SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating burglary and have two suspects in custody.

Just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, an alert citizen saw suspicious activity in the area of the 3700 block of NW Lower Silver Lake Road, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz. 

The citizen could see two subjects prowling in the area where a Union Pacific train engine was parked and called police.

Officers arrived and observed one individual coming out from the inside of the train engine compartment and he took off running from the scene. Another subject was found nearby and he fled from the scene as well. Officers quickly set up a perimeter and located both individuals nearby where they were taken into custody.

During the investigation, it was discovered that several rail cars and Union Pacific equipment had been broken into and stripped of their copper. Preliminary estimates are damages in excess of $50,000.00.

As a result of the investigation, John T. Good, 47, and, William L. Berardy, 27, both of Topeka were transported to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Burglary, Felony Theft, Aggravated Criminal Damage, Felony Obstruction and Trespass on Railroad Property, according to Munoz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656539573442.png" alt="Berardy-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Berardy-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating burglary and have two suspects in custody.Just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, an alert citizen saw suspicious activity in the area of the 3700 block of NW Lower Silver Lake Road, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz. The citizen could see two subjects prowling in the area where a Union Pacific train engine was parked and called police.Officers arrived and observed one individual coming out from the inside of the train engine compartment and he took off running from the scene. Another subject was found nearby and he fled from the scene as well. Officers quickly set up a perimeter and located both individuals nearby where they were taken into custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656539506594.png" alt="Good-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Good-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, it was discovered that several rail cars and Union Pacific equipment had been broken into and stripped of their copper. Preliminary estimates are damages in excess of $50,000.00.As a result of the investigation, John T. Good, 47, and, William L. Berardy, 27, both of Topeka were transported to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Burglary, Felony Theft, Aggravated Criminal Damage, Felony Obstruction and Trespass on Railroad Property, according to Munoz.

Police: 2 Kansas men caused $50K in damage to train, railcars  

KANSAS CITY —A large hospital chain briefly stopped providing emergency contraception amid confusion over whether the state's abortion ban could put doctors at risk of criminal charges for providing the medication, even for sexual assault victims.

St. Luke’s Health Kansas City said in a statement Wednesday that it would resume offering the medication known as the morning after pill, a day after it told The Kansas City Star that its Missouri hospitals would halt emergency contraception.

It did so after the state's attorney general issued a statement stating unequivicolly that emergency contraception is not illegal under an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">abortion ban</a>&nbsp;that was enacted minutes after Friday's U.S. Supreme Court decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>. The Missouri law bans all abortions except in cases of medical emergency.

“Saint Luke’s Health System is aware of and continues to closely monitor legal developments regarding Missouri’s abortion trigger law, including recent comments from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Governor of Missouri regarding the use of emergency contraceptives,” St. Luke's said Wednesday. “Following further internal review, Saint Luke’s will now resume providing emergency contraceptives, under new protocols, at all Missouri-based Saint Luke’s hospitals and clinics.”

The statement said the “ambiguity of the law, and the uncertainty even among state officials about what this law prohibits, continues to cause grave concern and will require careful monitoring.”

Since the Supreme Court ruling, abortion rights supporters have warned about the ambiguity of some state abortion bans and that contraception could be targeted.

Lawmakers in some states with majority-conservative legislatures have suggested that. Already in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-health-d8821fc3293e490db54441e6c838da59">emergency contraception</a>&nbsp;was prohibited at school-based health clinics last year under a law banning public funding for “abortion related services.”

Adding to the worries were comments from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-marriage-a0cee537c6f9f10d29fa71f6e7a4d19d">Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas,</a>&nbsp;who in a separate concurring opinion urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives.

Emergency contraception can be taken after sex and generally works by delaying or preventing ovulation. The federally approved label also says it may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb. It's been attacked by some abortion foes who believe life begins when an egg is fertilized.

The Missouri law doesn't mention birth control, including emergency contraceptives, which is sold under the brand name Plan B.

Republican state Rep. Nick Schroer, who sponsored the bill, said the intent was never to restrict access to any contraception.

“It’s not going to limit access to Plan B, and if we wanted to then that would need to be a discussion this next legislative session,” Schroer said.

It’s standard practice for health care providers to offer emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. Gretchen Borchelt, vice president of reproductive rights and health at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, D.C., said it’s a “critically important part of a comprehensive medical response to sexual assault.”

In its Tuesday statement to the Star, St. Luke's spokeswoman Laurel Gifford said the hospital system “simply cannot put our clinicians in a position that might result in criminal prosecution.”

Doctors convicted under the law could serve up to 15 years in prison and lose their medical licenses.

St. Luke's has 16 hospitals, some of which are in Kansas and were not impacted.

Since the Supreme Court's ruling, demand for emergency contraceptives rose so much that some retailers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-amazoncom-inc-b2b56ed0b1791ade29a70b5ad4ef00d8">including Amazon and Rite Aid, capped how many consumers can buy.</a>

“Retailers are being cautious. They are trying to manage it,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. “But I don’t think there are chronic shortages.”

Planned Parenthood health centers are experiencing an increased demand for information and family planning services, including contraception.

“They’re worried birth control will be next,’’ said Kelly Hart, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood's Dallas-based affiliate.

So far, she said, the group has been able to meet the demand.

“From our perspective, birth control is more important than it has ever been and we’re doing everything we can to make that available,’’ Hart said.

At Wellspring online pharmacy, U.S. sales totaled about 1,000 packages a day at the weekend peak, compared with 100 to 200 daily before the ruling, Koen Mullokandov, the company’s chief operating officer, said. The fervor has subsided to about six times higher than usual, but many purchasers are still buying four to six packages at a time, clearly “stocking up,’’ Mullokandov said.

“Supply is challenging because nobody was expecting this,’’ he said, adding that so far, “we have enough inventory to support the demand.’’

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656592634572.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A large hospital chain briefly stopped providing emergency contraception amid confusion over whether the state's abortion ban could put doctors at risk of criminal charges for providing the medication, even for sexual assault victims.St. Luke’s Health Kansas City said in a statement Wednesday that it would resume offering the medication known as the morning after pill, a day after it told The Kansas City Star that its Missouri hospitals would halt emergency contraception.It did so after the state's attorney general issued a statement stating unequivicolly that emergency contraception is not illegal under an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">abortion ban</a>&nbsp;that was enacted minutes after Friday's U.S. Supreme Court decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>. The Missouri law bans all abortions except in cases of medical emergency.“Saint Luke’s Health System is aware of and continues to closely monitor legal developments regarding Missouri’s abortion trigger law, including recent comments from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Governor of Missouri regarding the use of emergency contraceptives,” St. Luke's said Wednesday. “Following further internal review, Saint Luke’s will now resume providing emergency contraceptives, under new protocols, at all Missouri-based Saint Luke’s hospitals and clinics.”The statement said the “ambiguity of the law, and the uncertainty even among state officials about what this law prohibits, continues to cause grave concern and will require careful monitoring.”Since the Supreme Court ruling, abortion rights supporters have warned about the ambiguity of some state abortion bans and that contraception could be targeted.Lawmakers in some states with majority-conservative legislatures have suggested that. Already in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-health-d8821fc3293e490db54441e6c838da59">emergency contraception</a>&nbsp;was prohibited at school-based health clinics last year under a law banning public funding for “abortion related services.”Adding to the worries were comments from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-marriage-a0cee537c6f9f10d29fa71f6e7a4d19d">Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas,</a>&nbsp;who in a separate concurring opinion urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives.Emergency contraception can be taken after sex and generally works by delaying or preventing ovulation. The federally approved label also says it may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb. It's been attacked by some abortion foes who believe life begins when an egg is fertilized.The Missouri law doesn't mention birth control, including emergency contraceptives, which is sold under the brand name Plan B.Republican state Rep. Nick Schroer, who sponsored the bill, said the intent was never to restrict access to any contraception.“It’s not going to limit access to Plan B, and if we wanted to then that would need to be a discussion this next legislative session,” Schroer said.It’s standard practice for health care providers to offer emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. Gretchen Borchelt, vice president of reproductive rights and health at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, D.C., said it’s a “critically important part of a comprehensive medical response to sexual assault.”In its Tuesday statement to the Star, St. Luke's spokeswoman Laurel Gifford said the hospital system “simply cannot put our clinicians in a position that might result in criminal prosecution.”Doctors convicted under the law could serve up to 15 years in prison and lose their medical licenses.St. Luke's has 16 hospitals, some of which are in Kansas and were not impacted.Since the Supreme Court's ruling, demand for emergency contraceptives rose so much that some retailers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-amazoncom-inc-b2b56ed0b1791ade29a70b5ad4ef00d8">including Amazon and Rite Aid, capped how many consumers can buy.</a>“Retailers are being cautious. They are trying to manage it,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. “But I don’t think there are chronic shortages.”Planned Parenthood health centers are experiencing an increased demand for information and family planning services, including contraception.“They’re worried birth control will be next,’’ said Kelly Hart, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood's Dallas-based affiliate.So far, she said, the group has been able to meet the demand.“From our perspective, birth control is more important than it has ever been and we’re doing everything we can to make that available,’’ Hart said.At Wellspring online pharmacy, U.S. sales totaled about 1,000 packages a day at the weekend peak, compared with 100 to 200 daily before the ruling, Koen Mullokandov, the company’s chief operating officer, said. The fervor has subsided to about six times higher than usual, but many purchasers are still buying four to six packages at a time, clearly “stocking up,’’ Mullokandov said.“Supply is challenging because nobody was expecting this,’’ he said, adding that so far, “we have enough inventory to support the demand.’’

