By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

Law enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.

The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.

Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.

All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.

The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382055631.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLaw enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382073662.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382093937.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

Students air-lifted to hospital after Nebraska school bus, semi crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.

Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.

Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.

Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.

Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.

“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”

A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.

Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.

Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”

Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.

Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.

Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.

Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.

The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.

One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.

In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.

New judge lets Christian boarding school stay open for now

By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-28/pandemic-spending-kansas-hospitals-health-insurance-more-expensive">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— Spending shot up at hospitals in the first 
year of the pandemic amid struggles to find workers and critical 
supplies. Kansas saw a particularly big jump — and residents may end up 
footing the bill.

Hospitals in the state spent an average of 
$2,228 per patient per day in 2020, a 13% jump from the year before. 
That outpaced the national spending increase, according to an <a href="https://quotewizard.com/news/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses" target="_blank">analysis</a> of American Health Association data by LendingTree.

“Hospitals
 have been facing longstanding financial issues even before the 
pandemic,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital 
Association. “And more recently, hospitals are not immune to the 
challenges created from the cost and the impact of the pandemic.”

Soaring
 costs for workers, prescription drugs and supplies like personal 
protective equipment fueled the spending surge, he said. Some of those 
issues, including a shortage of nurses and nursing assistants that have 
forced medical facilities to rely on expensive <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-22/kansas-nursing-homes-are-closing-because-they-cant-find-enough-workers" target="_blank">staffing agencies</a>, still remain.

“Some
 communities are still facing the same issues,” Austin said. “We are 
seeing some relief in other communities where the cost of staffing 
agencies has gone down slightly, but it’s still a significant portion of
 the overall operations of the hospital.”

Meanwhile, some patients
 were sitting in hospitals for days while they waited for room to open 
up at facilities that could treat them. Those <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/rural-hospitals-their-own-as-covid-19-surges-across-country-complicate-care" target="_blank">delays</a> in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-kansas-5ba0063b4c9fca95c043c9f5c03cb1cb" target="_blank">transferring</a> patients also cost hospitals more money.

“Because
 we have such a rural, diverse health care system,” said Cindy 
Samuelson, a senior vice president with the Kansas Hospital Association,
 “there were some challenges in finding places where people could go to 
get the right care that they needed.”

The spending boom could mean bigger bills for Kansans.

“Ultimately,”
 said senior LendingTree analyst Nick VinZant, who authored the report, 
“when we see hospital costs increase, that is going to be passed on down
 to people’s health insurance premiums.”

Between 2016 and 2020, 
health premiums in Kansas swelled 14% — slightly less than the national 
average, but still nearly double the rate of inflation during that 
period. The average Kansan paid $6,675 for health insurance in 2020.

And those numbers don’t yet reflect the pandemic-fueled hike in hospital spending.

“How
 long before this filters out to everybody is really the big question,” 
VinZant said. “That day might be coming for a lot of us.”

The state’s high rate of uninsured people — which, unlike most states’, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-16/kansas-health-insurance-coverage-pandemic-census-data" target="_blank">did not improve during</a>
 the pandemic despite special programs to boost coverage rates — could 
mean even bigger premium increases for people who are insured.

“We
 still have a large pool of uninsured patients in the state because we 
didn’t expand Medicaid,” said Donna Ginther, an economics professor at 
the University of Kansas. “When hospitals have a large number of 
uninsured patients, those costs get passed on to people with private 
insurance.”

Hospital expenses also offer an early window into the 
state of the health care industry as a whole. VinZant said higher costs 
there likely indicate higher costs across the board — which could 
compound insurance price hikes.

“If hospital expenses are going up
 this much, how much are other medical care costs also going up because 
of the pandemic?” said VinZant. “And then how much is that ultimately 
going to lead to an increase in your health insurance premiums?”

Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664374523125.png" alt=" David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-28/pandemic-spending-kansas-hospitals-health-insurance-more-expensive">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— Spending shot up at hospitals in the first 
year of the pandemic amid struggles to find workers and critical 
supplies. Kansas saw a particularly big jump — and residents may end up 
footing the bill.Hospitals in the state spent an average of 
$2,228 per patient per day in 2020, a 13% jump from the year before. 
That outpaced the national spending increase, according to an <a href="https://quotewizard.com/news/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses" target="_blank">analysis</a> of American Health Association data by LendingTree.“Hospitals
 have been facing longstanding financial issues even before the 
pandemic,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital 
Association. “And more recently, hospitals are not immune to the 
challenges created from the cost and the impact of the pandemic.”Soaring
 costs for workers, prescription drugs and supplies like personal 
protective equipment fueled the spending surge, he said. Some of those 
issues, including a shortage of nurses and nursing assistants that have 
forced medical facilities to rely on expensive <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-22/kansas-nursing-homes-are-closing-because-they-cant-find-enough-workers" target="_blank">staffing agencies</a>, still remain.“Some
 communities are still facing the same issues,” Austin said. “We are 
seeing some relief in other communities where the cost of staffing 
agencies has gone down slightly, but it’s still a significant portion of
 the overall operations of the hospital.”Meanwhile, some patients
 were sitting in hospitals for days while they waited for room to open 
up at facilities that could treat them. Those <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/rural-hospitals-their-own-as-covid-19-surges-across-country-complicate-care" target="_blank">delays</a> in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-kansas-5ba0063b4c9fca95c043c9f5c03cb1cb" target="_blank">transferring</a> patients also cost hospitals more money.“Because
 we have such a rural, diverse health care system,” said Cindy 
Samuelson, a senior vice president with the Kansas Hospital Association,
 “there were some challenges in finding places where people could go to 
get the right care that they needed.”The spending boom could mean bigger bills for Kansans.“Ultimately,”
 said senior LendingTree analyst Nick VinZant, who authored the report, 
“when we see hospital costs increase, that is going to be passed on down
 to people’s health insurance premiums.”Between 2016 and 2020, 
health premiums in Kansas swelled 14% — slightly less than the national 
average, but still nearly double the rate of inflation during that 
period. The average Kansan paid $6,675 for health insurance in 2020.And those numbers don’t yet reflect the pandemic-fueled hike in hospital spending.“How
 long before this filters out to everybody is really the big question,” 
VinZant said. “That day might be coming for a lot of us.”The state’s high rate of uninsured people — which, unlike most states’, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-16/kansas-health-insurance-coverage-pandemic-census-data" target="_blank">did not improve during</a>
 the pandemic despite special programs to boost coverage rates — could 
mean even bigger premium increases for people who are insured.“We
 still have a large pool of uninsured patients in the state because we 
didn’t expand Medicaid,” said Donna Ginther, an economics professor at 
the University of Kansas. “When hospitals have a large number of 
uninsured patients, those costs get passed on to people with private 
insurance.”Hospital expenses also offer an early window into the 
state of the health care industry as a whole. VinZant said higher costs 
there likely indicate higher costs across the board — which could 
compound insurance price hikes.“If hospital expenses are going up
 this much, how much are other medical care costs also going up because 
of the pandemic?” said VinZant. “And then how much is that ultimately 
going to lead to an increase in your health insurance premiums?”Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

