CASS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities looking for two people wanted in connection with the robbery of two puppies from a woman at a Harrisonville gas station have recovered the puppies.

Just after 4p.m. July 7, police responded to Sapp Bros,&nbsp;27603 SW Outer Road in Harrisonville in reference to a theft report, according to a social media report from police.

Police asked for help to locate Melanie and Donnell Mendez. Police believe they reside in the Kansas City, Kansas area. They are persons of interest in the theft of two American Pitbull pups.&nbsp; On Monday Lost and Found Pets of KC reported&nbsp; the two puppies were brought into the Wyandotte Plaza PetSmart and returned to their rightful owners. Police confirmed the dogs were reunited with the owners. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657556561305.png" alt="Photo courtesy Lost and Found Pets of KC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Lost and Found Pets of KC</figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities looking for two people wanted in connection with the robbery of two puppies from a woman at a Harrisonville gas station have recovered the puppies.Just after 4p.m. July 7, police responded to Sapp Bros,&nbsp;27603 SW Outer Road in Harrisonville in reference to a theft report, according to a social media report from police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657556520506.png" alt="Photo of Melanie and Donnell Mendez Harrisonville Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Melanie and Donnell Mendez Harrisonville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police asked for help to locate Melanie and Donnell Mendez. Police believe they reside in the Kansas City, Kansas area. They are persons of interest in the theft of two American Pitbull pups.&nbsp; On Monday Lost and Found Pets of KC reported&nbsp; the two puppies were brought into the Wyandotte Plaza PetSmart and returned to their rightful owners. Police confirmed the dogs were reunited with the owners. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Police: Reported stolen puppies returned to owners at Kan. store

LYON COUNTY —A Kansas teen was injured in an accidental shooting on Sunday in Lyon County.

Just before 1a.m., a 16-year-old Hartford, Kansas boy was carrying fishing gear and a .22-caliber handgun down an embankment in the 1400 block of Road M near the Neosho River south of Emporia to go fishing, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

An unspecified dangerous animal startled the teen. As he started backing away, he fell and the gun to discharged into his lower left leg.

EMS transported the teen identified as&nbsp;Blaine Ashton McComsey to Coffey County Hospital in Burlington&nbsp; where he was treated and released.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not report additional details on the animal involved.

LYON COUNTY —A Kansas teen was injured in an accidental shooting on Sunday in Lyon County.Just before 1a.m., a 16-year-old Hartford, Kansas boy was carrying fishing gear and a .22-caliber handgun down an embankment in the 1400 block of Road M near the Neosho River south of Emporia to go fishing, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.An unspecified dangerous animal startled the teen. As he started backing away, he fell and the gun to discharged into his lower left leg.EMS transported the teen identified as&nbsp;Blaine Ashton McComsey to Coffey County Hospital in Burlington&nbsp; where he was treated and released.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not report additional details on the animal involved.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Animal startled Kan. teen before accidental shooting 

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday he is considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?521592-1/president-biden-remarks-protestors-dobbs-v-jackson-decision">Click here to watch</a> the President's comments

He also offered a message to people enraged by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's ruling</a>&nbsp;last month that ended a constitutional right to abortion and who have been demonstrating across the country: “Keep protesting. Keep making your point. It's critically important."

The president, in remarks to reporters during a stop on a bike ride near his family's Delaware beach house, said he lacks the power to force the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">dozen-plus states with strict restrictions or outright bans on abortion</a>&nbsp;to allow the procedure.

“I don’t have the authority to say that we’re going to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court's decision from 1973 that had established a national right to abortion. Biden said Congress would have to codify that right and for that to have a better chance in the future, voters would have to elect more lawmakers who support abortion access.

Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women” after the ruling, including considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources. Such a move has been pushed by advocates, but White House officials have questioned both its legality and effectiveness, and noted it would almost certainly face legal challenges.

The president said he has asked officials “to look at whether I have the authority to do that and what impact that would have.”

On Friday, Jen Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said it “didn't seem like a great option.”

“When we looked at the public health emergency, we learned a couple things: One is that it doesn’t free very many resources," she told reporters. “It’s what’s in the public health emergency fund, and there’s very little money — tens of thousands of dollars in it. So that didn’t seem like a great option. And it also doesn’t release a significant amount of legal authority. And so that’s why we haven’t taken that action yet.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657500474660.png" alt="President&nbsp;Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women." -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President&nbsp;Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women." -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday he is considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion access</a>&nbsp;even though the White House has said it doesn't seem like “a great option.”<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?521592-1/president-biden-remarks-protestors-dobbs-v-jackson-decision">Click here to watch</a> the President's commentsHe also offered a message to people enraged by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's ruling</a>&nbsp;last month that ended a constitutional right to abortion and who have been demonstrating across the country: “Keep protesting. Keep making your point. It's critically important."The president, in remarks to reporters during a stop on a bike ride near his family's Delaware beach house, said he lacks the power to force the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">dozen-plus states with strict restrictions or outright bans on abortion</a>&nbsp;to allow the procedure.“I don’t have the authority to say that we’re going to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court's decision from 1973 that had established a national right to abortion. Biden said Congress would have to codify that right and for that to have a better chance in the future, voters would have to elect more lawmakers who support abortion access.Biden said his administration is trying to do a “lot of things to accommodate the rights of women” after the ruling, including considering declaring a public health emergency to free up federal resources. Such a move has been pushed by advocates, but White House officials have questioned both its legality and effectiveness, and noted it would almost certainly face legal challenges.The president said he has asked officials “to look at whether I have the authority to do that and what impact that would have.”On Friday, Jen Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said it “didn't seem like a great option.”“When we looked at the public health emergency, we learned a couple things: One is that it doesn’t free very many resources," she told reporters. “It’s what’s in the public health emergency fund, and there’s very little money — tens of thousands of dollars in it. So that didn’t seem like a great option. And it also doesn’t release a significant amount of legal authority. And so that’s why we haven’t taken that action yet.”___

🎥 Biden considering a health emergency for abortion access

Prime Day has become a summer event, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/seattle/profile/ecommerce/amazoncom-1296-7039385" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (a BBB Accredited Business) isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts on July 12 and 13, 2022. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/competing-prime-day-sales" target="_blank">Walmart, Target, Kohl's and many other companies</a>
 are running their own sales. More deals are great for consumers, and 
more people out shopping is great for businesses large and small.&nbsp; Just 
be careful, and don't get so caught up in excitement that you fall for 
phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.

Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21203-scam-alert-phishing-emails-target-shoppers-with-post-holiday-offer" target="_blank">Phishing scams increase</a>
 during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you
 are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what 
you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for
 a phishing scam posing as a big name store.&nbsp;

Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These 
messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is
 a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or 
give up your personal information. One recent phishing con claims to be <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account</a>. This ruse is meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.

Beware of false advertising and phony websites.&nbsp;When
 searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point
 to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at 
first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look 
more closely at the URL, you’ll notice that the domain name is slightly 
different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be 
PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).

Always make sure websites use the correct business name spelling and 
have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, 
use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be 
selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably
 a con.

Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day: 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBPrime Day has become a summer event, and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/wa/seattle/profile/ecommerce/amazoncom-1296-7039385" target="_blank">Amazon</a> (a BBB Accredited Business) isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts on July 12 and 13, 2022. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/competing-prime-day-sales" target="_blank">Walmart, Target, Kohl's and many other companies</a>
 are running their own sales. More deals are great for consumers, and 
more people out shopping is great for businesses large and small.&nbsp; Just 
be careful, and don't get so caught up in excitement that you fall for 
phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.<h2>Scams to look out for: </h2>Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/21203-scam-alert-phishing-emails-target-shoppers-with-post-holiday-offer" target="_blank">Phishing scams increase</a>
 during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you
 are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what 
you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for
 a phishing scam posing as a big name store.&nbsp;Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These 
messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is
 a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or 
give up your personal information. One recent phishing con claims to be <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account</a>. This ruse is meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.Beware of false advertising and phony websites.&nbsp;When
 searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point
 to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at 
first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look 
more closely at the URL, you’ll notice that the domain name is slightly 
different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be 
PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).Always make sure websites use the correct business name spelling and 
have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, 
use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be 
selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably
 a con.<h2>Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day: </h2><ul>
 <li>Beware of fake lookalike websites: Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, <a href="https://lookup.icann.org/" target="_blank">research the age of the domain</a>, search for contact information, and read online reviews. </li><li>Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer.&nbsp;Scammers often steal photos off other websites, so don’t believe what you see. &nbsp; </li><li>Make sure the website is secure.&nbsp;Look
 for the “HTTPS” in the URL (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and a small 
lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal 
information into a website with only “HTTP.” It is NOT secure. </li><li>Be careful purchasing sought-after products. If 
something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great 
deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the most popular 
products at low prices.&nbsp;Here’s <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23422-bbb-scam-alert-fake-deals-on-gaming-consoles-trick-holiday-shoppers" target="_blank">one example involving game consoles</a>. </li><li>Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make 
online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up 
later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card 
company. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13038-how-to-avoid-digital-wallet-scams-on-paypal-venmo-and-other-services" target="_blank">digital wallet apps</a>, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.&nbsp; </li><li>After you buy, stay alert for scams. Scammers spoof various phone numbers and pretend to be Amazon support. Read how <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/23214-bbb-scam-alert-phony-amazon-callers-phishing" target="_blank">phony Amazon callers are phishing for your info</a>.</li>
 </ul>