Kansas City hospital briefly halts emergency contraception

MENDON, Mo. (AP) — An Amtrak passenger train was going about 87 mph when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">collided with a dump truck</a>&nbsp;at a rural Missouri railway crossing, killing four people, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.

The speed limit is 90 mph (145 kph) at the crossing where the collision occurred Monday in western Missouri, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said. The Southwest Chief was traveling about 89 mph (143 kph) when it began blowing its horn about a quarter mile (400 meters) from the collision site, she said.

The early investigation found no concerns with the train's brakes or other mechanical issues, Homendy said.

The crossing, which had no lights or other signals to warn about an approaching train, is “very steep” and Homendy acknowledged area residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">had expressed concerns</a>&nbsp;about it before the crash.

The truck driver, 54-year-old Billy Barton II, of Brookfield, Missouri, died in the collision, the Chariton County coroner said.

Two train passengers — Rochelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, both of DeSoto, Kansas, died at the scene. A third passenger, 82-year-old Binh Phan, of Kansas City, Missouri,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">died Tuesday</a>&nbsp;at a hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said up to 150 people also were injured.

The Southwest Chief was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when it hit the rear right side of the truck near Mendon. Two locomotives and eight cars derailed. Amtrak officials said about 275 passengers and 12 crew members were aboard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656360596114.jpeg" alt="An image courtesy a video posted by Robert Nightingale, who was a passenger aboard the Amtrak train that derailed on Monday, June 27, in Mendon, Missouri." />
 <figcaption>An image courtesy a video posted by Robert Nightingale, who was a passenger aboard the Amtrak train that derailed on Monday, June 27, in Mendon, Missouri.</figcaption>
 </figure>MENDON, Mo. (AP) — An Amtrak passenger train was going about 87 mph when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">collided with a dump truck</a>&nbsp;at a rural Missouri railway crossing, killing four people, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.The speed limit is 90 mph (145 kph) at the crossing where the collision occurred Monday in western Missouri, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said. The Southwest Chief was traveling about 89 mph (143 kph) when it began blowing its horn about a quarter mile (400 meters) from the collision site, she said.The early investigation found no concerns with the train's brakes or other mechanical issues, Homendy said.The crossing, which had no lights or other signals to warn about an approaching train, is “very steep” and Homendy acknowledged area residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">had expressed concerns</a>&nbsp;about it before the crash.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656537737436.png" alt="Kim Holsapple(center left) and Rochelle Cook (center right)-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Kim Holsapple(center left) and Rochelle Cook (center right)-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>The truck driver, 54-year-old Billy Barton II, of Brookfield, Missouri, died in the collision, the Chariton County coroner said.Two train passengers — Rochelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, both of DeSoto, Kansas, died at the scene. A third passenger, 82-year-old Binh Phan, of Kansas City, Missouri,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">died Tuesday</a>&nbsp;at a hospital.The Missouri State Highway Patrol said up to 150 people also were injured.The Southwest Chief was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when it hit the rear right side of the truck near Mendon. Two locomotives and eight cars derailed. Amtrak officials said about 275 passengers and 12 crew members were aboard.

NTSB: Amtrak train was below speed limit before fatal crash

RENO COUNTY — The report of an armed subject led officials to place Nickerson Elementary School, 400 North Nickerson Street, into lockdown Wednesday morning.

&nbsp;The family of 30-year-old Kristopher Gobble phoned law enforcement after they had an altercation with him, according to Steve Lutz of the Reno County Sheriff's Department.

Because Gobble's known address was near the school, law enforcement asked that the building be placed in lockdown. Summer school was in session at the time.

Authorities located Gobble at a friend's house in Nickerson. Law enforcement surrounded the house and communicated with him through a loudspeaker. Gobble eventually gave himself up and the lockdown was lifted after about two hours.

Gobble was taken into custody on requested charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property, and criminal threat. He is also being detained on a warrant from the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation.

His bond is set at $6,750. He’s scheduled to make a first appearance Thursday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656585162266.png" alt="Gobble has a previous conviction for drug possession, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Gobble has a previous conviction for drug possession, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — The report of an armed subject led officials to place Nickerson Elementary School, 400 North Nickerson Street, into lockdown Wednesday morning.&nbsp;The family of 30-year-old Kristopher Gobble phoned law enforcement after they had an altercation with him, according to Steve Lutz of the Reno County Sheriff's Department.Because Gobble's known address was near the school, law enforcement asked that the building be placed in lockdown. Summer school was in session at the time.Authorities located Gobble at a friend's house in Nickerson. Law enforcement surrounded the house and communicated with him through a loudspeaker. Gobble eventually gave himself up and the lockdown was lifted after about two hours.Gobble was taken into custody on requested charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property, and criminal threat. He is also being detained on a warrant from the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation.His bond is set at $6,750. He’s scheduled to make a first appearance Thursday morning.

Kan. school locked down during arrest of wanted suspect

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/sfc-approves-state-worker-pay-raises-digs-into-bonuses-for-child-care-providers/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top
 legislative leaders unanimously approved Wednesday the budget outline 
for appropriating $49.9 million in state tax dollars to provide 5% 
across-the-board pay raises for state government employees.

Kelly signed into law legislation that included the boost in 
compensation for state workers with the exception of individuals who 
received pay bumps through other legislative or administrative actions. 
The overall cost of the salary adjustments was estimated by the 
Legislature to be as much as $145 million.

The investment by the Republican-led Legislature and the Democratic 
governor represented the first broad increase in state employee wages 
since 2018. Boundaries of the salary changes were outlined in <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb267/">Senate Bill 267</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2510/">House Bill 2510</a>.

“We did adhere to all the restrictions and guidance in both,” said 
Adam Proffitt, the governor’s budget director. “Thankful this was able 
to get across and get this out to the employees.”

The State Finance Council vote meant the state completed preparations
 for releasing funding to state agencies to implement the salary 
upgrades.

During the meeting, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, 
said he was concerned about implementation of Kelly’s decision to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-to-give-child-care-workers-53m-in-appreciation-pay/">distribute $53 million in federal funding</a> in the form of bonuses to the licensed early childhood care providers in Kansas.

The aid to as many as 22,600 providers would range from $750 to $2,500 per person, depending on hours worked in the field.

“I’ve had several calls and emails and texts from our members about 
the $53 million,” Hawkins said. “Can you share where with us where that 
money came from? I’ve asked and nobody seems to know. I just need to 
shed a little light on that.”

Kelly said recently acquired federal funding for bonuses came to the 
Kansas Department for Children and Families and was earmarked for 
services related to child development. It was separate from billions of 
dollars in federal COVID-19 recovery aid sent to Kansas by Congress.

The governor said the smartest investment a community could make was to funnel resources into early childhood programs.

“Early childhood education programs benefit our kids in the 
long-term, both in and out of the classroom, and they make it possible 
for parents to enter and participate in the workforce,” she said.

Kelly said a letter was being sent to child care facilities and 
workers to outline eligibility for a one-time grant. The deadline to 
apply would be Nov. 18.

