KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a nurse from Kansas City, Missouri, with two counts of tampering with a consumer product and two counts of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge, according to the United States Attorney.

According to court documents, between January 2020 and April 2020 Faith Naccarato, 41, allegedly used her fingerprint to remove vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park. 

She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternant liquid substance before placing the vials back in the cabinet.

Between February 2020 and April 2020, Naccarato allegedly took vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Meriam. She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternate liquid substance and then placing the vials back in the cabinet. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608245358476.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a nurse from Kansas City, Missouri, with two counts of tampering with a consumer product and two counts of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge, according to the United States Attorney.According to court documents, between January 2020 and April 2020 Faith Naccarato, 41, allegedly used her fingerprint to remove vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park. She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternant liquid substance before placing the vials back in the cabinet.Between February 2020 and April 2020, Naccarato allegedly took vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Meriam. She is accused of replacing the fentanyl with an alternate liquid substance and then placing the vials back in the cabinet. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.

Nurse accused of tampering with fentanyl at Kan. hospitals

SCOTT COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Scott County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Blazer driven by Karl A. Gordon, 49, Castle Rock, CO., was northbound on U.S. 83 at the Kansas 95 Junction

The Blazer traveled into the southbound lanes attempting to pass an oversized load in a no passing zone.

The Blazer collided head-on with a southbound Chevy Silverado driven by Charles C. Lozar, 62, Satanta, Kansas.

Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City. EMS transported Lozar to Wesley Medical Center. Lozar was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

SCOTT COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Scott County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Blazer driven by Karl A. Gordon, 49, Castle Rock, CO., was northbound on U.S. 83 at the Kansas 95 JunctionThe Blazer traveled into the southbound lanes attempting to pass an oversized load in a no passing zone.The Blazer collided head-on with a southbound Chevy Silverado driven by Charles C. Lozar, 62, Satanta, Kansas.Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City. EMS transported Lozar to Wesley Medical Center. Lozar was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

1 dead, 1. hospitalized after head-on crash in no passing zone

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Monday reversed a ban on abortion referrals by family planning clinics, lifting a Trump-era restriction as political and legal battles over abortion grow sharper from Texas to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Department of Health and Human Services said its new regulation will restore the federal family planning program to the way it ran under the Obama administration, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.

Groups representing the clinics said they hope the Biden administration action will lead hundreds of service providers that left in protest over Trump's policies to return, helping to stabilize a longstanding program that has been shaken by the coronavirus pandemic on top of ideological battles.

Known as Title X, the taxpayer-funded program makes available more than $250 million a year to clinics to provide birth control and basic health care services mainly to low-income women. Under former President Donald Trump, clinics were barred from referring patients for abortions, prompting a mass exit by service providers affiliated with Planned Parenthood, as well as several states and other independent organizations.

Women’s groups labeled the Trump policy a “gag rule,” and medical organizations called it a violation of the clinician-patient relationship. But religious and social conservatives praised the policy for imposing a strict separation between family planning services and abortion. Under federal law, clinics could not use federal money to pay for abortions.

In 2018, the family planning clinics served about 3.9 million clients, but HHS estimates that number fell by nearly 40% after the Trump policy. The upheaval may have led to more than 180,000 unintended pregnancies, the agency said.

Biden campaigned on a promise to overturn the restrictions on family planning clinics, but abortion was not a central issue in the 2020 presidential race. It may become one in the 2022 midterm elections to determine who controls Congress.

Restrictive state laws in Texas, Mississippi and elsewhere have prompted a mobilization by abortion rights supporters, who fear a conservative-leaning Supreme Court will overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationally. Hundreds of abortion-themed protests were held around the country Saturday, including one that brought thousands of abortion rights supporters to the steps of the court.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Texas law to take effect, but has not ruled on the substantive legal questions behind that statute, which bans most abortions in the state. The justices will hear arguments Dec. 1 on the Mississippi law, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The court now tilts decidedly to the right after Trump appointed three conservative justices. Twelve states have passed laws that would ban abortion entirely if Roe is overturned.

The new abortion referral policy for family planning clinics will take effect Nov. 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633379823147.png" alt="Demonstrators in Kansas and across the nation participated in the Women's March for abortion rights on Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Demonstrators in Kansas and across the nation participated in the Women's March for abortion rights on Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Monday reversed a ban on abortion referrals by family planning clinics, lifting a Trump-era restriction as political and legal battles over abortion grow sharper from Texas to the U.S. Supreme Court.The Department of Health and Human Services said its new regulation will restore the federal family planning program to the way it ran under the Obama administration, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.Groups representing the clinics said they hope the Biden administration action will lead hundreds of service providers that left in protest over Trump's policies to return, helping to stabilize a longstanding program that has been shaken by the coronavirus pandemic on top of ideological battles.Known as Title X, the taxpayer-funded program makes available more than $250 million a year to clinics to provide birth control and basic health care services mainly to low-income women. Under former President Donald Trump, clinics were barred from referring patients for abortions, prompting a mass exit by service providers affiliated with Planned Parenthood, as well as several states and other independent organizations.Women’s groups labeled the Trump policy a “gag rule,” and medical organizations called it a violation of the clinician-patient relationship. But religious and social conservatives praised the policy for imposing a strict separation between family planning services and abortion. Under federal law, clinics could not use federal money to pay for abortions.In 2018, the family planning clinics served about 3.9 million clients, but HHS estimates that number fell by nearly 40% after the Trump policy. The upheaval may have led to more than 180,000 unintended pregnancies, the agency said.Biden campaigned on a promise to overturn the restrictions on family planning clinics, but abortion was not a central issue in the 2020 presidential race. It may become one in the 2022 midterm elections to determine who controls Congress.Restrictive state laws in Texas, Mississippi and elsewhere have prompted a mobilization by abortion rights supporters, who fear a conservative-leaning Supreme Court will overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationally. Hundreds of abortion-themed protests were held around the country Saturday, including one that brought thousands of abortion rights supporters to the steps of the court.The Supreme Court has allowed the Texas law to take effect, but has not ruled on the substantive legal questions behind that statute, which bans most abortions in the state. The justices will hear arguments Dec. 1 on the Mississippi law, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.The court now tilts decidedly to the right after Trump appointed three conservative justices. Twelve states have passed laws that would ban abortion entirely if Roe is overturned.The new abortion referral policy for family planning clinics will take effect Nov. 8.

Biden lifts abortion referral ban on family planning clinics

KANSAS CITY (AP)—As Congress considered a massive COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, hundreds of mayors from across the U.S. pleaded for “immediate action” on billions of dollars targeted to shore up their finances and revive their communities.

Now that they’ve received it, local officials are taking their time before actually spending the windfall.

As of this summer, a majority of large cities and states hadn’t spent a penny from the American Rescue Plan championed by Democrats and President Joe Biden, according to an Associated Press review of the first financial reports due under the law. States had spent just 2.5% of their initial allotment while large cities spent 8.5%, according to the AP analysis.

Many state and local governments reported they were still working on plans for their share of the $350 billion, which can be spent on a wide array of programs.

Though Biden signed the law in March, the Treasury Department didn’t release the money and spending guidelines until May. By then, some state legislatures already had wrapped up their budget work for the next year, leaving governors with no authority to spend the new money. Some states waited several more months to ask the federal government for their share.

Cities sometimes delayed decisions while soliciting suggestions from the public. And some government officials — still trying to figure out how to spend previous rounds of federal pandemic aid — simply didn’t see an urgent need for the additional cash.

“It’s a lot of money that’s been put out there. I think it’s a good sign that it hasn’t been frivolously spent,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. He was president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors when more than 400 mayors signed a letter urging Congress to quickly pass Biden’s plan.

The law gives states until the end of 2024 to make spending commitments and the end of 2026 to spend the money. Any money not obligated or spent by those dates must be returned to the federal government.

