CASS COUNTY, Mo.—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Monday in Cass County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Shaw M. Espey, 21, Luisburg, Kansas, was westbound on MO 2 just west of Groh Road.

The driver attempted to overtake a vehicle in oncoming traffic and struck a 2013 Volvo semi driven by Matthew Harris, 34, Harrisonville, Missouri.&nbsp;

Espey was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by Frontier Medical. Harris was not injured. Espey was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP

CASS COUNTY, Mo.—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Monday in Cass County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Shaw M. Espey, 21, Luisburg, Kansas, was westbound on MO 2 just west of Groh Road.The driver attempted to overtake a vehicle in oncoming traffic and struck a 2013 Volvo semi driven by Matthew Harris, 34, Harrisonville, Missouri.&nbsp; Espey was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by Frontier Medical. Harris was not injured. Espey was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP

Kansas man dies after crash with a semi

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have made an arrest.

Just after 2a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to the Osage Apartment complex, 100 North Summit Street in Arkansas City, for a report of smoke in the building.

When they arrived, 18-year-old Jaxon Miloy Hofmeister met them, reporting he had smelled smoke and heard a smoke alarm while outside. He told firefighters he thought the smoke was coming from the third floor of the apartment building.

Hofmeister allowed investigating fire-EMS personnel to enter his apartment, where they found a large amount of smoke and evidence of arson.&nbsp; At that time, police were dispatched to the scene.

Officers transported Hofmeister to the police department where he was interviewed by police and a fire investigator. During this interview, he allegedly admitted to setting the fire in the occupied apartment building.

Police arrested Hofmeister subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail on requested charges that include one felony count of aggravated arson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635175171782.png" alt="Hofmeister-photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Hofmeister-photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have made an arrest.Just after 2a.m. Friday, fire crews were dispatched to the Osage Apartment complex, 100 North Summit Street in Arkansas City, for a report of smoke in the building.When they arrived, 18-year-old Jaxon Miloy Hofmeister met them, reporting he had smelled smoke and heard a smoke alarm while outside. He told firefighters he thought the smoke was coming from the third floor of the apartment building.Hofmeister allowed investigating fire-EMS personnel to enter his apartment, where they found a large amount of smoke and evidence of arson.&nbsp; At that time, police were dispatched to the scene.Officers transported Hofmeister to the police department where he was interviewed by police and a fire investigator. During this interview, he allegedly admitted to setting the fire in the occupied apartment building.Police arrested Hofmeister subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail on requested charges that include one felony count of aggravated arson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Kansas teen admits setting fire in occupied apartment

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 44-year-old Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty to solicitation of capital murder after she helped set up a plan to kill an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

During a plea hearing Friday, Renee Johnson-Fritz admitted that she sent a message to inmate Andrew Hogue ordering the death of another inmate. The target inmate was attacked in April 2019 but survived. Johnson-Fritz's husband, Frederick Fritz, is also charged with solicitation of capital murder.

Prosecutors said he sent his wife a letter demanding the death of the Lansing inmate. Witnesses at a preliminary hearing said Frederick Fritz is a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood of Kansas. Hogue is charged with attempted capital murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177551411.png" alt="Johnson-Fritz is being held in Leavenworth County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-Fritz is being held in Leavenworth County</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 44-year-old Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty to solicitation of capital murder after she helped set up a plan to kill an inmate at the Lansing Correctional Facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177667613.png" alt="Hogue is charged with attempted capital murder in the case" />
 <figcaption>Hogue is charged with attempted capital murder in the case</figcaption>
 </figure>During a plea hearing Friday, Renee Johnson-Fritz admitted that she sent a message to inmate Andrew Hogue ordering the death of another inmate. The target inmate was attacked in April 2019 but survived. Johnson-Fritz's husband, Frederick Fritz, is also charged with solicitation of capital murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177827792.png" alt="Fritz has previous convictions for murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Fritz has previous convictions for murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors said he sent his wife a letter demanding the death of the Lansing inmate. Witnesses at a preliminary hearing said Frederick Fritz is a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood of Kansas. Hogue is charged with attempted capital murder.

Woman admits role in soliciting murder of Kansas inmate

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Barton County.

Just after 11:45 p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile 98 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street in Great Bend for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

During the course of the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of illegal activity and a K9 from the Great Bend Police Department was called to the scene. The K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and the occupants.

During the course the search, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located as well as more than nine kilos or about 20 pounds of marijuana. Deputies arrested four at the scene including Tiffany Willinger, age 35; Tashum McNary, age 31; Billy Fuqua, age 54 and Betty Dosch, age 38, all Owensboro, Kentucky.

Deputies booked all four were booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

McNanry was also faces a charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer. 

All four are being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Deputies also seized the car and more than $1,000 in US currency, according to Belledir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177846036.jpeg" alt="Mcnanry photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Mcnanry photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Barton County.Just after 11:45 p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile 98 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street in Great Bend for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177879019.jpeg" alt="Betty Dosch photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Betty Dosch photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the course of the traffic stop, officers became suspicious of illegal activity and a K9 from the Great Bend Police Department was called to the scene. The K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and the occupants.During the course the search, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located as well as more than nine kilos or about 20 pounds of marijuana. Deputies arrested four at the scene including Tiffany Willinger, age 35; Tashum McNary, age 31; Billy Fuqua, age 54 and Betty Dosch, age 38, all Owensboro, Kentucky.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177901219.jpeg" alt="Tiffany Willinger photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Tiffany Willinger photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies booked all four were booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635177918178.jpeg" alt="Billy Fuqua photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Billy Fuqua photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>McNanry was also faces a charge of obstruction of a law enforcement officer. All four are being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Deputies also seized the car and more than $1,000 in US currency, according to Belledir.