Eligible child&nbsp;care 
providers must be regularly working in a paid position at a licensed 
facility and have a minimum of six months continuous employment at their
 current employer or six months of combined continuous employment with a
 licensed provider. Home-based and relative providers may qualify for 
the bonus program, the governor said, but temporary babysitters 
wouldn’t.

In addition, Kelly said a memorandum on the initiative would be sent 
to the 165 members of the Legislature so they could respond to 
constituent inquiries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656525792751.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly and top leaders in Kansas Legislature approve details of 5% pay increase for state government employees, which would be the first across-the-board adjustment since 2018. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly and top leaders in Kansas Legislature approve details of 5% pay increase for state government employees, which would be the first across-the-board adjustment since 2018. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/sfc-approves-state-worker-pay-raises-digs-into-bonuses-for-child-care-providers/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top
 legislative leaders unanimously approved Wednesday the budget outline 
for appropriating $49.9 million in state tax dollars to provide 5% 
across-the-board pay raises for state government employees.Kelly signed into law legislation that included the boost in 
compensation for state workers with the exception of individuals who 
received pay bumps through other legislative or administrative actions. 
The overall cost of the salary adjustments was estimated by the 
Legislature to be as much as $145 million.The investment by the Republican-led Legislature and the Democratic 
governor represented the first broad increase in state employee wages 
since 2018. Boundaries of the salary changes were outlined in <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb267/">Senate Bill 267</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2510/">House Bill 2510</a>.“We did adhere to all the restrictions and guidance in both,” said 
Adam Proffitt, the governor’s budget director. “Thankful this was able 
to get across and get this out to the employees.”The State Finance Council vote meant the state completed preparations
 for releasing funding to state agencies to implement the salary 
upgrades.During the meeting, House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, 
said he was concerned about implementation of Kelly’s decision to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-to-give-child-care-workers-53m-in-appreciation-pay/">distribute $53 million in federal funding</a> in the form of bonuses to the licensed early childhood care providers in Kansas.The aid to as many as 22,600 providers would range from $750 to $2,500 per person, depending on hours worked in the field.“I’ve had several calls and emails and texts from our members about 
the $53 million,” Hawkins said. “Can you share where with us where that 
money came from? I’ve asked and nobody seems to know. I just need to 
shed a little light on that.”Kelly said recently acquired federal funding for bonuses came to the 
Kansas Department for Children and Families and was earmarked for 
services related to child development. It was separate from billions of 
dollars in federal COVID-19 recovery aid sent to Kansas by Congress.The governor said the smartest investment a community could make was to funnel resources into early childhood programs.“Early childhood education programs benefit our kids in the 
long-term, both in and out of the classroom, and they make it possible 
for parents to enter and participate in the workforce,” she said.Kelly said a letter was being sent to child care facilities and 
workers to outline eligibility for a one-time grant. The deadline to 
apply would be Nov. 18.Eligible child&nbsp;care 
providers must be regularly working in a paid position at a licensed 
facility and have a minimum of six months continuous employment at their
 current employer or six months of combined continuous employment with a
 licensed provider. Home-based and relative providers may qualify for 
the bonus program, the governor said, but temporary babysitters 
wouldn’t.In addition, Kelly said a memorandum on the initiative would be sent 
to the 165 members of the Legislature so they could respond to 
constituent inquiries.

Kansas finance council approves state worker pay raises

WASHINGTON – A Kansas man was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison and 18 months of supervised release for threatening a Black man with a knife because of the man’s race, in order to intimidate and interfere with the man’s right to fair housing, the U.S. Department of Justice. 

According to the court documents, on Sept. 11, 2019, Colton Donner, 27, was driving through a residential area of Paola, Kansas, when he saw the victim, a Black man, walking on the sidewalk. Donner stopped, got out of the car, and approached the victim while brandishing a knife. Donner threatened the victim, yelled racial slurs, and told the victim that Paola is a “white town.”

“Racially-motivated threats and violence have no place in our society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “This sentence should send a strong message to perpetrators of violent hate-fueled acts that they will be held accountable for their crimes. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure living in their communities, without being subject to racially-motivated crimes seeking to drive them from their homes or neighborhoods.”

“All Americans have the freedom to decide where they want to live, and to do so without fear of being threatened because of their race,” said U.S. Attorney Slinkard.&nbsp;“Hopefully this prison sentence will deter those who would commit acts of racial discrimination and violence by illustrating the Justice Department’s steadfast resolve to prosecute these crimes.”

“Every individual has the right to occupy a home free from racial discrimination, yet the defendant targeted the victim for no other reason than the victim’s race,” said Special Agent in Charge Dayoub. “The defendant’s actions, directly undermined the victim’s right to reside in a community in Paola, and to enjoy the protections afforded under the federal civil rights act. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, have no tolerance for this type of fear and intimidation and are committed to protecting residents regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, national origin or familial status.”

This case was investigated by the Paola Police Department and the Kansas City Field Office of the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tristam Hunt of the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606169887890.png" alt="Donner-photo Miami County Kansas Jail" />
 <figcaption>Donner-photo Miami County Kansas Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – A Kansas man was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison and 18 months of supervised release for threatening a Black man with a knife because of the man’s race, in order to intimidate and interfere with the man’s right to fair housing, the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the court documents, on Sept. 11, 2019, Colton Donner, 27, was driving through a residential area of Paola, Kansas, when he saw the victim, a Black man, walking on the sidewalk. Donner stopped, got out of the car, and approached the victim while brandishing a knife. Donner threatened the victim, yelled racial slurs, and told the victim that Paola is a “white town.”“Racially-motivated threats and violence have no place in our society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “This sentence should send a strong message to perpetrators of violent hate-fueled acts that they will be held accountable for their crimes. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure living in their communities, without being subject to racially-motivated crimes seeking to drive them from their homes or neighborhoods.”“All Americans have the freedom to decide where they want to live, and to do so without fear of being threatened because of their race,” said U.S. Attorney Slinkard.&nbsp;“Hopefully this prison sentence will deter those who would commit acts of racial discrimination and violence by illustrating the Justice Department’s steadfast resolve to prosecute these crimes.”“Every individual has the right to occupy a home free from racial discrimination, yet the defendant targeted the victim for no other reason than the victim’s race,” said Special Agent in Charge Dayoub. “The defendant’s actions, directly undermined the victim’s right to reside in a community in Paola, and to enjoy the protections afforded under the federal civil rights act. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, have no tolerance for this type of fear and intimidation and are committed to protecting residents regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, national origin or familial status.”This case was investigated by the Paola Police Department and the Kansas City Field Office of the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tristam Hunt of the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

 Kansas man sentenced for violent, racially-motivated hate crime

PRATT&nbsp;– A three-year investigation in northwest Kansas involving Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, and Logan Counties has come to a close, thanks to numerous public tips and the diligent efforts of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game warden, according to a media release.

Throughout the investigation, game wardens executed multiple physical and electronic search warrants and conducted many interviews, leading to the discovery of 25 deer – mostly mule deer – one antelope, eight turkeys and other wildlife that had been taken illegally. Many of the deer had been shot out of season and with firearms by the guilty parties who were in possession of archery permits only; Many deer were also taken without a permit. Of the 13 deer scored, game wardens were able to determine the average antler size at 173 inches.

In all, 140 charges were filed for nine individuals for violations from 2015-2019. Of the nine individuals charged, three individuals received more than four charges. The charges are as follows:

KDWP game wardens thanked the public, and the local and state law enforcement agencies that assisted throughout this case.

PRATT&nbsp;– A three-year investigation in northwest Kansas involving Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, and Logan Counties has come to a close, thanks to numerous public tips and the diligent efforts of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game warden, according to a media release.Throughout the investigation, game wardens executed multiple physical and electronic search warrants and conducted many interviews, leading to the discovery of 25 deer – mostly mule deer – one antelope, eight turkeys and other wildlife that had been taken illegally. Many of the deer had been shot out of season and with firearms by the guilty parties who were in possession of archery permits only; Many deer were also taken without a permit. Of the 13 deer scored, game wardens were able to determine the average antler size at 173 inches.In all, 140 charges were filed for nine individuals for violations from 2015-2019. Of the nine individuals charged, three individuals received more than four charges. The charges are as follows:<ul>
 <li>Tayton Weeter received 58 charges relating to the illegal take of wildlife. Tayton pled guilty to 22 charges and was ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and restitution. Tayton also received a 10-year hunting revocation.</li><li>Tracy Weeter received 46 charges relating to the illegal take of wildlife. Tracy pled guilty to 12 charges and was ordered to pay $750 in fines and $1,688 in court costs. Tracy also received a two-year hunting revocation.</li><li>Sean Winter received 18 charges relating to the illegal take of wildlife. Sean pled guilty to six charges and was ordered to pay $5,800 in fines and restitution. Sean also received a 12-month hunting revocation and forfeited a firearm.</li>
 </ul>KDWP game wardens thanked the public, and the local and state law enforcement agencies that assisted throughout this case.

