SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a string of burglary cases in Kansas.

Just after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were notified of a vehicle burglary at Sherwood Apartments, 2745 SW Villa West Drive in Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

 Several items were taken during the burglary, including a firearm.

Throughout the course of the investigation, suspect information was developed and Cory J. Pruyser, 29 of Topeka, was taken into custody in the 5300 block SW 10th Street.

Investigators determined that Pruyser was a suspect in two other burglary investigations.

Pruyser was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated burglary, Theft &lt; $1500 All Other, Theft of Firearm, Burglary and Possession of stolen property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630615338000.png" alt="Pruyser photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Pruyser photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a string of burglary cases in Kansas.Just after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were notified of a vehicle burglary at Sherwood Apartments, 2745 SW Villa West Drive in Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz. Several items were taken during the burglary, including a firearm.Throughout the course of the investigation, suspect information was developed and Cory J. Pruyser, 29 of Topeka, was taken into custody in the 5300 block SW 10th Street.Investigators determined that Pruyser was a suspect in two other burglary investigations.Pruyser was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated burglary, Theft &lt; $1500 All Other, Theft of Firearm, Burglary and Possession of stolen property.

Man arrested for string of Kansas burglaries

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/03/kansas-prepares-50m-pay-boost-for-nurses-at-understaffed-hospitals/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas officials plan to
 allocate $50 million in federal COVID-19 aid to boost the salaries of 
registered nurses and other frontline workers at understaffed hospitals.

The program is a response to severe staffing problems in ICUs 
overwhelmed by the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, which is attributed 
to the highly infectious delta variant and unvaccinated residents.

Funding would be allocated to hospitals based on licensed bed 
capacity and the number of nurses needed to fill those beds. On average,
 the program would provide a $5,000 pay increase for each nurse, but 
hospitals would decide how to divide the funds. The $50 million includes
 $800,000 for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to 
administer the program.

Members of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration presented the plan 
during a meeting Friday of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing 
Kansas Taskforce, which recommends how to spend federal pandemic relief 
money. In a separate meeting, the State Finance Council approved the 
plan with the caveat that SPARK will meet again next week to determine 
how the money should be distributed.

Senate President Ty Masterson, a member of both panels, said the 
follow-up meeting is necessary to establish “guardrails” for the 
program. He said hospitals should only be eligible for funding “if 
they’re not instituting counterproductive policies and mandates that 
also make it harder to staff these beds.” That includes vaccine 
mandates, he said.

The state’s largest health systems and hospitals have announced they 
will require employees to be vaccinated from COVID-19, now that federal 
authorities have given full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. House 
Majority Leader Dan Hawkins said he had received correspondence from 
nurses who are “absolutely fuming” that they have to choose between 
losing their job or taking a free, safe and effective vaccine.

Jon Rolph, a SPARK taskforce member appointed by Kelly, said there is
 almost no ICU capacity at any of the top-tier hospitals in Kansas. 
Rural hospitals are unable to transfer patients to hospitals with more 
ability to provide acute cure, he said.

Last month, Rolph said, a McPherson man who suffered problems with a routine surgery <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcphersonweeklynews.com/mcpherson-man-loses-life-after-waiting-days-for-an-icu-bed/">died after waiting for three days</a> for space to become available in an acute care center.

Rolph said hospitals have enough beds to handle the latest surge in 
COVID-19 cases. The problem is they don’t have enough nurses to attend 
those beds. Many have burned out after previous waves of COVID-19, 
either leaving the industry or opting for early retirement. Traveling 
nurses who filled gaps during earlier waves are now seeking employment 
in the South, where pay is higher and outbreaks are more severe.

In Kansas,&nbsp;KDHE reported 49 more deaths from COVID-19 between Wednesday and Friday, along with 111 new hospitalizations.

Kevin Strecker, president and COO at Via Christi Health, said nurses 
have PTSD from last year’s battles with COVID-19. In a normal year, he 
said, the organization’s Wichita hospital would record 850 deaths from 
all kinds of disease and injury. So far this year, there have been 1,300
 deaths.

Strecker said his health system saw a mass exodus of nurses into 
retirement, as well as some who left acute care. The Wichita hospital 
currently is using 140 contract nurses, he said, but it is still 100 
nurses short.

The standard ratios call for nurses to attend six beds each, or two 
beds in an ICU. Strecker said Via Christi is pushing nurses to take 
additional patients.

“It’s doable for a short period of time,” he said. “It tires people 
out, and then the turnover becomes even a bigger problem. And from a 
quality standpoint, it’s not something you want to do long term.”

Greg Orman, a member of the SPARK committee who ran for governor as 
an independent candidate in 2018, questioned the value of using pay 
increases to retain staff.&nbsp;He said he would prefer to allocate money to 
hospitals and give them more flexibility in how they used the money.

Orman referenced his work as a business consultant in addressing staffing shortages.

