KANSAS CITY (AP) — A member of a far-right extremist group has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for his role in the January 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Louis Enrique Colon, 45, of Blue Springs, pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstructing law enforcement officers, federal prosecutors in Washington said.

Colon was a member of the Kansas City-area chapter of the Proud Boys when he took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, prosecutors said.

Five other members of group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-kansas-city-trials-kansas-397186ebf35fac87f3d44f5408084d95">were charged for their actions in the riot</a>. They are William Chrestman, of Olathe, Kansas, considered the leader of the Kansas City chapter; Christopher Charles Kuehn, Olathe; Ryan Ashlock, of Gardner, Kansas; and Felicia and Cory Konold, of the Tucson, Arizona, area. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Colon had faced a charge of conspiring with other Proud Boys members to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651158335112.png" alt="Louis Enrique Colon-image courtesy FBI&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Louis Enrique Colon-image courtesy FBI&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A member of a far-right extremist group has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for his role in the January 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol.Louis Enrique Colon, 45, of Blue Springs, pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstructing law enforcement officers, federal prosecutors in Washington said.Colon was a member of the Kansas City-area chapter of the Proud Boys when he took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, prosecutors said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613070062571.png" alt="William Chrestman, of Olathe, Kansas, considered the leader of the Kansas City chapter-photo Wyandotte Co. Jail&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>William Chrestman, of Olathe, Kansas, considered the leader of the Kansas City chapter-photo Wyandotte Co. Jail&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Five other members of group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-kansas-city-trials-kansas-397186ebf35fac87f3d44f5408084d95">were charged for their actions in the riot</a>. They are William Chrestman, of Olathe, Kansas, considered the leader of the Kansas City chapter; Christopher Charles Kuehn, Olathe; Ryan Ashlock, of Gardner, Kansas; and Felicia and Cory Konold, of the Tucson, Arizona, area. They have all pleaded not guilty.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613070020356.png" alt="Christopher Charles Kuehn, Olathe-photo Johnson Co. Sheriff&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Charles Kuehn, Olathe-photo Johnson Co. Sheriff&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Colon had faced a charge of conspiring with other Proud Boys members to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced at a later date.

KC-area Proud Boy pleads guilty in Capitol breach case

Washington– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall at a press conference Wednesday discussed the record amount of drugs coming across the southern border and making their way to Kansas under the Joe Biden Administration.

The Senator called attention to the heartbreaking story of Kansan Cooper Davis – a teenager – who died last summer from a fentanyl overdose. 

A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article258982433.html" target="_blank">Kansas City Star&nbsp;article</a>&nbsp;on his death stated, “Now drug traffickers are adding fentanyl to illegal drugs – much of it coming in from Mexico – to make them more potent and addictive. They don’t follow the rules of quality control. They’re criminals, not pharmacists.”

In President Joe Biden’s first 14 months in office,&nbsp;more than 12,000lbs of fentanyl was seized&nbsp;from these criminals at the southern border – much more made it over the border undetected. In the past three months, Kansas has seen more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/law-enforcement-agencies-share-fentanyl-intel-kansas/39665615" target="_blank">2,500 drug overdoses</a>. Additionally, last month Wichita officers seized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/46247858/teen-dies-of-fentanyl-overdose-same-week-wpd-finds-7000-pills-first-powderform-in-wichita" target="_blank">7,000 fentanyl pills</a>&nbsp;during a traffic stop.

“We’ve done over 90 town halls in Kansas now since being sworn in a little bit over a year ago, I can assure everyone that Kansans’ biggest concerns are inflation and the safety and security of their families. Their safety starts at this open southern border. I want to bring this issue home to Kansas… This is the front page of the Kansas City Star this weekend – two young men in the prime of their life, high school age boys that died from an overdose of fentanyl. We all should realize that a teaspoon of fentanyl could kill one or two thousand people…”

Washington– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall at a press conference Wednesday discussed the record amount of drugs coming across the southern border and making their way to Kansas under the Joe Biden Administration.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fYNJzxnU4FQ?start=24" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Senator called attention to the heartbreaking story of Kansan Cooper Davis – a teenager – who died last summer from a fentanyl overdose. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article258982433.html" target="_blank">Kansas City Star&nbsp;article</a>&nbsp;on his death stated, “Now drug traffickers are adding fentanyl to illegal drugs – much of it coming in from Mexico – to make them more potent and addictive. They don’t follow the rules of quality control. They’re criminals, not pharmacists.”In President Joe Biden’s first 14 months in office,&nbsp;more than 12,000lbs of fentanyl was seized&nbsp;from these criminals at the southern border – much more made it over the border undetected. In the past three months, Kansas has seen more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/law-enforcement-agencies-share-fentanyl-intel-kansas/39665615" target="_blank">2,500 drug overdoses</a>. Additionally, last month Wichita officers seized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/46247858/teen-dies-of-fentanyl-overdose-same-week-wpd-finds-7000-pills-first-powderform-in-wichita" target="_blank">7,000 fentanyl pills</a>&nbsp;during a traffic stop.“We’ve done over 90 town halls in Kansas now since being sworn in a little bit over a year ago, I can assure everyone that Kansans’ biggest concerns are inflation and the safety and security of their families. Their safety starts at this open southern border. I want to bring this issue home to Kansas… This is the front page of the Kansas City Star this weekend – two young men in the prime of their life, high school age boys that died from an overdose of fentanyl. We all should realize that a teaspoon of fentanyl could kill one or two thousand people…”

🎥 Marshall on record amount of drugs coming to Kansas from southern border

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trevor Reed is back in the United States one day after the Marine veteran was swapped for a Russian drug trafficker in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow</a>, his mother tweeted early Thursday morning.

“It’s been very exciting day for The Reed family. Trevor is back in the USA,” Paula Reed said on Twitter. Photographs tweeted from the account of Rep. August Pfluger, a Texas Republican, also showed him standing next to Reed.

His destination was not immediately clear. Reed’s parents live in Granbury, Texas, near Dallas.

Reed was swapped in Turkey on Wednesday for Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been serving a 20-year prison sentence in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy case.

“I think it’s going to really hit home for him and for us when we finally get to see him and touch him,” Reed’s father, Joey, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Reed, a 30-year-old former Marine, was arrested in the summer of 2019 after Russian authorities said he assaulted an officer while being driven by police to a police station following a night of heavy drinking.

He was later sentenced to nine years in prison. The U.S. government described him as unjustly detained and pressed for his release; his family asserted his innocence and expressed concerns about his deteriorating health — which included coughing up blood and a hunger strike.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trevor Reed is back in the United States one day after the Marine veteran was swapped for a Russian drug trafficker in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow</a>, his mother tweeted early Thursday morning.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is the moment we have all been praying for. WELCOME HOME, Trevor Reed! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/freetrevorreed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freetrevorreed</a> <a href="https://t.co/GooLSxSfsk">pic.twitter.com/GooLSxSfsk</a>&mdash; Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepPfluger/status/1519611148089364480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s been very exciting day for The Reed family. Trevor is back in the USA,” Paula Reed said on Twitter. Photographs tweeted from the account of Rep. August Pfluger, a Texas Republican, also showed him standing next to Reed.His destination was not immediately clear. Reed’s parents live in Granbury, Texas, near Dallas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651147467062.png" alt="President Biden met with the parents of Trevor Reed last month to discuss Trevor's safe return to the United States after being detained in Russia-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden met with the parents of Trevor Reed last month to discuss Trevor's safe return to the United States after being detained in Russia-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Reed was swapped in Turkey on Wednesday for Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been serving a 20-year prison sentence in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy case.“I think it’s going to really hit home for him and for us when we finally get to see him and touch him,” Reed’s father, Joey, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday.Reed, a 30-year-old former Marine, was arrested in the summer of 2019 after Russian authorities said he assaulted an officer while being driven by police to a police station following a night of heavy drinking.He was later sentenced to nine years in prison. The U.S. government described him as unjustly detained and pressed for his release; his family asserted his innocence and expressed concerns about his deteriorating health — which included coughing up blood and a hunger strike.

Former Marine back in US, one day after Russian prisoner swap

WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday the coronavirus is under better control in the United States. but the pandemic isn’t over — and the challenge is how to keep improving the situation.