Pandemic spending at Kan. hospitals could raise insurance cost

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor has indicated that he intends to try a woman for the third time in the killings of her ex-husband and his girlfriend two decades ago.

Dana Chandler is accused of killing 47-year-old Mike Sisco and his fiancee, 53-year-old Karen Harkness, in 2002 in Topeka.

Chandler's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-homicide-kansas-topeka-d06799f1d607eda29cf906502f202f9a">second trial</a>&nbsp;on two counts of first-degree murder ended in a hung jury last month.

Chandler, who has always maintained she was in Colorado when the murders occurred, was convicted in her first trial in 2012, but the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a7bf444f550144da85887405174fb2da">overturned that conviction</a>&nbsp;because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-supreme-court-topeka-crime-1b16fa5d53c75ecb1d863c4f9dbbe497">prosecutorial misconduct</a>.

In a court filing last week responding to a defense motion seeking an acquittal, Shawnee County Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt indicated prosecutors will try Chandler again, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/27/dana-chandler-third-murder-trial-shawnee-county-da-filing-argues/69522132007/">reported</a>.

Prosecutors contend that Chandler shot the victims because she was bitter and upset by her divorce from Sisco. They acknowledged they had little physical evidence tying her to the killings but said the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.

Chandler's attorneys argued that police did not investigate other potential suspects and conducted a sloppy investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592599404405.png" alt="Chandler -photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Chandler -photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor has indicated that he intends to try a woman for the third time in the killings of her ex-husband and his girlfriend two decades ago.Dana Chandler is accused of killing 47-year-old Mike Sisco and his fiancee, 53-year-old Karen Harkness, in 2002 in Topeka.Chandler's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-homicide-kansas-topeka-d06799f1d607eda29cf906502f202f9a">second trial</a>&nbsp;on two counts of first-degree murder ended in a hung jury last month.Chandler, who has always maintained she was in Colorado when the murders occurred, was convicted in her first trial in 2012, but the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a7bf444f550144da85887405174fb2da">overturned that conviction</a>&nbsp;because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-supreme-court-topeka-crime-1b16fa5d53c75ecb1d863c4f9dbbe497">prosecutorial misconduct</a>.In a court filing last week responding to a defense motion seeking an acquittal, Shawnee County Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt indicated prosecutors will try Chandler again, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/27/dana-chandler-third-murder-trial-shawnee-county-da-filing-argues/69522132007/">reported</a>.Prosecutors contend that Chandler shot the victims because she was bitter and upset by her divorce from Sisco. They acknowledged they had little physical evidence tying her to the killings but said the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.Chandler's attorneys argued that police did not investigate other potential suspects and conducted a sloppy investigation.

Kan. woman faces 3rd trial for killing ex-husband, his girlfriend

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-kansas-gop-governor-hayden-endorses-reelection-of-democrat-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Former Republican Gov. Mike Hayden endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Hayden, who served as the state’s governor from 1987 to 1991, joined 
former GOP Gov. Bill Graves and former Democratic Govs. Kathleen 
Sebelius and John Carlin in urging Kansans to vote for Kelly on Nov. 8.

“In 50 years in Kansas politics I’ve seen the good times 
and the bad,” Hayden said. “The affairs of Kansas are in good shape 
right now, and I credit the bipartisan approach of Governor Kelly.”

He said Kelly’s work as governor led to adoption of a 
multibillion-dollar highway and transportation program. He said state 
aid to K-12 public schools reached record levels and jobs were being 
created in the state’s economy. He touted passage of a law phasing out 
the state’s regressive 6.5% sales tax on groceries.

Kelly said she welcomed support from Hayden, who served as 
Kansas House speaker. The Vietnam veteran also was secretary of the 
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for two Democratic governors.

“Governing from the middle to bring both sides together is 
how I’ve always operated and it’s how we’ve been able to accomplish so 
much these past few years,” Kelly said. “I will always fight for what’s 
right for Kansas. Not for any one political party.”

Other Kansas Republicans endorsing Kelly include former 
U.S. Sen. Sheila Frahm, former Republican National Committeewoman Alicia
 Salisbury, former Attorney General Robert Stephan and former Insurance 
Commissioner Sandy Praeger.

Schmidt has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,
 former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike 
Pompeo and former Gov. Jeff Colyer. The list includes U.S. Sen. Roger 
Marshall and U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner and Ron Estes, all 
Republicans.

