BEIJING (AP) — Only “selected” spectators will be permitted at next month's Beijing Olympics because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Monday.

Beijing had already announced that no fans from outside the country would be permitted at the events, and had not offered tickets to the general public.

Monday’s announcement posted on the organizing committee’s website confirmed expectations that the Winter Games would have few onlookers at the venues, under even more strict conditions than imposed during last year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

China has largely avoided major virus outbreaks with a regimen of lockdowns, mass testing for COVID-19 and travel restrictions, although it continues to fight surges in several cities, including the port of Tianjin, about an hour from Beijing. The capital itself confirmed over the weekend that a 26-year-old woman had contracted the omicron variant of the virus and has tested more than 13,000 people in search of cases of cross transmission.

In its statement, the organizing committee said its measures were intended to “create a pleasant environment for the holding of the Games."

“Given the difficult and complicated work of controlling the epidemic, and to protect the health and safety of those involved with the Games, the original plan of offering tickets to the general public has been altered toward spectators from selected groups," the statement said.

BEIJING (AP) — Only “selected” spectators will be permitted at next month's Beijing Olympics because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Monday.Beijing had already announced that no fans from outside the country would be permitted at the events, and had not offered tickets to the general public.Monday’s announcement posted on the organizing committee’s website confirmed expectations that the Winter Games would have few onlookers at the venues, under even more strict conditions than imposed during last year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.China has largely avoided major virus outbreaks with a regimen of lockdowns, mass testing for COVID-19 and travel restrictions, although it continues to fight surges in several cities, including the port of Tianjin, about an hour from Beijing. The capital itself confirmed over the weekend that a 26-year-old woman had contracted the omicron variant of the virus and has tested more than 13,000 people in search of cases of cross transmission.In its statement, the organizing committee said its measures were intended to “create a pleasant environment for the holding of the Games."“Given the difficult and complicated work of controlling the epidemic, and to protect the health and safety of those involved with the Games, the original plan of offering tickets to the general public has been altered toward spectators from selected groups," the statement said.

China: Tickets for Winter Olympics won't be sold to general public

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden packed carrots and apples into food boxes for the hungry and chatted with volunteers Sunday at a food bank as part of a day of service for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The couple traveled about a half-hour from their Wilmington, Delaware, residence to Philabundance, a hunger relief organization in Philadelphia which serves about 140,000 people a week in the Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey region. Before heading to the warehouse floor where conveyor belts carried cardboard boxes full of donated food, Biden said the child tax credit needed to be renewed.

The traditional day of service is on the holiday, Monday, but there was a bad winter storm heading for the area and events were being rescheduled around the region.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/child-tax-credits-program-ends-5ded3907c72ee0c3ad8a067a29d6b2c0">The monthly credits were part&nbsp;</a>of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package — and the president had proposed extending them for another full year as part of a separate measure focused on economic and social programs. The added boost was used by families to buy food and other supplies.

But Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., objected to extending the credit out of concern that the money would discourage people from working and that any additional federal spending would fuel inflation that has already climbed to a nearly 40-year high.

“The child tax credit was really helpful. We’ve got to get it renewed,” Biden said.

They walked out to the warehouse floor as “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” by Angie Stone played softly, donned some gloves and got to work. Jill Biden wore a Philadelphia Eagles T-shirt under her blazer in a nod to the team’s playoff game Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Biden chatted with volunteers, including one man standing near a crate of macaroni and cheese who told the president his daughter was a teacher. Biden spoke of the first lady’s teaching career and then asked the man for his daughter’s number and said he’d give her a ring.

The food boxes contained spices, fruits, vegetables, noodles, tea and juice boxes plus peanut butter and chickpeas.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate will take up voting rights legislation on Tuesday, missing a deadline he initially set for action by Monday, which is MLK Day. Biden spoke forcefully of the need to pass the legislation, likening the modern concerns over election subversion and increasing voting restrictions in states to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-voting-elections-wv-state-wire-28fce7f5190404f5091158c912bf8d5d">Biden last week said he supported changing</a>&nbsp;Senate rules to allow the slim Democratic majority to push the package through, though he later acknowledged uncertainty it can pass Congress this year following objections from Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.

ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-colorado-river-droughts-canyons-b499fa7949c5de28b52b9c43aa175af3">Scientists see silver lining in fed’s efforts at Lake Powell</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-oklahoma-c28e7cbe63a18652d0ea26f365b01528">Bond revoked for businessman accused of killing employee</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-cosby-chicago-illinois-8f712678855ce6b9c76baefefa9a0645">Illinois judge disparaged lawyer in comments caught on video</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642419526976.png" alt="The traditional day of service is on the holiday, Monday, but there was a bad winter storm heading for the area and events were being rescheduled around the region-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The traditional day of service is on the holiday, Monday, but there was a bad winter storm heading for the area and events were being rescheduled around the region-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden packed carrots and apples into food boxes for the hungry and chatted with volunteers Sunday at a food bank as part of a day of service for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.The couple traveled about a half-hour from their Wilmington, Delaware, residence to Philabundance, a hunger relief organization in Philadelphia which serves about 140,000 people a week in the Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey region. Before heading to the warehouse floor where conveyor belts carried cardboard boxes full of donated food, Biden said the child tax credit needed to be renewed.The traditional day of service is on the holiday, Monday, but there was a bad winter storm heading for the area and events were being rescheduled around the region.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/child-tax-credits-program-ends-5ded3907c72ee0c3ad8a067a29d6b2c0">The monthly credits were part&nbsp;</a>of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package — and the president had proposed extending them for another full year as part of a separate measure focused on economic and social programs. The added boost was used by families to buy food and other supplies.But Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., objected to extending the credit out of concern that the money would discourage people from working and that any additional federal spending would fuel inflation that has already climbed to a nearly 40-year high.“The child tax credit was really helpful. We’ve got to get it renewed,” Biden said.They walked out to the warehouse floor as “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” by Angie Stone played softly, donned some gloves and got to work. Jill Biden wore a Philadelphia Eagles T-shirt under her blazer in a nod to the team’s playoff game Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Biden chatted with volunteers, including one man standing near a crate of macaroni and cheese who told the president his daughter was a teacher. Biden spoke of the first lady’s teaching career and then asked the man for his daughter’s number and said he’d give her a ring.The food boxes contained spices, fruits, vegetables, noodles, tea and juice boxes plus peanut butter and chickpeas.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate will take up voting rights legislation on Tuesday, missing a deadline he initially set for action by Monday, which is MLK Day. Biden spoke forcefully of the need to pass the legislation, likening the modern concerns over election subversion and increasing voting restrictions in states to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-joe-biden-voting-elections-wv-state-wire-28fce7f5190404f5091158c912bf8d5d">Biden last week said he supported changing</a>&nbsp;Senate rules to allow the slim Democratic majority to push the package through, though he later acknowledged uncertainty it can pass Congress this year following objections from Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-colorado-river-droughts-canyons-b499fa7949c5de28b52b9c43aa175af3">Scientists see silver lining in fed’s efforts at Lake Powell</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-oklahoma-c28e7cbe63a18652d0ea26f365b01528">Bond revoked for businessman accused of killing employee</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-cosby-chicago-illinois-8f712678855ce6b9c76baefefa9a0645">Illinois judge disparaged lawyer in comments caught on video</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

Bidens volunteer at food bank in honor of Martin Luther King Day

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting on an Amtrak near Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp; 30 year old Richie T. Aaron Jr. of Independence, Missouri, according to Lee's Summit Police.