The Biden administration said it isn’t concerned about the early pace of the initiative. The aid to governments is intended both “to address any crisis needs” and to provide “longer-term fire power to ensure a durable and equitable recovery,” said Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan coordinator.

“The fact that you can spread your spending out is a feature, not a bug, of the program. It is by design,” Sperling told the AP.

The Treasury Department set an aggressive reporting schedule to try to prod local planning. It required states, counties and cities with estimated populations of at least 250,000 to file reports by Aug. 31 detailing their spending as of the previous month as well as future plans.

More than half the states and nearly two-thirds of the roughly 90 largest cities reported no initial spending. The governments reported future plans for about 40% of their total funds. The AP did not gather reports from counties because of the large number of them.

To promote transparency, the Treasury Department also required governments to post the reports on a “prominent public-facing website,” such as their home page or a general coronavirus response site. But the AP found that many governments ignored that directive, instead tucking the documents behind numerous navigational steps. Idaho and Nebraska had not posted their reports online when contacted by the AP. Neither had some cities.

Officials in Jersey City, New Jersey, required the AP to file a formal open-records request to get its report, though that shouldn’t have been necessary. City employees in Laredo, Texas, and Sacramento, California, also initially directed the AP to file open-records requests. Laredo later told the AP it had spent nothing. Sacramento relented and eventually provided a short report stating it had spent nothing but might put its entire $112 million allocation toward replacing lost revenue and providing government services.

Among states, the largest share of initial spending went toward shoring up unemployment insurance trust funds that were depleted during the pandemic. Arizona reported pouring nearly $759 million into its unemployment account, New Mexico nearly $657 million and Kentucky almost $506 million.

For large cities, the most common use of the money was to replenish their diminished revenue and fund government services. San Francisco reported using its entire initial allotment of $312 million for that purpose.

Those reporting no initial spending included Pittsburgh, whose mayor joined with several other Pennsylvania mayors in February on a column urging Congress to pass “crucial” aid for state and local governments.

“Congress must act, and they must act soon. Our communities cannot wait another day,” the Pennsylvania mayors wrote.

Pittsburgh ultimately ended up waiting to spend the money until the Treasury guidelines were released, community members had a chance to comment and the City Council could sign off on the spending plans. In the future, the city plans to use part of its federal windfall to buy 78 electric vehicles, build technology labs at recreation centers and launch a pilot project paying 100 low-income Black women $500 a month for two years to test the merits of a guaranteed income program.

The federal money also will help pay the salaries of more than 600 city employees

“Even though the money hadn’t technically been expended” by the Treasury Department’s reporting timeline, “the receipt of the money was enough for us to hold off on major layoffs,” said Dan Gilman, chief of staff to Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.

Some officials are intentionally taking their time.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, opted not to call a special session to appropriate money from the latest federal pandemic relief act. So far, he’s publicly outlined just one proposal — $400 million for broadband.

Parson’s budget director said the administration will present more ideas to lawmakers when they convene for their regular session in January. Until then, the state should have enough money left from a previous federal relief law to cover the costs of fighting the virus, budget director Dan Haug said.

“We want to try to find things that are going to benefit Missouri not just next year or the year after, but 10 or 20 years down the road,” Haug said. “That takes some thought and some planning.”

Republican state Rep. Doug Richey, who leads a House panel on federal stimulus spending, said he’s not convinced Missouri needs to spend all of its American Rescue Plan funds.

“To the extent that we spend these dollars, we are participating in an ever-increasing federal debt or bad monetary policy,” Richey said.

Missouri was one several states that waited to request its initial allotment. Five other Republican-led states — Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas — waited so long that they weren’t required to file reports by the Treasury’s Aug. 31 deadline.

Tennessee wanted to make sure small cities were prepared for a 30-day clock that starts ticking for them to seek funding once the dollars arrive at the state, said Lola Potter, a spokesperson for the state Department of Finance and Administration. A South Dakota official cited similar reasoning for the delay. Financial Systems Director Colin Keeler said it’s difficult for small towns to take the steps needed to apply.

“The state was in no rush at all,” he said. “The cities wanted to get theirs, but we needed to be prepared.”

KANSAS CITY (AP)—As Congress considered a massive COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, hundreds of mayors from across the U.S. pleaded for “immediate action” on billions of dollars targeted to shore up their finances and revive their communities.Now that they’ve received it, local officials are taking their time before actually spending the windfall.As of this summer, a majority of large cities and states hadn’t spent a penny from the American Rescue Plan championed by Democrats and President Joe Biden, according to an Associated Press review of the first financial reports due under the law. States had spent just 2.5% of their initial allotment while large cities spent 8.5%, according to the AP analysis.Many state and local governments reported they were still working on plans for their share of the $350 billion, which can be spent on a wide array of programs.Though Biden signed the law in March, the Treasury Department didn’t release the money and spending guidelines until May. By then, some state legislatures already had wrapped up their budget work for the next year, leaving governors with no authority to spend the new money. Some states waited several more months to ask the federal government for their share.Cities sometimes delayed decisions while soliciting suggestions from the public. And some government officials — still trying to figure out how to spend previous rounds of federal pandemic aid — simply didn’t see an urgent need for the additional cash.“It’s a lot of money that’s been put out there. I think it’s a good sign that it hasn’t been frivolously spent,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. He was president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors when more than 400 mayors signed a letter urging Congress to quickly pass Biden’s plan.The law gives states until the end of 2024 to make spending commitments and the end of 2026 to spend the money. Any money not obligated or spent by those dates must be returned to the federal government.The Biden administration said it isn’t concerned about the early pace of the initiative. The aid to governments is intended both “to address any crisis needs” and to provide “longer-term fire power to ensure a durable and equitable recovery,” said Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan coordinator.“The fact that you can spread your spending out is a feature, not a bug, of the program. It is by design,” Sperling told the AP.The Treasury Department set an aggressive reporting schedule to try to prod local planning. It required states, counties and cities with estimated populations of at least 250,000 to file reports by Aug. 31 detailing their spending as of the previous month as well as future plans.More than half the states and nearly two-thirds of the roughly 90 largest cities reported no initial spending. The governments reported future plans for about 40% of their total funds. The AP did not gather reports from counties because of the large number of them.To promote transparency, the Treasury Department also required governments to post the reports on a “prominent public-facing website,” such as their home page or a general coronavirus response site. But the AP found that many governments ignored that directive, instead tucking the documents behind numerous navigational steps. Idaho and Nebraska had not posted their reports online when contacted by the AP. Neither had some cities.Officials in Jersey City, New Jersey, required the AP to file a formal open-records request to get its report, though that shouldn’t have been necessary. City employees in Laredo, Texas, and Sacramento, California, also initially directed the AP to file open-records requests. Laredo later told the AP it had spent nothing. Sacramento relented and eventually provided a short report stating it had spent nothing but might put its entire $112 million allocation toward replacing lost revenue and providing government services.Among states, the largest share of initial spending went toward shoring up unemployment insurance trust funds that were depleted during the pandemic. Arizona reported pouring nearly $759 million into its unemployment account, New Mexico nearly $657 million and Kentucky almost $506 million.For large cities, the most common use of the money was to replenish their diminished revenue and fund government services. San Francisco reported using its entire initial allotment of $312 million for that purpose.Those reporting no initial spending included Pittsburgh, whose mayor joined with several other Pennsylvania mayors in February on a column urging Congress to pass “crucial” aid for state and local governments.“Congress must act, and they must act soon. Our communities cannot wait another day,” the Pennsylvania mayors wrote.Pittsburgh ultimately ended up waiting to spend the money until the Treasury guidelines were released, community members had a chance to comment and the City Council could sign off on the spending plans. In the future, the city plans to use part of its federal windfall to buy 78 electric vehicles, build technology labs at recreation centers and launch a pilot project paying 100 low-income Black women $500 a month for two years to test the merits of a guaranteed income program.The federal money also will help pay the salaries of more than 600 city employees“Even though the money hadn’t technically been expended” by the Treasury Department’s reporting timeline, “the receipt of the money was enough for us to hold off on major layoffs,” said Dan Gilman, chief of staff to Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.Some officials are intentionally taking their time.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, opted not to call a special session to appropriate money from the latest federal pandemic relief act. So far, he’s publicly outlined just one proposal — $400 million for broadband.Parson’s budget director said the administration will present more ideas to lawmakers when they convene for their regular session in January. Until then, the state should have enough money left from a previous federal relief law to cover the costs of fighting the virus, budget director Dan Haug said.“We want to try to find things that are going to benefit Missouri not just next year or the year after, but 10 or 20 years down the road,” Haug said. “That takes some thought and some planning.”Republican state Rep. Doug Richey, who leads a House panel on federal stimulus spending, said he’s not convinced Missouri needs to spend all of its American Rescue Plan funds.“To the extent that we spend these dollars, we are participating in an ever-increasing federal debt or bad monetary policy,” Richey said.Missouri was one several states that waited to request its initial allotment. Five other Republican-led states — Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas — waited so long that they weren’t required to file reports by the Treasury’s Aug. 31 deadline.Tennessee wanted to make sure small cities were prepared for a 30-day clock that starts ticking for them to seek funding once the dollars arrive at the state, said Lola Potter, a spokesperson for the state Department of Finance and Administration. A South Dakota official cited similar reasoning for the delay. Financial Systems Director Colin Keeler said it’s difficult for small towns to take the steps needed to apply.“The state was in no rush at all,” he said. “The cities wanted to get theirs, but we needed to be prepared.”