Prime Day a prime day for online scammers

NICKERSON, Kan. — They came out to remember and pray for a family. Many from Nickerson and surrounding communities came to Nickerson High School Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil for Trey Jones and his family.

Trey died Thursday from injuries suffered when he and three other members of his family were hit by a car in Louisville Kentucky. High School Principal Rick Blosser was the MC for the ceremony and afterwards talked with us about the tremendous loss the school district has suffered.

“It’s a terrible loss, I still can’t get my head wrapped around it,” Blosser said. “Trey and his family, incredible family, incredible father, incredible husband, he loved his kids.”

Blosser also noted Jones’ strong connections to the school district and community.

“He loved this school, he’s a Nickerson grad,” Blosser said. “There’s so much he has done for his community. I wish we could do more, these are small things of what we really owe Trey”

The turn out Sunday night included coaches, parents, students, not Just from Nickerson but from all around. And there were those who knew the Jones’ who have put so much into the school district and community.

“Obviously a lot of support for the family,” Blosser said. “When they come back they're going to need all of our support…it’s going to be a tough road for them.”

Many just stood in silence, some sang songs while a blanket with paper and pencils were laid out for anyone who wanted to write a message to Trey. The messages were then placed into two burning canisters in a tribute to the family.

Trey's wife, Assistant Superintendent Amy Jones, and their daughter Ava are still hospitalized in Louisville in what Blosser said will be a very long recovery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657510477922.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICKERSON, Kan. — They came out to remember and pray for a family. Many from Nickerson and surrounding communities came to Nickerson High School Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil for Trey Jones and his family.Trey died Thursday from injuries suffered when he and three other members of his family were hit by a car in Louisville Kentucky. High School Principal Rick Blosser was the MC for the ceremony and afterwards talked with us about the tremendous loss the school district has suffered.“It’s a terrible loss, I still can’t get my head wrapped around it,” Blosser said. “Trey and his family, incredible family, incredible father, incredible husband, he loved his kids.”Blosser also noted Jones’ strong connections to the school district and community.“He loved this school, he’s a Nickerson grad,” Blosser said. “There’s so much he has done for his community. I wish we could do more, these are small things of what we really owe Trey”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657510521322.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The turn out Sunday night included coaches, parents, students, not Just from Nickerson but from all around. And there were those who knew the Jones’ who have put so much into the school district and community.“Obviously a lot of support for the family,” Blosser said. “When they come back they're going to need all of our support…it’s going to be a tough road for them.”Many just stood in silence, some sang songs while a blanket with paper and pencils were laid out for anyone who wanted to write a message to Trey. The messages were then placed into two burning canisters in a tribute to the family.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657510500506.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trey's wife, Assistant Superintendent Amy Jones, and their daughter Ava are still hospitalized in Louisville in what Blosser said will be a very long recovery.

Candlelight vigil for Kansas family struck by car, killing father

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Sunday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Commander driven by Samuel Joseph Owens, 16, Solomon, was eastbound on Magnolia Road four miles east of Salina.&nbsp;

The vehicle traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Jennifer Michelle Wagerin, 38, Salina head-on. 

Wangerin was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Ryan's Mortuary. EMS transported Owen to Wesley Medical Center and an 11-year-old boy in the Dodge to Salina Regional Health Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Sunday in Saline County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Commander driven by Samuel Joseph Owens, 16, Solomon, was eastbound on Magnolia Road four miles east of Salina.&nbsp;The vehicle traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Jennifer Michelle Wagerin, 38, Salina head-on. Wangerin was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Ryan's Mortuary. EMS transported Owen to Wesley Medical Center and an 11-year-old boy in the Dodge to Salina Regional Health Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman dead, 2 juveniles hospitalized after head-on crash

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to committing a hate crime by shooting a local teenager eight times in an attempted murder that was motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation, according to the United State's Attorney.

Malachi Robinson, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Robinson, who has been in federal custody since he was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 10, 2021, will remain in federal detention until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

By pleading guilty, Robinson admitted that he shot the victim, identified in court records as “M.S.,” approximately eight times with a Taurus 9mm pistol in an attempt to kill him because of his sexual orientation, causing life-threatening injuries.

“Violence against others, motivated by hatred of their sexual orientation, is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri. “Such callous disregard for the life of a teenage victim, gravely wounded in a failed murder attempt, must be challenged by a commitment to protect the civil rights of all our citizens. When those rights are threatened, the Justice Department will act to hold the violators accountable.”

“As today’s plea indicates, any act of violence motivated by bias, hate or discrimination toward anyone is not only reprehensible but will not be tolerated by any law enforcement agency and is unwelcome in our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office. “Every individual has the right to live without fear of being attacked or harassed regardless of their sexual orientation. The FBI is committed to protecting those rights and will aggressively investigate those who violate them.”

“This defendant is being held accountable for violently attempting to end the life of someone because of his sexual orientation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This attempted murder is a reminder that hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community are real and must be confronted. Violent acts targeting people based on their sexual orientation are heinous crimes that have no place in our country. The Justice Department will continue to use our civil rights laws to pursue justice for survivors and others impacted by bias motivated crimes.”

According to the plea agreement, after a chance meeting at the Kansas City Public Library on May 29, 2019, Robinson and M.S. talked briefly over Facebook Messenger before leaving the library. Robinson then walked with M.S. in the Swope Park area under the guise of looking for a place to engage in a sex act. Around the same time, Robinson wrote separately to his girlfriend that he “might shoot this boy” because of his sexual orientation. When Robinson and M.S. ultimately entered a wooded area nearby, Robinson pulled out his pistol and fired repeatedly at M.S.

Robinson fled through the woods toward his apartment building, and continued to engage in attempts to avoid detection or arrest. Later that day, and in the days that followed, Robinson told others that he shot M.S. because of his sexual orientation.

Under federal statutes, Robinson is subject to a sentence of up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657306576039.png" alt="Robinson-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Robinson-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to committing a hate crime by shooting a local teenager eight times in an attempted murder that was motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation, according to the United State's Attorney.Malachi Robinson, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Robinson, who has been in federal custody since he was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 10, 2021, will remain in federal detention until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.By pleading guilty, Robinson admitted that he shot the victim, identified in court records as “M.S.,” approximately eight times with a Taurus 9mm pistol in an attempt to kill him because of his sexual orientation, causing life-threatening injuries.“Violence against others, motivated by hatred of their sexual orientation, is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri. “Such callous disregard for the life of a teenage victim, gravely wounded in a failed murder attempt, must be challenged by a commitment to protect the civil rights of all our citizens. When those rights are threatened, the Justice Department will act to hold the violators accountable.”“As today’s plea indicates, any act of violence motivated by bias, hate or discrimination toward anyone is not only reprehensible but will not be tolerated by any law enforcement agency and is unwelcome in our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office. “Every individual has the right to live without fear of being attacked or harassed regardless of their sexual orientation. The FBI is committed to protecting those rights and will aggressively investigate those who violate them.”“This defendant is being held accountable for violently attempting to end the life of someone because of his sexual orientation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This attempted murder is a reminder that hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community are real and must be confronted. Violent acts targeting people based on their sexual orientation are heinous crimes that have no place in our country. The Justice Department will continue to use our civil rights laws to pursue justice for survivors and others impacted by bias motivated crimes.”According to the plea agreement, after a chance meeting at the Kansas City Public Library on May 29, 2019, Robinson and M.S. talked briefly over Facebook Messenger before leaving the library. Robinson then walked with M.S. in the Swope Park area under the guise of looking for a place to engage in a sex act. Around the same time, Robinson wrote separately to his girlfriend that he “might shoot this boy” because of his sexual orientation. When Robinson and M.S. ultimately entered a wooded area nearby, Robinson pulled out his pistol and fired repeatedly at M.S.Robinson fled through the woods toward his apartment building, and continued to engage in attempts to avoid detection or arrest. Later that day, and in the days that followed, Robinson told others that he shot M.S. because of his sexual orientation.Under federal statutes, Robinson is subject to a sentence of up to life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Hate crime: KC man admits shooting teen over sexual orientation

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an altercation after a vehicle crash.

