KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new $1.5 billion Kansas City International Airport will officially open Feb. 28, with a Southwest flight to Chicago Midway International Airport at 5 a.m. as the first flight out, city and airport officials said.

At more than 1 million square feet, the single-terminal airport is the largest single infrastructure project in the city’s history. It replaces a three-terminal airport that opened in 1972.

The grand opening comes nearly four years after the city broke ground on the project, which faced a contentious fight before receiving approval.

During a news conference on Monday, Mayor Quinton Lucas said the terminal is being completed on time and on budget.

The new airport has 40 gates, with expansion possible to 50 gates. It will provide up to 50 places to eat and shop. Concession operators are tying to fill at least 800 retail, food and beverage jobs by the time the new terminal opens.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new $1.5 billion Kansas City International Airport will officially open Feb. 28, with a Southwest flight to Chicago Midway International Airport at 5 a.m. as the first flight out, city and airport officials said.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K8vQz8eFCvs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>At more than 1 million square feet, the single-terminal airport is the largest single infrastructure project in the city’s history. It replaces a three-terminal airport that opened in 1972.The grand opening comes nearly four years after the city broke ground on the project, which faced a contentious fight before receiving approval.During a news conference on Monday, Mayor Quinton Lucas said the terminal is being completed on time and on budget.The new airport has 40 gates, with expansion possible to 50 gates. It will provide up to 50 places to eat and shop. Concession operators are tying to fill at least 800 retail, food and beverage jobs by the time the new terminal opens.

🎥Kansas City to open new $1.5 billion airport this month

WILSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Malibu driven by James R. White, Jr., 54, Parsons, was eastbound on U.S. 400 just east of Kansas 39 Highway.

The Malibu&nbsp; crossed the center line into the westbound lanes of traffic. 

A westbound 2008 Dodge Ram driven by Korey W.&nbsp;Ladenburger, 23, Larned, attempted to avoid the collision by entering the eastbound lanes, but the Malibu crossed back into the eastbound lanes and struck the Dodge head-on.

White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported&nbsp;Ladenburger to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

WILSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Malibu driven by James R. White, Jr., 54, Parsons, was eastbound on U.S. 400 just east of Kansas 39 Highway.The Malibu&nbsp; crossed the center line into the westbound lanes of traffic. A westbound 2008 Dodge Ram driven by Korey W.&nbsp;Ladenburger, 23, Larned, attempted to avoid the collision by entering the eastbound lanes, but the Malibu crossed back into the eastbound lanes and struck the Dodge head-on.White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported&nbsp;Ladenburger to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

Kansas man dies after head-on pickup, car crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple allegations after a chase and crash in a stolen SUV.

Just after 3p.m. Monday, police in Wellington using a Flock tag reader identified a stolen SUV from Wichita with a tag from another Wichita location, according to&nbsp;Clearwater Police Chief Kirk Ives.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver refused to stop. That prompted a chase. After a few miles, Wellington police discontinued the chase as officers in Conway Springs took over.

A police officer deployed stop sticks. In attempt to avoid the device, the driver later identified as 18-year-old Owen Legleiter allegedly swerved at the officer. The officer fired his service revolver four times as the SUV continued on a flattened back tire.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Due to the time of day, officers were concerned that the chase would impact school busses preparing to pick up students, according to Ives. However, the chase traveled south of the school and the SUV ultimately rolled just southeast of Clearwater.

Legleiter was not injured. A passenger identified as Legleiter's 16-year-old girlfriend had a minor arm injury, according to Ives. The teen's 16-month-old daughter was not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave. "We have not found he did anything incorrect," according to Ives. He's been with the department for three years.

Legleiter is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated child endangerment, criminal restraint, flee and elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen tag, criminal use of weapons and driving while suspended, according to Ives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675185361118.png" alt="Legleiter-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Legleiter-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on multiple allegations after a chase and crash in a stolen SUV.Just after 3p.m. Monday, police in Wellington using a Flock tag reader identified a stolen SUV from Wichita with a tag from another Wichita location, according to&nbsp;Clearwater Police Chief Kirk Ives.Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver refused to stop. That prompted a chase. After a few miles, Wellington police discontinued the chase as officers in Conway Springs took over.A police officer deployed stop sticks. In attempt to avoid the device, the driver later identified as 18-year-old Owen Legleiter allegedly swerved at the officer. The officer fired his service revolver four times as the SUV continued on a flattened back tire.&nbsp;&nbsp;Due to the time of day, officers were concerned that the chase would impact school busses preparing to pick up students, according to Ives. However, the chase traveled south of the school and the SUV ultimately rolled just southeast of Clearwater.Legleiter was not injured. A passenger identified as Legleiter's 16-year-old girlfriend had a minor arm injury, according to Ives. The teen's 16-month-old daughter was not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;The officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave. "We have not found he did anything incorrect," according to Ives. He's been with the department for three years.Legleiter is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated child endangerment, criminal restraint, flee and elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen tag, criminal use of weapons and driving while suspended, according to Ives.

Kansas teen with girlfriend and toddler rolls stolen SUV 

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in an assault of a police officer after the defendant caused the officer to fall down stairs and break an ankle, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Twann J. McGill Jr. 42,, faces Assault 2nd Degree and Resisting Arrest.

According to court records, Raytown police were dispatched on a reported domestic disturbance in an apartment on Raytown Road. Upon arrival police heard a man yell, "'I'm going to beat your ass again." 

Officers knocked on the door and announced their presence. The defendant cracked the door open and told the police officer to go away. 

Other officers arrived after the defendant continued to refuse to open the door. They took the defendant into custody and were walking him down stairs in the apartment complex when the defendant lunged and pushed into the officer, causing the officer to fall down the stairs and break his ankle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674915210555.png" alt="McGill-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>McGill-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in an assault of a police officer after the defendant caused the officer to fall down stairs and break an ankle, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Twann J. McGill Jr. 42,, faces Assault 2nd Degree and Resisting Arrest.According to court records, Raytown police were dispatched on a reported domestic disturbance in an apartment on Raytown Road. Upon arrival police heard a man yell, "'I'm going to beat your ass again." Officers knocked on the door and announced their presence. The defendant cracked the door open and told the police officer to go away. Other officers arrived after the defendant continued to refuse to open the door. They took the defendant into custody and were walking him down stairs in the apartment complex when the defendant lunged and pushed into the officer, causing the officer to fall down the stairs and break his ankle.

KC man pushed police officer down stairs, broke his ankle

PHILLIPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a meth lab.

On Monday, deputies made an arrest in connection to a search warrant executed on July 16, 2022, in the 800 block of Third Avenue West in Glade, Kansas, according to a media release from the Phillips Co. Sheriff.

During the execution of the search warrant, items were located that indicated they may be components of a methamphetamine lab. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Clandestine Laboratory Response Team responded and collected the items of concern. Those items were transported to the KBI for analysis which revealed they were, as suspected, meth lab components.

On Monday, deputies served an arrest warrant on Jimmie C. Lamb, 40, Glade, and took him into custody without incident.

Lamb was arrested on suspicion of unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Lamb is being held in the Phillips County jail with a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675194629717.png" alt="-Lamb / Phillips County photo" />
 <figcaption>-Lamb / Phillips County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a meth lab.On Monday, deputies made an arrest in connection to a search warrant executed on July 16, 2022, in the 800 block of Third Avenue West in Glade, Kansas, according to a media release from the Phillips Co. Sheriff.During the execution of the search warrant, items were located that indicated they may be components of a methamphetamine lab. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Clandestine Laboratory Response Team responded and collected the items of concern. Those items were transported to the KBI for analysis which revealed they were, as suspected, meth lab components.On Monday, deputies served an arrest warrant on Jimmie C. Lamb, 40, Glade, and took him into custody without incident.Lamb was arrested on suspicion of unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lamb is being held in the Phillips County jail with a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

KBI confirms deputies found a meth lab in northwest Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators in Kansas are focusing on helping conservative parents remove their children from public schools over what's taught about gender and sexuality rather than pursuing a version of what critics call Florida's “Don't Say Gay” law.