4 from Kentucky found with 20 pounds of marijuana in Kansas

WASHINGTON&nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp; The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Monday, that U.S. Army Pvt. Robert J. Herynk, 27, of Hanover, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 29, 2021, according to a statement from the agency. In the fall of 1942, Herynk was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. His unit was part of the effort to cut off the Japanese supply and communications line coming from their beachhead at Sanananda Village, Territory of Papua, on the island of New Guinea. K Company attempted to work their way behind enemy lines, and, on Nov. 26, was part of a coordinated attack against Japanese defenses that would lead to the Huggins Roadblock being established a few days later. Herynk was listed as killed in action on the earliest casualty reports and was reported to have been buried near Buna, New Guinea. Following the war, the American Graves Registration Service, the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, conducted exhaustive searches of battle areas and crash sites in New Guinea, concluding their search in late 1948. Investigators could not find any evidence of Herynk. He was declared non-recoverable Dec. 19, 1949. In March 1943, remains of an unidentified U.S. Soldier were recovered near the Soputa-Sanananda Track, but had no visible means of identification. Those remains were buried at a temporary cemetery in Sanananda. They were later disinterred and moved three times until being designated Unknown X-1547 Manila Mausoleum and buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines on Jan. 18, 1950. Between 1995 and 2012, DPAA predecessor organizations recovered four men from the Huggins Roadblock area, but found no trace of Herynk. DPAA historians and anthropologists later conducted a multidisciplinary review of Unknown and casualty files, and recommended disinterment of the Unknowns associated with the campaign to neutralize Japanese positions at Buna and Sanananda. X-1547 was disinterred in January 2017 and sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and analysis. To identify Herynk’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Herynk’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in the Philippines, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Herynk will be buried Nov. 11, 2021, in his hometown. For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635200179987.png" alt="Robert J. Herynk-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Robert J. Herynk-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp; The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Monday, that U.S. Army Pvt. Robert J. Herynk, 27, of Hanover, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 29, 2021, according to a statement from the agency. In the fall of 1942, Herynk was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. His unit was part of the effort to cut off the Japanese supply and communications line coming from their beachhead at Sanananda Village, Territory of Papua, on the island of New Guinea. K Company attempted to work their way behind enemy lines, and, on Nov. 26, was part of a coordinated attack against Japanese defenses that would lead to the Huggins Roadblock being established a few days later. Herynk was listed as killed in action on the earliest casualty reports and was reported to have been buried near Buna, New Guinea. Following the war, the American Graves Registration Service, the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, conducted exhaustive searches of battle areas and crash sites in New Guinea, concluding their search in late 1948. Investigators could not find any evidence of Herynk. He was declared non-recoverable Dec. 19, 1949. In March 1943, remains of an unidentified U.S. Soldier were recovered near the Soputa-Sanananda Track, but had no visible means of identification. Those remains were buried at a temporary cemetery in Sanananda. They were later disinterred and moved three times until being designated Unknown X-1547 Manila Mausoleum and buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines on Jan. 18, 1950. Between 1995 and 2012, DPAA predecessor organizations recovered four men from the Huggins Roadblock area, but found no trace of Herynk. DPAA historians and anthropologists later conducted a multidisciplinary review of Unknown and casualty files, and recommended disinterment of the Unknowns associated with the campaign to neutralize Japanese positions at Buna and Sanananda. X-1547 was disinterred in January 2017 and sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and analysis. To identify Herynk’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Herynk’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in the Philippines, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Herynk will be buried Nov. 11, 2021, in his hometown. For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

Officials ID remains of soldier from Kan. who died during WWII battle 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a homeless man charged with killing a 72-year-old Kansas woman during a sexual assault, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In December, 56-year-old John Pepper&nbsp; was charged in Sedgwick County District Court with capital murder in the death of Rita Golden. Prosecutors allege her death occurred during the commission of an aggravated criminal sodomy.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20062136">Pepper had been jailed </a>on burglary and theft charges stemming from an unrelated incident. Golden was found unresponsive in her home in July of 2019.

A doctor listed her cause of death as high blood pressure combined with an irregular heartbeat — adding that injuries to her body would have resulted in severe stress, causing the cardiac arrhythmia. She had multiple blunt force trauma injuries and possible asphyxia by smothering, as well as emphysema and lung conditions.

The autopsy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c16c7452b4f57a35d353fceb83f3f246">report&nbsp;</a>said Golden had been letting a homeless man stay in her yard and that he would occasionally come inside to eat or sleep. The report said Wichita police found the homeless man hiding in a bedroom closet.

Prosecutors allege in court documents that “the victim was particularly vulnerable due to age, infirmity, or reduced physical or mental capacity.”

Prosecutors can pursue the death penalty in a capital murder case. Pepper is jailed on a $1 million bond in the case, and has an additional $50,000 bond in the other case, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577734968737.png" alt="John Pepper photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>John Pepper photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a homeless man charged with killing a 72-year-old Kansas woman during a sexual assault, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In December, 56-year-old John Pepper&nbsp; was charged in Sedgwick County District Court with capital murder in the death of Rita Golden. Prosecutors allege her death occurred during the commission of an aggravated criminal sodomy.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20062136">Pepper had been jailed </a>on burglary and theft charges stemming from an unrelated incident. Golden was found unresponsive in her home in July of 2019.A doctor listed her cause of death as high blood pressure combined with an irregular heartbeat — adding that injuries to her body would have resulted in severe stress, causing the cardiac arrhythmia. She had multiple blunt force trauma injuries and possible asphyxia by smothering, as well as emphysema and lung conditions.The autopsy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c16c7452b4f57a35d353fceb83f3f246">report&nbsp;</a>said Golden had been letting a homeless man stay in her yard and that he would occasionally come inside to eat or sleep. The report said Wichita police found the homeless man hiding in a bedroom closet.Prosecutors allege in court documents that “the victim was particularly vulnerable due to age, infirmity, or reduced physical or mental capacity.”Prosecutors can pursue the death penalty in a capital murder case. Pepper is jailed on a $1 million bond in the case, and has an additional $50,000 bond in the other case, according to online jail records.

Trial begins for Kan. man in sex assault, killing of 72-year-old 

KANSAS CITY —Severe weather including damaging winds, flooding rains and tornadoes. hit the Kansas City area Sunday.

The National Weather Service preliminary damage survey results indicated&nbsp; the Purdin, Missouri tornado&nbsp; rated an EF-2 with estimated max winds of 120 mph. The tornado started at 4:31p.m. and ended at 5:18p.m. Purdin is located northeast of Kansas City.

The preliminary damage survey results dfor the two tornadoes that impacted Sedalia Sunday night indicated they were both&nbsp;EF-0 tornadoes. One south-southeast of Sedalia and the other just east along Highway 50, 90 minutes southeast of Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY —Severe weather that included damaging winds, heavy rain and tornadoes hit the Kansas City area on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

The last time tornadoes him the Kansas City area in October was in October of 2018 affecting the towns of Pickering in Nodaway County and Judson in Sullivan County, Knoxville in Ray County, Polo in Caldwell County and Spickard in Grundy County, according to the National Weather Service.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635158443594.png" alt="Damage from Sunday's storms -photo courtesy Caldwell County, Missouri sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Damage from Sunday's storms -photo courtesy Caldwell County, Missouri sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Severe weather including damaging winds, flooding rains and tornadoes. hit the Kansas City area Sunday.The National Weather Service preliminary damage survey results indicated&nbsp; the Purdin, Missouri tornado&nbsp; rated an EF-2 with estimated max winds of 120 mph. The tornado started at 4:31p.m. and ended at 5:18p.m. Purdin is located northeast of Kansas City.The preliminary damage survey results dfor the two tornadoes that impacted Sedalia Sunday night indicated they were both&nbsp;EF-0 tornadoes. One south-southeast of Sedalia and the other just east along Highway 50, 90 minutes southeast of Kansas City.There were no injuries or deaths.-------KANSAS CITY —Severe weather that included damaging winds, heavy rain and tornadoes hit the Kansas City area on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.There were no injuries reported.The last time tornadoes him the Kansas City area in October was in October of 2018 affecting the towns of Pickering in Nodaway County and Judson in Sullivan County, Knoxville in Ray County, Polo in Caldwell County and Spickard in Grundy County, according to the National Weather Service.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

UPDATE: EF2 tornado northeast of Kansas City Sunday

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-22/battle-between-blue-cross-of-kansas-and-lawrence-hospital-heats-up-with-patients-in-the-middle">Kansas News Service</a>

Heated negotiations between LMH Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of 
Kansas will either raise prices for its patients at Lawrence’s only 
hospital or steer them to seek care elsewhere.

The wrestling match
 offers a peek at the kind of tension between health care providers and 
insurance plans nationwide that often stays out of public view.

While
 both sides of such negotiations argue that they represent patients’ 
best interests, the financial stakes run high for everyone and carry 
repercussions for access and affordability.