In addition, Schmidt earned support of five GOP governors —
 Florida’s Ron DeSantis, Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds,
 Missouri’s Mike Parson and Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664311569283.png" alt="Former Gov. Mike Hayden, a Republican who also served as Kansas House speaker, endorsed Democratic Gov. Laura’s Kelly’s reelection over Republican nominee Derek Schmidt, the state’s attorney general. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gov. Laura Kelly’s YouTube post)" />
 <figcaption>Former Gov. Mike Hayden, a Republican who also served as Kansas House speaker, endorsed Democratic Gov. Laura’s Kelly’s reelection over Republican nominee Derek Schmidt, the state’s attorney general. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gov. Laura Kelly’s YouTube post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-kansas-gop-governor-hayden-endorses-reelection-of-democrat-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Republican Gov. Mike Hayden endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.Hayden, who served as the state’s governor from 1987 to 1991, joined 
former GOP Gov. Bill Graves and former Democratic Govs. Kathleen 
Sebelius and John Carlin in urging Kansans to vote for Kelly on Nov. 8.“In 50 years in Kansas politics I’ve seen the good times 
and the bad,” Hayden said. “The affairs of Kansas are in good shape 
right now, and I credit the bipartisan approach of Governor Kelly.”He said Kelly’s work as governor led to adoption of a 
multibillion-dollar highway and transportation program. He said state 
aid to K-12 public schools reached record levels and jobs were being 
created in the state’s economy. He touted passage of a law phasing out 
the state’s regressive 6.5% sales tax on groceries.Kelly said she welcomed support from Hayden, who served as 
Kansas House speaker. The Vietnam veteran also was secretary of the 
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for two Democratic governors.“Governing from the middle to bring both sides together is 
how I’ve always operated and it’s how we’ve been able to accomplish so 
much these past few years,” Kelly said. “I will always fight for what’s 
right for Kansas. Not for any one political party.”Other Kansas Republicans endorsing Kelly include former 
U.S. Sen. Sheila Frahm, former Republican National Committeewoman Alicia
 Salisbury, former Attorney General Robert Stephan and former Insurance 
Commissioner Sandy Praeger.Schmidt has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,
 former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike 
Pompeo and former Gov. Jeff Colyer. The list includes U.S. Sen. Roger 
Marshall and U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner and Ron Estes, all 
Republicans.In addition, Schmidt earned support of five GOP governors —
 Florida’s Ron DeSantis, Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds,
 Missouri’s Mike Parson and Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts.

Former Kan. GOP governor endorses Kelly's re-election

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding farmers and 
ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell livestock because of 
drought conditions that they may have more time to replace their 
livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales.

Today, the IRS posted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-43.pdf">Notice 2022-43</a>PDF
 listing the applicable regions, a county or other jurisdiction, 
designated as eligible for federal assistance on IRS.gov. This includes 
44 states, two U.S. Territories and two independent nations in a Compact
 of Free Association with the United States. The relief generally 
applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on 
sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. Sales of 
other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting
 purposes, or poultry, are not eligible.

The sales must be solely due to drought, causing an area to be 
designated as eligible for federal assistance. Livestock generally must 
be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year 
period. The IRS is authorized to further extend this replacement period 
if the drought continues.

The one-year extension, announced in the notice, gives eligible 
farmers and ranchers until the end of their first tax year after the 
first drought-free year to replace the sold livestock. Details, 
including an example of how this provision works, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2006-39_IRB#NOT-2006-82">Notice 2006-82</a>.

The IRS provides this extension to eligible farmers and ranchers that
 qualified for the four-year replacement period, if the applicable 
region is listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought 
conditions during any week between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 
2022. This determination is made by the <a href="https://drought.unl.edu/">National Drought Mitigation Center</a>.

As a result, eligible farmers and ranchers whose drought-sale 
replacement period was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022, in most
 cases now have until the end of their next tax year to replace the sold
 livestock. Because the normal drought-sale replacement period is four 
years, this extension impacts drought sales that occurred during 2018. 
The replacement periods for some drought sales before 2018 are also 
affected due to previous drought-related extensions affecting some of 
these localities.

More information on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a>, available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding farmers and 
ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell livestock because of 
drought conditions that they may have more time to replace their 
livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales.Today, the IRS posted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-43.pdf">Notice 2022-43</a>PDF
 listing the applicable regions, a county or other jurisdiction, 
designated as eligible for federal assistance on IRS.gov. This includes 
44 states, two U.S. Territories and two independent nations in a Compact
 of Free Association with the United States. The relief generally 
applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on 
sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. Sales of 
other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting
 purposes, or poultry, are not eligible.The sales must be solely due to drought, causing an area to be 
designated as eligible for federal assistance. Livestock generally must 
be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year 
period. The IRS is authorized to further extend this replacement period 
if the drought continues.The one-year extension, announced in the notice, gives eligible 
farmers and ranchers until the end of their first tax year after the 
first drought-free year to replace the sold livestock. Details, 
including an example of how this provision works, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2006-39_IRB#NOT-2006-82">Notice 2006-82</a>.The IRS provides this extension to eligible farmers and ranchers that
 qualified for the four-year replacement period, if the applicable 
region is listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought 
conditions during any week between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 
2022. This determination is made by the <a href="https://drought.unl.edu/">National Drought Mitigation Center</a>.As a result, eligible farmers and ranchers whose drought-sale 
replacement period was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022, in most
 cases now have until the end of their next tax year to replace the sold
 livestock. Because the normal drought-sale replacement period is four 
years, this extension impacts drought sales that occurred during 2018. 
The replacement periods for some drought sales before 2018 are also 
affected due to previous drought-related extensions affecting some of 
these localities.More information on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a>, available on IRS.gov.

IRS continues relief to drought-stricken farmers, ranchers

PAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Kansas were notified this week that John Freeman Colt entered a Guilty plea in the Federal District Court of Utah to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. His sentencing in Federal Court is currently scheduled for October 27, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

On June 30, 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on September 27, 2021.

He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="Colt-photo Wayne County Utah" />
 <figcaption>Colt-photo Wayne County Utah</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Kansas were notified this week that John Freeman Colt entered a Guilty plea in the Federal District Court of Utah to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. His sentencing in Federal Court is currently scheduled for October 27, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625086515798.png" alt="Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On June 30, 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on September 27, 2021.He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

Escapee from Kan. sex offender program enters plea to federal charges

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking for help to identify a suspect who was reported to have been unlawfully taking photos of woman in changing rooms at an East Wichita department store, according to Wichita Police.