“We are in a different moment of the pandemic,” said Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, in an interview with The Associated Press.

After a brutal winter surge, “we’ve now decelerated and transitioned into more of a controlled phase,” he said. “By no means does that mean the pandemic is over.”

His comments came a day after he said on the PBS “NewsHour” that the U.S. was “out of the pandemic phase” and also told The Washington Post that the country was finally “out of the full-blown explosive pandemic phase.”

Fauci’s remarks reflect how health authorities are wrestling with the next stage of the pandemic — how to keep COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations manageable and learn to live with what’s still a mutating and unpredictable virus.

Fauci said the U.S. appears to be out of what he called the “fulminant phase” of the pandemic, huge variant surges that at their worst sparked hundreds of thousands of infections daily, along with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths.

COVID-19 cases are at a lower point than they’ve been in months and two-thirds of the U.S. population is vaccinated. Nearly half of those who need a booster dose have gotten the extra shot, and effective treatments are available.

“We are much, much better off than we were a year ago,” he said.

Still, there have been lulls before, and while cases are low, they are increasing in many parts of the country. Vaccination rates worldwide are far lower, especially in developing countries.

To keep improving, Fauci ticked off a to-do list: Get more people fully vaccinated; develop even better vaccines; figure out the best booster strategy to counter variants; and make sure people can access treatment as soon as they need it.

“We can’t take our foot off the pedal,” Fauci said. “There’s a lot of viral dynamics throughout the world and we still may get another variant which could lead to another potential surge.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Anthony Fauci has given an upbeat assessment of the current state of the coronavirus in the United States, saying the country is “out of the pandemic phase” when it comes to new infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but that it appears to be making a transition to COVID-19 becoming an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-spain-world-health-organization-pandemics-6d9e495e0f6dec94acefabeb0a935b8e">endemic disease</a>&nbsp;— occurring regularly in certain areas.

Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said on the PBS “NewsHour” on Tuesday that the coronavirus remains a pandemic for much of the world, but the threat is not over for the United States, adding that he was speaking about the worst phase of the pandemic.

“Namely, we don’t have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now,” he said.

In comments Wednesday to The Washington Post, however, Fauci seemed to clarify his earlier remarks, saying that unlike the “full-blown explosive pandemic phase” during the brutal winter omicron surge, he was describing what appears to be a period of transition toward the coronavirus becoming an endemic disease.

“The world is still in a pandemic. There’s no doubt about that. Don’t anybody get any misinterpretation of that. We are still experiencing a pandemic,” Fauci told the Post.

His comments come as health authorities wrestle with how to keep COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations manageable and learn to live with what’s still a mutating and unpredictable virus. The Biden administration has stressed that the nation has more tools — vaccinations, booster shots and medications — to better handle infections than earlier in the pandemic.

U.S. cases are far lower than they were in recent months. But health officials are keeping a close eye as highly contagious variants continue to spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases have risen about 25% in the past week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638385235681.png" alt="Fauci said the virus threat is not over for the United States-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Fauci said the virus threat is not over for the United States-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday the coronavirus is under better control in the United States. but the pandemic isn’t over — and the challenge is how to keep improving the situation.“We are in a different moment of the pandemic,” said Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, in an interview with The Associated Press.After a brutal winter surge, “we’ve now decelerated and transitioned into more of a controlled phase,” he said. “By no means does that mean the pandemic is over.”His comments came a day after he said on the PBS “NewsHour” that the U.S. was “out of the pandemic phase” and also told The Washington Post that the country was finally “out of the full-blown explosive pandemic phase.”Fauci’s remarks reflect how health authorities are wrestling with the next stage of the pandemic — how to keep COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations manageable and learn to live with what’s still a mutating and unpredictable virus.Fauci said the U.S. appears to be out of what he called the “fulminant phase” of the pandemic, huge variant surges that at their worst sparked hundreds of thousands of infections daily, along with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths.COVID-19 cases are at a lower point than they’ve been in months and two-thirds of the U.S. population is vaccinated. Nearly half of those who need a booster dose have gotten the extra shot, and effective treatments are available.“We are much, much better off than we were a year ago,” he said.Still, there have been lulls before, and while cases are low, they are increasing in many parts of the country. Vaccination rates worldwide are far lower, especially in developing countries.To keep improving, Fauci ticked off a to-do list: Get more people fully vaccinated; develop even better vaccines; figure out the best booster strategy to counter variants; and make sure people can access treatment as soon as they need it.“We can’t take our foot off the pedal,” Fauci said. “There’s a lot of viral dynamics throughout the world and we still may get another variant which could lead to another potential surge.”___WASHINGTON (AP) —Dr. Anthony Fauci has given an upbeat assessment of the current state of the coronavirus in the United States, saying the country is “out of the pandemic phase” when it comes to new infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but that it appears to be making a transition to COVID-19 becoming an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-spain-world-health-organization-pandemics-6d9e495e0f6dec94acefabeb0a935b8e">endemic disease</a>&nbsp;— occurring regularly in certain areas.Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said on the PBS “NewsHour” on Tuesday that the coronavirus remains a pandemic for much of the world, but the threat is not over for the United States, adding that he was speaking about the worst phase of the pandemic.“Namely, we don’t have 900,000 new infections a day and tens and tens and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths. We are at a low level right now,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650646265277.png" alt="KDHE image Friday April 22, 2022" />
 <figcaption>KDHE image Friday April 22, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>In comments Wednesday to The Washington Post, however, Fauci seemed to clarify his earlier remarks, saying that unlike the “full-blown explosive pandemic phase” during the brutal winter omicron surge, he was describing what appears to be a period of transition toward the coronavirus becoming an endemic disease.“The world is still in a pandemic. There’s no doubt about that. Don’t anybody get any misinterpretation of that. We are still experiencing a pandemic,” Fauci told the Post.His comments come as health authorities wrestle with how to keep COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations manageable and learn to live with what’s still a mutating and unpredictable virus. The Biden administration has stressed that the nation has more tools — vaccinations, booster shots and medications — to better handle infections than earlier in the pandemic.U.S. cases are far lower than they were in recent months. But health officials are keeping a close eye as highly contagious variants continue to spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases have risen about 25% in the past week.

Fauci changes his mind, says pandemic is not over

POLK COUNTY—A Kansas woman listed as an absconder by the Kansas Department of Corrections was injured in an accident during a high speed chase just after 7p.m. Tuesday in Polk County Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by Christina Yount, 53, Lawrence, Kansas, was eastbound on 420th Road one mile west of Bolivar being pursued by Polk County Sheriff's deputies.

The pickup skidded off a curve and struck a tree. EMS transported Yount to the hospital in Bolivar. 

Cox Air Care transported a passenger 57-year-old Scott Reed to Cox South in Springfield.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. 

Yount has previous convictions for Unlawful Manufacturing of a&nbsp; Controlled Substance, Criminal Damage to Property and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. She had been listed as an absconder since December of 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651073779196.png" alt="Yount has previous convictions for&nbsp;Unlawful Manufacturing Controlled Substance, Criminal Damage to Property and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law enforcement, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Yount has previous convictions for&nbsp;Unlawful Manufacturing Controlled Substance, Criminal Damage to Property and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law enforcement, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>POLK COUNTY—A Kansas woman listed as an absconder by the Kansas Department of Corrections was injured in an accident during a high speed chase just after 7p.m. Tuesday in Polk County Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by Christina Yount, 53, Lawrence, Kansas, was eastbound on 420th Road one mile west of Bolivar being pursued by Polk County Sheriff's deputies.The pickup skidded off a curve and struck a tree. EMS transported Yount to the hospital in Bolivar. Cox Air Care transported a passenger 57-year-old Scott Reed to Cox South in Springfield.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. Yount has previous convictions for Unlawful Manufacturing of a&nbsp; Controlled Substance, Criminal Damage to Property and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. She had been listed as an absconder since December of 2020.

Wanted Kansas felon injured in high-speed chase

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to a fire at a home at 2206 SW Duane Street in Topeka. Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and heavy flames coming from the rear of the two-story home.

&nbsp;Two adults, two children and two cats were able to escape the flames prior to the fire department’s arrival..