“Premium pay is not the only lever that can be pulled,” Orman said. 
“In fact, we generally try to shy away from that because there’s, as you
 know, wage price inflexibility. And when you raise someone’s base pay, 
it’s awfully hard to ultimately change that if you get into an 
environment with different conditions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630703364773.png" alt="Senate President Ty Masterson says he is in favor of allocating money to address staffing shortages at hospitals, but only for hospitals that don’t impose “counterproductive policies and mandates.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Ty Masterson says he is in favor of allocating money to address staffing shortages at hospitals, but only for hospitals that don’t impose “counterproductive policies and mandates.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/03/kansas-prepares-50m-pay-boost-for-nurses-at-understaffed-hospitals/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas officials plan to
 allocate $50 million in federal COVID-19 aid to boost the salaries of 
registered nurses and other frontline workers at understaffed hospitals.The program is a response to severe staffing problems in ICUs 
overwhelmed by the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, which is attributed 
to the highly infectious delta variant and unvaccinated residents.Funding would be allocated to hospitals based on licensed bed 
capacity and the number of nurses needed to fill those beds. On average,
 the program would provide a $5,000 pay increase for each nurse, but 
hospitals would decide how to divide the funds. The $50 million includes
 $800,000 for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to 
administer the program.Members of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration presented the plan 
during a meeting Friday of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing 
Kansas Taskforce, which recommends how to spend federal pandemic relief 
money. In a separate meeting, the State Finance Council approved the 
plan with the caveat that SPARK will meet again next week to determine 
how the money should be distributed.Senate President Ty Masterson, a member of both panels, said the 
follow-up meeting is necessary to establish “guardrails” for the 
program. He said hospitals should only be eligible for funding “if 
they’re not instituting counterproductive policies and mandates that 
also make it harder to staff these beds.” That includes vaccine 
mandates, he said.The state’s largest health systems and hospitals have announced they 
will require employees to be vaccinated from COVID-19, now that federal 
authorities have given full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. House 
Majority Leader Dan Hawkins said he had received correspondence from 
nurses who are “absolutely fuming” that they have to choose between 
losing their job or taking a free, safe and effective vaccine.Jon Rolph, a SPARK taskforce member appointed by Kelly, said there is
 almost no ICU capacity at any of the top-tier hospitals in Kansas. 
Rural hospitals are unable to transfer patients to hospitals with more 
ability to provide acute cure, he said.Last month, Rolph said, a McPherson man who suffered problems with a routine surgery <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcphersonweeklynews.com/mcpherson-man-loses-life-after-waiting-days-for-an-icu-bed/">died after waiting for three days</a> for space to become available in an acute care center.Rolph said hospitals have enough beds to handle the latest surge in 
COVID-19 cases. The problem is they don’t have enough nurses to attend 
those beds. Many have burned out after previous waves of COVID-19, 
either leaving the industry or opting for early retirement. Traveling 
nurses who filled gaps during earlier waves are now seeking employment 
in the South, where pay is higher and outbreaks are more severe.In Kansas,&nbsp;KDHE reported 49 more deaths from COVID-19 between Wednesday and Friday, along with 111 new hospitalizations.Kevin Strecker, president and COO at Via Christi Health, said nurses 
have PTSD from last year’s battles with COVID-19. In a normal year, he 
said, the organization’s Wichita hospital would record 850 deaths from 
all kinds of disease and injury. So far this year, there have been 1,300
 deaths.Strecker said his health system saw a mass exodus of nurses into 
retirement, as well as some who left acute care. The Wichita hospital 
currently is using 140 contract nurses, he said, but it is still 100 
nurses short.The standard ratios call for nurses to attend six beds each, or two 
beds in an ICU. Strecker said Via Christi is pushing nurses to take 
additional patients.“It’s doable for a short period of time,” he said. “It tires people 
out, and then the turnover becomes even a bigger problem. And from a 
quality standpoint, it’s not something you want to do long term.”Greg Orman, a member of the SPARK committee who ran for governor as 
an independent candidate in 2018, questioned the value of using pay 
increases to retain staff.&nbsp;He said he would prefer to allocate money to 
hospitals and give them more flexibility in how they used the money.Orman referenced his work as a business consultant in addressing staffing shortages.“Premium pay is not the only lever that can be pulled,” Orman said. 
“In fact, we generally try to shy away from that because there’s, as you
 know, wage price inflexibility. And when you raise someone’s base pay, 
it’s awfully hard to ultimately change that if you get into an 
environment with different conditions.”

Kan. to provide $50M pay boost for nurses at understaffed hospitals

KANSAS CITY (AP)—Residents of Kansas City and its surrounding county can be excused if they're confused about whether to adhere to local mask mandates after Missouri's attorney general offered “legal direction” indicating that many and perhaps most people can ignore them, especially students.

Missouri's largest city and Jackson County both began requiring masks in indoor public settings last month as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiraled due to low vaccination rates and the presence of the delta variant. Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in 2022, sued to halt both mandates.

Schmitt wrote to Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. on Thursday, saying in a news release that he meant the letters as “legal direction” to spell out “who qualifies for important exceptions to mask mandates imposed by power-hungry bureaucrats.”

Lucas and White, in a joint statement, said Schmitt's letter “makes no rational sense” and suggested it was a political ploy. Both Lucas and White are Democrats.

“Kansas City’s and Jackson County’s orders remain in effect and we stand by them to keep our young people and all people safe, particularly at a time of rising infections for those 18 and under,” the statement said. "We will protect the children of this community while the Attorney General continues to rail against responsible public health guidance to support his political campaign endeavors.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for school students. Several Missouri doctors have said they fear a new surge in cases due to the lack of mask mandates at most Missouri schools, where fall classes have begun.

Schmitt's letter cites exceptions that allow people to shun masks if they have disabilities where the mask causes impairment to their health and well-being — and notes that the ordinances fail to define either health or well-being. Meanwhile, he wrote that the exceptions apply to anyone under 18.

“I direct that any resident or visitor subject to any physical or legal disability — including any minor under the age of 18 — is exempt from the mask-wearing mandate ... provided that he or she (or a parent or guardian, in the case of minors) believes that wearing a mask or face covering will have any significant adverse impact on their personal, mental, or physical welfare," Schmitt wrote.

University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Professor Ann Marie Marciarille questioned whether Schmitt's reasoning would hold up in front of a judge.

“Would a court looking at this say it's compelling?” Marciarille asked. “I don't think it makes any sense.”

Missouri reported 2,081 newly confirmed virus cases on Friday and 19 more deaths. All told, 636,377 cases and been confirmed since the onset of the pandemic, and 10,651 deaths.

KANSAS CITY (AP)—Residents of Kansas City and its surrounding county can be excused if they're confused about whether to adhere to local mask mandates after Missouri's attorney general offered “legal direction” indicating that many and perhaps most people can ignore them, especially students.Missouri's largest city and Jackson County both began requiring masks in indoor public settings last month as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiraled due to low vaccination rates and the presence of the delta variant. Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in 2022, sued to halt both mandates.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Praying for the State AG tonight. Honestly. May God bless him and keep him far far from us.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1433611809236426753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Schmitt wrote to Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. on Thursday, saying in a news release that he meant the letters as “legal direction” to spell out “who qualifies for important exceptions to mask mandates imposed by power-hungry bureaucrats.”Lucas and White, in a joint statement, said Schmitt's letter “makes no rational sense” and suggested it was a political ploy. Both Lucas and White are Democrats.“Kansas City’s and Jackson County’s orders remain in effect and we stand by them to keep our young people and all people safe, particularly at a time of rising infections for those 18 and under,” the statement said. "We will protect the children of this community while the Attorney General continues to rail against responsible public health guidance to support his political campaign endeavors.”The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for school students. Several Missouri doctors have said they fear a new surge in cases due to the lack of mask mandates at most Missouri schools, where fall classes have begun.Schmitt's letter cites exceptions that allow people to shun masks if they have disabilities where the mask causes impairment to their health and well-being — and notes that the ordinances fail to define either health or well-being. Meanwhile, he wrote that the exceptions apply to anyone under 18.“I direct that any resident or visitor subject to any physical or legal disability — including any minor under the age of 18 — is exempt from the mask-wearing mandate ... provided that he or she (or a parent or guardian, in the case of minors) believes that wearing a mask or face covering will have any significant adverse impact on their personal, mental, or physical welfare," Schmitt wrote.University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Professor Ann Marie Marciarille questioned whether Schmitt's reasoning would hold up in front of a judge.“Would a court looking at this say it's compelling?” Marciarille asked. “I don't think it makes any sense.”Missouri reported 2,081 newly confirmed virus cases on Friday and 19 more deaths. All told, 636,377 cases and been confirmed since the onset of the pandemic, and 10,651 deaths.

