DALLAS COUNTY, Texas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple- shooting and believe the teen suspect could be in the Kansas City-area.

On Monday, police reported that just before 9:30p.m. Jan. 13, officers responded to a shooting call at the City of Rowlett Twin Star Park, 6417 Fairfield Drive in Rowlett, Texas, approximately 19 miles northeast of Dallas, according to a media release.

 Officers arrived and found two adults and one 14-year-old girl shot at the city park. All three victims are from the same family. Rowlett Fire Rescue transported them by ambulance to a local hospital where they were treated for gunshot wounds.

The Rowlett Police Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation and it was determined that this was not a random act of violence but rather both parties were meeting at the city park after two of the juveniles had been involved in a school fight three days prior. 

The shooting suspect identified as 16-year-old Kenn’taevien Charvez Butler of Rowlett, Texas, is described as a tan-skinned, black male with dark hair, and black eyes, approximately 5-10 and 170 pounds.

&nbsp;Butler is currently wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony in the 2nd degree.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;&nbsp;may be in Kansas City area.&nbsp;The North Texas Crime Commission is offering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to his arrest and indictment for this felony offense

Any information can be sent to lead Detective Eric Shing at desk: (972) 412-6212, cell: (469) 853-3328, or eshing@rowlett.com. Tips may be made anonymous to the North Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-TIPS (8477) or P3tips.com, available 24/7. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684872712102.png" alt="Butler-photo Rowlett Police" />
 <figcaption>Butler-photo Rowlett Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS COUNTY, Texas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple- shooting and believe the teen suspect could be in the Kansas City-area.On Monday, police reported that just before 9:30p.m. Jan. 13, officers responded to a shooting call at the City of Rowlett Twin Star Park, 6417 Fairfield Drive in Rowlett, Texas, approximately 19 miles northeast of Dallas, according to a media release. Officers arrived and found two adults and one 14-year-old girl shot at the city park. All three victims are from the same family. Rowlett Fire Rescue transported them by ambulance to a local hospital where they were treated for gunshot wounds.The Rowlett Police Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation and it was determined that this was not a random act of violence but rather both parties were meeting at the city park after two of the juveniles had been involved in a school fight three days prior. The shooting suspect identified as 16-year-old Kenn’taevien Charvez Butler of Rowlett, Texas, is described as a tan-skinned, black male with dark hair, and black eyes, approximately 5-10 and 170 pounds.&nbsp;Butler is currently wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony in the 2nd degree.&nbsp;He&nbsp;&nbsp;may be in Kansas City area.&nbsp;The North Texas Crime Commission is offering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to his arrest and indictment for this felony offenseAny information can be sent to lead Detective Eric Shing at desk: (972) 412-6212, cell: (469) 853-3328, or eshing@rowlett.com. Tips may be made anonymous to the North Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-TIPS (8477) or P3tips.com, available 24/7.

16-year-old accused in triple shooting is possibly in Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged brief of privacy and asking for assistance in identifying a suspect, according to Overland Park Police.

The suspect as shown from security cameras is wanted for questioning in connection with a fitting room, breach of privacy investigation at a retail store in the 12200 block of Blue Valley Parkway on April 21st 2023 at approximately 5:30pm.&nbsp; He used a selfie stick or similar device to take photos of a young woman in the dressing room.

Investigators said someone spotted the suspect, and he left the store immediately.

The suspect was last seen driving a red 2016 or newer Honda Civic.

If you are able to identify the suspect please contact the Lead Detective at 913-344-8742 or the TIPS HOTLINE at 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684871844631.png" alt="Photos Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged brief of privacy and asking for assistance in identifying a suspect, according to Overland Park Police.The suspect as shown from security cameras is wanted for questioning in connection with a fitting room, breach of privacy investigation at a retail store in the 12200 block of Blue Valley Parkway on April 21st 2023 at approximately 5:30pm.&nbsp; He used a selfie stick or similar device to take photos of a young woman in the dressing room.Investigators said someone spotted the suspect, and he left the store immediately.The suspect was last seen driving a red 2016 or newer Honda Civic. If you are able to identify the suspect please contact the Lead Detective at 913-344-8742 or the TIPS HOTLINE at 816-474-TIPS.

Police: Man accused of taking fitting room pics of woman at Kan. store

WEST GLACIER, Mont. (AP) — A 28-year-old woman from Kansas has died after falling into a creek in Glacier National Park and being swept into a gorge, park officials said.

The woman fell from a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek on Monday afternoon, spokesperson Gina Kerzman said.

Bystanders waded into the creek and pulled the woman out. They performed CPR and called 911. Emergency responders declared her dead at the scene, park officials said.

Her name and hometown have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684887440830.png" alt="Glacier National Park-photo courtesy National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Glacier National Park-photo courtesy National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST GLACIER, Mont. (AP) — A 28-year-old woman from Kansas has died after falling into a creek in Glacier National Park and being swept into a gorge, park officials said.The woman fell from a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek on Monday afternoon, spokesperson Gina Kerzman said.Bystanders waded into the creek and pulled the woman out. They performed CPR and called 911. Emergency responders declared her dead at the scene, park officials said.Her name and hometown have not been released.

Kansas woman dies after falling into creek in Glacier National Park

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in connections with shots fired on Thursday at Lea McKeighan Park in Lee's Summit, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Antonio Harris, 25, faces charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, on Thursday evening Lee's Summit Police officers responded to Lea McKeighan Park on NE Chipman Road. Officers noticed several people running through the park and vehicles leaving at high rates of speed.

 Officers found numerous shell casings as well as spots of blood in the parking lot. Witnesses told police that a man with long dreads was observed holding a firearm and standing next to a red Corvette. 

Officers found a red Corvette at the hospital parking &nbsp;lot. It had a bullet hole in the driver's side door as well as blood inside. Surveillance video showed the defendant hanging around his Corvette in the park. It showed a confrontation among two men when gunfire breaks out.

 The video also shows Harris firing multiple gunshots through the parking lot, before he leaves with an injured man in the Corvette.

The shootings remain under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684587793218.png" alt="Harris-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Harris-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in connections with shots fired on Thursday at Lea McKeighan Park in Lee's Summit, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Antonio Harris, 25, faces charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, on Thursday evening Lee's Summit Police officers responded to Lea McKeighan Park on NE Chipman Road. Officers noticed several people running through the park and vehicles leaving at high rates of speed. Officers found numerous shell casings as well as spots of blood in the parking lot. Witnesses told police that a man with long dreads was observed holding a firearm and standing next to a red Corvette. Officers found a red Corvette at the hospital parking &nbsp;lot. It had a bullet hole in the driver's side door as well as blood inside. Surveillance video showed the defendant hanging around his Corvette in the park. It showed a confrontation among two men when gunfire breaks out. The video also shows Harris firing multiple gunshots through the parking lot, before he leaves with an injured man in the Corvette.The shootings remain under investigation.

Red Corvette with bullet hole, blood inside led to KC arrest

CHICAGO (AP) — More than 450 Catholic clergy in Illinois sexually abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950, the state’s attorney general found in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23822110-illinois-ag-report-on-clergy-sexual-abuse">investigation released Tuesday,</a>&nbsp;revealing that the problem was far worse than the church had let on.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23822110-illinois-ag-report-on-clergy-sexual-abuse">Click here to read</a> the full report

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said at a news conference that investigators found that 451 Catholic clergy abused 1,997 children in Illinois between 1950 and 2019, though he acknowledged that the statute of limitations has expired in many cases and that those abusers “will never see justice in a legal sense.”