The incident occurred on September 7, at approximately 6:30 p.m.

If you recognize this person, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or download the free P3 app to submit an anonymous tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664327480395.png" alt="Photos Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking for help to identify a suspect who was reported to have been unlawfully taking photos of woman in changing rooms at an East Wichita department store, according to Wichita Police.The incident occurred on September 7, at approximately 6:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664327684619.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>If you recognize this person, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 or download the free P3 app to submit an anonymous tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward!

Police: Man took photos of women in changing rooms at Kan. store

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley acknowledges that some advocates of free speech care more about their political agenda that the actual concept of free speech.

Turley, this year’s Convocation on Critical Issues speaker at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, says that’s the nature of those who support free speech.

“As free speech advocates, we’re used to having unreliable allies,” Turley tells the news media prior to his speech. “Our allies always tend to be in the minority. When you’re in the minority, it’s when you get sensitive about free speech.”

Turley, also a legal analyst for Fox News, titled his speech “The Rise and Fall of Free Speech." He spoke Tuesday at the 28th annual R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues on the St. Joseph campus.

Turley tells media members he hopes this isn’t the fall of free speech in the country, but he does see troubling trends in society. Turley says American society seems to have become unmoored from the rights that define the United States, free speech being the most important. Turley asserts all the other rights Americans hold dear hinge on free speech.

A promising trend Turley sees is in the courts, which have consistently struck down speech codes as a violation of the First Amendment. The discouraging trend Turley sees is on college campuses.

Once bastions of free speech, universities have become campuses of intolerance, according to Turley. Free speech, Turley says, is targeted in times of rage, in times of tension. Turley says that universities once upheld the rights of free speech against those who wanted to silence certain voices.

“But there came a tipping point at universities about 20 years ago where suddenly we saw a pronounced decline in conservative and libertarian faculty,” Turley says. “Now, it’s the rule. A recent study came out that showed that Harvard’s faculty self-identifies; 83% self-identify as liberal or very liberal.”

And, he says that lack of diversity drives the current campus intolerance.

He says it has had a noticeable effect. Turley says some faculty now are cowered into silence, because they worry if they speak their mind, it will ruin their careers.

“If you’re tagged in one of these cancel campaigns, they will take everything that matters to an intellectual life away from you,” Turley says. “They’ll bar you from conferences. They’ll bar you, effectively, from publications. If you get tagged in one of those campaigns, you become radioactive.”

Turley says conservative faculty and conservative students must be willing to take the risk and speak up or free speech will die

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664300409099.jpeg" alt="George Washington law professor Jonathan Turley speaks to the news media prior to addressing the 28th annual R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>George Washington law professor Jonathan Turley speaks to the news media prior to addressing the 28th annual R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostGeorge Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley acknowledges that some advocates of free speech care more about their political agenda that the actual concept of free speech.Turley, this year’s Convocation on Critical Issues speaker at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, says that’s the nature of those who support free speech.“As free speech advocates, we’re used to having unreliable allies,” Turley tells the news media prior to his speech. “Our allies always tend to be in the minority. When you’re in the minority, it’s when you get sensitive about free speech.”Turley, also a legal analyst for Fox News, titled his speech “The Rise and Fall of Free Speech." He spoke Tuesday at the 28th annual R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues on the St. Joseph campus.Turley tells media members he hopes this isn’t the fall of free speech in the country, but he does see troubling trends in society. Turley says American society seems to have become unmoored from the rights that define the United States, free speech being the most important. Turley asserts all the other rights Americans hold dear hinge on free speech.A promising trend Turley sees is in the courts, which have consistently struck down speech codes as a violation of the First Amendment. The discouraging trend Turley sees is on college campuses.Once bastions of free speech, universities have become campuses of intolerance, according to Turley. Free speech, Turley says, is targeted in times of rage, in times of tension. Turley says that universities once upheld the rights of free speech against those who wanted to silence certain voices.“But there came a tipping point at universities about 20 years ago where suddenly we saw a pronounced decline in conservative and libertarian faculty,” Turley says. “Now, it’s the rule. A recent study came out that showed that Harvard’s faculty self-identifies; 83% self-identify as liberal or very liberal.”And, he says that lack of diversity drives the current campus intolerance.He says it has had a noticeable effect. Turley says some faculty now are cowered into silence, because they worry if they speak their mind, it will ruin their careers.“If you’re tagged in one of these cancel campaigns, they will take everything that matters to an intellectual life away from you,” Turley says. “They’ll bar you from conferences. They’ll bar you, effectively, from publications. If you get tagged in one of those campaigns, you become radioactive.”Turley says conservative faculty and conservative students must be willing to take the risk and speak up or free speech will die

Free speech is in danger, according to MWSU Convocation speaker

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to Salina Wednesday thanks to Pestinger Distributing!

Pestinger Distributing of Salina and Colby recently won the Anheuser-Busch Esteemed Ambassadors of Excellence Big Jake Award.&nbsp;One of the perks of winning the award is a local visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The Clydesdale team will be hitching up at Chuck's Bar, 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue in Salina at 5 p.m. Wednesday. They are scheduled to start their trek south on Santa Fe Avenue at 6 p.m., stopping along the way to deliver beer and photo opportunities at some of Pestinger Distribution's Santa Fe Avenue customers. The Clydesdale team is scheduled to conclude their trip at The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Mike Riemann, Pestinger Distributing's general manager, told Salina Post that "in order to achieve Ambassador status and earn the Big Jake Award, which is the highest company honor, a wholesaler must score gold proficiency three times in a five-year period. The Ambassador of Excellence award is given annually to distributors nationwide who perform at the highest level of sales execution, customer service, community involvement, environmental consciousness and the endorsement and engagement of responsible drinking programs.

Riemann said that currently, there are only 13 active Ambassadors in the nation out of more than 500 wholesalers.

Riemann said that the Clydesdale team will be hitching up at Chuck's Bar, 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue, at 5 p.m. Wednesday. They are scheduled to start their trek south on Santa Fe Avenue at 6 p.m., stopping along the way to deliver beer and photo opportunities at some of Pestinger Distribution's Santa Fe Avenue customers. The Clydesdale team is scheduled to conclude it's trip at The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Rieman said.