AG: Kansas City kids can ignore mask mandate

RENO COUNTY—The global shortage of computer chips is getting worse and impacting additional business in Kansas.

The Collins Bus plant, 415 West 6th in South Hutchninson announced Friday they will shut down due to a shortage of semiconductor chips.

“Due to the global chip shortage, we had to make the difficult decision to temporarily suspend production at our facility," according to a statement from&nbsp;Chris Hiebert, Vice President and General Manager.

Collins is a leader in small bus manufacturing in the United States, according to the company web site.

Hiebert said the company is planning to reopen in the next couple of weeks to complete unfinished buses. Employees continue to receive benefits and the company is "examining angles to ensure our team is supported during this challenging time," according to Hiebert.

In April of 2020, the company furloughed workers after vendors and Collins' customers were forced to close temporarily in the midst of the&nbsp; pandemic.

Ford announced Thursday they will stop making pickups at the Kansas City Assembly Plant for the next two weeks due to the chip shortage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630693690542.png" alt="Collins Bus Plant in South Hutchinson google image" />
 <figcaption>Collins Bus Plant in South Hutchinson google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY—The global shortage of computer chips is getting worse and impacting additional business in Kansas.The Collins Bus plant, 415 West 6th in South Hutchninson announced Friday they will shut down due to a shortage of semiconductor chips.“Due to the global chip shortage, we had to make the difficult decision to temporarily suspend production at our facility," according to a statement from&nbsp;Chris Hiebert, Vice President and General Manager.Collins is a leader in small bus manufacturing in the United States, according to the company web site.Hiebert said the company is planning to reopen in the next couple of weeks to complete unfinished buses. Employees continue to receive benefits and the company is "examining angles to ensure our team is supported during this challenging time," according to Hiebert.In April of 2020, the company furloughed workers after vendors and Collins' customers were forced to close temporarily in the midst of the&nbsp; pandemic.Ford announced Thursday they will stop making pickups at the Kansas City Assembly Plant for the next two weeks due to the chip shortage.

Chip shortage: Kan. bus manufacturing plant shut down

BARBER COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Barber County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Jeep Wrangler driven by Stewart J. Ott, 30, Hazelton, was southbound on Bethel Road just north of Scott Canyon Road.

The Jeep traveled off the road to the east, rotated counter clockwise and overturned onto its top. 

Ott was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Lanmans Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BARBER COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Barber County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Jeep Wrangler driven by Stewart J. Ott, 30, Hazelton, was southbound on Bethel Road just north of Scott Canyon Road.The Jeep traveled off the road to the east, rotated counter clockwise and overturned onto its top. Ott was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Lanmans Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after Jeep overturns

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,952 to a total of 377,123 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 49 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,630. The state reported 24 deaths from Monday to Wednesday.

<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 3,952 to a total of 377,123 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 49 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,630. The state reported 24 deaths from Monday to Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630688409161.png" alt="Friday Sept. 3, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Sept. 3, 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: 73 COVID-19 deaths in Kan. since Monday

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A rural Saline County man who in late August reported being the victim of residential burglary was, himself, arrested in connection to a burglary at a business just south of Salina.

Someone broke into a fenced-in area at HABCO, Inc., 248 E. Berg Road earlier this month and got into three vehicles and three enclosed trailers there, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

 Two tablets were taken from two of the vehicles and a battery was taken from the third. Locks were cut off the three trailers and multiple tools were also taken.. The total loss was estimated at $6,585.

A deputy reviewing surveillance video thought he recognized the alleged burglar as Jeremy Carnes, 40, of rural Saline County, as he recognized the man's clothes and had taken a burglary report from him in late August.

Deputies paid a visit to Carnes at his residence in the 400 block of E. Water Well Road and noticed an item that appeared to be one of the items stolen from HABCO, Soldan said. 

A search warrant was obtained for the residence. A large number of the stolen items were recovered from Carnes' residence, Soldan said. Carnes was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges&nbsp;of burglary, Felony theft and Three counts of damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630685510125.jpeg" alt="Carnes photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Carnes photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA rural Saline County man who in late August reported being the victim of residential burglary was, himself, arrested in connection to a burglary at a business just south of Salina.Someone broke into a fenced-in area at HABCO, Inc., 248 E. Berg Road earlier this month and got into three vehicles and three enclosed trailers there, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. Two tablets were taken from two of the vehicles and a battery was taken from the third. Locks were cut off the three trailers and multiple tools were also taken.. The total loss was estimated at $6,585.A deputy reviewing surveillance video thought he recognized the alleged burglar as Jeremy Carnes, 40, of rural Saline County, as he recognized the man's clothes and had taken a burglary report from him in late August.Deputies paid a visit to Carnes at his residence in the 400 block of E. Water Well Road and noticed an item that appeared to be one of the items stolen from HABCO, Soldan said. A search warrant was obtained for the residence. A large number of the stolen items were recovered from Carnes' residence, Soldan said. Carnes was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges&nbsp;of burglary, Felony theft and Three counts of damage to property.

Sheriff: Kansas man reports burglary and is arrested

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has declared 87 of the state's 105 counties under a drought watch or warning. Kelly said Thursday encouraged state residents to minimize the risk of fires. 

Fourteen counties were placed under warnings and 73 are under drought watches. The 18 counties not affected are all in southeast Kansas. 