Nationally, hospital prices have risen <a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/how-have-healthcare-prices-grown-in-the-u-s-over-time/#item-prices-for-inpatient-hospital-care-have-grown-rapidly-for-privately-insured-patients" target="_blank">faster than general inflation</a>.
 Even for those with health insurance, that translates to higher 
premiums and medical bills — particularly unwelcome news to those with 
high-deductible plans.

LMH Health <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2021/feb/20/if-blue-cross-blue-shield-doesnt-pay-more-lmh-may-ask-state-employees-to-consider-a-different-insurance-provider/" target="_blank">has argued</a>
 that Blue Cross of Kansas pays it too little, and shells out more when 
the same procedures take place in, say, Topeka. Blue Cross counters that
 LMH Health is seeking hikes that would cost its members millions of 
dollars.

This week, thousands of state employees and their family members 
became a bargaining chip in that showdown between the two nonprofit 
organizations.

LMH Health announced talks with the state’s largest
 private insurer might fall through. It urged people with a choice to 
pick a different health plan for the coming year.

“We understand 
that being out of network with BCBS will be a challenge for a number of 
our patients,” LMH Health wrote on Facebook. “With that in mind, we urge
 you to ensure — right now — that your selected coverage for 2022 allows
 you to receive the care you have come to know and trust.”

The health system didn’t respond to questions from the Kansas News Service about the sticking points in the negotiations, or
 about whether the announcement is meant to pressure Blue Cross by 
putting it under immediate risk of losing business to its competitors, 
and particularly to insurance giant Aetna.

The news came during 
annual open enrollment for employees of the University of Kansas and 
state agencies. Thousands of people had until Oct. 31 to pick between 
Aetna and Blue Cross of Kansas, the two administrators for the State 
Employee Health Plan. (The state has now pushed back the deadline to 
Nov. 5 in light of the situation.)

“It is our responsibility to ensure healthcare is affordable,” Blue Cross said in an emailed statement.

“We
 have every hospital in Kansas in our network,” it said. “LMH informed 
us of their intention to cancel their contract unless we met their 
demands. They were the only hospital in the state that did so, and the 
only one that has done so in recent history.”

Last year, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-25/employers-compared-notes-on-secret-prices-at-kansas-hospitals-to-boost-their-leverage-on-costs" target="_blank">a study by the think tank RAND Corporation</a>
 on the nation’s rising hospital costs used insurance claims provided by
 large health plans to compare prices across the country.

The 
study wasn’t specific to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas plans, but 
RAND found that prices at LMH Health were lower than the national 
average.

The think tank found that large, private health plans paid more than twice the rate of Medicare at the Lawrence hospital.

Within Kansas, its rates were similar to what RAND found at Via Christi hospital in Wichita.

They
 were lower than Stormont Vail Health in Topeka (where major health 
plans paid three times the rate of Medicare) and KU Hospital in Kansas 
City (where plans paid four times Medicare).

Hospitals dispute the
 RAND study because RAND only has access to a small sample of their 
medical claims. RAND counters that many hospitals don’t publish their 
prices, making complete comparisons impossible.

If the two sides 
can’t make a deal, Blue Cross of Kansas patients could still seek 
emergency care at LMH Health in 2022. But out-of-network payment rules 
would apply to other care there.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on
 consumer health for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on 
Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635168970118.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-22/battle-between-blue-cross-of-kansas-and-lawrence-hospital-heats-up-with-patients-in-the-middle">Kansas News Service</a>Heated negotiations between LMH Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of 
Kansas will either raise prices for its patients at Lawrence’s only 
hospital or steer them to seek care elsewhere.The wrestling match
 offers a peek at the kind of tension between health care providers and 
insurance plans nationwide that often stays out of public view.While
 both sides of such negotiations argue that they represent patients’ 
best interests, the financial stakes run high for everyone and carry 
repercussions for access and affordability.Nationally, hospital prices have risen <a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/how-have-healthcare-prices-grown-in-the-u-s-over-time/#item-prices-for-inpatient-hospital-care-have-grown-rapidly-for-privately-insured-patients" target="_blank">faster than general inflation</a>.
 Even for those with health insurance, that translates to higher 
premiums and medical bills — particularly unwelcome news to those with 
high-deductible plans.LMH Health <a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2021/feb/20/if-blue-cross-blue-shield-doesnt-pay-more-lmh-may-ask-state-employees-to-consider-a-different-insurance-provider/" target="_blank">has argued</a>
 that Blue Cross of Kansas pays it too little, and shells out more when 
the same procedures take place in, say, Topeka. Blue Cross counters that
 LMH Health is seeking hikes that would cost its members millions of 
dollars.This week, thousands of state employees and their family members 
became a bargaining chip in that showdown between the two nonprofit 
organizations.LMH Health announced talks with the state’s largest
 private insurer might fall through. It urged people with a choice to 
pick a different health plan for the coming year.“We understand 
that being out of network with BCBS will be a challenge for a number of 
our patients,” LMH Health wrote on Facebook. “With that in mind, we urge
 you to ensure — right now — that your selected coverage for 2022 allows
 you to receive the care you have come to know and trust.”The health system didn’t respond to questions from the Kansas News Service about the sticking points in the negotiations, or
 about whether the announcement is meant to pressure Blue Cross by 
putting it under immediate risk of losing business to its competitors, 
and particularly to insurance giant Aetna.The news came during 
annual open enrollment for employees of the University of Kansas and 
state agencies. Thousands of people had until Oct. 31 to pick between 
Aetna and Blue Cross of Kansas, the two administrators for the State 
Employee Health Plan. (The state has now pushed back the deadline to 
Nov. 5 in light of the situation.)“It is our responsibility to ensure healthcare is affordable,” Blue Cross said in an emailed statement.“We
 have every hospital in Kansas in our network,” it said. “LMH informed 
us of their intention to cancel their contract unless we met their 
demands. They were the only hospital in the state that did so, and the 
only one that has done so in recent history.”Last year, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-25/employers-compared-notes-on-secret-prices-at-kansas-hospitals-to-boost-their-leverage-on-costs" target="_blank">a study by the think tank RAND Corporation</a>
 on the nation’s rising hospital costs used insurance claims provided by
 large health plans to compare prices across the country.The 
study wasn’t specific to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas plans, but 
RAND found that prices at LMH Health were lower than the national 
average.The think tank found that large, private health plans paid more than twice the rate of Medicare at the Lawrence hospital.Within Kansas, its rates were similar to what RAND found at Via Christi hospital in Wichita.They
 were lower than Stormont Vail Health in Topeka (where major health 
plans paid three times the rate of Medicare) and KU Hospital in Kansas 
City (where plans paid four times Medicare).Hospitals dispute the
 RAND study because RAND only has access to a small sample of their 
medical claims. RAND counters that many hospitals don’t publish their 
prices, making complete comparisons impossible.If the two sides 
can’t make a deal, Blue Cross of Kansas patients could still seek 
emergency care at LMH Health in 2022. But out-of-network payment rules 
would apply to other care there.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on
 consumer health for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on 
Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Patients in middle of battle between Blue Cross, Kan. hospital

By BLAISE MESA and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-25/kansas-state-senator-gets-48-hours-in-jail-probation-for-wrong-way-drunk-driving-on-i-70">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;— Republican Kansas Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor drunk driving and 
reckless driving charges after he was <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-16/kansas-senate-majority-leader-gene-suellentrop-arrested-on-dui-charge" target="_blank">arrested</a> earlier this year for driving drunk the wrong way on Interstate 70 in Topeka and evading police.