A proposal to allow parents to use state tax dollars to pay for private or home schooling was to be available online Tuesday, a day after a committee on K-12 spending introduced the measure in the House.

The introduction comes as funding and lesson plans for public schools have become hot button issues for conservative politicians nationwide.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-florida-nebraska-kim-reynolds-iowa-1fdab7c898730873b8c3b880223c5306">Lawmakers in Iowa</a>&nbsp;approved a similar law last week and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-state-government-arizona-iowa-south-carolina-kansas-091e6094fcea2852ec279fedf11759d8">at least a dozen states</a>&nbsp;are considering similar legislation.

Funneling public funds toward private schools is not a new idea, but it picked up fresh steam following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic partly because of parents' concerns over masks and vaccines. The issue also has been driven by opposition to how some schools conduct lessons about topics such as gender, sexuality and race.

Critics of the bills say they siphon much-needed money away from public schools.

When Kansas' Republican-controlled Legislature opened its annual session earlier this month, GOP leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-city-state-government-gender-7f11f63aaf26e193aa9d30d935747002">planned to tackle</a>&nbsp;what Senate President Ty Masterson called “the sexualized woke agenda” in how public schools discuss sexuality and gender identity.

Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wanted to pursue a measure that would spell out what schools could teach or discuss on those topics by grade level, much like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-dont-say-gay-law-signed-56aee61f075a12663f25990c7b31624d">the Florida law</a>&nbsp;enacted last year.

But last week when he was asked about such a measure, Masterson appeared to shift direction: “We're talking about school choice.” He told The Associated Press on Monday: “Probably the only way to ultimately handle it, right, is to have choices for parents."

The proposal introduced in the House is the brainchild of its K-12 spending committee chair, state Rep. Kristey Williams, another Wichita-area Republican. She said she hopes to hold hearings next week.

Her bill would allow parents to apply to set up a state-sponsored education savings account for each of their children, with the state setting aside the current amount of its base aid per student for public schools. That's $5,103 for the 2023-24 school year, an amount that would increase as the state boosts its aid. Parents would receive 95% and the state would use the rest to cover administrative costs.

Kansas already grants income tax credits for donations to funds providing scholarships so academically at-risk students can attend private schools, which is a program Republican lawmakers want to expand. But across the U.S., conservative lawmakers argue tax dollars should be tied to students, not “systems.”

Williams also called her plan “the perfect answer” for parents frustrated over what public schools teach about gender, sexuality or the influence of racism in U.S. history. Currently, she said, parents can't change schools unless they can afford the extra costs.

“But with choice, it gives freedom to choose the best and most appropriate education, the best and most appropriate type of environment," she said.

Public education groups and Democratic lawmakers argue that such proposals will take money away from the state's K-12 schools for the benefit of private and home schools. They reject Masterson's characterization of public schools as becoming "factories for a radical social agenda,” and argue that GOP conservatives are trying to dismantle public education.

State Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Kansas City-area Democrat whose wife serves on a local school board, said public schools help build communities.

“That's the fabric of our nation,” Ousley said.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-kansas-144e13fa12a3ef79ae4a1dab5aee34a0">strongly opposes</a>&nbsp;a plan such as the one introduced in the House. Her big education initiative is phasing in a 61% increase over five years in spending on public K-12 programs for students with special needs.

Republicans have legislative supermajorities that would allow them to override a Kelly veto, though GOP leaders have found it difficult to keep Republicans united on education issues.

Meanwhile, advocates of private and home schooling argue that parents want more choices because they have been unhappy with remote schooling during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fallon Love, a Wichita resident who handles finances for restaurants in multiple states, has enrolled her 7-year-old son as a second grader at the Urban Preparatory Academy, run by the non-denominational Christian Faith Center in Wichita.

Love said she likes the academy's “intimate” learning environment and feels her son is learning positive character traits while getting opportunities like a trip last week to the Statehouse for a school choice rally.

“There are a lot of parents that aren’t fortunate to be able to decide where their kids go,” she said after that rally. “Everybody should have the right to decide where they want their child to go to get the best education.”

Wade Moore, one of the church's bishops, told the crowd at the rally that a school-choice law like the one in Iowa allows parents to avoid “crazy stuff” in public schools. After the rally, he said he meant both violence, such as fighting, and issues such as which bathrooms and locker rooms transgender students can use.

“A lot of these things are being forced upon children, upon families," he said after the rally.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675165502145.jpeg" alt="Private and home school students, their parents and advocates crowed part of the second floor of the Kansas Statehouse for a rally for giving parents tax dollars earmarked for public schools and allowing them to spend it how they choose on education, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Topeka, Kan.. Years of pandemic restrictions and curriculum battles have emboldened a push from Republican lawmakers and school choice advocates to funnel public funds to private and religious schools in at least a dozen statehouses. (AP Photo/John Hanna)" />
 <figcaption>Private and home school students, their parents and advocates crowed part of the second floor of the Kansas Statehouse for a rally for giving parents tax dollars earmarked for public schools and allowing them to spend it how they choose on education, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Topeka, Kan.. Years of pandemic restrictions and curriculum battles have emboldened a push from Republican lawmakers and school choice advocates to funnel public funds to private and religious schools in at least a dozen statehouses. (AP Photo/John Hanna)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators in Kansas are focusing on helping conservative parents remove their children from public schools over what's taught about gender and sexuality rather than pursuing a version of what critics call Florida's “Don't Say Gay” law.A proposal to allow parents to use state tax dollars to pay for private or home schooling was to be available online Tuesday, a day after a committee on K-12 spending introduced the measure in the House.The introduction comes as funding and lesson plans for public schools have become hot button issues for conservative politicians nationwide.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-florida-nebraska-kim-reynolds-iowa-1fdab7c898730873b8c3b880223c5306">Lawmakers in Iowa</a>&nbsp;approved a similar law last week and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-state-government-arizona-iowa-south-carolina-kansas-091e6094fcea2852ec279fedf11759d8">at least a dozen states</a>&nbsp;are considering similar legislation.Funneling public funds toward private schools is not a new idea, but it picked up fresh steam following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic partly because of parents' concerns over masks and vaccines. The issue also has been driven by opposition to how some schools conduct lessons about topics such as gender, sexuality and race.Critics of the bills say they siphon much-needed money away from public schools.When Kansas' Republican-controlled Legislature opened its annual session earlier this month, GOP leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-city-state-government-gender-7f11f63aaf26e193aa9d30d935747002">planned to tackle</a>&nbsp;what Senate President Ty Masterson called “the sexualized woke agenda” in how public schools discuss sexuality and gender identity.Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said he wanted to pursue a measure that would spell out what schools could teach or discuss on those topics by grade level, much like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-dont-say-gay-law-signed-56aee61f075a12663f25990c7b31624d">the Florida law</a>&nbsp;enacted last year.But last week when he was asked about such a measure, Masterson appeared to shift direction: “We're talking about school choice.” He told The Associated Press on Monday: “Probably the only way to ultimately handle it, right, is to have choices for parents."The proposal introduced in the House is the brainchild of its K-12 spending committee chair, state Rep. Kristey Williams, another Wichita-area Republican. She said she hopes to hold hearings next week.Her bill would allow parents to apply to set up a state-sponsored education savings account for each of their children, with the state setting aside the current amount of its base aid per student for public schools. That's $5,103 for the 2023-24 school year, an amount that would increase as the state boosts its aid. Parents would receive 95% and the state would use the rest to cover administrative costs.Kansas already grants income tax credits for donations to funds providing scholarships so academically at-risk students can attend private schools, which is a program Republican lawmakers want to expand. But across the U.S., conservative lawmakers argue tax dollars should be tied to students, not “systems.”Williams also called her plan “the perfect answer” for parents frustrated over what public schools teach about gender, sexuality or the influence of racism in U.S. history. Currently, she said, parents can't change schools unless they can afford the extra costs.“But with choice, it gives freedom to choose the best and most appropriate education, the best and most appropriate type of environment," she said.Public education groups and Democratic lawmakers argue that such proposals will take money away from the state's K-12 schools for the benefit of private and home schools. They reject Masterson's characterization of public schools as becoming "factories for a radical social agenda,” and argue that GOP conservatives are trying to dismantle public education.State Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Kansas City-area Democrat whose wife serves on a local school board, said public schools help build communities.“That's the fabric of our nation,” Ousley said.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-kansas-144e13fa12a3ef79ae4a1dab5aee34a0">strongly opposes</a>&nbsp;a plan such as the one introduced in the House. Her big education initiative is phasing in a 61% increase over five years in spending on public K-12 programs for students with special needs.Republicans have legislative supermajorities that would allow them to override a Kelly veto, though GOP leaders have found it difficult to keep Republicans united on education issues.Meanwhile, advocates of private and home schooling argue that parents want more choices because they have been unhappy with remote schooling during the coronavirus pandemic.Fallon Love, a Wichita resident who handles finances for restaurants in multiple states, has enrolled her 7-year-old son as a second grader at the Urban Preparatory Academy, run by the non-denominational Christian Faith Center in Wichita.Love said she likes the academy's “intimate” learning environment and feels her son is learning positive character traits while getting opportunities like a trip last week to the Statehouse for a school choice rally.“There are a lot of parents that aren’t fortunate to be able to decide where their kids go,” she said after that rally. “Everybody should have the right to decide where they want their child to go to get the best education.”Wade Moore, one of the church's bishops, told the crowd at the rally that a school-choice law like the one in Iowa allows parents to avoid “crazy stuff” in public schools. After the rally, he said he meant both violence, such as fighting, and issues such as which bathrooms and locker rooms transgender students can use.“A lot of these things are being forced upon children, upon families," he said after the rally.___

