SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas drug offender is going to prison for the repeated sexual assault of an underage girl.

District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 40-year old Bryce Hanks to life in prison without the possibility of parole until after 25 years and 570 months which will run consecutive to the life sentence.

In February, Hanks pled guilty to ten crimes including rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and aggravated criminal sodomy.

Hanks began sexually assaulting the girl when she was nine years old, according to the district attorney's office. The victim is now 18.

Hanks has been a registered offender since May of 2010 for drug crimes, according to the KBI offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650050079587.png" alt="Hanks-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hanks-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas drug offender is going to prison for the repeated sexual assault of an underage girl.District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 40-year old Bryce Hanks to life in prison without the possibility of parole until after 25 years and 570 months which will run consecutive to the life sentence.In February, Hanks pled guilty to ten crimes including rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and aggravated criminal sodomy.Hanks began sexually assaulting the girl when she was nine years old, according to the district attorney's office. The victim is now 18.Hanks has been a registered offender since May of 2010 for drug crimes, according to the KBI offender registry.

Registered offender sentenced for repeated sex assault of Kan. girl

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/kansas-shortage-of-behavioral-health-experts-exacerbates-community-treatment-challenges/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Psychologist Shawna 
Wright said only four of the state’s 105 counties have enough behavioral
 health professionals to meet demands of the population, and that 
shortage contributes to looping of mentally ill people in and out of the
 criminal justice system.

“We need quality behavioral health care in Kansas regardless of geography,” she said. “We’re still very underserved.”

The Rural Health Information Hub, a statistical resource funded by a 
federal grant, indicated the cluster of Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas and 
Shawnee counties in the northeast part of the state had sufficient 
personnel to serve community needs. In 2017, part of Sedgwick County was
 covered. Now, the entire county is considered underserved.

Wright, associate director of the University of Kansas Center for 
Telemedicine and Telehealth, told participants at the two-day Kansas 
Mental Health Summit in Topeka that telemedicine had potential to 
improve patient access to care, advance education of students and 
support continuing education of professionals. Telemedicine shouldn’t be
 viewed as a mental health panacea, she said, because it wouldn’t 
quickly change the workforce deficit.

The summit was organized to focus on judicial and community 
implications to the high percentage of mental illness among incarcerated
 individuals.

“Mental illness impacts all of our court dockets,” said Patti Tobias,
 a court management consultant with the National Center for State 
Courts. “It impacts all our communities. It impacts all our families. It
 impacts all our friends and neighbors. It is pervasive and we need to 
do better.”

Marc Bennett, district attorney in Sedgwick County, said stability in
 the life of someone with chronic mental illness was related to 
treatment, housing and employment. The court system can help with each 
of these factors by reducing the number of people with suspended Kansas 
driver’s licenses so they can work on these priorities, he said.

In addition, he said, the court system could improve outcomes by 
consolidating an individual’s cases to one jurisdiction. Someone with a 
mental health disorder will find it difficult to work with probation 
officers in a series of cities or counties, he said.

“A lot of people who are in trouble are in trouble in multiple 
places,” Bennett said. “When you’re on probation in three, four or five 
different places, you’re likelihood of being successful is going to be 
highly diminished.”

Wyandotte County District Court Judge Michael Russell said the 
county’s post-sentencing behavioral health court showed promise with 
people diagnosed with persistent mental illness.

The special court in Wyandotte County was established in 2017 and 
required collaboration with defense lawyers, prosecutors, mental health 
therapists and substance abuse counselors, he said.

“They are considered to be high risk, high needs,” said Russell, who 
said community partnerships were crucial to success of specialty courts.

He said the goal was to create individual treatment plans for adult 
residents of Wyandotte County placed on probation. Successful 
intervention through the special court can reduce time spent in the 
justice system, curtail recidivism and increase public safety, he said.

State Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said she was 
optimistic the Kansas Senate would follow the lead of the Kansas House 
by approving a 988 suicide prevention hotline. Another goal is to expand
 the number of crisis intervention units that can be dispatched with 
information drawn from hotline calls, she said.

Kansas will have to do more to increase the number of mental health 
personnel working across the state, Landwehr said. She said the state 
hadn’t recovered from departure of the renowned Menninger clinic from 
Topeka to Houston nearly 20 years ago.

“My goal is to put Kansas back on the map where it belongs,” the lawmaker said.

Wright, the psychologist with a background in rural service delivery,
 said cities and counties in Kansas should avoid reinventing the wheel 
when striving to enhance mental health services. She said the state’s 
experiment with placing counselors in public schools could be adopted to
 work in the justice system.

“If there is a passion and a desire to move forward, it’s about 
looking at systems that work and tailor them to your own community,” she
 said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040694250.png" alt="Psychologist Shawna Wright, far right, recommended the judicial system reforms aimed at helping individuals with mental illness should avoid reinventing the wheel in favor of modifying proven ideas to the target city or county. She spoke at a mental health summit in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Psychologist Shawna Wright, far right, recommended the judicial system reforms aimed at helping individuals with mental illness should avoid reinventing the wheel in favor of modifying proven ideas to the target city or county. She spoke at a mental health summit in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/kansas-shortage-of-behavioral-health-experts-exacerbates-community-treatment-challenges/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Psychologist Shawna 
Wright said only four of the state’s 105 counties have enough behavioral
 health professionals to meet demands of the population, and that 
shortage contributes to looping of mentally ill people in and out of the
 criminal justice system.“We need quality behavioral health care in Kansas regardless of geography,” she said. “We’re still very underserved.”The Rural Health Information Hub, a statistical resource funded by a 
federal grant, indicated the cluster of Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas and 
Shawnee counties in the northeast part of the state had sufficient 
personnel to serve community needs. In 2017, part of Sedgwick County was
 covered. Now, the entire county is considered underserved.Wright, associate director of the University of Kansas Center for 
Telemedicine and Telehealth, told participants at the two-day Kansas 
Mental Health Summit in Topeka that telemedicine had potential to 
improve patient access to care, advance education of students and 
support continuing education of professionals. Telemedicine shouldn’t be
 viewed as a mental health panacea, she said, because it wouldn’t 
quickly change the workforce deficit.The summit was organized to focus on judicial and community 
implications to the high percentage of mental illness among incarcerated
 individuals.“Mental illness impacts all of our court dockets,” said Patti Tobias,
 a court management consultant with the National Center for State 
Courts. “It impacts all our communities. It impacts all our families. It
 impacts all our friends and neighbors. It is pervasive and we need to 
do better.”Marc Bennett, district attorney in Sedgwick County, said stability in
 the life of someone with chronic mental illness was related to 
treatment, housing and employment. The court system can help with each 
of these factors by reducing the number of people with suspended Kansas 
driver’s licenses so they can work on these priorities, he said.In addition, he said, the court system could improve outcomes by 
consolidating an individual’s cases to one jurisdiction. Someone with a 
mental health disorder will find it difficult to work with probation 
officers in a series of cities or counties, he said.“A lot of people who are in trouble are in trouble in multiple 
places,” Bennett said. “When you’re on probation in three, four or five 
different places, you’re likelihood of being successful is going to be 
highly diminished.”Wyandotte County District Court Judge Michael Russell said the 
county’s post-sentencing behavioral health court showed promise with 
people diagnosed with persistent mental illness.The special court in Wyandotte County was established in 2017 and 
required collaboration with defense lawyers, prosecutors, mental health 
therapists and substance abuse counselors, he said.“They are considered to be high risk, high needs,” said Russell, who 
said community partnerships were crucial to success of specialty courts.He said the goal was to create individual treatment plans for adult 
residents of Wyandotte County placed on probation. Successful 
intervention through the special court can reduce time spent in the 
justice system, curtail recidivism and increase public safety, he said.State Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said she was 
optimistic the Kansas Senate would follow the lead of the Kansas House 
by approving a 988 suicide prevention hotline. Another goal is to expand
 the number of crisis intervention units that can be dispatched with 
information drawn from hotline calls, she said.Kansas will have to do more to increase the number of mental health 
personnel working across the state, Landwehr said. She said the state 
hadn’t recovered from departure of the renowned Menninger clinic from 
Topeka to Houston nearly 20 years ago.“My goal is to put Kansas back on the map where it belongs,” the lawmaker said.Wright, the psychologist with a background in rural service delivery,
 said cities and counties in Kansas should avoid reinventing the wheel 
when striving to enhance mental health services. She said the state’s 
experiment with placing counselors in public schools could be adopted to
 work in the justice system.“If there is a passion and a desire to move forward, it’s about 
looking at systems that work and tailor them to your own community,” she
 said.