The governor said counties in the northwest, central and south-central regions have received less than 60% of their normal precipitation so far this year. Connie Owen, director of the state's water office, said drought-like conditions are expected to continue into the fall, particularly in the northwest region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630684697527.png" alt="U.S. DroughtMonitor map week of August 31, 2021" />
 <figcaption>U.S. DroughtMonitor map week of August 31, 2021</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has declared 87 of the state's 105 counties under a drought watch or warning. Kelly said Thursday encouraged state residents to minimize the risk of fires. Fourteen counties were placed under warnings and 73 are under drought watches. The 18 counties not affected are all in southeast Kansas. The governor said counties in the northwest, central and south-central regions have received less than 60% of their normal precipitation so far this year. Connie Owen, director of the state's water office, said drought-like conditions are expected to continue into the fall, particularly in the northwest region.

Gov. declares drought watch or warning for most of Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 28-year-old Dodge City man who was facing a possible first-degree murder charge in a shooting death near a Wichita park is no longer facing those charges and they are searching for another suspect. 

Police said Friday morning that Caesar Hermosillo of Dodge City was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the death of 32-year-old Jason Huber of Wichita. 

But police said later Friday that Hermosillo no longer faces those charges. He remains in custody on a pending warrant. Police are now searching for another man in connection to Huber's death. 

Huber was found Wednesday suffering from gunshot wounds near South Riverside Park and he died later at a hospital.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting death, have made an arrest and are asking for help locate a second suspect.

Just after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a welfare check in the 800 block of West Murdock.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 32-year-old Jason Huber of Wichita who had been shot. He was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment where he died.

The investigation revealed&nbsp;28-year-old Caesar Hermosillo of Dodge City and Huber were both at the same nearby business.&nbsp; &nbsp;They left the business, Huber on a bicycle and Hermosillo in a van westbound on Murdock.

 At Murdock and Stackman Drive, Huber was shot and his bicycle was taken.

A second suspect left the business driving a white Buick La Sabre and Huber left on a bicycle both going west on Mudock before he was shot and his bicycle was taken.

If you know the identity of this suspect or know his whereabouts, please call WPD detectives at 316-268-4646 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Investigators are also working to contact other individuals in this case to learn all the circumstances of what occurred.

Shortly after the shooting occurred, a white minivan drove by the scene traveling north on Stackman Drive and then East on Murdock, according to Davidson.

 Investigators need to speak to the occupants of this vehicle as potential witnesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hermosillo is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and an outstanding warrant, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630691706666.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 28-year-old Dodge City man who was facing a possible first-degree murder charge in a shooting death near a Wichita park is no longer facing those charges and they are searching for another suspect. Police said Friday morning that Caesar Hermosillo of Dodge City was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the death of 32-year-old Jason Huber of Wichita. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630687658014.png" alt="Hermosillo photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hermosillo photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>But police said later Friday that Hermosillo no longer faces those charges. He remains in custody on a pending warrant. Police are now searching for another man in connection to Huber's death. Huber was found Wednesday suffering from gunshot wounds near South Riverside Park and he died later at a hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630691827448.png" alt="The suspect's vehicle-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>The suspect's vehicle-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting death, have made an arrest and are asking for help locate a second suspect.Just after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a welfare check in the 800 block of West Murdock.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 32-year-old Jason Huber of Wichita who had been shot. He was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment where he died.The investigation revealed&nbsp;28-year-old Caesar Hermosillo of Dodge City and Huber were both at the same nearby business.&nbsp; &nbsp;They left the business, Huber on a bicycle and Hermosillo in a van westbound on Murdock. At Murdock and Stackman Drive, Huber was shot and his bicycle was taken.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630691706666.png" alt="This suspect was at the same nearby business as Huber before the shooting, according to Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>This suspect was at the same nearby business as Huber before the shooting, according to Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>A second suspect left the business driving a white Buick La Sabre and Huber left on a bicycle both going west on Mudock before he was shot and his bicycle was taken.If you know the identity of this suspect or know his whereabouts, please call WPD detectives at 316-268-4646 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.Investigators are also working to contact other individuals in this case to learn all the circumstances of what occurred.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630680289015.png" alt="Police are looking for those in this vehicle -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Police are looking for those in this vehicle -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Shortly after the shooting occurred, a white minivan drove by the scene traveling north on Stackman Drive and then East on Murdock, according to Davidson. Investigators need to speak to the occupants of this vehicle as potential witnesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hermosillo is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and an outstanding warrant, according to Davidson.

UPDATE: Search continues for suspect in fatal Kan. shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to identify suspect.

Just after 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 1300 Block of SW Huntoon Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.

Officers arrived and found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

Police are attempting to identify the suspects as seen on security cameras.&nbsp; Anyone with information is asked to call police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630680788404.png" alt="Photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to identify suspect.Just after 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 1300 Block of SW Huntoon Street in Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.Officers arrived and found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630579814551.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police are attempting to identify the suspects as seen on security cameras.&nbsp; Anyone with information is asked to call police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

Police ask for help to ID Kansas shooting suspects 

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Former U.S. Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception in Massachusetts nearly 50 years ago. 

The 91-year-old McCarrick was heckled by a protester as he arrived but said nothing during a brief appearance in suburban Boston’s Dedham District Court. 

McCarrick is the only current or former U.S. Catholic cardinal to ever be criminally charged with child sex crimes. An attorney for McCarrick says they are “looking forward to addressing the allegations in court” and would have no other immediate comment. Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in 2019 after a Vatican investigation.

BOSTON (AP) — Former Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the once-powerful prelate who was expelled from the priesthood for sexual abuse, is due in court Friday to face accusations that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception in Massachusetts nearly 50 years ago.

McCarrick, 91, is scheduled to be arraigned and is expected to enter a plea in suburban Boston's Dedham District Court more than a month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-53924dd479cab20f7a11cb7eb47f686d">after he was charged</a>. McCarrick is the only U.S. Catholic cardinal, current or former, ever to be criminally charged with child sex crimes.

McCarrick's attorney, Barry Coburn, said after the charges were filed in July that they “look forward to addressing the case in the courtroom.”

McCarrick, who now lives in Dittmer, Missouri, faces three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to court documents. He can still face charges because he wasn’t a Massachusetts resident and had left the state, stopping the clock on the statute of limitations.