'School choice' is culture-war focus for Kansas lawmakers

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a homicide at a home in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 9:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a medical emergency in the 400 Block of SW Tyler Street, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.

First responders found one victim, later identified as 48-year-old Jeremy Neal of Topeka, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, Police arrested Skyler J.M. Wilson, 33, Topeka on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, according to Lt. Stanley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675030639545.png" alt="Police tape at the scene of the homicide investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police tape at the scene of the homicide investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a homicide at a home in Topeka have made an arrest.Just before 9:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a medical emergency in the 400 Block of SW Tyler Street, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.First responders found one victim, later identified as 48-year-old Jeremy Neal of Topeka, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675175589206.png" alt="Wilson-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Wilson-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result of the investigation, Police arrested Skyler J.M. Wilson, 33, Topeka on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, according to Lt. Stanley.

Police arrest suspect in weekend murder at Kansas home

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating skimmers on gas pumps at Casey's in Oxford Kansas, according to a statement from the Sumner County Sheriff.

The skimming device is used to capture the magnetic strip containing a customer's personal information, name and credit card number.

&nbsp;According to the sheriff, "it is unknown which pumps had the skimmers. They were placed on the inside of the gas pumps as well as the outside. "Please be cautious when paying at the pump with your debit card/credit card." "If you see the security seal has been broken or the lock on the pump has been tampered with, we suggest you do not pay at the pump, go inside and pay or just find another gas station." Anyone who was a victim in Oxford is asked to contact the Oxford Police Department to make a police report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675188505903.png" alt="photo Sumner County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>photo Sumner County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating skimmers on gas pumps at Casey's in Oxford Kansas, according to a statement from the Sumner County Sheriff.The skimming device is used to capture the magnetic strip containing a customer's personal information, name and credit card number.&nbsp;According to the sheriff, "it is unknown which pumps had the skimmers. They were placed on the inside of the gas pumps as well as the outside. "Please be cautious when paying at the pump with your debit card/credit card." "If you see the security seal has been broken or the lock on the pump has been tampered with, we suggest you do not pay at the pump, go inside and pay or just find another gas station." Anyone who was a victim in Oxford is asked to contact the Oxford Police Department to make a police report.

Sheriff: Skimmer found on another gas pump in Kansas

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-31/kansas-might-tighten-criminal-penalties-for-kids-after-loosening-them-six-years-ago">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Christina Smith says her son has threatened to kill her.

Smith
 was recovering from knee surgery when her child threw her against a 
wall because he didn’t want to go back to a psychiatric ward. She tried 
to call 911, but her son took her phone. Police have been to her house 
before, yet Smith said they didn’t do anything meaningful.

She 
testified to lawmakers earlier this month that efforts to reform the 
state’s juvenile justice system through Senate Bill 367 six years ago 
amounted to good intentions that came with some unintended, and often 
frustrating, consequences.

Critics of the existing law essentially
 argue that it’s become too hard to handle problem kids by ruling out 
penalties — including locking them up — that might be necessary even 
with children.

“We tried every service from therapy, mental health
 services, medication and the (serious emotional disturbance) waiver,” 
she said.

The law tried to spare kids from getting locked up so often but it also allowed kids to avoid treatment.

Smith
 and others said the law went too far in some ways that have made it 
harder to control, and help, children battling through serious 
behavioral and mental health problems.

“Bill 367 allows grace for 
juveniles that make mistakes,” she said, “but the law has put me in 
danger more times than I can count.”

Now, lawmakers are trying to 
retool the law to bring back more penalties for children who commit 
crimes. Supporters of the bill said it brings back accountability. 
Opponents see it as unforgiving and regressive.

Yet state Rep. 
Carl Maughan, a Colwich Republican, called SB 367 an “unmitigated 
disaster” and called for it to be repealed and completely reworked.

“I'm
 not in the camp of just lock them all up,” Maughan said. “But the 
current system under 367 is clearly not working and this tinkering 
around the edges seems to be a problem.”

Both supporters and opponents of the bill generally agreed on a need to find alternatives to criminal detention.

Lawmakers
 are pushing forward with expanding access to juvenile crisis centers. 
They would keep kids in mental health crises out of detention facilities
 and get them psychiatric help. They are generally a short-term 
solution. A bill offering a slight tweak in state law would allow those 
centers to accept children with behavioral health problems rather than 
just kids with mental health needs.

Behavioral health still 
includes mental health, but it would allow centers to take in children 
without a psychiatric diagnosis. Kansas has a pool of money set aside to
 help create the centers, but <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-11/kansas-has-millions-of-dollars-to-spend-on-youth-crisis-centers-but-no-ones-using-it" target="_blank">the $6 million has remained untouched for over five years.</a>

The
 bill would allow for kids to be detained on probation violations for 24
 hours for a first offense, 48 hours for a second offense and up to 15 
days for a third or subsequent offense — even if those offenses were 
technical violations or falling into contempt of court.

It also doubles the time a juvenile can be detained per case, bumping it up to 90 days.

Jen
 Christie, who has two decades of criminal justice experience, opposed 
the bill and said putting kids in detention is counterproductive. She 
said youth who were detained were 11% more likely to drop out of school,
 twice as likely to need public assistance and that 24% of kids detained
 in Oregon were suicidal.

She said involvement in the criminal 
justice system only makes someone more likely to interact with it again.
 She worries detention for probation violations will trip kids up 
unnecessarily.

“Detaining someone causes trauma,” Christie said. 
“It causes psychological damage. It causes mental health damage, and it 
does not improve situations.”

Mike Fonkert, campaign director for 
the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, said the bill will mean
 more Kansas kids being locked up.

Fonkert said he would support 
the change in law if it removed its provisions around detention. The 
bill frees up money to invest in more kids, expands behavioral services 
and makes the Department for Children and Families and Kansas Department
 of Corrections work more closely together — including the ability to 
share confidential information.