Just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to 1819 NE Burgess CT in Topeka on a possible hostage situation, according to Lt. Manual Munoz.

While in route to the call, officers were advised that a mobile home trailer at the address had been struck by a vehicle.

As a result of the investigation police arrested Jayden Robert Evans, 20, of Topeka and transported&nbsp; him to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Criminal Threat, Felony Criminal Damage to Property

The investigation revealed that there was no actual hostage situation. Only minor injuries were reported at the scene, according to Munoz.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657385220907.png" alt="Evans-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Evans-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an altercation after a vehicle crash.Just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to 1819 NE Burgess CT in Topeka on a possible hostage situation, according to Lt. Manual Munoz.While in route to the call, officers were advised that a mobile home trailer at the address had been struck by a vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657385135607.png" alt="View of the crash scene -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash scene -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result of the investigation police arrested Jayden Robert Evans, 20, of Topeka and transported&nbsp; him to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Criminal Threat, Felony Criminal Damage to PropertyThe investigation revealed that there was no actual hostage situation. Only minor injuries were reported at the scene, according to Munoz.

Kan. man accused of assault after crash into mobile home


HUTCHINSON— 
For Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen 2022, Niomi Ndirangu, finding her voice while suffering from epilepsy growing up was a challenge.

"I was diagnosed when I was five years old," Ndirangu said. "As I started growing up, and going to school and being out in my community and doing all the things, I felt that I didn't have the proper care that I needed. Especially in the classroom setting, I would have times where I would have a seizure in class and my teachers would say, oh, well, why are you not paying attention in class? They would notify my mother about it and she would say, did you know that she had seizures? My teachers said no, absolutely not, we had no idea. That, to me, is a huge problem. If you don't know what type of medical risks or what signs to look for when one of your students is having a seizure, that can be seriously life threatening."

Ndirangu's goal is to widen epilepsy training, so that lives can be saved.

"I've been successful with that," I've partnered with The Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri &amp; Kansas. We have successfully trained over 1500 individuals. My goal is to keep doing that. I'm actually holding some seizure first aid events."

Thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation's national organization, there is an online training that Ndirangu is offering July 11 at the Wichita Public Advanced Learning Library and July 18 at the Andover Public Library. It takes about 45 minutes for those events. Ndirangu has been blessed to be symptom-free for some time now, but she said she will continue to advocate.

"Even if I wasn't Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen or preparing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, now that I've started this journey of providing training, I would still continue to it. It's truly just a passion for me. I truly believe we are changing people's lives by providing this training."

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition is next month in Dallas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657378488666.jpeg" alt="Niomi Ndirangu-Courtesy Miss Kansas Organization" />
 <figcaption>Niomi Ndirangu-Courtesy Miss Kansas Organization</figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON— 
For Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen 2022, Niomi Ndirangu, finding her voice while suffering from epilepsy growing up was a challenge."I was diagnosed when I was five years old," Ndirangu said. "As I started growing up, and going to school and being out in my community and doing all the things, I felt that I didn't have the proper care that I needed. Especially in the classroom setting, I would have times where I would have a seizure in class and my teachers would say, oh, well, why are you not paying attention in class? They would notify my mother about it and she would say, did you know that she had seizures? My teachers said no, absolutely not, we had no idea. That, to me, is a huge problem. If you don't know what type of medical risks or what signs to look for when one of your students is having a seizure, that can be seriously life threatening."Ndirangu's goal is to widen epilepsy training, so that lives can be saved."I've been successful with that," I've partnered with The Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri &amp; Kansas. We have successfully trained over 1500 individuals. My goal is to keep doing that. I'm actually holding some seizure first aid events."Thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation's national organization, there is an online training that Ndirangu is offering July 11 at the Wichita Public Advanced Learning Library and July 18 at the Andover Public Library. It takes about 45 minutes for those events. Ndirangu has been blessed to be symptom-free for some time now, but she said she will continue to advocate."Even if I wasn't Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen or preparing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, now that I've started this journey of providing training, I would still continue to it. It's truly just a passion for me. I truly believe we are changing people's lives by providing this training."The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition is next month in Dallas.

Miss Kansas Outstanding Teen is epilepsy training advocate

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-07-08/how-an-increasingly-brutal-kansas-climate-threatens-cattles-health-and-ranchers-livelihoods">Kansas News Service</a>

Rancher Scott Whiting heard stories about all kinds of extreme weather growing up in western Kansas.

Blizzards,
 dry spells and heat waves commonly peppered the tales his parents and 
grandparents told about the land the family has lived on in Lane County 
for nearly 150 years.

So he knew that trying to shield cattle from the elements came with the job.

“It’s just a brutal area,” Whiting said. “It’s a land of extremes”

But the combination of dangerous weather conditions that struck the region last month — killing <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-16/days-of-intense-heat-have-killed-thousands-of-cattle-in-kansas" target="_blank">thousands of cattle</a> — took those extremes to another level.

Daytime high temperatures jumped from the mid-60s to well over 100 
degrees in a matter of days, accompanied by unusually high humidity and 
calm winds. The seasons changed from cool spring to hot summer so 
quickly that a lot of Whiting’s cattle didn’t even have a chance to shed
 their long, thick winter coats.

He watched as some of them 
climbed into their drinking water tanks — something he’d never seen them
 do before — as they desperately tried to cool off.

“It’s one of 
those deals where you hope for the best,” Whiting said. “There’s not a 
whole lot you can do. … It was just a worst-case scenario.”

As forecasts point to a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/summer2022outlook" target="_blank">warmer-than-average summer</a> and climate change turns up <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/energy-and-environment/2021-06-29/hotter-nights-from-climate-change-will-mean-worse-harvests-for-kansas-farmers" target="_blank">nighttime temperatures</a>, heat stress among the state’s millions of cattle continues to be a growing concern.

Ranching makes up the largest share of the state’s agriculture industry — generating nearly <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-marketing/county-ag-stats/2021-state-of-kansas.pdf?sfvrsn=467097c1_0" target="_blank">$9 billion per year</a>,
 compared to just over $5 billion from Kansas grain farming. So finding 
ways to keep cattle cool in a warming climate is also critical to the 
state’s economy.

It’s not just heat that makes a given day’s weather dangerous for cattle.

Chip Redmond, a meteorologist with the statewide climate monitoring system<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, said humidity, wind speed and sun exposure can all be just as vital in determining how potentially deadly conditions may be.

That’s why the Mesonet puts out an <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/#mtIndex=0&amp;tab=chart-tab" target="_blank">animal comfort index</a>
 — similar to a heat index for humans. It takes all of those factors 
into account and tells livestock owners when and where the conditions 
are most dangerous.

“Anything over 105 (on the comfort index),” 
Redmond said, “you could expect potentially up to 5% losses of outdoor 
livestock, if they’re not taken care of.”

Timing matters. That’s a big part of what made the heat wave that killed thousands of Kansas cattle last month so extraordinary.

After enjoying a few weeks of cool weather in late May and early June, temperatures shot up rapidly. That meant two things.

First, the cattle didn’t have time to acclimate to those warmer temperatures.

Secondly, the moist air that accompanied the cool spring weather didn’t have time to clear out before the heat quickly moved in.

So almost overnight, cattle went from mild weather to a Great Plains steam bath.

“You
 had that overlap of about 24, 36, even 48 hours where you had that 
humidity still present with the high temperatures,” Redmond said. 
“That’s got the potential to be more dangerous.”