Shortage of Kan. behavioral health experts exacerbates treatment challenges

VATICAN CITY (AP) — On what is supposed to be Christianity’s most joyful day, Pope Francis made an anguished Easter Sunday plea for peace in the “senseless” war in Ukraine and in other armed conflicts raging in the world, and cited the “troubling” risk of nuclear warfare.

“May there be peace for war-torn Ukraine, so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of this cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged,” Francis said, speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Square.

The pontiff had just finished celebrating Easter Mass in the square packed by faithful for the holiday for the first time since the pandemic began in early 2020. Applause erupted from many of the 50,000 people in the square and on a nearby avenue when he mentioned Ukraine.

“Please, please, let us not get used to war,″ Francis pleaded, after denouncing ”the flexing of muscles while people are suffering.” Yet again, the pontiff decried the war in Ukraine without citing Russian President Vladimir Putin for the decision to launch the invasion and attack against Ukraine on Feb. 24.

“Let us all commit ourselves to imploring peace, from our balconies and in our streets,″ Francis said. ”May the leaders of nations hear people’s plea for peace.”

In a clear reference to the threat of nuclear warfare, Francis quoted from a declaration by scientists in 1955: “‘Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?’”

Francis also drew attention to other wars in the speech known by its Latin name “Urbi et Orbi” — to the city and to the world.

“May the conflict in Europe also make us more concerned about other situations of conflict, suffering and sorrow, situations that affect all too many areas of our world, situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget,″ Francis said.

Among the conflicts cited by the pope were those in the Middle East. He exhorted peace and reconciliation for the peoples of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

He also cited Libya as well as Yemen, “which suffers from a conflict forgotten by all.”

Earlier, the pontiff, who has a knee ligament problem, limped badly as he made his way to an altar set up in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The altar was shaded by a canopy against brilliant sunshine.

Right after the end of Mass, Francis shook hands with prelates, then got aboard the white popemobile for a whirl through the square to greet cheering well-wishers among the rank-and-file faithful. He waved and patted the head of a baby who was handed to him. His smiles while greeting the crowd were a rare departure of late for the pope, who has used many of his appearances in recent weeks to issue somber denunciations of the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in London, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby called for Russia to declare a cease-fire and withdraw from Ukraine. The leader of the Anglican church said Easter is a time for peace and not “blood and iron.”

Noting that in the Eastern Orthodox church followed by many in Russia and Ukraine Sunday marks the start of Holy Week — with Easter coming on April 24 — Welby exhorted Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and commit to talks.

In an unusually blunt political remark, Welby also condemned the British government’s recent plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda as going against God.

Warm weather and the easing of many pandemic restrictions — including what had been for most of the pandemic in Italy a mandatory outdoor mask requirement — have seen tourism boom in Rome, with many visitors flooding the city for Holy Week ceremonies that culminated on Easter.

In Spain, believers and secular enthusiasts flocked back in large numbers to Holy Week processions this week for the first time since the start of the pandemic after most health restrictions were lifted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615845367722.png" alt="Pope Francis-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope Francis-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — On what is supposed to be Christianity’s most joyful day, Pope Francis made an anguished Easter Sunday plea for peace in the “senseless” war in Ukraine and in other armed conflicts raging in the world, and cited the “troubling” risk of nuclear warfare.“May there be peace for war-torn Ukraine, so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of this cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged,” Francis said, speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Square.The pontiff had just finished celebrating Easter Mass in the square packed by faithful for the holiday for the first time since the pandemic began in early 2020. Applause erupted from many of the 50,000 people in the square and on a nearby avenue when he mentioned Ukraine.“Please, please, let us not get used to war,″ Francis pleaded, after denouncing ”the flexing of muscles while people are suffering.” Yet again, the pontiff decried the war in Ukraine without citing Russian President Vladimir Putin for the decision to launch the invasion and attack against Ukraine on Feb. 24.“Let us all commit ourselves to imploring peace, from our balconies and in our streets,″ Francis said. ”May the leaders of nations hear people’s plea for peace.”In a clear reference to the threat of nuclear warfare, Francis quoted from a declaration by scientists in 1955: “‘Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?’”Francis also drew attention to other wars in the speech known by its Latin name “Urbi et Orbi” — to the city and to the world.“May the conflict in Europe also make us more concerned about other situations of conflict, suffering and sorrow, situations that affect all too many areas of our world, situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget,″ Francis said.Among the conflicts cited by the pope were those in the Middle East. He exhorted peace and reconciliation for the peoples of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.He also cited Libya as well as Yemen, “which suffers from a conflict forgotten by all.”Earlier, the pontiff, who has a knee ligament problem, limped badly as he made his way to an altar set up in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The altar was shaded by a canopy against brilliant sunshine.Right after the end of Mass, Francis shook hands with prelates, then got aboard the white popemobile for a whirl through the square to greet cheering well-wishers among the rank-and-file faithful. He waved and patted the head of a baby who was handed to him. His smiles while greeting the crowd were a rare departure of late for the pope, who has used many of his appearances in recent weeks to issue somber denunciations of the war in Ukraine.Meanwhile, in London, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby called for Russia to declare a cease-fire and withdraw from Ukraine. The leader of the Anglican church said Easter is a time for peace and not “blood and iron.”Noting that in the Eastern Orthodox church followed by many in Russia and Ukraine Sunday marks the start of Holy Week — with Easter coming on April 24 — Welby exhorted Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and commit to talks.In an unusually blunt political remark, Welby also condemned the British government’s recent plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda as going against God.Warm weather and the easing of many pandemic restrictions — including what had been for most of the pandemic in Italy a mandatory outdoor mask requirement — have seen tourism boom in Rome, with many visitors flooding the city for Holy Week ceremonies that culminated on Easter.In Spain, believers and secular enthusiasts flocked back in large numbers to Holy Week processions this week for the first time since the start of the pandemic after most health restrictions were lifted.___