Fonkert said the bill throws 
together too many changes. He wants to see language around detention 
taken and studied more closely.

“Look at facts, evidence and the wide breadth of research that exists on these topics,” he said.

Fonkert
 said the changes approved six years ago are working. A vast majority of
 kids — as high as 90% in one estimation — get community programming. 
But there is growing concern that children are being left out.

Changing
 state law to bring more penalties has support from district attorneys, 
judges and multiple foster care agencies. They told legislators that 
youth justice reform brought by Senate Bill 367 has created inadvertent 
gaps in the state’s response to behavioral health and the youth justice 
system.

Supporters of the bill said kids have too few 
consequences, are less likely to enroll in services that can help – like
 substance abuse treatment – and even face a higher risk of being 
charged as adults.

They argue the existing law and its limits on 
the amount of time they can be disciplined — locked up or some other 
consequence — is too soft. That, they say, can prompt kids to laugh off 
possible penalties.

Linda Bass, president of foster care agency 
KVC Kansas, told lawmakers earlier this month previous legislation 
shifted problems from the criminal justice system to the foster care 
system.

She said staff and foster homes didn’t get the right 
training. Bass said group homes bring poor health and life outcomes for 
kids and foster care placements can lack the structure and stability of 
the criminal justice system.

“Child welfare was not prepared for the influx of these children,” Bass said.

Around
 11% of youth sent to KVC Kansas have behavioral problems that would 
have been addressed by the youth justice system before the passage of 
the new law six years ago. Those kids are coming in with needs that 
exceed what some families can provide, said Angela Hedrick, vice 
president of operations for KVC Kansas.

KVC is offering additional
 support to foster families, but some are still burned out and could opt
 not to renew their licenses rather than look after kids that would 
otherwise have been in a juvenile jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675175890082.png" alt="A group of people walking at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A group of people walking at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-31/kansas-might-tighten-criminal-penalties-for-kids-after-loosening-them-six-years-ago">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Christina Smith says her son has threatened to kill her.Smith
 was recovering from knee surgery when her child threw her against a 
wall because he didn’t want to go back to a psychiatric ward. She tried 
to call 911, but her son took her phone. Police have been to her house 
before, yet Smith said they didn’t do anything meaningful.She 
testified to lawmakers earlier this month that efforts to reform the 
state’s juvenile justice system through Senate Bill 367 six years ago 
amounted to good intentions that came with some unintended, and often 
frustrating, consequences.Critics of the existing law essentially
 argue that it’s become too hard to handle problem kids by ruling out 
penalties — including locking them up — that might be necessary even 
with children.“We tried every service from therapy, mental health
 services, medication and the (serious emotional disturbance) waiver,” 
she said.The law tried to spare kids from getting locked up so often but it also allowed kids to avoid treatment.Smith
 and others said the law went too far in some ways that have made it 
harder to control, and help, children battling through serious 
behavioral and mental health problems.“Bill 367 allows grace for 
juveniles that make mistakes,” she said, “but the law has put me in 
danger more times than I can count.”Now, lawmakers are trying to 
retool the law to bring back more penalties for children who commit 
crimes. Supporters of the bill said it brings back accountability. 
Opponents see it as unforgiving and regressive.Yet state Rep. 
Carl Maughan, a Colwich Republican, called SB 367 an “unmitigated 
disaster” and called for it to be repealed and completely reworked.“I'm
 not in the camp of just lock them all up,” Maughan said. “But the 
current system under 367 is clearly not working and this tinkering 
around the edges seems to be a problem.”Both supporters and opponents of the bill generally agreed on a need to find alternatives to criminal detention.Lawmakers
 are pushing forward with expanding access to juvenile crisis centers. 
They would keep kids in mental health crises out of detention facilities
 and get them psychiatric help. They are generally a short-term 
solution. A bill offering a slight tweak in state law would allow those 
centers to accept children with behavioral health problems rather than 
just kids with mental health needs.Behavioral health still 
includes mental health, but it would allow centers to take in children 
without a psychiatric diagnosis. Kansas has a pool of money set aside to
 help create the centers, but <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-11/kansas-has-millions-of-dollars-to-spend-on-youth-crisis-centers-but-no-ones-using-it" target="_blank">the $6 million has remained untouched for over five years.</a>The
 bill would allow for kids to be detained on probation violations for 24
 hours for a first offense, 48 hours for a second offense and up to 15 
days for a third or subsequent offense — even if those offenses were 
technical violations or falling into contempt of court.It also doubles the time a juvenile can be detained per case, bumping it up to 90 days.Jen
 Christie, who has two decades of criminal justice experience, opposed 
the bill and said putting kids in detention is counterproductive. She 
said youth who were detained were 11% more likely to drop out of school,
 twice as likely to need public assistance and that 24% of kids detained
 in Oregon were suicidal.She said involvement in the criminal 
justice system only makes someone more likely to interact with it again.
 She worries detention for probation violations will trip kids up 
unnecessarily.“Detaining someone causes trauma,” Christie said. 
“It causes psychological damage. It causes mental health damage, and it 
does not improve situations.”Mike Fonkert, campaign director for 
the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, said the bill will mean
 more Kansas kids being locked up.Fonkert said he would support 
the change in law if it removed its provisions around detention. The 
bill frees up money to invest in more kids, expands behavioral services 
and makes the Department for Children and Families and Kansas Department
 of Corrections work more closely together — including the ability to 
share confidential information.Fonkert said the bill throws 
together too many changes. He wants to see language around detention 
taken and studied more closely.“Look at facts, evidence and the wide breadth of research that exists on these topics,” he said.Fonkert
 said the changes approved six years ago are working. A vast majority of
 kids — as high as 90% in one estimation — get community programming. 
But there is growing concern that children are being left out.Changing
 state law to bring more penalties has support from district attorneys, 
judges and multiple foster care agencies. They told legislators that 
youth justice reform brought by Senate Bill 367 has created inadvertent 
gaps in the state’s response to behavioral health and the youth justice 
system.Supporters of the bill said kids have too few 
consequences, are less likely to enroll in services that can help – like
 substance abuse treatment – and even face a higher risk of being 
charged as adults.They argue the existing law and its limits on 
the amount of time they can be disciplined — locked up or some other 
consequence — is too soft. That, they say, can prompt kids to laugh off 
possible penalties.Linda Bass, president of foster care agency 
KVC Kansas, told lawmakers earlier this month previous legislation 
shifted problems from the criminal justice system to the foster care 
system.She said staff and foster homes didn’t get the right 
training. Bass said group homes bring poor health and life outcomes for 
kids and foster care placements can lack the structure and stability of 
the criminal justice system.“Child welfare was not prepared for the influx of these children,” Bass said.Around
 11% of youth sent to KVC Kansas have behavioral problems that would 
have been addressed by the youth justice system before the passage of 
the new law six years ago. Those kids are coming in with needs that 
exceed what some families can provide, said Angela Hedrick, vice 
president of operations for KVC Kansas.KVC is offering additional
 support to foster families, but some are still burned out and could opt
 not to renew their licenses rather than look after kids that would 
otherwise have been in a juvenile jail.

Kansas considers tightening criminal penalties for kids

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the House side of Capitol Hill engages in a debt ceiling showdown with the Biden Administration, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is watching with interest.

"Joe Biden has maxed his credit card," Marshall said. "With his accelerated, reckless spending, he's already hit the debt limit that Congress approved several years ago. The treasurer cannot print any more bonds, borrow more money, without Congress saying yes, you can do that. This is our opportunity to force him to balance a budget."

Even with a Democrat majority in the Senate, Marshall still feels it's important for Republican senators to engage on the issue.