The Estimated dollar loss – $50,000.00; of which $45,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $5,000.00 is associated with contents loss. Working smoke detectors were not located in the home.

The Kansas Fire Marshal's office is assisting with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651140555915.png" alt="Heavy smoke from the Wednesday house fire -photo by Phil Anderson- photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Heavy smoke from the Wednesday house fire -photo by Phil Anderson- photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home.Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to a fire at a home at 2206 SW Duane Street in Topeka. Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and heavy flames coming from the rear of the two-story home.&nbsp;Two adults, two children and two cats were able to escape the flames prior to the fire department’s arrival..The Estimated dollar loss – $50,000.00; of which $45,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $5,000.00 is associated with contents loss. Working smoke detectors were not located in the home.The Kansas Fire Marshal's office is assisting with the investigation.

2 adults, 2 children and pets escape Kansas house fire

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is taking steps to expand availability of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-8587aec18a3d1fc5013426f1c02d9af6">the life-saving COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid</a>, seeking to reassure doctors that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-fa6cd0dcc9dec4d1076b14a521e9a6e5">there is ample supply</a>&nbsp;for people at high risk of severe illness or death from the virus.

Paxlovid, produced by Pfizer, was first approved in December. Supply of the regimen was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">initially very limited</a>, but COVID-19 cases across the country have fallen and manufacturing has increased. The White House is now moving to raise awareness of the pill and taking steps to make it easier to access.

The White House said Tuesday it is stepping up outreach to doctors, letting them know they shouldn’t think twice about prescribing the pill to eligible patients. Also, the drug will now be distributed directly to pharmacies, in addition to existing distribution channels run by states. That is expected to boost the number of sites from 20,000 to more than 30,000 next week and eventually to 40,000 locations.

The administration used the pharmacy channel to boost availability of COVID-19 vaccines more than a year ago.

“Paxlovid will be widely available everywhere in America,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator. The drug and antivirals like it “are the key essential tools that we’re going to need to get through the rest of this pandemic,” he said.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-kamala-harris-dadf170fbacfd57922cdf51d59e87cdb">Kamala Harris</a>, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, is taking Paxlovid after discussing it with her physicians.

Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. About 300 Americans are now dying each day from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>, down from more than 2,600 during the height of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-chicago-illinois-e8727a5e7b1df775d692877e94f8cb73">the omicron wave</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

The U.S. has ordered enough supply of the pills for 20 million people, which is estimated to last for several more months. The administration has warned that subsequent deliveries are dependent on Congress approving additional COVID-19 response funding.

“What we need to do is to help American physicians and nurse practitioners and others who can prescribe understand that we now have plenty available and anybody who is eligible, anybody who has high risk, should be getting Paxlovid,” Jha said.

He also encouraged people who test positive to contact their doctors to determine their eligibility for the drug that might prevent severe outcomes.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s drug for adults and children age 12 or older with a positive COVID-19 test and early symptoms who face the highest risk of severe outcomes. That includes older people and those with conditions like obesity and heart disease, though the drug is not recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problems.

The administration is also working to expand the number of test-to-treat sites that provide a one-stop shop for those with COVID-19 to get tested for the virus, consult with a medical professional if they’re positive and fill a prescription for Paxlovid on site. Currently there are 2,200 locations nationwide, and the administration hopes support from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and pharmacy companies will enable more sites to come online in the coming weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651093961654.png" alt="“Paxlovid will be widely available everywhere in America,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>“Paxlovid will be widely available everywhere in America,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is taking steps to expand availability of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-8587aec18a3d1fc5013426f1c02d9af6">the life-saving COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid</a>, seeking to reassure doctors that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-medication-fa6cd0dcc9dec4d1076b14a521e9a6e5">there is ample supply</a>&nbsp;for people at high risk of severe illness or death from the virus.Paxlovid, produced by Pfizer, was first approved in December. Supply of the regimen was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-pfizer-medication-f5f65e7e61d6aa9c7dfa193053e8878a">initially very limited</a>, but COVID-19 cases across the country have fallen and manufacturing has increased. The White House is now moving to raise awareness of the pill and taking steps to make it easier to access.The White House said Tuesday it is stepping up outreach to doctors, letting them know they shouldn’t think twice about prescribing the pill to eligible patients. Also, the drug will now be distributed directly to pharmacies, in addition to existing distribution channels run by states. That is expected to boost the number of sites from 20,000 to more than 30,000 next week and eventually to 40,000 locations.The administration used the pharmacy channel to boost availability of COVID-19 vaccines more than a year ago.“Paxlovid will be widely available everywhere in America,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator. The drug and antivirals like it “are the key essential tools that we’re going to need to get through the rest of this pandemic,” he said.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-kamala-harris-dadf170fbacfd57922cdf51d59e87cdb">Kamala Harris</a>, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, is taking Paxlovid after discussing it with her physicians.Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. About 300 Americans are now dying each day from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus</a>, down from more than 2,600 during the height of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-chicago-illinois-e8727a5e7b1df775d692877e94f8cb73">the omicron wave</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.The U.S. has ordered enough supply of the pills for 20 million people, which is estimated to last for several more months. The administration has warned that subsequent deliveries are dependent on Congress approving additional COVID-19 response funding.“What we need to do is to help American physicians and nurse practitioners and others who can prescribe understand that we now have plenty available and anybody who is eligible, anybody who has high risk, should be getting Paxlovid,” Jha said.He also encouraged people who test positive to contact their doctors to determine their eligibility for the drug that might prevent severe outcomes.The Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s drug for adults and children age 12 or older with a positive COVID-19 test and early symptoms who face the highest risk of severe outcomes. That includes older people and those with conditions like obesity and heart disease, though the drug is not recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problems.The administration is also working to expand the number of test-to-treat sites that provide a one-stop shop for those with COVID-19 to get tested for the virus, consult with a medical professional if they’re positive and fill a prescription for Paxlovid on site. Currently there are 2,200 locations nationwide, and the administration hopes support from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and pharmacy companies will enable more sites to come online in the coming weeks.

Biden administration expands availability of COVID antiviral pill

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for the 2018 stabbing death of his girlfriend's ex-husband. Prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that Vincenzo Anecio Lucasta was sentenced earlier this month to 258 months in prison for the death of 57-year-old David Paterno, of Shawnee. 

Lucasta pleaded no contest in January to second-degree intentional murder in in the case. Officers found Paterno mortally wounded in his home on Aug. 8, 2018, after a neighbor heard a loud fight inside the home. 

Lucasta had initially been charged with first-degree murder. In addition to prison, he was required to register as a violent offender April 15, according to online KBI records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643320420372.png" alt="Lucasta-photo KBI offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Lucasta-photo KBI offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for the 2018 stabbing death of his girlfriend's ex-husband. Prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that Vincenzo Anecio Lucasta was sentenced earlier this month to 258 months in prison for the death of 57-year-old David Paterno, of Shawnee. Lucasta pleaded no contest in January to second-degree intentional murder in in the case. Officers found Paterno mortally wounded in his home on Aug. 8, 2018, after a neighbor heard a loud fight inside the home. Lucasta had initially been charged with first-degree murder. In addition to prison, he was required to register as a violent offender April 15, according to online KBI records.

Kan. man sentenced for murder of girlfriend's ex-husband

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City school board had told teachers at a high school to remove cards and stickers showing support for LGBTQ students.

The Grain Valley school board sent an email to families Monday saying members had “received a concern” about the cards and stickers some high school teachers were displaying to tell students they could approach them regarding LGBTQ questions, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article260751252.html#storylink=cpy">reported.</a>

“We remain committed to providing professional development to help our staff create a safe, collaborative, and inclusive environment, consistent with our core beliefs, where each student feels a sense of belonging," the email reads. "The use of these cards, however, is determined to not be an appropriate step at this time.”

Some parents, teachers and advocates in the district opposed the decision.

Travis Holt, a Grain Valley graduate who is gay, called the decision “disheartening” and said he is asking the school board to reconsider to “keep the students’ best interests at heart rather than buckling under pressure from a select few parents.”