So contrary to conspiracy theories peddled on social media that the cattle were purposefully killed by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-kansas-cattle/fact-check-death-of-kansas-cattle-in-june-2022-caused-by-extreme-temperatures-officials-and-industry-say-idUSL1N2Y71GK" target="_blank">Bill Gates</a> or government <a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/extreme-heat-killed-cattle-in-kansas-not-chemtrails-or-a-food-shortage-scheme/" target="_blank">chemtrails</a>,
 it was simply the wrong weather at the wrong time. Redmond’s team is 
now researching past weather events that caused mass cattle die-offs in 
Kansas to see if they can find common threads between those disasters 
and the one that happened last month.

And while the extraordinary 
combination of factors that created that event are unlikely to repeat 
this summer, Redmond sees another trend that could still put Kansas 
cattle at risk: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200930194912.htm" target="_blank">rising nighttime temperatures</a> driven by climate change.

Dodge City experienced its warmest overnight minimum temperature ever last month. The low of 83 degrees on June 13th was the city’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1536701402667331585" target="_blank">highest in recorded history</a> dating back nearly 150 years.

Research shows that average overnight lows in Wichita steadily rose by <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/graphic/2021-summer-package?graphicSet=Summer+Nights/Minimum+Temperature&amp;location=Wichita+Area&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">2.7 degrees</a> from 1970 to 2020

When
 it doesn’t cool off overnight, Redmond said, that robs cattle of their 
only chance to recover from the heat of the day. And that could make 
heat stress an even bigger problem in the coming years.

“Those 
warmer overnight temperatures will be your biggest factor,” Redmond 
said. “When we keep warmer temperatures at night, that usually infers 
more humidity, and additional humidity with warmer temperatures usually 
leads to increased stress.”

Heat stress fueled by climate change already costs the American cattle industry up to <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/06/agriculture-cattle-heat-stress-abatement.html" target="_blank">$370 million</a>
 each year. A recent Cornell University study found that if global 
temperatures continue rising, heat stress could cost the world’s cattle 
producers <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220310143737.htm" target="_blank">$40 billion a year</a> by the end of this century.

And even if heat-stressed cattle avoid death, they could still experience other <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00002-X/fulltext#%20" target="_blank">lingering effects</a> such as low weight gain, poor milk production or fertility problems. That could <a href="https://academic.oup.com/af/article/9/1/3/5272569" target="_blank">further endanger</a> fragile global food systems that are already being <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/kansas-failing-wheat-crops/" target="_blank">strained</a> by a changing climate.

Dr.
 Erika Nagorske, a livestock veterinarian who partners with the national
 agriculture group Farmers Business Network, said heat stress is one of 
the top concerns among the producers she deals with in southwest 
Minnesota.

“It’s definitely always on our mind in the agriculture industry,” Nagorske said, “especially this time of year.”

While cattle are adaptable creatures, she said, rising nighttime temperatures pose a particularly grave threat.

“We’ve
 raised cattle in this part of the world and in Kansas for a very long 
time,” Nagorske said. “But where it becomes problematic is when it 
doesn’t cool off at night, when there’s just never a break.”

There’s not much ranchers can do to cool the night air, but Nagorske said there are several <a href="https://fbn.showpad.com/share/PmpnRqAOq1bCj2ateM9YU" target="_blank">practical steps</a> they could take to limit the risk to their herd.

But the most critical thing cattle producers can do is provide plenty of water.

The
 amount of water cattle drink doubles from winter to summer. On a hot 
day, Nagorske said, a 1,500-pound steer could drink up to 30 gallons — 
roughly enough to fill a bathtub.

At his ranch in Lane County, Whiting said his cattle made it through 
the extreme June weather, shed their winter hair and have now adjusted 
to the recent 100-degree temperatures.

“Events like that have happened before. They're gonna happen again,” Whiting said. “You just gotta keep on ranching.”

But he is already taking steps to prepare for future western Kansas heat.

He
 tries to have a few days worth of water on hand at all times, just in 
case one of his well pumps breaks down. Sometimes, he sets up sprinklers
 that run droplets of water over the cattle.

He’s also begun 
transitioning his herd from Black Angus cattle to other breeds that have
 lighter coloring. Research has shown that cattle with black hair are 
especially vulnerable to the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268237498_Impact_of_Hair_Color_on_Thermoregulation_of_Dairy_Cows_to_Direct_Sunlight" target="_blank">effects of heat stress</a> from sun radiation, just like a person who wears a black shirt on a hot day.

Whiting's main concern going forward is how the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-08/western-kansas-wheat-crops-are-failing-just-when-the-world-needs-them-most" target="_blank">ongoing drought</a>
 in western Kansas has stunted and shriveled the grass on his pasture. 
If the animals don’t get enough nutrition to stay strong, that could 
make them more vulnerable to the next heat wave.

And if the wrong 
weather conditions combine again like they did last month, he knows that
 protecting them from it might be out of his control.

“You go to every extreme you can think of,” Whiting said, “but sometimes nature can be pretty cruel.”