Report: States, cities slow to spend federal pandemic money

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1817 to a total of 413,119 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6071.

<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 1817 to a total of 413,119 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6071.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633369981549.png" alt="Monday Oct. 4, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Oct. 4, 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: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced a new public dashboard tracking rates of COVID-19 disease and vaccinations in Kansas school districts on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) COVID-19 Resource Center.

<a href="https://kshealthdata.kdhe.ks.gov/t/BEPHI_COVID-19/views/COVID-19SchoolDistrictDashboard/Home?%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&amp;%3Aembed=y">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;</a>to view the new dashboard

“This dashboard will provide transparent, frequently updated information to help local health officials and school districts make informed, data-driven decisions to control the spread of COVID-19 among our students,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “My administration will continue working with our local partners and encouraging vaccinations among all eligible Kansans to beat this virus once and for all.”

This dashboard includes all cases of COVID-19 among school-aged children (ages 5-17 years) during the last 14 days and does not necessarily indicate where a student was exposed or that transmission occurred in the school setting.

The dashboard also tracks the cumulative COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged children (ages 5-17) by school district. Cases and vaccinations among school-aged children are aggregated to school district boundaries by the home address of individual cases. The data does not reflect exceptions for students who do not attend their assigned school district.

“Sharing this information in an easy-to-understand format will help parents and families understand the risks for COVID-19 in their own school district, empowering them to make the best choices to keep their kids safe in school by wearing a mask, getting tested regularly, and getting vaccinated if eligible,”&nbsp;said Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, the Safer Classrooms Workgroup co-chair.

“With so much misinformation being shared about COVID-19, this school dashboard provides a simple tool to help school districts keep track of what is happening locally and across the state,”&nbsp;said Dr. Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, co-chair of the Safer Classrooms Workgroup.&nbsp;“We will continue supporting our teachers and School Boards by providing timely, fact-based data so they can set strong policies to protect their kids, teachers, and staff.”

Data will be updated on the dashboard every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Data displayed represents the last 14 days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633210944147.png" alt="“Sharing this information in an easy-to-understand format will help parents and families understand the risks for COVID-19 in their own school district," said Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, co-chair of the Safer Classrooms Workgroup during their meeting Sept. 29." />
 <figcaption>“Sharing this information in an easy-to-understand format will help parents and families understand the risks for COVID-19 in their own school district," said Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, co-chair of the Safer Classrooms Workgroup during their meeting Sept. 29.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced a new public dashboard tracking rates of COVID-19 disease and vaccinations in Kansas school districts on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) COVID-19 Resource Center.<a href="https://kshealthdata.kdhe.ks.gov/t/BEPHI_COVID-19/views/COVID-19SchoolDistrictDashboard/Home?%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&amp;%3Aembed=y">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;</a>to view the new dashboard“This dashboard will provide transparent, frequently updated information to help local health officials and school districts make informed, data-driven decisions to control the spread of COVID-19 among our students,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “My administration will continue working with our local partners and encouraging vaccinations among all eligible Kansans to beat this virus once and for all.”This dashboard includes all cases of COVID-19 among school-aged children (ages 5-17 years) during the last 14 days and does not necessarily indicate where a student was exposed or that transmission occurred in the school setting.The dashboard also tracks the cumulative COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged children (ages 5-17) by school district. Cases and vaccinations among school-aged children are aggregated to school district boundaries by the home address of individual cases. The data does not reflect exceptions for students who do not attend their assigned school district.“Sharing this information in an easy-to-understand format will help parents and families understand the risks for COVID-19 in their own school district, empowering them to make the best choices to keep their kids safe in school by wearing a mask, getting tested regularly, and getting vaccinated if eligible,”&nbsp;said Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, the Safer Classrooms Workgroup co-chair.“With so much misinformation being shared about COVID-19, this school dashboard provides a simple tool to help school districts keep track of what is happening locally and across the state,”&nbsp;said Dr. Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, co-chair of the Safer Classrooms Workgroup.&nbsp;“We will continue supporting our teachers and School Boards by providing timely, fact-based data so they can set strong policies to protect their kids, teachers, and staff.”Data will be updated on the dashboard every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Data displayed represents the last 14 days.

New dashboard tracks COVID-19 cases in Kansas school districts

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) — Two people have died in an ultralight plane crash in western Missouri's Johnson County, officials there said.

The crash happened around 10 a.m. Sunday northwest of Warrensburg, according to the Johnson County Fire Department.

Officials said the two people killed were the only ones aboard the ultralight aircraft. Officials have not released the victims’ names. An investigation into the crash is being conducted. Warrensburg is approximately one hour east of Kansas City.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) — Two people have died in an ultralight plane crash in western Missouri's Johnson County, officials there said.The crash happened around 10 a.m. Sunday northwest of Warrensburg, according to the Johnson County Fire Department.Officials said the two people killed were the only ones aboard the ultralight aircraft. Officials have not released the victims’ names. An investigation into the crash is being conducted. Warrensburg is approximately one hour east of Kansas City.

Officials: 2 killed in plane crash near Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing bipartisan criticism over its approach to immigration, the Biden administration on announced new rules that require authorities to only pursue migrants who recently crossed into the country without permission or are deemed to pose a threat to public safety.

The new guidelines replace interim rules issued in February that were initially blocked by a federal judge in August as part of a lawsuit brought by Texas and Louisiana. They break from a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement under former President Donald Trump, who early in his presidency directed authorities to apprehend anyone who was illegally in the country.

The release comes as President Joe Biden has come under fire from allies for his reliance on a Trump-era public health authority to rapidly expel migrants encountered on the U.S.-Mexico border while also facing Republican criticism that he hasn’t done enough to counter a sharp increase in migrants seeking to enter the country.

The Biden administration has expelled about 5,000 Haitians who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at Del Rio, Texas, in recent weeks. A federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday cleared the administration to continue expelling families under the public-health authority known as Title 42. The appeals court put on hold a lower court order barring the expulsions of families hours before the ban was to take effect.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that the new policy was based on the reality that the U.S. can’t go after all people in the country without legal status and shouldn’t try because many “have been contributing members of our communities for years.”

Authorities will be directed to focus on noncitizens who have crossed recently, defined as after Nov. 1, 2020, or who determined to be a threat because of national security or “serious criminal activity.” Homeland Security includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.