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City school board had told teachers at a high school to remove cards and stickers showing support for LGBTQ students.The Grain Valley school board sent an email to families Monday saying members had “received a concern” about the cards and stickers some high school teachers were displaying to tell students they could approach them regarding LGBTQ questions, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article260751252.html#storylink=cpy">reported.</a>“We remain committed to providing professional development to help our staff create a safe, collaborative, and inclusive environment, consistent with our core beliefs, where each student feels a sense of belonging," the email reads. "The use of these cards, however, is determined to not be an appropriate step at this time.”Some parents, teachers and advocates in the district opposed the decision.Travis Holt, a Grain Valley graduate who is gay, called the decision “disheartening” and said he is asking the school board to reconsider to “keep the students’ best interests at heart rather than buckling under pressure from a select few parents.”

KC-area high school bans LGBTQ support stickers and cards

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators were close Wednesday to approving a measure authorizing sports betting that would dedicate most of the state’s revenues from it to efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri to the Kansas side of the metropolitan area.

Lawmakers expected to give final approval this week to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb84_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;allowing people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino. A version&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220402003027_589945/" target="_blank">cleared the House</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and was set for a vote Wednesday in the Senate but senators discovered that they wanted technical changes before it goes to Gov. Laura Kelly.

The state would impose a 10% tax on each bet, and the measure says 80% of the revenues — perhaps $5 million a year — would go into a fund to provide incentives for professional sports teams to come to Kansas. The teams could include professional baseball’s Kansas City Royals or pro basketball or hockey teams. However, most supporters contemplated trying to lure the Chiefs to the Legends, a shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kansas, that’s already home to a NASCAR track, professional soccer’s Sporting KC, and a state-owned casino.

The idea faced bipartisan skepticism in the Republican-controlled Legislature, with some lawmakers viewing it as quixotic. But top Republicans said they’re simply trying to put Kansas in a better position to land the Chiefs or another team, should they want to move.

“I would love to see the Chiefs playing in Kansas, but I’m not in a position to really gauge and know how serious that is,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck down a ban</a>&nbsp;on sports betting in most states. Twenty-nine have authorized commercial sports betting, while another six allow Native American tribes to provide it,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/march-madness-fuels-sports-betting-trend-magazine2022.aspx" target="_blank">according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>&nbsp;Missouri lawmakers also are considering a measure to legalize sports betting.

Kansas allows betting through fantasy sports leagues, operates a state lottery and allows private companies to operate four casinos under contracts with the lottery. Efforts to authorize sports wagering have stalled in the past over state-owned casinos’ control and whether to allow other new forms of gambling.

Supporters also must contend with some lawmakers’ moral objections. GOP Rep. Paul Waggoner, of Hutchinson, argued that gambling addictions destroy families and was disappointed that fellow Republicans backed the bill.

“You’re supposed to be the party that is promoting, you know, family values, or family cohesiveness,” Waggoner said.

But other lawmakers said people already are betting illegally.

“We need to regulate it and tax it,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat.

The proposal for attracting professional sports teams arose&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs/chiefs-consider-move-to-kansas-mark-donovan-says/" target="_blank">as reports circulated</a>&nbsp;from a recent National Football League owners’ meeting that Chiefs President Mark Donovan said the team had considered options for a new stadium in Kansas. Chiefs spokesman Brad Gee declined to comment on the legislation to The Associated Press.

With a decade left on their lease at Kauffman Stadium, baseball’s Royals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mlb-nfl-kansas-city-kansas-city-royals-3b4729a71e843bf8eddee42dc6ced7e1">are considering options</a>&nbsp;that include a new stadium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The team also didn’t comment immediately Wednesday.

The two teams’ stadiums opened side by side in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early 1970s.

Kansas state Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican who helped draft the final version of the bill, said the Legends area has room for building condominiums and more retail stores.

“I think it’s probably one of the best areas to do something like that in,” Olson said.

But other lawmakers said the provision was an unnecessary distraction. Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Leavenworth Democrat, said it looks like lawmakers are creating a “slush fund” and the money raised from sports betting would far too little to attract a new team.

“Where’s this money going to go?” Pittman said. “What happens if it’s just a pipe dream? That money is just gonna sit there for five years?”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators were close Wednesday to approving a measure authorizing sports betting that would dedicate most of the state’s revenues from it to efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri to the Kansas side of the metropolitan area.Lawmakers expected to give final approval this week to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb84_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;allowing people in the state to use cellphone or computer apps to bet on sporting events and to place bets at state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations chosen by each casino. A version&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220402003027_589945/" target="_blank">cleared the House</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and was set for a vote Wednesday in the Senate but senators discovered that they wanted technical changes before it goes to Gov. Laura Kelly.The state would impose a 10% tax on each bet, and the measure says 80% of the revenues — perhaps $5 million a year — would go into a fund to provide incentives for professional sports teams to come to Kansas. The teams could include professional baseball’s Kansas City Royals or pro basketball or hockey teams. However, most supporters contemplated trying to lure the Chiefs to the Legends, a shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kansas, that’s already home to a NASCAR track, professional soccer’s Sporting KC, and a state-owned casino.The idea faced bipartisan skepticism in the Republican-controlled Legislature, with some lawmakers viewing it as quixotic. But top Republicans said they’re simply trying to put Kansas in a better position to land the Chiefs or another team, should they want to move.“I would love to see the Chiefs playing in Kansas, but I’m not in a position to really gauge and know how serious that is,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.The U.S. Supreme Court in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">struck down a ban</a>&nbsp;on sports betting in most states. Twenty-nine have authorized commercial sports betting, while another six allow Native American tribes to provide it,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/march-madness-fuels-sports-betting-trend-magazine2022.aspx" target="_blank">according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.</a>&nbsp;Missouri lawmakers also are considering a measure to legalize sports betting.Kansas allows betting through fantasy sports leagues, operates a state lottery and allows private companies to operate four casinos under contracts with the lottery. Efforts to authorize sports wagering have stalled in the past over state-owned casinos’ control and whether to allow other new forms of gambling.Supporters also must contend with some lawmakers’ moral objections. GOP Rep. Paul Waggoner, of Hutchinson, argued that gambling addictions destroy families and was disappointed that fellow Republicans backed the bill.“You’re supposed to be the party that is promoting, you know, family values, or family cohesiveness,” Waggoner said.But other lawmakers said people already are betting illegally.“We need to regulate it and tax it,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat.The proposal for attracting professional sports teams arose&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs/chiefs-consider-move-to-kansas-mark-donovan-says/" target="_blank">as reports circulated</a>&nbsp;from a recent National Football League owners’ meeting that Chiefs President Mark Donovan said the team had considered options for a new stadium in Kansas. Chiefs spokesman Brad Gee declined to comment on the legislation to The Associated Press.With a decade left on their lease at Kauffman Stadium, baseball’s Royals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-mlb-nfl-kansas-city-kansas-city-royals-3b4729a71e843bf8eddee42dc6ced7e1">are considering options</a>&nbsp;that include a new stadium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The team also didn’t comment immediately Wednesday.The two teams’ stadiums opened side by side in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early 1970s.Kansas state Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican who helped draft the final version of the bill, said the Legends area has room for building condominiums and more retail stores.“I think it’s probably one of the best areas to do something like that in,” Olson said.But other lawmakers said the provision was an unnecessary distraction. Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Leavenworth Democrat, said it looks like lawmakers are creating a “slush fund” and the money raised from sports betting would far too little to attract a new team.“Where’s this money going to go?” Pittman said. “What happens if it’s just a pipe dream? That money is just gonna sit there for five years?”___

Kansas looks to use taxes on sports bets to attract Chiefs

COWLEY COUNTY —Authorities have identified the man who drowned Tuesday at Winfield Lake as 75-year-old John Sanford of Atlanta, Kansas,&nbsp; according to Fire Chief Vincent Warren.

Just before 12:30p.m.. on Tuesday, members from the Winfield Police Department and the Winfield Fire/EMS Department were dispatched to Winfield City Lake for the report of an unoccupied boat in the water near the shoreline on the north side of the lake, according to Warren.

It was believed the boat was being operated prior to it becoming lodged on the bank of the lake.

Based on this information, crews searched on land near the boat and members of Winfield Fire/EMS and the Arkansas City Fire Department each deployed a boat to start search efforts in the water.