Investigators were working to establish the timeline and events that led up to the shooting aboard the train just after 9p.m. Friday as it was stopped at the Lee’s Summit station.  The initial investigation revealed that the train car where the shooting occurred did not have a large number of passengers and the passengers that heard the gunshots did not immediately recognize that a person had been shot. 

 The suspect in the case, also a passenger on the train fled from the train and the area. Aaron, Jr. was discovered after the train left the Lee’s Summit station and the next available location for the train to stop was the Independence station where emergency medical staff were immediately called to assist him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives have interviewed passengers on the train to develop a suspect in the case.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY (AP) — One person is dead following a shooting Friday night on an Amtrak train that was stopped at a Missouri station, police said.

Police in Independence, Missouri, were called around 9:15 p.m. to the Amtrak station where they found a person who had been shot while the train had been stopped earlier at the Lee's Summit station, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police are looking for the suspected shooter who is believed to have fled in Lee's Summit, he said.

The train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418758538.png" alt="Search for the suspect continues -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Search for the suspect continues -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting on an Amtrak near Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp; 30 year old Richie T. Aaron Jr. of Independence, Missouri, according to Lee's Summit Police.Investigators were working to establish the timeline and events that led up to the shooting aboard the train just after 9p.m. Friday as it was stopped at the Lee’s Summit station. The initial investigation revealed that the train car where the shooting occurred did not have a large number of passengers and the passengers that heard the gunshots did not immediately recognize that a person had been shot. The suspect in the case, also a passenger on the train fled from the train and the area. Aaron, Jr. was discovered after the train left the Lee’s Summit station and the next available location for the train to stop was the Independence station where emergency medical staff were immediately called to assist him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Detectives have interviewed passengers on the train to develop a suspect in the case.&nbsp;-----------------KANSAS CITY (AP) — One person is dead following a shooting Friday night on an Amtrak train that was stopped at a Missouri station, police said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418691221.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police in Independence, Missouri, were called around 9:15 p.m. to the Amtrak station where they found a person who had been shot while the train had been stopped earlier at the Lee's Summit station, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police are looking for the suspected shooter who is believed to have fled in Lee's Summit, he said.The train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

Police ID victim shot, killed on Amtrak train near Kansas City

Get ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind advance practically ensures it won’t be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world.

Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-lifestyle-recycling-louisville-102ea8cdc6a38f01a54816d9f0780aa1">omicron has an edge</a>&nbsp;over its predecessors:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-winter-olympics-sports-health-beijing-32bcad4283011feeff66804e466dedbe">It spreads way faster</a>&nbsp;despite emerging on a planet with a stronger patchwork of immunity from vaccines and prior illness.

That means more people in whom the virus can further evolve. Experts don’t know what the next variants will look like or how they might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/health?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">shape the pandemic</a>, but they say there’s no guarantee the sequels of omicron will cause milder illness or that existing vaccines will work against them.

They urge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-jair-bolsonaro-health-caribbean-brazil-f67aca81ae08c0a76a1314b4945c4c6c">wider vaccination</a>&nbsp;now, while today’s shots still work.

“The faster omicron spreads, the more opportunities there are for mutation, potentially leading to more variants,” Leonardo Martinez, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Boston University, said.

Since it emerged in mid-November, omicron has raced across the globe like fire through dry grass. Research shows the variant is at least twice as contagious as delta and at least four times as contagious as the original version of the virus.

Omicron is more likely than delta to reinfect individuals who previously had COVID-19 and to cause “breakthrough infections” in vaccinated people while also attacking the unvaccinated. The World Health Organization reported a record 15 million new COVID-19 cases for the week of Jan. 3-9, a 55% increase from the previous week.

Along with keeping comparatively healthy people out of work and school, the ease with which the variant spreads increases the odds the virus will infect and linger inside people with weakened immune systems - giving it more time to develop potent mutations.

“It’s the longer, persistent infections that seem to be the most likely breeding grounds for new variants,” said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. “It’s only when you have very widespread infection that you’re going to provide the opportunity for that to occur.”

Because omicron appears to cause less severe disease than delta, its behavior has kindled hope that it could be the start of a trend that eventually makes the virus milder like a common cold.

It’s a possibility, experts say, given that viruses don’t spread well if they kill their hosts very quickly. But viruses don’t always get less deadly over time.

A variant could also achieve its main goal - replicating - if infected people developed mild symptoms initially, spread the virus by interacting with others, then got very sick later, Ray explained by way of example.

“People have wondered whether the virus will evolve to mildness. But there’s no particular reason for it to do so,” he said. “I don’t think we can be confident that the virus will become less lethal over time.”

Getting progressively better at evading immunity helps a virus to survive over the long term. When SARS-CoV-2 first struck, no one was immune. But infections and vaccines have conferred at least some immunity to much of the world, so the virus must adapt.

There are many possible avenues for evolution. Animals could potentially incubate and unleash new variants. Pet dogs and cats, deer and farm-raised mink are only a few of the animals vulnerable to the virus, which can potentially mutate within them and leap back to people.

Another potential route: With both omicron and delta circulating, people may get double infections that could spawn what Ray calls “Frankenvariants,” hybrids with characteristics of both types.

When new variants do develop, scientists said it’s still very difficult to know from genetic features which ones might take off. For example, omicron has many more mutations than previous variants, around 30 in the spike protein that lets it attach to human cells. But the so-called IHU variant identified in France and being monitored by the WHO has 46 mutations and doesn’t seem to have spread much at all.

To curb the emergence of variants, scientists stress continuing with public health measures such as masking and getting vaccinated. While omicron is better able to evade immunity than delta, experts said, vaccines still offer protection and booster shots greatly reduce serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

Anne Thomas, a 64-year-old IT analyst in Westerly, Rhode Island, said she’s fully vaccinated and boosted and also tries to stay safe by mostly staying home while her state has one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in the U.S.

“I have no doubt at all that these viruses are going to continue to mutate and we’re going to be dealing with this for a very long time,” she said.