The
 agreement means a felony charge of evading police is dropped. The 
sentence orders Suellentrop to spend 48 hours in jail as well as 12 
months on probation. He reports to the Shawnee County jail Nov. 18 at 
noon.

Suellentrop, who represents Wichita's 27th District in the Kansas Senate, will also pay a $775 fine and will have an 
ignition interlock device, a breathalyzer-type machine, on his vehicle 
to ensure he remains sober.

The plea won’t immediately mean the end of Suellentrop’s political career. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0013_section/021_066_0013_k/" target="_blank">State law</a>
 says anyone convicted of a felony can’t hold public office, but the 
plea deal means Suellentrop will only be convicted of misdemeanors.

An
 officer said Suellentrop drove the wrong way on I-70 in Topeka and 
other cars swerved to avoid a crash on the highway. The statement said 
Suellentrop raced to avoid police and later called an officer “donut 
boy” and said he could “take” the officer in a fight.

Thomas 
Lemon, Suellentrop’s attorney, argued for probation because of a clean 
criminal record. He said previous “salacious” details of the case 
painted Suellentrop in a negative light.

“All other aspects of his life are in good shape,” Lemon said.

Suellentrop
 didn’t speak with reporters after leaving the courtroom, but said 
during the hearing that he won’t have any future legal troubles.

“There are many lessons to be learned in circumstances such as these,” Suellentrop said. “I can assure you I learned my share.”

He didn’t respond to a question about whether he would stay in office.

Before
 his arrest in March, Suellentrop, from Wichita, was one of the most 
powerful conservative Republican lawmakers in the Statehouse, holding 
the job of Senate majority leader.

Republicans already stripped him of his leadership position in April after <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-09/kansas-senate-president-expects-his-majority-leader-to-quit-leadership-after-new-dui-details" target="_blank">court documents</a> alleged dangerous belligerence the night of the arrest.

There
 are ways the chamber can remove members, but Republican Senate 
President Ty Masterson previously said it’s up to the voters in 
Suellentrop’s district to decide his fate.

“The chamber has no 
business determining who represents this district,” Masterson said in 
April. “We think that’s best left to the people who elected him.”

Masterson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635184490940.png" alt="Sen. Gene Suellentrop in Shawnee County District Court for his plea hearing. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Gene Suellentrop in Shawnee County District Court for his plea hearing. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA and STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-25/kansas-state-senator-gets-48-hours-in-jail-probation-for-wrong-way-drunk-driving-on-i-70">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA&nbsp;— Republican Kansas Sen. Gene 
Suellentrop pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor drunk driving and 
reckless driving charges after he was <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-03-16/kansas-senate-majority-leader-gene-suellentrop-arrested-on-dui-charge" target="_blank">arrested</a> earlier this year for driving drunk the wrong way on Interstate 70 in Topeka and evading police.The
 agreement means a felony charge of evading police is dropped. The 
sentence orders Suellentrop to spend 48 hours in jail as well as 12 
months on probation. He reports to the Shawnee County jail Nov. 18 at 
noon.Suellentrop, who represents Wichita's 27th District in the Kansas Senate, will also pay a $775 fine and will have an 
ignition interlock device, a breathalyzer-type machine, on his vehicle 
to ensure he remains sober.The plea won’t immediately mean the end of Suellentrop’s political career. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_066_0000_article/021_066_0013_section/021_066_0013_k/" target="_blank">State law</a>
 says anyone convicted of a felony can’t hold public office, but the 
plea deal means Suellentrop will only be convicted of misdemeanors.An
 officer said Suellentrop drove the wrong way on I-70 in Topeka and 
other cars swerved to avoid a crash on the highway. The statement said 
Suellentrop raced to avoid police and later called an officer “donut 
boy” and said he could “take” the officer in a fight.Thomas 
Lemon, Suellentrop’s attorney, argued for probation because of a clean 
criminal record. He said previous “salacious” details of the case 
painted Suellentrop in a negative light.“All other aspects of his life are in good shape,” Lemon said.Suellentrop
 didn’t speak with reporters after leaving the courtroom, but said 
during the hearing that he won’t have any future legal troubles.“There are many lessons to be learned in circumstances such as these,” Suellentrop said. “I can assure you I learned my share.”He didn’t respond to a question about whether he would stay in office.Before
 his arrest in March, Suellentrop, from Wichita, was one of the most 
powerful conservative Republican lawmakers in the Statehouse, holding 
the job of Senate majority leader.Republicans already stripped him of his leadership position in April after <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-09/kansas-senate-president-expects-his-majority-leader-to-quit-leadership-after-new-dui-details" target="_blank">court documents</a> alleged dangerous belligerence the night of the arrest.There
 are ways the chamber can remove members, but Republican Senate 
President Ty Masterson previously said it’s up to the voters in 
Suellentrop’s district to decide his fate.“The chamber has no 
business determining who represents this district,” Masterson said in 
April. “We think that’s best left to the people who elected him.”Masterson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

Kan. state senator gets 48 hours in jail for wrong-way drunk driving on I-70 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,477 to a total of 430,293, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 31 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,242.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1,477 to a total of 430,293, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 31 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,242.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635183030494.png" alt="Monday October 25, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday October 25, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 1,477 new cases, 31 more COVID deaths

REPUBLIC COUNTY—It was a deadly weekend on Kansas highways. First responders worked seven fatal accidents across the state over the past three days.

Just after 11a.m. Friday in Republic County, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford van driven by Calvin L. Ricketts, 62, Wichita, was northbound on U.S. 81 six miles north of Belleville.

The van rear-ended a 1999 Peterbilt semi driven by Andries Adriaan Serdyn,&nbsp; 53, Scandia, who was attempting a right hand turn onto Fir Road.&nbsp; Ricketts was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home. EMS transported Serdyn to the Republic County Hospital. Serdyn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Just before 8p.m. Friday in Phillips County, the sheriff's office reported a 2008 Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Brian Martin, 39, of Smith Center, was traveling in the 200 block of East Limestone Road.

He swerved to miss a deer,&nbsp; lost control of the vehicle, which went airborne and rolled.&nbsp; A passenger in the vehicle, Lucas Martin, 42, of Phillipsburg, was ejected from the vehicle.&nbsp;

Brian Martin was able to call 911 but was unable to give an exact location. He succumbed to his injuries prior to emergency personnel locating the crash.

Disoriented, Lucas Martin wandered from the crash scene, but was eventually located by a family member. An ambulance and transported him to Phillips County Hospital.&nbsp;

Shortly after 1:30a.m. Saturday, 1993 Ford Bronco driven by John Carlos Serrano, 17, Bird City, was westbound on U.S. 36 a quarter mile east of Bird City, according to the KHP.

The SUV began to pass a semi to the left while the roadway curved. The vehicle continued straight, left the roadway into the south ditch and collided with a concrete barrier.

EMS transported Serrano to St. Francis Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Just after 4;30p.m. on Saturday, Lance Michael Martin, 41, Salina died in an accident in Ellsworth County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Impala driven by Martin was&nbsp;was westbound on Kansas 156 just west of Avenue D.

The Chevy traveled across the center line and struck an eastbound 2012 Peterbilt semi driven by Kevin Lee Cooper, 49, Longview Washington.&nbsp;

After the vehicles collided, the Peterbilt semi traveled back into the westbound lane and was struck by a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by Michael John Campbell, 53, of Tescott.