McCarrick’s fall began in 2017 when a former altar boy came forward to report the priest had groped him when he was a teenager in New York. The next year, the Archdiocese of New York announced that McCarrick had been removed from ministry after finding the allegation to be “credible and substantiated,” and two New Jersey dioceses revealed they had settled claims of sexual misconduct against him in the past involving adults.

Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-ap-top-news-international-news-ks-state-wire-nj-state-wire-33645dd626674bec9ef6198528267dc6">defrocked McCarrick in 2019</a>&nbsp;after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused minors, as well as adults.

A two-year internal investigation into McCarrick&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a">found that three decades of bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed multiple reports of sexual misconduct</a>. The investigative findings released last year pinned much of the blame on Pope John Paul II, who appointed McCarrick archbishop of Washington, D.C., despite having commissioned an inquiry that confirmed McCarrick slept with seminarians.

In the Massachusetts case, the man told authorities during an interview in January that McCarrick was close to his family when he was growing up and that the abuse started when he was a young boy.

The man said that during his brother’s wedding reception at Wellesley College in June 1974 — when he was 16 — McCarrick told him that his father wanted him to have a talk with McCarrick because the boy was “being mischievous at home and not attending church.”

The man said that the two of them went for a walk around campus and McCarrick groped him before they went back to the party. The man said McCarrick also sexually assaulted him in a “coat room type closet” after they returned to the reception, authorities wrote in the documents.

The man told investigators that before leaving the room, McCarrick told him to “say three Our Fathers and a Hail Mary or it was one Our Father and three Hail Marys, so God can redeem you of your sins,” according to the report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627579902766.png" alt="Disgraced former Catholic cardinal Theodore McCarrick moved to the St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, Kansas in 2018. He moved from Northwest Kansas in January 2020 Credit: US Institute of Peace. CC BY NC 20" />
 <figcaption>Disgraced former Catholic cardinal Theodore McCarrick moved to the St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, Kansas in 2018. He moved from Northwest Kansas in January 2020 Credit: US Institute of Peace. CC BY NC 20</figcaption>
 </figure>DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Former U.S. Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception in Massachusetts nearly 50 years ago. The 91-year-old McCarrick was heckled by a protester as he arrived but said nothing during a brief appearance in suburban Boston’s Dedham District Court. McCarrick is the only current or former U.S. Catholic cardinal to ever be criminally charged with child sex crimes. An attorney for McCarrick says they are “looking forward to addressing the allegations in court” and would have no other immediate comment. Pope Francis defrocked McCarrick in 2019 after a Vatican investigation.-----------BOSTON (AP) — Former Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the once-powerful prelate who was expelled from the priesthood for sexual abuse, is due in court Friday to face accusations that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy during a wedding reception in Massachusetts nearly 50 years ago.McCarrick, 91, is scheduled to be arraigned and is expected to enter a plea in suburban Boston's Dedham District Court more than a month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-53924dd479cab20f7a11cb7eb47f686d">after he was charged</a>. McCarrick is the only U.S. Catholic cardinal, current or former, ever to be criminally charged with child sex crimes.McCarrick's attorney, Barry Coburn, said after the charges were filed in July that they “look forward to addressing the case in the courtroom.”McCarrick, who now lives in Dittmer, Missouri, faces three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to court documents. He can still face charges because he wasn’t a Massachusetts resident and had left the state, stopping the clock on the statute of limitations.McCarrick’s fall began in 2017 when a former altar boy came forward to report the priest had groped him when he was a teenager in New York. The next year, the Archdiocese of New York announced that McCarrick had been removed from ministry after finding the allegation to be “credible and substantiated,” and two New Jersey dioceses revealed they had settled claims of sexual misconduct against him in the past involving adults.Pope Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-ap-top-news-international-news-ks-state-wire-nj-state-wire-33645dd626674bec9ef6198528267dc6">defrocked McCarrick in 2019</a>&nbsp;after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused minors, as well as adults.A two-year internal investigation into McCarrick&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a">found that three decades of bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed multiple reports of sexual misconduct</a>. The investigative findings released last year pinned much of the blame on Pope John Paul II, who appointed McCarrick archbishop of Washington, D.C., despite having commissioned an inquiry that confirmed McCarrick slept with seminarians.In the Massachusetts case, the man told authorities during an interview in January that McCarrick was close to his family when he was growing up and that the abuse started when he was a young boy.The man said that during his brother’s wedding reception at Wellesley College in June 1974 — when he was 16 — McCarrick told him that his father wanted him to have a talk with McCarrick because the boy was “being mischievous at home and not attending church.”The man said that the two of them went for a walk around campus and McCarrick groped him before they went back to the party. The man said McCarrick also sexually assaulted him in a “coat room type closet” after they returned to the reception, authorities wrote in the documents.The man told investigators that before leaving the room, McCarrick told him to “say three Our Fathers and a Hail Mary or it was one Our Father and three Hail Marys, so God can redeem you of your sins,” according to the report.

Ex-Cardinal who lived in Kan. enters plea for sex assault

KANSAS CITY —Authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 33-year-old Logan J. Smith of Belton.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol a 2015 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by Sahar Bryan, 30, Olathe, was westbound on Interstate 470 one mile east of View High Drive.

The vehicle struck Smith who was on the roadway.&nbsp; He was pronounce dead at the scene. Bryan was properly restrained and not injured.

KANSAS CITY—(AP) — A person who was walking along the westbound lanes of Interstate 470 in Lee’s Summit at night died after being hit by a vehicle, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. Investigators said the person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s identity was not immediately released, and the patrol did not give any other details of the fatal crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630674915765.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident -photo KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident -photo KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 33-year-old Logan J. Smith of Belton.According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol a 2015 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by Sahar Bryan, 30, Olathe, was westbound on Interstate 470 one mile east of View High Drive.The vehicle struck Smith who was on the roadway.&nbsp; He was pronounce dead at the scene. Bryan was properly restrained and not injured.--------KANSAS CITY—(AP) — A person who was walking along the westbound lanes of Interstate 470 in Lee’s Summit at night died after being hit by a vehicle, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. Investigators said the person was pronounced dead at the scene.The victim’s identity was not immediately released, and the patrol did not give any other details of the fatal crash.

Patrol IDs pedestrian who died after struck by Kan. driver

Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee sent a letter to veterans Thursday following the completed U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp; They offered encouragement and support.