“It is my hope that this report will shine light both on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church leadership who covered up that abuse,” Raoul said, crediting the accusers for making the review possible. “These perpetrators may never be held accountable in a court of law, but by naming them here, the intention is to provide a public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-chicago-mn-state-wire-0a9997be667842ecb7dabe553cb989d2">review began in 2018 under Raoul's predecessor</a>, Lisa Madigan, who released a blistering report as she prepared to leave office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/343d656d7f034d58bcc4c0acceada7bc">Raoul continued</a>&nbsp;the investigation, and he said Tuesday that 25 staff members reviewed more than 100,000 pages of diocesan documents and engaged in more than 600 confidential interactions with contacts.

The lengthy report describes Illinois church leaders as woefully slow to acknowledge the extent of the abuse. It also accuses them of frequently dragging their feet to confront accused clergy and of failing to warn parishioners about possible abusers in their midst, sometimes even decades after allegations emerged.

In a joint statement issued Friday ahead of Raoul’s announcement, the state’s Catholic dioceses said the attorney general’s investigation prompted a yearslong review of their policies and unspecified changes. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on Monday called abuse “repugnant” but said the church in 1992 began overhauling its policies and programs and cooperated fully with the state’s review.

“My hope is that the release of this report will be an occasion for the attorney general to issue a rallying cry to all adults to join in the work of safeguarding children, lest this moment be a lost opportunity,” Cupich said. “I stand ready to continue to do my part.”

Much of the report is dedicated to individual accounts of sexual abuse and lists of clergy and religious brothers in each diocese accused of child sexual abuse. Some of those named have become infamous due to criminal proceedings or lawsuits, including Father Daniel McCormack, who was the subject of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sexual-abuse-by-clergy-lawsuits-chicago-sexual-abuse-947432acea3ced1e5bf13c3d0d4bed00">more than 100 abuse claims</a>&nbsp;in the decades before his 2006 arrest for abusing five boys in Chicago.

He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Even after McCormack's first arrest in 2005 for sexual abuse, the Chicago archdiocese did not remove him from the ministry since those charges were dropped for a lack of evidence, the report says. An archdiocese review board recommended McCormack's removal that year, but then-Cardinal Francis George declined.

According to the report, the mother of one of McCormack’s victims later said: “If Cardinal George (had) done the right thing, these other boys would not have been molested. (Instead), he just opened the door for (McCormack) to take advantage of other Black children.”

Many of the accounts contained in the report have remained private for decades. It includes the account of Bob Corcoran, who reported that Father Thomas Considine, who was a teacher at a high school in Elgin, repeatedly sexually abused Corcoran in the 1970s. Considine was removed from ministry in 1980 for undetermined reasons and died in 1988, the report states.

Corcoran told state investigators that he reported the abuse to the Rockford diocese in 2011 and that the church eventually determined his claims couldn't be proven or disproven. He asked that Raoul's office include his name in its final report and said the document's release provided a sense of relief.

“To see the light at the end of the tunnel, and there is no longer a freight train racing towards me, is freeing,” Corcoran said in a statement released by his attorneys. "We all need to do our part in bringing resolution to the most vulnerable – children like you and me.”

In a statement released Tuesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/639041db648c1f1214b957d126af6708">Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests</a>&nbsp;called the report “stunning” but emphasized that the numbers of victims and abusers cited by Raoul are likely undercounted. The group also called on state and local officials to conduct similar reviews.

“There is no questioning the facts of the report — until 2018 when the investigation began, hierarchs in every Illinois diocese kept known abusers under wraps, declined to include them on their accused lists, and refused to acknowledge the truth that survivors of abuse who came forward to make a report shared with them,” the group said.

Similar government-led investigations detailing reports of clergy sexual abuse and church leaders’ failure to hold perpetrators accountable have rocked archdioceses in other states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-pennsylvania-pa-state-wire-301822e3d7a04b0b88a1c40738c4a513">Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-archdiocese-sex-abuse-report-7d5d3af098da59a1c9313a246566638c">Maryland</a>.

The Catholic Conference of Illinois says 3.5 million Catholics make up approximately 27% of Illinois’ total population, and that the Church maintains 949 parishes and has 2,215 priests, 1,372 deacons, and 260 religious brothers.

Accusers and activists for years have complained that abusers belonging to orders have often been able to avoid the scrutiny other clergy received because of their semi-autonomy from archdioceses. The new report, however, officially names some former clergy tied to such orders.

Among those listed is Bruce Wellems, a former priest with the Claretians missionaries assigned for years to Hispanic neighborhoods in Chicago. His accuser says Wellems sexually abused him more than a dozen times starting in 1973 when they were neighbors in New Mexico. The accuser was in the second grade and Wellems was in high school. Wellems admitted in a 2014&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2016/09/27/chicago-based-religious-order-sued/25310411007/">interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that he had inappropriately touched the boy, but he said he never again abused a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684866400478.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — More than 450 Catholic clergy in Illinois sexually abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950, the state’s attorney general found in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23822110-illinois-ag-report-on-clergy-sexual-abuse">investigation released Tuesday,</a>&nbsp;revealing that the problem was far worse than the church had let on.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23822110-illinois-ag-report-on-clergy-sexual-abuse">Click here to read</a> the full reportAttorney General Kwame Raoul said at a news conference that investigators found that 451 Catholic clergy abused 1,997 children in Illinois between 1950 and 2019, though he acknowledged that the statute of limitations has expired in many cases and that those abusers “will never see justice in a legal sense.”“It is my hope that this report will shine light both on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church leadership who covered up that abuse,” Raoul said, crediting the accusers for making the review possible. “These perpetrators may never be held accountable in a court of law, but by naming them here, the intention is to provide a public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-chicago-mn-state-wire-0a9997be667842ecb7dabe553cb989d2">review began in 2018 under Raoul's predecessor</a>, Lisa Madigan, who released a blistering report as she prepared to leave office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/343d656d7f034d58bcc4c0acceada7bc">Raoul continued</a>&nbsp;the investigation, and he said Tuesday that 25 staff members reviewed more than 100,000 pages of diocesan documents and engaged in more than 600 confidential interactions with contacts.The lengthy report describes Illinois church leaders as woefully slow to acknowledge the extent of the abuse. It also accuses them of frequently dragging their feet to confront accused clergy and of failing to warn parishioners about possible abusers in their midst, sometimes even decades after allegations emerged.In a joint statement issued Friday ahead of Raoul’s announcement, the state’s Catholic dioceses said the attorney general’s investigation prompted a yearslong review of their policies and unspecified changes. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on Monday called abuse “repugnant” but said the church in 1992 began overhauling its policies and programs and cooperated fully with the state’s review.“My hope is that the release of this report will be an occasion for the attorney general to issue a rallying cry to all adults to join in the work of safeguarding children, lest this moment be a lost opportunity,” Cupich said. “I stand ready to continue to do my part.”Much of the report is dedicated to individual accounts of sexual abuse and lists of clergy and religious brothers in each diocese accused of child sexual abuse. Some of those named have become infamous due to criminal proceedings or lawsuits, including Father Daniel McCormack, who was the subject of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sexual-abuse-by-clergy-lawsuits-chicago-sexual-abuse-947432acea3ced1e5bf13c3d0d4bed00">more than 100 abuse claims</a>&nbsp;in the decades before his 2006 arrest for abusing five boys in Chicago.He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison.Even after McCormack's first arrest in 2005 for sexual abuse, the Chicago archdiocese did not remove him from the ministry since those charges were dropped for a lack of evidence, the report says. An archdiocese review board recommended McCormack's removal that year, but then-Cardinal Francis George declined.According to the report, the mother of one of McCormack’s victims later said: “If Cardinal George (had) done the right thing, these other boys would not have been molested. (Instead), he just opened the door for (McCormack) to take advantage of other Black children.”Many of the accounts contained in the report have remained private for decades. It includes the account of Bob Corcoran, who reported that Father Thomas Considine, who was a teacher at a high school in Elgin, repeatedly sexually abused Corcoran in the 1970s. Considine was removed from ministry in 1980 for undetermined reasons and died in 1988, the report states.Corcoran told state investigators that he reported the abuse to the Rockford diocese in 2011 and that the church eventually determined his claims couldn't be proven or disproven. He asked that Raoul's office include his name in its final report and said the document's release provided a sense of relief.“To see the light at the end of the tunnel, and there is no longer a freight train racing towards me, is freeing,” Corcoran said in a statement released by his attorneys. "We all need to do our part in bringing resolution to the most vulnerable – children like you and me.”In a statement released Tuesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/639041db648c1f1214b957d126af6708">Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests</a>&nbsp;called the report “stunning” but emphasized that the numbers of victims and abusers cited by Raoul are likely undercounted. The group also called on state and local officials to conduct similar reviews.“There is no questioning the facts of the report — until 2018 when the investigation began, hierarchs in every Illinois diocese kept known abusers under wraps, declined to include them on their accused lists, and refused to acknowledge the truth that survivors of abuse who came forward to make a report shared with them,” the group said.Similar government-led investigations detailing reports of clergy sexual abuse and church leaders’ failure to hold perpetrators accountable have rocked archdioceses in other states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-pennsylvania-pa-state-wire-301822e3d7a04b0b88a1c40738c4a513">Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-archdiocese-sex-abuse-report-7d5d3af098da59a1c9313a246566638c">Maryland</a>.The Catholic Conference of Illinois says 3.5 million Catholics make up approximately 27% of Illinois’ total population, and that the Church maintains 949 parishes and has 2,215 priests, 1,372 deacons, and 260 religious brothers.Accusers and activists for years have complained that abusers belonging to orders have often been able to avoid the scrutiny other clergy received because of their semi-autonomy from archdioceses. The new report, however, officially names some former clergy tied to such orders.Among those listed is Bruce Wellems, a former priest with the Claretians missionaries assigned for years to Hispanic neighborhoods in Chicago. His accuser says Wellems sexually abused him more than a dozen times starting in 1973 when they were neighbors in New Mexico. The accuser was in the second grade and Wellems was in high school. Wellems admitted in a 2014&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2016/09/27/chicago-based-religious-order-sued/25310411007/">interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that he had inappropriately touched the boy, but he said he never again abused a child.