"It's our opportunity to say, if you want us to blow through this debt ceiling, then we need to figure out how much money we're going to spend this year and we can't keep doing what we've been doing," Marshall said. "We spent $475 billion last year on interest. Our long term national debt, the interest we are paying is the greatest threat America faces to our long term national security. When we're paying this much in interest, you have no money left to build roads and bridges, to put in high speed internet, to build new hospitals, all those types of things. This is our opportunity to address the issue."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is set to meet with the administration on Wednesday.

"He needs to know that the Senators have his back," Marshall said. "We will support him through this, that we are going to go to the mat with the President on this issue. We are willing to take on this problem now, because we think the long term consequences of this national debt to my grandchildren is worth having this fight today over. Why would we punt this down the road? I'm ready to take accountability and face the problem head on, right now."

The U.S. hit the current debt ceiling number almost two weeks ago

NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the House side of Capitol Hill engages in a debt ceiling showdown with the Biden Administration, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is watching with interest."Joe Biden has maxed his credit card," Marshall said. "With his accelerated, reckless spending, he's already hit the debt limit that Congress approved several years ago. The treasurer cannot print any more bonds, borrow more money, without Congress saying yes, you can do that. This is our opportunity to force him to balance a budget."Even with a Democrat majority in the Senate, Marshall still feels it's important for Republican senators to engage on the issue."It's our opportunity to say, if you want us to blow through this debt ceiling, then we need to figure out how much money we're going to spend this year and we can't keep doing what we've been doing," Marshall said. "We spent $475 billion last year on interest. Our long term national debt, the interest we are paying is the greatest threat America faces to our long term national security. When we're paying this much in interest, you have no money left to build roads and bridges, to put in high speed internet, to build new hospitals, all those types of things. This is our opportunity to address the issue."House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is set to meet with the administration on Wednesday."He needs to know that the Senators have his back," Marshall said. "We will support him through this, that we are going to go to the mat with the President on this issue. We are willing to take on this problem now, because we think the long term consequences of this national debt to my grandchildren is worth having this fight today over. Why would we punt this down the road? I'm ready to take accountability and face the problem head on, right now."The U.S. hit the current debt ceiling number almost two weeks ago

Marshall: Debt ceiling fight is "opportunity" for fiscal restraint

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/kansas-restaurant-industry-still-struggling-for-comeback-officials-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 —&nbsp; The restaurant industry statewide has been plagued by the ongoing 
COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and workforce shortages, with new issues 
making it difficult for restaurant owners to bounce back, officials have
 said.&nbsp;

During a Tuesday House Commerce, 
Labor and Economic Development Committee hearing, Kevin Timmons, 
restaurant owner and vice chair of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality
 Association, told lawmakers about his recent struggles with inflation.&nbsp;

“There’s a three-headed monster in 
manufacturing that’s facing restaurants, and it’s from packing beef to 
making plastics to everything we get overseas,” Timmons said. “It’s the 
raw costs, it’s the labor and it’s transportation costs, and this 
three-headed monster, although there’s been some deflation and we’re 
starting to get our arms around it, still has our industry in a flux.”&nbsp;

Timmons said employment levels had 
mostly bounced back from the pandemic, citing Kansas Department of Labor
 statistics from 2019. In 2019, the department listed a high of 114,034 
Accommodation and Food Services workers in a second-quarter census 
employment report. In 2020, that number dropped to 82,530. Currently, 
the industry has about 108,430 Kansan employees, 5% less than 
pre-pandemic levels, Timmons said.

While worker numbers have increased, 
Timmons estimated that there are 800 fewer licensed food establishments 
in Kansas, with many owners worried that their <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/10/restaurants-ask-for-property-tax-relief-from-kansas-counties-that-restricted-business/">businesses won’t see increased profitability</a> in 2023.&nbsp;

“As we reopened our doors, there was a
 different world ahead of us,” Timmons said. “Raw material and labor 
costs, fuel and transportation costs, and the looming everyday battle of
 fighting for everyday products left our industry somewhat decimated.”&nbsp;

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, 
D-Overland Park, questioned him about server wages, saying raising them 
would be a good way to find more staff.Clayton said the wage hasn’t been
 raised in years, and she knew firsthand the effect that low wages had 
on staff morale.

In Kansas, minimum wage for tipped 
employees is set at $2.13 an hour. Nearby states, such as Missouri, have
 drawn servers from Kansas by raising their tipped employee minimum 
wage. Missouri’s minimum wage for tipped employees is now $6 an hour.&nbsp;

Timmons said wage increases weren’t 
that important, and that he had seen servers come back to Kansas from 
Missouri because they cared about customer happiness.&nbsp;

“They’re in the business to make 
people happy,” Timmons said. “And the happier they make them, the more 
they make, and that’s what service is all about.”&nbsp;

Clayton said this wasn’t the case in her own experience.&nbsp;

“When I waited tables, I didn’t do it
 for personal fulfillment,” Clayton said. “I did it because I needed to 
go to college. And I needed money. People don’t wait tables to make 
people happy. They do work to make money.”&nbsp;

Lawmakers also asked Timmons about 
social factors being an issue for rising grocery costs. Rep. Kristey 
Williams, R-Augusta, said farmers in Netherlands were being pressured to
 reduce carbon emissions, which could potentially increase imported 
cheese prices, and the prices for other products.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Is this something all of us should 
be watching in terms of ESG, environment social governance?” Williams 
said. “Because if that can make such an impact in a couple areas, where 
do you think long-term that could play for the cost of these perimeter 
products?”

Timmons said corn and soy price inflation could be a factor in terms of rising restaurant costs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675112503865.png" alt="During a Tuesday meeting, lawmakers asked about rising restaurant costs and problems within the Kansas restaurant industry. Restaurant owner Kevin Timmons said inflation was impacting his business. (Screen Capture from Kansas Legislature Youtube page)" />
 <figcaption>During a Tuesday meeting, lawmakers asked about rising restaurant costs and problems within the Kansas restaurant industry. Restaurant owner Kevin Timmons said inflation was impacting his business. (Screen Capture from Kansas Legislature Youtube page)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/kansas-restaurant-industry-still-struggling-for-comeback-officials-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 —&nbsp; The restaurant industry statewide has been plagued by the ongoing 
COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and workforce shortages, with new issues 
making it difficult for restaurant owners to bounce back, officials have
 said.&nbsp;During a Tuesday House Commerce, 
Labor and Economic Development Committee hearing, Kevin Timmons, 
restaurant owner and vice chair of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality
 Association, told lawmakers about his recent struggles with inflation.&nbsp;“There’s a three-headed monster in 
manufacturing that’s facing restaurants, and it’s from packing beef to 
making plastics to everything we get overseas,” Timmons said. “It’s the 
raw costs, it’s the labor and it’s transportation costs, and this 
three-headed monster, although there’s been some deflation and we’re 
starting to get our arms around it, still has our industry in a flux.”&nbsp;Timmons said employment levels had 
mostly bounced back from the pandemic, citing Kansas Department of Labor
 statistics from 2019. In 2019, the department listed a high of 114,034 
Accommodation and Food Services workers in a second-quarter census 
employment report. In 2020, that number dropped to 82,530. Currently, 
the industry has about 108,430 Kansan employees, 5% less than 
pre-pandemic levels, Timmons said.While worker numbers have increased, 
Timmons estimated that there are 800 fewer licensed food establishments 
in Kansas, with many owners worried that their <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/10/restaurants-ask-for-property-tax-relief-from-kansas-counties-that-restricted-business/">businesses won’t see increased profitability</a> in 2023.&nbsp;“As we reopened our doors, there was a
 different world ahead of us,” Timmons said. “Raw material and labor 
costs, fuel and transportation costs, and the looming everyday battle of
 fighting for everyday products left our industry somewhat decimated.”&nbsp;Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, 
D-Overland Park, questioned him about server wages, saying raising them 
would be a good way to find more staff.Clayton said the wage hasn’t been
 raised in years, and she knew firsthand the effect that low wages had 
on staff morale.In Kansas, minimum wage for tipped 
employees is set at $2.13 an hour. Nearby states, such as Missouri, have
 drawn servers from Kansas by raising their tipped employee minimum 
wage. Missouri’s minimum wage for tipped employees is now $6 an hour.&nbsp;Timmons said wage increases weren’t 
that important, and that he had seen servers come back to Kansas from 
Missouri because they cared about customer happiness.&nbsp;“They’re in the business to make 
people happy,” Timmons said. “And the happier they make them, the more 
they make, and that’s what service is all about.”&nbsp;Clayton said this wasn’t the case in her own experience.&nbsp;“When I waited tables, I didn’t do it
 for personal fulfillment,” Clayton said. “I did it because I needed to 
go to college. And I needed money. People don’t wait tables to make 
people happy. They do work to make money.”&nbsp;Lawmakers also asked Timmons about 
social factors being an issue for rising grocery costs. Rep. Kristey 
Williams, R-Augusta, said farmers in Netherlands were being pressured to
 reduce carbon emissions, which could potentially increase imported 
cheese prices, and the prices for other products.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Is this something all of us should 
be watching in terms of ESG, environment social governance?” Williams 
said. “Because if that can make such an impact in a couple areas, where 
do you think long-term that could play for the cost of these perimeter 
products?”Timmons said corn and soy price inflation could be a factor in terms of rising restaurant costs.

