the employee worked at Riverbend. By then, residents were getting sick.Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the joint city-county health department, said that it appears a number of people may have been exposed when the employee went to work with symptoms. But she noted that the department is still investigating to see if there may have been an earlier instance of exposure.“Unfortunately, any setting where many people are grouped together increases the risk of spread, and the risk for serious illness is especially high for older adults and people with underlying health conditions, like many of the residents in a facility like this,” she said in a written statement.A statement posted on the facility’s website said coronavirus-infected patients on one floor have been “fully stabilized,” while they are hopeful the others will be stabilized soon. They said plans are being made to return hospitalized patients to the home.CONTACT TRACING AND TESTINGThe state health department is bringing on 400 volunteers to help assist local departments tracing the contacts of people with the coronavirus. The Wyandotte County health department also has 20 University of Kansas medical student volunteers and five staffers doing contact tracing.Statewide, the number of confirmed cases increased Thursday to 1,588, a jump of 94 cases from Wednesday. The number of deaths increased by four to 80.RELIGIOUS GROUPSA Lawrence area church has found what it believes is a way to continue meeting despite Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order banning religious gathering with more than 10 worshipers.On Wednesday, Heritage Baptist Church held a service under a tent, with between 75 and 100 people in attendance. A single protester held a sign that read, “Don’t be selfish — Go home — God will be there too,” the Lawrence Journal-World reports.The Rev. Scott Hanks, the congregation’s leader, said the church had determined that Kelly’s order, which limits the number of worshipers meeting in “the same building or confined or enclosed space,” would still allow for outdoor services.Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Jenn Hethcoat said it reached a similar conclusion, as long as social-distancing requirements are observed. The church also held an Easter service in which about 40 vehicles were spotted parked outside. But it wasn’t cited because of a technical issue; Kelly’s order hadn’t yet been published in the state’s legal newspaper.___------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, nursing and rehabilitation home has seen three more COVID-19-related deaths to bring its total to 15, and the state health department plans to bring on 400 volunteers to help trace people who’ve had contacts with people infected with coronavirus.The outbreak at the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation home in Wyandotte County has become the state’s largest coronavirus cluster, with the number of coronavirus cases likely to surpass 1,500 statewide on Thursday. Wyandotte County also has the state’s highest number of COVID-19-related deaths, with 31 of the 76 reported, or 41%.RIVERBEND OUTBREAK<a href="https://twitter.com/UGHealthDept/status/1250544993921572864" target="_blank">The Wyandotte County-Kansas City health department reported</a>&nbsp;that six more people have tested positive for coronavirus at the Riverbend home, making the total 116. Cases have been confirmed in 92 residents and 24 employees, and nine people remain hospitalized.Nursing homes have been hit hard by the coronavirus, with the state Department of Health and Environment reporting at least a dozen outbreaks with more than 200 cases.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.CONTACT TRACINGTracing the contacts of people with coronavirus generally is done by local health departments, but the state health department assists, and it is bringing on 400 volunteers. Some will be medical students and others will be existing health department employees.The Wyandotte County health department also has 20 University of Kansas medical students are volunteering their time on contact tracing, joining five staffers in doing the work.“It does not require a medical, a nursing or a technology degree to do the contact tracing,” said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman. “People can do it from an office or their home. It’s not face-to-face.”CASES, DEATHS RISINGThe state saw a 4.8% increase Wednesday in confirmed coronavirus cases, up 68 to 1,494. The number of reported COVID-19 related deaths jumped 10%, up seven to 76.Wyandotte County has a disproportionately high number of cases, 362, or 24% of the state’s total, despite having only 5.7% of the state’s population.Sixty-three of the state’s 105 counties have reported cases.___

Kansas rehab worker showed up sick; 19 die at facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump selected&nbsp;U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran to serve on the bipartisan, bicameral White House task force to reopen America. 