Ray likened vaccines to armor for humanity that greatly hinders viral spread even if it doesn’t completely stop it. For a virus that spreads exponentially, he said, “anything that curbs transmission can have a great effect.” Also, when vaccinated people get sick, Ray said their illness is usually milder and clears more quickly, leaving less time to spawn dangerous variants.

Experts say the virus won’t become endemic like the flu as long as global vaccination rates are so low. During a recent press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that protecting people from future variants — including those that may be fully resistant to today’s shots — depends on ending global vaccine inequity.

Tedros said he’d like to see 70% of people in every country vaccinated by mid-year. Currently, there are dozens of countries where less than a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/vaccines/international" target="_blank">Johns Hopkins University statistics</a>. And in the United States, many people continue to resist available vaccines.

“These huge unvaccinated swaths in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere are basically variant factories,” said Dr. Prabhat Jha of the Centre for Global Health Research at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. “It’s been a colossal failure in global leadership that we have not been able to do this.”

In the meantime, new variants are inevitable, said Louis Mansky, director of the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Minnesota.

With so many unvaccinated people, he said, “the virus is still kind of in control of what’s going on.”

By LAURA UNGAR, Associated PressGet ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind advance practically ensures it won’t be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world.Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-lifestyle-recycling-louisville-102ea8cdc6a38f01a54816d9f0780aa1">omicron has an edge</a>&nbsp;over its predecessors:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-winter-olympics-sports-health-beijing-32bcad4283011feeff66804e466dedbe">It spreads way faster</a>&nbsp;despite emerging on a planet with a stronger patchwork of immunity from vaccines and prior illness.That means more people in whom the virus can further evolve. Experts don’t know what the next variants will look like or how they might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/health?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">shape the pandemic</a>, but they say there’s no guarantee the sequels of omicron will cause milder illness or that existing vaccines will work against them.They urge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-jair-bolsonaro-health-caribbean-brazil-f67aca81ae08c0a76a1314b4945c4c6c">wider vaccination</a>&nbsp;now, while today’s shots still work.“The faster omicron spreads, the more opportunities there are for mutation, potentially leading to more variants,” Leonardo Martinez, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Boston University, said.Since it emerged in mid-November, omicron has raced across the globe like fire through dry grass. Research shows the variant is at least twice as contagious as delta and at least four times as contagious as the original version of the virus.Omicron is more likely than delta to reinfect individuals who previously had COVID-19 and to cause “breakthrough infections” in vaccinated people while also attacking the unvaccinated. The World Health Organization reported a record 15 million new COVID-19 cases for the week of Jan. 3-9, a 55% increase from the previous week.Along with keeping comparatively healthy people out of work and school, the ease with which the variant spreads increases the odds the virus will infect and linger inside people with weakened immune systems - giving it more time to develop potent mutations.“It’s the longer, persistent infections that seem to be the most likely breeding grounds for new variants,” said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. “It’s only when you have very widespread infection that you’re going to provide the opportunity for that to occur.”Because omicron appears to cause less severe disease than delta, its behavior has kindled hope that it could be the start of a trend that eventually makes the virus milder like a common cold.It’s a possibility, experts say, given that viruses don’t spread well if they kill their hosts very quickly. But viruses don’t always get less deadly over time.A variant could also achieve its main goal - replicating - if infected people developed mild symptoms initially, spread the virus by interacting with others, then got very sick later, Ray explained by way of example.“People have wondered whether the virus will evolve to mildness. But there’s no particular reason for it to do so,” he said. “I don’t think we can be confident that the virus will become less lethal over time.”Getting progressively better at evading immunity helps a virus to survive over the long term. When SARS-CoV-2 first struck, no one was immune. But infections and vaccines have conferred at least some immunity to much of the world, so the virus must adapt.There are many possible avenues for evolution. Animals could potentially incubate and unleash new variants. Pet dogs and cats, deer and farm-raised mink are only a few of the animals vulnerable to the virus, which can potentially mutate within them and leap back to people.Another potential route: With both omicron and delta circulating, people may get double infections that could spawn what Ray calls “Frankenvariants,” hybrids with characteristics of both types.When new variants do develop, scientists said it’s still very difficult to know from genetic features which ones might take off. For example, omicron has many more mutations than previous variants, around 30 in the spike protein that lets it attach to human cells. But the so-called IHU variant identified in France and being monitored by the WHO has 46 mutations and doesn’t seem to have spread much at all.To curb the emergence of variants, scientists stress continuing with public health measures such as masking and getting vaccinated. While omicron is better able to evade immunity than delta, experts said, vaccines still offer protection and booster shots greatly reduce serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths.Anne Thomas, a 64-year-old IT analyst in Westerly, Rhode Island, said she’s fully vaccinated and boosted and also tries to stay safe by mostly staying home while her state has one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in the U.S.“I have no doubt at all that these viruses are going to continue to mutate and we’re going to be dealing with this for a very long time,” she said.Ray likened vaccines to armor for humanity that greatly hinders viral spread even if it doesn’t completely stop it. For a virus that spreads exponentially, he said, “anything that curbs transmission can have a great effect.” Also, when vaccinated people get sick, Ray said their illness is usually milder and clears more quickly, leaving less time to spawn dangerous variants.Experts say the virus won’t become endemic like the flu as long as global vaccination rates are so low. During a recent press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that protecting people from future variants — including those that may be fully resistant to today’s shots — depends on ending global vaccine inequity.Tedros said he’d like to see 70% of people in every country vaccinated by mid-year. Currently, there are dozens of countries where less than a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/vaccines/international" target="_blank">Johns Hopkins University statistics</a>. And in the United States, many people continue to resist available vaccines.“These huge unvaccinated swaths in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere are basically variant factories,” said Dr. Prabhat Jha of the Centre for Global Health Research at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. “It’s been a colossal failure in global leadership that we have not been able to do this.”In the meantime, new variants are inevitable, said Louis Mansky, director of the Institute for Molecular Virology at the University of Minnesota.With so many unvaccinated people, he said, “the virus is still kind of in control of what’s going on.”___

Scientists: Omicron won't be the last coronavirus variant

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas suspended two fraternities for hazing earlier this month, but officials don’t plan to share their investigation with police.

Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta were both suspended from campus for five years because of the incidents university officials found, which included assaults, sleep deprivation, forced workouts, destruction of pledges’ property and retaliation for reporting the behavior to university officials.

“Students always remain free to pursue criminal charges, and if they would seek to do so, we would provide appropriate assistance,” KU spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2022/jan/15/hazing-incidents-at-ku-may-have-been-an-actual-crime-but-university-doesnt-plan-to-turn-findings-over-to-law-enforcement/" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>the Lawrence Journal-World. “However, we will not take control away from a victim by triggering a criminal investigation the victim does not want.”