Dear Veterans of Afghanistan and Families, Over the last two weeks, our country has watched the collapse of the government of Afghanistan and the deterioration of security for its people. We know that for most of you, watching these events unfold has been difficult and frustrating. Over the past two decades, you, your fellow servicemembers, and your families have sacrificed greatly while fulfilling your mission in Afghanistan. As our hearts ache for the future of the Afghan people and for our Afghan allies, we will work to see that this war is ended responsibly. As Chair and Ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, we want each of you to know that you not only have our support, but also our admiration and confidence for what you have achieved and what you will go on to achieve for our country. The current situation in Afghanistan is not the fault of men and women in uniform. You executed the War on Terror with world-class expertise, and our military will continue these critical counter-terrorism missions as long as necessary to keep our nation and its allies safe. The American public has trust in you, and for good reason. Your courage and compassion have been a bright and encouraging spot over these past two weeks. That is who the U.S. military is, and that will not change. In the last 20 years, the U.S. military ousted the Taliban from power, eliminated the threat from al-Qaeda, and brought Osama bin Laden to justice. For ordinary Afghans, especially women and girls, your service and sacrifice delivered new opportunities to live free and to thrive in ways that were previously unimaginable. You also formed bonds of friendship with our interpreters, Afghan defense forces, and other Afghan allies. And for years now, you have engaged with Congress and Presidential administrations to ensure that our Afghan partners who worked and fought alongside U.S. forces are not left behind. Throughout this year and since the collapse of the Afghan government, these efforts have intensified, saving countless lives through your sheer determination and refusal to leave American allies on the battlefield. Make no mistake, your service has left a lasting and unparalleled impact on this world. Whatever you are feeling in response to events in Afghanistan, we encourage you to share your thoughts with friends and family. You are not alone in feeling upset, frustrated, or angry, and you should talk to a trusted mental health counselor or other veteran-serving community organization if those feelings persist or become overwhelming. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Additionally, if you are a veteran of Afghanistan or the Global War on Terror, please reach out to your fellow veterans, talk about what is happening, and help them connect to these resources if needed.

We are dedicated to ensuring you, and all veterans, have the right tools and resources to be successful after your service, and we will continue to push the Department of Veterans Affairs to match its services to the emerging needs of those of you who served in Afghanistan. We ask each of you to keep serving in any way you can. Our country is better off because of who you are, what you have done, and what you will do. Sincerely,

Chairman Jon Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630246695083.png" alt="U.S. Marines assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. -photo U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Marines assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. -photo U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee sent a letter to veterans Thursday following the completed U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp; They offered encouragement and support.The letter is reprinted below.Dear Veterans of Afghanistan and Families, Over the last two weeks, our country has watched the collapse of the government of Afghanistan and the deterioration of security for its people. We know that for most of you, watching these events unfold has been difficult and frustrating. Over the past two decades, you, your fellow servicemembers, and your families have sacrificed greatly while fulfilling your mission in Afghanistan. As our hearts ache for the future of the Afghan people and for our Afghan allies, we will work to see that this war is ended responsibly. As Chair and Ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, we want each of you to know that you not only have our support, but also our admiration and confidence for what you have achieved and what you will go on to achieve for our country. The current situation in Afghanistan is not the fault of men and women in uniform. You executed the War on Terror with world-class expertise, and our military will continue these critical counter-terrorism missions as long as necessary to keep our nation and its allies safe. The American public has trust in you, and for good reason. Your courage and compassion have been a bright and encouraging spot over these past two weeks. That is who the U.S. military is, and that will not change. In the last 20 years, the U.S. military ousted the Taliban from power, eliminated the threat from al-Qaeda, and brought Osama bin Laden to justice. For ordinary Afghans, especially women and girls, your service and sacrifice delivered new opportunities to live free and to thrive in ways that were previously unimaginable. You also formed bonds of friendship with our interpreters, Afghan defense forces, and other Afghan allies. And for years now, you have engaged with Congress and Presidential administrations to ensure that our Afghan partners who worked and fought alongside U.S. forces are not left behind. Throughout this year and since the collapse of the Afghan government, these efforts have intensified, saving countless lives through your sheer determination and refusal to leave American allies on the battlefield. Make no mistake, your service has left a lasting and unparalleled impact on this world. Whatever you are feeling in response to events in Afghanistan, we encourage you to share your thoughts with friends and family. You are not alone in feeling upset, frustrated, or angry, and you should talk to a trusted mental health counselor or other veteran-serving community organization if those feelings persist or become overwhelming. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Additionally, if you are a veteran of Afghanistan or the Global War on Terror, please reach out to your fellow veterans, talk about what is happening, and help them connect to these resources if needed. We are dedicated to ensuring you, and all veterans, have the right tools and resources to be successful after your service, and we will continue to push the Department of Veterans Affairs to match its services to the emerging needs of those of you who served in Afghanistan. We ask each of you to keep serving in any way you can. Our country is better off because of who you are, what you have done, and what you will do. Sincerely,Chairman Jon Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran

Sen. Moran addresses veterans of Afghanistan following withdrawal

The Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CISA) along with the FBI recommend consumers and businesses <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/08/31/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-threats-holidays" target="_blank">take steps to protect electronic devices against cyber attacks.</a>

Ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence, locking 
computers and networks using file encryption software, with hackers 
demanding payment by Bitcoin or other non-traceable crypto-currency to 
release the data. The attack typically enters through a phishing email 
and then spreads to other machines on the same network.&nbsp;

BBB joins with the <a href="http://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank">National Cyber Security Alliance</a>&nbsp;in suggesting the following cyber hygiene defenses:

Businesses need to take special precautions when it comes to protecting their customers’ information. One of the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>
 is "Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling 
and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the 
preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information."