Martin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. Cooper was not transported for treatment. Campbell was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Early Sunday, two people included a northwest Kansas man died in two separate accidents in northwest Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just after 3a.m. a 2014 Hyundai Sonata driven by Dalton Charles Hall, 20, Savoy, Illinois, was westbound on 8th Street in Hays at a high rate of speed.

The driver failed to obey the stop sign at the U.S. 183 Alternate. The car continued westbound over the embankment, went airborne, impacted the ground at the bottom of the embankment and flipped end-over-end coming to rest on its top.

A passenger Jacob Ray Rivera, 19, Selma, California, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brocks Funeral Home. He was a student at NW Kansas Technical College.

EMS transported Hall and two additional passengers Chelsy&nbsp;Mendoza, 20, and Victoria Angelica Borrego, 21, both of Selma, California to Hays Medical Center. Hall, Mendoza and&nbsp;Borrego, were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Just after 4a.m. Sunday in Sheridan County, a 1994 Ford Ranger driven by Vernon J. Rietcheck, 79, Hoxie, was westbound on U.S. 24 eight miles east of Hoxie. The driver attempted to make a left turn onto Kansas 188.

The pickup missed the roadway to the west, traveled off the concrete culvert and to rest facing south, high centered on the concrete culvert.&nbsp;

Rietcheck was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brocks North Hill Chapel. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday, a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Gary Lee Miser, 52, Emporia, was northbound on U.S. 75 three miles south of Burlington. The pickup crossed the center line. A southbound 1999 Toyota 4Runner driven by Brandon Wayne&nbsp;Darbyshire, 19, Eureka, and the pickup collided in the middle of the roadway.

A passenger in the 4Runner identified as Griffin Thomas&nbsp;Lamb, 18, Lenexa, was pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Miser and a passenger in the 4Runner Thomas Gordon Greig, 20, Prairie Village, to the Coffey County Hospital and and Darbyshire to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634992122483.png" alt="First responders on the scene of a fatal crash Friday in Republic County-photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of a fatal crash Friday in Republic County-photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>REPUBLIC COUNTY—It was a deadly weekend on Kansas highways. First responders worked seven fatal accidents across the state over the past three days.Just after 11a.m. Friday in Republic County, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford van driven by Calvin L. Ricketts, 62, Wichita, was northbound on U.S. 81 six miles north of Belleville.The van rear-ended a 1999 Peterbilt semi driven by Andries Adriaan Serdyn,&nbsp; 53, Scandia, who was attempting a right hand turn onto Fir Road.&nbsp; Ricketts was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home. EMS transported Serdyn to the Republic County Hospital. Serdyn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Just before 8p.m. Friday in Phillips County, the sheriff's office reported a 2008 Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Brian Martin, 39, of Smith Center, was traveling in the 200 block of East Limestone Road.He swerved to miss a deer,&nbsp; lost control of the vehicle, which went airborne and rolled.&nbsp; A passenger in the vehicle, Lucas Martin, 42, of Phillipsburg, was ejected from the vehicle.&nbsp;Brian Martin was able to call 911 but was unable to give an exact location. He succumbed to his injuries prior to emergency personnel locating the crash.Disoriented, Lucas Martin wandered from the crash scene, but was eventually located by a family member. An ambulance and transported him to Phillips County Hospital.&nbsp;Shortly after 1:30a.m. Saturday, 1993 Ford Bronco driven by John Carlos Serrano, 17, Bird City, was westbound on U.S. 36 a quarter mile east of Bird City, according to the KHP.The SUV began to pass a semi to the left while the roadway curved. The vehicle continued straight, left the roadway into the south ditch and collided with a concrete barrier.EMS transported Serrano to St. Francis Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Just after 4;30p.m. on Saturday, Lance Michael Martin, 41, Salina died in an accident in Ellsworth County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Impala driven by Martin was&nbsp;was westbound on Kansas 156 just west of Avenue D.The Chevy traveled across the center line and struck an eastbound 2012 Peterbilt semi driven by Kevin Lee Cooper, 49, Longview Washington.&nbsp;After the vehicles collided, the Peterbilt semi traveled back into the westbound lane and was struck by a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by Michael John Campbell, 53, of Tescott.Martin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Parsons Funeral Home. Cooper was not transported for treatment. Campbell was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.Early Sunday, two people included a northwest Kansas man died in two separate accidents in northwest Kansas.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that just after 3a.m. a 2014 Hyundai Sonata driven by Dalton Charles Hall, 20, Savoy, Illinois, was westbound on 8th Street in Hays at a high rate of speed.The driver failed to obey the stop sign at the U.S. 183 Alternate. The car continued westbound over the embankment, went airborne, impacted the ground at the bottom of the embankment and flipped end-over-end coming to rest on its top.A passenger Jacob Ray Rivera, 19, Selma, California, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brocks Funeral Home. He was a student at NW Kansas Technical College.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTechMavs%2Fposts%2F10157885712542827&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="503" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>EMS transported Hall and two additional passengers Chelsy&nbsp;Mendoza, 20, and Victoria Angelica Borrego, 21, both of Selma, California to Hays Medical Center. Hall, Mendoza and&nbsp;Borrego, were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.Just after 4a.m. Sunday in Sheridan County, a 1994 Ford Ranger driven by Vernon J. Rietcheck, 79, Hoxie, was westbound on U.S. 24 eight miles east of Hoxie. The driver attempted to make a left turn onto Kansas 188.The pickup missed the roadway to the west, traveled off the concrete culvert and to rest facing south, high centered on the concrete culvert.&nbsp;Rietcheck was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brocks North Hill Chapel. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Just after 2a.m. Sunday, a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Gary Lee Miser, 52, Emporia, was northbound on U.S. 75 three miles south of Burlington. The pickup crossed the center line. A southbound 1999 Toyota 4Runner driven by Brandon Wayne&nbsp;Darbyshire, 19, Eureka, and the pickup collided in the middle of the roadway.A passenger in the 4Runner identified as Griffin Thomas&nbsp;Lamb, 18, Lenexa, was pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Miser and a passenger in the 4Runner Thomas Gordon Greig, 20, Prairie Village, to the Coffey County Hospital and and Darbyshire to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

7 dead in crashes on Kansas highways over past three days

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Eight people in two separate homes escaped safely after a fire early Monday in Topeka. One was later taken to the hospital.

Just before 2a.m. fire crews&nbsp;responded to a house fire at 218 SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.

As they arrived, fire crews found fire coming from the first and second story of the home. Due to the amount of fire and the building condition, fire crews made a defensive fire attack and did not enter the building to fight the fire.

Three occupants inside the house at the time of the fire were all able to escape prior to the fire department’s arrival. American Medical Response transported one occupant to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A second alarm was requested by the incident commander as heat from the fire caused damage to the neighboring house, and all five occupants were able to escape.&nbsp;

A preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental, associated with electrical system problems, according to Stahl. The estimated dollar loss – $14,100; $8,600 is associated with a total structural damage loss to the building of origin, $5,000 is associated with contents loss from the building of origin, and $500 structural loss from heat exposure to the neighboring home.