Aircraft from the Kansas Highway Patrol and small drones from Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks also helped with the search. The Sedgwick County Fire District’s dive team and boats equipped with Sonar technology were used in the water where the victim’s boat was last seen.

Just before 5p.m. Sandford's body was located underwater by divers from the Sedgwick County Fire District and the Arkansas City Fire Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651086582567.png" alt="First responders working at the lake on Tuesday -photos courtesy Sedgwick County Fire District 1" />
 <figcaption>First responders working at the lake on Tuesday -photos courtesy Sedgwick County Fire District 1</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Authorities have identified the man who drowned Tuesday at Winfield Lake as 75-year-old John Sanford of Atlanta, Kansas,&nbsp; according to Fire Chief Vincent Warren.Just before 12:30p.m.. on Tuesday, members from the Winfield Police Department and the Winfield Fire/EMS Department were dispatched to Winfield City Lake for the report of an unoccupied boat in the water near the shoreline on the north side of the lake, according to Warren.It was believed the boat was being operated prior to it becoming lodged on the bank of the lake.Based on this information, crews searched on land near the boat and members of Winfield Fire/EMS and the Arkansas City Fire Department each deployed a boat to start search efforts in the water.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651090673722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Aircraft from the Kansas Highway Patrol and small drones from Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks also helped with the search. The Sedgwick County Fire District’s dive team and boats equipped with Sonar technology were used in the water where the victim’s boat was last seen.Just before 5p.m. Sandford's body was located underwater by divers from the Sedgwick County Fire District and the Arkansas City Fire Department.

Fire Chief: 75-year-old Kansas man drowns in city lake

By JACOB FISCHLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/27/congress-expands-brown-v-board-of-education-historic-site-beyond-kansas/">States Newsroom</a>

The U.S. House cleared a bill 
Tuesday that would expand the Kansas site honoring the U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling overturning school segregation, adding National Park 
Service sites in other states to commemorate their roles in the decision
 as well.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/270">bill</a>&nbsp;would
 designate sites related to school desegregation cases in Virginia, 
Delaware, South Carolina and the District of Columbia as important parts
 of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended legal 
school segregation. All sites would be managed by the National Park 
Service.

The House passed the bill by voice vote Tuesday, with no member raising an objection. The Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/11/moran-marshall-laud-broadening-of-brown-v-board-education-commemorations/">also passed the bill</a>&nbsp;by
 voice vote April 6, meaning the House action Tuesday sends the measure 
to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature.

Congress designated a national historic site in Topeka, Kansas, in 
1992 to honor Linda Brown, the first named plaintiff in the combined 
Brown v. Board of Education case, and her family.

But the Supreme Court’s Brown ruling was the result of Brown and four
 other suits and there is no NPS site to recognize the other cases.

The site in Topeka honoring Brown “tells the story of the ordinary 
people who took this extraordinary action to ensure their children had 
equal educational opportunities,” House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a
 South Carolina Democrat who is the highest-ranking Black member of 
Congress, said Tuesday.

“However, the other communities involved in this historic effort have
 no National Park Service presence acknowledging their contributions,” 
he added. “This bill rights that wrong.”

One of the cases that the court heard with Brown was Davis v. County 
School Board of Prince Edward County. Under the bill, the site of the 
all-Black Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, which 
was the subject of the suit, will become a national historic landmark 
and museum.

The bill would also add one acre of land adjacent to the current Topeka site.

It requires the Department of Interior to develop a management plan for each site.

“In recent years, the National Park Service has made a concerted 
effort to provide a more inclusive look at American history to ensure 
that our parks tell the stories of all Americans,” U.S. Rep. Cliff 
Bentz, an Oregon Republican who led the GOP floor debate on the bill, 
said. “I applaud the National Park Service for its efforts to make all 
Americans feel welcome and included in our national park system.”

Arizona Democrat Raul Grijalva, who chairs the House Natural 
Resources Committee that oversees national parks, said the 
acknowledgement of all plaintiffs in the case was important.

“This legislative effort will continue to elevate the important stories and education of the civil rights movement,” he said.

The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site would become 
the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park under the 
legislation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651076272726.png" alt="A tour group observes the Brown v. Board mural on the third floor of the Kansas Statehouse, April 26, 2022 (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption>A tour group observes the Brown v. Board mural on the third floor of the Kansas Statehouse, April 26, 2022 (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACOB FISCHLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/27/congress-expands-brown-v-board-of-education-historic-site-beyond-kansas/">States Newsroom</a>The U.S. House cleared a bill 
Tuesday that would expand the Kansas site honoring the U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling overturning school segregation, adding National Park 
Service sites in other states to commemorate their roles in the decision
 as well.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/270">bill</a>&nbsp;would
 designate sites related to school desegregation cases in Virginia, 
Delaware, South Carolina and the District of Columbia as important parts
 of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended legal 
school segregation. All sites would be managed by the National Park 
Service.The House passed the bill by voice vote Tuesday, with no member raising an objection. The Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/11/moran-marshall-laud-broadening-of-brown-v-board-education-commemorations/">also passed the bill</a>&nbsp;by
 voice vote April 6, meaning the House action Tuesday sends the measure 
to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature.Congress designated a national historic site in Topeka, Kansas, in 
1992 to honor Linda Brown, the first named plaintiff in the combined 
Brown v. Board of Education case, and her family.But the Supreme Court’s Brown ruling was the result of Brown and four
 other suits and there is no NPS site to recognize the other cases.The site in Topeka honoring Brown “tells the story of the ordinary 
people who took this extraordinary action to ensure their children had 
equal educational opportunities,” House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a
 South Carolina Democrat who is the highest-ranking Black member of 
Congress, said Tuesday.“However, the other communities involved in this historic effort have
 no National Park Service presence acknowledging their contributions,” 
he added. “This bill rights that wrong.”One of the cases that the court heard with Brown was Davis v. County 
School Board of Prince Edward County. Under the bill, the site of the 
all-Black Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, which 
was the subject of the suit, will become a national historic landmark 
and museum.The bill would also add one acre of land adjacent to the current Topeka site.It requires the Department of Interior to develop a management plan for each site.“In recent years, the National Park Service has made a concerted 
effort to provide a more inclusive look at American history to ensure 
that our parks tell the stories of all Americans,” U.S. Rep. Cliff 
Bentz, an Oregon Republican who led the GOP floor debate on the bill, 
said. “I applaud the National Park Service for its efforts to make all 
Americans feel welcome and included in our national park system.”Arizona Democrat Raul Grijalva, who chairs the House Natural 
Resources Committee that oversees national parks, said the 
acknowledgement of all plaintiffs in the case was important.“This legislative effort will continue to elevate the important stories and education of the civil rights movement,” he said.The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site would become 
the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park under the 
legislation.

Congress expands Brown v. Board of Education historic site beyond Kansas

Measure applies to 104 counties statewide, with Riley County the lone exception

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/27/kansas-voters-to-decide-constitutional-amendment-question-on-election-of-county-sheriffs/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The November general 
election ballot added girth in terms of verbiage with adoption of a 
proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution requiring election rather 
than appointment of county sheriffs.

On Tuesday, the House affirmed a final version of House Concurrent 
Resolution 5022 previously endorsed by the Senate. It passed 91-31 in 
the House and 39-1 in the Senate — above the required two-thirds 
majorities necessary to place the amendment on statewide ballots.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican running for governor, 
lobbied for the amendment and vowed to campaign for passage of the 
amendment related to election of sheriffs and potential removal of 
sheriffs.

“The office of sheriff has deep historical roots and the longstanding
 practice of election rather than appointment makes sheriffs uniquely 
accountable to the people,” Schmidt said.

The resolution would require election of sheriffs in all counties 
that hadn’t abolished the office of sheriff by Jan. 11, 2022, and would 
set a standard four-year term for sheriff. Riley County would be exempt 
from the constitutional provision because the county eliminated the 
position of sheriff in 1974. The county would be able to recreate the 
position of sheriff, under the amendment, but that decision would become
 irrevocable.

In addition, the amendment would declare the only method of 
involuntarily removing a sheriff would be a recall election or a process
 initiated by the attorney general.