Fines levied, licenses stripped after Kansas poaching investigation

MADRID (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</a>

Meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-zelenskyy-politics-jens-stoltenberg-54c91903690f0d56537fa40ada88d83c">the opening of the alliance’s annual leaders’ summit</a>&nbsp;in Madrid, Biden said “NATO is strong and united” and that steps to be taken during the gathering will “further augment our collective strength.” The White House said Biden’s commitments mean the U.S. will maintain a presence of 100,000 troops in Europe, up 20,000 from the levels before the Ukraine war began, for the “foreseeable future.”

In addition to the new basing of a U.S. military garrison in Poland, Biden also said the U.S. is sending two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons to the U.K. and more air defenses and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.

“Today I’m announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe and respond to the changing security environment as well as strengthening our collective security,” he said.

Stoltenberg, who earlier Wednesday said the alliance was facing its biggest challenge since World War II because of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine, welcomed Biden’s announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-politics-finland-05bee518928c878dc3c170ff3044fa93">as the summit began.</a>

“This really demonstrates your decisive leadership and strength in the trans-Atlantic bond,” Stoltenberg said, thanking Biden for the “unwavering support from you and from the United States to Ukraine.”

The more muscular American presence in Europe is bolstered by stepped-up defense commitments from NATO allies announced at the summit. It is still a far cry from its posture during the Cold War, when roughly 300,000 American troops, on average, were stationed in the region.

Biden said the U.S. will permanently station the U.S. Army V Corps forward command in Poland, a move that he said would strengthen US-NATO interoperability across the alliance’s eastern flank. The decision marks the first permanent basing of U.S. forces on NATO’s eastern edge. Biden added that the U.S. is also stepping up its rotational deployments of troops to Romania and the Baltic region.

Celeste Wallander, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense for international affairs, told reporters that having a permanent presence in Poland will be key to helping NATO navigate the changed security environment in Europe caused by Russia’s invasion. The U.S. supplies the bulk of NATO’s military power.

U.S. officials emphasized that the permanent basing applied only to headquarters units, not combat troops, and was therefore consistent with a 1997 agreement between NATO and Russia in which the alliance agreed not to permanently base combat troops in Eastern Europe as it aimed to build more constructive ties in the post-Cold War environment.

Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski told Poland’s state PAP news agency that the decision to add U.S. command structure was a “manifestation of the ever closer cooperation between the U.S. and Poland” and would give give NATO allies a frontline insight into the Russian threat.

The combat units Biden is sending to Romania and the Baltic region are on rotational deployments, rather than permanent assignment, to remain in compliance with that agreement.

“There has been no communication with Moscow about these changes, nor is there a requirement to do that,” John Kirby, a spokesman for Biden’s National Security Council.

Biden announced on Tuesday after arriving for the summit that the U.S. would base two additional destroyers at its naval base in Rota, Spain, bringing the total number to six.

Biden predicted that meetings this week would make for a “history-making summit” as leaders were set to approve a new strategic framework, announce a range of steps to boost their defense spending and capabilities, and clear the way for historically neutral&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-biden-turkey-madrid-0441ed4a13ea31aad5df316572f082bf">Finland and Sweden</a>&nbsp;to join NATO.

Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin thought NATO members would splinter after he invaded Ukraine, but got the opposite response instead.

“Putin was looking for the Finland-ization of Europe,” Biden said. “You’re gonna get the NATO-ization of Europe. And that’s exactly what he didn’t want, but exactly what needs to be done to guarantee security for Europe.”

Turkey, the last remaining holdout to approve the Nordic countries’ accession into NATO, reached an agreement on the eve of the summit late Tuesday to support adding them to the 30-nation alliance.

While the White House said the U.S. was not a direct party to the negotiations, a senior administration official said Biden spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday to encourage him to clear the way for Sweden and Finland to join. The two leaders are set to meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss other issues, the White House said.

Biden also sat down Wednesday with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who are attending the NATO summit as the alliance looks to strengthen its ties in the Indo-Pacific region and address challenges from China.

The three leaders discussed North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which Biden said the three found “deeply concerning.”

Biden said “our trilateral cooperation in my view is essential” and said the meeting was an opportunity for the leaders to coordinate a shared response, as U.S. officials say the isolated nation may soon conduct another nuclear test.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656512460520.png" alt="“Today I’m announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe and respond to the changing security environment as well as strengthening our collective security,” President Biden said.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>“Today I’m announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe and respond to the changing security environment as well as strengthening our collective security,” President Biden said.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MADRID (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</a>Meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-zelenskyy-politics-jens-stoltenberg-54c91903690f0d56537fa40ada88d83c">the opening of the alliance’s annual leaders’ summit</a>&nbsp;in Madrid, Biden said “NATO is strong and united” and that steps to be taken during the gathering will “further augment our collective strength.” The White House said Biden’s commitments mean the U.S. will maintain a presence of 100,000 troops in Europe, up 20,000 from the levels before the Ukraine war began, for the “foreseeable future.”In addition to the new basing of a U.S. military garrison in Poland, Biden also said the U.S. is sending two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons to the U.K. and more air defenses and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.“Today I’m announcing the United States will enhance our force posture in Europe and respond to the changing security environment as well as strengthening our collective security,” he said.Stoltenberg, who earlier Wednesday said the alliance was facing its biggest challenge since World War II because of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine, welcomed Biden’s announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-politics-finland-05bee518928c878dc3c170ff3044fa93">as the summit began.</a>“This really demonstrates your decisive leadership and strength in the trans-Atlantic bond,” Stoltenberg said, thanking Biden for the “unwavering support from you and from the United States to Ukraine.”The more muscular American presence in Europe is bolstered by stepped-up defense commitments from NATO allies announced at the summit. It is still a far cry from its posture during the Cold War, when roughly 300,000 American troops, on average, were stationed in the region.Biden said the U.S. will permanently station the U.S. Army V Corps forward command in Poland, a move that he said would strengthen US-NATO interoperability across the alliance’s eastern flank. The decision marks the first permanent basing of U.S. forces on NATO’s eastern edge. Biden added that the U.S. is also stepping up its rotational deployments of troops to Romania and the Baltic region.Celeste Wallander, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense for international affairs, told reporters that having a permanent presence in Poland will be key to helping NATO navigate the changed security environment in Europe caused by Russia’s invasion. The U.S. supplies the bulk of NATO’s military power.U.S. officials emphasized that the permanent basing applied only to headquarters units, not combat troops, and was therefore consistent with a 1997 agreement between NATO and Russia in which the alliance agreed not to permanently base combat troops in Eastern Europe as it aimed to build more constructive ties in the post-Cold War environment.Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski told Poland’s state PAP news agency that the decision to add U.S. command structure was a “manifestation of the ever closer cooperation between the U.S. and Poland” and would give give NATO allies a frontline insight into the Russian threat.The combat units Biden is sending to Romania and the Baltic region are on rotational deployments, rather than permanent assignment, to remain in compliance with that agreement.“There has been no communication with Moscow about these changes, nor is there a requirement to do that,” John Kirby, a spokesman for Biden’s National Security Council.Biden announced on Tuesday after arriving for the summit that the U.S. would base two additional destroyers at its naval base in Rota, Spain, bringing the total number to six.Biden predicted that meetings this week would make for a “history-making summit” as leaders were set to approve a new strategic framework, announce a range of steps to boost their defense spending and capabilities, and clear the way for historically neutral&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-biden-turkey-madrid-0441ed4a13ea31aad5df316572f082bf">Finland and Sweden</a>&nbsp;to join NATO.Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin thought NATO members would splinter after he invaded Ukraine, but got the opposite response instead.“Putin was looking for the Finland-ization of Europe,” Biden said. “You’re gonna get the NATO-ization of Europe. And that’s exactly what he didn’t want, but exactly what needs to be done to guarantee security for Europe.”Turkey, the last remaining holdout to approve the Nordic countries’ accession into NATO, reached an agreement on the eve of the summit late Tuesday to support adding them to the 30-nation alliance.While the White House said the U.S. was not a direct party to the negotiations, a senior administration official said Biden spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday to encourage him to clear the way for Sweden and Finland to join. The two leaders are set to meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss other issues, the White House said.Biden also sat down Wednesday with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who are attending the NATO summit as the alliance looks to strengthen its ties in the Indo-Pacific region and address challenges from China.The three leaders discussed North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which Biden said the three found “deeply concerning.”Biden said “our trilateral cooperation in my view is essential” and said the meeting was an opportunity for the leaders to coordinate a shared response, as U.S. officials say the isolated nation may soon conduct another nuclear test.—-