The following information about the Budweiser Clydesdales is courtesy the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PestingerBudweiser">Pestinger Distributing Facebook page</a>.

●The Clydesdale breed is about 200 years old, having originated along the banks of the River Clyde, in Scotland, in the early 19th century.

●The Budweiser Clydesdales and their red, white, and gold beer wagon, were first introduced to the public on April 7, 1933, as part of a surprise presentation brewers August Anheuser Busch, Jr. and brother Adolphus Busch made to their father to celebrate the end of Prohibition.

●All Budweiser Clydesdales are geldings and at least 4 years old.

●Size requirements: must be at least 18 hands (6 feet) high and weight between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds

●On average, each Budweiser Clydesdale consumes as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

●The harness and collar that each Budweiser Clydesdale wears weighs about 130 pounds.

●The combined weight of the horses, gear, drivers, and fully-loaded wagon is about 12 tons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664333027061.jpeg" alt="The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to Salina.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;Pestinger Distributing Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to Salina.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;Pestinger Distributing Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to Salina Wednesday thanks to Pestinger Distributing!Pestinger Distributing of Salina and Colby recently won the Anheuser-Busch Esteemed Ambassadors of Excellence Big Jake Award.&nbsp;One of the perks of winning the award is a local visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales.The Clydesdale team will be hitching up at Chuck's Bar, 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue in Salina at 5 p.m. Wednesday. They are scheduled to start their trek south on Santa Fe Avenue at 6 p.m., stopping along the way to deliver beer and photo opportunities at some of Pestinger Distribution's Santa Fe Avenue customers. The Clydesdale team is scheduled to conclude their trip at The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Mike Riemann, Pestinger Distributing's general manager, told Salina Post that "in order to achieve Ambassador status and earn the Big Jake Award, which is the highest company honor, a wholesaler must score gold proficiency three times in a five-year period. The Ambassador of Excellence award is given annually to distributors nationwide who perform at the highest level of sales execution, customer service, community involvement, environmental consciousness and the endorsement and engagement of responsible drinking programs.Riemann said that currently, there are only 13 active Ambassadors in the nation out of more than 500 wholesalers.Riemann said that the Clydesdale team will be hitching up at Chuck's Bar, 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue, at 5 p.m. Wednesday. They are scheduled to start their trek south on Santa Fe Avenue at 6 p.m., stopping along the way to deliver beer and photo opportunities at some of Pestinger Distribution's Santa Fe Avenue customers. The Clydesdale team is scheduled to conclude it's trip at The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Rieman said.About the Budweiser ClydesdalesThe following information about the Budweiser Clydesdales is courtesy the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PestingerBudweiser">Pestinger Distributing Facebook page</a>.●The Clydesdale breed is about 200 years old, having originated along the banks of the River Clyde, in Scotland, in the early 19th century.●The Budweiser Clydesdales and their red, white, and gold beer wagon, were first introduced to the public on April 7, 1933, as part of a surprise presentation brewers August Anheuser Busch, Jr. and brother Adolphus Busch made to their father to celebrate the end of Prohibition.●All Budweiser Clydesdales are geldings and at least 4 years old.●Size requirements: must be at least 18 hands (6 feet) high and weight between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds●On average, each Budweiser Clydesdale consumes as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.●The harness and collar that each Budweiser Clydesdale wears weighs about 130 pounds.●The combined weight of the horses, gear, drivers, and fully-loaded wagon is about 12 tons.

Budweiser Clydesdales will be in Salina Wednesday evening

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a large drug investigation in southwest Kansas.

Just after 1a.m. Saturday, police and members of the Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop in the 4100 block of E U.S. Highway 50 in Garden City, according to a media release.

After further investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, where officers located counterfeit oxycodone pills mixed with fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, identified as 29-year-old Cheyenne McGahan and two passengers 53-year-old April Williams and&nbsp; 46-year-old Steven Calhoun both from Garden City were taken into custody following the traffic stop.  

The Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force served a search warrant at Calhoun’s residence at 2914 N Fleming Street #210.

Through the entire investigation, officers seized as evidence from the traffic stop and Calhoun’s residence 991 counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl, 38.1 grams of Methamphetamine , 40 units of liquid Methamphetamine/Fentanyl, 22 units of Fentanyl&nbsp; and items indicative of the distribution and consumption of illegal narcotics

Calhoun and Williams were booking on requested charges of Distribution of Opiates/Fentanyl, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Stimulant, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

McGahan is being held on requested charges of Possession of Opiates, Possession of Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and two out of County Warrants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664309962436.png" alt="Fentanyl pills seized in the bust- Photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Fentanyl pills seized in the bust- Photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a large drug investigation in southwest Kansas.Just after 1a.m. Saturday, police and members of the Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop in the 4100 block of E U.S. Highway 50 in Garden City, according to a media release.After further investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, where officers located counterfeit oxycodone pills mixed with fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664309676129.png" alt="McGahan-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>McGahan-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, identified as 29-year-old Cheyenne McGahan and two passengers 53-year-old April Williams and&nbsp; 46-year-old Steven Calhoun both from Garden City were taken into custody following the traffic stop. The Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force served a search warrant at Calhoun’s residence at 2914 N Fleming Street #210.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664309625349.png" alt="Calhoun-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Calhoun-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the entire investigation, officers seized as evidence from the traffic stop and Calhoun’s residence 991 counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl, 38.1 grams of Methamphetamine , 40 units of liquid Methamphetamine/Fentanyl, 22 units of Fentanyl&nbsp; and items indicative of the distribution and consumption of illegal narcotics<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664310254170.png" alt="Williams-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Calhoun and Williams were booking on requested charges of Distribution of Opiates/Fentanyl, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Stimulant, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McGahan is being held on requested charges of Possession of Opiates, Possession of Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and two out of County Warrants.

Police arrest 3, make large fentanyl bust in southwest Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting have a suspect in custody.