Three cats, one dog, and one bird were unaccounted for from the house where the fire started. No smoke detectors were located within either home, according to Stahl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635157882321.png" alt="Early Monday morning house fire in Topeka-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Early Monday morning house fire in Topeka-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Eight people in two separate homes escaped safely after a fire early Monday in Topeka. One was later taken to the hospital.Just before 2a.m. fire crews&nbsp;responded to a house fire at 218 SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.As they arrived, fire crews found fire coming from the first and second story of the home. Due to the amount of fire and the building condition, fire crews made a defensive fire attack and did not enter the building to fight the fire.Three occupants inside the house at the time of the fire were all able to escape prior to the fire department’s arrival. American Medical Response transported one occupant to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.A second alarm was requested by the incident commander as heat from the fire caused damage to the neighboring house, and all five occupants were able to escape.&nbsp;A preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental, associated with electrical system problems, according to Stahl. The estimated dollar loss – $14,100; $8,600 is associated with a total structural damage loss to the building of origin, $5,000 is associated with contents loss from the building of origin, and $500 structural loss from heat exposure to the neighboring home.Three cats, one dog, and one bird were unaccounted for from the house where the fire started. No smoke detectors were located within either home, according to Stahl.

One hospitalized after fire damages two Kansas homes

WASHINGTON (AP) — To supporters of the child tax credit, there has always been an “aha moment” — the recognition that as little as a few hundred dollars a month could be life-changing.

For Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, it was several years ago when he was working as Denver’s school superintendent. One high schooler kept falling asleep in morning classes. When Bennet asked why he was so exhausted, the student said he worked the midnight shift at McDonald’s so that his family had enough money.

For Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, it was the childhood memory of her parents being evicted and finding their furniture on the street.

Bennet and DeLauro are among the Democratic lawmakers who have pushed to make permanent an expanded child tax credit, which President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief package transformed into a monthly payment that would be available to almost any child. But Biden could not convince even enough of his fellow Democrats that they should extend these payments through 2025, and in negotiations for his broader package of economic and social programs he appears to have settled for a one-year extension that runs through next year.

Despite the concession, the president is still fighting for a legacy-making policy that could become the equivalent of Social Security for children. Biden dubbed the start of payments in July as “historic,” saying that the reduction to child poverty would be transformative and that he intended to make the credit permanent.

The steady evolution of the child tax credit reflects a fundamental split on how lawmakers think about human nature. Do payments from the government make people lazier or give them the resources to become more responsible? Established with bipartisan support in 1997, the credit has changed in ways that challenge many of the assumptions of political identities, as Democrats would be the ones calling on Republicans to cut taxes.

Republican critics and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin — the decisive Democratic vote — worry that the payments could discourage parents from working, while supporters say the money would make it easier to afford the child care and transportation needed to find jobs.

“It’s a flat-out tax cut for ordinary people,” Biden said in a Wednesday speech in Scranton. “That’s what it does. I make no apologies for it.”

The continuation of the payments of at least $300 a month per child is as much about a political transformation as an economic one.

For the purposes of the federal budget, it is a tax cut aimed squarely at the middle class as median family incomes are at $86,372. The credit’s evolution since being created in 1997 speaks to the power of using the tax code for social policy.

It allows Democrats to claim the mantle of middle-class tax cutters, while Republicans who oppose the idea could be criticized for favoring tax hikes on this key group of voters ahead of the 2022 elections. That is a sharp reversal from the Ronald Reagan-era identity of Republicans as committed to tax cuts for aiding growth.

“A lot of its initial success was that it did fit into the frame of tax relief,” said Gene Sperling, a Biden aide who worked on economic policy in both the Clinton and Obama White Houses. “This is one place where progressives have over a period of 30 years kind of won the conceptual war.”

The child tax credit was initially bipartisan, a unique policy overlap between former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Republicans made it part of their 1994 “Contract with America,” a list of polices that former Georgia Rep. Gingrich rode to the House speakership. Gingrich said in an interview that former Illinois Rep. Henry Hyde, a staunch abortion opponent, emphasized that the GOP needed to show that it cared about children after they were born, not just when they were in the womb. The tax credit was the chosen vehicle.

Clinton separately proposed it in December 1994 in his “middle class bill of rights” speech. The convergence ultimately led to the 1997 overhaul of welfare that established a $500 tax credit for children. Future administrations expanded the credit. But until this year the credit was not “fully refundable” — which meant that parents with low incomes might not earn enough to receive the full payment.

What Biden and Democratic lawmakers did with their coronavirus relief package was remove that limit, effectively turning the tax credit into a monthly child allowance. Their planned extension would make this change permanent.

Gingrich and Republicans say people would quit their jobs because they would be able to receive payments without working, depriving children of working parents who can serve as role models.

He calls that “an enormously dangerous thing for our culture.”

Backing that argument is a paper by University of Chicago economists that assumes the expanded tax credits would cause 1.5 million parents to ditch their jobs because the credits would no longer be tied to working.

“It’s a policy that’s been transformed from one that encourages self reliance and work to one that doesn’t,” said Bruce Meyer, the University of Chicago professor who co-wrote the analysis.

However, real world economic data shows no correlation between the payments and people leaving work so far. Researchers at Columbia University have found that the expanded child tax credit payments that began in July had no impact on labor and that models claiming otherwise are overly simplified. Workers often need to spend money in order to get a job, they reason.

“You have to make an investment in order to be able to work,” said Elizabeth Ananat, an economist at Barnard College who co-wrote the Columbia paper. “You do have to get your car fixed. You have to get your phone turned back on. You have to buy a month supply of diapers in order to secure your spot in the preschool.”

Democratic lawmakers believe the payments reduce poverty and improve educational outcomes, making it more likely that the children will hold steady jobs as adults.

Colorado Sen. Bennet backed the idea of a child tax credit after he found as a school administrator that more resources were needed to ensure kids had the stability to succeed.

“Most of the parents are working incredibly hard, some of them working two and three jobs. And no matter what they do, they couldn’t keep the kids out of poverty,” Bennet said.

DeLauro says the breakthrough on expanding the credit came as a result of the coronavirus showing how economically fragile many families are and Biden’s own choice as a presidential candidate to support the policy. She believes that beneficiaries will keep their jobs because work is part of who they are.