In investigative reports the university did release, officials said a pledge in the Phi Gamma Delta house suffered a concussion after being thrown against a locker. Pledges were also forced to sleep in beds covered in vomit, urine and trash.

A report also said that that members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity routinely went through pledges’ rooms, broke personal items, and threw pillows and mattresses from windows.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas suspended two fraternities for hazing earlier this month, but officials don’t plan to share their investigation with police.Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta were both suspended from campus for five years because of the incidents university officials found, which included assaults, sleep deprivation, forced workouts, destruction of pledges’ property and retaliation for reporting the behavior to university officials.“Students always remain free to pursue criminal charges, and if they would seek to do so, we would provide appropriate assistance,” KU spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/ku/2022/jan/15/hazing-incidents-at-ku-may-have-been-an-actual-crime-but-university-doesnt-plan-to-turn-findings-over-to-law-enforcement/" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>the Lawrence Journal-World. “However, we will not take control away from a victim by triggering a criminal investigation the victim does not want.”In investigative reports the university did release, officials said a pledge in the Phi Gamma Delta house suffered a concussion after being thrown against a locker. Pledges were also forced to sleep in beds covered in vomit, urine and trash.A report also said that that members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity routinely went through pledges’ rooms, broke personal items, and threw pillows and mattresses from windows.

University of Kansas won’t share hazing report with police

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in connection with a drug deal and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 6:00 p.m. Jan. 12, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 1800 block of S Greenwood in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. They arrived to find a 35-year-old victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Before officers arrived, it was reported that the suspect, later&nbsp;identified as 34-year-old Nathaniel Kester of Wichita had fled the scene in the victim's vehicle.

Officers learned that the victim and Kester were at a home on Greenwood when a disturbance occurred, and Kester went to the backyard and fired two rounds from a handgun. The victim confronted Kester and was shot in the leg. Kester then forced the victim to get into a vehicle, where another struggle ensued, and two more shots were fired.

The victim was able to get the gun away from Kester and retreat into the home. Shortly after officers arrived on Greenwood, 911 operators received multiple calls about the victim's vehicle, which was reported to have crashed somewhere near 2nd and Topeka Street in Wichita.

The vehicle continued to Central and Main, where it was abandoned, and Kester ran to the Sedgwick County Jail where he was arrested, according to Macy.

Both Kester and the victim were transported to the hospital for treatment and released.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=189992"> Kester was booked</a> to the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and aggravated kidnapping, according to Macy. It is believed that drugs were a factor.&nbsp;Kester has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642371072831.png" alt="Kester has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kester has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in connection with a drug deal and have a suspect in custody.Just after 6:00 p.m. Jan. 12, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 1800 block of S Greenwood in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. They arrived to find a 35-year-old victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Before officers arrived, it was reported that the suspect, later&nbsp;identified as 34-year-old Nathaniel Kester of Wichita had fled the scene in the victim's vehicle.Officers learned that the victim and Kester were at a home on Greenwood when a disturbance occurred, and Kester went to the backyard and fired two rounds from a handgun. The victim confronted Kester and was shot in the leg. Kester then forced the victim to get into a vehicle, where another struggle ensued, and two more shots were fired.The victim was able to get the gun away from Kester and retreat into the home. Shortly after officers arrived on Greenwood, 911 operators received multiple calls about the victim's vehicle, which was reported to have crashed somewhere near 2nd and Topeka Street in Wichita.The vehicle continued to Central and Main, where it was abandoned, and Kester ran to the Sedgwick County Jail where he was arrested, according to Macy.Both Kester and the victim were transported to the hospital for treatment and released.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=189992"> Kester was booked</a> to the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and aggravated kidnapping, according to Macy. It is believed that drugs were a factor.&nbsp;Kester has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage to property and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Police: Kan. felon ran to the jail where he was arrested for shooting incident

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A doctor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-education-arrests-missouri-springfield-82fb42da6ca67eab3a03238e14421ec3">charged with 11 felony sex abuse crimes&nbsp;</a>involving children at a Missouri boarding school has pleaded not guilty to three of the charges.

Dr. David Smock, a longtime physician at Agape Boarding School, entered the plea Thursday in Greene County Court. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 3.

In Greene County, Smock is accused of abusing an Agape student in 2018 at a rental property he owned in Springfield.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed eight more charges against Smock in Cedar County, where the Agape Boarding School is located.

On Thursday, Smock's attorneys argued that Smock should be released from prison on bond while awaiting trial. Greene County Circuit Judge Ron Carrier took the request under advisement.

Smock&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/springfield-missouri-arkansas-crime-arrests-5e6b6de6d155bcc8aa189caf18393b00">was arrested in December</a>&nbsp;in Harrison, Arkansas. Prosecutors said at the time they considered him a fugitive from justice. His attorneys said Smock was on his way back to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested.

In Greene County, Smock is charged with second-degree statutory sodomy; third-degree child molestation of a child younger than 14; and enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642263782717.png" alt="Smock is being held in Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Smock is being held in Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A doctor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-education-arrests-missouri-springfield-82fb42da6ca67eab3a03238e14421ec3">charged with 11 felony sex abuse crimes&nbsp;</a>involving children at a Missouri boarding school has pleaded not guilty to three of the charges.Dr. David Smock, a longtime physician at Agape Boarding School, entered the plea Thursday in Greene County Court. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 3.In Greene County, Smock is accused of abusing an Agape student in 2018 at a rental property he owned in Springfield.Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed eight more charges against Smock in Cedar County, where the Agape Boarding School is located.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640791631814.png" alt="Smock following his arrest in Arkansas last month" />
 <figcaption>Smock following his arrest in Arkansas last month</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Smock's attorneys argued that Smock should be released from prison on bond while awaiting trial. Greene County Circuit Judge Ron Carrier took the request under advisement.Smock&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/springfield-missouri-arkansas-crime-arrests-5e6b6de6d155bcc8aa189caf18393b00">was arrested in December</a>&nbsp;in Harrison, Arkansas. Prosecutors said at the time they considered him a fugitive from justice. His attorneys said Smock was on his way back to Missouri to turn himself in when he was arrested.In Greene County, Smock is charged with second-degree statutory sodomy; third-degree child molestation of a child younger than 14; and enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15.

Christian boarding school doctor enters plea to child sex crimes

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gov-laura-kellys-education-advisers-call-for-investments-in-child-care-technology-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly told members of education advisory group 
Friday that the state’s healthy financial situation made this year’s 
budget process “particularly fun.”

Faced with a projected $2.9 billion surplus, the governor was able to
 include nearly all of the recommendations made by educators in the 
proposed budget she delivered to the Legislature on Wednesday. Her 
suggested investments in K-12 schools include more money for student 
aid, professional development, student mental health services, and an 
inflation adjustment for total spending.

“We said we would fully fund our public education, and we continue to fulfill that promise,” Kelly said.