Russian threat drives U.S. troops in Europe to more than 100,000

CHARLTON COUNTY, Mo. —Authorities investigating the fatal Amtrak, truck crash have identified the three passengers killed as 58-year-old Rachelle Cook; 56-year-old&nbsp;Kim Holsapple both of DeSoto, Kansas and 82-year-0ld Binh Pham of Kansas City, Missouri, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Cook and Holsapple were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the MSHP. EMS transported Pham to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri where he was pronounced dead.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the truck driver also&nbsp; as 54-year-old Billy Barton II of Brookfield, Missouri.

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago Monday afternoon when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-derailment-missouri-a5ca59f5243b1a1008f4cf9b11c2fb31">struck a dump truck and derailed</a>&nbsp;at the crossing near Mendon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced the fourth death Tuesday afternoon and provided its first estimate of the injured — about 150 people taken to 10 area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious.

The collision derailed seven cars, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The truck was broken into pieces.

The crossing in a rural area about 84 miles northeast of Kansas City has no lights or other signals to warn of an approaching train.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656536448704.png" alt="Photo of the accident scene- Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the accident scene- Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLTON COUNTY, Mo. —Authorities investigating the fatal Amtrak, truck crash have identified the three passengers killed as 58-year-old Rachelle Cook; 56-year-old&nbsp;Kim Holsapple both of DeSoto, Kansas and 82-year-0ld Binh Pham of Kansas City, Missouri, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656537737436.png" alt="Kim Holsapple(center left) and Rochelle Cook (center right)-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Kim Holsapple(center left) and Rochelle Cook (center right)-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Cook and Holsapple were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the MSHP. EMS transported Pham to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri where he was pronounced dead.The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the truck driver also&nbsp; as 54-year-old Billy Barton II of Brookfield, Missouri.Amtrak’s Southwest Chief was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago Monday afternoon when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-derailment-missouri-a5ca59f5243b1a1008f4cf9b11c2fb31">struck a dump truck and derailed</a>&nbsp;at the crossing near Mendon.The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced the fourth death Tuesday afternoon and provided its first estimate of the injured — about 150 people taken to 10 area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious.The collision derailed seven cars, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The truck was broken into pieces.The crossing in a rural area about 84 miles northeast of Kansas City has no lights or other signals to warn of an approaching train.

Patrol IDs 2 Kansas women who died in Amtrak crash

<a href="https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/man-gored-by-bison-near-old-faithful-at-yellowstone-national-park/">Daily Montanan</a>

A 34-year-old man from Colorado Springs, Colorado was gored by a bull bison on Monday at Yellowstone National Park, not far from Old Faithful.

The man was walking near Giant Geyser with his family on a boardwalk when the bull charged the group. The family did not leave the area and the bull continued to charge and gore.

The man sustained an injury to his arm and was transported by ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Park authorities continue to investigate the incident, but officials remind visitors that even though they look bulky, bison can outrun a human. Visitors are advised to stay more than 75 feet away from bison at all times in order to be safe.

This is the second bison goring incident in the park this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656533727966.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/man-gored-by-bison-near-old-faithful-at-yellowstone-national-park/">Daily Montanan</a>A 34-year-old man from Colorado Springs, Colorado was gored by a bull bison on Monday at Yellowstone National Park, not far from Old Faithful.The man was walking near Giant Geyser with his family on a boardwalk when the bull charged the group. The family did not leave the area and the bull continued to charge and gore.The man sustained an injury to his arm and was transported by ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.Park authorities continue to investigate the incident, but officials remind visitors that even though they look bulky, bison can outrun a human. Visitors are advised to stay more than 75 feet away from bison at all times in order to be safe.This is the second bison goring incident in the park this season.

Colorado man gored by bison near Old Faithful at Yellowstone

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Kellie Warren believes her policy experience and conservativism make her the ideal candidate to be the next attorney general in Kansas.

Warren, of Leawood, is one of three Republicans who have filed to run for attorney general in Kansas. Warren currently represents District 11 in Johnson County in the Kansas Senate. The other two Republicans are Kris Kobach and Tony Mattivi. Chris Mann is the lone Democrat who has filed for the position.

Warren was campaigning in Salina earlier this week and stopped by the Salina Post office to talk about her candidacy. 

"I tell you who I am. I'm honest about it and then I go be that in elected office. And I have the policy experience. I've had to vote on all policy as a state elected official for four years, whether it's energy, education, taxes, commerce, law and order. And Kansans then can look at the record of policy leading that I have," Warren said.

Should she be elected in November, Warren said she would probably do two things first: set up her team in the attorney general's office and create a new division in the office to look at federal overreach.

"I would probably create a new division, whether it's called 'federal overreach' or the 10th Amendment to make sure that we're looking at federalism essentially. That we don't have the government overreaching from Washington, D.C., what we're doing here in Kansas, and so either create a task force, maybe, or a new division," she said.

Warren said that Kansas Republicans need to make sure they select the right nominee to vie for the attorney general position in the November general election.

"We can't select a conservative Republican who doesn't win, and we can't select a person who tells us they're a conservative Republican but doesn't have a record, so how do we know?" Warren said. "With me, you have the record you can depend on of a battle-tested conservative who fights and wins. I win tough elections. I win policy battles that you care about. And I win in the courtroom as well. That's what we need in our next attorney general."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656537462040.jpeg" alt="Kellie Warren is a Republican candidate for attorney general in Kansas. Photo courtesy Warren's Kansas Senate webpage" />
 <figcaption>Kellie Warren is a Republican candidate for attorney general in Kansas. Photo courtesy Warren's Kansas Senate webpage</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKellie Warren believes her policy experience and conservativism make her the ideal candidate to be the next attorney general in Kansas.Warren, of Leawood, is one of three Republicans who have filed to run for attorney general in Kansas. Warren currently represents District 11 in Johnson County in the Kansas Senate. The other two Republicans are Kris Kobach and Tony Mattivi. Chris Mann is the lone Democrat who has filed for the position.Warren was campaigning in Salina earlier this week and stopped by the Salina Post office to talk about her candidacy. "I tell you who I am. I'm honest about it and then I go be that in elected office. And I have the policy experience. I've had to vote on all policy as a state elected official for four years, whether it's energy, education, taxes, commerce, law and order. And Kansans then can look at the record of policy leading that I have," Warren said.Should she be elected in November, Warren said she would probably do two things first: set up her team in the attorney general's office and create a new division in the office to look at federal overreach."I would probably create a new division, whether it's called 'federal overreach' or the 10th Amendment to make sure that we're looking at federalism essentially. That we don't have the government overreaching from Washington, D.C., what we're doing here in Kansas, and so either create a task force, maybe, or a new division," she said.Warren said that Kansas Republicans need to make sure they select the right nominee to vie for the attorney general position in the November general election."We can't select a conservative Republican who doesn't win, and we can't select a person who tells us they're a conservative Republican but doesn't have a record, so how do we know?" Warren said. "With me, you have the record you can depend on of a battle-tested conservative who fights and wins. I win tough elections. I win policy battles that you care about. And I win in the courtroom as well. That's what we need in our next attorney general."

Warren cites policy experience, conservatism in run for Kansas AG

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Abortion pills smuggled into the United States from Mexico inside teddy bears. A New York home used as a pill distribution hub. A small apartment just south of the U.S.-Mexico border converted into a safe place for women to end their pregnancies.