Pope cites risk of nuclear war during Easter mass

NEW YORK (AP) — 2021 was the deadliest year in U.S. history, and new data and research are offering more insights into how it got that bad.

The main reason for the increase in deaths? COVID-19, said Robert Anderson, who oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work on death statistics.

The agency this month quietly updated its provisional death tally. It showed there were 3.465 million deaths last year, or about 80,000 more than 2020′s record-setting total.

Early last year, some experts were optimistic that 2021 would not be as bad as the first year of the pandemic — partly because effective COVID-19 vaccines had finally become available.

“We were wrong, unfortunately,” said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.

COVID-19 deaths rose in 2021 — to more than 415,000, up from 351,000 the year before — as new coronavirus variants emerged and an unexpectedly large numbers of Americans refused to get vaccinated or were hesitant to wear masks, experts said.

The coronavirus is not solely to blame. Preliminary CDC data also shows the crude death rate for cancer rose slightly, and rates continued to increase for diabetes, chronic liver disease and stroke.

Drug overdose deaths also continued to rise. The CDC does not yet have a tally for 2021 overdose deaths, because it can take weeks of lab work and investigation to identify them. But provisional data through October suggests the nation is on track to see at least 105,000 overdose deaths in 2021 — up from 93,000 the year before.

New research showed a particularly large jump in overdose deaths among 14- to 18-year-olds.

Adolescent overdose death counts were fairly constant for most of the last decade, at around 500 a year, according to the paper published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. They almost doubled in 2020, to 954, and the researchers estimated that the total hit nearly 1,150 last year.

Joseph Friedman, a UCLA researcher who was the paper’s lead author, called the spike “unprecedented.”

Those teen overdose deaths were only around 1% of the U.S. total. But adolescents experienced a greater relative increase than the overall population, even though surveys suggest drug use among teens is down.

Experts attributed the spike to fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that has been cut into heroin for several years. More recently it’s also been pressed into counterfeit pills resembling prescription drugs that teens sometimes abuse.

The total number of U.S. deaths often increases year to year as the U.S. population grows. But 2020 and 2021 saw extraordinary jumps in death numbers and rates, due largely to the pandemic.

Those national death trends affect life expectancy — an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live.

With rare exceptions, U.S. life expectancy has reliably inched up year after year. But the CDC’s life expectancy estimate for 2020 was about 77 years — more than a year and a half lower than what it was in 2019.

The CDC has not yet reported its calculation for 2021. But Goldman and some other researchers have been making their own estimates, presented in papers that have not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Those researchers think U.S. life expectancy dropped another five or six months in 2021 — putting it back to where it was 20 years ago.

A loss of more than two years of life expectancy over the last two years “is mammoth,” Goldman said.

One study looked at death data in the U.S. and 19 other high-income countries. The U.S. fared the worst.

“What happened in the U.S. is less about the variants than the levels of resistance to vaccination and the public’s rejection of practices, such as masking and mandates, to reduce viral transmission,” one of the study’s authors, Dr. Steven Woolf of Virginia Commonwealth University, said in a statement.

Some experts are skeptical that life expectancy will quickly bounce back. They worry about long-term complications of COVID-19 that may hasten the deaths of people with chronic health problems.

Preliminary — and incomplete — CDC data suggest there were at least 805,000 U.S. deaths in about the first three months of this year. That’s well below the same period last year, but higher than the comparable period in 2020.

“We may end up with a ‘new normal’ that’s a little higher than it was before,” Anderson said.

NEW YORK (AP) — 2021 was the deadliest year in U.S. history, and new data and research are offering more insights into how it got that bad.The main reason for the increase in deaths? COVID-19, said Robert Anderson, who oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work on death statistics.The agency this month quietly updated its provisional death tally. It showed there were 3.465 million deaths last year, or about 80,000 more than 2020′s record-setting total.Early last year, some experts were optimistic that 2021 would not be as bad as the first year of the pandemic — partly because effective COVID-19 vaccines had finally become available.“We were wrong, unfortunately,” said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.COVID-19 deaths rose in 2021 — to more than 415,000, up from 351,000 the year before — as new coronavirus variants emerged and an unexpectedly large numbers of Americans refused to get vaccinated or were hesitant to wear masks, experts said.The coronavirus is not solely to blame. Preliminary CDC data also shows the crude death rate for cancer rose slightly, and rates continued to increase for diabetes, chronic liver disease and stroke.Drug overdose deaths also continued to rise. The CDC does not yet have a tally for 2021 overdose deaths, because it can take weeks of lab work and investigation to identify them. But provisional data through October suggests the nation is on track to see at least 105,000 overdose deaths in 2021 — up from 93,000 the year before.New research showed a particularly large jump in overdose deaths among 14- to 18-year-olds.Adolescent overdose death counts were fairly constant for most of the last decade, at around 500 a year, according to the paper published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. They almost doubled in 2020, to 954, and the researchers estimated that the total hit nearly 1,150 last year.Joseph Friedman, a UCLA researcher who was the paper’s lead author, called the spike “unprecedented.”Those teen overdose deaths were only around 1% of the U.S. total. But adolescents experienced a greater relative increase than the overall population, even though surveys suggest drug use among teens is down.Experts attributed the spike to fentanyl, a highly lethal drug that has been cut into heroin for several years. More recently it’s also been pressed into counterfeit pills resembling prescription drugs that teens sometimes abuse.The total number of U.S. deaths often increases year to year as the U.S. population grows. But 2020 and 2021 saw extraordinary jumps in death numbers and rates, due largely to the pandemic.Those national death trends affect life expectancy — an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live.With rare exceptions, U.S. life expectancy has reliably inched up year after year. But the CDC’s life expectancy estimate for 2020 was about 77 years — more than a year and a half lower than what it was in 2019.The CDC has not yet reported its calculation for 2021. But Goldman and some other researchers have been making their own estimates, presented in papers that have not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals.Those researchers think U.S. life expectancy dropped another five or six months in 2021 — putting it back to where it was 20 years ago.A loss of more than two years of life expectancy over the last two years “is mammoth,” Goldman said.One study looked at death data in the U.S. and 19 other high-income countries. The U.S. fared the worst.“What happened in the U.S. is less about the variants than the levels of resistance to vaccination and the public’s rejection of practices, such as masking and mandates, to reduce viral transmission,” one of the study’s authors, Dr. Steven Woolf of Virginia Commonwealth University, said in a statement.Some experts are skeptical that life expectancy will quickly bounce back. They worry about long-term complications of COVID-19 that may hasten the deaths of people with chronic health problems.Preliminary — and incomplete — CDC data suggest there were at least 805,000 U.S. deaths in about the first three months of this year. That’s well below the same period last year, but higher than the comparable period in 2020.“We may end up with a ‘new normal’ that’s a little higher than it was before,” Anderson said.___