The Governor’s Council on Education includes nearly 48 business 
leaders and education officials from across the state. Members of the 
council met in the Statehouse with banners that recalled the governor’s 
inauguration in 2019, displaying the words “equality,” “education,” 
“opportunity” and “innovation.”

“We do have the pillars that we started with, that were based on the 
governor’s inauguration,” said Fred Dierksen, superintendent for Dodge 
City schools. “We added ‘innovation’ because of the importance of 
technology in education today, and where we’re going with that in all 
facets of the business. And so I just think those are constant reminders
 that we can never overlook.”

The council delivered a report with recommendations to invest in 
child care, computer science and information technology talent, 
technology and equipment upgrades, and work-based learning. The council 
also recommends the formation of a commission of health care 
policymakers, regulators and criminal justice experts to review and 
recommend career pathways.

<a target="_blank" href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GCE-Report-Final-1.pdf">Read the full report</a>.

Kelly said she plans to keep a copy of the report on her desk during the legislative session as a reference.

“You have made it clear what the issues are, and that will make it much easier,” Kelly said.

Cynthia Lane, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, and Dierksen 
co-chaired the council, which focused on child care, early learning, 
talent pipeline and work-based learning in meetings throughout 2021.

Lane said the difficult reality that Kansas is not a place of opportunity has been driving the council’s work.

“Many of us are lifelong Kansans, many of us have chosen to live in 
Kansas, and we want to make sure that we have quality opportunities for 
all,” Lane said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642199193111.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly addresses members of her education council during a meeting Friday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly addresses members of her education council during a meeting Friday at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/14/gov-laura-kellys-education-advisers-call-for-investments-in-child-care-technology-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly told members of education advisory group 
Friday that the state’s healthy financial situation made this year’s 
budget process “particularly fun.”Faced with a projected $2.9 billion surplus, the governor was able to
 include nearly all of the recommendations made by educators in the 
proposed budget she delivered to the Legislature on Wednesday. Her 
suggested investments in K-12 schools include more money for student 
aid, professional development, student mental health services, and an 
inflation adjustment for total spending.“We said we would fully fund our public education, and we continue to fulfill that promise,” Kelly said.The Governor’s Council on Education includes nearly 48 business 
leaders and education officials from across the state. Members of the 
council met in the Statehouse with banners that recalled the governor’s 
inauguration in 2019, displaying the words “equality,” “education,” 
“opportunity” and “innovation.”“We do have the pillars that we started with, that were based on the 
governor’s inauguration,” said Fred Dierksen, superintendent for Dodge 
City schools. “We added ‘innovation’ because of the importance of 
technology in education today, and where we’re going with that in all 
facets of the business. And so I just think those are constant reminders
 that we can never overlook.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642199260357.png" alt="Kansas Board of Regents member Cynthia Lane appears at Friday’s meeting of the Governor’s Council on Education at the Statehouse in Topeka. Behind her are banners that mimic those displayed at the governor’s inauguration in 2019. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Board of Regents member Cynthia Lane appears at Friday’s meeting of the Governor’s Council on Education at the Statehouse in Topeka. Behind her are banners that mimic those displayed at the governor’s inauguration in 2019. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The council delivered a report with recommendations to invest in 
child care, computer science and information technology talent, 
technology and equipment upgrades, and work-based learning. The council 
also recommends the formation of a commission of health care 
policymakers, regulators and criminal justice experts to review and 
recommend career pathways.<a target="_blank" href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GCE-Report-Final-1.pdf">Read the full report</a>.Kelly said she plans to keep a copy of the report on her desk during the legislative session as a reference.“You have made it clear what the issues are, and that will make it much easier,” Kelly said.Cynthia Lane, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, and Dierksen 
co-chaired the council, which focused on child care, early learning, 
talent pipeline and work-based learning in meetings throughout 2021.Lane said the difficult reality that Kansas is not a place of opportunity has been driving the council’s work.“Many of us are lifelong Kansans, many of us have chosen to live in 
Kansas, and we want to make sure that we have quality opportunities for 
all,” Lane said.

Kan. education advisers call for investments in child care, technology

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal Friday morning crash on the Kansas Turnpike have identified those involved.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just before 8:30a.m., a 2012 Dodge Durango driven by Tori D. Hornecker, 28, Wichita, was southbound on Interstate 35 near the K-15 exit in the number 2 lane.&nbsp;

The Durango traveled off the road to the right. The passenger side of the SUV struck the left rear corner of a trailer pulled by a 2022 Peterbilt semi driven by Dallas Ray Carmen, 39, Stillwater, Oklahoma, that was legally parked on the outside shoulder.

A passenger in the Durango identified as 6-year-0ld Regan Paige Sampson of Wichita was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the KHP.&nbsp; 

EMS transported Hornecker and a second passenger in the Durango 8-year-old Brantley Chance Sampson to Wesley Medical Center. Carmen was not injured. The driver and passengers in the Durango were not wearing seat belts or in child safety seats, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642188226552.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal Friday morning crash on the Kansas Turnpike have identified those involved.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just before 8:30a.m., a 2012 Dodge Durango driven by Tori D. Hornecker, 28, Wichita, was southbound on Interstate 35 near the K-15 exit in the number 2 lane.&nbsp;The Durango traveled off the road to the right. The passenger side of the SUV struck the left rear corner of a trailer pulled by a 2022 Peterbilt semi driven by Dallas Ray Carmen, 39, Stillwater, Oklahoma, that was legally parked on the outside shoulder.A passenger in the Durango identified as 6-year-0ld Regan Paige Sampson of Wichita was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the KHP.&nbsp; EMS transported Hornecker and a second passenger in the Durango 8-year-old Brantley Chance Sampson to Wesley Medical Center. Carmen was not injured. The driver and passengers in the Durango were not wearing seat belts or in child safety seats, according to the KHP.

6-year-old Kan. girl dies after ejected in Kansas Turnpike crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials have updated their mask guidance, encouraging more Americans to wear N95 or KN95 masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Those kinds of masks are considered better at filtering the air. But they were in short supply previously, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials had said they should be prioritized for health care workers.

 President Joe Biden continues to urge Americans to get vaccinated and to wear a mask. "I think it's part of your patriotic duty to wear a mask," he said ahead of a meeting with his COVID response team.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html" target="_blank">updated guidance</a>&nbsp;posted late Friday,&nbsp; CDC officials removed concerns related to supply shortages and more clearly said that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection.

However, agency officials noted some masks are harder to tolerate than others, and urged people to choose good-fitting masks that they will wear consistently.

“Our main message continues to be that any mask is better than no mask,” Kristen Nordlund, a CDC spokeswoman, said in a statement.

The CDC has evolved its mask guidance throughout the pandemic.