Read the new report of 'staggering' Catholic Church child sex abuse

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at a museum in Wichita.

During the early evening hours on Saturday, vandals gained access to the Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 East Douglas in Wichita, according to a media release.

The vandals damaged museum equipment on display adjacent to the Union Station platform level in Old Town including a locomotive, passenger car, two cabooses and a converted passenger car used as a repair and fabrication shop. Based on a preliminary estimate damage is $10,000. A museum building window was also smashed. 

The Wichita Police Department apprehended three suspects. The vandals were first seen by the <a href="https://virtualrailfan.com/locations/#">operator of a Virtual Railfan Camera </a>installed at the museum in early 2022. The camera operates around the clock and provides those interested in railroad operations a view of trains passing the museum on adjacent tracks through downtown Wichita.

“This type of criminal vandalism is sickening,” stated GPTM President John Deck. “We’re a 40-year-old, non-profit, educational and preservation organization, and our museum is staffed by volunteers who work hard to conserve the region’s rich railroad heritage for people to enjoy. Our funding comes from donations and grants. Damaging historic railroad equipment displays serves no beneficial purpose for the community or our museum. It is unfortunate that some people chose to act with malice toward others who choose to preserve history, not destroy it.”

The museum will work on repairs to damaged equipment and replace the broken window, but the repairs could take some time. “We apologize to those coming to view the museum displays,” explained Deck. 

“Our resources are largely allocated to existing preservation projects, such as the completion of a working locomotive and fully restored wooden caboose, so it may take several months to repair damage done by the vandals.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684865559038.png" alt="Photo courtesy Great Plains Transportation Museum" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Great Plains Transportation Museum</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at a museum in Wichita.During the early evening hours on Saturday, vandals gained access to the Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 East Douglas in Wichita, according to a media release.The vandals damaged museum equipment on display adjacent to the Union Station platform level in Old Town including a locomotive, passenger car, two cabooses and a converted passenger car used as a repair and fabrication shop. Based on a preliminary estimate damage is $10,000. A museum building window was also smashed. The Wichita Police Department apprehended three suspects. The vandals were first seen by the <a href="https://virtualrailfan.com/locations/#">operator of a Virtual Railfan Camera </a>installed at the museum in early 2022. The camera operates around the clock and provides those interested in railroad operations a view of trains passing the museum on adjacent tracks through downtown Wichita.“This type of criminal vandalism is sickening,” stated GPTM President John Deck. “We’re a 40-year-old, non-profit, educational and preservation organization, and our museum is staffed by volunteers who work hard to conserve the region’s rich railroad heritage for people to enjoy. Our funding comes from donations and grants. Damaging historic railroad equipment displays serves no beneficial purpose for the community or our museum. It is unfortunate that some people chose to act with malice toward others who choose to preserve history, not destroy it.”The museum will work on repairs to damaged equipment and replace the broken window, but the repairs could take some time. “We apologize to those coming to view the museum displays,” explained Deck. “Our resources are largely allocated to existing preservation projects, such as the completion of a working locomotive and fully restored wooden caboose, so it may take several months to repair damage done by the vandals.”

Police catch suspects after $10,000 damage to Kansas museum

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A jury has recommended that a woman whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4ef0555c95fe48a587009a03c9f79975">two young daughters died</a>&nbsp;inside a hot car in 2018 be sentenced to more than 50 years in prison.

A Clay County jury found Jenna Boedecker guilty on Friday of two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two misdemeanor counts.

The same jury recommended Monday that Boedecker be sentenced to 22 years each for the two second-degree murder convictions and a total of nine years for the endangering the welfare of a child convictions.

Prosecutors alleged that Boedecker said she put her 2-year daughter and 8-week-old daughters in her Jeep while she argued with her husband and then fell asleep at their rural Kearney home on July 3, 2018. She found them unresponsive the next morning and took them to a neighbor's home for help but emergency responders declared the girls dead.

Evidence during the trial showed Boedecker had about two times the therapeutic amount of Xanax in her system the day her daughters were found, WDAF-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/clay-county-mom-faces-decades-in-prison-for-deaths-of-daughters/">reported</a>.

Clay County Prosecutors Zachary Thompson said evidence also showed Boedecker had contact with law enforcement the day before the girls died about a separate incident of leaving the children in the vehicle.