COVID, overdoses: 2021 was the deadliest year in U.S. history

WASHINGTON (AP)-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating Lucky Charms cereal after dozens of customers complained of illness after eating it.

The FDA said Saturday it has received more than 100 complaints related to Lucky Charms so far this year.

“The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury,” the agency said in a statement.

Several hundred people have also posted on a food safety website, iwaspoisoned.com, complaining of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting after eating Lucky Charms.

General Mills Inc., the Minneapolis-based company that makes Lucky Charms, Cheerios and other cereals, said it’s aware of those reports and takes them seriously. But the company said its own investigation has not found any evidence of consumer illness linked to Lucky Charms.

General Mills said it encourages consumers to share their concerns directly with the company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650195393198.png" alt="photo General Mills" />
 <figcaption>photo General Mills</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating Lucky Charms cereal after dozens of customers complained of illness after eating it.The FDA said Saturday it has received more than 100 complaints related to Lucky Charms so far this year.“The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury,” the agency said in a statement.Several hundred people have also posted on a food safety website, iwaspoisoned.com, complaining of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting after eating Lucky Charms.General Mills Inc., the Minneapolis-based company that makes Lucky Charms, Cheerios and other cereals, said it’s aware of those reports and takes them seriously. But the company said its own investigation has not found any evidence of consumer illness linked to Lucky Charms.General Mills said it encourages consumers to share their concerns directly with the company.

FDA: Dozens complained of illness after eating Lucky Charms

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas father who reportedly played video games after fatally injuring one of his twin infant children has been sentenced to more than 26 years in prison. 

Television station KAKE reports that 25-year-old Marlin Williams Jr. was sentenced Thursday to 316 months in prison. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree murder in the January 2020 death of his 2-month-old son, Marrell, and to three counts of aggravated battery for abusing the baby and his twin sister.

 Williams told police he was frustrated with the infants' crying and squeezed his son's head “extra hard" before leaving the room to go play video games for around a half-hour. Doctors later found that Marrell had suffered two skull fractures and that his twin sister had suffered a broken femur.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578932231028.png" alt="Williams-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas father who reportedly played video games after fatally injuring one of his twin infant children has been sentenced to more than 26 years in prison. Television station KAKE reports that 25-year-old Marlin Williams Jr. was sentenced Thursday to 316 months in prison. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree murder in the January 2020 death of his 2-month-old son, Marrell, and to three counts of aggravated battery for abusing the baby and his twin sister. Williams told police he was frustrated with the infants' crying and squeezed his son's head “extra hard" before leaving the room to go play video games for around a half-hour. Doctors later found that Marrell had suffered two skull fractures and that his twin sister had suffered a broken femur.

Kan. man who fatally hurt baby, then played video games sentenced

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A teenager charged with stabbing a 14-year-old student to death will remain in juvenile custody, a judge ruled Friday.

The 14-year-old suspect is charged in juvenile court with first-degree murder in the death of Manuel Guzman, who was stabbed Tuesday at Northeast Middle School in Kansas City.

His attorney, Tim Honse, asked during a brief detention hearing that his client be placed in home detention with monitoring, KMBC-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/juvenile-charged-in-fatal-stabbing-of-manuel-guzman-at-kansas-city-middle-school-to-remain-in-detention-facility/39739089">reported</a>. He noted the suspect as no prior criminal record.

The juvenile officers argued the teenager should remain in juvenile custody for the safety of the suspect, the public and to ensure he appears at his next court hearing.

The judge agreed and said the teenager would remain in detention.

Guzman was stabbed several times Tuesday morning in a bathroom at the middle school. He died later at a hospital. The suspect also attends the school.

Police have not released any information on what prompted the stabbing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649783049453.png" alt="Police have not released any information on what prompted the fatal school stabbing -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police have not released any information on what prompted the fatal school stabbing -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A teenager charged with stabbing a 14-year-old student to death will remain in juvenile custody, a judge ruled Friday.The 14-year-old suspect is charged in juvenile court with first-degree murder in the death of Manuel Guzman, who was stabbed Tuesday at Northeast Middle School in Kansas City.His attorney, Tim Honse, asked during a brief detention hearing that his client be placed in home detention with monitoring, KMBC-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/juvenile-charged-in-fatal-stabbing-of-manuel-guzman-at-kansas-city-middle-school-to-remain-in-detention-facility/39739089">reported</a>. He noted the suspect as no prior criminal record.The juvenile officers argued the teenager should remain in juvenile custody for the safety of the suspect, the public and to ensure he appears at his next court hearing.The judge agreed and said the teenager would remain in detention.Guzman was stabbed several times Tuesday morning in a bathroom at the middle school. He died later at a hospital. The suspect also attends the school.Police have not released any information on what prompted the stabbing.

Teen charged in fatal KC school stabbing denied home detention

BROWN COUNTY—One person was injured and another arrested after a crash during a chase by law enforcement just after 11a.m. Saturday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ram pickup driven by Liam Reilaine Odinson, 31, Denton,&nbsp;was traveling northeast across 130th Road while fleeing law enforcement. 

The pickup struck the ditch and came to rest at 130th Road, west of Horned Owl Road.

A passenger identified as Colton Lee Meyer, 24, Atchison, to Amberwell. Police took Odinson to jail on requested charges in connection to giving a worthless check, failure to appear, driving while license revoked and fleeing law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650138329722.png" alt="Odinson-photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Odinson-photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—One person was injured and another arrested after a crash during a chase by law enforcement just after 11a.m. Saturday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ram pickup driven by Liam Reilaine Odinson, 31, Denton,&nbsp;was traveling northeast across 130th Road while fleeing law enforcement. The pickup struck the ditch and came to rest at 130th Road, west of Horned Owl Road.A passenger identified as Colton Lee Meyer, 24, Atchison, to Amberwell. Police took Odinson to jail on requested charges in connection to giving a worthless check, failure to appear, driving while license revoked and fleeing law enforcement.