Unlike the interim rules, the criminal activity is not limited to the category known in legal terms as an aggravated felony but will depend on the “totality of the facts and circumstances,” Mayorkas said. Anyone would be considered a priority if they are engaged or even suspected of terrorism or espionage, according to the memo. The new rules take effect Nov. 29.

Immigration authorities would be prohibited from arresting and seeking to deport someone in retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights, such as joining a protest or taking part in union activities.

“We are requiring and frankly empowering our workforce, critically empowering our workforce, to exercise their judgment, their law enforcement judgment,” the secretary said.

Advocates for strict immigration enforcement have criticized the interim guidelines, which were similar in intent as the newly released rules, because they were seen as a top-down approach and one that precluded low-level arrests that might yield investigative leads into bigger cases or help serve as a deterrent to illegal immigration.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said on Twitter that Biden has “welcomed” the migrants who have crossed and would now promise those already in the country that “they may stay in the U.S. without repercussions” with the new rules.

Immigrant advocates, including some who have in the past called for eliminating ICE and immigrant detention altogether, welcomed limits on enforcement but are wary given the rapid detention and expulsion of thousands of Haitians at Del Rio.

“This policy is only going to be as good as the results,” said Jacinta Gonzalez, senior campaign organizer of Mijente. “If detention numbers continue to rise, as deportations continue to happen, if we still see human rights abuses at the border, this policy won’t mean anything.”

A federal judge in Texas blocked the interim rules in August, ruling that the administration did not have discretion to choose which migrants to detain, but a federal appeals court allowed the guidelines to take effect while the lawsuit proceeds.

Mayorkas said it makes little sense to pursue all of the estimated 11 million people in the country without legal status, even if the U.S. had the law enforcement capacity to do so.

“They contribute to the well-being of our country and justice requires that we exercise our discretion accordingly,” he said. “The fact that an individual is a removeable non-citizen should not alone be the basis of an enforcement action against them.”

Trump’s administration took hundreds of measures to restrict both legal and illegal immigration, including a zero-tolerance policy on border crossings that resulted in the forcible separation of thousands of families and requiring asylum seekers to await the processing of their cases in Mexico.

In the end, total deportations were higher under the first term of President Barack Obama, who enacted enforcement priorities similar to Biden’s, than under Trump. That was due in part to a lack of cooperation from many cities and states whose leaders opposed Trump’s immigration policies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317817548.png" alt="Migrants at the U.S. border in September- photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Migrants at the U.S. border in September- photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing bipartisan criticism over its approach to immigration, the Biden administration on announced new rules that require authorities to only pursue migrants who recently crossed into the country without permission or are deemed to pose a threat to public safety.The new guidelines replace interim rules issued in February that were initially blocked by a federal judge in August as part of a lawsuit brought by Texas and Louisiana. They break from a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement under former President Donald Trump, who early in his presidency directed authorities to apprehend anyone who was illegally in the country.The release comes as President Joe Biden has come under fire from allies for his reliance on a Trump-era public health authority to rapidly expel migrants encountered on the U.S.-Mexico border while also facing Republican criticism that he hasn’t done enough to counter a sharp increase in migrants seeking to enter the country.The Biden administration has expelled about 5,000 Haitians who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at Del Rio, Texas, in recent weeks. A federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday cleared the administration to continue expelling families under the public-health authority known as Title 42. The appeals court put on hold a lower court order barring the expulsions of families hours before the ban was to take effect.Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that the new policy was based on the reality that the U.S. can’t go after all people in the country without legal status and shouldn’t try because many “have been contributing members of our communities for years.”Authorities will be directed to focus on noncitizens who have crossed recently, defined as after Nov. 1, 2020, or who determined to be a threat because of national security or “serious criminal activity.” Homeland Security includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.Unlike the interim rules, the criminal activity is not limited to the category known in legal terms as an aggravated felony but will depend on the “totality of the facts and circumstances,” Mayorkas said. Anyone would be considered a priority if they are engaged or even suspected of terrorism or espionage, according to the memo. The new rules take effect Nov. 29.Immigration authorities would be prohibited from arresting and seeking to deport someone in retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights, such as joining a protest or taking part in union activities.“We are requiring and frankly empowering our workforce, critically empowering our workforce, to exercise their judgment, their law enforcement judgment,” the secretary said.Advocates for strict immigration enforcement have criticized the interim guidelines, which were similar in intent as the newly released rules, because they were seen as a top-down approach and one that precluded low-level arrests that might yield investigative leads into bigger cases or help serve as a deterrent to illegal immigration.Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said on Twitter that Biden has “welcomed” the migrants who have crossed and would now promise those already in the country that “they may stay in the U.S. without repercussions” with the new rules.Immigrant advocates, including some who have in the past called for eliminating ICE and immigrant detention altogether, welcomed limits on enforcement but are wary given the rapid detention and expulsion of thousands of Haitians at Del Rio.“This policy is only going to be as good as the results,” said Jacinta Gonzalez, senior campaign organizer of Mijente. “If detention numbers continue to rise, as deportations continue to happen, if we still see human rights abuses at the border, this policy won’t mean anything.”A federal judge in Texas blocked the interim rules in August, ruling that the administration did not have discretion to choose which migrants to detain, but a federal appeals court allowed the guidelines to take effect while the lawsuit proceeds.Mayorkas said it makes little sense to pursue all of the estimated 11 million people in the country without legal status, even if the U.S. had the law enforcement capacity to do so.“They contribute to the well-being of our country and justice requires that we exercise our discretion accordingly,” he said. “The fact that an individual is a removeable non-citizen should not alone be the basis of an enforcement action against them.”Trump’s administration took hundreds of measures to restrict both legal and illegal immigration, including a zero-tolerance policy on border crossings that resulted in the forcible separation of thousands of families and requiring asylum seekers to await the processing of their cases in Mexico.In the end, total deportations were higher under the first term of President Barack Obama, who enacted enforcement priorities similar to Biden’s, than under Trump. That was due in part to a lack of cooperation from many cities and states whose leaders opposed Trump’s immigration policies.__

New Biden rules limit arrest, deportation of migrants

WASHINGTON (AP) — The future of abortion rights is in the hands of a conservative Supreme Court that is beginning a new term Monday that also includes major cases on gun rights and religion.

The court’s credibility with the public also could be on the line, especially if a divided court were to overrule the landmark Roe v. Wade decision from 1973 that established a woman’s right to an abortion nationwide.

The justices are returning to the courtroom after an 18-month absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-supreme-court-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-20618b0444def88a865f37d5bb92d4a9">possible retirement of 83-year-old liberal Justice Stephen Breyer also looms</a>.

It’s the first full term with the court in its current alignment.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the last of former President Donald Trump’s three high-court appointees, is part of a six-justice conservative majority. Barrett was nominated and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-virus-outbreak-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-82a02a618343c98b80ca2b6bf9eafe07">confirmed last year amid the pandemic</a>, little more than a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>.

rump and Republicans who controlled the Senate moved quickly to fill the seat shortly before the 2020 presidential election, bringing about a dramatic change in the court’s lineup that has set the stage for a potentially law-changing term on several high-profile issues.

With abortion, guns and religion already on the agenda, and a challenge to affirmative action waiting in the wings, the court will answer a key question over the next year, said University of Chicago law professor David Strauss. “Is this the term in which the culture wars return to the Supreme Court in a big way?” Strauss said.

The justices will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-15-week-ban-5d066a9dc0030a4f8297711f341c9f5a">hear arguments Dec. 1 in Mississippi’s bid to enforce a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy</a>. Lower courts blocked the law because it is inconsistent with high court rulings that allow states to regulate but not prohibit abortion before viability, the point around 24 weeks of pregnancy when a fetus can survive outside the womb.