A hearing on any motion for a new trial and sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684869523438.png" alt="Boedecker-photo Clay Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Boedecker-photo Clay Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A jury has recommended that a woman whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4ef0555c95fe48a587009a03c9f79975">two young daughters died</a>&nbsp;inside a hot car in 2018 be sentenced to more than 50 years in prison.A Clay County jury found Jenna Boedecker guilty on Friday of two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two misdemeanor counts.The same jury recommended Monday that Boedecker be sentenced to 22 years each for the two second-degree murder convictions and a total of nine years for the endangering the welfare of a child convictions.Prosecutors alleged that Boedecker said she put her 2-year daughter and 8-week-old daughters in her Jeep while she argued with her husband and then fell asleep at their rural Kearney home on July 3, 2018. She found them unresponsive the next morning and took them to a neighbor's home for help but emergency responders declared the girls dead.Evidence during the trial showed Boedecker had about two times the therapeutic amount of Xanax in her system the day her daughters were found, WDAF-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/clay-county-mom-faces-decades-in-prison-for-deaths-of-daughters/">reported</a>.Clay County Prosecutors Zachary Thompson said evidence also showed Boedecker had contact with law enforcement the day before the girls died about a separate incident of leaving the children in the vehicle.A hearing on any motion for a new trial and sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

Jury: 50 years in prison for KC-area mom whose children died in hot car

WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, is calling for “immediate action” by tech companies and lawmakers to protect kids' and adolescents' mental health on social media.

But after years of middling and insufficient action by both social media platforms and policymakers, parents and young people still bear most of the burden in navigating the fast-changing, often harmful world of secretive algorithms, addictive apps and extreme and inappropriate content found on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

So what can parents and young people do now? The surgeon general has some tips.

“Our children and adolescents don’t have the luxury of waiting years until we know the full extent of social media’s impact,” Murthy said in an advisory released on Tuesday. “Their childhoods and development are happening now."

— Reach out for help: If you or someone you know is being negatively affected by social media, reach out to a trusted friend or adult for help. Check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aap.org/socialmedia">American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance</a>&nbsp;on social media.

— Create boundaries: Limit the use of phones, tablets, and computers for at least one hour before bedtime and through the night to make sure you get enough sleep. Keep mealtimes and in-person gatherings device‑free to help build social bonds and engage in two‑way conversations with others. Connect with people in person and make unplugged interactions a daily priority.

— Be cautious about what you share: Personal information about you has value. Be selective with what you post and share online and with whom, as it is often public and can be stored permanently. If you aren’t sure if you should post something, it’s usually best if you don’t.

— Don’t keep harassment or abuse a secret: Reach out to at least one person you trust, such as a close friend, family member, counselor, or teacher, who can give you the help and support you deserve. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/how-to-report">stopbullying.gov</a>&nbsp;for tips on how to report cyberbullying. If you have experienced online harassment and abuse by a dating partner, contact an expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loveisrespect.org/">Love is Respect</a>&nbsp;for support. If your private images have been taken and shared online without your permission, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/">Take It Down</a>&nbsp;to help get them removed.

— Create a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan">family media plan</a>: Agreed-upon expectations can help establish healthy technology boundaries at home – including social media use. A family media plan can promote open family discussion and rules about media use and include topics such as balancing screen/online time, content boundaries, and not disclosing personal information

— Create tech-free zones: Restrict the use of electronics at least one hour before bedtime and through the night. Keep meal times and other in-person gatherings tech-free. Help children develop social skills and nurture their in‑person relationships by encouraging unstructured and offline connections with others.

— Model responsible behavior: Parents can set a good example of what responsible and healthy social media use looks like by limiting their own use, being mindful of social media habits (including when and how parents share information or content about their child), and modeling positive behavior on your social media accounts.

— Empower kids: Teach kids about technology and empower them to be responsible online participants at the appropriate age. Discuss with children the benefits and risks of social media as well as the importance of respecting privacy and protecting personal information in age-appropriate ways. Have conversations with children about who they are connecting with, their privacy settings, their online experiences, and how they are spending their time online.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684860574731.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BARBARA ORTUTAY&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, is calling for “immediate action” by tech companies and lawmakers to protect kids' and adolescents' mental health on social media.But after years of middling and insufficient action by both social media platforms and policymakers, parents and young people still bear most of the burden in navigating the fast-changing, often harmful world of secretive algorithms, addictive apps and extreme and inappropriate content found on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Learn more about the immediate actions we can and must take to make social media safer for our kids: <a href="https://t.co/6JadYlxORy">https://t.co/6JadYlxORy</a> 7/7&mdash; Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) <a href="https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1660948740251762688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>So what can parents and young people do now? The surgeon general has some tips.“Our children and adolescents don’t have the luxury of waiting years until we know the full extent of social media’s impact,” Murthy said in an advisory released on Tuesday. “Their childhoods and development are happening now."TIPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE— Reach out for help: If you or someone you know is being negatively affected by social media, reach out to a trusted friend or adult for help. Check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aap.org/socialmedia">American Academy of Pediatrics' guidance</a>&nbsp;on social media.— Create boundaries: Limit the use of phones, tablets, and computers for at least one hour before bedtime and through the night to make sure you get enough sleep. Keep mealtimes and in-person gatherings device‑free to help build social bonds and engage in two‑way conversations with others. Connect with people in person and make unplugged interactions a daily priority.— Be cautious about what you share: Personal information about you has value. Be selective with what you post and share online and with whom, as it is often public and can be stored permanently. If you aren’t sure if you should post something, it’s usually best if you don’t.— Don’t keep harassment or abuse a secret: Reach out to at least one person you trust, such as a close friend, family member, counselor, or teacher, who can give you the help and support you deserve. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/how-to-report">stopbullying.gov</a>&nbsp;for tips on how to report cyberbullying. If you have experienced online harassment and abuse by a dating partner, contact an expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loveisrespect.org/">Love is Respect</a>&nbsp;for support. If your private images have been taken and shared online without your permission, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/">Take It Down</a>&nbsp;to help get them removed.TIPS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS— Create a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan">family media plan</a>: Agreed-upon expectations can help establish healthy technology boundaries at home – including social media use. A family media plan can promote open family discussion and rules about media use and include topics such as balancing screen/online time, content boundaries, and not disclosing personal information— Create tech-free zones: Restrict the use of electronics at least one hour before bedtime and through the night. Keep meal times and other in-person gatherings tech-free. Help children develop social skills and nurture their in‑person relationships by encouraging unstructured and offline connections with others.— Model responsible behavior: Parents can set a good example of what responsible and healthy social media use looks like by limiting their own use, being mindful of social media habits (including when and how parents share information or content about their child), and modeling positive behavior on your social media accounts.— Empower kids: Teach kids about technology and empower them to be responsible online participants at the appropriate age. Discuss with children the benefits and risks of social media as well as the importance of respecting privacy and protecting personal information in age-appropriate ways. Have conversations with children about who they are connecting with, their privacy settings, their online experiences, and how they are spending their time online.

U.S. Surgeon general: The defining public health issue of our time

&nbsp;By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly urged congressional leaders to support production of the F-35 fighter jet associated with three dozen manufacturing suppliers in Kansas and linked to nearly 5,000 jobs in the state.

Kelly sent letters to members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate armed services committees and the defense appropriations subcommittees to support the domestic aviation industry, create jobs and encourage economic development in Kansas by supporting the F-35 Lightning II program.

She requested Republican and Democratic party members support President Joe Biden’s budget request for 83 F-35 jets. On an annual basis, the F-35 program has an estimated $540 million economic impact on Kansas.

“Enhancing F-35 production is important to Kansas’ future as it generates economic opportunities for our residents and supports American national security,” Kelly said. “The combined benefits of job creation, defense modernization and our state’s aviation expertise make the F-35 program valuable for Kansas and the United States.”

The fighter has encountered technology and cost-overrun challenges since entering production in 2006, but canceling the program with Lockheed Martin would be politically difficult because that would eliminate thousands of jobs.

In April, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded a $7.8 billion contract modification for F-35 aircraft to Lockheed Martin. The Defense Department last year agreed with Lockheed Martin on building about 375 F-35 fighters over three years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684864853064.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly issued a letter seeking bipartisan support in Congress for building F-35 fighter aircraft and pointed to nearly 5,000 jobs and more than $500 million annually in economic impact of production in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly issued a letter seeking bipartisan support in Congress for building F-35 fighter aircraft and pointed to nearly 5,000 jobs and more than $500 million annually in economic impact of production in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly urged congressional leaders to support production of the F-35 fighter jet associated with three dozen manufacturing suppliers in Kansas and linked to nearly 5,000 jobs in the state.Kelly sent letters to members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate armed services committees and the defense appropriations subcommittees to support the domestic aviation industry, create jobs and encourage economic development in Kansas by supporting the F-35 Lightning II program.She requested Republican and Democratic party members support President Joe Biden’s budget request for 83 F-35 jets. On an annual basis, the F-35 program has an estimated $540 million economic impact on Kansas.“Enhancing F-35 production is important to Kansas’ future as it generates economic opportunities for our residents and supports American national security,” Kelly said. “The combined benefits of job creation, defense modernization and our state’s aviation expertise make the F-35 program valuable for Kansas and the United States.”The fighter has encountered technology and cost-overrun challenges since entering production in 2006, but canceling the program with Lockheed Martin would be politically difficult because that would eliminate thousands of jobs.In April, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded a $7.8 billion contract modification for F-35 aircraft to Lockheed Martin. The Defense Department last year agreed with Lockheed Martin on building about 375 F-35 fighters over three years.

Gov. urges Congress to invest in F-35 fighter, support Kan. aviation industry

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping and have made an arrest.

Just before 6&nbsp;a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the north part of Garden City, where they met with a woman who alleged she had been taken by force from her residence and strangled by 33-year-old Jose David Garcia-Escobar, who was known to her, according to a media release.

Officers learned Garcia-Escobar allegedly entered the woman’s residence without permission, pulled her out of the residence, and drove to his home. 

Through further investigation, Garcia-Escobar allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted the woman before driving her home. Garcia-Escobar was later located and taken into custody. 

Garcia-Escobar is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, and Rape.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684837379019.png" alt="Garcia-Escobar" />
 <figcaption>Garcia-Escobar</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping and have made an arrest.Just before 6&nbsp;a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the north part of Garden City, where they met with a woman who alleged she had been taken by force from her residence and strangled by 33-year-old Jose David Garcia-Escobar, who was known to her, according to a media release.Officers learned Garcia-Escobar allegedly entered the woman’s residence without permission, pulled her out of the residence, and drove to his home. Through further investigation, Garcia-Escobar allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted the woman before driving her home. Garcia-Escobar was later located and taken into custody. Garcia-Escobar is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, and Rape.

Man accused of kidnapping, rape in southwest Kansas

DETROIT (AP) — Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all.

CEO Jim Farley wrote in social media postings Tuesday that the company is reversing a decision to scrub the band after speaking with government policy leaders who are concerned about keeping emergency alerts that often are sounded on AM stations.

“We've decided to include it on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles," Farley wrote on Twitter. "For any owners of Ford's EVs without AM broadcast capability, we'll offer a software update” to restore it, Farley wrote.

The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.

Sponsors of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” cited public safety concerns, noting AM's historic role in transmitting vital information during emergencies, such as natural disasters, especially to rural areas.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the bill’s sponsors, said eight of 20 major automakers including Ford, BMW and Tesla have pulled the band from new vehicles.

Ford removed AM from the 2023 Mustang Mach-e and F-150 Lightning electric pickups after data collected from vehicles showed that less than 5% of customers listened to it, spokesman Alan Hall said. Electrical interference and reducing cost and manufacturing complexity also played a role.

The company also took it out of the 2024 gasoline-powered Mustang, but will add it back in before any of the muscle cars are delivered, Hall said.

The EVs will get an online software update to put AM back into the vehicles, and Ford will keep including it in future vehicles as it looks at innovative ways to deliver emergency alerts, Hall said.

Ford and others also suggested that internet radio or other communication tools could replace AM radio. But Markey and others pointed to situations where drivers might not have internet access.

The Federal Communications Commission and National Association of Broadcasters praised the legislation, which is also backed by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., R-N.J., Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., among others.

But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a U.S. trade group that represents major automakers including Ford and BMW, criticized the bill, calling the AM radio mandate unnecessary.

The trade group pointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System, which can distribute safety warnings across AM, FM, internet-based and satellite radios — as well as over cellular networks.

The alliance said the bill gives preference to a technology that's competing with other communications options.

Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from BMW and Tesla.

According to the National Association of Broadcasters and Nielsen data, more than 80 million people in the U.S. listen to AM radio every month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684855234628.png" alt="The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we&#39;ve decided to include it on all 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/Ford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ford</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/LincolnMotorCo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LincolnMotorCo</a> vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software…&mdash; Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimfarley98/status/1661024295110463491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>CEO Jim Farley wrote in social media postings Tuesday that the company is reversing a decision to scrub the band after speaking with government policy leaders who are concerned about keeping emergency alerts that often are sounded on AM stations.“We've decided to include it on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles," Farley wrote on Twitter. "For any owners of Ford's EVs without AM broadcast capability, we'll offer a software update” to restore it, Farley wrote.The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.Sponsors of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” cited public safety concerns, noting AM's historic role in transmitting vital information during emergencies, such as natural disasters, especially to rural areas.Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the bill’s sponsors, said eight of 20 major automakers including Ford, BMW and Tesla have pulled the band from new vehicles.Ford removed AM from the 2023 Mustang Mach-e and F-150 Lightning electric pickups after data collected from vehicles showed that less than 5% of customers listened to it, spokesman Alan Hall said. Electrical interference and reducing cost and manufacturing complexity also played a role.The company also took it out of the 2024 gasoline-powered Mustang, but will add it back in before any of the muscle cars are delivered, Hall said.The EVs will get an online software update to put AM back into the vehicles, and Ford will keep including it in future vehicles as it looks at innovative ways to deliver emergency alerts, Hall said.Ford and others also suggested that internet radio or other communication tools could replace AM radio. But Markey and others pointed to situations where drivers might not have internet access.The Federal Communications Commission and National Association of Broadcasters praised the legislation, which is also backed by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., R-N.J., Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., among others.But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a U.S. trade group that represents major automakers including Ford and BMW, criticized the bill, calling the AM radio mandate unnecessary.The trade group pointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System, which can distribute safety warnings across AM, FM, internet-based and satellite radios — as well as over cellular networks.The alliance said the bill gives preference to a technology that's competing with other communications options.Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from BMW and Tesla.According to the National Association of Broadcasters and Nielsen data, more than 80 million people in the U.S. listen to AM radio every month.

Ford decides to keep AM radio on 2024 models

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Tony Ballard, a Kansas inmate, has turned a 25-year sentence into a passion to teach other inmates critical-thinking skills through the Gift of Chess.

Tony Ballard, who is an inmate with Wichita work release, has been traveling to other correctional facilities within the state, including recently Stockton and Norton correctional facilities, to facilitate chess tournaments.

Several years ago, when he was in segregation in the prison system, Ballard picked up the game of chess.

"The more I got better at the game, the more I felt the skills that I was using could be applied to my life," he said. 

"Those skills are critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills and pattern-recognition skills. [These are] all skills in society that employers call soft skills, but skills that most of those who are incarcerated didn't have."

Ballard called himself a guinea pig in his own experiment as he tried to apply the skills he was learning through chess in his life.

"Lo and behold, I had success there as well as I started to take my time and respond and then react and be more responsive rather than impulsive, be decisive, strategic and goal set," he said.

He and other inmates had already played in an intercontinental chess tournament online when he approached Capt. Kevin Oneth of the Kansas Department of Corrections and then Jeff Zmuda, Kanas Secretary Of the Department of Corrections.

Ballard gave Zmuda an elevator pitch, and he was open and accepting to the idea of starting a chess outreach program within the Kansas correctional system.

Oneth, in addition to being the administrative captain at the Wichita Work Release, became the statewide coordinator for the Gift of Chess.

The program began with a tournament at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in December, which was quickly followed by more events across the state.

"The response by the residents at each of the facilities has been phenomenal. They love it. They never expected something like that to happen," Oneth said.

Although he said the inmates come to the tournaments unsure of what to expect, they leave with smiles and high fives, Oneth said.

"The attitudes are just so positive and appreciative," he said.

As Ballard had said about himself, Oneth said he has seen growth in critical-thinking skills among those inmates who have participated in the program.

"They are able to think about doing things rather than just reacting," he said.

This matches with corrections' Resident Conduct Action Plans, which help inmates think through the consequences of their behaviors in lieu of receiving stiffer disciplinary actions.

"A lot of men who are in prison have come here because of impulsive behavior, driven and fueled by drugs and alcohol," Ballard said. "Chess moves us away from that impulsive thinking to more rational decision-making.&nbsp;

"The goal is to make academic atmospheres within our facilities where thinking, decision-making, smarts, intelligence is celebrated over the brute and the brawn."

Ballard wasn't always the guy who was making good decisions, by his own admission.

Ballard, 45, is in prison on a conviction for attempted first-degree murder. He's been in prison since he was 25.

Ballard, who is originally from Hutchinson, was selling and doing drugs. Someone tried to rob him, and he retaliated by firing a gun at the other party. He missed but was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

"People would always say, 'Man, what were you thinking?'" he said. "Every mistake, every crime, every bad choice I made in life, they were 'What were you thinking?'

"The problem was I wasn't thinking. When I started playing chess, it made me want to start using those thinking skills."

He said chess gave him the confidence and self-esteem to make good choices. He had to earn his way to work release, which he said is a path to his eventual freedom.

"Over the years, I have developed virtues and discipline that I don't think I could have got anywhere else," he said. "I didn't have a structured or disciplined environment around me. All of the KDOC staff have poured into me because they see the potential."

Ballard was first incarcerated when he was 18 on a robbery charge. He said there weren't as many rehabilitative programs in prisons in Kansas as there are today.

He said many men who have been in prison struggle with anxiety and depression after release.&nbsp;However, he said chess can help with those symptoms.

Ballard said the Gift of Chess and work release are preparing him to be a productive citizen when he's released from prison.

"I will come back to prison, but I won't come back in shackles or as an inmate," he said.

Ballard said he hopes to work with inmates as a substance abuse counselor or a mentor. Ballard's projected release date is April 12, 2025.

Now the program has toured all of the Kansas correctional facilities, Oneth, who recently presented to an international conference on the Gift of Chess, said the next step is to host an online state tournament in June or July.

Ballard said he would like to see chess programs in prisons across the country.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to give back and help men transform into rehabilitating and conducting themselves as helpful citizens upon their releases," he said.&nbsp;

You can see more on the <a href="https://thegiftofchess.org/stories/the-gift-of-chess-hosts-the-1st-annual-kansas-department-of-corrections-chess-championship">Gift of Chess in Kansas prisons online</a>. You also can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/10k-sets-for-education-prison-global-outreach?utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">donate online</a>. If you want more information on the program or seek to volunteer with the program, you can email prisonoutreach@thegiftof chess.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684785582246.png" alt="Tony Ballard, right, who started a Kansas prison Gift of Chess outreach program, gives advice to a fellow inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony Ballard, right, who started a Kansas prison Gift of Chess outreach program, gives advice to a fellow inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTony Ballard, a Kansas inmate, has turned a 25-year sentence into a passion to teach other inmates critical-thinking skills through the Gift of Chess.Tony Ballard, who is an inmate with Wichita work release, has been traveling to other correctional facilities within the state, including recently Stockton and Norton correctional facilities, to facilitate chess tournaments.Several years ago, when he was in segregation in the prison system, Ballard picked up the game of chess."The more I got better at the game, the more I felt the skills that I was using could be applied to my life," he said. "Those skills are critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills and pattern-recognition skills. [These are] all skills in society that employers call soft skills, but skills that most of those who are incarcerated didn't have."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684785777978.jpeg" alt="Tony Ballard, right, gives a fellow inmate a chess strategy lesson during a recent visit to the Topeka Correctional Facility. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony Ballard, right, gives a fellow inmate a chess strategy lesson during a recent visit to the Topeka Correctional Facility. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Ballard called himself a guinea pig in his own experiment as he tried to apply the skills he was learning through chess in his life."Lo and behold, I had success there as well as I started to take my time and respond and then react and be more responsive rather than impulsive, be decisive, strategic and goal set," he said.He and other inmates had already played in an intercontinental chess tournament online when he approached Capt. Kevin Oneth of the Kansas Department of Corrections and then Jeff Zmuda, Kanas Secretary Of the Department of Corrections.Ballard gave Zmuda an elevator pitch, and he was open and accepting to the idea of starting a chess outreach program within the Kansas correctional system.Oneth, in addition to being the administrative captain at the Wichita Work Release, became the statewide coordinator for the Gift of Chess.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684785874279.jpeg" alt="A Topeka Correctional Facility inmate looks over a chess board at a recent Gift of Chess program. The program seeks to help inmates build critical-thinking skills. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>A Topeka Correctional Facility inmate looks over a chess board at a recent Gift of Chess program. The program seeks to help inmates build critical-thinking skills. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The program began with a tournament at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in December, which was quickly followed by more events across the state."The response by the residents at each of the facilities has been phenomenal. They love it. They never expected something like that to happen," Oneth said.Although he said the inmates come to the tournaments unsure of what to expect, they leave with smiles and high fives, Oneth said."The attitudes are just so positive and appreciative," he said.As Ballard had said about himself, Oneth said he has seen growth in critical-thinking skills among those inmates who have participated in the program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684786044279.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Gift of Chess prison outreach program has had tournaments in all the state facilities. An online statewide correctional tournament is set for this summer. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Gift of Chess prison outreach program has had tournaments in all the state facilities. An online statewide correctional tournament is set for this summer. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"They are able to think about doing things rather than just reacting," he said.This matches with corrections' Resident Conduct Action Plans, which help inmates think through the consequences of their behaviors in lieu of receiving stiffer disciplinary actions."A lot of men who are in prison have come here because of impulsive behavior, driven and fueled by drugs and alcohol," Ballard said. "Chess moves us away from that impulsive thinking to more rational decision-making.&nbsp;"The goal is to make academic atmospheres within our facilities where thinking, decision-making, smarts, intelligence is celebrated over the brute and the brawn."Ballard wasn't always the guy who was making good decisions, by his own admission.Ballard, 45, is in prison on a conviction for attempted first-degree murder. He's been in prison since he was 25.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684786158161.jpeg" alt="Tony Ballard, Kansas prison Gift of Chess outreach program coordinator, said chess can help inmates prepare for life after prison by giving inmates an outlet to deal with anxiety and depression. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony Ballard, Kansas prison Gift of Chess outreach program coordinator, said chess can help inmates prepare for life after prison by giving inmates an outlet to deal with anxiety and depression. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Ballard, who is originally from Hutchinson, was selling and doing drugs. Someone tried to rob him, and he retaliated by firing a gun at the other party. He missed but was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison."People would always say, 'Man, what were you thinking?'" he said. "Every mistake, every crime, every bad choice I made in life, they were 'What were you thinking?'"The problem was I wasn't thinking. When I started playing chess, it made me want to start using those thinking skills."He said chess gave him the confidence and self-esteem to make good choices. He had to earn his way to work release, which he said is a path to his eventual freedom."Over the years, I have developed virtues and discipline that I don't think I could have got anywhere else," he said. "I didn't have a structured or disciplined environment around me. All of the KDOC staff have poured into me because they see the potential."Ballard was first incarcerated when he was 18 on a robbery charge. He said there weren't as many rehabilitative programs in prisons in Kansas as there are today.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684786382760.jpeg" alt="Tony Ballard, center, of the Gift of Chess works with two female inmates at the Topeka Correctional Facility at a recent chess tournament there. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony Ballard, center, of the Gift of Chess works with two female inmates at the Topeka Correctional Facility at a recent chess tournament there. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>He said many men who have been in prison struggle with anxiety and depression after release.&nbsp;However, he said chess can help with those symptoms.Ballard said the Gift of Chess and work release are preparing him to be a productive citizen when he's released from prison."I will come back to prison, but I won't come back in shackles or as an inmate," he said.Ballard said he hopes to work with inmates as a substance abuse counselor or a mentor. Ballard's projected release date is April 12, 2025.Now the program has toured all of the Kansas correctional facilities, Oneth, who recently presented to an international conference on the Gift of Chess, said the next step is to host an online state tournament in June or July.Ballard said he would like to see chess programs in prisons across the country."I am thankful for the opportunity to give back and help men transform into rehabilitating and conducting themselves as helpful citizens upon their releases," he said.&nbsp;You can see more on the <a href="https://thegiftofchess.org/stories/the-gift-of-chess-hosts-the-1st-annual-kansas-department-of-corrections-chess-championship">Gift of Chess in Kansas prisons online</a>. You also can <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/10k-sets-for-education-prison-global-outreach?utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">donate online</a>. If you want more information on the program or seek to volunteer with the program, you can email prisonoutreach@thegiftof chess.org.

Kansas inmate's path to freedom leads through Gift of Chess

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in the June death of a 22-month old made a court appearance Monday.

Calvin Vick, 26 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

On June 21, 2022, police were dispatched to a local hospital after the victim, a 22-month-old boy arrived unresponsive, according to a media release from Wichita. Police. At the time of death, it was unknown how the child died.

Last week lab results returned that&nbsp;&nbsp;confirmed the 22 month old died from Fentanyl Toxicity and a warrant was issued for Vick's arrest.

The Special Investigations Bureau Community Response Team (SIBCRT) located Vick and arrested him without incident on Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Online records also indicate he is being held for kidnapping, domestic battery and criminal threat.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the cause of death or Vick's relationship to the boy.

&nbsp;Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on June 16. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684597242446.png" alt="Vick-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Vick-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in the June death of a 22-month old made a court appearance Monday.Calvin Vick, 26 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;On June 21, 2022, police were dispatched to a local hospital after the victim, a 22-month-old boy arrived unresponsive, according to a media release from Wichita. Police. At the time of death, it was unknown how the child died.Last week lab results returned that&nbsp;&nbsp;confirmed the 22 month old died from Fentanyl Toxicity and a warrant was issued for Vick's arrest.The Special Investigations Bureau Community Response Team (SIBCRT) located Vick and arrested him without incident on Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp;Online records also indicate he is being held for kidnapping, domestic battery and criminal threat.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the cause of death or Vick's relationship to the boy.&nbsp;Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on June 16. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Fentanyl toxicity: Kansas man charged in toddler's death

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police have arrested a Missouri man they believe intentionally crashed a U-Haul truck into a security barrier at a park across from the White House.

The box truck's driver smashed into the barrier near the north side of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-dc-wire-george-floyd-death-of-george-floyd-politics-682994b83e9d37e32879528aedc5da7b">Lafayette Square</a>&nbsp;on Monday at around 10 p.m., Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. He was identified as a 19-year-old from Chesterfield, a St. Louis suburb.

Officers from the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department searched the truck after the crash. Video&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/u-haul-crash-lafayette-square-white-house/65-b4e28344-567c-45e6-a390-1d504d1466ff">posted by WUSA-TV</a>&nbsp;shows a police officer at the scene picking up and inventorying several pieces of evidence from the truck, including a Nazi flag.

Based on a preliminary investigation, investigators believe the driver "may have intentionally struck the security barriers at Lafayette Square,” Guglielmi said. Authorities offered no additional details about the possible motive.

The U.S. Park Police said the man was arrested on multiple charges, including threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on a president, vice president or member of their family; assault with a dangerous weapon; reckless driving; destruction of federal property; and trespassing.

Lafayette Square, which offers perhaps the best view of the White House available to the public, has long been one of the nation’s most prominent venues for demonstrations. The park was closed for nearly a year after federal authorities fenced off the area at the height of nationwide protests over policing following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-donald-trump-death-of-george-floyd-government-and-politics-67492b52d542145d559a9f45ddd5f866">reopened in May 2021</a>.

U-Haul is a moving truck, trailer and self-storage rental company based in Phoenix.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684847745876.png" alt="Police have arrested a man they believe intentionally crashed a U-Haul truck into a security barrier at a park across from the White House-photo courtesy WJLA TV" />
 <figcaption>Police have arrested a man they believe intentionally crashed a U-Haul truck into a security barrier at a park across from the White House-photo courtesy WJLA TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Police have arrested a Missouri man they believe intentionally crashed a U-Haul truck into a security barrier at a park across from the White House.The box truck's driver smashed into the barrier near the north side of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-dc-wire-george-floyd-death-of-george-floyd-politics-682994b83e9d37e32879528aedc5da7b">Lafayette Square</a>&nbsp;on Monday at around 10 p.m., Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. He was identified as a 19-year-old from Chesterfield, a St. Louis suburb.No one was injured in the crash.Officers from the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department searched the truck after the crash. Video&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/u-haul-crash-lafayette-square-white-house/65-b4e28344-567c-45e6-a390-1d504d1466ff">posted by WUSA-TV</a>&nbsp;shows a police officer at the scene picking up and inventorying several pieces of evidence from the truck, including a Nazi flag.Based on a preliminary investigation, investigators believe the driver "may have intentionally struck the security barriers at Lafayette Square,” Guglielmi said. Authorities offered no additional details about the possible motive.The U.S. Park Police said the man was arrested on multiple charges, including threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on a president, vice president or member of their family; assault with a dangerous weapon; reckless driving; destruction of federal property; and trespassing.Lafayette Square, which offers perhaps the best view of the White House available to the public, has long been one of the nation’s most prominent venues for demonstrations. The park was closed for nearly a year after federal authorities fenced off the area at the height of nationwide protests over policing following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-donald-trump-death-of-george-floyd-government-and-politics-67492b52d542145d559a9f45ddd5f866">reopened in May 2021</a>.U-Haul is a moving truck, trailer and self-storage rental company based in Phoenix.

Police ID man arrested after crash into security barrier near White House

Focus to be on student safety, college prep, teacher training, community ties

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas State Board of Education member Betty Arnold endorsed the goal of expanding the number and quality of educators working in K-12 public school classrooms.

“One of the things that really sticks with me are the obstacles … that tend to decrease the interest in that profession. This is an area where I have some concern,” said Arnold, a Democrat who would have to seek reelection next year in a district gerrymandered by the Kansas Legislature.

Increasing enrollment in university teacher education programs and subsequent leadership development opportunities were among four objectives adopted this month by the state Board of Education for the 18-month period concluding in January 2025.

“Every one of these is a huge challenge,” said Republican Jim McNeice of Wichita. “What’s the plan to do this? How do we evaluate success?”

In 2024, the August primary and November general elections determine control of five of the 10 positions on the state Board of Education. Members with terms expiring Jan. 14, 2025, include Democrat Ann Mah of Topeka, Republican Deena Horst of Salina, Democrat Melanie Haas of Overland Park, McNeice and Arnold. Seven state Board of Education members are Republicans, and all three Democrats would be on the ballot in 2024.

“Five of you will be up for reelection,” said Randy Watson, commissioner of education in Kansas. “Either there will be a change in the board that happens in January again or it will be the same people. I don’t think any of us know that.”

Watson said expanding the pool of new teacher candidates and enhancing instructional skills of those individuals could involve reform of licensure standards and apprenticeship offerings. Graduate programs to develop superintendents and principals should be strengthened, he said.

“What we’re seeing in education right now … is: ‘How short can I condense the time and how inexpensive can I provide that environment,'” Watson said. “I’m not sure that always gives us the best quality.”

The state Board of Education agreed to devoted themselves to enhancing each public school student’s chance of success at a post-secondary institution, whether that was a private or public university, college or trade school. High schools in Kansas excel in helping students earn technical certificates and prepare them for college or the military, Watson said, but a problem existed in the student pipeline at middle schools.

“We have too many students who arrive at high school with too low of academics,” the state commissioner said.

Watson said the state Board of Education would strive to shift more students into the higher levels of achievement on state assessments, move the Kansas high school graduation rate closer to 95% and assist districts with aligning budgets to maximize student success.

State board member Cathy Hopkins, a Hays Republican elected in 2022, said regulatory mandates and associated paperwork were a burden on school districts with modest staffing.

“It seems like there could be a way to streamline that a bit more so they are not so overwhelmed with what these requirements are,” Hopkins said.

A third area of attention for the state Board of Education would be creation of stronger partnerships with families, communities, businesses and local, regional or state policymakers.

“We’re not doing a good enough job there,” Watson said. “So many of our families feel school is not necessarily a good place for them.”

The final category centered on improving safety for people working and learning in schools, which have served as a magnet for individuals intent on perpetrating violence.

The state Board of Education and the Kansas Department of Education ought to develop a better response to cybersecurity threats and ransomware attacks, Watson said. Two districts in Kansas, including the Hays district in 2022, experienced ransomware incidents and more were likely, he said.

Danny Zeck, a Republican from Leavenworth elected last year, was the lone vote in opposition to the state Board of Education’s priority list.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684838887954.png" alt=" Betty Arnold, a Wichita member of the Kansas State Board of Education, said work on the goal of increasing the number and quality of educators in public schools should involve examination of impediments to being part of the profession. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Betty Arnold, a Wichita member of the Kansas State Board of Education, said work on the goal of increasing the number and quality of educators in public schools should involve examination of impediments to being part of the profession. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Focus to be on student safety, college prep, teacher training, community ties</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas State Board of Education member Betty Arnold endorsed the goal of expanding the number and quality of educators working in K-12 public school classrooms.“One of the things that really sticks with me are the obstacles … that tend to decrease the interest in that profession. This is an area where I have some concern,” said Arnold, a Democrat who would have to seek reelection next year in a district gerrymandered by the Kansas Legislature.Increasing enrollment in university teacher education programs and subsequent leadership development opportunities were among four objectives adopted this month by the state Board of Education for the 18-month period concluding in January 2025.“Every one of these is a huge challenge,” said Republican Jim McNeice of Wichita. “What’s the plan to do this? How do we evaluate success?”In 2024, the August primary and November general elections determine control of five of the 10 positions on the state Board of Education. Members with terms expiring Jan. 14, 2025, include Democrat Ann Mah of Topeka, Republican Deena Horst of Salina, Democrat Melanie Haas of Overland Park, McNeice and Arnold. Seven state Board of Education members are Republicans, and all three Democrats would be on the ballot in 2024.“Five of you will be up for reelection,” said Randy Watson, commissioner of education in Kansas. “Either there will be a change in the board that happens in January again or it will be the same people. I don’t think any of us know that.”Watson said expanding the pool of new teacher candidates and enhancing instructional skills of those individuals could involve reform of licensure standards and apprenticeship offerings. Graduate programs to develop superintendents and principals should be strengthened, he said.“What we’re seeing in education right now … is: ‘How short can I condense the time and how inexpensive can I provide that environment,'” Watson said. “I’m not sure that always gives us the best quality.”The state Board of Education agreed to devoted themselves to enhancing each public school student’s chance of success at a post-secondary institution, whether that was a private or public university, college or trade school. High schools in Kansas excel in helping students earn technical certificates and prepare them for college or the military, Watson said, but a problem existed in the student pipeline at middle schools.“We have too many students who arrive at high school with too low of academics,” the state commissioner said.Watson said the state Board of Education would strive to shift more students into the higher levels of achievement on state assessments, move the Kansas high school graduation rate closer to 95% and assist districts with aligning budgets to maximize student success.State board member Cathy Hopkins, a Hays Republican elected in 2022, said regulatory mandates and associated paperwork were a burden on school districts with modest staffing.“It seems like there could be a way to streamline that a bit more so they are not so overwhelmed with what these requirements are,” Hopkins said.A third area of attention for the state Board of Education would be creation of stronger partnerships with families, communities, businesses and local, regional or state policymakers.“We’re not doing a good enough job there,” Watson said. “So many of our families feel school is not necessarily a good place for them.”The final category centered on improving safety for people working and learning in schools, which have served as a magnet for individuals intent on perpetrating violence.The state Board of Education and the Kansas Department of Education ought to develop a better response to cybersecurity threats and ransomware attacks, Watson said. Two districts in Kansas, including the Hays district in 2022, experienced ransomware incidents and more were likely, he said.Danny Zeck, a Republican from Leavenworth elected last year, was the lone vote in opposition to the state Board of Education’s priority list.

Kansas Board of Ed establishes priorities heading into 2024 election cycle

LYON COUNTY—The Emporia Police Department partnered with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) Monday during an investigation into illegal gambling devices inside an Emporia convenience store.

Police and Gaming Commission enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the BP, 2102 W. 6th Avenue in Emporia. They seized five illegal gaming machines along with an ATM and cash from the business, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684801505152.png" alt="Police and Gaming Commission enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the BP in Emporia -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Police and Gaming Commission enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the BP in Emporia -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—The Emporia Police Department partnered with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) Monday during an investigation into illegal gambling devices inside an Emporia convenience store.Police and Gaming Commission enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the BP, 2102 W. 6th Avenue in Emporia. They seized five illegal gaming machines along with an ATM and cash from the business, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.The investigation began several weeks ago, after police received information about the gambling devices.Kansas law, K.S.A. 21-6403(e)(1)(B) defines a “gambling device” as a machine that is “designed, manufactured or altered primarily for use in connection with gambling…(i) [w]hich when operated may deliver, as the result of chance, any money or property; or (ii) by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of chance, any money or property….”<a href="https://www.krgc.ks.gov/">Click here for more</a> information about Kansas gambling on the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission website.Police made no arrests Monday as they continue their investigation, according to Hayes.