Kan. man jailed, another injured after crash during chase

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of shootings in Topeka.

Just after 11p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the the 2400 block of SW Burnett in Topeka, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell. Upon arrival, officers found that an 11-year-old girl was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

At 10:33 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to Saint Francis Hospital in Topeka in reference a victim with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers found a 29 year old male who was suffering from a non-life-threatening wound to the abdomen.

Police have not released additional details or reported an arrest in these two incidents.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of shootings in Topeka.Just after 11p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the the 2400 block of SW Burnett in Topeka, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell. Upon arrival, officers found that an 11-year-old girl was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.At 10:33 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to Saint Francis Hospital in Topeka in reference a victim with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers found a 29 year old male who was suffering from a non-life-threatening wound to the abdomen.Police have not released additional details or reported an arrest in these two incidents.

Police: 11-year-old Kansas girl injured in shooting

By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/emporia-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine-allowed-to-complete-degree/">Kansas Reflector</a>

EMPORIA — Following Newman Regional 
Health’s “change in position” regarding students not vaccinated against 
COVID-19, a Flint Hills Technical College nursing student has been 
allowed to finish her degree.

“Flint Hills Technical College 
announced in court (March 11) that they would reverse course and honor 
nursing student Molly Ellis’ religious beliefs and provide her nursing 
clinical studies at Newman Regional Hospital,” said Linus Baker, the 
Johnson County attorney who represented the plaintiff.

Just more than a month after <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/18/kansas-judge-blocks-college-from-failing-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine/">filing a lawsuit</a>,
 Ellis has been allowed to complete her remaining clinicals — required 
training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities — as
 well as the ones she missed at the beginning of the spring semester. 
Lyon County District Judge W. Lee Fowler issued an injunction in 
February to block FHTC from failing Ellis.

FHTC partners with Newman Regional 
Health in Emporia for students to earn field experience. When the 
lawsuit was filed, Newman Regional Health allowed exemptions for 
employees but not for students. This changed on March 11, when the 
hospital adapted its policy to allow students to file exemptions.

“Due to a change of position by 
Newman Regional Health,” said Clark Allemang, the Emporia attorney 
representing Kim McNeese, director of the nursing program at FHTC, 
“Flint Hills Technical College and Kim McNeese, D.O.N., have been able 
to obtain approval from Newman Regional Health allowing Molly access to 
participate in clinicals without COVID-19 immunization. Molly is now 
participating in clinicals at Newman Regional Health.”

During an earlier court hearing, 
Ellis testified she refused the COVID-19 vaccine because of “fetal 
lining taken from abortions a couple of decades ago.” While fetal cell 
lining was used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8205255/">according to the National Institutes for Health</a>, it wasn’t used in the production of the shots.

Though Ellis will be allowed to continue her education, litigation against FHTC and McNeese remains ongoing.

“While (allowing Ellis to complete 
her clinicals) resolves the bulk of the issues, the parties have not 
resolved the litigation,” Baker said. “But it does allow Molly to keep 
her religious convictions while completing her nursing degree at Flint 
Hills.”

In email correspondence between 
attorneys on March 21, FHTC attorney Monte Miller said Baker was acting 
in “bad faith” by refusing to specify a settlement proposal.

“Respectfully, any plaintiff that is 
evasive as to what specific relief is being sought seems to be an 
indicator of bad faith, churning for fees, and acting against the best 
interests of their client and judicial economy,” Miller wrote. “In good 
faith, we are asking you to provide your settlement proposal, or do we 
need to get Judge Fowler involved for his direction?”

Shortly after that email was sent, Baker responded.

“You know, Monte,” Baker wrote, 
“you’re doing that on purpose — questioning my ethics. I don’t have to 
negotiate the way you think I should if you’ve got a better way to 
negotiate get after it (soon). Until then, stop the flame throwing.”

The semester will be extended for Ellis, with her making up missed clinicals on May 17, 19, 24 and 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040495933.png" alt="Newman Regional Health partners with Flint Hills Technical College so its nursing students can complete clinicals, required training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities. Before changing its policy on March 11, the hospital only allowed employees, not students, to requisition a vaccine exemption. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Newman Regional Health partners with Flint Hills Technical College so its nursing students can complete clinicals, required training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities. Before changing its policy on March 11, the hospital only allowed employees, not students, to requisition a vaccine exemption. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/15/emporia-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine-allowed-to-complete-degree/">Kansas Reflector</a>EMPORIA — Following Newman Regional 
Health’s “change in position” regarding students not vaccinated against 
COVID-19, a Flint Hills Technical College nursing student has been 
allowed to finish her degree.“Flint Hills Technical College 
announced in court (March 11) that they would reverse course and honor 
nursing student Molly Ellis’ religious beliefs and provide her nursing 
clinical studies at Newman Regional Hospital,” said Linus Baker, the 
Johnson County attorney who represented the plaintiff.Just more than a month after <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/18/kansas-judge-blocks-college-from-failing-nursing-student-who-refused-covid-19-vaccine/">filing a lawsuit</a>,
 Ellis has been allowed to complete her remaining clinicals — required 
training that provides real-life experience at emergency facilities — as
 well as the ones she missed at the beginning of the spring semester. 
Lyon County District Judge W. Lee Fowler issued an injunction in 
February to block FHTC from failing Ellis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040560098.png" alt="Flint Hills Technical College nursing student Molly Ellis will be allowed to finish out the semester with a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Flint Hills Technical College nursing student Molly Ellis will be allowed to finish out the semester with a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHTC partners with Newman Regional 
Health in Emporia for students to earn field experience. When the 
lawsuit was filed, Newman Regional Health allowed exemptions for 
employees but not for students. This changed on March 11, when the 
hospital adapted its policy to allow students to file exemptions.“Due to a change of position by 
Newman Regional Health,” said Clark Allemang, the Emporia attorney 
representing Kim McNeese, director of the nursing program at FHTC, 
“Flint Hills Technical College and Kim McNeese, D.O.N., have been able 
to obtain approval from Newman Regional Health allowing Molly access to 
participate in clinicals without COVID-19 immunization. Molly is now 
participating in clinicals at Newman Regional Health.”During an earlier court hearing, 
Ellis testified she refused the COVID-19 vaccine because of “fetal 
lining taken from abortions a couple of decades ago.” While fetal cell 
lining was used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8205255/">according to the National Institutes for Health</a>, it wasn’t used in the production of the shots.Though Ellis will be allowed to continue her education, litigation against FHTC and McNeese remains ongoing.“While (allowing Ellis to complete 
her clinicals) resolves the bulk of the issues, the parties have not 
resolved the litigation,” Baker said. “But it does allow Molly to keep 
her religious convictions while completing her nursing degree at Flint 
Hills.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650040590453.png" alt="In February, an unlawful discrimination lawsuit was filed against Flint Hills Technical College and the director of its nursing program, Kim McNeese. The litigation remains unsettled. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>In February, an unlawful discrimination lawsuit was filed against Flint Hills Technical College and the director of its nursing program, Kim McNeese. The litigation remains unsettled. (Margaret Mellott for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In email correspondence between 
attorneys on March 21, FHTC attorney Monte Miller said Baker was acting 
in “bad faith” by refusing to specify a settlement proposal.“Respectfully, any plaintiff that is 
evasive as to what specific relief is being sought seems to be an 
indicator of bad faith, churning for fees, and acting against the best 
interests of their client and judicial economy,” Miller wrote. “In good 
faith, we are asking you to provide your settlement proposal, or do we 
need to get Judge Fowler involved for his direction?”Shortly after that email was sent, Baker responded.“You know, Monte,” Baker wrote, 
“you’re doing that on purpose — questioning my ethics. I don’t have to 
negotiate the way you think I should if you’ve got a better way to 
negotiate get after it (soon). Until then, stop the flame throwing.”The semester will be extended for Ellis, with her making up missed clinicals on May 17, 19, 24 and 26.