David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294704657.png" alt="Cattle drink at a water trough in rural Kiowa County east of Dodge City. The amount of water cattle need to drink doubles from winter to summer, up to 30 gallons a day per animal, in order to avoid heat stress. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Cattle drink at a water trough in rural Kiowa County east of Dodge City. The amount of water cattle need to drink doubles from winter to summer, up to 30 gallons a day per animal, in order to avoid heat stress. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-07-08/how-an-increasingly-brutal-kansas-climate-threatens-cattles-health-and-ranchers-livelihoods">Kansas News Service</a>Rancher Scott Whiting heard stories about all kinds of extreme weather growing up in western Kansas.Blizzards,
 dry spells and heat waves commonly peppered the tales his parents and 
grandparents told about the land the family has lived on in Lane County 
for nearly 150 years.So he knew that trying to shield cattle from the elements came with the job.“It’s just a brutal area,” Whiting said. “It’s a land of extremes”But the combination of dangerous weather conditions that struck the region last month — killing <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-16/days-of-intense-heat-have-killed-thousands-of-cattle-in-kansas" target="_blank">thousands of cattle</a> — took those extremes to another level.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Forecast Cattle Comfort expected to reach &quot;Extreme&quot; across much of Kansas today. Take precautions and monitor real-time data here: <a href="https://t.co/A9gCaByviJ">https://t.co/A9gCaByviJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4JCCSWtrX">pic.twitter.com/T4JCCSWtrX</a>&mdash; Kansas Mesonet (@ksmesonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet/status/1537448529228095489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Daytime high temperatures jumped from the mid-60s to well over 100 
degrees in a matter of days, accompanied by unusually high humidity and 
calm winds. The seasons changed from cool spring to hot summer so 
quickly that a lot of Whiting’s cattle didn’t even have a chance to shed
 their long, thick winter coats.He watched as some of them 
climbed into their drinking water tanks — something he’d never seen them
 do before — as they desperately tried to cool off.“It’s one of 
those deals where you hope for the best,” Whiting said. “There’s not a 
whole lot you can do. … It was just a worst-case scenario.”As forecasts point to a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/fwd/summer2022outlook" target="_blank">warmer-than-average summer</a> and climate change turns up <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/energy-and-environment/2021-06-29/hotter-nights-from-climate-change-will-mean-worse-harvests-for-kansas-farmers" target="_blank">nighttime temperatures</a>, heat stress among the state’s millions of cattle continues to be a growing concern.Ranching makes up the largest share of the state’s agriculture industry — generating nearly <a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-marketing/county-ag-stats/2021-state-of-kansas.pdf?sfvrsn=467097c1_0" target="_blank">$9 billion per year</a>,
 compared to just over $5 billion from Kansas grain farming. So finding 
ways to keep cattle cool in a warming climate is also critical to the 
state’s economy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294796412.png" alt="Cattle congregate at a feedlot in Garden City, just north of where thousands died during recent extreme weather in southwest Kansas. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Cattle congregate at a feedlot in Garden City, just north of where thousands died during recent extreme weather in southwest Kansas. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>No reliefIt’s not just heat that makes a given day’s weather dangerous for cattle.Chip Redmond, a meteorologist with the statewide climate monitoring system<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas Mesonet</a>, said humidity, wind speed and sun exposure can all be just as vital in determining how potentially deadly conditions may be.That’s why the Mesonet puts out an <a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/#mtIndex=0&amp;tab=chart-tab" target="_blank">animal comfort index</a>
 — similar to a heat index for humans. It takes all of those factors 
into account and tells livestock owners when and where the conditions 
are most dangerous.“Anything over 105 (on the comfort index),” 
Redmond said, “you could expect potentially up to 5% losses of outdoor 
livestock, if they’re not taken care of.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Extremely high cattle stress this weekend in southwest Kansas. Historical/real-time data here: <a href="https://t.co/hOrMOzBTN4">https://t.co/hOrMOzBTN4</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/OQZOh9PX4n">pic.twitter.com/OQZOh9PX4n</a>&mdash; Kansas Mesonet (@ksmesonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet/status/1536406366079811584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Timing matters. That’s a big part of what made the heat wave that killed thousands of Kansas cattle last month so extraordinary.After enjoying a few weeks of cool weather in late May and early June, temperatures shot up rapidly. That meant two things.First, the cattle didn’t have time to acclimate to those warmer temperatures.Secondly, the moist air that accompanied the cool spring weather didn’t have time to clear out before the heat quickly moved in.So almost overnight, cattle went from mild weather to a Great Plains steam bath.“You
 had that overlap of about 24, 36, even 48 hours where you had that 
humidity still present with the high temperatures,” Redmond said. 
“That’s got the potential to be more dangerous.”So contrary to conspiracy theories peddled on social media that the cattle were purposefully killed by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-kansas-cattle/fact-check-death-of-kansas-cattle-in-june-2022-caused-by-extreme-temperatures-officials-and-industry-say-idUSL1N2Y71GK" target="_blank">Bill Gates</a> or government <a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/extreme-heat-killed-cattle-in-kansas-not-chemtrails-or-a-food-shortage-scheme/" target="_blank">chemtrails</a>,
 it was simply the wrong weather at the wrong time. Redmond’s team is 
now researching past weather events that caused mass cattle die-offs in 
Kansas to see if they can find common threads between those disasters 
and the one that happened last month.And while the extraordinary 
combination of factors that created that event are unlikely to repeat 
this summer, Redmond sees another trend that could still put Kansas 
cattle at risk: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200930194912.htm" target="_blank">rising nighttime temperatures</a> driven by climate change.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294866542.png" alt="This graph shows how overnight low temperatures have steadily risen in central Kansas over the past 50 years, potentially robbing cattle of their chance to recover from daytime heat stress. Climate Central" />
 <figcaption>This graph shows how overnight low temperatures have steadily risen in central Kansas over the past 50 years, potentially robbing cattle of their chance to recover from daytime heat stress. Climate Central</figcaption>
 </figure>Dodge City experienced its warmest overnight minimum temperature ever last month. The low of 83 degrees on June 13th was the city’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1536701402667331585" target="_blank">highest in recorded history</a> dating back nearly 150 years.Research shows that average overnight lows in Wichita steadily rose by <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/graphic/2021-summer-package?graphicSet=Summer+Nights/Minimum+Temperature&amp;location=Wichita+Area&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">2.7 degrees</a> from 1970 to 2020When
 it doesn’t cool off overnight, Redmond said, that robs cattle of their 
only chance to recover from the heat of the day. And that could make 
heat stress an even bigger problem in the coming years.“Those 
warmer overnight temperatures will be your biggest factor,” Redmond 
said. “When we keep warmer temperatures at night, that usually infers 
more humidity, and additional humidity with warmer temperatures usually 
leads to increased stress.”‘Nature can be pretty cruel’Heat stress fueled by climate change already costs the American cattle industry up to <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/06/agriculture-cattle-heat-stress-abatement.html" target="_blank">$370 million</a>
 each year. A recent Cornell University study found that if global 
temperatures continue rising, heat stress could cost the world’s cattle 
producers <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220310143737.htm" target="_blank">$40 billion a year</a> by the end of this century.And even if heat-stressed cattle avoid death, they could still experience other <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00002-X/fulltext#%20" target="_blank">lingering effects</a> such as low weight gain, poor milk production or fertility problems. That could <a href="https://academic.oup.com/af/article/9/1/3/5272569" target="_blank">further endanger</a> fragile global food systems that are already being <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/kansas-failing-wheat-crops/" target="_blank">strained</a> by a changing climate.Dr.
 Erika Nagorske, a livestock veterinarian who partners with the national
 agriculture group Farmers Business Network, said heat stress is one of 
the top concerns among the producers she deals with in southwest 
Minnesota.“It’s definitely always on our mind in the agriculture industry,” Nagorske said, “especially this time of year.”While cattle are adaptable creatures, she said, rising nighttime temperatures pose a particularly grave threat.“We’ve
 raised cattle in this part of the world and in Kansas for a very long 
time,” Nagorske said. “But where it becomes problematic is when it 
doesn’t cool off at night, when there’s just never a break.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Warmer-than-normal temperatures, especially at night, can cause heat stress to develop rapidly in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/livestock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#livestock</a>. The <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ksmesonet</a> has an Animal Comfort tool that helps track heat stress values at each location throughout the state. Check it out here: <a href="https://t.co/nOhCKanO0z">https://t.co/nOhCKanO0z</a> <a href="https://t.co/sX25hgs4Me">pic.twitter.com/sX25hgs4Me</a>&mdash; K-State Agronomy (@KStateAgron) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateAgron/status/1538879340087087105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>There’s not much ranchers can do to cool the night air, but Nagorske said there are several <a href="https://fbn.showpad.com/share/PmpnRqAOq1bCj2ateM9YU" target="_blank">practical steps</a> they could take to limit the risk to their herd.<ul>
 <li>A
 cattle’s stomach generates a lot of internal heat, so feeding them 
during cooler nighttime hours can allow them to digest without 
overheating. There is also a variety of <a href="https://www.scahealth.com/p/ultracruz-calf-electrolyte-formula-cattle-supplement;jsessionid=Oe3Z0DydilFhMaF6qI5EUe2kYPPMY5P2JdQ76Yf4ndMb1TI7xgBq!-57602360!1657216711837" target="_blank">electrolyte</a> <a href="https://formafeed.com/faf-products/hydro-lac/" target="_blank">products</a> that can be added to feed — basically Gatorade for cattle — to help prevent dehydration.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Giving
 cattle access to mounds or hills — elevated spots where the breeze is 
likely to be a few miles per hour stronger — offers them opportunities 
to regulate their temperature.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Controlling flies lets cattle feel comfortable to spread out, which cools them down more than bunching up.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>In
 a region that doesn’t have many trees, cattle crowding close together 
under bits of scarce shade can block the breeze and raise their body 
temperatures. So Nagorske said installing a shade shelter might help.</li>
 </ul>But the most critical thing cattle producers can do is provide plenty of water.The
 amount of water cattle drink doubles from winter to summer. On a hot 
day, Nagorske said, a 1,500-pound steer could drink up to 30 gallons — 
roughly enough to fill a bathtub.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657294939227.png" alt="This animal comfort index map from Kansas Mesonet offers ranchers real-time data about the danger of heat stress where they live." />
 <figcaption>This animal comfort index map from Kansas Mesonet offers ranchers real-time data about the danger of heat stress where they live.</figcaption>
 </figure>At his ranch in Lane County, Whiting said his cattle made it through 
the extreme June weather, shed their winter hair and have now adjusted 
to the recent 100-degree temperatures.“Events like that have happened before. They're gonna happen again,” Whiting said. “You just gotta keep on ranching.”But he is already taking steps to prepare for future western Kansas heat.He
 tries to have a few days worth of water on hand at all times, just in 
case one of his well pumps breaks down. Sometimes, he sets up sprinklers
 that run droplets of water over the cattle.He’s also begun 
transitioning his herd from Black Angus cattle to other breeds that have
 lighter coloring. Research has shown that cattle with black hair are 
especially vulnerable to the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268237498_Impact_of_Hair_Color_on_Thermoregulation_of_Dairy_Cows_to_Direct_Sunlight" target="_blank">effects of heat stress</a> from sun radiation, just like a person who wears a black shirt on a hot day.Whiting's main concern going forward is how the <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-06-08/western-kansas-wheat-crops-are-failing-just-when-the-world-needs-them-most" target="_blank">ongoing drought</a>
 in western Kansas has stunted and shriveled the grass on his pasture. 
If the animals don’t get enough nutrition to stay strong, that could 
make them more vulnerable to the next heat wave.And if the wrong 
weather conditions combine again like they did last month, he knows that
 protecting them from it might be out of his control.“You go to every extreme you can think of,” Whiting said, “but sometimes nature can be pretty cruel.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> @davidcondos</a>.