In its last update, in September, CDC officials became more encouraging of disposable N95 masks, saying they could be used in certain situations if supplies were available. Examples included being near a lot of people for extended periods of time on a train, bus or airplane; taking care of someone in poor health; or being more susceptible to severe illness.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-6eb679fb606d9ec2e98db7ab2767d1c0">announced</a>&nbsp;that his administration was planning to make “high-quality masks,” including N95s, available for free. He said more details were coming next week. The federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks, the White House said.

The latest CDC guidance notes that there is a special category of “surgical N95” masks, that are specially designed for protection against blood splashes and other operating room hazards. Those are not generally available for sale to the public, and should continue to be reserved for health care workers, the agency said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642088735613.png" alt="President Biden said it's your patriotic duty to wear a mask-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden said it's your patriotic duty to wear a mask-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials have updated their mask guidance, encouraging more Americans to wear N95 or KN95 masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.Those kinds of masks are considered better at filtering the air. But they were in short supply previously, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials had said they should be prioritized for health care workers. President Joe Biden continues to urge Americans to get vaccinated and to wear a mask. "I think it's part of your patriotic duty to wear a mask," he said ahead of a meeting with his COVID response team.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F627100008618297%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=182" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html" target="_blank">updated guidance</a>&nbsp;posted late Friday,&nbsp; CDC officials removed concerns related to supply shortages and more clearly said that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection.However, agency officials noted some masks are harder to tolerate than others, and urged people to choose good-fitting masks that they will wear consistently.“Our main message continues to be that any mask is better than no mask,” Kristen Nordlund, a CDC spokeswoman, said in a statement.The CDC has evolved its mask guidance throughout the pandemic.In its last update, in September, CDC officials became more encouraging of disposable N95 masks, saying they could be used in certain situations if supplies were available. Examples included being near a lot of people for extended periods of time on a train, bus or airplane; taking care of someone in poor health; or being more susceptible to severe illness.On Thursday, President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-6eb679fb606d9ec2e98db7ab2767d1c0">announced</a>&nbsp;that his administration was planning to make “high-quality masks,” including N95s, available for free. He said more details were coming next week. The federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks, the White House said.The latest CDC guidance notes that there is a special category of “surgical N95” masks, that are specially designed for protection against blood splashes and other operating room hazards. Those are not generally available for sale to the public, and should continue to be reserved for health care workers, the agency said.

 🎥 Biden: It's part of your patriotic duty to wear a mask

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tsunami threat around the Pacific from a huge undersea volcanic eruption has begun to recede but the massive ash cloud covering the tiny island nation of Tonga is preventing surveillance flights from New Zealand to assess the extent of damage. 

The eruption on Saturday sent tsunami waves swirling around buildings and people rushing to higher ground. 

The eruption was massive enough to be detected in Kansas, Kansas Mesonet noted on its <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet">Twitter account</a>.

The explosion cut the internet to Tonga, leaving friends and family members around the world anxiously trying to get in touch. Even government websites and other official sources remained without updates on Sunday afternoon. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there's not been any official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga but authorities haven't yet made contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tsunami threat around the Pacific from a huge undersea volcanic eruption has begun to recede but the massive ash cloud covering the tiny island nation of Tonga is preventing surveillance flights from New Zealand to assess the extent of damage. The eruption on Saturday sent tsunami waves swirling around buildings and people rushing to higher ground. The eruption was massive enough to be detected in Kansas, Kansas Mesonet noted on its <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet">Twitter account</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We did indeed measure the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HungaTongaHungaHaapai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HungaTongaHungaHaapai</a> volcano this morning. A pressure wave was detected weakly and propagated eastward with time. Note, change isn&#39;t much since we average over a five minute period. Still, a noticable trace! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qq0blvGYiq">pic.twitter.com/Qq0blvGYiq</a>&mdash; Kansas Mesonet (@ksmesonet) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksmesonet/status/1482552501077434369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The explosion cut the internet to Tonga, leaving friends and family members around the world anxiously trying to get in touch. Even government websites and other official sources remained without updates on Sunday afternoon. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there's not been any official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga but authorities haven't yet made contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.

Pacific tsunami threat recedes; volcanic eruption detected in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will hear the case of a former Seattle-area football coach who was removed from his job because he refused to stop praying on the field.

Former Bremerton High School coach Joe Kennedy’s lawyers say the religious beliefs of their client, who is Christian, “compelled him to give thanks through prayer at the conclusion of each game for what the players accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through football.” After games had ended and after both teams’ players and coaches met at midfield to shake hands, Kennedy would kneel and offer a silent or quiet prayer.

His practice evolved, however. Students came to join him, and he eventually began to give motivational speeches that often included religious content and a short prayer.

The school district says that when it learned what Kennedy was doing it tried to accommodate him, asking that he pray separately from students. But the district says Kennedy ultimately declined to change his practice, was put on paid leave and sued. Lower courts sided with the school district.

In 2019, at an earlier stage of the case, the high court rejected getting involved. At that time, however, four conservative justices said while it was too early to get involved, they were interested in the case and the legal issues it raises.

In a statement issued Friday after the court agreed to hear the case, Kelly Shackelford, the head of First Liberty Institute, which is representing Kennedy, said, “No teacher or coach should lose their job for simply expressing their faith while in public.”

“By taking this important case, the Supreme Court can protect the right of every American to engage in private religious expression, including praying in public, without fear of punishment,” Shackelford said.

But the head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which represents the school district, said it had followed the law, calling Kennedy's actions “coercive prayers.”

"This case is not about a school employee praying silently during a private religious devotion. Rather, this case is about protecting impressionable students who felt pressured by their coach to participate repeatedly in public prayer, and a public school district that did right by its students and families,” Rachel Laser said in a statement.

The case is expected to be argued in the spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641555607497.png" alt="The case is expected to be argued in the spring -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The case is expected to be argued in the spring -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will hear the case of a former Seattle-area football coach who was removed from his job because he refused to stop praying on the field.Former Bremerton High School coach Joe Kennedy’s lawyers say the religious beliefs of their client, who is Christian, “compelled him to give thanks through prayer at the conclusion of each game for what the players accomplished and for the opportunity to be part of their lives through football.” After games had ended and after both teams’ players and coaches met at midfield to shake hands, Kennedy would kneel and offer a silent or quiet prayer.His practice evolved, however. Students came to join him, and he eventually began to give motivational speeches that often included religious content and a short prayer.The school district says that when it learned what Kennedy was doing it tried to accommodate him, asking that he pray separately from students. But the district says Kennedy ultimately declined to change his practice, was put on paid leave and sued. Lower courts sided with the school district.In 2019, at an earlier stage of the case, the high court rejected getting involved. At that time, however, four conservative justices said while it was too early to get involved, they were interested in the case and the legal issues it raises.In a statement issued Friday after the court agreed to hear the case, Kelly Shackelford, the head of First Liberty Institute, which is representing Kennedy, said, “No teacher or coach should lose their job for simply expressing their faith while in public.”“By taking this important case, the Supreme Court can protect the right of every American to engage in private religious expression, including praying in public, without fear of punishment,” Shackelford said.But the head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which represents the school district, said it had followed the law, calling Kennedy's actions “coercive prayers.”"This case is not about a school employee praying silently during a private religious devotion. Rather, this case is about protecting impressionable students who felt pressured by their coach to participate repeatedly in public prayer, and a public school district that did right by its students and families,” Rachel Laser said in a statement.The case is expected to be argued in the spring.