Officials: Kan. restaurant industry still struggling for comeback

MIAMI COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Tuesday in Miami County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy K2500 driven by Jeffrey Boyd Owens, 46, Spring Hill was eastbound on 216th Street at U.S. 169. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign and was struck by a southbound 2020 Freightliner semi driven by Brent A. Cruse, 58, Parsons.

After impact, the pickup traveled off the right side of the roadway,&nbsp; burst into flames and Owens was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Eddie-Birchard Funeral Home.

Cruse was was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Owens was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

MIAMI COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Tuesday in Miami County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy K2500 driven by Jeffrey Boyd Owens, 46, Spring Hill was eastbound on 216th Street at U.S. 169. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign and was struck by a southbound 2020 Freightliner semi driven by Brent A. Cruse, 58, Parsons.After impact, the pickup traveled off the right side of the roadway,&nbsp; burst into flames and Owens was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Eddie-Birchard Funeral Home.Cruse was was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Owens was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dead after semi, pickup crash and fire

TOPEKA&nbsp;– As Kansas students continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Laura Kelly announced on Tuesday, the creation of the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which will provide qualifying parents and guardians with a one-time $1,000 award per child to pay for educational goods and services such as tutoring and school supplies, according to a statement from her office.

KEEP will open for application on February 22. Kansas businesses that provide educational materials or services are urged to join the KEEP Marketplace.

“With KEEP, we’re enabling Kansas students to access the resources and support they need to thrive in the classroom. I look forward to families being able to access these funds soon,"&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“In the meantime, I am calling on all Kansas businesses that provide education services to join the KEEP Marketplace and help our students live up to their highest potential.”

Students whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will be eligible for KEEP funds.

KEEP funds will be able to be used on enrichment and educational activities including:

The funds will not be eligible for private school tuition.

Parents and guardians may select enrichment and educational activities from approved service providers via the online KEEP Marketplace or request that a service provider be approved and added to the statewide directory.

Businesses that offer educational opportunities and services are encouraged to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist families and students. Businesses interested in becoming a provider on the KEEP Marketplace can apply to become a Qualified Education Service Provider on the program website:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMzEuNzA3MzYzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtlZXAua3MuZ292In0.1fS9uhRT_Arm_cDADA_g88Nxp5UCA3U_k9IDjNxk1Uo/s/1303160919/br/153714677645-l" target="_blank">www.keep.ks.gov</a>.

More information on how families can apply for, access, and use their funds is forthcoming and will be available in February when the KEEP application launches.

KEEP is being offered through a contract between&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMzEuNzA3MzYzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lcml0cy5jb20vIn0.Pc1luZBZJPdvBjlLannpn4PFqFsXzwCX2OA9BiQ2zu8/s/1303160919/br/153714677645-l" target="_blank">Merit International, Inc</a>. and the Kansas Office of Recovery, with the goal of providing educational activities and learning opportunities to students across Kansas to promote educational learning recovery in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624370595340.png" alt="Photo by Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– As Kansas students continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Laura Kelly announced on Tuesday, the creation of the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which will provide qualifying parents and guardians with a one-time $1,000 award per child to pay for educational goods and services such as tutoring and school supplies, according to a statement from her office.KEEP will open for application on February 22. Kansas businesses that provide educational materials or services are urged to join the KEEP Marketplace.“With KEEP, we’re enabling Kansas students to access the resources and support they need to thrive in the classroom. I look forward to families being able to access these funds soon,"&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“In the meantime, I am calling on all Kansas businesses that provide education services to join the KEEP Marketplace and help our students live up to their highest potential.”Students whose household income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will be eligible for KEEP funds.KEEP funds will be able to be used on enrichment and educational activities including:<ul>
 <li>​The purchase of curriculum and educational materials, including school supplies and certain allowed technological devices</li><li>Camps with academic-related curriculum such as music, arts, science, technology, agriculture, mathematics, and engineering</li><li>Tutoring</li><li>Language classes</li><li>Musical instruments and lessons</li>
 </ul>The funds will not be eligible for private school tuition.Parents and guardians may select enrichment and educational activities from approved service providers via the online KEEP Marketplace or request that a service provider be approved and added to the statewide directory.Businesses that offer educational opportunities and services are encouraged to join the KEEP Marketplace to assist families and students. Businesses interested in becoming a provider on the KEEP Marketplace can apply to become a Qualified Education Service Provider on the program website:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMzEuNzA3MzYzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtlZXAua3MuZ292In0.1fS9uhRT_Arm_cDADA_g88Nxp5UCA3U_k9IDjNxk1Uo/s/1303160919/br/153714677645-l" target="_blank">www.keep.ks.gov</a>.More information on how families can apply for, access, and use their funds is forthcoming and will be available in February when the KEEP application launches.KEEP is being offered through a contract between&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMzEuNzA3MzYzNTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lcml0cy5jb20vIn0.Pc1luZBZJPdvBjlLannpn4PFqFsXzwCX2OA9BiQ2zu8/s/1303160919/br/153714677645-l" target="_blank">Merit International, Inc</a>. and the Kansas Office of Recovery, with the goal of providing educational activities and learning opportunities to students across Kansas to promote educational learning recovery in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kan. offers $1,000 to help students recover from pandemic

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Cosmosphere announced a new Spring Break camp March 13-17, which gives 7th-12th&nbsp;graders the opportunity to train with an astronaut. Called “Spring into STEM,” the day camp provides training similar to what astronauts use to prepare for the extreme environments of space, including SCUBA instruction with astronaut Nicole Stott.

Stott previously came to the Cosmosphere in 2022 for educational activities and to sign her book, “Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet―And Our Mission to Protect It.” Stott completed two NASA space flights and is also an experienced aquanaut and a noted artist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675172927115.jpeg" alt="Nicole Stott / Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Nicole Stott / Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Cosmosphere announced a new Spring Break camp March 13-17, which gives 7th-12th&nbsp;graders the opportunity to train with an astronaut. Called “Spring into STEM,” the day camp provides training similar to what astronauts use to prepare for the extreme environments of space, including SCUBA instruction with astronaut Nicole Stott.Stott previously came to the Cosmosphere in 2022 for educational activities and to sign her book, “Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet―And Our Mission to Protect It.” Stott completed two NASA space flights and is also an experienced aquanaut and a noted artist.

7th-12th graders can train with an astronaut on spring break

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government's road safety agency is investigating complaints that windshield trim panels can fly off of Ford Explorers while they're traveling at highway speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 164 complaints about the trim pieces detaching on 2011 through 2019 Explorer SUVs. The probe covers about 1.86 million vehicles.