The issue gained traction in the Legislature because of discussion in
 Johnson County about making the sheriff an appointed position rather 
than keeping it an elective office. Johnson County Sheriff Calvin 
Hayden, a conservative who launched a controversial investigation into 
unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, was opposed to that change.

“In our view, the office of sheriff should remain an elected office, 
not subject to the political whims of appointing bodies,” said Greg 
Smith, who works for Hayden as a special deputy. “This leaves the 
sheriff free to be able to respond to any situation as his or her 
training and experience dictate.”

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking re-election in November, doesn’t
 have authority to veto proposed constitutional amendments. If that 
two-thirds threshold is met in the House and Senate, the question goes 
to voters. A simply majority of those voting on the constitutional 
amendment will decide its fate.

Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, introduced the constitutional amendment 
and lauded the opportunity for Kansans to make the final decision on the
 issue.

“It allows the people of the state to tell us what they want to do,” he said.

However, Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, said she was uneasy with 
placing ouster authority in hands of the attorney general rather than 
local prosecutors.

“This is a really big change to our governing system,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651075061989.png" alt="Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, introduced a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution approved by the Legislature for inclusion on November statewide ballot. The measure will be decided by a majority voting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, introduced a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution approved by the Legislature for inclusion on November statewide ballot. The measure will be decided by a majority voting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Measure applies to 104 counties statewide, with Riley County the lone exception</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/27/kansas-voters-to-decide-constitutional-amendment-question-on-election-of-county-sheriffs/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The November general 
election ballot added girth in terms of verbiage with adoption of a 
proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution requiring election rather 
than appointment of county sheriffs.On Tuesday, the House affirmed a final version of House Concurrent 
Resolution 5022 previously endorsed by the Senate. It passed 91-31 in 
the House and 39-1 in the Senate — above the required two-thirds 
majorities necessary to place the amendment on statewide ballots.Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican running for governor, 
lobbied for the amendment and vowed to campaign for passage of the 
amendment related to election of sheriffs and potential removal of 
sheriffs.“The office of sheriff has deep historical roots and the longstanding
 practice of election rather than appointment makes sheriffs uniquely 
accountable to the people,” Schmidt said.The resolution would require election of sheriffs in all counties 
that hadn’t abolished the office of sheriff by Jan. 11, 2022, and would 
set a standard four-year term for sheriff. Riley County would be exempt 
from the constitutional provision because the county eliminated the 
position of sheriff in 1974. The county would be able to recreate the 
position of sheriff, under the amendment, but that decision would become
 irrevocable.In addition, the amendment would declare the only method of 
involuntarily removing a sheriff would be a recall election or a process
 initiated by the attorney general.The issue gained traction in the Legislature because of discussion in
 Johnson County about making the sheriff an appointed position rather 
than keeping it an elective office. Johnson County Sheriff Calvin 
Hayden, a conservative who launched a controversial investigation into 
unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, was opposed to that change.“In our view, the office of sheriff should remain an elected office, 
not subject to the political whims of appointing bodies,” said Greg 
Smith, who works for Hayden as a special deputy. “This leaves the 
sheriff free to be able to respond to any situation as his or her 
training and experience dictate.”Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking re-election in November, doesn’t
 have authority to veto proposed constitutional amendments. If that 
two-thirds threshold is met in the House and Senate, the question goes 
to voters. A simply majority of those voting on the constitutional 
amendment will decide its fate.Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, introduced the constitutional amendment 
and lauded the opportunity for Kansans to make the final decision on the
 issue.“It allows the people of the state to tell us what they want to do,” he said.However, Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, said she was uneasy with 
placing ouster authority in hands of the attorney general rather than 
local prosecutors.“This is a really big change to our governing system,” she said.

Election of county sheriffs will be left to Kansas voters this fall

FINNEY COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a motel in Garden City.

Just after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, fire crews responded to a reported fire at the Dusty Trail Inn, 2808 N. Taylor Plaza in Garden City, according to Fire Chief Jon Irsik.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Fire personnel observed heavy smoke and fire coming from a second story window. They made entry into the building and encountered overwhelming heat and smoke conditions.&nbsp;

Fire personnel then transitioned to a defensive fire attack due to the amount of fire and presumed condition of the building.

 After the majority of the fire was extinguished, fire personnel were able to transition back into interior operations of salvage and overhaul. During the second entry phase, fire personnel found that the fire had caused the second and third floors to collapse.

Just before 7p.m.the fire was deemed under control.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

&nbsp;The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office is assisting with an&nbsp;investigation. Officials have not released a damage estimate. The motel was closed for business.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651068151097.png" alt="The motel was not open for business at the time of the fire-Photos courtesy Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>The motel was not open for business at the time of the fire-Photos courtesy Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a motel in Garden City.Just after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, fire crews responded to a reported fire at the Dusty Trail Inn, 2808 N. Taylor Plaza in Garden City, according to Fire Chief Jon Irsik.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire personnel observed heavy smoke and fire coming from a second story window. They made entry into the building and encountered overwhelming heat and smoke conditions.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651068082835.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire personnel then transitioned to a defensive fire attack due to the amount of fire and presumed condition of the building. After the majority of the fire was extinguished, fire personnel were able to transition back into interior operations of salvage and overhaul. During the second entry phase, fire personnel found that the fire had caused the second and third floors to collapse.Just before 7p.m.the fire was deemed under control.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office is assisting with an&nbsp;investigation. Officials have not released a damage estimate. The motel was closed for business.

Second and third floors collapse in SW Kansas motel fire

KINGMAN — A Kansas man convicted of killing his wife, then setting their home on fire has filed a petition for review after his civil motion was denied by the Kansas Court of Appeals in February.

Brett Seacat, 46, was found guilty of shooting Vashti Seacat in her bedroom then setting the home ablaze in April of 2011. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years.&nbsp;

Seacat filed the civil motion claiming ineffective counsel, saying that there was evidence the defense failed to present that would clear him of the crime. The motion was filed in May of 2020.&nbsp; In March the Court of Appeals denied the civil motion stating the court’s and Secat’s attorney did not err in any way during his trial or the appeal that followed.

Seacat maintained that his wife killed herself and that evidence proving so was not presented in his trial. In his original appeal, Seacat challenged the trial court’s exclusion of evidence relating to his wife's depression, which he contends would have bolstered his theory that she took her own life.

The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the former Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center instructor in 2016.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651073871085.jpeg" alt="Brett Seacat is being held in a prison out of state, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Brett Seacat is being held in a prison out of state, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGMAN — A Kansas man convicted of killing his wife, then setting their home on fire has filed a petition for review after his civil motion was denied by the Kansas Court of Appeals in February.Brett Seacat, 46, was found guilty of shooting Vashti Seacat in her bedroom then setting the home ablaze in April of 2011. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years.&nbsp;Seacat filed the civil motion claiming ineffective counsel, saying that there was evidence the defense failed to present that would clear him of the crime. The motion was filed in May of 2020.&nbsp; In March the Court of Appeals denied the civil motion stating the court’s and Secat’s attorney did not err in any way during his trial or the appeal that followed.Seacat maintained that his wife killed herself and that evidence proving so was not presented in his trial. In his original appeal, Seacat challenged the trial court’s exclusion of evidence relating to his wife's depression, which he contends would have bolstered his theory that she took her own life.The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the former Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center instructor in 2016.

Kan. man convicted in wife's killing still fighting to overturn verdict

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A <a href="https://www.materdeiparish.org/staff/view/id/3873">Catholic priest in</a> Topeka suspended from his public duties after being accused of sexually abusing a minor will not face criminal charges in the case.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay's office will not file charges against the Rev. John Pilcher after reviewing the results of an investigation conducted by the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Bureau of Investigation, Kagay told the Capital-Journal this week.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced last September that it had suspended<a href="https://www.materdeiparish.org/staff/view/id/3873"> Pilcher, </a>of Mater Dei parish, but said Pilcher denied the allegation and fully cooperated with the investigation.

The archdiocese said it will continue with evaluating Pilcher’s status as a priest.

“Be assured you will soon receive a communication from the Archdiocese upon final resolution of this matter,” a statement from the archdiocese that was read to Mater Dei parishioners this week said.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The pastor of a Catholic parish in Topeka has been suspended from his public duties after being accused of sexually abusing a minor, the archdiocese for northeast Kansas announced Monday.