Brutal Kan. climate threatens cattle’s health, ranchers' livelihoods

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/kelly-schmidt-clash-over-development-of-969-million-state-rainy-day-reserve-fund/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The state of Kansas had 
sufficient cash flow for the first time in more than 20 years to avoid 
borrowing to cover day-to-day operating expenses while simultaneously 
building a reserve fund in the just-completed fiscal year with a balance
 of nearly $1 billion.

The State Finance Council, comprised of the governor and legislative 
leaders, typically issue certificates of indebtedness for hundreds of 
millions of dollars to cover for inconsistencies in the flow of tax 
revenue to the state treasury. The certificates are an IOU the state 
writes to itself and must be repaid on an annual basis.

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking reelection, said the state 
closed out the 2022 fiscal year without making use of that borrowing 
mechanism. It was the first time since 1999 that Kansas lawmakers hadn’t
 done so, she said.

“When I first came into office, Kansas had no savings, and in fact, 
was going into debt every year,” said Kelly, who was elected in 2018. 
“My administration worked to put Kansas on a consistent path of fiscal 
stability and economic growth.”

As recently as 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Finance 
Council authorized borrowing $900 million from various state funds to 
cover expenses. In 2016, the State Finance Council approved an identical
 $900 million certificate of indebtedness when Republican Sam Brownback 
was governor.

Meanwhile, Kelly said, the 2022 Legislature and governor collaborated
 on authorization of deposits into the rainy-day fund that grew to $969 
million by July 1. The governor signed budget bills that earmarked 
deposits of $500 million and $250 million into that savings reservoir. 
Tax revenue to the state continued to exceeded projections, resulting in
 an end-of-year deposit of $219 million.

The state’s rainy-day account was established in 2017, and the previous high balance was $81.9 million.

Kelly said the state government built strong cash reserves and 
avoided operational borrowing at the same time it maneuvered to reduce 
state taxes, invested in higher education and law enforcement, and fully
 financed public K-12 education.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican and frontrunner for the 
GOP nomination for governor, said Kansas’ treasury was the beneficiary 
of an outpouring of federal aid. That funding was approved by Congress 
and Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden in response to COVID-19 and to
 spur economic growth.

“As I have said repeatedly, Kansas — like most other states — is 
riding a national wave of revenue caused by Joe Biden’s inflation, and 
that’s nothing to brag about,” Schmidt said.

He said Kansas’ financial condition was influenced by approval in the
 GOP-led Legislature of investments in the rainy-day fund and the 
deposit of $1.1 billion in the state’s public employee pension system. 
He was among politicians who advocated for those allocations of surplus 
revenue.

“These prudent measures will help stabilize state services for years 
to come and help make possible my plan to let Kansans retire tax free,” 
Schmidt said.

Schmidt also said Kansas lagged behind pre-pandemic economic growth projections.

“We need to grow our state, and as governor, I will continue to work 
closely with the Legislative to ensure a strong fiscal foundation to 
weather the inevitable storm that will come when the federal largesse 
wanes,” Schmidt said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657138774142.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking reelection, and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican campaigning for governor, praised creation by the state of a nearly $1 billion rainy-day fund but had different views on implications of that development. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking reelection, and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican campaigning for governor, praised creation by the state of a nearly $1 billion rainy-day fund but had different views on implications of that development. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/06/kelly-schmidt-clash-over-development-of-969-million-state-rainy-day-reserve-fund/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The state of Kansas had 
sufficient cash flow for the first time in more than 20 years to avoid 
borrowing to cover day-to-day operating expenses while simultaneously 
building a reserve fund in the just-completed fiscal year with a balance
 of nearly $1 billion.The State Finance Council, comprised of the governor and legislative 
leaders, typically issue certificates of indebtedness for hundreds of 
millions of dollars to cover for inconsistencies in the flow of tax 
revenue to the state treasury. The certificates are an IOU the state 
writes to itself and must be repaid on an annual basis.Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat seeking reelection, said the state 
closed out the 2022 fiscal year without making use of that borrowing 
mechanism. It was the first time since 1999 that Kansas lawmakers hadn’t
 done so, she said.“When I first came into office, Kansas had no savings, and in fact, 
was going into debt every year,” said Kelly, who was elected in 2018. 
“My administration worked to put Kansas on a consistent path of fiscal 
stability and economic growth.”As recently as 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Finance 
Council authorized borrowing $900 million from various state funds to 
cover expenses. In 2016, the State Finance Council approved an identical
 $900 million certificate of indebtedness when Republican Sam Brownback 
was governor.Meanwhile, Kelly said, the 2022 Legislature and governor collaborated
 on authorization of deposits into the rainy-day fund that grew to $969 
million by July 1. The governor signed budget bills that earmarked 
deposits of $500 million and $250 million into that savings reservoir. 
Tax revenue to the state continued to exceeded projections, resulting in
 an end-of-year deposit of $219 million.The state’s rainy-day account was established in 2017, and the previous high balance was $81.9 million.Kelly said the state government built strong cash reserves and 
avoided operational borrowing at the same time it maneuvered to reduce 
state taxes, invested in higher education and law enforcement, and fully
 financed public K-12 education.Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican and frontrunner for the 
GOP nomination for governor, said Kansas’ treasury was the beneficiary 
of an outpouring of federal aid. That funding was approved by Congress 
and Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden in response to COVID-19 and to
 spur economic growth.“As I have said repeatedly, Kansas — like most other states — is 
riding a national wave of revenue caused by Joe Biden’s inflation, and 
that’s nothing to brag about,” Schmidt said.He said Kansas’ financial condition was influenced by approval in the
 GOP-led Legislature of investments in the rainy-day fund and the 
deposit of $1.1 billion in the state’s public employee pension system. 
He was among politicians who advocated for those allocations of surplus 
revenue.“These prudent measures will help stabilize state services for years 
to come and help make possible my plan to let Kansans retire tax free,” 
Schmidt said.Schmidt also said Kansas lagged behind pre-pandemic economic growth projections.“We need to grow our state, and as governor, I will continue to work 
closely with the Legislative to ensure a strong fiscal foundation to 
weather the inevitable storm that will come when the federal largesse 
wanes,” Schmidt said.

Kelly, Schmidt clash over $969M Kansas rainy day reserve fund

STURGIS, Mich. (AP) —Production of baby formula has resumed at the Abbott Nutrition factory in Michigan whose February shutdown over contamination contributed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">national shortage</a>, a company spokesman said.

Damage from severe thunderstorms including flooding had forced the Sturgis plant to halt operations in mid-June just two weeks after restarting production with additional sanitizing and safety protocols.

Production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe food allergies and digestive problems, was restored at Sturgis following a July 1 reboot, said Abbott spokesman John Koval.

“We are working to restart Similac production as soon as we can. We’ll provide more information when we have it,” he said via email.

Abbott recalled several leading brands of formula in February, including Similac. That squeezed supplies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">already been strained by supply chain disruptions</a>&nbsp;and stockpiling during COVID-19 shutdowns.

The shortage was most dire for children with allergies, digestive problems and metabolic disorders who rely on specialty formulas.

President Joe Biden’s administration has since eased import rules for foreign manufacturers, airlifted formula from Europe and invoked federal emergency rules to prioritize U.S. production.

Abbott is one of just four companies that produce about 90% of U.S. formula. Koval declined to say how much of Abbot's overall U.S. supply of infant formula is produced at the Sturgis plant.

The plant was closed in February after the Food and Drug Administration began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula from the plant. Two of the babies died. The company says its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.

FDA inspectors eventually uncovered a host of violations at the plant, including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof and lax safety protocols.

On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">to help overseas makers of infant formula</a>&nbsp;that have sent supplies, under emergency approval to address the shortfall, secure long-term authorization to market their formula in the U.S. The plan is to provide American consumers with more choices and make supplies more resilient against current or future shortages.

FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, and Susan Mayne, the director of the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement that the Sturgis plant shutdown "compounded by unforeseen natural weather events, has shown just how vulnerable the supply chain has become.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648164055231.png" alt="In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac made at the plant in Sturgis, Michigan-FDA image" />
 <figcaption>In February Abbott, one of the country’s largest infant formula makers announced a recall of Similac made at the plant in Sturgis, Michigan-FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>STURGIS, Mich. (AP) —Production of baby formula has resumed at the Abbott Nutrition factory in Michigan whose February shutdown over contamination contributed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-government-and-politics-407435d8bb7d8e0825a926139c0f9f20">national shortage</a>, a company spokesman said.Damage from severe thunderstorms including flooding had forced the Sturgis plant to halt operations in mid-June just two weeks after restarting production with additional sanitizing and safety protocols.Production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe food allergies and digestive problems, was restored at Sturgis following a July 1 reboot, said Abbott spokesman John Koval.“We are working to restart Similac production as soon as we can. We’ll provide more information when we have it,” he said via email.Abbott recalled several leading brands of formula in February, including Similac. That squeezed supplies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">already been strained by supply chain disruptions</a>&nbsp;and stockpiling during COVID-19 shutdowns.The shortage was most dire for children with allergies, digestive problems and metabolic disorders who rely on specialty formulas.President Joe Biden’s administration has since eased import rules for foreign manufacturers, airlifted formula from Europe and invoked federal emergency rules to prioritize U.S. production.Abbott is one of just four companies that produce about 90% of U.S. formula. Koval declined to say how much of Abbot's overall U.S. supply of infant formula is produced at the Sturgis plant.The plant was closed in February after the Food and Drug Administration began investigating four bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula from the plant. Two of the babies died. The company says its products have not been directly linked to the infections, which involved different bacterial strains.FDA inspectors eventually uncovered a host of violations at the plant, including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof and lax safety protocols.On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-united-states-government-and-politics-38745bd583dc0861dbe66a3ca7f828b4">to help overseas makers of infant formula</a>&nbsp;that have sent supplies, under emergency approval to address the shortfall, secure long-term authorization to market their formula in the U.S. The plan is to provide American consumers with more choices and make supplies more resilient against current or future shortages.FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, and Susan Mayne, the director of the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement that the Sturgis plant shutdown "compounded by unforeseen natural weather events, has shown just how vulnerable the supply chain has become.”

Production resumes at troubled baby formula factory

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has opted to pull investments from five energy corporations, joining other faith-based groups in targeting fossil-fuel companies over what they say are failures to address climate change.

The denomination's General Assembly, meeting online, voted overwhelmingly this week for a resolution targeting Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy for divestment.

Presbyterian officials have in recent years sought to persuade several fossil fuel companies to take steps to reduce greenhouse gases. The resolution said these efforts “did not produce enough substantial change or movement” by the five corporations now targeted for divestment.

The church's investments are a small fraction of a percent of the five corporations' market capitalization. But supporters of divestment said it would send a message and help spur corporations to change policies in response to climate change.

Numerous, mostly progressive faith-based groups in various countries — including religious orders, dioceses and denominations such as the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association — have decided on partial or full divestment from fossil-fuel companies, according to Global Fossil Fuels Divestment Commitments Database, a website maintained by climate advocacy groups.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, though it has struggled with decades of membership losses. It reported a 2021 membership of 1.2 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657418222669.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has opted to pull investments from five energy corporations, joining other faith-based groups in targeting fossil-fuel companies over what they say are failures to address climate change.The denomination's General Assembly, meeting online, voted overwhelmingly this week for a resolution targeting Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy for divestment.Presbyterian officials have in recent years sought to persuade several fossil fuel companies to take steps to reduce greenhouse gases. The resolution said these efforts “did not produce enough substantial change or movement” by the five corporations now targeted for divestment.The church's investments are a small fraction of a percent of the five corporations' market capitalization. But supporters of divestment said it would send a message and help spur corporations to change policies in response to climate change.Numerous, mostly progressive faith-based groups in various countries — including religious orders, dioceses and denominations such as the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association — have decided on partial or full divestment from fossil-fuel companies, according to Global Fossil Fuels Divestment Commitments Database, a website maintained by climate advocacy groups.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, though it has struggled with decades of membership losses. It reported a 2021 membership of 1.2 million.___

Presbyterians agree to divest from fossil fuel companies

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating a 4th of July weekend double murder in rural Kansas are asking the public’s assistance in locating&nbsp; 42-year-old Hieu Trong Luong. He is also known as Sunny, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Just after 5 a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Blick.&nbsp;

At the scene, first responders found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">David Baeza</a>&nbsp;of Wichita on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment and later arrested him.

During an additional search of the rural property, deputies found a man and woman deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds. The woman was later identified as 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the man who died.

While processing the scene, investigators found 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18714449">Joseph Ponse Jr. </a>&nbsp;of Wichita. Deputies booked him into the Sedgwick County jail.

Investigators still have individuals they want to interview in connection with the case, according to White. "This was not a random act and drug activity is believed involved."&nbsp; The victims did not live at the location where they were killed.&nbsp;

Ponse and Baeza remain jailed each on a bond of $500,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657288018642.png" alt="Luong-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Luong-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities investigating a 4th of July weekend double murder in rural Kansas are asking the public’s assistance in locating&nbsp; 42-year-old Hieu Trong Luong. He is also known as Sunny, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656781809875.png" alt="Rock Road was closed during the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Rock Road was closed during the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 5 a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Blick.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657051675461.png" alt="Baeza-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Baeza-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, first responders found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076411">David Baeza</a>&nbsp;of Wichita on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment and later arrested him.During an additional search of the rural property, deputies found a man and woman deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds. The woman was later identified as 43-year-old Saren Negrete-Perez of California.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the man who died.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657051599579.png" alt="Ponse-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ponse-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>While processing the scene, investigators found 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18714449">Joseph Ponse Jr. </a>&nbsp;of Wichita. Deputies booked him into the Sedgwick County jail.Investigators still have individuals they want to interview in connection with the case, according to White. "This was not a random act and drug activity is believed involved."&nbsp; The victims did not live at the location where they were killed.&nbsp;Ponse and Baeza remain jailed each on a bond of $500,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Search continues for suspect in Kansas double murder

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-05/burned-out-as-more-educators-leave-kansas-faces-its-worst-ever-teacher-shortage">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — First came the school year where a killer 
virus sent everybody home early. Then the maddening online year. 
Followed by the half-and-half year.

Amid all that, teachers — or public schools writ large — became the 
enemy. Hostility boiled over about wearing masks, banning library books 
or teaching about history and race. And fears continued about gunmen 
storming classrooms.


Many teachers, principals and superintendents found themselves burned
 out, or merely worn out, and they’re calling it quits — heading for 
retirement or other jobs.


Now Kansas finds itself facing the most severe teacher shortage it’s 
ever known. Roughly 4% of teaching jobs — about 1,400 — are unfilled, 
and by the time the first bell rings this fall, it’s likely to be worse,
 not better.


“Forty years ago, there were up to 100 applicants for every 
(teaching) job in Kansas,” said Education Commissioner Randy Watson. 
This fall, even large districts will be lucky to get 10, he said. “We’ll
 have shortages.”


The problem has been building for years. But <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal.html" target="_blank">new research by the RAND Corporation</a> shows that the COVID-19 pandemic increased teachers’ levels of stress and burnout and may be accelerating the exodus.

The RAND think tank’s national survey of teachers and principals in 
January found educators faring far worse than other working adults on 
several indicators of overall well-being.


Nearly three-fourths of teachers and 85% of principals complained of 
frequent stress from their jobs. That’s more than double most adults. 
Fifty-nine percent of teachers and 48% of principals say they’re burned 
out.


Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to 
leave their current job by the end of the school year, an increase since
 <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal/related-research.html" target="_blank">RAND’s survey in 2021</a>. Teachers of color were more likely than white teachers to say they intended to leave.

For several years now, the survey has painted “a picture of stress 
and of some job dissatisfaction for many educators,” said Elizabeth 
Steiner, a policy researcher and co-author of the report.


The RAND survey found that supportive school environments — in which 
teachers are involved in decision-making and have positive relationships
 with their colleagues — lead to better well-being and a decreased 
likelihood of leaving the profession.


“They still love their jobs, want to be there for their students … 
love teaching, love leading schools,” Steiner said. “For many of them, 
it’s the context that they are teaching in, not teaching itself, that 
they find to be stressful and difficult.”


Cindy Deutsch <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/the-range/2022-06-17/let-the-children-play-a-wichita-kindergarten-teacher-looks-back-on-37-years-in-the-classroom" target="_blank">retired this spring</a>
 after teaching kindergarten for 37 years in Wichita. Early in her 
career, she had lots of flexibility and independence in the classroom, 
she said. Not now.