“People identify themselves by their work,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634989828010.png" alt="The tax credit allows Democrats to claim the mantle of middle-class tax cutters-photo courtesy Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The tax credit allows Democrats to claim the mantle of middle-class tax cutters-photo courtesy Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — To supporters of the child tax credit, there has always been an “aha moment” — the recognition that as little as a few hundred dollars a month could be life-changing.For Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, it was several years ago when he was working as Denver’s school superintendent. One high schooler kept falling asleep in morning classes. When Bennet asked why he was so exhausted, the student said he worked the midnight shift at McDonald’s so that his family had enough money.For Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, it was the childhood memory of her parents being evicted and finding their furniture on the street.Bennet and DeLauro are among the Democratic lawmakers who have pushed to make permanent an expanded child tax credit, which President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief package transformed into a monthly payment that would be available to almost any child. But Biden could not convince even enough of his fellow Democrats that they should extend these payments through 2025, and in negotiations for his broader package of economic and social programs he appears to have settled for a one-year extension that runs through next year.Despite the concession, the president is still fighting for a legacy-making policy that could become the equivalent of Social Security for children. Biden dubbed the start of payments in July as “historic,” saying that the reduction to child poverty would be transformative and that he intended to make the credit permanent.The steady evolution of the child tax credit reflects a fundamental split on how lawmakers think about human nature. Do payments from the government make people lazier or give them the resources to become more responsible? Established with bipartisan support in 1997, the credit has changed in ways that challenge many of the assumptions of political identities, as Democrats would be the ones calling on Republicans to cut taxes.Republican critics and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin — the decisive Democratic vote — worry that the payments could discourage parents from working, while supporters say the money would make it easier to afford the child care and transportation needed to find jobs.“It’s a flat-out tax cut for ordinary people,” Biden said in a Wednesday speech in Scranton. “That’s what it does. I make no apologies for it.”The continuation of the payments of at least $300 a month per child is as much about a political transformation as an economic one.For the purposes of the federal budget, it is a tax cut aimed squarely at the middle class as median family incomes are at $86,372. The credit’s evolution since being created in 1997 speaks to the power of using the tax code for social policy.It allows Democrats to claim the mantle of middle-class tax cutters, while Republicans who oppose the idea could be criticized for favoring tax hikes on this key group of voters ahead of the 2022 elections. That is a sharp reversal from the Ronald Reagan-era identity of Republicans as committed to tax cuts for aiding growth.“A lot of its initial success was that it did fit into the frame of tax relief,” said Gene Sperling, a Biden aide who worked on economic policy in both the Clinton and Obama White Houses. “This is one place where progressives have over a period of 30 years kind of won the conceptual war.”The child tax credit was initially bipartisan, a unique policy overlap between former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.Republicans made it part of their 1994 “Contract with America,” a list of polices that former Georgia Rep. Gingrich rode to the House speakership. Gingrich said in an interview that former Illinois Rep. Henry Hyde, a staunch abortion opponent, emphasized that the GOP needed to show that it cared about children after they were born, not just when they were in the womb. The tax credit was the chosen vehicle.Clinton separately proposed it in December 1994 in his “middle class bill of rights” speech. The convergence ultimately led to the 1997 overhaul of welfare that established a $500 tax credit for children. Future administrations expanded the credit. But until this year the credit was not “fully refundable” — which meant that parents with low incomes might not earn enough to receive the full payment.What Biden and Democratic lawmakers did with their coronavirus relief package was remove that limit, effectively turning the tax credit into a monthly child allowance. Their planned extension would make this change permanent.Gingrich and Republicans say people would quit their jobs because they would be able to receive payments without working, depriving children of working parents who can serve as role models.He calls that “an enormously dangerous thing for our culture.”Backing that argument is a paper by University of Chicago economists that assumes the expanded tax credits would cause 1.5 million parents to ditch their jobs because the credits would no longer be tied to working.“It’s a policy that’s been transformed from one that encourages self reliance and work to one that doesn’t,” said Bruce Meyer, the University of Chicago professor who co-wrote the analysis.However, real world economic data shows no correlation between the payments and people leaving work so far. Researchers at Columbia University have found that the expanded child tax credit payments that began in July had no impact on labor and that models claiming otherwise are overly simplified. Workers often need to spend money in order to get a job, they reason.“You have to make an investment in order to be able to work,” said Elizabeth Ananat, an economist at Barnard College who co-wrote the Columbia paper. “You do have to get your car fixed. You have to get your phone turned back on. You have to buy a month supply of diapers in order to secure your spot in the preschool.”Democratic lawmakers believe the payments reduce poverty and improve educational outcomes, making it more likely that the children will hold steady jobs as adults.Colorado Sen. Bennet backed the idea of a child tax credit after he found as a school administrator that more resources were needed to ensure kids had the stability to succeed.“Most of the parents are working incredibly hard, some of them working two and three jobs. And no matter what they do, they couldn’t keep the kids out of poverty,” Bennet said.DeLauro says the breakthrough on expanding the credit came as a result of the coronavirus showing how economically fragile many families are and Biden’s own choice as a presidential candidate to support the policy. She believes that beneficiaries will keep their jobs because work is part of who they are.“People identify themselves by their work,” she said.

Child tax credit tussle reflects debate over work incentives

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Texas man on charges after&nbsp; a two state pursuit. 

Just before 4p.m. Friday, Nebraska authorities notified the Jackson County Kansas Sheriff’s office of a pursuit with a motorcycle with in Richardson County, Nebraska, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The pursuit continued into Brown County, Kansas and into Jackson County. 

 The authorities lost sight of the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Dylan Reid Aubey of New Braunsfels, Texas.

A Jackson County Deputy located the suspect and motorcycle near 198th and P. Road in Jackson County.&nbsp; Just before 4:30p.m., deputies stopped and arrested Aubey. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp; 

Aubey was jailed on requested charges of fleeing law enforcement, operating a vehicle without proper license, Illegal display of license plate, speeding, reckless driving, driving on left side of road in no passing, unsafe turning or stopping,: failure to give proper signal, according to Sheriff Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634994896287.png" alt="Aubey photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Aubey photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Texas man on charges after&nbsp; a two state pursuit. Just before 4p.m. Friday, Nebraska authorities notified the Jackson County Kansas Sheriff’s office of a pursuit with a motorcycle with in Richardson County, Nebraska, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The pursuit continued into Brown County, Kansas and into Jackson County. The authorities lost sight of the suspect later identified as 20-year-old Dylan Reid Aubey of New Braunsfels, Texas.A Jackson County Deputy located the suspect and motorcycle near 198th and P. Road in Jackson County.&nbsp; Just before 4:30p.m., deputies stopped and arrested Aubey. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp; Aubey was jailed on requested charges of fleeing law enforcement, operating a vehicle without proper license, Illegal display of license plate, speeding, reckless driving, driving on left side of road in no passing, unsafe turning or stopping,: failure to give proper signal, according to Sheriff Morse.

Update: Motorcyclist captured in Kansas after 2 state chase

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman in a wheelchair was struck by a vehicle and killed as she tried to cross a highway in Kansas City&nbsp; Saturday night.

Kansas City Police said the crash was reported at 11:57 p.m. Saturday along U.S. Highway 40 near south Hocker Road.

Police said a 51-year-old woman from Kansas City was crossing the highway in a wheelchair when she was hit by a westbound Honda SUV.

The woman died at the scene of the crash.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A woman in a wheelchair was struck by a vehicle and killed as she tried to cross a highway in Kansas City&nbsp; Saturday night.Kansas City Police said the crash was reported at 11:57 p.m. Saturday along U.S. Highway 40 near south Hocker Road.Police said a 51-year-old woman from Kansas City was crossing the highway in a wheelchair when she was hit by a westbound Honda SUV.The woman died at the scene of the crash.

Woman crossing KC highway in wheelchair is struck, killed by SUV

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded families, teens and senior citizens about the continued importance of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5461.pdf">protecting personal and financial information</a>&nbsp;PDF online. Although the IRS and its <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners continue making strides in fighting identity theft and fraudulent tax returns, help is needed.

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 works to protect taxpayers from criminals that file fraudulent returns 
for refunds. The Summit coalition includes representatives of the 
software industry, tax preparation firms, payroll and tax financial 
product processors as well as state tax administrators and the IRS, 
which work together year-round to protect taxpayers.

During National Cybersecurity Month, the IRS is asking parents, families and others to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts">be mindful</a>
 of the pitfalls that can be found by sharing devices at home, shopping 
online and through navigating various social media platforms. Often, 
those who are less experienced can put themselves and others at risk by 
leaving an unnecessary trail of personal information for fraudsters.