Supreme Court to hear case of praying football coach forced from his job

PAWNEE COUNTY – A Pawnee County jury found Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, Kansas guilty of a child sex crime during a trial Thursday, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The jury heard testimony that the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on February 10, 2019, at approximately 5 a.m. to respond to a possible sexual assault of a minor at a residence in Garfield, Kansas. 

Once at the residence the responding officers were advised by the owners that their 13 year old granddaughter had been awaken in her bedroom at approximately 3 a.m. by a man touching her inappropriately. 

The girl told the officers that she recognized the assailant as being her grandparent’s house guest.

The teenager testified at trial that after the assault occurred she was too scared to leave her room as she would have to pass the defendant to get to her grandmother’s room. 

Hill had been staying on the family’s couch for several weeks. She attempted to call and text her grandmother serval times, but her grandmother did not wake up for over an hour. Hill was arrested at the scene without incident. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation.

The jury made up of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for approximately one hour Thursday afternoon before returning Guilty verdict of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14. The defense argued law enforcement rushed to judgment and conducted an insufficient investigation.

Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Under the Kansas Offender Registration Act, offenders are required to notify the local sheriff if they remain in a County for more than 3 days. At the time, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. 

Pursuant to a pretrial order, the Jury was not informed of Hill’s prior sex conviction, nor his duty to register.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.. The defendant has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since February 10, 2019. Based on his prior sex offense, Hill now faces a mandatory 40 year under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642114839130.png" alt="Hill-photo Ford Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Ford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – A Pawnee County jury found Roy Gene Hill, 59 of Osage, Kansas guilty of a child sex crime during a trial Thursday, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The jury heard testimony that the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on February 10, 2019, at approximately 5 a.m. to respond to a possible sexual assault of a minor at a residence in Garfield, Kansas. Once at the residence the responding officers were advised by the owners that their 13 year old granddaughter had been awaken in her bedroom at approximately 3 a.m. by a man touching her inappropriately. The girl told the officers that she recognized the assailant as being her grandparent’s house guest.The teenager testified at trial that after the assault occurred she was too scared to leave her room as she would have to pass the defendant to get to her grandmother’s room. Hill had been staying on the family’s couch for several weeks. She attempted to call and text her grandmother serval times, but her grandmother did not wake up for over an hour. Hill was arrested at the scene without incident. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the follow-up investigation.The jury made up of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for approximately one hour Thursday afternoon before returning Guilty verdict of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child Under the Age of 14. The defense argued law enforcement rushed to judgment and conducted an insufficient investigation.Hill previously entered a No Contest plea on December 16, 2021, to Count 2 in the case to a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender with the Pawnee County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642115281720.png" alt="Hill-photo Kan. Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Kan. Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Under the Kansas Offender Registration Act, offenders are required to notify the local sheriff if they remain in a County for more than 3 days. At the time, Hill was subject to life-time registration due to a previous Aggravated Indecent Liberties conviction for an incident in Neosho County in 2002. Pursuant to a pretrial order, the Jury was not informed of Hill’s prior sex conviction, nor his duty to register.Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.. The defendant has been in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff since February 10, 2019. Based on his prior sex offense, Hill now faces a mandatory 40 year under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions, according to McNett.

Kan. sex offender faces 40-years in prison for another child sex crime

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested after hundreds of pigs died at his farm last month after they went without adequate food and were kept in conditions so cold that some of their ears froze off.

Black Hawk County sheriff’s deputies arrested the 38-year-old&nbsp;Nolan Otto Dewall on Monday on one count of livestock neglect, a misdemeanor.

Dewall had been hired to raise 2,500 baby pigs until they reached around 280 pounds, according to court records. The animals were delivered to his farm in rural Cedar Falls in late December with 15 tons of feed.

By Dec. 30, a consultant found that 800 of the pigs had died and that the animals didn’t have ready access to water and some didn’t have access to food. The consultant also found temperatures inside the barns was found to be under 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), when freshly weened hogs need temperatures around 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit to survive, court records state.

Authorities removed the remaining pigs from the farm to another facility, 51 pigs perished during the move and another 60 died in the following days, records state. The hogs died of malnutrition and dehydration, a state veterinarian determined.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been arrested after hundreds of pigs died at his farm last month after they went without adequate food and were kept in conditions so cold that some of their ears froze off.Black Hawk County sheriff’s deputies arrested the 38-year-old&nbsp;Nolan Otto Dewall on Monday on one count of livestock neglect, a misdemeanor.Dewall had been hired to raise 2,500 baby pigs until they reached around 280 pounds, according to court records. The animals were delivered to his farm in rural Cedar Falls in late December with 15 tons of feed.By Dec. 30, a consultant found that 800 of the pigs had died and that the animals didn’t have ready access to water and some didn’t have access to food. The consultant also found temperatures inside the barns was found to be under 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), when freshly weened hogs need temperatures around 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit to survive, court records state.Authorities removed the remaining pigs from the farm to another facility, 51 pigs perished during the move and another 60 died in the following days, records state. The hogs died of malnutrition and dehydration, a state veterinarian determined.

Man arrested after hundreds of pigs die from neglect

The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257355812.html">reports</a>&nbsp;the train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418691221.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — One person is dead following a shooting Friday night on an Amtrak train that was stopped at a Missouri station, police said.Police in Independence, Missouri, were called around 9:15 p.m. to the Amtrak station where they found a person who had been shot while the train had been stopped earlier at the Lee's Summit station, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the Lee’s Summit Police Department. Police are looking for the suspected shooter who is believed to have fled in Lee's Summit, he said.The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article257355812.html">reports</a>&nbsp;the train traveled north to Independence where life-saving efforts were attempted before the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.The victim's name is being withheld until the family is notified.

Police: 1 dead after shooting on Amtrak train near Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a Saturday house fire in Olathe.

Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded to the fire at a home at 1030 North Clinton Street near Kansas 7 and Harold Street, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department.

 When firefighters arrived they were met with significant fire conditions. Due to many on-scene conditions, a second alarm was ordered.