&nbsp;BBB recommends the following <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23641-bbb-business-tip-cybersecurity-practices-every-small-business-needs-to-do-now" target="_blank">cybersecurity tips for U.S. small businesses</a> and <a href="https://cyber.gc.ca/en/" target="_blank">Cyber Security tips for Canada</a>

Consumers can learn more about avoiding scams and fraud at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauThe Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CISA) along with the FBI recommend consumers and businesses <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/08/31/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-threats-holidays" target="_blank">take steps to protect electronic devices against cyber attacks.</a>Ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence, locking 
computers and networks using file encryption software, with hackers 
demanding payment by Bitcoin or other non-traceable crypto-currency to 
release the data. The attack typically enters through a phishing email 
and then spreads to other machines on the same network.&nbsp;BBB joins with the <a href="http://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank">National Cyber Security Alliance</a>&nbsp;in suggesting the following cyber hygiene defenses:<ul>
 <li>Don’t click on links&nbsp;from unfamiliar sources. Even 
if you think you know the sender, be cautious about clicking on email 
links. When in doubt, delete it. Be especially wary of messages 
requiring you to act quickly, asking for personal information, or 
threatening you in any way.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Keep clean machines and stay up-to-date with software:&nbsp;Prevent
 infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new 
operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other 
internet-connected devices.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Use strong authentication, requiring more than a 
username and password to access accounts, especially critical networks, 
to prevent access through stolen or hacked credentials.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Conduct regular backups of systems:&nbsp;Systems can be restored in cases of ransomware and having current backup of all data speeds the recovery process.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Make better passwords:&nbsp;In cases where passwords are
 still used, require long, strong and unique passwords to better harden 
accounts against intrusions.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Enable popup blockers.&nbsp;Popups are regularly used by
 scammers to spread malware. Prevent them from appearing in the first 
place by adjusting your browser settings.</li>
 </ul> Businesses need to take special precautions when it comes to protecting their customers’ information. One of the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>
 is "Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling 
and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the 
preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information."&nbsp;BBB recommends the following <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23641-bbb-business-tip-cybersecurity-practices-every-small-business-needs-to-do-now" target="_blank">cybersecurity tips for U.S. small businesses</a> and <a href="https://cyber.gc.ca/en/" target="_blank">Cyber Security tips for Canada</a>Consumers can learn more about avoiding scams and fraud at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.&nbsp;

BBB Warning: Update software to help prevent ransomware

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating several recent vehicle burglaries and stolen credit cards being used from the burglaries have made an arrest.

On Wednesday, police identified 54-year-old Glen Moler as a suspect and located him at his home, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Investigators arrested him and recovered a stolen vehicle and other stolen items. Those stolen items were returned to their owners.&nbsp;

Moler is being held on requested charges of criminal use of a financial card, six counts of burglary, three counts of theft, one count of auto theft, one count of theft of a firearm and&nbsp; two counts of attempted burglary.

 Moler has been arrested and convicted 19 times for burglary, theft, DUI and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He had been out of prison since July.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630664216838.png" alt="Moler has 19 previous convictions for burglary, theft, DUI and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Moler has 19 previous convictions for burglary, theft, DUI and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating several recent vehicle burglaries and stolen credit cards being used from the burglaries have made an arrest.On Wednesday, police identified 54-year-old Glen Moler as a suspect and located him at his home, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Investigators arrested him and recovered a stolen vehicle and other stolen items. Those stolen items were returned to their owners.&nbsp;Moler is being held on requested charges of criminal use of a financial card, six counts of burglary, three counts of theft, one count of auto theft, one count of theft of a firearm and&nbsp; two counts of attempted burglary. Moler has been arrested and convicted 19 times for burglary, theft, DUI and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He had been out of prison since July.

Kan. man with 19 previous convictions jailed for burglary

KANSAS CITY (AP)—The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer.

The problem, health leaders say, is twofold: Nurses are quitting or retiring, exhausted or demoralized by the crisis. And many are leaving for lucrative temporary jobs with traveling-nurse agencies that can pay $5,000 or more a week.

It’s gotten to the point where doctors are saying, “Maybe I should quit being a doctor and go be a nurse,” said Dr. Phillip Coule, chief medical officer at Georgia’s Augusta University Medical Center, which has on occasion seen 20 to 30 resignations in a week from nurses taking traveling jobs.

“And then we have to pay premium rates to get staff from another state to come to our state,” Coule said.

The average pay for a traveling nurse has soared from roughly $1,000 to $2,000 per week before the pandemic to $3,000 to $5,000 now, said Sophia Morris, a vice president at San Diego-based health care staffing firm Aya Healthcare. She said Aya has 48,000 openings for traveling nurses to fill.

At competitor SimpliFi, President James Quick said the hospitals his company works with are seeing unprecedented levels of vacancies.

“Small to medium-sized hospitals generally have dozens of full-time openings, and the large health systems have hundreds of full-time openings,” he said.

The explosion in pay has made it hard on hospitals without deep enough pockets.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lamented recently that the state’s hospitals risk being outbid for nurses by other states that pay a “fortune.” She said Wednesday that several hospitals, including one in Topeka, had open beds but no nurses to staff them.

In Kansas City, Missouri, Truman Medical Centers has lost about 10 nurses to travel jobs in recent days and is looking for travelers to replace them, said CEO Charlie Shields.

He said it is hard to compete with the travel agencies, which are charging hospitals $165 to $170 an hour per nurse. He said the agencies take a big cut of that, but he estimated that nurses are still clearing $70 to $90 an hour, which is two to three times what the hospital pays its staff nurses.

“I think clearly people are taking advantage of the demand that is out there,” Shields said. “I hate to use `gouged’ as a description, but we are clearly paying a premium and allowing people to have fairly high profit margins.”

In Texas, more than 6,000 travel nurses have flooded the state to help with the surge through a state-supported program. But on the same day that 19 of them went to work at a hospital in the northern part of the state, 20 other nurses at the same place gave notice that they would be leaving for a traveling contract, said Carrie Kroll, a vice president at the Texas Hospital Association.

“The nurses who haven’t left, who have stayed with their facilities, they are seeing these other people come in now who are making more money. It provides a tense working environment,” Kroll said.

The pandemic was in its early stages when Kim Davis, 36, decided to quit her job at an Arkansas hospital and become a travel nurse. She said she has roughly doubled her income in the 14 months that she has been treating patients in intensive care units in Phoenix; San Bernardino, California; and Tampa, Florida.

“Since I’ve been traveling, I’ve paid off all my debt. I paid off about $50,000 in student loans,” she said.

Davis said many of her colleagues are following the same path.

“They’re leaving to go travel because why would you do the same job for half the pay?” she said. “If they’re going to risk their lives, they should be compensated.”

Health leaders say nurses are bone-tired and frustrated from being asked to work overtime, from getting screamed at and second-guessed by members of the community, and from dealing with people who chose not to get vaccinated or wear a mask.