Networks of Mexican feminist collectives working with counterparts in the United States are ramping up their efforts to help women in the U.S. who are losing access to abortion services to end their pregnancies.

With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the landmark decision that gave women the right to access abortion last week, these networks of activists are preparing to be busier than ever. So far this year, according to the organizations, they have helped at least 1,700 women living the U.S. who have sought their help.

The number may seem anecdotal, but it’s exponentially higher than what they saw before. With a number of U.S. states already enacting abortion bans since the court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, the activists expect the pace to continue increasing.

“The demand is going to triple,” said Sandra Cardona of “I Need an Abortion,” a collective based in the northern Mexico city of Monterrey, 138 miles from Texas. “Before we accompanied about five women a month from the United States; now there are five to seven a week.”

These organizations’ strategy is clear: a self-managed abortion, that is to say, putting the abortion-inducing misoprostol and mifepristone in the hands of women who want to end their pregnancies and accompanying them, usually virtually, when they take the drugs.

The drugs are legal in the United States and more than half of the abortions performed there in 2020 used them, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights organization. But there they require a doctor’s prescription, some states require a doctor to be present and they are usually taken in women’s health clinics, many of which have been forced to close.

In addition to the 13 states that already have laws banning abortion, there are another half-dozen that have almost complete bans or that do not permit them after six weeks, when many women do not know they are pregnant.

So there’s no doubt that the alternative will be abortions at home. And that is something with which the Mexican activists have a lot of experience. Even though Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled last year that it was unconstitutional to consider abortion a crime and 10 states have made it legal, not all have abortion services and abortion, with some exceptions, remains a crime in 22 states of the strongly Catholic country.

“At the same time that we were taking it for granted in the United States, people in Mexico, advocates in Mexico, have been working and testing narratives and building, building power, convincing people that their message was the correct one,” said Texas state lawmaker Erin Zwiener during a visit to Mexico in May.

Mexican activists built networks, battled the stigma, pushed for legal changes and little by little made headway, Zwiener said.

Their strategy since January has been the same, but cross-border.

Collectives far from the U.S. border like Unasse in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula coordinate donations from abroad to buy the pills, explained Amelia Ojeda, one of its members. Others to the north, focus on getting the pills into the United States inside toys, jars of vitamins or sewn into the hems of clothing.

“Those who are detected at the border, it’s like you were crossing drugs,” said Marcela Castro of Green Tide Chihuahua, a state bordering Texas. There are also women who live between the two countries and carry them when they fly.

The pills are then stored at so-called “medicine banks,” that are really private homes in strategic cities in Texas or even in New York where abortion remains legal.

From there they are distributed by low-profile volunteers by any means available -- hand-to-hand, through the mail, etc. -- to women across the country who need them. Most are in states like Texas and Oklahoma that have imposed bans, but also states where abortion remains legal but women prefer to end their pregnancies in the privacy of their homes.

“The new modern menace is a chemical or medical abortion with pills ordered online and mailed directly to a woman’s home,” Randall O’Bannon, an anti-abortion activist, said at a national convention last week in Atlanta. “With Roe headed for the dustbin of history, and states gaining the power to limit abortions, this is where the battle is going to be played out over the next several years”.

“Medication abortion will be where access to abortion is decided,” said Mary Ziegler, a professor at Florida State University College of Law who specializes in reproductive rights, told the AP last month. “That’s going to be the battleground that decides how enforceable abortion bans are.”

Las Libres -- The Free -- one of the most experienced groups in Latin America has a strong network network of allies in Mexico. Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment.

Veronica Cruz, their director, said that has been possible because of the help of some 100 volunteers, mostly in New York and California. But facing growing demand, she said, they need “more medicine, more hands and more heads that want to collaborate.”

As battles play out in U.S. state courts, the fear among activists grows.

“In such a litigious country (like the United States), the risks are taken seriously,” said Castro of the Chihuahua group. “And they’re besieged on all sides,” she added, noting the financial penalties or even prison sentences that those who help could be subject to in some states.

I Need an Abortion receives women in its office in Monterrey. “The majority tell us they prefer talking and having first-hand information,” they take the pills and cross the border back to Texas, said director Sandra Cardona.

Others decide to have the abortion in the collective’s offices, which is Cardona’s house.

When they arrive, they stand with their mouth hanging open when they see what they call the “aborteria.”

“It’s really crazy,” Cardona explained. “They tell us, ‘but this isn’t a clinic! It isn’t a shady place! It’s not scary!’”

“Well, of course, it’s a home!” she said.

Cardona has opened their doors to women for five years. Since May, they have outfitted a small apartment on the second floor of her home with a desk and sofa bed where women have gone through the whole process in privacy or with accompaniment based on their preference.

At first, women don’t believe they give away the pills for free, because some have been scammed online, and they’re surprised to feel so psychologically protected.

One even told them “that if she didn’t have to pay we weren’t a serious organizations,” Cardona said laughing. They give them the option of making a donation. “Our Paypal link has never been used so much.”

After their abortion, most realize they could have done it in their own homes. And that, says the activist, is important because the message gets passed on.

So far, most of the women seeking assistance from the collectives in Monterrey and Chihuahua have been Latina and Black.

Cruz was surprised because most of those who contacted The Free spoke English, suggesting to her a big pending issue: undocumented migrants.

“The women who most need it, who don’t even have internet access, still haven’t made it to us,” she said.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Abortion pills smuggled into the United States from Mexico inside teddy bears. A New York home used as a pill distribution hub. A small apartment just south of the U.S.-Mexico border converted into a safe place for women to end their pregnancies.Networks of Mexican feminist collectives working with counterparts in the United States are ramping up their efforts to help women in the U.S. who are losing access to abortion services to end their pregnancies.With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the landmark decision that gave women the right to access abortion last week, these networks of activists are preparing to be busier than ever. So far this year, according to the organizations, they have helped at least 1,700 women living the U.S. who have sought their help.The number may seem anecdotal, but it’s exponentially higher than what they saw before. With a number of U.S. states already enacting abortion bans since the court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, the activists expect the pace to continue increasing.“The demand is going to triple,” said Sandra Cardona of “I Need an Abortion,” a collective based in the northern Mexico city of Monterrey, 138 miles from Texas. “Before we accompanied about five women a month from the United States; now there are five to seven a week.”These organizations’ strategy is clear: a self-managed abortion, that is to say, putting the abortion-inducing misoprostol and mifepristone in the hands of women who want to end their pregnancies and accompanying them, usually virtually, when they take the drugs.The drugs are legal in the United States and more than half of the abortions performed there in 2020 used them, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights organization. But there they require a doctor’s prescription, some states require a doctor to be present and they are usually taken in women’s health clinics, many of which have been forced to close.In addition to the 13 states that already have laws banning abortion, there are another half-dozen that have almost complete bans or that do not permit them after six weeks, when many women do not know they are pregnant.So there’s no doubt that the alternative will be abortions at home. And that is something with which the Mexican activists have a lot of experience. Even though Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled last year that it was unconstitutional to consider abortion a crime and 10 states have made it legal, not all have abortion services and abortion, with some exceptions, remains a crime in 22 states of the strongly Catholic country.“At the same time that we were taking it for granted in the United States, people in Mexico, advocates in Mexico, have been working and testing narratives and building, building power, convincing people that their message was the correct one,” said Texas state lawmaker Erin Zwiener during a visit to Mexico in May.Mexican activists built networks, battled the stigma, pushed for legal changes and little by little made headway, Zwiener said.Their strategy since January has been the same, but cross-border.Collectives far from the U.S. border like Unasse in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula coordinate donations from abroad to buy the pills, explained Amelia Ojeda, one of its members. Others to the north, focus on getting the pills into the United States inside toys, jars of vitamins or sewn into the hems of clothing.“Those who are detected at the border, it’s like you were crossing drugs,” said Marcela Castro of Green Tide Chihuahua, a state bordering Texas. There are also women who live between the two countries and carry them when they fly.The pills are then stored at so-called “medicine banks,” that are really private homes in strategic cities in Texas or even in New York where abortion remains legal.From there they are distributed by low-profile volunteers by any means available -- hand-to-hand, through the mail, etc. -- to women across the country who need them. Most are in states like Texas and Oklahoma that have imposed bans, but also states where abortion remains legal but women prefer to end their pregnancies in the privacy of their homes.“The new modern menace is a chemical or medical abortion with pills ordered online and mailed directly to a woman’s home,” Randall O’Bannon, an anti-abortion activist, said at a national convention last week in Atlanta. “With Roe headed for the dustbin of history, and states gaining the power to limit abortions, this is where the battle is going to be played out over the next several years”.“Medication abortion will be where access to abortion is decided,” said Mary Ziegler, a professor at Florida State University College of Law who specializes in reproductive rights, told the AP last month. “That’s going to be the battleground that decides how enforceable abortion bans are.”Las Libres -- The Free -- one of the most experienced groups in Latin America has a strong network network of allies in Mexico. Just there people have helped 1,500 women living in the United States this year with pills, information and accompaniment.Veronica Cruz, their director, said that has been possible because of the help of some 100 volunteers, mostly in New York and California. But facing growing demand, she said, they need “more medicine, more hands and more heads that want to collaborate.”As battles play out in U.S. state courts, the fear among activists grows.“In such a litigious country (like the United States), the risks are taken seriously,” said Castro of the Chihuahua group. “And they’re besieged on all sides,” she added, noting the financial penalties or even prison sentences that those who help could be subject to in some states.I Need an Abortion receives women in its office in Monterrey. “The majority tell us they prefer talking and having first-hand information,” they take the pills and cross the border back to Texas, said director Sandra Cardona.Others decide to have the abortion in the collective’s offices, which is Cardona’s house.When they arrive, they stand with their mouth hanging open when they see what they call the “aborteria.”“It’s really crazy,” Cardona explained. “They tell us, ‘but this isn’t a clinic! It isn’t a shady place! It’s not scary!’”“Well, of course, it’s a home!” she said.Cardona has opened their doors to women for five years. Since May, they have outfitted a small apartment on the second floor of her home with a desk and sofa bed where women have gone through the whole process in privacy or with accompaniment based on their preference.At first, women don’t believe they give away the pills for free, because some have been scammed online, and they’re surprised to feel so psychologically protected.One even told them “that if she didn’t have to pay we weren’t a serious organizations,” Cardona said laughing. They give them the option of making a donation. “Our Paypal link has never been used so much.”After their abortion, most realize they could have done it in their own homes. And that, says the activist, is important because the message gets passed on.So far, most of the women seeking assistance from the collectives in Monterrey and Chihuahua have been Latina and Black.Cruz was surprised because most of those who contacted The Free spoke English, suggesting to her a big pending issue: undocumented migrants.“The women who most need it, who don’t even have internet access, still haven’t made it to us,” she said.