Mississippi is taking what conservative commentator Carrie Severino called a “rip-the-Band-Aid-off” approach to the case by asking the court to abandon its support of abortion rights that was laid out in Roe and the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Mississippi is among 12 states with so-called trigger laws that would take effect if Roe is overturned and ban abortion entirely.

By a 5-4 vote in early September, the court already has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-courts-us-supreme-court-32ee7ae7eeec9bdfd1471a848c163321">allowed a ban on most abortions to take effect in Texas</a>, though no court has yet ruled on the substance of the law.

But that vote and the Mississippi case highlight the potential risk to the court’s reputation, said David Cole, the American Civil Liberties Union’s legal director. The arguments advanced by Mississippi were considered and rejected by the Supreme Court in 1992, Cole said.

“The only difference between then and now is the identity of the justices,” he said.

Jeff Wall, a top Justice Department lawyer under Trump, said the court could sharply expand gun rights and end the use of race in college admissions, but only abortion is likely to move public perception of the court. “I still don’t think that’s going to create some groundswell in the public, unless it’s accompanied by some kind of watershed ruling on abortion,” Wall said.

In early November, the court will take up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-public-new-york-be5e3fe54da4eb3b9ca2337665974716">a challenge to New York restrictions on carrying a gun in public</a>, a case that offers the court the chance to expand gun rights under the Second Amendment. Before Barrett joined the court, the justices turned away similar cases, over the dissents of some conservative members of the court.

Until Barrett came along, some justices who favor gun rights questioned whether Chief Justice John Roberts would provide a fifth, majority-making vote “for a more expansive reading of the Second Amendment,” said George Washington University law professor Robert Cottrol, who said he hoped the court would now broaden gun rights.

More than 40 states already make it easy to be armed in public, but New York and California, two of the nation’s most populous states, are among the few with tighter regulations.

The case has gun control advocates worried.

“An expansive Second Amendment ruling by the Supreme Court could restrict or prohibit the sensible solutions that have been shown can end gun violence,” said Jonathan Lowy, vice president and chief counsel at the gun violence prevention group Brady. Lowy included state laws requiring a justification to carry a gun as examples of such “sensible solutions.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-us-supreme-court-maine-religion-education-053be754922af11fe1bceaf408d0f910">A case from Maine</a>&nbsp;gives the court another opportunity to weigh religious rights in the area of education. The state excludes religious schools from a tuition program for families who live in towns that don’t have public schools.

Since even before Ginsburg’s death, the court has favored religion-based discrimination claims and the expectation among legal experts is that parents in Maine who sued to be able to use taxpayer money at religious schools will prevail, though it’s not clear how broadly the court might rule.

Affirmative action is not yet on the court’s agenda, but it could still get there this term in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-college-admissions-us-supreme-court-harvard-courts-b2b55f8bfabe04424cd19281611939f4">lawsuit over Harvard’s use of race in college admissions</a>. Lower courts upheld the school’s policy, but this is another case in which the change in the composition of the court could prove decisive. The court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-texas-courts-relationships-race-and-ethnicity-87f9c6ae0150469f9204b5d79c7dc7ad">upheld race-conscious admission policies as recently as five years ago</a>&nbsp;but that was before Trump’s three appointments accentuated the court’s conservative tilt.

Among other notable cases, the justices will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf">reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev</a>. The Biden administration is pushing for the capital sentence, even as it has suspended federal executions and President Joe Biden has called for an end to the federal death penalty.

The court will also weigh two cases involving “state secrets,” the idea that the government can block the release of information it claims would harm national security if disclosed.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/osama-bin-laden-prisons-us-supreme-court-abu-zubaydah-courts-7f17e01b2c037bbebfca2b999bf64490">One case involves a Guantanamo Bay detainee who a lower court said was tortured in CIA custody</a>. The other involves a group of Muslim residents of California who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-religion-government-and-politics-29dd3c85923fef7bda9bfa8156753ab9">allege the FBI targeted them for surveillance because of their religion</a>.

Decisions in the most of the big cases won’t come before spring because the justices typically spend months drafting and revising majority opinions and dissents.

Around then, Breyer might signal whether he is planning to retire from a job he has held since 1994. Retirement announcements often come in the spring, to give the president and the Senate enough time to choose and confirm a nominee before the court returns from its summer break and begins hearing cases again in October.

The consequences of Ginsburg’s decision to remain on the court through Barack Obama’s presidency and her death while Trump was in the White House can’t be lost on Breyer, said Tom Goldstein, the founder of the Scotusblog website and a frequent advocate before the court.

“It’s overwhelmingly likely he’ll retire this term,” Goldstein said.

The courthouse still is closed to the public, but live audio of the court’s arguments will be available and reporters who regularly cover the court will be in attendance. The tradition-bound court first provided live audio in May 2020, when the court began hearing arguments by telephone during the pandemic.