Kan. nursing student who refused COVID vaccine allowed to complete degree

COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has identified the woman killed in Friday's officer-involved shooting in Cowley County as Andrea C. Barrow, 32, of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Just after 11:45 a.m. Friday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.

The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver later identified as Barrow. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle, according to the KBI.&nbsp; When the deputies attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.

All three deputies were struck during the shooting. Barrow was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has one sheriff’s deputy still recovering from injuries at Wesley Medical Center. He is now in good condition. Two additional deputies involved in the shooting have been released from the hospital to continue recovering at home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650123044781.png" alt="Law enforcement investigators on the scene of Friday's fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement investigators on the scene of Friday's fatal officer shooting in Cowley County-phot courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has identified the woman killed in Friday's officer-involved shooting in Cowley County as Andrea C. Barrow, 32, of Arkansas City, Kansas.Just after 11:45 a.m. Friday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver later identified as Barrow. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle, according to the KBI.&nbsp; When the deputies attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.All three deputies were struck during the shooting. Barrow was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office has one sheriff’s deputy still recovering from injuries at Wesley Medical Center. He is now in good condition. Two additional deputies involved in the shooting have been released from the hospital to continue recovering at home.-------

Fatal gunfight: Kan. deputy remains hospitalized, suspect identified

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday signed a redistricting measure expected to preserve Republican supermajorities in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature while also making it possible for conservatives to elect more members to the state school board.

Kelly didn't say why she signed the measure in announcing her action, but she had praised the new House and Senate maps as fair to incumbents and “a pretty good job.” The maps also had bipartisan support among lawmakers.

The debate over the State Board of Education map was more contentious, with board members opposing it.

The Kansas Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to review the legislative maps and rule on their validity within 45 days. If the court strikes them down, lawmakers have another 15 days to pass new maps.

The state constitution also mandates that lawmakers redraw their districts every 10 years to make them as equal in population as possible after population shifts. Southeastern, central and parts of western Kansas lost population, while the Kansas City, Wichita, Lawrence and Manhattan areas gained.

The Board of Education offered its own plan, one likely to preserve the 10-member board's current moderate GOP-Democratic majority. That plan also avoided any districts with two incumbents, while the measure signed into law by Kelly created two of them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="State legislative district map 2022" />
 <figcaption>State legislative district map 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA, AP Political WriterTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday signed a redistricting measure expected to preserve Republican supermajorities in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Legislature while also making it possible for conservatives to elect more members to the state school board.Kelly didn't say why she signed the measure in announcing her action, but she had praised the new House and Senate maps as fair to incumbents and “a pretty good job.” The maps also had bipartisan support among lawmakers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648723358554.png" alt="School board district map 2022" />
 <figcaption>School board district map 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>The debate over the State Board of Education map was more contentious, with board members opposing it.The Kansas Constitution requires the state Supreme Court to review the legislative maps and rule on their validity within 45 days. If the court strikes them down, lawmakers have another 15 days to pass new maps.The state constitution also mandates that lawmakers redraw their districts every 10 years to make them as equal in population as possible after population shifts. Southeastern, central and parts of western Kansas lost population, while the Kansas City, Wichita, Lawrence and Manhattan areas gained.The Board of Education offered its own plan, one likely to preserve the 10-member board's current moderate GOP-Democratic majority. That plan also avoided any districts with two incumbents, while the measure signed into law by Kelly created two of them.

Kansas governor signs new legislative, school board maps

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a possible abduction have located the suspect and victim, according to Kansas City Police.

On Friday evening, police asked the public for help identifying a BMW SUV with Kansas license and suspect involved in a possible abduction at the McDonald’s at 75th and State Street.

The victim is safe and police continue their investigation. In addition, police reported the victim and suspect were known to each other.

Police reported no additional details Saturday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650111269439.png" alt="Security camera image KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a possible abduction have located the suspect and victim, according to Kansas City Police.On Friday evening, police asked the public for help identifying a BMW SUV with Kansas license and suspect involved in a possible abduction at the McDonald’s at 75th and State Street.The victim is safe and police continue their investigation. In addition, police reported the victim and suspect were known to each other.Police reported no additional details Saturday morning.

Police investigate possible abduction at Kan. fast-food restaurant 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Month by month, more of the roughly 40 million Americans who get help buying groceries through the federal food stamp program are seeing their benefits plunge even as the nation struggles with the biggest increase in food costs in decades.

The payments to low-income individuals and families are dropping as governors end COVID-19 disaster declarations and opt out of an ongoing federal program that made their states eligible for dramatic increases in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began offering the increased benefit in April 2020 in response to surging unemployment after the COVID-19 pandemic swept over the country.

The result is that depending on the politics of a state, individuals and families in need find themselves eligible for significantly different levels of help buying food.

Nebraska took the most aggressive action anywhere in the country, ending the emergency benefits four months into the pandemic in July 2020 in a move Republican Gov. Pete Rickett said was necessary to “show the rest of the country how to get back to normal.”

Since then, nearly a dozen states with Republican leadership have taken similar action, with Iowa this month being the most recent place to slash the benefits. Benefits also will be cut in Wyoming and Kentucky in the next month. Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Tennessee have also scaled back the benefits.

Republican leaders argue that the extra benefits were intended to only temporarily help people forced out of work by the pandemic. Now that the virus has eased, they maintain, there is no longer a need to offer the higher payments at a time when businesses in most states are struggling to find enough workers.