Just before 7:30a.m. Sept. 21, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting the 1600 Block of SW Lane in Topeka, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.

At the scene, officers located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Late Monday, police reported as a result of their investigation they arrested 31-year-old Bo Thomas Shipley of Topeka on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Battery and&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664274881357.png" alt="Shipley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shipley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting have a suspect in custody.Just before 7:30a.m. Sept. 21, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting the 1600 Block of SW Lane in Topeka, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.At the scene, officers located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;Late Monday, police reported as a result of their investigation they arrested 31-year-old Bo Thomas Shipley of Topeka on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Battery and&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Police capture wanted Kansas shooting suspect

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Tuesday to speak to those attending the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) annual fall conference.

Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs. 

"That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," she said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."

Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future."

The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment.

"Credit also goes to KEDA and other forward-thinking leaders here in Kansas who have made it their shared goal to strengthen the economic future of our state," Kelly said. 

"I can't thank you all enough for your partnership and your commitment to our state's success," she added.

Kelly also noted that Kansas also has become "a highly sought after destination for companies looking for a new location to grow their businesses."

"For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"

Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase.

"It's a resounding validation that we're on the right track and our future is as bright as it has ever been. Kansas is truly officially open for business," Kelly said.

The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following it's Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021.

"It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.

Kelly said that none of the state's economic success has been possible without "the right people in place, sufficient housing, childcare, and quality education."

"We're working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. The main ways we're doing this are childcare expansion and affordable housing," she said. 

"This year, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding tax credits for businesses that provide childcare to employees, and I announced that my administration is giving a total of $53 million to eligible childcare staff at licensed facilities as a reward for their incredibly essential and hard work," Kelly said. 

"To reduce the price of housing, I worked to secure over $90 million in funding for housing throughout the state, and $100 million in incentives for communities to invest in diversifying and rehabilitating housing stock," she added.

Kelly noted that "without a strong education system in place, none of this is sustainable. That's why I am especially proud that we have achieved all of this while fully funding our schools."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664316359253.jpeg" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly speaks at the Kansas Economic Development Alliance annual conference in Salina Tuesday afternoon&nbsp;in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall at Tony's Pizza Events Center. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly speaks at the Kansas Economic Development Alliance annual conference in Salina Tuesday afternoon&nbsp;in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall at Tony's Pizza Events Center. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Tuesday to speak to those attending the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) annual fall conference.Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs. "That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," she said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future."The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment."Credit also goes to KEDA and other forward-thinking leaders here in Kansas who have made it their shared goal to strengthen the economic future of our state," Kelly said. "I can't thank you all enough for your partnership and your commitment to our state's success," she added.Kelly also noted that Kansas also has become "a highly sought after destination for companies looking for a new location to grow their businesses.""For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase."It's a resounding validation that we're on the right track and our future is as bright as it has ever been. Kansas is truly officially open for business," Kelly said.The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following it's Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021."It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.Kelly said that none of the state's economic success has been possible without "the right people in place, sufficient housing, childcare, and quality education.""We're working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. The main ways we're doing this are childcare expansion and affordable housing," she said. "This year, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding tax credits for businesses that provide childcare to employees, and I announced that my administration is giving a total of $53 million to eligible childcare staff at licensed facilities as a reward for their incredibly essential and hard work," Kelly said. "To reduce the price of housing, I worked to secure over $90 million in funding for housing throughout the state, and $100 million in incentives for communities to invest in diversifying and rehabilitating housing stock," she added.Kelly noted that "without a strong education system in place, none of this is sustainable. That's why I am especially proud that we have achieved all of this while fully funding our schools."

Governor lauds state's economic development during Salina speech

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex crime accusations.

On Monday, police arrested 25-year-old Aaron Langley-Dunning of El Dorado, Kansas, after an investigation into a cyber-tip, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alleging the sexual exploitation of children, according to a media release from El Dorado Police. Aaron was arrested on requested charges that include 43 counts of aggravated internet trading in child pornography, one count electronic solicitation, one count indecent solicitation of a child, and one count sexual exploitation of a child.

Langley-Dunning was arrested in Sumner County in January, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664288906289.png" alt="Langley-Dunning-photo El Dorado Police" />
 <figcaption>Langley-Dunning-photo El Dorado Police</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex crime accusations.On Monday, police arrested 25-year-old Aaron Langley-Dunning of El Dorado, Kansas, after an investigation into a cyber-tip, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alleging the sexual exploitation of children, according to a media release from El Dorado Police. Aaron was arrested on requested charges that include 43 counts of aggravated internet trading in child pornography, one count electronic solicitation, one count indecent solicitation of a child, and one count sexual exploitation of a child. Langley-Dunning was arrested in Sumner County in January, according to online jail records.

Cyber-tip leads to arrest of Kan. man for alleged child sex crimes

A Salina man was arrested after an aggravated burglary incident in southeast Salina early Monday evening.

Just after 6:30p.m., a 62-year-old Salina woman returned to her home on Red Fox Lane and heard a door at the back of the house slam shut, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

In her bedroom, she found items strewn about. The woman then went around to the front of the house and saw a skinny, balding white male who appeared to be in his late 20s or 30s. He was wearing a blue sweat suit. Other witnesses said he was wearing Adidas sweats with a white stripe down the side.

When the woman asked him what he was doing there, he told her he lived in the residence.

It appeared that approximately $20 worth of food had been eaten. Also, the woman's SIG Sauer 232 .380 caliber hand gun was missing. Additionally, a cellphone that did not belong to the woman was found in the residence.