<a href="https://apnews.com/5c24ffb572dd34a8b24f226fc2211b7a">Justice Brett Kavanaugh</a>&nbsp;will participate remotely from his home next week during oral arguments after testing positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. The court said Friday that the 54-year-old justice has no symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633344982262.png" alt="Women marched in Kansas and cities nationwide Saturday demanding continued access to abortion-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Women marched in Kansas and cities nationwide Saturday demanding continued access to abortion-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The future of abortion rights is in the hands of a conservative Supreme Court that is beginning a new term Monday that also includes major cases on gun rights and religion.The court’s credibility with the public also could be on the line, especially if a divided court were to overrule the landmark Roe v. Wade decision from 1973 that established a woman’s right to an abortion nationwide.The justices are returning to the courtroom after an 18-month absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-supreme-court-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-20618b0444def88a865f37d5bb92d4a9">possible retirement of 83-year-old liberal Justice Stephen Breyer also looms</a>.It’s the first full term with the court in its current alignment.Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the last of former President Donald Trump’s three high-court appointees, is part of a six-justice conservative majority. Barrett was nominated and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-virus-outbreak-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-82a02a618343c98b80ca2b6bf9eafe07">confirmed last year amid the pandemic</a>, little more than a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>.rump and Republicans who controlled the Senate moved quickly to fill the seat shortly before the 2020 presidential election, bringing about a dramatic change in the court’s lineup that has set the stage for a potentially law-changing term on several high-profile issues.With abortion, guns and religion already on the agenda, and a challenge to affirmative action waiting in the wings, the court will answer a key question over the next year, said University of Chicago law professor David Strauss. “Is this the term in which the culture wars return to the Supreme Court in a big way?” Strauss said.No issue is bigger than abortion.The justices will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-15-week-ban-5d066a9dc0030a4f8297711f341c9f5a">hear arguments Dec. 1 in Mississippi’s bid to enforce a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy</a>. Lower courts blocked the law because it is inconsistent with high court rulings that allow states to regulate but not prohibit abortion before viability, the point around 24 weeks of pregnancy when a fetus can survive outside the womb.Mississippi is taking what conservative commentator Carrie Severino called a “rip-the-Band-Aid-off” approach to the case by asking the court to abandon its support of abortion rights that was laid out in Roe and the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey.Mississippi is among 12 states with so-called trigger laws that would take effect if Roe is overturned and ban abortion entirely.By a 5-4 vote in early September, the court already has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-courts-us-supreme-court-32ee7ae7eeec9bdfd1471a848c163321">allowed a ban on most abortions to take effect in Texas</a>, though no court has yet ruled on the substance of the law.But that vote and the Mississippi case highlight the potential risk to the court’s reputation, said David Cole, the American Civil Liberties Union’s legal director. The arguments advanced by Mississippi were considered and rejected by the Supreme Court in 1992, Cole said.“The only difference between then and now is the identity of the justices,” he said.Jeff Wall, a top Justice Department lawyer under Trump, said the court could sharply expand gun rights and end the use of race in college admissions, but only abortion is likely to move public perception of the court. “I still don’t think that’s going to create some groundswell in the public, unless it’s accompanied by some kind of watershed ruling on abortion,” Wall said.In early November, the court will take up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-public-new-york-be5e3fe54da4eb3b9ca2337665974716">a challenge to New York restrictions on carrying a gun in public</a>, a case that offers the court the chance to expand gun rights under the Second Amendment. Before Barrett joined the court, the justices turned away similar cases, over the dissents of some conservative members of the court.Until Barrett came along, some justices who favor gun rights questioned whether Chief Justice John Roberts would provide a fifth, majority-making vote “for a more expansive reading of the Second Amendment,” said George Washington University law professor Robert Cottrol, who said he hoped the court would now broaden gun rights.More than 40 states already make it easy to be armed in public, but New York and California, two of the nation’s most populous states, are among the few with tighter regulations.The case has gun control advocates worried.“An expansive Second Amendment ruling by the Supreme Court could restrict or prohibit the sensible solutions that have been shown can end gun violence,” said Jonathan Lowy, vice president and chief counsel at the gun violence prevention group Brady. Lowy included state laws requiring a justification to carry a gun as examples of such “sensible solutions.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-us-supreme-court-maine-religion-education-053be754922af11fe1bceaf408d0f910">A case from Maine</a>&nbsp;gives the court another opportunity to weigh religious rights in the area of education. The state excludes religious schools from a tuition program for families who live in towns that don’t have public schools.Since even before Ginsburg’s death, the court has favored religion-based discrimination claims and the expectation among legal experts is that parents in Maine who sued to be able to use taxpayer money at religious schools will prevail, though it’s not clear how broadly the court might rule.Affirmative action is not yet on the court’s agenda, but it could still get there this term in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-college-admissions-us-supreme-court-harvard-courts-b2b55f8bfabe04424cd19281611939f4">lawsuit over Harvard’s use of race in college admissions</a>. Lower courts upheld the school’s policy, but this is another case in which the change in the composition of the court could prove decisive. The court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-texas-courts-relationships-race-and-ethnicity-87f9c6ae0150469f9204b5d79c7dc7ad">upheld race-conscious admission policies as recently as five years ago</a>&nbsp;but that was before Trump’s three appointments accentuated the court’s conservative tilt.Among other notable cases, the justices will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf">reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev</a>. The Biden administration is pushing for the capital sentence, even as it has suspended federal executions and President Joe Biden has called for an end to the federal death penalty.The court will also weigh two cases involving “state secrets,” the idea that the government can block the release of information it claims would harm national security if disclosed.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/osama-bin-laden-prisons-us-supreme-court-abu-zubaydah-courts-7f17e01b2c037bbebfca2b999bf64490">One case involves a Guantanamo Bay detainee who a lower court said was tortured in CIA custody</a>. The other involves a group of Muslim residents of California who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-religion-government-and-politics-29dd3c85923fef7bda9bfa8156753ab9">allege the FBI targeted them for surveillance because of their religion</a>.Decisions in the most of the big cases won’t come before spring because the justices typically spend months drafting and revising majority opinions and dissents.Around then, Breyer might signal whether he is planning to retire from a job he has held since 1994. Retirement announcements often come in the spring, to give the president and the Senate enough time to choose and confirm a nominee before the court returns from its summer break and begins hearing cases again in October.The consequences of Ginsburg’s decision to remain on the court through Barack Obama’s presidency and her death while Trump was in the White House can’t be lost on Breyer, said Tom Goldstein, the founder of the Scotusblog website and a frequent advocate before the court.“It’s overwhelmingly likely he’ll retire this term,” Goldstein said.The courthouse still is closed to the public, but live audio of the court’s arguments will be available and reporters who regularly cover the court will be in attendance. The tradition-bound court first provided live audio in May 2020, when the court began hearing arguments by telephone during the pandemic.<a href="https://apnews.com/5c24ffb572dd34a8b24f226fc2211b7a">Justice Brett Kavanaugh</a>&nbsp;will participate remotely from his home next week during oral arguments after testing positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. The court said Friday that the 54-year-old justice has no symptoms.___

Abortion, guns, religion: Big Supreme Court term begins

EDITOR'S NOTE: &nbsp;The original story, as published below, incorrectly indicated Daniel T. Maxwell,&nbsp;45, Oklahoma City, died from his injuries based on initial information from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

While he was injured and treated at&nbsp;St. Francis Hospital, he survived.

The headline has been changed to address the error.

The Post apologizes for the error.

NEOSHO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Sunday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Tahoe driven by Daniel T. Maxwell, 45, Oklahoma City,&nbsp; was northbound on U.S. Highway 169 just north of 35th Street.

The SUV left the roadway to the east and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle reentered the roadway and rolled into the west ditch.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE: &nbsp;The original story, as published below, incorrectly indicated Daniel T. Maxwell,&nbsp;45, Oklahoma City, died from his injuries based on initial information from the Kansas Highway Patrol.While he was injured and treated at&nbsp;St. Francis Hospital, he survived.The headline has been changed to address the error.The Post apologizes for the error.NEOSHO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Sunday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Tahoe driven by Daniel T. Maxwell, 45, Oklahoma City,&nbsp; was northbound on U.S. Highway 169 just north of 35th Street.The SUV left the roadway to the east and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle reentered the roadway and rolled into the west ditch.EMS transported Maxwell to St. Francis Hospital where he died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CORRECTION: Man injured after SUV rolls on Kansas highway

SALINE COUNTY— Three earthquakes shook central Kansas Sunday.

The largest quake was centered 2 miles west of Gypsum in Saline County just before 10p.m. and measured a magnitude 3.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.&nbsp;

In addition, the Kansas Geological Survey reported&nbsp; a 2.7 magnitude quake in Smith County and a 2.3 quake in Osborne County. There are no reports of damage and no injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633343772421.png" alt="Image courtesy US Geological Survey" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy US Geological Survey</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY— Three earthquakes shook central Kansas Sunday.The largest quake was centered 2 miles west of Gypsum in Saline County just before 10p.m. and measured a magnitude 3.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.&nbsp;In addition, the Kansas Geological Survey reported&nbsp; a 2.7 magnitude quake in Smith County and a 2.3 quake in Osborne County. There are no reports of damage and no injuries.

Three earthquakes shake Kansas Sunday

As kids get adjusted to the return to school, many may struggle 
with new routines or difficult material. Many parents turn to a tutor to
 help keep kids motivated and learning. Hiring a tutor for your child is
 a great way to help them with a subject in which they struggle, ensure 
that they’re staying on top of their curriculum, or prepare them for an 
assessment.

When looking for a tutor, however, it can be difficult to know where 
to start. There are many different options out there: from frequency and
 subject matter to types of tutoring businesses. The following BBB tips 
will help find the best option for your child:

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/tutoring" target="_blank">Find a tutor near you.</a>