The parts could hit the windshield of following vehicles or even a motorcycle rider, possibly causing loss of control and a crash, the agency said.

The agency doesn't have any reports of crashes or injuries, according to a document posted Tuesday.

NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and the safety consequences of the trim pieces flying off the vehicles.

The investigation could lead to a recall, but so far there hasn't been one.

Ford says it’s working with NHTSA on the investigation.

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government's road safety agency is investigating complaints that windshield trim panels can fly off of Ford Explorers while they're traveling at highway speeds.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 164 complaints about the trim pieces detaching on 2011 through 2019 Explorer SUVs. The probe covers about 1.86 million vehicles.The parts could hit the windshield of following vehicles or even a motorcycle rider, possibly causing loss of control and a crash, the agency said.The agency doesn't have any reports of crashes or injuries, according to a document posted Tuesday.NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and the safety consequences of the trim pieces flying off the vehicles.The investigation could lead to a recall, but so far there hasn't been one.Ford says it’s working with NHTSA on the investigation.

US probes complaints of parts flying off of Ford Explorers

By SHERMAN SMITH, TIM CARPENTER and RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/analysis-show-kansas-chambers-flat-tax-proposal-costs-1-5b-favors-top-20-of-wage-earners/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Assessments by the Kansas budget director and an independent
 tax policy institute Monday showed the flat tax proposal by the Kansas 
Chamber would reduce the state budget by $1.5 billion per year and 
primarily benefit the state’s most affluent wage earners.

The Kansas Chamber, which wields substantial influence in the 
Statehouse, introduced a plan setting an individual income tax rate of 
5% for annual income above $15,000. Under current law, the state’s 
graduated individual income tax rates stand at 3.1% for income under 
$15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for 
income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing 
jointly.

In addition, the Kansas Chambers proposal, introduced in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2061/">House Bill 2061</a>&nbsp;and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb61/">Senate Bill 61,</a>
 would establish a 5% corporation tax rate on taxable income. The 
current assessments on corporate income in Kansas: 4% on taxable income 
with a 3% surtax on taxable income in excess of $50,000. The bill also 
would cut by more than 50% the surtax rate for banks, trusts and savings
 and loan associations.

Provisions in the bill also would create a procedure to allow 
individual and corporate income tax rates to decrease in future years.

Adam Proffitt, director of the state budget, released an evaluation 
of the bill’s financial impact on the state treasury. In the fiscal year
 starting July 1, the legislation would slash state revenue by $428 
million. In the second and third years, the reductions from current 
revenue would total $1.45 billion and $1.54 billion.

Those figures are consistent with an analysis from the <a target="_blank" href="https://itep.org/">Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy</a>, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides research on state and federal tax policies. Kansas Reflector asked ITEP for <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/KS-Flat-PIT-CIT_Results-1-23-23.xlsx">an analysis of the Kansas Chamber’s proposed legislation</a>.

ITEP estimated the top 1% of Kansas wage earners would see an average
 tax cut of $11,510, while the bottom 20% would receive a $192 tax cut 
under the Kansas Chamber’s plan.

Overall, the institute&nbsp;predicted 49% of the individual income tax 
reduction in the Kansas Chamber’s proposals would go to the richest 20% 
of Kansans. The bottom 20% of earners would receive 4.1% of the tax 
reduction.

“Kansas lawmakers have a well-documented history with irresponsible 
and regressive tax cuts,” said Dylan Grundman O’Neill, a senior analyst 
at ITEP. “Instead of prioritizing more tax cuts, they should instead 
help middle- and low-income Kansans by protecting state investments in 
key economic building blocks like good schools, safe roads and thriving 
communities.”

More than 80% of the business tax cut described in the Kansas 
Chamber’s bill would go to out-of-state shareholders of large 
corporations.

ITEP said the annual $1.5 billion price tag of the tax reform 
legislation would deplete the state’s current surplus and jeopardize 
state services in future years.

The tax proposal is among the Kansas Chamber’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/09/kansas-chambers-legislative-script-dives-into-tax-regulation-workforce-and-legal-issues/">&nbsp;top priorities this year in the Statehouse</a>.

Eric Stafford, the Kansas Chamber’s top lobbyist, said the 
organization’s legislative agenda, with heavy emphasis on tax policy, 
was designed to improve the state’s economy.

“We need to become more competitive,” Stafford said. “We need to 
grow. We need to attract more business investment. We need to attract 
individuals here. And, it’s not just necessarily income taxes. We’re the
 sixth-highest cellphone tax burden in the nation.”

Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat, said the state can’t afford the Kansas Chamber’s flat tax plan — “not even close.”

“I think it’s dead on arrival, or it should be dead on arrival,” Corson said.

Corson said the Kansas Chamber’s proposal would require the “gutting”
 of transportation funding, failing to meet obligations to the state 
employee retirement system, and not constitutionally funding public 
schools.

Instead, Corson said, tax policy should be focused “on the folks who need it,” meaning lower-income and middle class Kansans.

“We do have the ability to cut taxes,” Corson said. “Just like every 
other legislator in this building, I would love to tell my constituents 
that we are cutting their taxes. I think there is room in the budget to 
do it.”

Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the House Taxation 
Committee, said the state wouldn’t be able to afford a $1.5 billion 
budget cut unless all other tax cuts, including the continued reduction 
of the sales tax on food, were off the table.

“And even if that happened, budget cuts would also likely be needed to fund the income tax cut,” Smith said.

Smith said he supported the idea of implementing some form of flat 
tax to simplify the tax code and get rid of progressive tax policies 
that targeted wealthy Kansans. An alternative solution, he said, would 
be to try the flat tax rate at a higher percentage.

“If the 5% rate is not affordable all at once, perhaps we could adopt
 the flat rate concept at a higher rate to make it more affordable and 
work our way down to 5%? We’ll see what the economic outlook and data 
shows,” Smith said.

Smith also feels that Kansas needs to reduce its corporate tax rate in order to attract more businesses to Kansas.

“Not everyone is a Panasonic that can negotiate special incentives 
because they are so large,” Smith said. “We need small businesses in our
 state, too.”

Mike Pirner, spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, said 
Masterson favors a flat tax rate but hasn’t endorsed any specific 
legislation this session.

Masterson “has consistently voiced his support for structural reform 
that includes moving Kansas to a single rate, with sufficient exemptions
 so all taxpayers benefit,” Pirner said. “Lowering taxes on those making
 $15,000+ a year, by definition, is lowering taxes on middle-class 
families who have felt squeezed by inflation — whether it be on higher 
rent, higher gas prices, or more expensive trips to the grocery store.”

In the State of the State speech earlier this month, Gov. Laura Kelly
 proposed quickly eliminating the state’s 4% sales tax on groceries and 
raising the income tax exemption related to state taxation of Social 
Security benefits.

Kelly warned she wouldn’t sit idly while the 2023 Legislature pushed 
through tax cuts damaging to the state’s fiscal condition. She refreshed
 the memory of legislators to what happened in 2012 when then-Gov. Sam 
Brownback aggressively slashed state income taxes.

The result wasn’t a surge in economic development. Instead, the 
changes gutted the state treasury and brought on years of budget cuts. 
Under what Brownback referred to as a tax “experiment,” the state 
slashed agency services, took on debt, borrowed heavily from the highway
 fund, skipped payments to the state employee pension fund, shorted 
payments to foster care agencies and lowered funding for public schools 
to unconstitutional levels.