But the extra benefits also help out families in need at a time of skyrocketing prices for food. Recipients receive at least $95 per month under the program, but some individuals and families typically eligible for only small benefits can get hundreds of dollars in extra payments each month.

The entire program would come to a halt if the federal government decides to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-coronavirus-vaccine-medicaid-fbb66b72937f3517a5d3d1ba8840f339">its public health emergency</a>, though the Biden administration so far hasn’t signaled an intention to do so.

For Tara Kramer, 45, of Des Moines, the decision by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to end the emergency payments starting April 1 meant her monthly SNAP benefit plunged from $250 in March to $20 in April. Kramer, who has a genetic disorder that can cause intense pain, said the extra money enabled her to buy healthier food that made her feel better and help her to live a more active life.

“My heart sank,” Kramer said. “All the memories from before the emergency allotment came rushing back.”

Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Reynolds, noted the extra benefits were always intended to help people who lost jobs because of the pandemic and said, “we have to return to pre-pandemic life.” Murphy pointed out that Iowa has over 86,000 job openings listed on a state unemployment website.

But Kramer said she’s not able to work and that even getting out of her apartment can be a struggle at times.

Vince Hall, who oversees public policy for the nationwide food bank network Feeding America, said ending the extra benefits ignores the reality that even as the pandemic wanes there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-hunger-inflation-a3d8f4ed0c4842fc3927710f11207c9e">hasn’t been a decline in demand at food banks.</a>

Wages have been increasing in the United States and the national unemployment rate in March dropped to 3.6%, but those gains have been offset by an 8.5% increase in inflation compared to a year ago. Food is among items rising the fastest, leaving many families unable to buy enough groceries.

“The COVID pandemic is giving way to a hunger pandemic,” Hall said. “We’re in a real, real struggle.”

Feeding America, which represents 200 food banks, reports that demand for food has increased just as these organizations are seeing individual donations dwindle and food costs rise. The organization estimates the nation’s food banks will spend 40% more to buy food in the fiscal year ending June 2022 as in the previous year.

For people like Annie Ballan, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, the decision by Ricketts to stop participating in the program reduced the SNAP payments she and her son receive from nearly $500 a month to $41. Both have health problems and can’t work.

“From the middle of the month to the end of the month, people have no food,” Ballan said, her voice rising in anger. “This is all the governor’s fault. He says he loves Nebraskans, that Nebraskans are wonderful, but he’s cut off our food.”

The demand on food banks will only grow as more states reduce their SNAP payments, which typically provide nine meals for every one meal offered by food banks, Hall said.

Valerie Andrews, 59, of St. Charles, Missouri, said the SNAP benefits that she and her husband rely on fell from $430 a month to $219 when Missouri ended the extra payments in August 2021. Andrews, who is disabled, said she tries to budget carefully and gets food regularly from a food pantry but it’s difficult.

“We’re barely making it from paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It gets pretty rough most of the time.”

Officials at food banks and pantries said they will do their best to meet increased demand but there is no way they can fully offset the drop in SNAP benefits.

Matt Unger, director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council network of food pantries in Iowa’s capital city, noted the pantry’s cost for a 5-ounce can of chicken as jumped from 54 cents in March 2019 to a current price of $1.05.

“Costs are just going through the roof,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596032283510.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Month by month, more of the roughly 40 million Americans who get help buying groceries through the federal food stamp program are seeing their benefits plunge even as the nation struggles with the biggest increase in food costs in decades.The payments to low-income individuals and families are dropping as governors end COVID-19 disaster declarations and opt out of an ongoing federal program that made their states eligible for dramatic increases in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began offering the increased benefit in April 2020 in response to surging unemployment after the COVID-19 pandemic swept over the country.The result is that depending on the politics of a state, individuals and families in need find themselves eligible for significantly different levels of help buying food.Nebraska took the most aggressive action anywhere in the country, ending the emergency benefits four months into the pandemic in July 2020 in a move Republican Gov. Pete Rickett said was necessary to “show the rest of the country how to get back to normal.”Since then, nearly a dozen states with Republican leadership have taken similar action, with Iowa this month being the most recent place to slash the benefits. Benefits also will be cut in Wyoming and Kentucky in the next month. Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Tennessee have also scaled back the benefits.Republican leaders argue that the extra benefits were intended to only temporarily help people forced out of work by the pandemic. Now that the virus has eased, they maintain, there is no longer a need to offer the higher payments at a time when businesses in most states are struggling to find enough workers.But the extra benefits also help out families in need at a time of skyrocketing prices for food. Recipients receive at least $95 per month under the program, but some individuals and families typically eligible for only small benefits can get hundreds of dollars in extra payments each month.The entire program would come to a halt if the federal government decides to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-coronavirus-vaccine-medicaid-fbb66b72937f3517a5d3d1ba8840f339">its public health emergency</a>, though the Biden administration so far hasn’t signaled an intention to do so.For Tara Kramer, 45, of Des Moines, the decision by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to end the emergency payments starting April 1 meant her monthly SNAP benefit plunged from $250 in March to $20 in April. Kramer, who has a genetic disorder that can cause intense pain, said the extra money enabled her to buy healthier food that made her feel better and help her to live a more active life.“My heart sank,” Kramer said. “All the memories from before the emergency allotment came rushing back.”Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Reynolds, noted the extra benefits were always intended to help people who lost jobs because of the pandemic and said, “we have to return to pre-pandemic life.” Murphy pointed out that Iowa has over 86,000 job openings listed on a state unemployment website.But Kramer said she’s not able to work and that even getting out of her apartment can be a struggle at times.Vince Hall, who oversees public policy for the nationwide food bank network Feeding America, said ending the extra benefits ignores the reality that even as the pandemic wanes there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-hunger-inflation-a3d8f4ed0c4842fc3927710f11207c9e">hasn’t been a decline in demand at food banks.</a>Wages have been increasing in the United States and the national unemployment rate in March dropped to 3.6%, but those gains have been offset by an 8.5% increase in inflation compared to a year ago. Food is among items rising the fastest, leaving many families unable to buy enough groceries.“The COVID pandemic is giving way to a hunger pandemic,” Hall said. “We’re in a real, real struggle.”Feeding America, which represents 200 food banks, reports that demand for food has increased just as these organizations are seeing individual donations dwindle and food costs rise. The organization estimates the nation’s food banks will spend 40% more to buy food in the fiscal year ending June 2022 as in the previous year.For people like Annie Ballan, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, the decision by Ricketts to stop participating in the program reduced the SNAP payments she and her son receive from nearly $500 a month to $41. Both have health problems and can’t work.“From the middle of the month to the end of the month, people have no food,” Ballan said, her voice rising in anger. “This is all the governor’s fault. He says he loves Nebraskans, that Nebraskans are wonderful, but he’s cut off our food.”The demand on food banks will only grow as more states reduce their SNAP payments, which typically provide nine meals for every one meal offered by food banks, Hall said.Valerie Andrews, 59, of St. Charles, Missouri, said the SNAP benefits that she and her husband rely on fell from $430 a month to $219 when Missouri ended the extra payments in August 2021. Andrews, who is disabled, said she tries to budget carefully and gets food regularly from a food pantry but it’s difficult.“We’re barely making it from paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It gets pretty rough most of the time.”Officials at food banks and pantries said they will do their best to meet increased demand but there is no way they can fully offset the drop in SNAP benefits.Matt Unger, director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council network of food pantries in Iowa’s capital city, noted the pantry’s cost for a 5-ounce can of chicken as jumped from 54 cents in March 2019 to a current price of $1.05.“Costs are just going through the roof,” he said.