Mexican networks ramp up help for US women seeking abortions

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man died just after 4p.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.

According to Wichita Police Officer&nbsp;Juan Rebolledo, a moped driven by 33-year-old&nbsp; Kiefer Goseland of Wichita was northbound in the 3800 Block of South Hoover Road. He lost control of the vehicle. 

The moped struck a utility pole and Goseland was ejected.&nbsp; Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on the scene.

Speed, drugs, or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Rebolledo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656528862216.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man died just after 4p.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.According to Wichita Police Officer&nbsp;Juan Rebolledo, a moped driven by 33-year-old&nbsp; Kiefer Goseland of Wichita was northbound in the 3800 Block of South Hoover Road. He lost control of the vehicle. The moped struck a utility pole and Goseland was ejected.&nbsp; Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on the scene.Speed, drugs, or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Rebolledo.

Police: Kansas man dies after moped strikes a utility pole

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/kansas-veterans-and-legislators-wary-of-proposal-to-close-va-clinics-and-cut-emergency-services/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — When retired U.S. Army 
Col. Lynn Rolf enlisted and went to war, the federal government made a 
promise it would take care of his medical needs.

Rolf, who began his 31 years of military service in 1970 in Vietnam, 
says he is still fighting the battle to ensure that commitment is 
fulfilled and veterans’ medical services remain in place. Recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/AIRCOMMISSIONREPORT/docs/VISN15-Market-Recommendation.pdf">recommendations from the Department of Veteran Affairs</a>
 to the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission suggesting an 
overhaul of its health network are the equivalent of reneging on that 
promise, Rolf said.

“In my personal experience, VA care is pretty darn good,” Rolf said. 
“But I’m used to fighting bureaucracies and and it’s easy for me to when
 someone tells me ‘No, you can’t do this can’t do that’ I don’t take 
that as an answer.”

On Monday, Rolf and fellow veterans opposing these changes gained a 
key victory after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including the 
chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.legion.org/veteranshealthcare/256113/senators-announce-they-will-block-air-commission">announced plans to block the AIR Commission</a>,
 citing a flawed process. A 2018 law&nbsp; signed by President Donald Trump 
requires the VA to submit plans to the commission, after which AIR would
 forward recommendations to Congress for consideration.

A dozen senators said they will not approve the commission’s creation
 by refusing to approve President Joe Biden’s nominations to the panel, 
in part because of “unworkable” and controversial recommendations. The 
VA proposal sought to close 172 of more than 800 clinics nationwide and,
 among changes in Kansas, reduce capacity or stop certain emergency 
services in several locations.

In the northeast part of the state, where most of the approximately 
221,000 veterans living in the state reside, the plan would discontinue 
emergency inpatient medical and outpatient surgical services at the 
Topeka medical center. In Leavenworth, a 23-bed inpatient center would 
become a 12-bed observational hospital, while a new outpatient facility 
would be built on campus.

This is not the first time someone has proposed ceasing inpatient 
emergency services at these facilities, but Rolf said it presented 
another serious challenge. Just recently, he needed a boil removed, but 
his primary care physician was not licensed for the same services as his
 local VA facility.

Without veteran-oriented emergency services, many would need to find 
treatment at conventional medical centers and hospitals, often racking 
up expenses.

“Most of our veterans that don’t have the financial capabilities just
 go without treatment, and that just makes it worse,” Rolf said. “All of
 a sudden, now they got to go to a lifesaving procedure, or they don’t 
receive any treatment at all and end up dying, which is even worse.”

The U.S. Senators’ move all but ends five years of efforts to cut back the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/05/26/sweeping-changes-to-vas-medical-facilities-across-america-on-hold-due-to-missing-nominee/">VA footprint across the country.</a>
 Those in on the deal to block the commission could still change their 
mind but for now, the recommendations will not move forward in the 
process.

In the report, the VA said the overhaul would help address recruitment challenges and lower demand for services in some areas.

“Currently, most ED visits occur on weekdays during the hours of 8:00
 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and most are low to moderate complexity with only 
7,638 visits in FY 2019,” the VA recommendations said of the Leavenworth
 facility.

“Maintaining ED services at the Topeka VAMC is no longer sustainable 
due to small and decreasing demand and provider recruitment challenges,”
 the report continued. “Replacing the ED with an urgent care center will
 provide the appropriate level of care for the Veteran population.”

According to the VA recommendations, neither the Leavenworth nor the 
Topeka medical centers meet current design standards, and facility 
condition assessment deficiencies are about $199 million and $141 
million, respectively.

But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-rounds-heinrich-capito-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-eliminate-the-va-air-commission">national</a>
 and state legislators said these suggested changes were skewed against 
rural states. Rep. Pat Proctor, a Fort Leavenworth Republican and Army 
veteran who led teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, said recommendations 
based on data leave out real-life effects on those who need those 
services.

“I feel like the rug was pulled out from under us,” Proctor said 
earlier this month. “Weigh the recommendations against the violence it 
will do to people’s lives. I hope that they will come back and talk to 
us before they rip vital health care services out of our community.”

Proctor noted the recommendations could also harm a planned veterans’
 home in northeast Kansas. A bill providing further funding for the 
facility passed the Legislature and received the governor’s approval 
earlier this year, but he said the decision was predicated on the 
current level of VA services being available in the region.

“The Veterans’ Home for Northeast Kansas — funding for which I was 
able to finally get passed last session after years of empty promises — 
will be a long-term care facility for our most medically vulnerable 
veterans,” Proctor said. “It will be dependent on regional VA health 
care facilities to deal with emergent medical needs. Removing these 
hospital beds from our community puts those veterans at risk.”

The overhaul prompted protests in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia. Earlier this month, 
veterans and members of the American Federation of Government Employees 
District 9 union <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-07/closure-of-va-centers-in-the-region-could-mean-longer-waits-at-the-kansas-city-va">gathered at the Heartland VA Network in Kansas City, Missouri</a>, to protest changes in the region.

Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican, echoed the same concerns 
Proctor had for her veteran constituents. Dietrich, who served on the 
Veterans and Military Committee while in the Statehouse, said she 
frequently heard from veterans that they needed care in an environment 
where they were the top priority.

“I think all of our veterans want to be valued,” Dietrich said. “From
 an efficiency standpoint, it probably makes sense if you are looking at
 the data. But from a care standpoint, I think it’s going to be very 
controversial and not well received by our community.”

However, additional recommendations may have provided increased 
services in other areas of the state, such as Wichita, where the VA 
suggested a strategic collaboration with the University of Kansas and 
affiliated community hospitals to add inpatient mental health services. 
Currently, the nearest facility offering these services is in Topeka, 
two hours away.

“The Wichita VAMC has reported holding four to six mental health 
patients in the inpatient medical and surgical unit at any given time, 
while waiting for community inpatient mental health beds to become 
available,” the VA report reads.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656521964680.png" alt="Under the recommendations made by the VA, the Topeka VA medical center would cease emergency, inpatient medical and outpatient surgical services. The facility in Leavenworth would also see a reduction from a 23-bed inpatients facility to a 12-bed observational hospital. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Under the recommendations made by the VA, the Topeka VA medical center would cease emergency, inpatient medical and outpatient surgical services. The facility in Leavenworth would also see a reduction from a 23-bed inpatients facility to a 12-bed observational hospital. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/kansas-veterans-and-legislators-wary-of-proposal-to-close-va-clinics-and-cut-emergency-services/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — When retired U.S. Army 
Col. Lynn Rolf enlisted and went to war, the federal government made a 
promise it would take care of his medical needs.Rolf, who began his 31 years of military service in 1970 in Vietnam, 
says he is still fighting the battle to ensure that commitment is 
fulfilled and veterans’ medical services remain in place. Recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/AIRCOMMISSIONREPORT/docs/VISN15-Market-Recommendation.pdf">recommendations from the Department of Veteran Affairs</a>
 to the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission suggesting an 
overhaul of its health network are the equivalent of reneging on that 
promise, Rolf said.“In my personal experience, VA care is pretty darn good,” Rolf said. 
“But I’m used to fighting bureaucracies and and it’s easy for me to when
 someone tells me ‘No, you can’t do this can’t do that’ I don’t take 
that as an answer.”On Monday, Rolf and fellow veterans opposing these changes gained a 
key victory after a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including the 
chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.legion.org/veteranshealthcare/256113/senators-announce-they-will-block-air-commission">announced plans to block the AIR Commission</a>,
 citing a flawed process. A 2018 law&nbsp; signed by President Donald Trump 
requires the VA to submit plans to the commission, after which AIR would
 forward recommendations to Congress for consideration.A dozen senators said they will not approve the commission’s creation
 by refusing to approve President Joe Biden’s nominations to the panel, 
in part because of “unworkable” and controversial recommendations. The 
VA proposal sought to close 172 of more than 800 clinics nationwide and,
 among changes in Kansas, reduce capacity or stop certain emergency 
services in several locations.In the northeast part of the state, where most of the approximately 
221,000 veterans living in the state reside, the plan would discontinue 
emergency inpatient medical and outpatient surgical services at the 
Topeka medical center. In Leavenworth, a 23-bed inpatient center would 
become a 12-bed observational hospital, while a new outpatient facility 
would be built on campus.This is not the first time someone has proposed ceasing inpatient 
emergency services at these facilities, but Rolf said it presented 
another serious challenge. Just recently, he needed a boil removed, but 
his primary care physician was not licensed for the same services as his
 local VA facility.Without veteran-oriented emergency services, many would need to find 
treatment at conventional medical centers and hospitals, often racking 
up expenses.“Most of our veterans that don’t have the financial capabilities just
 go without treatment, and that just makes it worse,” Rolf said. “All of
 a sudden, now they got to go to a lifesaving procedure, or they don’t 
receive any treatment at all and end up dying, which is even worse.”The U.S. Senators’ move all but ends five years of efforts to cut back the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/05/26/sweeping-changes-to-vas-medical-facilities-across-america-on-hold-due-to-missing-nominee/">VA footprint across the country.</a>
 Those in on the deal to block the commission could still change their 
mind but for now, the recommendations will not move forward in the 
process.In the report, the VA said the overhaul would help address recruitment challenges and lower demand for services in some areas.“Currently, most ED visits occur on weekdays during the hours of 8:00
 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and most are low to moderate complexity with only 
7,638 visits in FY 2019,” the VA recommendations said of the Leavenworth
 facility.“Maintaining ED services at the Topeka VAMC is no longer sustainable 
due to small and decreasing demand and provider recruitment challenges,”
 the report continued. “Replacing the ED with an urgent care center will
 provide the appropriate level of care for the Veteran population.”According to the VA recommendations, neither the Leavenworth nor the 
Topeka medical centers meet current design standards, and facility 
condition assessment deficiencies are about $199 million and $141 
million, respectively.But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-rounds-heinrich-capito-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-eliminate-the-va-air-commission">national</a>
 and state legislators said these suggested changes were skewed against 
rural states. Rep. Pat Proctor, a Fort Leavenworth Republican and Army 
veteran who led teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, said recommendations 
based on data leave out real-life effects on those who need those 
services.“I feel like the rug was pulled out from under us,” Proctor said 
earlier this month. “Weigh the recommendations against the violence it 
will do to people’s lives. I hope that they will come back and talk to 
us before they rip vital health care services out of our community.”Proctor noted the recommendations could also harm a planned veterans’
 home in northeast Kansas. A bill providing further funding for the 
facility passed the Legislature and received the governor’s approval 
earlier this year, but he said the decision was predicated on the 
current level of VA services being available in the region.“The Veterans’ Home for Northeast Kansas — funding for which I was 
able to finally get passed last session after years of empty promises — 
will be a long-term care facility for our most medically vulnerable 
veterans,” Proctor said. “It will be dependent on regional VA health 
care facilities to deal with emergent medical needs. Removing these 
hospital beds from our community puts those veterans at risk.”The overhaul prompted protests in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia. Earlier this month, 
veterans and members of the American Federation of Government Employees 
District 9 union <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-07/closure-of-va-centers-in-the-region-could-mean-longer-waits-at-the-kansas-city-va">gathered at the Heartland VA Network in Kansas City, Missouri</a>, to protest changes in the region.Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican, echoed the same concerns 
Proctor had for her veteran constituents. Dietrich, who served on the 
Veterans and Military Committee while in the Statehouse, said she 
frequently heard from veterans that they needed care in an environment 
where they were the top priority.“I think all of our veterans want to be valued,” Dietrich said. “From
 an efficiency standpoint, it probably makes sense if you are looking at
 the data. But from a care standpoint, I think it’s going to be very 
controversial and not well received by our community.”However, additional recommendations may have provided increased 
services in other areas of the state, such as Wichita, where the VA 
suggested a strategic collaboration with the University of Kansas and 
affiliated community hospitals to add inpatient mental health services. 
Currently, the nearest facility offering these services is in Topeka, 
two hours away.“The Wichita VAMC has reported holding four to six mental health 
patients in the inpatient medical and surgical unit at any given time, 
while waiting for community inpatient mental health beds to become 
available,” the VA report reads.In addition, the VA recommended opening community-based outpatient 
clinics in Derby, Iola and West Wichita. But with those new clinics, the
 VA suggested closing CBOCs in Fort Scott, Chanute and Garnett because 
of proximity to new or existing facilities.If the recommendations should resurface&nbsp; the capacity available would
 be able to support 100% of projected enrollee demand, per the VA. About
 173,500 veterans would be within 30 minutes of primary care via the VA 
or a community provider, and an additional 600 would be within an hour’s
 drive.Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, said some give and take is 
always likely when trying to meet the needs of all patients. Some 
veterans he has spoken with in his community have expressed concerns 
about traveling long distances for services, which the new clinics could
 help mitigate.“There is always a recognition that most people don’t like change, 
but it’s inevitable. I don’t think we should be afraid of change,” Hawk 
said. “But I do think part of our democratic process should be listening
 to all the people who are impacted by change.”“So, how do you find that balance between offering the kind of service that’s efficient, affordable and effective?” he said.