EMS transported three residents to an area hospital in stable condition. Authorities have not reported cause of the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642280389984.png" alt="photo courtesy Olathe Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Olathe Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a Saturday house fire in Olathe.Just after 8a.m., fire crews responded to the fire at a home at 1030 North Clinton Street near Kansas 7 and Harold Street, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department. When firefighters arrived they were met with significant fire conditions. Due to many on-scene conditions, a second alarm was ordered.EMS transported three residents to an area hospital in stable condition. Authorities have not reported cause of the fire.

3 hospitalized after 2-alarm fire at Kansas home

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A state board that oversees doctors has suspended the medical license of a Wichita physician, alleging that he wrote prescriptions for people he hadn’t spoken to or examined. 

The suspension order says that Chad Sharp’s employer had unlicensed employees call people last year and ask if if they were suffering from “chronic ailments.”

 These calls were recorded and then sent to Sharp, who was paid for each person whose information he reviewed. The order states that he then would prescribe a cream or ointment that was billed to the person’s insurance.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A state board that oversees doctors has suspended the medical license of a Wichita physician, alleging that he wrote prescriptions for people he hadn’t spoken to or examined. The suspension order says that Chad Sharp’s employer had unlicensed employees call people last year and ask if if they were suffering from “chronic ailments.” These calls were recorded and then sent to Sharp, who was paid for each person whose information he reviewed. The order states that he then would prescribe a cream or ointment that was billed to the person’s insurance.

License suspended for Kan. doctor over prescribing issues

KANSAS CITY (AP) —For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">ruling by the high court&nbsp;</a>to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

Target’s response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and “how it will impact our team and business.”

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

In legal terms, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the court’s decision “a significant victory for employers.” It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it “would interfere with individuals’ private health care decisions.”

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, “the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.”

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are “common sense.” He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

“If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach,” Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

Ford Motor Co. said it was “encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated.” The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

“This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves,” said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington University’s School of Public Health.

For their part,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-police-oregon-coronavirus-pandemic-workers-rights-05ff3bd3325fb47f90061b1cc8e339a1">labor unions had been divided all along&nbsp;</a>about Biden’s attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision won’t change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firm’s health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and “you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.”

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because “it was the right thing to do for safety.”

Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

“I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they don’t want to implement something if they don’t have to,” said Christopher Slottee, a commercial law attorney in Anchorage, Alaska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642266101298.png" alt="Entrance to a Target store in northeast Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Entrance to a Target store in northeast Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.Many large corporations were silent on Thursday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">ruling by the high court&nbsp;</a>to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.Target’s response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and “how it will impact our team and business.”The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.In legal terms, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the court’s decision “a significant victory for employers.” It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it “would interfere with individuals’ private health care decisions.”Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, “the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.”But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are “common sense.” He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.“If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach,” Simons said.Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.Ford Motor Co. said it was “encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated.” The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.“This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves,” said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington University’s School of Public Health.For their part,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-police-oregon-coronavirus-pandemic-workers-rights-05ff3bd3325fb47f90061b1cc8e339a1">labor unions had been divided all along&nbsp;</a>about Biden’s attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision won’t change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firm’s health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and “you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.”United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because “it was the right thing to do for safety.”Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.“I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they don’t want to implement something if they don’t have to,” said Christopher Slottee, a commercial law attorney in Anchorage, Alaska.___

Businesses react to ruling against Biden vaccine mandate

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Mack Lee, 39, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp;The suspicious death will now be investigated as a Homicide.

Just after 10a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to a home in the 600 Block SW Lincoln in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual. 

Upon arrival, officers located Lee who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. The Topeka Police Department Homicide Unit is reviewing all investigative leads and evidence, according to Monasmith.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642252476017.png" alt="The suspicious death is not being investigated as a homicide-photo courtesy&nbsp; WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>The suspicious death is not being investigated as a homicide-photo courtesy&nbsp; WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Mack Lee, 39, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp;The suspicious death will now be investigated as a Homicide.Just after 10a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to a home in the 600 Block SW Lincoln in Topeka on a call for service reference checking the welfare of an individual. Upon arrival, officers located Lee who was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. The Topeka Police Department Homicide Unit is reviewing all investigative leads and evidence, according to Monasmith.

Police: Suspicious death at Kan. home now a homicide investigation 

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634925184239.jpg" alt="Photo University of Kansas Health System" />
 <figcaption>Photo University of Kansas Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH AND JOHN HANNA, Associated PressMISSION, Kan. (AP) — Nursing homes are facing COVID-19 outbreaks, schools are closing and hospitals in the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City area are seeing so many deaths that they are raising alarms about morgue capacity.The problems come as Kansas yet again shattered its record for new confirmed and probable cases. The state reported an average of 7,887 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday — nearly triple what had been the biggest peak in November 2020, according to state health department data.While the omicron variant is less deadly, hospitalizations are approaching the previous high from December 2020, new state data shows.The rise in cases, combined with a surge of staff absences, has hospitals across a large swath of the state halting elective procedures. And hospitals in the Kansas City area are now talking to the medical examiner and county health officials about how to handle the excessive death. Already they have sought help tracking down more ventilators.“They are running out of morgue capacity,” said. Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department in Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. “It does not take being an expert in public health to know that things are pretty bad."The county has been looking for new testing sites and expanding hours at exiting ones. The positivity rate now tops 30%.“Quite frankly the numbers we are getting in are exceeding all capacity at all levels," said Dr. Elizabeth Holzschuh, director of epidemiology at the county's Department of Health and Environment.She noted that since the beginning of the year, nearly 30 county residents have died of COVID-19, with the vast majority of them unvaccinated. Nursing homes in the county also are hard hit with cases, said Areola.“Virtually all of them have outbreaks going on," he said, adding, “The good news is because of the high vaccination rate and the high rates of booster uptake we haven’t seen very high levels of hospitalizations and death, at least not yet in that group. So our message continues to be get vaccinated, get boosted.”Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly told reporters that she believes Kansas should rethink restrictions on remote learning in public schools enacted last year, but top Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are so far standing behind the policy.Her comments come as a growing number of schools closed, including Eudora, Desoto, Manhattan-Ogden, Bonner Springs and El Dorado. Many cited staffing shortages, which are so severe that the state announced this week that substitute teachers in Kansas will not be required to have college credit hours.Meanwhile, Kansas City, Kansas, schools warned parents to start preparing for school closures and said buses would be 15 to 20 minutes late Friday because of staff shortages. And the Olathe district, which is the state’s second-largest, is about 65 staff absences away from having to cancel school, warned Superintendent Brent Yeager.“We all know the best place for our kids to be is right in our schools so we will continue to work hard and make that the case,” Yeager said at the district’s board meeting on Thursday.The Wichita district, which is the state’s largest with about 47,000 students, issued a similar warning that closures were possible earlier this week.