“We’re micromanaged a lot, where we’re told exactly what we’re 
supposed to be teaching, when we’re supposed to be teaching it,” she 
said.


A major frustration was an intense focus on testing even the youngest
 students, Deutsch said. When she started teaching, there were four 
categories to mark on kids’ report cards for reading and writing. Last 
year, there were more than 20.


At times, she said, she felt like she was testing more than teaching:


“We weigh the cow and we weigh the cow, but we don’t have time to feed the cow because we’re weighing the cow so much.”


Jarred Fuhrman struggled over his decision to leave his job as principal of <a href="https://blhs.usd458.org/" target="_blank">Basehor-Linwood High School</a>,
 but he finally decided in May to try something new. Fuhrman accepted a 
position in human resources for a Kansas City-area company.

“For me, it was a family decision,” said Fuhrman, who has two 
school-age children. “Being a high school principal is one of the more 
challenging positions in education.”


Fuhrman said there were days he’d get to school at 7 a.m. and not leave until after 10 p.m.


“It just wears on you. It’s just exhausting,” he said. “I was just tired.”


“The last couple years have been pretty hard with COVID and just all 
the different changes that schools have been going through,” he said. “I
 do worry about the teacher shortage. I think it’s going to be a little 
scary the next couple of years, and I don’t know that I have a good 
answer for that.”


Steiner, the RAND researcher, said a majority of teachers and 
principals intend to stay in their jobs and are leaning on each other to
 cope with job-related stress.


“They turn to their friends and colleagues to vent, to seek solutions, or sometimes just to hang out,” she said.


Steiner said school leaders should ask teachers what contributes to their stress and try to fix those problems.


“If there’s anything district and school leaders can do to address 
the things that teachers find difficult about their job,” she said, “it 
could help improve educators’ mental health.”


Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657138583709.png" alt="Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to leave their current job by the end of the school year, according to a survey by the RAND Corporation. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to leave their current job by the end of the school year, according to a survey by the RAND Corporation. Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-05/burned-out-as-more-educators-leave-kansas-faces-its-worst-ever-teacher-shortage">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — First came the school year where a killer 
virus sent everybody home early. Then the maddening online year. 
Followed by the half-and-half year.
Amid all that, teachers — or public schools writ large — became the 
enemy. Hostility boiled over about wearing masks, banning library books 
or teaching about history and race. And fears continued about gunmen 
storming classrooms.
Many teachers, principals and superintendents found themselves burned
 out, or merely worn out, and they’re calling it quits — heading for 
retirement or other jobs.
Now Kansas finds itself facing the most severe teacher shortage it’s 
ever known. Roughly 4% of teaching jobs — about 1,400 — are unfilled, 
and by the time the first bell rings this fall, it’s likely to be worse,
 not better.
“Forty years ago, there were up to 100 applicants for every 
(teaching) job in Kansas,” said Education Commissioner Randy Watson. 
This fall, even large districts will be lucky to get 10, he said. “We’ll
 have shortages.”
The problem has been building for years. But <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal.html" target="_blank">new research by the RAND Corporation</a> shows that the COVID-19 pandemic increased teachers’ levels of stress and burnout and may be accelerating the exodus.
The RAND think tank’s national survey of teachers and principals in 
January found educators faring far worse than other working adults on 
several indicators of overall well-being.
Nearly three-fourths of teachers and 85% of principals complained of 
frequent stress from their jobs. That’s more than double most adults. 
Fifty-nine percent of teachers and 48% of principals say they’re burned 
out.
Nearly a third of teachers and principals said they were likely to 
leave their current job by the end of the school year, an increase since
 <a href="https://www.rand.org/education-and-labor/projects/state-of-the-american-teacher-and-the-american-principal/related-research.html" target="_blank">RAND’s survey in 2021</a>. Teachers of color were more likely than white teachers to say they intended to leave.
For several years now, the survey has painted “a picture of stress 
and of some job dissatisfaction for many educators,” said Elizabeth 
Steiner, a policy researcher and co-author of the report.
The RAND survey found that supportive school environments — in which 
teachers are involved in decision-making and have positive relationships
 with their colleagues — lead to better well-being and a decreased 
likelihood of leaving the profession.
“They still love their jobs, want to be there for their students … 
love teaching, love leading schools,” Steiner said. “For many of them, 
it’s the context that they are teaching in, not teaching itself, that 
they find to be stressful and difficult.”
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657138676699.png" alt="Cindy Deutsch recently retired after 37 years of teaching, most of it in kindergarten classrooms in Wichita. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Cindy Deutsch recently retired after 37 years of teaching, most of it in kindergarten classrooms in Wichita. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Deutsch <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/the-range/2022-06-17/let-the-children-play-a-wichita-kindergarten-teacher-looks-back-on-37-years-in-the-classroom" target="_blank">retired this spring</a>
 after teaching kindergarten for 37 years in Wichita. Early in her 
career, she had lots of flexibility and independence in the classroom, 
she said. Not now.
“We’re micromanaged a lot, where we’re told exactly what we’re 
supposed to be teaching, when we’re supposed to be teaching it,” she 
said.
A major frustration was an intense focus on testing even the youngest
 students, Deutsch said. When she started teaching, there were four 
categories to mark on kids’ report cards for reading and writing. Last 
year, there were more than 20.
At times, she said, she felt like she was testing more than teaching:
“We weigh the cow and we weigh the cow, but we don’t have time to feed the cow because we’re weighing the cow so much.”
Jarred Fuhrman struggled over his decision to leave his job as principal of <a href="https://blhs.usd458.org/" target="_blank">Basehor-Linwood High School</a>,
 but he finally decided in May to try something new. Fuhrman accepted a 
position in human resources for a Kansas City-area company.
“For me, it was a family decision,” said Fuhrman, who has two 
school-age children. “Being a high school principal is one of the more 
challenging positions in education.”
Fuhrman said there were days he’d get to school at 7 a.m. and not leave until after 10 p.m.
“It just wears on you. It’s just exhausting,” he said. “I was just tired.”
“The last couple years have been pretty hard with COVID and just all 
the different changes that schools have been going through,” he said. “I
 do worry about the teacher shortage. I think it’s going to be a little 
scary the next couple of years, and I don’t know that I have a good 
answer for that.”
Steiner, the RAND researcher, said a majority of teachers and 
principals intend to stay in their jobs and are leaning on each other to
 cope with job-related stress.
“They turn to their friends and colleagues to vent, to seek solutions, or sometimes just to hang out,” she said.
Steiner said school leaders should ask teachers what contributes to their stress and try to fix those problems.
“If there’s anything district and school leaders can do to address 
the things that teachers find difficult about their job,” she said, “it 
could help improve educators’ mental health.”
Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Burned out: Kansas faces its worst-ever teacher shortage

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
For Creighton University economist Ernie Goss the news is not good as far as the trend of the overall economy.

"We're adding jobs, but unfortunately, productivity is down," Goss said. "When you put those together, the Atlanta Fed came out with their report, their look at the second quarter, which we just finished, they expect that number to come in negative. If that happens to be the case, that would be two consecutive quarters of negative GDP."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622642233344.jpeg" alt="Creighton Professor Ernie Goss, PhD" />
 <figcaption>Creighton Professor Ernie Goss, PhD</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
For Creighton University economist Ernie Goss the news is not good as far as the trend of the overall economy."We're adding jobs, but unfortunately, productivity is down," Goss said. "When you put those together, the Atlanta Fed came out with their report, their look at the second quarter, which we just finished, they expect that number to come in negative. If that happens to be the case, that would be two consecutive quarters of negative GDP."That is what most economists would call a recession."The inflation number is going to come down," Goss said. "The Federal Reserve is raising rates. They raised three quarters of a percent at their last meeting. They're going to raise rates again on July 27. It may be as high as three quarters of a percent again, then they are probably going to raise rates in September. That's slowing the overall economy, but inflation is still well above what most of us are getting in raises."That productivity number, output per worker, hasn't been this low since 1947."Workers are standing around with these supply chain disruptions," Goss said. "They are waiting on inputs to come in to their company or they are waiting until transportation arrives to send outputs out. That's one of the real keys right now. We need to see those productivity numbers get better. We need to see supply chain disruptions get less."That's why confidence among those Goss is surveying is particularly low looking out six months, as it may take at least that long to get the supply chain kinks worked out, even if we don't have another COVID spike in the fall and winter.