The Rev. John Pilcher of Mater Dei parish denies the allegation and is fully cooperating, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said. He will remain on leave until an investigation is complete and an independent review board has made a recommendation to Archbishop Joseph Naumann.

The archdiocese said that law enforcement was notified and announcement about the allegation made at all weekend Masses.

The parish includes two churches, Assumption across the street north of the Statehouse and Holy Name in central Topeka. They once were in separate parishes that merged in 2006.

The archdiocese said anyone with knowledge about the case regarding Pilcher or about any other misconduct should contact civil authorities first, then make a report to its confidential report line.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632783786235.png" alt="Rev. John Pilcher photo courtesy Mater Dei Catholic Church" />
 <figcaption>Rev. John Pilcher photo courtesy Mater Dei Catholic Church</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A <a href="https://www.materdeiparish.org/staff/view/id/3873">Catholic priest in</a> Topeka suspended from his public duties after being accused of sexually abusing a minor will not face criminal charges in the case.Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay's office will not file charges against the Rev. John Pilcher after reviewing the results of an investigation conducted by the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Bureau of Investigation, Kagay told the Capital-Journal this week.The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced last September that it had suspended<a href="https://www.materdeiparish.org/staff/view/id/3873"> Pilcher, </a>of Mater Dei parish, but said Pilcher denied the allegation and fully cooperated with the investigation.The archdiocese said it will continue with evaluating Pilcher’s status as a priest.“Be assured you will soon receive a communication from the Archdiocese upon final resolution of this matter,” a statement from the archdiocese that was read to Mater Dei parishioners this week said.--------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The pastor of a Catholic parish in Topeka has been suspended from his public duties after being accused of sexually abusing a minor, the archdiocese for northeast Kansas announced Monday.The Rev. John Pilcher of Mater Dei parish denies the allegation and is fully cooperating, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said. He will remain on leave until an investigation is complete and an independent review board has made a recommendation to Archbishop Joseph Naumann.The archdiocese said that law enforcement was notified and announcement about the allegation made at all weekend Masses.The parish includes two churches, Assumption across the street north of the Statehouse and Holy Name in central Topeka. They once were in separate parishes that merged in 2006.The archdiocese said anyone with knowledge about the case regarding Pilcher or about any other misconduct should contact civil authorities first, then make a report to its confidential report line.

DA won't bring charges against Kan. priest accused of sex crimes

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gunfight that sent a Kansas man to the hospital.

Just after 6:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; a shooting that occurred in the 9000 Block of J Road, Silver Lake, was reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 A man who resides at the residence stated that a neighbor came to the address and the two men fired guns at each other. The neighbor was injured.

&nbsp;EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, according to Morse. Deputies and detectives&nbsp; processed the scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported an arrest.

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gunfight that sent a Kansas man to the hospital.Just after 6:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; a shooting that occurred in the 9000 Block of J Road, Silver Lake, was reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. A man who resides at the residence stated that a neighbor came to the address and the two men fired guns at each other. The neighbor was injured.&nbsp;EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, according to Morse. Deputies and detectives&nbsp; processed the scene.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported an arrest.

Sheriff: Kan. man injured after neighbors have gunfight

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — LGBTQ rights advocates called Tuesday for a Kansas state lawmaker to be formally censured after she publicly said she didn’t want to share the women’s restrooms at the Statehouse with a transgender colleague.

The Kansas House’s top Republican called GOP state Rep. Cheryl Helmer’s comments “unfortunate” and Democrats condemned them. The state’s leading LGBTQ rights lobbyist saw “a new level of toxic bigotry” in Helmer’s emailed remarks to a University of Kansas student and subsequent interviews about Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers.

The furor over Helmer’s remarks shadowed GOP lawmakers’ attempt to override&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>&nbsp;of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s K-12 and college sports.

“We know this has been going on in offices, and back rooms and conversations since the day I was elected,” Byers said Tuesday. “The shocking part is that it came out, that someone actually said it.”

Helmer stood firmly by her comments while defending&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2210_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;she co-sponsored that would make it a felony for doctors to provide hormones or do gender transition surgery for children under 18. She also said she worried about the safety of young children who visit the Statehouse and decried what she called an “in your face” approach to promoting transgender rights from Byers, the state’s first elected transgender lawmaker.

The 70-year-old Republican lawmaker also said she tried to make a point when she mistakenly entered a men’s restroom in the House in early 2021. The men, she said, were surprised and upset, so she asked them how they would like it if a woman regularly used their restroom. Pressed on the issue Monday evening, she said parents shouldn’t be allowed to “change” their child’s gender.

“You can’t lop a penis off and then expect, you know, a little boy to now live his life,” she said. “He’ll be in regret for the rest of his life.”

Supporters of the bill on transgender athletes have said they want to preserve fair competition and are not attacking transgender girls and women. LGBTQ rights advocates said Helmer’s comments prove anti-trans bigotry is behind the measure.

The Kansas Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220426105844_570455/" target="_blank">voted 28-10</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to override Kelly’s veto of the transgender athletes bill. A House vote will follow, but it wasn’t likely this week.

Republicans in at least 15 states have enacted bans on transgender athletes, and several have outlawed gender-affirming medical care for children. In Michigan, a conservative state senator accused a Democratic colleague of wanting to “groom” and “sexualize” young children, prompting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-social-michigan-9651ec94e425db841581562aed6bbcbb">a response</a>&nbsp;that went viral on social media.

Helmer is a retired Wichita school counselor and nursing instructor, a conservative Republican elected in 2018 to represent a district south of the state’s largest city. She participates in rodeo barrel racing and has a sign in her office that says, “My horse is smarter than your honor student.”

Byers, 59, is a retired Wichita high school music teacher and band director who was elected to the House in 2020.

In her email Sunday to 25-year-old University of Kansas graduate student Brenan Riffel, Helmer wrote: “Now, personally I do not appreciate the huge transgender female who is now in our restrooms in the Capitol.” Riffel, who describes themself as trans-feminine and uses the pronouns they/them, released the email to the Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news provider.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-kansas-topeka-7139d8bedcc50a1d00e1d4cd8ebed70b">Tom Witt,&nbsp;</a>executive director of Equality Kansas, called on the Kansas House to censure Helmer, something that would take a formal complaint from another lawmaker and a two-thirds majority vote.

“It is a new level of toxic bigotry that I have not seen in this building before,” Witt said.

Equality Kansas later sent a letter to House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican, demanding that Helmer be punished. The speaker can strip a House member of committee assignments, but Ryckman noted that committees no longer are meeting for the year.

Ryckman said that if another lawmakers files a complaint, the House will form a committee to investigate, adding, “She will be held accountable by her constituents.

Byers said several lawmakers have moved away from her in the elevator, and that the Kansas Republican Party’s last platform, drafted in 2018, declares that, “We believe God created two genders, male and female.”

In her email to Riffel, Helmer wrote, “A doctor can inject meds and dilute but cannot destroy what God has done in the perfection of the HUMAN BEING.”

Riffel said in an interview that they weren’t surprised by Helmer’s response, “considering what it would take” to sponsor the bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.