Shortly after the woman's encounter with the alleged burglar, an officer located a person matching his description near the intersection of Manchester Road and E. Republic Avenue. Deputies arrested Christopher Garrison, 31, of Salina on requested charges of Aggravated burglary and Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664294279665.png" alt="Garrison -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Garrison -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man was arrested after an aggravated burglary incident in southeast Salina early Monday evening.Just after 6:30p.m., a 62-year-old Salina woman returned to her home on Red Fox Lane and heard a door at the back of the house slam shut, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.In her bedroom, she found items strewn about. The woman then went around to the front of the house and saw a skinny, balding white male who appeared to be in his late 20s or 30s. He was wearing a blue sweat suit. Other witnesses said he was wearing Adidas sweats with a white stripe down the side.When the woman asked him what he was doing there, he told her he lived in the residence.It appeared that approximately $20 worth of food had been eaten. Also, the woman's SIG Sauer 232 .380 caliber hand gun was missing. Additionally, a cellphone that did not belong to the woman was found in the residence.Shortly after the woman's encounter with the alleged burglar, an officer located a person matching his description near the intersection of Manchester Road and E. Republic Avenue. Deputies arrested Christopher Garrison, 31, of Salina on requested charges of Aggravated burglary and Theft.

Kansas woman finds burglary suspect outside her home

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a death during an incident at a Topeka area business on Saturday have identified the victim as 59-year-old Timothy Edward Cole, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Just after 8a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a medical call at the Goodyear Plant in the 1900 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway, according to Christian.

First responders learned that a Cole sustained life threatening injuries while working. The Soldier Township Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR - Topeka) responded to the scene as well. AMR transported the man to a local hospital where Cole was pronounced deceased.

He was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 28 years, according to<a href="https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/254646/Timothy-Cole/Dove-KS"> his obituary.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664064571829.png" alt="Goodyear Tire Plant -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Goodyear Tire Plant -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a death during an incident at a Topeka area business on Saturday have identified the victim as 59-year-old Timothy Edward Cole, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Just after 8a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a medical call at the Goodyear Plant in the 1900 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway, according to Christian.First responders learned that a Cole sustained life threatening injuries while working. The Soldier Township Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR - Topeka) responded to the scene as well. AMR transported the man to a local hospital where Cole was pronounced deceased.He was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 28 years, according to<a href="https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/254646/Timothy-Cole/Dove-KS"> his obituary.</a>

Sheriff IDs employee who died after incident at Kan. tire plant

WASHINGTON (AP) —A libertarian group in California filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">student debt cancellation</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, calling it an illegal overreach that would increase state tax burdens for some Americans who get their debt forgiven.

(Click below to listen to&nbsp;White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre)

The lawsuit, believed to be the first targeting Biden’s plan, was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento legal advocacy group. It was filed in federal court in Indiana, one of several states that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">plan to tax</a>&nbsp;any student debt canceled by Biden’s plan.

“Congress did not authorize the executive branch to unilaterally cancel student debt,” said Caleb Kruckenberg, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. He said it’s illegal for the executive branch to create the policy “by press release, and without statutory authority.”

The suit’s plaintiff is Frank Garrison, described as a public interest attorney who lives in Indiana and is employed by the libertarian group.

Garrison is on track to get his student debt erased through a separate federal program for public servants. Although most borrowers will need to apply for Biden’s plan, Garrison and many others in that program will automatically get the relief because the Education Department has their income information on file.

Biden’s plan would automatically cancel up to $20,000 of Garrison’s debt, which in turn would trigger an “immediate tax liability” from the state of Indiana, according to the suit. Under the debt forgiveness program he’s enrolled in now, canceled debt cannot be taxed.

“Mr. Garrison and millions of others similarly situated in the six relevant states will receive no additional benefit from the cancellation — just a one-time additional penalty,” the suit argues.

Any student debt forgiven under Biden’s plan would also be subject to state taxes in Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin, unless lawmakers in those states change their current laws.

Asked about the suit, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said anyone will be able to opt out of the cancellation. She did not explain how that would work — the White House previously said roughly 8 million Americans would automatically get the debt relief without applying.

“The bottom line is this — no one who does not want debt relief will have to get that debt relief," Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing.

A separate statement from the White House called the lawsuit “baseless,” saying opponents “are trying anything they can to stop this program that will provide needed relief to working families.”

The Pacific Legal Foundation is a legal group that promotes individual liberties and the separation of powers. It was formed in the 1970s by staff members under Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California. The group says it has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court 16 times, prevailing in 14 cases.

Biden’s plan promises to cancel $10,000 in federal student debt for borrowers with incomes of less than $125,000 per year or households making less than $250,000. Those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college would get an additional $10,000 erased.

An application to receive the benefit is expected by early October.

Conservative groups have been threatening to challenge debt cancellation since Biden first aired the idea, saying it’s legally questionable and unfairly cancels student debt at the expense of Americans who didn’t attend college. One of the main challenges has been finding someone who faces personal harm as a result of Biden’s plan, giving them legal standing to sue.

The Biden administration has repeatedly argued that the plan is on solid legal ground.

In its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">legal justification</a>&nbsp;for debt cancellation, the Biden administration invoked the HEROES Act of 2003, which aimed to provide help to members of the military. The law gives the administration “sweeping authority” to reduce or eliminate student debt during a national emergency, the Justice Department said in an August legal opinion.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said he has the legal authority to cancel debt for people who faced hardship during the pandemic. Cardona says Biden’s plan will ensure borrowers aren’t worse off after the pandemic than they were before.

The suit challenges that rationale, saying Garrison and others will see their debt burdens increase as a result of Biden’s plan. It also contends that the plan doesn’t meet the requirements of the 2003 law, arguing that the problem of high student debt is not a “direct result” of the pandemic.

“Nothing about loan cancellation is lawful or appropriate,” the suit alleges. “In an end-run around Congress, the administration threatens to enact a profound and transformational policy that will have untold economic impacts.”

The legality of mass student debt cancellation has stirred debate since it became a popular idea among Democrats in recent years. After being elected, Biden himself questioned whether he had the authority to cancel debt without Congress, asking the Justice Department to study the question.

The Trump administration took steps to block broad debt cancellation during its final weeks in office, issuing an Education Department memo concluding that the secretary lacked the authority to provide such relief.

The lawsuit asks the court to overturn Biden’s plan and to temporarily halt it while legal questions are resolved.