Look for businesses that adhere to the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust">BBB Standards for Trust</a>. Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards">BBB's Accreditation Standards</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/golden-gate-better-business-bureau" target="_blank">BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-wisconsin" target="_blank">BBB serving Wisconsin</a> contributed to this article.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633364247969.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauAs kids get adjusted to the return to school, many may struggle 
with new routines or difficult material. Many parents turn to a tutor to
 help keep kids motivated and learning. Hiring a tutor for your child is
 a great way to help them with a subject in which they struggle, ensure 
that they’re staying on top of their curriculum, or prepare them for an 
assessment.When looking for a tutor, however, it can be difficult to know where 
to start. There are many different options out there: from frequency and
 subject matter to types of tutoring businesses. The following BBB tips 
will help find the best option for your child:<ul>
 <li>Know your options. There are many types of tutoring 
services: in-home one-on-one sessions, small group lessons, online 
instruction, and tutoring centers. You also have to choose between 
hiring an individual freelance tutor, and going through a tutoring 
company that will match you to a tutor. If you’re looking for a 
business, make sure to check&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/tutoring" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>. There you can see a business’ BBB Rating, complaint history and reviews from past customers. You can also use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB Directory</a>&nbsp;to find a trustworthy company.
</li><li>Ask for referrals. Asking friends and family if they
 have any recommendations is a great place to start. Consider asking 
your child’s favorite teacher, or other school employees for referrals. 
Make sure the tutor is knowledgeable in the specific area your child 
needs help in and has experience working with students your child’s age.
</li><li>Check references. You should ask the individual 
tutor or tutoring service for references, and contact them. It’s best to
 speak to at least three references. Ask about their experience with the
 tutor and what sort of results they saw. Is the tutor dependable? 
Friendly? Knowledgeable? When you’re interviewing potential tutors, make
 sure they understand what you’re looking for. Some tutors are better at
 homework help, some are better at long-term lessons, and some are 
better at quick test preparation. See what your tutor is used to doing, 
and examine if that’s what your child needs.
</li><li>Discuss the details. Don’t be afraid to ask 
questions! Make sure to talk about availability - when is the tutor free
 and how flexible are they? Having a consistent schedule is best, but 
additional sessions may be required if a big test is coming up. It’s 
important to discuss pricing before hiring a tutor. Price will depend on
 the level of experience of the tutor, frequency and type of sessions, 
and whether or not you’re going through a center. It’s also a good idea 
to talk to the tutor about benchmarks of success beforehand. Communicate
 the goals ahead of time and how they will be measured.
</li><li>Include your child. The most important factor to 
consider is your child’s comfort with the tutor. Make sure to include 
your child in the hiring process. Throughout the process, ask your child
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child is not comfortable with or doesn’t like a tutor, it can have a big
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don’t be afraid to find a different one.
</li><li>Find a qualified <a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/tutoring" target="_blank">tutor near you</a> in the BBB directory.&nbsp;Private tutors and tutoring companies promise to boost children's competence, but research before hiring.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.bbb.org/near-me/tutoring" target="_blank">Find a tutor near you.</a>Look for businesses that adhere to the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust">BBB Standards for Trust</a>. Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards">BBB's Accreditation Standards</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/golden-gate-better-business-bureau" target="_blank">BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-wisconsin" target="_blank">BBB serving Wisconsin</a> contributed to this article.&nbsp;Cover photo courtesy Unsplash

Child struggling in school? Tips on hiring the right tutor

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Thursday shooting and asking the public for assistance n locating 31-year-old Patricio Gomez.

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

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

On Friday, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp; Due to the violent past of the suspect and the violent incident on Thursday, the WPD SWAT team and crisis negotiators responded to assist.&nbsp; At the hotel, two individuals were contacted.&nbsp; Gomez was not at the location.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle was recovered.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.&nbsp; He should be considered armed and dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633050857958.png" alt="Police at the scene on East Corporate Hills Thursday evening-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene on East Corporate Hills Thursday evening-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal Thursday shooting and asking the public for assistance n locating 31-year-old Patricio Gomez.Just before 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, police responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police." />
 <figcaption>Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned Gomez and a woman arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the woman fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117696289.png" alt="Police outside a hotel in Park City on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police outside a hotel in Park City on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Friday, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp; Due to the violent past of the suspect and the violent incident on Thursday, the WPD SWAT team and crisis negotiators responded to assist.&nbsp; At the hotel, two individuals were contacted.&nbsp; Gomez was not at the location.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle was recovered.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.&nbsp; He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Search continues for armed, dangerous Kansas murder suspect

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 18 new self-study seminars are available through the <a href="https://irstaxforumsonline.com/">IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online</a>.

Tax professionals – CPAs, enrolled agents, Annual Filing Season 
Program participants and others – can earn continuing education for $29 
per credit.

The new seminars were recorded in July and August at the 2021 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum.

2021 Nationwide Tax Forums Online course listing

These 18 courses are now available in addition to 37 sessions from previous years that are also available for credit.

Information on continuing education credits

The Nationwide Tax Forums Online is a qualified sponsor of continuing
 education registered with the IRS Return Preparer Office (RPO) and the 
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

To earn credit, tax pros need to create an account, answer review questions throughout the seminar and pass a short test.

The online seminars can be reviewed for free. Individuals who choose 
this option will not have access to the review questions or final 
examination and will not receive credit.

For more information, visit <a href="https://irstaxforumsonline.com/">IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that 18 new self-study seminars are available through the <a href="https://irstaxforumsonline.com/">IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online</a>.Tax professionals – CPAs, enrolled agents, Annual Filing Season 
Program participants and others – can earn continuing education for $29 
per credit.The new seminars were recorded in July and August at the 2021 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum.<h2>2021 Nationwide Tax Forums Online course listing</h2><ol>
 <li>Advocating for Taxpayers in Order to Avoid Abusive Tax Schemes</li><li>Be Tax Ready – Understanding Rules for Due Diligence and the Child 
Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit Under the American Rescue Plan 
Act of 2021</li><li>Charities &amp; Tax-Exempt Organizations Update</li><li>Closer Look at the IRS Independent Office of Appeals</li><li>Collection Flexibilities During Difficult Economic Times</li><li>Common Issues Presented to OPR and Best Practices to Address Them</li><li>Determining an Individual's Tax Residency Status</li><li>e-Services and You</li><li>Gig Economy</li><li>&nbsp;Helping You and Your Clients Steer Clear of Fraud and Scams</li><li>&nbsp;Key Enforcement Issues</li><li>Keynote Address</li><li>Keys to Mastering Due Diligence Requirements and What to Expect During a Due Diligence Audit</li><li>&nbsp;Overview of Taxpayer Civil Rights</li><li>&nbsp;Professional Responsibility Obligations when Practicing before the IRS:&nbsp;OPR and Circular 230</li><li>&nbsp;Retirement Plans - IRS Compliance Initiatives</li><li>&nbsp;Tax Law Changes from a Forms Perspective</li><li>&nbsp;Virtual Currency</li>
 </ol>These 18 courses are now available in addition to 37 sessions from previous years that are also available for credit.<h2>Information on continuing education credits</h2>The Nationwide Tax Forums Online is a qualified sponsor of continuing
 education registered with the IRS Return Preparer Office (RPO) and the 
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).To earn credit, tax pros need to create an account, answer review questions throughout the seminar and pass a short test.The online seminars can be reviewed for free. Individuals who choose 
this option will not have access to the review questions or final 
examination and will not receive credit.For more information, visit <a href="https://irstaxforumsonline.com/">IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online</a>.

IRS rolls out series of online training seminars on tax policy

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Newly released AAA research indicates that some drivers may not fully grasp the danger they pose to roadside workers.

"Ninety-nine percent of Kansas drivers responded that it's either very dangerous or somewhat dangerous for roadside workers if motorists don't comply with the Move Over law," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "92% of Kansas motorists said that they would support such a law, one-third of them, 33% of Kansas drivers, answered that they were unsure whether a law existed or thought there was no Move Over law."

An average of 24 emergency responders, including tow providers, are struck and killed by vehicles while working at the roadside each year.

The Move Over law was originally to protect law enforcement officers," Steward said. "Over the years, it's been expanded to reduce risk to roadside construction crews, emergency responders, tow operators and even waste collection vehicles. Most recently, it was broadened during the 2021 legislative session to include utility and telecommunications crews working alongside the road."