Brownback subsequently signed legislation blocking a scheduled 
reduction in the state sales tax from 6.3% to 5.7%, putting the rate at 
6.15% to resupply the treasury. In 2015, Brownback signed a bill hiking 
the state sales tax to 6.5%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675112661532.png" alt="In his assessment of the Kansas Chamber's flat tax proposal, state budget director Adam Proffitt calculated the annual cost to be about $1.5 billion when fully implemented. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>In his assessment of the Kansas Chamber's flat tax proposal, state budget director Adam Proffitt calculated the annual cost to be about $1.5 billion when fully implemented. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH, TIM CARPENTER and RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/30/analysis-show-kansas-chambers-flat-tax-proposal-costs-1-5b-favors-top-20-of-wage-earners/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Assessments by the Kansas budget director and an independent
 tax policy institute Monday showed the flat tax proposal by the Kansas 
Chamber would reduce the state budget by $1.5 billion per year and 
primarily benefit the state’s most affluent wage earners.The Kansas Chamber, which wields substantial influence in the 
Statehouse, introduced a plan setting an individual income tax rate of 
5% for annual income above $15,000. Under current law, the state’s 
graduated individual income tax rates stand at 3.1% for income under 
$15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for 
income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing 
jointly.In addition, the Kansas Chambers proposal, introduced in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2061/">House Bill 2061</a>&nbsp;and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb61/">Senate Bill 61,</a>
 would establish a 5% corporation tax rate on taxable income. The 
current assessments on corporate income in Kansas: 4% on taxable income 
with a 3% surtax on taxable income in excess of $50,000. The bill also 
would cut by more than 50% the surtax rate for banks, trusts and savings
 and loan associations.Provisions in the bill also would create a procedure to allow 
individual and corporate income tax rates to decrease in future years.Adam Proffitt, director of the state budget, released an evaluation 
of the bill’s financial impact on the state treasury. In the fiscal year
 starting July 1, the legislation would slash state revenue by $428 
million. In the second and third years, the reductions from current 
revenue would total $1.45 billion and $1.54 billion.Those figures are consistent with an analysis from the <a target="_blank" href="https://itep.org/">Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy</a>, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides research on state and federal tax policies. Kansas Reflector asked ITEP for <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/KS-Flat-PIT-CIT_Results-1-23-23.xlsx">an analysis of the Kansas Chamber’s proposed legislation</a>.ITEP estimated the top 1% of Kansas wage earners would see an average
 tax cut of $11,510, while the bottom 20% would receive a $192 tax cut 
under the Kansas Chamber’s plan.Overall, the institute&nbsp;predicted 49% of the individual income tax 
reduction in the Kansas Chamber’s proposals would go to the richest 20% 
of Kansans. The bottom 20% of earners would receive 4.1% of the tax 
reduction.“Kansas lawmakers have a well-documented history with irresponsible 
and regressive tax cuts,” said Dylan Grundman O’Neill, a senior analyst 
at ITEP. “Instead of prioritizing more tax cuts, they should instead 
help middle- and low-income Kansans by protecting state investments in 
key economic building blocks like good schools, safe roads and thriving 
communities.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675112741418.png" alt="Kansas Chamber lobbyist Eric Stafford outlines priorities that include a flat tax proposal during a recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast earlier this year. Stafford introduced legislation that would lower the income tax rate to 5% for all individuals. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Chamber lobbyist Eric Stafford outlines priorities that include a flat tax proposal during a recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast earlier this year. Stafford introduced legislation that would lower the income tax rate to 5% for all individuals. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>More than 80% of the business tax cut described in the Kansas 
Chamber’s bill would go to out-of-state shareholders of large 
corporations.ITEP said the annual $1.5 billion price tag of the tax reform 
legislation would deplete the state’s current surplus and jeopardize 
state services in future years.The tax proposal is among the Kansas Chamber’s <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/09/kansas-chambers-legislative-script-dives-into-tax-regulation-workforce-and-legal-issues/">&nbsp;top priorities this year in the Statehouse</a>.Eric Stafford, the Kansas Chamber’s top lobbyist, said the 
organization’s legislative agenda, with heavy emphasis on tax policy, 
was designed to improve the state’s economy.“We need to become more competitive,” Stafford said. “We need to 
grow. We need to attract more business investment. We need to attract 
individuals here. And, it’s not just necessarily income taxes. We’re the
 sixth-highest cellphone tax burden in the nation.”Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat, said the state can’t afford the Kansas Chamber’s flat tax plan — “not even close.”“I think it’s dead on arrival, or it should be dead on arrival,” Corson said.Corson said the Kansas Chamber’s proposal would require the “gutting”
 of transportation funding, failing to meet obligations to the state 
employee retirement system, and not constitutionally funding public 
schools.Instead, Corson said, tax policy should be focused “on the folks who need it,” meaning lower-income and middle class Kansans.“We do have the ability to cut taxes,” Corson said. “Just like every 
other legislator in this building, I would love to tell my constituents 
that we are cutting their taxes. I think there is room in the budget to 
do it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675112774203.png" alt="Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, says the Kansas Chamber’s flat tax plan should be considered “dead on arrival.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, says the Kansas Chamber’s flat tax plan should be considered “dead on arrival.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the House Taxation 
Committee, said the state wouldn’t be able to afford a $1.5 billion 
budget cut unless all other tax cuts, including the continued reduction 
of the sales tax on food, were off the table.“And even if that happened, budget cuts would also likely be needed to fund the income tax cut,” Smith said.Smith said he supported the idea of implementing some form of flat 
tax to simplify the tax code and get rid of progressive tax policies 
that targeted wealthy Kansans. An alternative solution, he said, would 
be to try the flat tax rate at a higher percentage.“If the 5% rate is not affordable all at once, perhaps we could adopt
 the flat rate concept at a higher rate to make it more affordable and 
work our way down to 5%? We’ll see what the economic outlook and data 
shows,” Smith said.Smith also feels that Kansas needs to reduce its corporate tax rate in order to attract more businesses to Kansas.“Not everyone is a Panasonic that can negotiate special incentives 
because they are so large,” Smith said. “We need small businesses in our
 state, too.”Mike Pirner, spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, said 
Masterson favors a flat tax rate but hasn’t endorsed any specific 
legislation this session.Masterson “has consistently voiced his support for structural reform 
that includes moving Kansas to a single rate, with sufficient exemptions
 so all taxpayers benefit,” Pirner said. “Lowering taxes on those making
 $15,000+ a year, by definition, is lowering taxes on middle-class 
families who have felt squeezed by inflation — whether it be on higher 
rent, higher gas prices, or more expensive trips to the grocery store.”In the State of the State speech earlier this month, Gov. Laura Kelly
 proposed quickly eliminating the state’s 4% sales tax on groceries and 
raising the income tax exemption related to state taxation of Social 
Security benefits.Kelly warned she wouldn’t sit idly while the 2023 Legislature pushed 
through tax cuts damaging to the state’s fiscal condition. She refreshed
 the memory of legislators to what happened in 2012 when then-Gov. Sam 
Brownback aggressively slashed state income taxes.The result wasn’t a surge in economic development. Instead, the 
changes gutted the state treasury and brought on years of budget cuts. 
Under what Brownback referred to as a tax “experiment,” the state 
slashed agency services, took on debt, borrowed heavily from the highway
 fund, skipped payments to the state employee pension fund, shorted 
payments to foster care agencies and lowered funding for public schools 
to unconstitutional levels.Brownback subsequently signed legislation blocking a scheduled 
reduction in the state sales tax from 6.3% to 5.7%, putting the rate at 
6.15% to resupply the treasury. In 2015, Brownback signed a bill hiking 
the state sales tax to 6.5%.The bulk of Brownback’s tax program was repealed by the 
Republican-led Legislature in 2017 over the GOP governor’s veto of the 
bill.“Let me make myself clear,” Kelly said, “I will stand against any 
irresponsible tax proposals that erode that foundation. We have been 
there before. We know where it leads. And we can’t go back. Not to debt.
 Crumbling roads. An overwhelmed foster care system. And perhaps most 
devastating of all, underfunded schools. We cannot go back to the days 
where financial irresponsibility here in Topeka robbed our Kansas 
students of opportunity.”