By COLLIN BINKLEY&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) —A libertarian group in California filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">student debt cancellation</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, calling it an illegal overreach that would increase state tax burdens for some Americans who get their debt forgiven.(Click below to listen to&nbsp;White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dc2HRDqXTNc?start=1722" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The lawsuit, believed to be the first targeting Biden’s plan, was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento legal advocacy group. It was filed in federal court in Indiana, one of several states that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">plan to tax</a>&nbsp;any student debt canceled by Biden’s plan.“Congress did not authorize the executive branch to unilaterally cancel student debt,” said Caleb Kruckenberg, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. He said it’s illegal for the executive branch to create the policy “by press release, and without statutory authority.”The suit’s plaintiff is Frank Garrison, described as a public interest attorney who lives in Indiana and is employed by the libertarian group.Garrison is on track to get his student debt erased through a separate federal program for public servants. Although most borrowers will need to apply for Biden’s plan, Garrison and many others in that program will automatically get the relief because the Education Department has their income information on file.Biden’s plan would automatically cancel up to $20,000 of Garrison’s debt, which in turn would trigger an “immediate tax liability” from the state of Indiana, according to the suit. Under the debt forgiveness program he’s enrolled in now, canceled debt cannot be taxed.“Mr. Garrison and millions of others similarly situated in the six relevant states will receive no additional benefit from the cancellation — just a one-time additional penalty,” the suit argues.Any student debt forgiven under Biden’s plan would also be subject to state taxes in Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin, unless lawmakers in those states change their current laws.Asked about the suit, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said anyone will be able to opt out of the cancellation. She did not explain how that would work — the White House previously said roughly 8 million Americans would automatically get the debt relief without applying.“The bottom line is this — no one who does not want debt relief will have to get that debt relief," Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing.A separate statement from the White House called the lawsuit “baseless,” saying opponents “are trying anything they can to stop this program that will provide needed relief to working families.”The Pacific Legal Foundation is a legal group that promotes individual liberties and the separation of powers. It was formed in the 1970s by staff members under Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California. The group says it has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court 16 times, prevailing in 14 cases.Biden’s plan promises to cancel $10,000 in federal student debt for borrowers with incomes of less than $125,000 per year or households making less than $250,000. Those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college would get an additional $10,000 erased.An application to receive the benefit is expected by early October.Conservative groups have been threatening to challenge debt cancellation since Biden first aired the idea, saying it’s legally questionable and unfairly cancels student debt at the expense of Americans who didn’t attend college. One of the main challenges has been finding someone who faces personal harm as a result of Biden’s plan, giving them legal standing to sue.The Biden administration has repeatedly argued that the plan is on solid legal ground.In its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">legal justification</a>&nbsp;for debt cancellation, the Biden administration invoked the HEROES Act of 2003, which aimed to provide help to members of the military. The law gives the administration “sweeping authority” to reduce or eliminate student debt during a national emergency, the Justice Department said in an August legal opinion.Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said he has the legal authority to cancel debt for people who faced hardship during the pandemic. Cardona says Biden’s plan will ensure borrowers aren’t worse off after the pandemic than they were before.The suit challenges that rationale, saying Garrison and others will see their debt burdens increase as a result of Biden’s plan. It also contends that the plan doesn’t meet the requirements of the 2003 law, arguing that the problem of high student debt is not a “direct result” of the pandemic.“Nothing about loan cancellation is lawful or appropriate,” the suit alleges. “In an end-run around Congress, the administration threatens to enact a profound and transformational policy that will have untold economic impacts.”The legality of mass student debt cancellation has stirred debate since it became a popular idea among Democrats in recent years. After being elected, Biden himself questioned whether he had the authority to cancel debt without Congress, asking the Justice Department to study the question.The Trump administration took steps to block broad debt cancellation during its final weeks in office, issuing an Education Department memo concluding that the secretary lacked the authority to provide such relief.The lawsuit asks the court to overturn Biden’s plan and to temporarily halt it while legal questions are resolved.

🎥.White House responds to lawsuit against student debt cancellation

Law enforcement authorities have arrest a teen in connection to a threatening statement written on a women's bathroom wall at Salina South High School.

Law enforcement authorities have arrest a teen in connection to a threatening statement written on a women's bathroom wall at Salina South High School.On Monday, a School Resource Officer was made aware of a threatening statement written on one of the women’s bathroom walls at Salina South High School. The statement indicated that a school shooting would take place on September 27, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. according to a statement from Salina Police.USD 305 Staff notified parents of the threat via email correspondence. Please know that the Salina Police Department worked hand in hand with USD305 school officials to investigate this incident and ensure that local schools were safe. On September 27th, the police department had an increased law enforcement presence at Salina South High School.On Tuesday, a citizen contacted the Police Department with information that led to the arrest of a 14-year-old female student of Salina South High School. The 14-year-old will be booked into juvenile detention, and the Salina Police Department is requesting charges of Criminal Threat and misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property.The Salina Police Department takes these threats seriously and will work to identify suspect(s) and make an arrest when probable cause exists. The Salina Police Department would like to remind the public that citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases.----------SALINE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities and USD 305 Salina are investigating an alleged school threat written on a bathroom wall at Salina South High School. The threat has prompted an increase in police presence Tuesday.In a text to parents and guardians Monday, Salina South Principal Charles Kipp wrote, "Increased conversations about school safety are occurring nationwide. Our goal is to partner with you to ensure our schools are safe.&nbsp;There was a report of graffiti in a girl's restroom stall that included the statements, "School shooting tmrw 8:30 a.m." and "Get ready! Bring yo guns to school and let the fun begin!"We have been working with the Salina Police Department on this matter. Unfortunately, in this instance we have been unable to identify the individual(s) who were responsible for the statements.As always, our goal is to ensure the safety of students and staff. There will be increased police presence tomorrow morning at our school, and our staff will be monitoring the hallways and the school.If your student shares any information with you about this threat, please let me know. Many times students have access to information that we do not.It is a good time to remind your student to notify an adult if they hear or read information that could indicate a school safety issue. Open communication is the best way for us to maintain a safe learning environment."