States scale back food stamp benefits even as prices soar

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">is in jail in</a> Kansas.

On Thursday afternoon, police booked 32-year-old Patricio Gomez into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">requested charges</a> of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug charges.

On March 28, U.S. Border Patrol Agents&nbsp;in the El Paso&nbsp;Sector&nbsp;arrested Gomez who was wanted for&nbsp;murder in Wichita.

The El Paso Station&nbsp;Border Patrol Agent encountered a Gomez walking along&nbsp;the south side of the Border Barrier&nbsp;near Fonseca Drive&nbsp;and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

When agents questioned the Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S.&nbsp;citizen and that he had&nbsp;just&nbsp;entered the United States&nbsp;from Mexico, illegally,&nbsp;by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry,&nbsp;and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation.&nbsp;Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history&nbsp;and an&nbsp;active&nbsp;warrant&nbsp;out of&nbsp;Wichita for&nbsp;murder.

Gomez was&nbsp;remanded to the&nbsp;custody of the&nbsp;El Paso County Sheriff’s&nbsp;Office until his extradition to Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On October 1, Wichita police issued an alert in an attempt to locate Gomez.

Just before 6:30p.m. Sept. 30, 2021. officers responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed&nbsp;Patricio&nbsp;along with a woman arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;and the woman fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

Police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650038792432.png" alt="Gomez-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gomez-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">is in jail in</a> Kansas.On Thursday afternoon, police booked 32-year-old Patricio Gomez into the Sedgwick County Jail on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=158988">requested charges</a> of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug charges.On March 28, U.S. Border Patrol Agents&nbsp;in the El Paso&nbsp;Sector&nbsp;arrested Gomez who was wanted for&nbsp;murder in Wichita.The El Paso Station&nbsp;Border Patrol Agent encountered a Gomez walking along&nbsp;the south side of the Border Barrier&nbsp;near Fonseca Drive&nbsp;and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.When agents questioned the Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S.&nbsp;citizen and that he had&nbsp;just&nbsp;entered the United States&nbsp;from Mexico, illegally,&nbsp;by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry,&nbsp;and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation.&nbsp;Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history&nbsp;and an&nbsp;active&nbsp;warrant&nbsp;out of&nbsp;Wichita for&nbsp;murder.Gomez was&nbsp;remanded to the&nbsp;custody of the&nbsp;El Paso County Sheriff’s&nbsp;Office until his extradition to Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Gomez-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On October 1, Wichita police issued an alert in an attempt to locate Gomez.Just before 6:30p.m. Sept. 30, 2021. officers responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed&nbsp;Patricio&nbsp;along with a woman arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gomez&nbsp;and the woman fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.Police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp;

Murder suspect captured at U.S. border extradited to Kansas 

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday her veto of two controversial measures including the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and the"Parents' Bill of Rights."

On the veto of Senate Bill 160, the ban of transgender athletes in women's sports Kelly, Kelly said in a statement from her office.

"Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business.

"We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn't come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.&nbsp;

"This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.

Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma.

In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.

On her veto of Senate Bill 58, the "<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb58/">Parents Bill of Rights,</a>" Kelly said, "Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome.

"This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.&nbsp;

"That's unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648900498513.png" alt="Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker during debate on the transgender sports bill- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker during debate on the transgender sports bill- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday her veto of two controversial measures including the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and the"Parents' Bill of Rights." On the veto of Senate Bill 160, the ban of transgender athletes in women's sports Kelly, Kelly said in a statement from her office."Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business."We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn't come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.&nbsp;"This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma.In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.On her veto of Senate Bill 58, the "<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb58/">Parents Bill of Rights,</a>" Kelly said, "Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome."This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.&nbsp;"That's unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.

 Kan Gov. vetoes ban on transgender athletes in women's sports, parents bill of rights

COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday in rural Cowley County. Three deputies were shot, and one woman was shot and killed during the incident, according to a media release from the KBI.

Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 11:45 a.m. reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield, Kansas. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.

The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle. When they attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.

All three deputies were struck during the shooting. The woman was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The woman will be identified once next of kin has been notified.

EMS responded and transported the three deputies to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Following treatment of their injuries, two of the deputies have been upgraded to good condition, and could be released later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but he is expected to recover.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650056191925.png" alt="Law enforcement authorities on the scene in Cowley County -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement authorities on the scene in Cowley County -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday in rural Cowley County. Three deputies were shot, and one woman was shot and killed during the incident, according to a media release from the KBI.Preliminary information indicates that deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 11:45 a.m. reporting a suspicious vehicle. They began searching for the reported black Jeep Liberty, and at approximately 12:10 p.m. deputies radioed that they had located the vehicle north of Winfield, Kansas. It was parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd&nbsp;Road.The three deputies approached the SUV and made contact with the female driver. She did not comply with their commands to get out of the vehicle. When they attempted to remove her from the vehicle, the woman pulled out a handgun and gunfire was exchanged.All three deputies were struck during the shooting. The woman was also shot during the incident. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The woman will be identified once next of kin has been notified.EMS responded and transported the three deputies to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Following treatment of their injuries, two of the deputies have been upgraded to good condition, and could be released later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but he is expected to recover.---------COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Cowley County&nbsp; that sent three deputies to an area hospital, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.On Friday afternoon, KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to an investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp; The shooting occurred north of Winfield off of US 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County. Deputies had initially responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle.&nbsp;Three deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were shot during the incident and were taken to Wesley in Wichita for treatment.The conditions of two of the deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was reported good, according to Underwood and they may even be released from the hospital later Friday. The third deputy’s injuries are more serious, but that deputy is also expected to recover.One female subject involved in the shooting was pronounced deceased at the scene.------COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Cowley, according to Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood.The shooting, involving the Cowley County Sheriff's office, occurred Friday afternoon north of Winfield off of U.S. 77 Highway and 122nd Street in Cowley County.KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team are assisting with the investigation, according to Underwood.&nbsp;Authorities have not released details related to the condition of the subjects involved. Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.