This task force will provide counsel to the president on the re-opening of the United States in light of COVID-19. It is comprised of U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

Robert's said, “I am honored to be selected by President Trump to serve on this task force and represent the needs of Kansans in response to the coronavirus. Our country is faced with a crisis we have never seen before, and I am proud to work with the President and his administration to reopen America,”&nbsp;said Sen. Roberts.&nbsp;

“We must find a way to carry on and revive our economy, while ensuring the health and safety of every citizen. I am proud to be selected for this task force and serve my state and country during this time of crisis.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump selected&nbsp;U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran to serve on the bipartisan, bicameral White House task force to reopen America. This task force will provide counsel to the president on the re-opening of the United States in light of COVID-19. It is comprised of U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pleased to be named to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s Congressional Economic Recovery Task Force. For our economy to recover, we need widespread <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> testing so Americans can feel secure in their health, businesses can reopen &amp; folks can safely return to work.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1250857452440084484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Robert's said, “I am honored to be selected by President Trump to serve on this task force and represent the needs of Kansans in response to the coronavirus. Our country is faced with a crisis we have never seen before, and I am proud to work with the President and his administration to reopen America,”&nbsp;said Sen. Roberts.&nbsp;“We must find a way to carry on and revive our economy, while ensuring the health and safety of every citizen. I am proud to be selected for this task force and serve my state and country during this time of crisis.”

Senators Roberts, Moran to serve on Task Force to Reopen America

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County has settled a lawsuit with a former jail inmate who alleged he was has beaten unconscious by a deputy for $50,000. 

Commissioners approved the settlement Wednesday with 32-year-old Kristopher Welch, who sued last year in federal court. Welch’s lawsuit originally sought $75,000 in damages. 

Among those named in the suit was Cody Alexander, the jail sergeant whom Welch said beat him. The sheriff’s office says Alexander is now a lieutenant.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587068010032.png" alt="Welch has previous convictions for drugs and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Welch has previous convictions for drugs and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County has settled a lawsuit with a former jail inmate who alleged he was has beaten unconscious by a deputy for $50,000. Commissioners approved the settlement Wednesday with 32-year-old Kristopher Welch, who sued last year in federal court. Welch’s lawsuit originally sought $75,000 in damages. Among those named in the suit was Cody Alexander, the jail sergeant whom Welch said beat him. The sheriff’s office says Alexander is now a lieutenant.&nbsp;

Former Kan. inmate reaches $50K settlement in abuse lawsuit

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas ranchers eager to prepare their land for cattle grazing have mostly brushed off the plea from state health officials to voluntarily cut back this spring’s prairie burning to reduce air pollution during the coronavirus pandemic.

With the potential of the pandemic overwhelming the state’s medical facilities, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on March 26 encouraged land owners and managers to reduce burned acres this spring in an effort to mitigate respiratory concerns connected to breathing the smoke.

Officials warned that individuals with respiratory issues, including COVID-19, as well as those with preexisting heart and lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms due to the smoke from fires.

But air quality monitors this past week have picked up “significantly high readings” downwind from Kansas in the Lincoln and Omaha areas of Nebraska, with smoke from Kansas reaching as far north as South Dakota, said Rick Brunetti, director of the Bureau of Air at at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“We are seeing very little, if any, reduction in the amount of burning that is taking place in Kansas at the present time, Brunetti said.

The reasons vary, experts say. Some landowners may already have had contracts in place with the professionals hired to do the burning. Others have agreements in place to fatten cattle on those acres this summer. And still others do so because that is the way they have always done it and are more comfortable with burning in the spring.

“There is a whole infrastructure that is geared up to do this, so it doesn’t surprise me,” said Craig Volland, chairman of the air quality committee of the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club.

Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said on Wednesday that he does not “have the inclination” to recommend now an outright ban on all rangeland burning because pollution levels aren’t consistently above the thresholds set by the federal government.

“I think that would be considered if we had continued high number of coronavirus cases and influx into hospitals and that kind of thing,” Norman said. “But we actually are not seeing an unusual amount of clinical activity now in those facilities.

Air quality standards were exceeded six times between April 3 and 9 in Kansas, according to the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksfire.org/new-media-archives/weeklyupdates/2020_Flint_Hills_Update_April_10.pdf" target="_blank">Flint Hills Prescribed Fire Update</a>. Pollution levels were also exceeded Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the smoke from Kansas drifted across state lines.

A day earlier, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department in Nebraska issued a health advisory to the general public saying smoke in the air was expected to reach levels that are unhealthy for everyone. They especially pose an elevated risk to children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, other respiratory conditions or heart disease.

About 2.6 million acres (1.1 million hectares) were burned in Kansas last year, compared to 1.5 million acres (about 607,000 hectares) in 2018 and 2.4 million acres (about 971,000 hectares) in 2017, according to satellite data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas ranchers eager to prepare their land for cattle grazing have mostly brushed off the plea from state health officials to voluntarily cut back this spring’s prairie burning to reduce air pollution during the coronavirus pandemic.With the potential of the pandemic overwhelming the state’s medical facilities, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on March 26 encouraged land owners and managers to reduce burned acres this spring in an effort to mitigate respiratory concerns connected to breathing the smoke.Officials warned that individuals with respiratory issues, including COVID-19, as well as those with preexisting heart and lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms due to the smoke from fires.But air quality monitors this past week have picked up “significantly high readings” downwind from Kansas in the Lincoln and Omaha areas of Nebraska, with smoke from Kansas reaching as far north as South Dakota, said Rick Brunetti, director of the Bureau of Air at at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.“We are seeing very little, if any, reduction in the amount of burning that is taking place in Kansas at the present time, Brunetti said.The reasons vary, experts say. Some landowners may already have had contracts in place with the professionals hired to do the burning. Others have agreements in place to fatten cattle on those acres this summer. And still others do so because that is the way they have always done it and are more comfortable with burning in the spring.“There is a whole infrastructure that is geared up to do this, so it doesn’t surprise me,” said Craig Volland, chairman of the air quality committee of the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club.Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said on Wednesday that he does not “have the inclination” to recommend now an outright ban on all rangeland burning because pollution levels aren’t consistently above the thresholds set by the federal government.“I think that would be considered if we had continued high number of coronavirus cases and influx into hospitals and that kind of thing,” Norman said. “But we actually are not seeing an unusual amount of clinical activity now in those facilities.Air quality standards were exceeded six times between April 3 and 9 in Kansas, according to the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksfire.org/new-media-archives/weeklyupdates/2020_Flint_Hills_Update_April_10.pdf" target="_blank">Flint Hills Prescribed Fire Update</a>. Pollution levels were also exceeded Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the smoke from Kansas drifted across state lines.A day earlier, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department in Nebraska issued a health advisory to the general public saying smoke in the air was expected to reach levels that are unhealthy for everyone. They especially pose an elevated risk to children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, other respiratory conditions or heart disease.About 2.6 million acres (1.1 million hectares) were burned in Kansas last year, compared to 1.5 million acres (about 607,000 hectares) in 2018 and 2.4 million acres (about 971,000 hectares) in 2017, according to satellite data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.For decades, landowners have burned their fields each spring as a way to control invasive plant species and increase the lushness of pastures where they will graze beef cattle in the coming months.That is especially the case in the Flint Hills, where the rock is so close to the surface and the terrain so hilly that tilling is impractical. Encompassing several hundred miles in eastern Kansas, the Flint Hills are among the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystems in the world.While landowners in other parts of Kansas and states around it also burn rangeland, Brunetti said, the fires are of “significantly greater quantity” in the Flint Hills.Flint Hills rancher Pete Ferrell said their protocol does not include yearly burning. They burn less consistently than other ranchers because they use high density stocking of beef cattle and a goat herd to control invasive species. He said they had already decided not to burn this year when health officials made their request.“So no, that was not a factor for us, although I have shared that concern with neighbors, with associates who do burn,” Ferrell said.It is not possible yet to say definitively whether smoke impacts have changed in Nebraska because of the recommendation by Kansas health officials to not burn, said Amanda Woita, spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. Nebraska would not have “a full picture” until after the burn season ends, she said.KDHE spokeswoman Kristi Zears said Kansas health department officials are encouraging landowners in the Flint Hills to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksfire.org/" target="_blank">smoke model tool</a>&nbsp;to alleviate impacts to downwind communities.“This is especially important with the current coronavirus pandemic affecting fellow Kansans and surrounding states,” Zears said.