“The rhetoric against the LGBTQ community has been the same for years, that we’re a threat to society; we’re going to hurt people,” said Riffel. “I just want to go about and just be myself.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas state lawmaker has complained publicly about having to share women’s restrooms with a “huge” transgender colleague whom she describes as a potential threat to young children who visit the Statehouse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650925640050.png" alt="Rep. Cheryl Helmer-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Cheryl Helmer-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — LGBTQ rights advocates called Tuesday for a Kansas state lawmaker to be formally censured after she publicly said she didn’t want to share the women’s restrooms at the Statehouse with a transgender colleague.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Equality Kansas has just hand-delivered this letter to Speaker <a href="https://twitter.com/RonRyckman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonRyckman</a>. We call on him to immediately hold Rep Cheryl Helmer accountable for the hateful, bigoted and slanderous statements she made about Rep Stephanie Byers. There is no place for homophobia in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a>. <a href="https://t.co/h6jbuPhzJT">pic.twitter.com/h6jbuPhzJT</a>&mdash; Equality Kansas (@KansasEquality) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasEquality/status/1519067291001966593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Kansas House’s top Republican called GOP state Rep. Cheryl Helmer’s comments “unfortunate” and Democrats condemned them. The state’s leading LGBTQ rights lobbyist saw “a new level of toxic bigotry” in Helmer’s emailed remarks to a University of Kansas student and subsequent interviews about Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612468437256.png" alt="Rep. Stephanie Byers" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephanie Byers</figcaption>
 </figure>The furor over Helmer’s remarks shadowed GOP lawmakers’ attempt to override&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto</a>&nbsp;of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s K-12 and college sports.“We know this has been going on in offices, and back rooms and conversations since the day I was elected,” Byers said Tuesday. “The shocking part is that it came out, that someone actually said it.”Helmer stood firmly by her comments while defending&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2210_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;she co-sponsored that would make it a felony for doctors to provide hormones or do gender transition surgery for children under 18. She also said she worried about the safety of young children who visit the Statehouse and decried what she called an “in your face” approach to promoting transgender rights from Byers, the state’s first elected transgender lawmaker.The 70-year-old Republican lawmaker also said she tried to make a point when she mistakenly entered a men’s restroom in the House in early 2021. The men, she said, were surprised and upset, so she asked them how they would like it if a woman regularly used their restroom. Pressed on the issue Monday evening, she said parents shouldn’t be allowed to “change” their child’s gender.“You can’t lop a penis off and then expect, you know, a little boy to now live his life,” she said. “He’ll be in regret for the rest of his life.”Supporters of the bill on transgender athletes have said they want to preserve fair competition and are not attacking transgender girls and women. LGBTQ rights advocates said Helmer’s comments prove anti-trans bigotry is behind the measure.The Kansas Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220426105844_570455/" target="_blank">voted 28-10</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to override Kelly’s veto of the transgender athletes bill. A House vote will follow, but it wasn’t likely this week.Republicans in at least 15 states have enacted bans on transgender athletes, and several have outlawed gender-affirming medical care for children. In Michigan, a conservative state senator accused a Democratic colleague of wanting to “groom” and “sexualize” young children, prompting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-social-michigan-9651ec94e425db841581562aed6bbcbb">a response</a>&nbsp;that went viral on social media.Helmer is a retired Wichita school counselor and nursing instructor, a conservative Republican elected in 2018 to represent a district south of the state’s largest city. She participates in rodeo barrel racing and has a sign in her office that says, “My horse is smarter than your honor student.”Byers, 59, is a retired Wichita high school music teacher and band director who was elected to the House in 2020.In her email Sunday to 25-year-old University of Kansas graduate student Brenan Riffel, Helmer wrote: “Now, personally I do not appreciate the huge transgender female who is now in our restrooms in the Capitol.” Riffel, who describes themself as trans-feminine and uses the pronouns they/them, released the email to the Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news provider.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650634763671.png" alt="Tom Witt" />
 <figcaption>Tom Witt</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-kansas-topeka-7139d8bedcc50a1d00e1d4cd8ebed70b">Tom Witt,&nbsp;</a>executive director of Equality Kansas, called on the Kansas House to censure Helmer, something that would take a formal complaint from another lawmaker and a two-thirds majority vote.“It is a new level of toxic bigotry that I have not seen in this building before,” Witt said.Equality Kansas later sent a letter to House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican, demanding that Helmer be punished. The speaker can strip a House member of committee assignments, but Ryckman noted that committees no longer are meeting for the year.Ryckman said that if another lawmakers files a complaint, the House will form a committee to investigate, adding, “She will be held accountable by her constituents.Byers said several lawmakers have moved away from her in the elevator, and that the Kansas Republican Party’s last platform, drafted in 2018, declares that, “We believe God created two genders, male and female.”In her email to Riffel, Helmer wrote, “A doctor can inject meds and dilute but cannot destroy what God has done in the perfection of the HUMAN BEING.”Riffel said in an interview that they weren’t surprised by Helmer’s response, “considering what it would take” to sponsor the bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.“The rhetoric against the LGBTQ community has been the same for years, that we’re a threat to society; we’re going to hurt people,” said Riffel. “I just want to go about and just be myself.”---------------By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas state lawmaker has complained publicly about having to share women’s restrooms with a “huge” transgender colleague whom she describes as a potential threat to young children who visit the Statehouse.Republican state Rep. Cheryl Helmer on Tuesday stood firmly by her comments in an email to a University of Kansas graduate student while defending&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2210_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;she co-sponsored that would make it a felony for doctors to provide hormones or do gender transition surgery for children under 18. She also decried what she called the “in your face” approach to promoting transgender rights by Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, the first elected transgender Kansas lawmaker.The House speaker called Helmer’s comments “unfortunate” and Democrats condemned them. The state’s most visible LGBTQ rights lobbyist called for the House to censure Helmer.The Republican-controlled Legislature is trying to override&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto&nbsp;</a>of a ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s K-12 and college sports. Supporters have said they want to preserve fair competition and are not attacking transgender girls and women, but LGBTQ rights advocates say Helmer’s comments prove anti-trans bigotry is behind the measure.“We know this has been going on in offices, and back rooms and conversations since the day I was elected,” Byers said Tuesday. “The shocking part is that it came out, that someone actually said it.”Helmer, 70, said in an interview that she was in the Statehouse with a mother and her young daughter and Byers a couple of months ago, and that the girl was frightened of Byers.Helmer also said she tried to make a point when she mistakenly entered a men’s restroom in the House in early 2021. The men, she said, were surprised and upset, so she asked them how they would like it if a woman regularly used their restroom.Pressed on the issue Monday evening, she said parents shouldn’t be allowed to “change” their child’s gender.“You can’t lop a penis off and then expect, you know, a little boy to now live his life,” she said. “He’ll be in regret for the rest of his life.”Meanwhile, the Kansas Senate voted 28-10 Tuesday to override Kelly’s veto of the transgender athletes bill. A House vote will follow, but the timing wasn’t clear.Republicans in at least 15 states have enacted bans on transgender athletes, and several have outlawed gender-affirming medical care for children. In Michigan, a conservative state senator accused a Democratic colleague of wanting to “groom” and “sexualize” young children, prompting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/media-social-michigan-9651ec94e425db841581562aed6bbcbb">a response</a>&nbsp;that went viral on social media.Helmer is a retired Wichita school counselor and nursing instructor, a conservative Republican elected in 2018 to represent a district south of the state’s largest city. She participates in rodeo barrel racing and has a sign in her office that says, “My horse is smarter than your honor student.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612468437256.png" alt="Rep. Stephanie Byers" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephanie Byers</figcaption>
 </figure>Byers, 59, is a retired Wichita high school music teacher and band director who was elected to the House in 2020.In her email Sunday to 25-year-old University of Kansas graduate student Brenan Riffel, Helmer wrote: “Now, personally I do not appreciate the huge transgender female who is now in our restrooms in the Capitol.” Riffel, who describes themself as trans-feminine and uses the pronouns they/them, released the email to the Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news provider.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650634763671.png" alt="Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-kansas-topeka-7139d8bedcc50a1d00e1d4cd8ebed70b">Tom Witt,&nbsp;</a>executive director of Equality Kansas, called on the Kansas House to censure Helmer, something that would take a formal complaint from another lawmaker and a two-thirds majority vote.“It is a new level of toxic bigotry that I have not seen in this building before,” Witt said.House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican, said he hasn’t seen Helmer’s full remarks, but “It’s unfortunate those words were said.”Byers said several lawmakers have moved away from her in the elevator, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.88.172/s1c.ac0.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/KSGOP-Platform-Adopted-June-23-2018.pdf" target="_blank">the Kansas Republican Party’s last platform,</a>&nbsp;drafted in 2018, declares that, “We believe God created two genders, male and female.”In her email to Riffel, Helmer wrote, “A doctor can inject meds and dilute but cannot destroy what God has done in the perfection of the HUMAN BEING.”Riffel said in an interview that they weren’t surprised by Helmer’s response, “considering what it would take” to sponsor the bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.“The rhetoric against the LGBTQ community has been the same for years, that we’re a threat to society; we’re going to hurt people,” said Riffel. “I just want to go about and just be myself.”___