A AAA Tow Driver in Ohio was killed on July 4th while placing a disabled vehicle on the back of a flatbed on the side of the road. Only three weeks later, a AAA driver in Colorado was also struck and killed. As of August of this year, 14 tow providers have lost their lives while helping others at the roadside.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633343156885.png" alt="Move Over graphic courtesy AAA Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Move Over graphic courtesy AAA Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Newly released AAA research indicates that some drivers may not fully grasp the danger they pose to roadside workers."Ninety-nine percent of Kansas drivers responded that it's either very dangerous or somewhat dangerous for roadside workers if motorists don't comply with the Move Over law," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "92% of Kansas motorists said that they would support such a law, one-third of them, 33% of Kansas drivers, answered that they were unsure whether a law existed or thought there was no Move Over law."An average of 24 emergency responders, including tow providers, are struck and killed by vehicles while working at the roadside each year.The Move Over law was originally to protect law enforcement officers," Steward said. "Over the years, it's been expanded to reduce risk to roadside construction crews, emergency responders, tow operators and even waste collection vehicles. Most recently, it was broadened during the 2021 legislative session to include utility and telecommunications crews working alongside the road."A AAA Tow Driver in Ohio was killed on July 4th while placing a disabled vehicle on the back of a flatbed on the side of the road. Only three weeks later, a AAA driver in Colorado was also struck and killed. As of August of this year, 14 tow providers have lost their lives while helping others at the roadside.

Some Kansas drivers unsure of state's Move Over law

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man has been convicted by a federal trial jury of possessing methamphetamine to distribute, according to the United State's Attorney.

Anthony Martinez Harris, 48, was found guilty on Sept. 29, of one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

On Sept. 26, 2019, employees at the Sleep Inn on Highway 54 called Camdenton, Mo., police officers to remove Harris from the property. When officers arrived and contacted Harris, hotel staff used a key card to open the hotel room door because Harris’s key card had been deactivated. When they opened the door, officers saw a large amount of cash on the room’s bed and a line of cocaine on the coffee table.

Harris was questioned by a Camden County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy who arrived to assist the officers. When officers searched the room they found an oblong object wrapped in camouflage fabric, which Harris identified as C-4 explosive. Officers immediately contacted the Missouri State Highway patrol bomb squad and began evacuating the hotel. The substance was later determined not to be an explosive.

After the area was deemed safe, officers searched Harris’s hotel room and found a bag in a dresser drawer that contained approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine, a bag on one of the beds that contained approximately seven grams of cocaine, a Ziploc bag on another bed that contained 18 bags of approximately 37 grams of heroin/opiates, a Dollar General bag on the same bed that contained approximately 224 grams of methamphetamine, a Ziploc bag on the bed that contained small bags of marijuana, and a brown leather bag that contained 10 tablets of Oxycodone Hydrochloride, nine Ziploc bags that each contained approximately one gram of heroin/opiates, and a Ziploc bag that contained approximately 28 grams of cocaine. Officers also found a Springfield Armory sub-compact 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine, a Glock 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine, a Glock .40-caliber handgun and a loaded magazine, additional ammunition, $11,259, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Officers also searched Harris’s vehicle and found a Black Dawn Armory custom-made AR-15-style .223-caliber rifle loaded with a 30-round magazine in the trunk. Officers also found a plastic bag that contained an assortment of approximately 500 ecstasy tablets and additional ammunition in the vehicle.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Wednesday, Sept. 29, ending a trial that started on Monday, Sept. 28.

Under federal statutes, Harris is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633213193843.png" alt="Harris-photo Cole Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Harris-photo Cole Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man has been convicted by a federal trial jury of possessing methamphetamine to distribute, according to the United State's Attorney.Anthony Martinez Harris, 48, was found guilty on Sept. 29, of one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.On Sept. 26, 2019, employees at the Sleep Inn on Highway 54 called Camdenton, Mo., police officers to remove Harris from the property. When officers arrived and contacted Harris, hotel staff used a key card to open the hotel room door because Harris’s key card had been deactivated. When they opened the door, officers saw a large amount of cash on the room’s bed and a line of cocaine on the coffee table.Harris was questioned by a Camden County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy who arrived to assist the officers. When officers searched the room they found an oblong object wrapped in camouflage fabric, which Harris identified as C-4 explosive. Officers immediately contacted the Missouri State Highway patrol bomb squad and began evacuating the hotel. The substance was later determined not to be an explosive.After the area was deemed safe, officers searched Harris’s hotel room and found a bag in a dresser drawer that contained approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine, a bag on one of the beds that contained approximately seven grams of cocaine, a Ziploc bag on another bed that contained 18 bags of approximately 37 grams of heroin/opiates, a Dollar General bag on the same bed that contained approximately 224 grams of methamphetamine, a Ziploc bag on the bed that contained small bags of marijuana, and a brown leather bag that contained 10 tablets of Oxycodone Hydrochloride, nine Ziploc bags that each contained approximately one gram of heroin/opiates, and a Ziploc bag that contained approximately 28 grams of cocaine. Officers also found a Springfield Armory sub-compact 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine, a Glock 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine, a Glock .40-caliber handgun and a loaded magazine, additional ammunition, $11,259, and assorted drug paraphernalia.Officers also searched Harris’s vehicle and found a Black Dawn Armory custom-made AR-15-style .223-caliber rifle loaded with a 30-round magazine in the trunk. Officers also found a plastic bag that contained an assortment of approximately 500 ecstasy tablets and additional ammunition in the vehicle.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Wednesday, Sept. 29, ending a trial that started on Monday, Sept. 28.Under federal statutes, Harris is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Police found cash, cocaine, explosive in KC man's hotel room

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple charges following a traffic.

Just before 1a.m. Friday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Mercedes passenger car with a stolen license plate in the 3200 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver later identified as 27-year-old Keegiaen R.W. Hamilton of Colorado fled on foot and was quickly taken into custody nearby without incident. During the investigation, a K9 Unit located two stolen firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, and illegal narcotics.

Deputies booked Hamilton into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for three felony arrest warrants and addition requested charges of felony interference with a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, distribute certain hallucinogens, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful vehicle registration violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633120464595.png" alt="Hamilton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hamilton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple charges following a traffic.Just before 1a.m. Friday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Mercedes passenger car with a stolen license plate in the 3200 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver later identified as 27-year-old Keegiaen R.W. Hamilton of Colorado fled on foot and was quickly taken into custody nearby without incident. During the investigation, a K9 Unit located two stolen firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, and illegal narcotics.Deputies booked Hamilton into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for three felony arrest warrants and addition requested charges of felony interference with a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, distribute certain hallucinogens, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful vehicle registration violations.

Kan. deputy finds felon traveling with sawed off shotgun, drugs

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting.

Just after 2a.m. 2:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the QuikTrip at Central and Oliver in Wichita after a clerk had called 911 from the convenience store, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

A woman had come to the store to report report her boyfriend threatened her, made suicidal statements, and possibly fired a gun at a home in the 800 block of North Terrace.

 At the same time that officers arrived at the QuikTrip, additional officers went to the residence on North Terrace.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633275400075.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting.Just after 2a.m. 2:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the QuikTrip at Central and Oliver in Wichita after a clerk had called 911 from the convenience store, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.A woman had come to the store to report report her boyfriend threatened her, made suicidal statements, and possibly fired a gun at a home in the 800 block of North Terrace. At the same time that officers arrived at the QuikTrip, additional officers went to the residence on North Terrace.Police contacted the resident, who advised that he had a male guest staying with him who had been having relationship issues. The resident called to the male, but he did not respond. Officers were then allowed inside the home to contact him.The man later identified as 41-year-old Jess Jackson was in bed. Officers asked him to get out of bed and show his hands, but he ignored commands and reached toward the floor. Officers continued to give commands to the man to put his hands up and stop reaching toward the ground, but he&nbsp; did not comply. Then Jackson produced a handgun from the floor and raised it, which prompted an officer to fire four shots.Officers immediately rendered emergency life-saving measures and EMS was called to the scene, but the male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633287441763.png" alt="The .380 handgun in Jackson's possession. It was not reported stolen, according to police" />
 <figcaption>The .380 handgun in Jackson's possession. It was not reported stolen, according to police</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Jackson has a previously documented history of domestic violence, as well as multiple warrants through various jurisdictions including the state of Oklahoma, according to Stephens. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp;