By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

ELLIS — Gov. Laura Kelly was at Ellis High School on Thursday to discuss the needs of rural public schools, including the need for more special education funding.

The Kansas Legislature has tied special education funding to a school voucher program that would divert money from public schools to private education.

Kansas law requires the state to pay 92 percent of what the federal government does not pay for special education.

The state is currently funding special education statewide at 72 percent of the cost beyond federal funding. This leaves local districts to pay for the shortfall from their general fund budgets.

Kyle Carlin is the director of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, which covers Ellis, Hays, Victoria and La Crosse.

"The current gap is $1 million, but that is with us making some tough decisions about not spending money as much as we should," Carlin said of the local co=op's budget. ... "We could be better if we were funded better."

Carlin said it is more difficult for smaller school districts to make up these budget deficits.

Ellis is underfunded by $85,000, which would be the equivalent of a teacher and an aide, Carlin said. Ellis is facing budget cuts, which could include laying off teachers next year, because of declining enrollment.

Kelly put money in her beginning-of-the-year budget to phase in full funding for the state's portion of special education within five years.

She said the federal government also is not fully funding its portion of special education. The federal government is supposed to be funding 20 percent of special education costs and it is averaging about 12 percent, Carlin said.

John Befort, Ellis' Washington Elementary School principal, said more children, including his own son, are qualifying for special education. Those services often last through K-12 education.

Befort also expressed frustration after attending a recent legislative coffee about the lack of response on education from local legislators, none of whom joined the roundtable Thursday.

Adequate infrastructure and housing in rural communities also are needed to maintain enrollments, members of the roundtable said.

Travis Kohlrus, parent, said a housing addition was built about 20 years ago in Ellis. Initially, that resulted in increases in enrollment. The children of those families have aged out of the school system and enrollment is declining again.

Randy Honas, school board president, said the cost of infrastructure is huge for small communities.

"You don't get the tax revenue returned quickly enough for any developer or any community to expend enough money to get the infrastructure there," Honas said.

Kelly said the state is investing in moderate-income housing to provide homes for workers in new industries in Kansas.

Honas also expressed frustration that Ellis did not receive any state aid to supplement its recent bond issue. The state calculates valuations by county, so Hays' property is used to determine aid for Ellis. The Ellis school district has a much lower property valuation than Hays.

Kelly also discussed strategies to recruit and train new teachers in Kansas to meet teacher shortages. One of the programs allows paraeducators to train to be teachers while continuing to work in schools. The program does not require an unpaid practicum.&nbsp;

The state is recognizing teaching licenses from surrounding states as well as making it easier for military spouses to teach here.

State officials also are trying to devise ways to allow teachers who have reached their KPERS retirement maximum to continue to teach without hurting the stability of the retirement system.

Disclosure: Travis Kohlrus serves on the Eagle Communications board of directors. Hays Post is owned and operated by Eagle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681416849644.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly, center, discusses rural school issues with local stakeholders Thursday at Ellis High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly, center, discusses rural school issues with local stakeholders Thursday at Ellis High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostELLIS — Gov. Laura Kelly was at Ellis High School on Thursday to discuss the needs of rural public schools, including the need for more special education funding.The Kansas Legislature has tied special education funding to a school voucher program that would divert money from public schools to private education.Kansas law requires the state to pay 92 percent of what the federal government does not pay for special education.The state is currently funding special education statewide at 72 percent of the cost beyond federal funding. This leaves local districts to pay for the shortfall from their general fund budgets.Kyle Carlin is the director of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, which covers Ellis, Hays, Victoria and La Crosse."The current gap is $1 million, but that is with us making some tough decisions about not spending money as much as we should," Carlin said of the local co=op's budget. ... "We could be better if we were funded better."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681417066728.jpeg" alt="Liam Crawford, Ellis High School senior, hands flowers to Gov. Laura Kelly as he greets her Thursday at EHS. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Liam Crawford, Ellis High School senior, hands flowers to Gov. Laura Kelly as he greets her Thursday at EHS. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Carlin said it is more difficult for smaller school districts to make up these budget deficits.Ellis is underfunded by $85,000, which would be the equivalent of a teacher and an aide, Carlin said. Ellis is facing budget cuts, which could include laying off teachers next year, because of declining enrollment.Kelly put money in her beginning-of-the-year budget to phase in full funding for the state's portion of special education within five years.She said the federal government also is not fully funding its portion of special education. The federal government is supposed to be funding 20 percent of special education costs and it is averaging about 12 percent, Carlin said.John Befort, Ellis' Washington Elementary School principal, said more children, including his own son, are qualifying for special education. Those services often last through K-12 education.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681418022016.jpeg" alt="Janice Wilson, left, Ellis superintendent; Gov. Laura Kelly, center; and Liam Crawford, right, Ellis High School senior, tour EHS on Thursday prior to an education roundtable with Gov. Kelly. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Janice Wilson, left, Ellis superintendent; Gov. Laura Kelly, center; and Liam Crawford, right, Ellis High School senior, tour EHS on Thursday prior to an education roundtable with Gov. Kelly. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Befort also expressed frustration after attending a recent legislative coffee about the lack of response on education from local legislators, none of whom joined the roundtable Thursday.Adequate infrastructure and housing in rural communities also are needed to maintain enrollments, members of the roundtable said.Travis Kohlrus, parent, said a housing addition was built about 20 years ago in Ellis. Initially, that resulted in increases in enrollment. The children of those families have aged out of the school system and enrollment is declining again.Randy Honas, school board president, said the cost of infrastructure is huge for small communities."You don't get the tax revenue returned quickly enough for any developer or any community to expend enough money to get the infrastructure there," Honas said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681418377596.jpeg" alt="Gov. Kelly on a tour of Ellis High School with EHS senior Liam&nbsp;Crawford. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kelly on a tour of Ellis High School with EHS senior Liam&nbsp;Crawford. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly said the state is investing in moderate-income housing to provide homes for workers in new industries in Kansas.Honas also expressed frustration that Ellis did not receive any state aid to supplement its recent bond issue. The state calculates valuations by county, so Hays' property is used to determine aid for Ellis. The Ellis school district has a much lower property valuation than Hays.Kelly also discussed strategies to recruit and train new teachers in Kansas to meet teacher shortages. One of the programs allows paraeducators to train to be teachers while continuing to work in schools. The program does not require an unpaid practicum.&nbsp;The state is recognizing teaching licenses from surrounding states as well as making it easier for military spouses to teach here.State officials also are trying to devise ways to allow teachers who have reached their KPERS retirement maximum to continue to teach without hurting the stability of the retirement system.Disclosure: Travis Kohlrus serves on the Eagle Communications board of directors. Hays Post is owned and operated by Eagle.

Gov. Kelly makes case for funding special ed during school visit

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's attorney general announced new restrictions Thursday on gender-affirming care for adults in addition to minors in a move that is believed to be a first nationally and has advocacy groups threatening to sue.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced plans to restrict health care for transgender people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minors-gender-affirming-care-attorney-general-missouri-7332d7baee1580d1aec122cc4210792c">weeks ago</a>, when protesters rallied at the Capitol to urge lawmakers to pass a law banning puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for children. But the discussion was focused on minors, not adults.

Missouri Attorney General spokeswoman Madeline Sieren clarified in a statement later in the day that adults also would be covered.

“We have serious concerns about how children are being treated throughout the state, but we believe everyone is entitled to evidence-based medicine and adequate mental health care,” Sieren said.

The rule, which incudes a required 18 months of therapy before receiving gender-affirming health care, is set to take effect April 27 and expire next February.

The ACLU and Lambda Legal said in a joint statement that they would “take any necessary legal action” and urged those affected to call.

“The Attorney General’s so-called emergency rule is based on distorted, misleading, and debunked claims and ignores the overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence supporting this care,” the statement said.

Robert Fischer, the spokesman for the LGBT rights groups PROMO, said he was not aware of similar restrictions elsewhere.

“He’s essentially attacking the entire trans community at this point,” Fischer said of Bailey. “It’s no longer just about children.”

The National Center for Transgender Equality called the order “deeply wrong” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TransEquality?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">tweet</a>, adding that “trans people of all ages across the state of Missouri deserve access to health care.”

The restrictions are in response to a former employee's allegations of mistreatment at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/josh-hawley-jamie-reed-st-louis-missouri-health-83953afb898dff7caa2b542c91480069">transgender youth clinic</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis run by Washington University. Bailey is investigating the center.

“My office is stepping up to protect children throughout the state while we investigate the allegations and how they are harming children,” Bailey said in a statement.

University spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Moving forward, doctors who provide gender-affirming health care must first provide them a lengthy list of potential negative side effects and information warning against those treatments, according to a copy of the rule released Thursday.

Health care providers will need to ensure “any psychiatric symptoms from existing mental health comorbidities of the patient have been treated and resolved” before providing gender-affirming treatments under the new rule. Physicians also must screen patients for social media addiction, autism and signs of “social contagion with respect to the patient’s gender identity.”

The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-youth-medical-treatment-fd262eb61898c377aee9b6d84446532e">approved</a>&nbsp;puberty blockers 30 years ago to treat children with precocious puberty — a condition that causes sexual development to begin much earlier than usual. Sex hormones — synthetic forms of estrogen and testosterone — were approved decades ago to treat hormone disorders or as birth control pills.

The FDA has not approved the medications specifically to treat gender-questioning youth, but they have been used for many years for that purpose “off label,” a common and accepted practice for many medical conditions. Doctors who treat transgender patients say those decades of use are proof the treatments are not experimental.

Critics have raise concerns about children changing their minds. Yet the evidence suggests detransitioning is not as common as opponents of transgender medical treatment for youth contend, though few studies exist and they have their weaknesses.

Bailey's rule was released the same day Missouri's Republican-led House voted to ban access to transgender-related health care for minors.

The House voted 103-52 along mostly party lines in favor of the ban, although the bill’s passage seems uncertain in the Senate.

The House proposal is stricter than what was passed by the GOP-led Senate, where Democrats have more influence through the use of stall tactics.

Senators compromised to exempt care for minors whose treatment is already underway. The Senate bill also would expire after four years.

The House version includes no exceptions for current treatments and would remain in effect indefinitely.

Republican Senate leaders said it’s unlikely that the House version will make it through the Senate.

“We’ve already passed legislation on this issue out of the Senate,” Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden said. “We would expect the House to appreciate how hard and difficult it was and to take up our bill and pass it.”

Both the House and Senate proposals would ban inmates and prisoners from accessing gender-affirming surgeries and would end coverage of any gender-affirming treatments for Missouri patients on Medicaid, the federal health insurance program.

The Human Rights Campaign have condemned the legislation in a statement, describing gender-affirming care as medically necessary.

At least 13 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah, South Dakota and West Virginia. Bills are awaiingt action from governors in Kansas, Montana and North Dakota. Federal judges have blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and nearly two dozen states are considering bills this year to restrict or ban care.

House debate on the bill became emotional as some Democrats argued the ban on health care will hurt transgender children.

“You are erasing my grandchild,” said St. Louis Democratic Rep. Barbara Phifer, whose grandson is transgender.

Republican sponsor Rep. Brad Hudson, of Cape Fair, criticized Democrats for threatening to end political partnerships and friendships with Republicans over the bill.

Hudson said his bill “seeks to protect kids” and that it's unfair that Democrats are describing it as hateful towards transgender children.

“A yes vote is a vote to protect kids from sex-change drugs and surgeries,” Hudson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="AG Bailey's rule was released the same day Missouri's Republican-led House voted to ban access to transgender-related health care for minors.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>AG Bailey's rule was released the same day Missouri's Republican-led House voted to ban access to transgender-related health care for minors.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's attorney general announced new restrictions Thursday on gender-affirming care for adults in addition to minors in a move that is believed to be a first nationally and has advocacy groups threatening to sue.Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced plans to restrict health care for transgender people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minors-gender-affirming-care-attorney-general-missouri-7332d7baee1580d1aec122cc4210792c">weeks ago</a>, when protesters rallied at the Capitol to urge lawmakers to pass a law banning puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for children. But the discussion was focused on minors, not adults.Missouri Attorney General spokeswoman Madeline Sieren clarified in a statement later in the day that adults also would be covered.“We have serious concerns about how children are being treated throughout the state, but we believe everyone is entitled to evidence-based medicine and adequate mental health care,” Sieren said.The rule, which incudes a required 18 months of therapy before receiving gender-affirming health care, is set to take effect April 27 and expire next February.The ACLU and Lambda Legal said in a joint statement that they would “take any necessary legal action” and urged those affected to call.“The Attorney General’s so-called emergency rule is based on distorted, misleading, and debunked claims and ignores the overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence supporting this care,” the statement said.Robert Fischer, the spokesman for the LGBT rights groups PROMO, said he was not aware of similar restrictions elsewhere.“He’s essentially attacking the entire trans community at this point,” Fischer said of Bailey. “It’s no longer just about children.”The National Center for Transgender Equality called the order “deeply wrong” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TransEquality?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">tweet</a>, adding that “trans people of all ages across the state of Missouri deserve access to health care.”The restrictions are in response to a former employee's allegations of mistreatment at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/josh-hawley-jamie-reed-st-louis-missouri-health-83953afb898dff7caa2b542c91480069">transgender youth clinic</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis run by Washington University. Bailey is investigating the center.“My office is stepping up to protect children throughout the state while we investigate the allegations and how they are harming children,” Bailey said in a statement.University spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.Moving forward, doctors who provide gender-affirming health care must first provide them a lengthy list of potential negative side effects and information warning against those treatments, according to a copy of the rule released Thursday.Health care providers will need to ensure “any psychiatric symptoms from existing mental health comorbidities of the patient have been treated and resolved” before providing gender-affirming treatments under the new rule. Physicians also must screen patients for social media addiction, autism and signs of “social contagion with respect to the patient’s gender identity.”The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-youth-medical-treatment-fd262eb61898c377aee9b6d84446532e">approved</a>&nbsp;puberty blockers 30 years ago to treat children with precocious puberty — a condition that causes sexual development to begin much earlier than usual. Sex hormones — synthetic forms of estrogen and testosterone — were approved decades ago to treat hormone disorders or as birth control pills.The FDA has not approved the medications specifically to treat gender-questioning youth, but they have been used for many years for that purpose “off label,” a common and accepted practice for many medical conditions. Doctors who treat transgender patients say those decades of use are proof the treatments are not experimental.Critics have raise concerns about children changing their minds. Yet the evidence suggests detransitioning is not as common as opponents of transgender medical treatment for youth contend, though few studies exist and they have their weaknesses.Bailey's rule was released the same day Missouri's Republican-led House voted to ban access to transgender-related health care for minors.The House voted 103-52 along mostly party lines in favor of the ban, although the bill’s passage seems uncertain in the Senate.The House proposal is stricter than what was passed by the GOP-led Senate, where Democrats have more influence through the use of stall tactics.Senators compromised to exempt care for minors whose treatment is already underway. The Senate bill also would expire after four years.The House version includes no exceptions for current treatments and would remain in effect indefinitely.Republican Senate leaders said it’s unlikely that the House version will make it through the Senate.“We’ve already passed legislation on this issue out of the Senate,” Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden said. “We would expect the House to appreciate how hard and difficult it was and to take up our bill and pass it.”Both the House and Senate proposals would ban inmates and prisoners from accessing gender-affirming surgeries and would end coverage of any gender-affirming treatments for Missouri patients on Medicaid, the federal health insurance program.The Human Rights Campaign have condemned the legislation in a statement, describing gender-affirming care as medically necessary.At least 13 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah, South Dakota and West Virginia. Bills are awaiingt action from governors in Kansas, Montana and North Dakota. Federal judges have blocked enforcement of laws in Alabama and Arkansas, and nearly two dozen states are considering bills this year to restrict or ban care.House debate on the bill became emotional as some Democrats argued the ban on health care will hurt transgender children.“You are erasing my grandchild,” said St. Louis Democratic Rep. Barbara Phifer, whose grandson is transgender.Republican sponsor Rep. Brad Hudson, of Cape Fair, criticized Democrats for threatening to end political partnerships and friendships with Republicans over the bill.Hudson said his bill “seeks to protect kids” and that it's unfair that Democrats are describing it as hateful towards transgender children.“A yes vote is a vote to protect kids from sex-change drugs and surgeries,” Hudson said.

Missouri to also limit gender-affirming care for adults

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas residents who live near wind farms could eventually get a break from the nearly constant blinking of the red lights on wind turbines under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Starting July 1, developers of new projects will be required to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for light mitigation technology. The technology turns off the lights except when aircraft are near — a rare occurrence in rural Kansas.

The developers would have two years to install the technology.

Beginning July 1, 2026, existing developments would have to apply to the FAA within six months of signing a new power offtake agreement, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/business/energy-resource/2023/04/13/new-wind-farm-law-in-kansas-requires-light-mitigation-technology-laura-kelly-bill-signing/70100104007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>. Because that could take several years, the law allows counties to use bonds to help pay for the expensive technology earlier.

System installation costs about $2 million, with $100,000 in annual costs for a typical wind farm.

Rep. Lisa Moser, a Republican from Wheaton, who has wind farms near her home, has said she and thousands of Kansans see red blinking lights every three seconds, 24 hours a day.

Kansas has about about 4,000 turbines now, with plans to add another 6,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646924351746.png" alt="&nbsp;Photo by Jill Hummels for the Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Photo by Jill Hummels for the Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas residents who live near wind farms could eventually get a break from the nearly constant blinking of the red lights on wind turbines under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Laura Kelly.Starting July 1, developers of new projects will be required to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for light mitigation technology. The technology turns off the lights except when aircraft are near — a rare occurrence in rural Kansas.The developers would have two years to install the technology.Beginning July 1, 2026, existing developments would have to apply to the FAA within six months of signing a new power offtake agreement, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/business/energy-resource/2023/04/13/new-wind-farm-law-in-kansas-requires-light-mitigation-technology-laura-kelly-bill-signing/70100104007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>. Because that could take several years, the law allows counties to use bonds to help pay for the expensive technology earlier.System installation costs about $2 million, with $100,000 in annual costs for a typical wind farm.Rep. Lisa Moser, a Republican from Wheaton, who has wind farms near her home, has said she and thousands of Kansans see red blinking lights every three seconds, 24 hours a day.Kansas has about about 4,000 turbines now, with plans to add another 6,000.

New Kansas law will reduce blinking lights on wind turbines

SEDGWICK COUNTY – A Kansas woman was sentenced in connection with the death of her boyfriend's 20-month old son.

A Sedgwick County judge sentenced 26-year-old Xjohnna Hannah of Wichita, to 12 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 The sentence carries an underlying sentence of seven months in prison with 12 months post release.

On February 9, Hannah pled guilty to aggravated endangering a child in connection with the death of Lasiah Williams. The toddler was the son of Hannah's boyfriend, 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham, who lived in the 2500 block of N. Chautauqua in Wichita.

A judge sentenced&nbsp; Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.

Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.

The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.

On March 20th, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Willingham to 66 months in prison

Autopsy failed to explain the cause of the child's death. The exam found several bruises over the child's body, but no "notable internal injuries" that would have explained the death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123012533.png" alt="-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY – A Kansas woman was sentenced in connection with the death of her boyfriend's 20-month old son.A Sedgwick County judge sentenced 26-year-old Xjohnna Hannah of Wichita, to 12 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. The sentence carries an underlying sentence of seven months in prison with 12 months post release.On February 9, Hannah pled guilty to aggravated endangering a child in connection with the death of Lasiah Williams. The toddler was the son of Hannah's boyfriend, 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham, who lived in the 2500 block of N. Chautauqua in Wichita.A judge sentenced&nbsp; Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp; &nbsp;Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.On March 20th, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Willingham to 66 months in prisonAutopsy failed to explain the cause of the child's death. The exam found several bruises over the child's body, but no "notable internal injuries" that would have explained the death.

Kan. woman gets probation in death of boyfriend's toddler son

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday allowed a roughly $6 billion legal settlement to go forward that will cancel student loans for hundreds of thousands of borrowers who say they were misled by their schools.

The justices did not comment in rejecting an emergency plea from Everglades College, Lincoln Educational Services Corp. and American National University. The schools had argued that they were unfairly included on a list of more than 150 institutions, most of them for-profit, linked with alleged misconduct. Lincoln and American are for-profit institutions; Everglades is a not-for-profit.

The justices’ action comes as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-hearing-2128da75fc27ff3bcc0c3804ebd98aa7">high court is weighing what to do with the Biden administration’s plan to wipe away $400 billion in student debt</a>&nbsp;held by more than 40 million people. A decision on that plan is expected by late June.

The legal challenges have some similarities but the administration is relying on different laws in the two programs.

The class-action settlement was approved late last year by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-education-0cabfb66daddbea9e804cb2860531775">complaints that the 150-plus schools had made false recruiting claims and left many students unable to find jobs</a>.

The Justice Department has already begun implementing the agreement and said in court that roughly 3,800 borrowers who are part of the settlement attended the three schools.

Lower courts had previously denied the schools’ efforts to halt the settlement while they appeal.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday allowed a roughly $6 billion legal settlement to go forward that will cancel student loans for hundreds of thousands of borrowers who say they were misled by their schools.The justices did not comment in rejecting an emergency plea from Everglades College, Lincoln Educational Services Corp. and American National University. The schools had argued that they were unfairly included on a list of more than 150 institutions, most of them for-profit, linked with alleged misconduct. Lincoln and American are for-profit institutions; Everglades is a not-for-profit.The justices’ action comes as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-hearing-2128da75fc27ff3bcc0c3804ebd98aa7">high court is weighing what to do with the Biden administration’s plan to wipe away $400 billion in student debt</a>&nbsp;held by more than 40 million people. A decision on that plan is expected by late June.The legal challenges have some similarities but the administration is relying on different laws in the two programs.The class-action settlement was approved late last year by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-education-0cabfb66daddbea9e804cb2860531775">complaints that the 150-plus schools had made false recruiting claims and left many students unable to find jobs</a>.The Justice Department has already begun implementing the agreement and said in court that roughly 3,800 borrowers who are part of the settlement attended the three schools.Lower courts had previously denied the schools’ efforts to halt the settlement while they appeal.

Supreme Court issues ruling in first of student debt relief cases

Salina's Stiefel Theatre has received a nomination from the Academy of Country Music!

In a release made public Thursday, the Academy of Country Music announced that the Stiefel Theatre was one of five venues nominated in the Theatre of the Year category. Other venues competing in the category include the following.

● Crystal Grand Music Theatre – Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

● Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, Fla

What an amazing surprise! Thank you ACM - Academy of Country Music! This is an incredible honor," said Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director.

She then went on to thank those who helped make the nomination possible.

"Thanks to our agents that have become friends - to the incredible artists and crews that have played here in this beautiful space - and to everyone that supports this historic theatre in so many ways. We are so grateful for our most wonderful staff, crew, board and volunteers. The passion you all have for this theatre shows every day. And most of all...thank you to everyone that comes in for our shows. Nothing could happen without you. Our warm audiences are always noticed - and often mentioned backstage after the shows. We absolutely love this historic theatre. To the stars!" Gates said.

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, is scheduled to stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ territories on Prime Video at 7 p.m. May 11 from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The full rebroadcast of “Country Music’s Party of the Year” will stream the next day for free on Amazon Freevee.

Salina's Stiefel Theatre has received a nomination from the Academy of Country Music!In a release made public Thursday, the Academy of Country Music announced that the Stiefel Theatre was one of five venues nominated in the Theatre of the Year category. Other venues competing in the category include the following.● Crystal Grand Music Theatre – Wisconsin Dells, Wis.● Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, Fla● Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville● Orpheum Theater – Omaha, Neb.What an amazing surprise! Thank you ACM - Academy of Country Music! This is an incredible honor," said Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director.She then went on to thank those who helped make the nomination possible."Thanks to our agents that have become friends - to the incredible artists and crews that have played here in this beautiful space - and to everyone that supports this historic theatre in so many ways. We are so grateful for our most wonderful staff, crew, board and volunteers. The passion you all have for this theatre shows every day. And most of all...thank you to everyone that comes in for our shows. Nothing could happen without you. Our warm audiences are always noticed - and often mentioned backstage after the shows. We absolutely love this historic theatre. To the stars!" Gates said.The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, is scheduled to stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ territories on Prime Video at 7 p.m. May 11 from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The full rebroadcast of “Country Music’s Party of the Year” will stream the next day for free on Amazon Freevee.

Salina's Stiefel Theatre receives Academy of Country Music nomination

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide at a Kansas home are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as&nbsp;Jeffrey D. Arnold, 52, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Arnold also commonly goes by the nickname, “Cheese.”

Just after 10 a.m. March 26, police responded to a shooting at a home in the&nbsp; 1500 Block of SE Quincy in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks

Police found 38-year-old Deaundreya D. Caraway suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680199641904.png" alt="Jeffrey Arnold -photo Topeka PD" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Arnold -photo Topeka PD</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide at a Kansas home are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as&nbsp;Jeffrey D. Arnold, 52, of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Arnold also commonly goes by the nickname, “Cheese.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680199619912.png" alt="Arnold-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Arnold-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10 a.m. March 26, police responded to a shooting at a home in the&nbsp; 1500 Block of SE Quincy in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679948290709.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police found 38-year-old Deaundreya D. Caraway suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

After 2 weeks, suspect in murder of Kansas woman still at large

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department said Thursday that it will again go to the Supreme Court over abortion after a lower court ruling allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">the abortion pill mifepristone</a>&nbsp;to remain available in the U.S. but reimposed past restrictions on getting and using the drug.

At stake in the accelerating court battle that began in Texas is widespread access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S., less than a year&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ss%20than%20a%20year%20after%20the%20reversal%20of%20Roe%20v.%20Wade%20resulted%20in%20more%20than%20a%20dozen%20states%20effectively%20banning%20abortion%20outright.">after the reversal of Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;prompted more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.

In a ruling late Wednesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans temporarily narrowed a ruling by a lower court judge in Texas that had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifepristone-texas-ee181214988044c096757696cf2a5f67">completely blocked</a>&nbsp;the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone. But a divided three-judge panel still reduced the period of pregnancy when the drug can be taken and said it could not be dispensed by mail.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23774813-5th-circuit-abortion-pill-stay-order">ruling</a>&nbsp;preventing the pill from being sent by mail amounts to another significant constraint of abortion access that could be felt even in states where abortion remains legal, some of which have already begun stockpiling mifepristone over worries that the drug will become unavailable.

The Justice Department said it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency order to stop the lower court ruling from taking effect.

“We are going to continue to fight in the courts, we believe the law is on our side, and we will prevail,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, speaking from Dublin during a visit by President Joe Biden.

Mifepristone was approved by the FDA more than two decades ago and is used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol.

Abortion rights groups expressed both relief over FDA approval remaining in place and outrage over the appeals court reinstating restrictions. Whole Woman's Health, an abortion provider that operates six clinics in five states, said in a tweet it was continuing to offer mifepristone in clinics and through virtual services while reviewing the decision.

In the 2-1 decision, the judges put on hold changes made by the regulator since 2016 that relaxed the rules for prescribing and dispensing mifepristone. Those included extending the period of pregnancy when the drug can be used from seven weeks to 10 and allowing it to be dispensed by mail, without any need to visit a doctor’s office.

The panel's decision came just days after the Justice Department appealed last week's far-reaching ruling out of Texas that blocked the FDA’s approval of the pill. The lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that also argued to overturn Roe v. Wade, and is representing a group of anti-abortion doctors.

There is virtually no precedent for a lone judge overturning the regulator's medical decisions.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs indicated Thursday that they were content with the court's order and did not plan to seek an appeal that might restore the Texas court's full ruling.

“The 5th Circuit’s decision is a significant victory for the doctors we represent, women’s health, and every American who deserves an accountable federal government acting within the bounds of the law,” said Erin Hawley, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom.

The two judges who voted to tighten restrictions, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both appointees of former President Donald Trump. The third judge, Catharina Haynes, is an appointee of former President George W. Bush. She said she would have put the lower court ruling on hold entirely for now to allow oral arguments in the case.

Adding to the uncertainty, a separate federal judge in Washington state last week ordered the FDA not to do anything that might block mifepristone’s availability in 17 Democrat-led states suing to keep it on the market. The judge in that case clarified Thursday that his order requires the FDA to keep access the same as it was in January in those states, leaving the agency facing conflicting court orders.

“This is just as much of a binding court order as whatever comes out of Texas,” said David S. Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law.

The New Orleans appeals court judges in the majority in Wednesday's decision noted that the Biden administration and mifepristone’s manufacturer “warn us of significant public consequences” that would result if mifepristone were withdrawn entirely from the market under the lower court ruling.

But the judges suggested FDA changes making mifepristone easier to obtain since 2016 were less consequential than its initial approval of the drug in 2000. It would be “difficult” to argue the changes were “so critical to the public given that the nation operated — and mifepristone was administered to millions of women — without them for 16 years” the judges wrote.

When the drug was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications. It also required a doctor’s supervision and a reporting system for any serious consequences of the drug.

If the appeals court's action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed for now.

Democratic leaders in states where abortion remains legal since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-states-lawsuits-ac6dc09c0dd66a146d3ddfde061fc1a6">say they are preparing</a>&nbsp;in case mifepristone becomes restricted. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that her state would stockpile 150,000 doses of misoprostol.

The White House also has contingency plans in place, but Jean-Pierre held off detailing them while legal action continued. Instead, she described a proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-abortion-pills-ruling-mifepristone-texas-c1f4530d67858f6c95cef99282b8b209">new federal rule</a>&nbsp;to limit how law enforcement and state officials collect medical records if they investigate women who flee their home states to seek abortions elsewhere.

At the core of the Texas lawsuit is the allegation that the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone was flawed because the agency did not adequately review safety risks.

Mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years. While less drastic than completely overturning the drug's approval, the latest ruling still represents a stark challenge to the FDA’s authority overseeing how prescription drugs are used in the U.S. The panel overturned multiple decisions made by FDA regulators after years of scientific review.

Common side effects with mifepristone include cramping, bleeding, nausea, headache and diarrhea. In rare cases, women can experience excess bleeding that requires surgery to stop.

Still, in loosening restrictions on mifepristone, FDA regulators cited “exceedingly low rates of serious adverse events.”

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">the abortion pill mifepristone</a>&nbsp;can still be used for now but restored restrictions on the drug in a decision that the Justice Department said Thursday it would swiftly challenge at the Supreme Court.

At stake in an accelerating legal battle that began in Texas is nationwide access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S., less than a year&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ss%20than%20a%20year%20after%20the%20reversal%20of%20Roe%20v.%20Wade%20resulted%20in%20more%20than%20a%20dozen%20states%20effectively%20banning%20abortion%20outright.">after the reversal of Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;prompted more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23774813-5th-circuit-abortion-pill-stay-order">ruling</a>&nbsp;preventing the pill from being sent by mail amounts to another significant constraint of abortion access and was cheered by opponents of the drug. The Justice Department said it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency order to put any action on hold.

Abortion rights groups expressed relief that the FDA approval would remain in place for now but criticized the court for reinstating restrictions on the drug. Whole Woman's Health, an abortion provider that operates six clinics in five states, said in a tweet it was continuing to offer mifepristone in clinics and through virtual services while reviewing the decision.

In the 2-1 vote, the judges put on hold changes made by the regulator since 2016 that relaxed the rules for prescribing and dispensing mifepristone. Those included extending the period of pregnancy when the drug can be used from seven weeks to 10 and allowing it to be dispensed by mail, without any need to visit a doctor’s office.

The panel's decision came just days after the Justice Department swiftly appealed the far-reaching ruling by a federal judge in Texas that blocked the FDA’s approval of the pill in a lawsuit by the drug's opponents. There is virtually no precedent for a lone judge overturning the regulator's medical decisions.

The lawsuit challenging the drug’s approval was brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which also argued for overturning Roe v. Wade and indicated it was content for now in the mifepristone case. Erin Hawley, an attorney for the group, said it had no plans to seek an appeal that might restore the Texas court's full ruling.

“The 5th Circuit’s decision is a significant victory for the doctors we represent, women’s health, and every American who deserves an accountable federal government acting within the bounds of the law,” Hawley said.

Adding to the uncertainty, a separate federal judge in Washington last week ordered the FDA not to do anything that might block mifepristone’s availability in 17 Democrat-led states suing to keep it on the market. The judge in that case has not yet to responded to the Justice Department seeking additional clarity this week.

The appeals court judges in the majority in Wednesday's decision noted that the Biden administration and mifepristone’s manufacturer “warn us of significant public consequences” that would result if mifepristone were withdrawn entirely from the market under the lower court ruling.

But the judges suggested FDA changes making mifepristone easier to obtain since 2016 were less consequential than its initial approval of the drug in 2000. It would be “difficult” to argue the changes were “so critical to the public given that the nation operated — and mifepristone was administered to millions of women — without them for sixteen years” the judges wrote.

Pharmaceutical executives this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">also signed a letter</a>&nbsp;that condemned the Texas ruling and warned that FDA approval of other drugs could be at risk if U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s decision stands.

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="-About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>-About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department said Thursday that it will again go to the Supreme Court over abortion after a lower court ruling allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">the abortion pill mifepristone</a>&nbsp;to remain available in the U.S. but reimposed past restrictions on getting and using the drug.At stake in the accelerating court battle that began in Texas is widespread access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S., less than a year&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ss%20than%20a%20year%20after%20the%20reversal%20of%20Roe%20v.%20Wade%20resulted%20in%20more%20than%20a%20dozen%20states%20effectively%20banning%20abortion%20outright.">after the reversal of Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;prompted more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.In a ruling late Wednesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans temporarily narrowed a ruling by a lower court judge in Texas that had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifepristone-texas-ee181214988044c096757696cf2a5f67">completely blocked</a>&nbsp;the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone. But a divided three-judge panel still reduced the period of pregnancy when the drug can be taken and said it could not be dispensed by mail.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23774813-5th-circuit-abortion-pill-stay-order">ruling</a>&nbsp;preventing the pill from being sent by mail amounts to another significant constraint of abortion access that could be felt even in states where abortion remains legal, some of which have already begun stockpiling mifepristone over worries that the drug will become unavailable.The Justice Department said it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency order to stop the lower court ruling from taking effect.“We are going to continue to fight in the courts, we believe the law is on our side, and we will prevail,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, speaking from Dublin during a visit by President Joe Biden.Mifepristone was approved by the FDA more than two decades ago and is used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol.Abortion rights groups expressed both relief over FDA approval remaining in place and outrage over the appeals court reinstating restrictions. Whole Woman's Health, an abortion provider that operates six clinics in five states, said in a tweet it was continuing to offer mifepristone in clinics and through virtual services while reviewing the decision.In the 2-1 decision, the judges put on hold changes made by the regulator since 2016 that relaxed the rules for prescribing and dispensing mifepristone. Those included extending the period of pregnancy when the drug can be used from seven weeks to 10 and allowing it to be dispensed by mail, without any need to visit a doctor’s office.The panel's decision came just days after the Justice Department appealed last week's far-reaching ruling out of Texas that blocked the FDA’s approval of the pill. The lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that also argued to overturn Roe v. Wade, and is representing a group of anti-abortion doctors.There is virtually no precedent for a lone judge overturning the regulator's medical decisions.Attorneys for the plaintiffs indicated Thursday that they were content with the court's order and did not plan to seek an appeal that might restore the Texas court's full ruling.“The 5th Circuit’s decision is a significant victory for the doctors we represent, women’s health, and every American who deserves an accountable federal government acting within the bounds of the law,” said Erin Hawley, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom.The two judges who voted to tighten restrictions, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both appointees of former President Donald Trump. The third judge, Catharina Haynes, is an appointee of former President George W. Bush. She said she would have put the lower court ruling on hold entirely for now to allow oral arguments in the case.Adding to the uncertainty, a separate federal judge in Washington state last week ordered the FDA not to do anything that might block mifepristone’s availability in 17 Democrat-led states suing to keep it on the market. The judge in that case clarified Thursday that his order requires the FDA to keep access the same as it was in January in those states, leaving the agency facing conflicting court orders.“This is just as much of a binding court order as whatever comes out of Texas,” said David S. Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law.The New Orleans appeals court judges in the majority in Wednesday's decision noted that the Biden administration and mifepristone’s manufacturer “warn us of significant public consequences” that would result if mifepristone were withdrawn entirely from the market under the lower court ruling.But the judges suggested FDA changes making mifepristone easier to obtain since 2016 were less consequential than its initial approval of the drug in 2000. It would be “difficult” to argue the changes were “so critical to the public given that the nation operated — and mifepristone was administered to millions of women — without them for 16 years” the judges wrote.When the drug was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications. It also required a doctor’s supervision and a reporting system for any serious consequences of the drug.If the appeals court's action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed for now.Democratic leaders in states where abortion remains legal since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-states-lawsuits-ac6dc09c0dd66a146d3ddfde061fc1a6">say they are preparing</a>&nbsp;in case mifepristone becomes restricted. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that her state would stockpile 150,000 doses of misoprostol.The White House also has contingency plans in place, but Jean-Pierre held off detailing them while legal action continued. Instead, she described a proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-abortion-pills-ruling-mifepristone-texas-c1f4530d67858f6c95cef99282b8b209">new federal rule</a>&nbsp;to limit how law enforcement and state officials collect medical records if they investigate women who flee their home states to seek abortions elsewhere.At the core of the Texas lawsuit is the allegation that the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone was flawed because the agency did not adequately review safety risks.Mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years. While less drastic than completely overturning the drug's approval, the latest ruling still represents a stark challenge to the FDA’s authority overseeing how prescription drugs are used in the U.S. The panel overturned multiple decisions made by FDA regulators after years of scientific review.Common side effects with mifepristone include cramping, bleeding, nausea, headache and diarrhea. In rare cases, women can experience excess bleeding that requires surgery to stop.Still, in loosening restrictions on mifepristone, FDA regulators cited “exceedingly low rates of serious adverse events.”More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.___AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">the abortion pill mifepristone</a>&nbsp;can still be used for now but restored restrictions on the drug in a decision that the Justice Department said Thursday it would swiftly challenge at the Supreme Court.At stake in an accelerating legal battle that began in Texas is nationwide access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S., less than a year&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ss%20than%20a%20year%20after%20the%20reversal%20of%20Roe%20v.%20Wade%20resulted%20in%20more%20than%20a%20dozen%20states%20effectively%20banning%20abortion%20outright.">after the reversal of Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;prompted more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.In a ruling late Wednesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans temporarily narrowed a ruling by a lower court judge in Texas that had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifepristone-texas-ee181214988044c096757696cf2a5f67">completely blocked</a>&nbsp;the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone. But a divided three-judge panel still reduced the period of pregnancy when the drug can be taken and said it could not be dispensed by mail.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23774813-5th-circuit-abortion-pill-stay-order">ruling</a>&nbsp;preventing the pill from being sent by mail amounts to another significant constraint of abortion access and was cheered by opponents of the drug. The Justice Department said it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency order to put any action on hold.“We are going to continue to fight in the courts, we believe the law is on our side, and we will prevail,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday, speaking from Dublin during a visit by President Joe Biden.Mifepristone was approved by the FDA more than two decades ago and is used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol.Abortion rights groups expressed relief that the FDA approval would remain in place for now but criticized the court for reinstating restrictions on the drug. Whole Woman's Health, an abortion provider that operates six clinics in five states, said in a tweet it was continuing to offer mifepristone in clinics and through virtual services while reviewing the decision.In the 2-1 vote, the judges put on hold changes made by the regulator since 2016 that relaxed the rules for prescribing and dispensing mifepristone. Those included extending the period of pregnancy when the drug can be used from seven weeks to 10 and allowing it to be dispensed by mail, without any need to visit a doctor’s office.The panel's decision came just days after the Justice Department swiftly appealed the far-reaching ruling by a federal judge in Texas that blocked the FDA’s approval of the pill in a lawsuit by the drug's opponents. There is virtually no precedent for a lone judge overturning the regulator's medical decisions.The lawsuit challenging the drug’s approval was brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which also argued for overturning Roe v. Wade and indicated it was content for now in the mifepristone case. Erin Hawley, an attorney for the group, said it had no plans to seek an appeal that might restore the Texas court's full ruling.“The 5th Circuit’s decision is a significant victory for the doctors we represent, women’s health, and every American who deserves an accountable federal government acting within the bounds of the law,” Hawley said.The two judges who voted to tighten restrictions, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both appointees of former President Donald Trump. The third judge, Catharina Haynes, is an appointee of former President George W. Bush. She said she would have put the lower court ruling on hold entirely for now to allow oral arguments in the case.Adding to the uncertainty, a separate federal judge in Washington last week ordered the FDA not to do anything that might block mifepristone’s availability in 17 Democrat-led states suing to keep it on the market. The judge in that case has not yet to responded to the Justice Department seeking additional clarity this week.The appeals court judges in the majority in Wednesday's decision noted that the Biden administration and mifepristone’s manufacturer “warn us of significant public consequences” that would result if mifepristone were withdrawn entirely from the market under the lower court ruling.But the judges suggested FDA changes making mifepristone easier to obtain since 2016 were less consequential than its initial approval of the drug in 2000. It would be “difficult” to argue the changes were “so critical to the public given that the nation operated — and mifepristone was administered to millions of women — without them for sixteen years” the judges wrote.When the drug was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications. It also required a doctor’s supervision and a reporting system for any serious consequences of the drug.If the appeals court's action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed for now.Democratic leaders in states where abortion remains legal since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-states-lawsuits-ac6dc09c0dd66a146d3ddfde061fc1a6">say they are preparing</a>&nbsp;in case mifepristone becomes restricted. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that her state would stockpile 150,000 doses of misoprostol.The White House also has contingency plans in place, but Jean-Pierre held off detailing them while legal action continued. Instead, she described a proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-abortion-pills-ruling-mifepristone-texas-c1f4530d67858f6c95cef99282b8b209">new federal rule</a>&nbsp;to limit how law enforcement and state officials collect medical records if they investigate women who flee their home states to seek abortions elsewhere.Pharmaceutical executives this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">also signed a letter</a>&nbsp;that condemned the Texas ruling and warned that FDA approval of other drugs could be at risk if U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s decision stands.At the core of the Texas lawsuit is the allegation that the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone was flawed because the agency did not adequately review safety risks.Mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years. While less drastic than completely overturning the drug's approval, the latest ruling still represents a stark challenge to the FDA’s authority overseeing how prescription drugs are used in the U.S. The panel overturned multiple decisions made by FDA regulators after years of scientific review.Common side effects with mifepristone include cramping, bleeding, nausea, headache and diarrhea. In rare cases, women can experience excess bleeding that requires surgery to stop.Still, in loosening restrictions on mifepristone, FDA regulators cited “exceedingly low rates of serious adverse events.”More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

Battle over abortion pill going to the Supreme Court 

WASHINGTON COUNTY—&nbsp;Kansas Forest Service teams helped fight grass fire Thursday in Washington, Republic and Ellis Counties.

The tankers made nine drops Thursday and then were released. The task forces remained to assist local resources overnight.

Crews were also in Republic County Wednesday.

The Forest Service reminded the public that Friday is forecasted to be another Critical Fire weather day. "Please report any fires immediately and check and recheck all previous burns."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681467810586.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON COUNTY—&nbsp;Kansas Forest Service teams helped fight grass fire Thursday in Washington, Republic and Ellis Counties.The tankers made nine drops Thursday and then were released. The task forces remained to assist local resources overnight.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkansasforestservice%2Fvideos%2F248034490954549%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Crews were also in Republic County Wednesday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkansasforestservice%2Fvideos%2F174736548825112%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=5" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The Forest Service reminded the public that Friday is forecasted to be another Critical Fire weather day. "Please report any fires immediately and check and recheck all previous burns."

Kansas Forest Service crews busy across the state this week

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Two wanted suspects were injured in an accident during a high speed chase and crash in Douglas County.

Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff's deputy recognized a Maroon Jeep and the driver as someone wanted on an outstanding warrant, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's office.

The&nbsp; driver immediately began to evade the deputy and the pursuit was discontinued east of Lawrence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Law enforcement later saw the Jeep in the 1700 Block of North 1500 Road where the driver evaded stop spikes and continued east on 1625 Road. The Jeep, traveling recklessly at a high rate of speed nearly caused a head-on collision with a Lawrence Police Department vehicle on East 11th Street.

Just after 8p.m., the Jeep was traveling&nbsp; too fast for the curve at 11th and Haskell Avenue. The vehicle left the road, struck an electrical box, a guy-wire, a fire hydrant and flipped onto its roof.

EMS transported the 29-year-old male driver and his 29-year-old female passenger to LMH Health for treatment. The driver had eight outstanding warrants and the passenger had four, according to the sheriff's department. When they are released from the hospital, deputies will book them into the Douglas County Jail.&nbsp; The sheriff's department did not release their names.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Two wanted suspects were injured in an accident during a high speed chase and crash in Douglas County.Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff's deputy recognized a Maroon Jeep and the driver as someone wanted on an outstanding warrant, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's office.The&nbsp; driver immediately began to evade the deputy and the pursuit was discontinued east of Lawrence.&nbsp;&nbsp;Law enforcement later saw the Jeep in the 1700 Block of North 1500 Road where the driver evaded stop spikes and continued east on 1625 Road. The Jeep, traveling recklessly at a high rate of speed nearly caused a head-on collision with a Lawrence Police Department vehicle on East 11th Street.Just after 8p.m., the Jeep was traveling&nbsp; too fast for the curve at 11th and Haskell Avenue. The vehicle left the road, struck an electrical box, a guy-wire, a fire hydrant and flipped onto its roof.EMS transported the 29-year-old male driver and his 29-year-old female passenger to LMH Health for treatment. The driver had eight outstanding warrants and the passenger had four, according to the sheriff's department. When they are released from the hospital, deputies will book them into the Douglas County Jail.&nbsp; The sheriff's department did not release their names.

2 hospitalized after Kan. high-speed chase, violent crash

HAVEN— The inspection was closed last September into the explosion and fire at the Tenawa Haven Midstream gas facility on April 14, 2022. 

The explosion left two people injured and caused extensive damage to the plant. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. OSHA spokesperson Scott Allen told Hutch Post in an email this week that the inspection was closed on Sept. 23, 2022.

"The main focus of the inspection was to determine the cause of the incident and determine if the company had followed OSHA standards and regulations," Allen said. "After examining the physical evidence, employer programs, and interviews with the employer and employees, the cause of the explosion could not be determined and no OSHA violations were discovered."

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/6c5617a8-de81-4dec-86e8-f6f4704a677e">A fire unit from the refinery in McPherson and hazardous material units from Wichita were called to deal with the situation</a>.

The fire forced the evacuation of numerous rural residents near the property and several businesses along the west side of Haven. 

Eventually, the city itself was briefly evacuated because of an explosion risk, though that was quickly mitigated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649963142916.jpeg" alt="A photo from Paul Phillips of the April 14, 2022, gas explosion near Haven." />
 <figcaption>A photo from Paul Phillips of the April 14, 2022, gas explosion near Haven.</figcaption>
 </figure>HAVEN— The inspection was closed last September into the explosion and fire at the Tenawa Haven Midstream gas facility on April 14, 2022. The explosion left two people injured and caused extensive damage to the plant. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. OSHA spokesperson Scott Allen told Hutch Post in an email this week that the inspection was closed on Sept. 23, 2022.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LEBUQpySIdk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"The main focus of the inspection was to determine the cause of the incident and determine if the company had followed OSHA standards and regulations," Allen said. "After examining the physical evidence, employer programs, and interviews with the employer and employees, the cause of the explosion could not be determined and no OSHA violations were discovered."<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/6c5617a8-de81-4dec-86e8-f6f4704a677e">A fire unit from the refinery in McPherson and hazardous material units from Wichita were called to deal with the situation</a>.The fire forced the evacuation of numerous rural residents near the property and several businesses along the west side of Haven. Eventually, the city itself was briefly evacuated because of an explosion risk, though that was quickly mitigated.

Cause still undetermined a year after Reno Co. gas explosion

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; —A Kansas City man faces felony charges for the fatal shooting of his son in a Kansas City residence earlier this month, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Jose P. Pilar, 43, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Cambridge &nbsp;Avenue in Kansas City on a reported shooting. 

The calling party said "Raul was shot by father."

 Witnesses told police that the victim, Raul Pilar Sanchez, and the defendant, his father, argued over a family friend coming over to visit. 

The defendant left the residence and soon after a family member found the victim suffering &nbsp;from gunshot wounds. Family members told police their father shot their brother.

This case was filed under seal, which has now been removed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681261186307.png" alt="Pilar-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pilar-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; —A Kansas City man faces felony charges for the fatal shooting of his son in a Kansas City residence earlier this month, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Jose P. Pilar, 43, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Cambridge &nbsp;Avenue in Kansas City on a reported shooting. The calling party said "Raul was shot by father." Witnesses told police that the victim, Raul Pilar Sanchez, and the defendant, his father, argued over a family friend coming over to visit. The defendant left the residence and soon after a family member found the victim suffering &nbsp;from gunshot wounds. Family members told police their father shot their brother.This case was filed under seal, which has now been removed.

Kansas City man charged in the murder of his adult son 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man who spent more than 40 years in prison for a triple murder he did not commit alleges in a lawsuit that Kansas City police conducted a reckless investigation that led to his conviction.

Kevin Strickland, 63, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Jackson County Court against the Kansas City Police Board of Commissioners, which oversees the police department, and five officers who have retired.

Strickland alleges that officers attributed false statements to him during the investigation and pressured the only eyewitness to the murders to identify him as the killer, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article273731775.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

The Kansas City Police Department said it does not comment on pending lawsuits.

Strickland was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">released from prison</a>&nbsp;in November 2021 after a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted of killing three people in Kansas City in 1978. That decision followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-c077050b39526e271b02219c4d9c44d0">a hearing</a>&nbsp;held after Jackson County prosecutors said a review of the case led them to believe Strickland was innocent.

Strickland has always maintained that he was home watching television and had nothing to do with the killings, which happened when he was 18 years old.

The lawsuit contends detectives pressured the only eyewitness to the triple murder to name Strickland as the shooter, even though they “knew or should have known” that he was innocent. The prosecution's case against Strickland rested largely on the eyewitness' testimony.

After Strickland refused to confess to the killings, the detectives concocted inflammatory statements they attributed to him about loving to “kill people,” according to his lawsuit.

Two men later confessed to being involved in the killings and swore for decades that Strickland was not at the home where the victims were slain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681407374874.png" alt="Kevin Strickland, 62, smiled while talking to the media after his release from prison, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Cameron, Missouri. (Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Strickland, 62, smiled while talking to the media after his release from prison, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Cameron, Missouri. (Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man who spent more than 40 years in prison for a triple murder he did not commit alleges in a lawsuit that Kansas City police conducted a reckless investigation that led to his conviction.Kevin Strickland, 63, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Jackson County Court against the Kansas City Police Board of Commissioners, which oversees the police department, and five officers who have retired.Strickland alleges that officers attributed false statements to him during the investigation and pressured the only eyewitness to the murders to identify him as the killer, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article273731775.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.The Kansas City Police Department said it does not comment on pending lawsuits.Strickland was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-missouri-bba67efd61eaa165165e29a7298a1dc3">released from prison</a>&nbsp;in November 2021 after a judge ruled he was wrongfully convicted of killing three people in Kansas City in 1978. That decision followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-kansas-c077050b39526e271b02219c4d9c44d0">a hearing</a>&nbsp;held after Jackson County prosecutors said a review of the case led them to believe Strickland was innocent.Strickland has always maintained that he was home watching television and had nothing to do with the killings, which happened when he was 18 years old.The lawsuit contends detectives pressured the only eyewitness to the triple murder to name Strickland as the shooter, even though they “knew or should have known” that he was innocent. The prosecution's case against Strickland rested largely on the eyewitness' testimony.After Strickland refused to confess to the killings, the detectives concocted inflammatory statements they attributed to him about loving to “kill people,” according to his lawsuit.Two men later confessed to being involved in the killings and swore for decades that Strickland was not at the home where the victims were slain.

Man freed from prison after 40 years for crime he didn't commit files lawsuit

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas violent offender arrested in connection with a Texas murder investigation made a court appearance in Wichita Wednesday.

Derek Daigneault, 27, is charged with 3 counts of flee or attempt to elude, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of THC, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

Just after 7 p.m. April 8, Police in Wichita began a pursuit with a vehicle driven by Daigneault after it was detected&nbsp; the WPD FLOCK system.&nbsp; Daigneault refused to stop and crashed into several at the intersection of 13th and Tyler. There were no injuries.

In addition to charges in Sedgwick County, Daigneault is being held for another agency. Officials in Texas have not confirmed possible charges he faces there.

He has been listed as a Registered Violent Offender since 2013 for convictions that include aggravated robbery, burglary and a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

He is being held in Sedgwick County of a bond at $100,000, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681216750585.png" alt="Daigneault-photo Sedgwick County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Daigneault-photo Sedgwick County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas violent offender arrested in connection with a Texas murder investigation made a court appearance in Wichita Wednesday.Derek Daigneault, 27, is charged with 3 counts of flee or attempt to elude, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of THC, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.Just after 7 p.m. April 8, Police in Wichita began a pursuit with a vehicle driven by Daigneault after it was detected&nbsp; the WPD FLOCK system.&nbsp; Daigneault refused to stop and crashed into several at the intersection of 13th and Tyler. There were no injuries.In addition to charges in Sedgwick County, Daigneault is being held for another agency. Officials in Texas have not confirmed possible charges he faces there.He has been listed as a Registered Violent Offender since 2013 for convictions that include aggravated robbery, burglary and a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.He is being held in Sedgwick County of a bond at $100,000, according to the district attorney's office.

Violent Kansas offender charged after chase, crash

KANSAS CITY, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging six people with conspiring to smuggle contraband into a federal prison in Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dale Gaver III, 35, Dale Gaver II, 54, Joshua Hamilton, 37, and Rex Hill, 33, all of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1568322047493.png" alt="Leavenworth-photo Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Leavenworth-photo Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN.– A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging six people with conspiring to smuggle contraband into a federal prison in Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.Dale Gaver III, 35, Dale Gaver II, 54, Joshua Hamilton, 37, and Rex Hill, 33, all of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison.Additionally, Melvin Edwards, 44, and Tamarae Hollman, 36, of Riverside, California, are charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison.According to court documents, between August 2020 and May 2021, Edwards, Gaver II, Gaver III, Hamilton, Hill, and Hollman are accused of conspiring to smuggle prohibited items into Leavenworth Penitentiary by allegedly using a drone to drop contraband such as cellular phones, K2 (synthetic cannabinoid), marijuana, and tobacco into the yard.Hill is also charged with one count of attempting to provide prison contraband. Gaver III, an inmate at Leavenworth Penitentiary during the conspiracy time frame, is also charged with one count of attempted possession of prison contraband and one count of possession of prison contraband.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.