Here are a few common-sense suggestions that can make a difference 
for children, teens and other vulnerable groups to potential dangers to 
protect their personal data:

Remember, the IRS does not use text messages or social media to 
discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving tax refunds, 
stimulus payments or tax bills. For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/phishing-identity-theft-and-scams">Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts</a> page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is also available on IRS social media sites, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmBDJeCI_h4">YouTube videos</a>. Also see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf">Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers</a>&nbsp;PDF.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded families, teens and senior citizens about the continued importance of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5461.pdf">protecting personal and financial information</a>&nbsp;PDF online. Although the IRS and its <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners continue making strides in fighting identity theft and fraudulent tax returns, help is needed.The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 works to protect taxpayers from criminals that file fraudulent returns 
for refunds. The Summit coalition includes representatives of the 
software industry, tax preparation firms, payroll and tax financial 
product processors as well as state tax administrators and the IRS, 
which work together year-round to protect taxpayers.During National Cybersecurity Month, the IRS is asking parents, families and others to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts">be mindful</a>
 of the pitfalls that can be found by sharing devices at home, shopping 
online and through navigating various social media platforms. Often, 
those who are less experienced can put themselves and others at risk by 
leaving an unnecessary trail of personal information for fraudsters.<h2>Staying safe online</h2>Here are a few common-sense suggestions that can make a difference 
for children, teens and other vulnerable groups to potential dangers to 
protect their personal data:<ul>
 <li>Teach them to recognize and avoid scams. 
Phishing emails, threatening phone calls and texts from thieves posing 
as the IRS or legitimate organizations pose ongoing risks. Do not click 
on links or download attachments from unknown or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">suspicious emails</a>.</li><li>Remind them why security is important. Be careful 
not to reveal too much personal information. Keeping data secure and 
only providing what is necessary minimizes online exposure to scammers 
and criminals. Birthdates, addresses, age, financial information such as
 bank account and Social Security numbers are among things that should 
not be shared freely.</li><li>Teach them about public Wi-Fi networks. Connection
 to Wi-Fi in a mall or coffee shop is convenient but it may not be safe.
 Hackers and cybercriminals can easily intercept personal information. 
Always use a virtual private network when connecting to public Wi-Fi.</li><li>Always use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections.
 Make sure the security software is always turned on and can 
automatically update. Remember, to encrypt sensitive files such as tax 
records stored on computers. Be sure all family members have 
comprehensive protection especially if devices are being shared. Use 
strong, unique passwords for each account.</li>
 </ul>Remember, the IRS does not use text messages or social media to 
discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving tax refunds, 
stimulus payments or tax bills. For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/phishing-identity-theft-and-scams">Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts</a> page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is also available on IRS social media sites, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmBDJeCI_h4">YouTube videos</a>. Also see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf">Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers</a>&nbsp;PDF.

Make online safety a priority during National Cybersecurity Month

WASHINGTON — To help address COVID-related labor shortages, the 
Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers that they generally 
will not jeopardize the tax status of their pension plans if they rehire
 retirees or permit distributions of retirement benefits to current 
employees who have reached age 59 ½ or the plan's normal retirement age.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers, including governmental 
employers (such as public school districts), are looking for ways to 
encourage retirees to return to the workforce to fill open positions and
 experienced employees to stay on the job.

The IRS is providing help to these employers in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-related-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras-questions-and-answers#rehires">two new frequently asked questions (FAQs)</a>,
 designed to offer technical guidance to public and private employers 
who sponsor pension plans for their employees. The FAQs highlight 
existing ways that employers can meet their employment objectives and 
still comply with the plan qualification rules.

Under the FAQs, an employer can generally choose to address 
unforeseen hiring needs by rehiring former employees, even if those 
employees have already retired and begun receiving pension benefit 
payments. Also, if permitted under plan terms, those employees may 
continue receiving the benefits after they are rehired. Moreover, an 
employer can generally choose to make retirement distributions available
 to existing employees who have reached age 59 ½ or the plan's normal 
retirement age. This may assist in the retention of employees eligible 
for retirement.

Further details can be found in the two new FAQs now posted on 
IRS.gov. Also, next Wednesday and Thursday (October 27 and 28) from 4-5 
p.m. ET, the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Education 
will be holding webinars for education leaders and other stakeholders to
 discuss approaches to addressing school staff labor shortages, 
including a discussion about these new FAQs.

Webinar 1: Teacher and substitute teacher shortages&nbsp;

Webinar 2: Staff shortages, such as school bus drivers and food service workers

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — To help address COVID-related labor shortages, the 
Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers that they generally 
will not jeopardize the tax status of their pension plans if they rehire
 retirees or permit distributions of retirement benefits to current 
employees who have reached age 59 ½ or the plan's normal retirement age.With the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers, including governmental 
employers (such as public school districts), are looking for ways to 
encourage retirees to return to the workforce to fill open positions and
 experienced employees to stay on the job.The IRS is providing help to these employers in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-related-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras-questions-and-answers#rehires">two new frequently asked questions (FAQs)</a>,
 designed to offer technical guidance to public and private employers 
who sponsor pension plans for their employees. The FAQs highlight 
existing ways that employers can meet their employment objectives and 
still comply with the plan qualification rules.Under the FAQs, an employer can generally choose to address 
unforeseen hiring needs by rehiring former employees, even if those 
employees have already retired and begun receiving pension benefit 
payments. Also, if permitted under plan terms, those employees may 
continue receiving the benefits after they are rehired. Moreover, an 
employer can generally choose to make retirement distributions available
 to existing employees who have reached age 59 ½ or the plan's normal 
retirement age. This may assist in the retention of employees eligible 
for retirement.Further details can be found in the two new FAQs now posted on 
IRS.gov. Also, next Wednesday and Thursday (October 27 and 28) from 4-5 
p.m. ET, the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Education 
will be holding webinars for education leaders and other stakeholders to
 discuss approaches to addressing school staff labor shortages, 
including a discussion about these new FAQs.<h2>Webinars:</h2><h2>Webinar 1: Teacher and substitute teacher shortages&nbsp;</h2><ul>
 <li>October 27, 2021, 4&nbsp;p.m. Eastern Time</li><li><a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsd-2sqzkpH2KJhWPp_Vv7Iy7vjInHSBM">Participants should pre-register</a></li>
 </ul><h2>Webinar 2: Staff shortages, such as school bus drivers and food service workers</h2><ul>
 <li>October 28, 2021 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time</li><li><a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsd-2sqzkpH2KJhWPp_Vv7Iy7vjInHSBM">Participants should pre-register</a></li>
 </ul>

Employers get help from feds rehiring retired workers, retaining older workers

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.

Just before&nbsp;7 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 600 block of north Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.&nbsp;

Officers located one man with a single gunshot wound and a second man with a head injury. Both individuals were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that a disturbance had occurred to the east of Kansas Ave. on NE Curtis Street, which resulted in the injuries.

On Friday, police arrested&nbsp;Jerry A. Brown, 49 of Topeka on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634994803860.png" alt="Brown photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.Just before&nbsp;7 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 600 block of north Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.&nbsp;Officers located one man with a single gunshot wound and a second man with a head injury. Both individuals were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that a disturbance had occurred to the east of Kansas Ave. on NE Curtis Street, which resulted in the injuries.On Friday, police arrested&nbsp;Jerry A. Brown, 49 of Topeka on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

Kan. man jailed after altercation that sent 2 men to the hospital

RICHARDSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635113213762.png" alt="Gayer remains in the Richardson County jail, according to online records" />
 <figcaption>Gayer remains in the Richardson County jail, according to online records</figcaption>
 </figure>RICHARDSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.Just before 1a.m. Friday hours, sheriff's deputies in Nebraska arrested 39-year-old Amber Gayer of Topeka, for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Driving Under Suspension.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635026781954.png" alt="Photo Richardson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Richardson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Gayer was booked into the Richardson County Jail. She has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.