“Imagine going to work every day and working the hardest that you have worked and stepping out of work and what you see every day is denied in the public,” said Julie Hoff, chief nurse executive at OU Health in Oklahoma. “The death that you see every day is not honored or recognized.”

Meanwhile, hospitals are getting squeezed by the revolving door of departures and new hires from traveling agencies.

Coule cited a recent example in which his hospital in Georgia hired a respiratory therapist through an agency to replace a staff member who had decided to accept a traveling gig. The replacement came from the same hospital where his respiratory therapist had just gone to work.

“Essentially we swapped personnel but at double the cost,” he said.

Patricia Pittman, director of the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, said many nurses still harbor resentment toward their employers from the early stages of the pandemic, in part from being forced to work without adequate protective gear.

“The nurses say, ’Hey, if I am not going to be treated with respect, I might as well go be a travel nurse,’” she said. “‘That way I can go work in a hellhole for 13 weeks, but then I can take off a couple months or three months and go do whatever.’”

KANSAS CITY (AP)—The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer.The problem, health leaders say, is twofold: Nurses are quitting or retiring, exhausted or demoralized by the crisis. And many are leaving for lucrative temporary jobs with traveling-nurse agencies that can pay $5,000 or more a week.It’s gotten to the point where doctors are saying, “Maybe I should quit being a doctor and go be a nurse,” said Dr. Phillip Coule, chief medical officer at Georgia’s Augusta University Medical Center, which has on occasion seen 20 to 30 resignations in a week from nurses taking traveling jobs.“And then we have to pay premium rates to get staff from another state to come to our state,” Coule said.The average pay for a traveling nurse has soared from roughly $1,000 to $2,000 per week before the pandemic to $3,000 to $5,000 now, said Sophia Morris, a vice president at San Diego-based health care staffing firm Aya Healthcare. She said Aya has 48,000 openings for traveling nurses to fill.At competitor SimpliFi, President James Quick said the hospitals his company works with are seeing unprecedented levels of vacancies.“Small to medium-sized hospitals generally have dozens of full-time openings, and the large health systems have hundreds of full-time openings,” he said.The explosion in pay has made it hard on hospitals without deep enough pockets.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lamented recently that the state’s hospitals risk being outbid for nurses by other states that pay a “fortune.” She said Wednesday that several hospitals, including one in Topeka, had open beds but no nurses to staff them.In Kansas City, Missouri, Truman Medical Centers has lost about 10 nurses to travel jobs in recent days and is looking for travelers to replace them, said CEO Charlie Shields.He said it is hard to compete with the travel agencies, which are charging hospitals $165 to $170 an hour per nurse. He said the agencies take a big cut of that, but he estimated that nurses are still clearing $70 to $90 an hour, which is two to three times what the hospital pays its staff nurses.“I think clearly people are taking advantage of the demand that is out there,” Shields said. “I hate to use `gouged’ as a description, but we are clearly paying a premium and allowing people to have fairly high profit margins.”In Texas, more than 6,000 travel nurses have flooded the state to help with the surge through a state-supported program. But on the same day that 19 of them went to work at a hospital in the northern part of the state, 20 other nurses at the same place gave notice that they would be leaving for a traveling contract, said Carrie Kroll, a vice president at the Texas Hospital Association.“The nurses who haven’t left, who have stayed with their facilities, they are seeing these other people come in now who are making more money. It provides a tense working environment,” Kroll said.The pandemic was in its early stages when Kim Davis, 36, decided to quit her job at an Arkansas hospital and become a travel nurse. She said she has roughly doubled her income in the 14 months that she has been treating patients in intensive care units in Phoenix; San Bernardino, California; and Tampa, Florida.“Since I’ve been traveling, I’ve paid off all my debt. I paid off about $50,000 in student loans,” she said.Davis said many of her colleagues are following the same path.“They’re leaving to go travel because why would you do the same job for half the pay?” she said. “If they’re going to risk their lives, they should be compensated.”Health leaders say nurses are bone-tired and frustrated from being asked to work overtime, from getting screamed at and second-guessed by members of the community, and from dealing with people who chose not to get vaccinated or wear a mask.“Imagine going to work every day and working the hardest that you have worked and stepping out of work and what you see every day is denied in the public,” said Julie Hoff, chief nurse executive at OU Health in Oklahoma. “The death that you see every day is not honored or recognized.”Meanwhile, hospitals are getting squeezed by the revolving door of departures and new hires from traveling agencies.Coule cited a recent example in which his hospital in Georgia hired a respiratory therapist through an agency to replace a staff member who had decided to accept a traveling gig. The replacement came from the same hospital where his respiratory therapist had just gone to work.“Essentially we swapped personnel but at double the cost,” he said.Patricia Pittman, director of the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at George Washington University, said many nurses still harbor resentment toward their employers from the early stages of the pandemic, in part from being forced to work without adequate protective gear.“The nurses say, ’Hey, if I am not going to be treated with respect, I might as well go be a travel nurse,’” she said. “‘That way I can go work in a hellhole for 13 weeks, but then I can take off a couple months or three months and go do whatever.’”___

US hospitals hit with nurse staffing crisis amid COVID

JACKSON COUNTY— A man sentenced to 35 years in prison for a shooting that killed a woman and injured a man in Independence in 2018 faces new charges after his attempt to escape the court house.

David Harris, 21, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years for second-degree murder and armed criminal action and 10 years for assault and armed criminal action.&nbsp;

&nbsp;After the sentencing recommendation was handed down, Harris removed his leg brace in the bathroom of the courthouse and attempted to flee, according to a media release from the prosecutor's office.

He was captured nearby. The prosecutor's office said he is now being investigated for attempted escape.

Harris was convicted in July of killing Mary Schmitz, 20, and injuring a man at an apartment in Independence on Sept. 18, 2018.

Harris told police he fought with the injured man and shot Schmitz during the fight, according to court records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630590723374.png" alt="Harris photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY— A man sentenced to 35 years in prison for a shooting that killed a woman and injured a man in Independence in 2018 faces new charges after his attempt to escape the court house.David Harris, 21, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years for second-degree murder and armed criminal action and 10 years for assault and armed criminal action.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the sentencing recommendation was handed down, Harris removed his leg brace in the bathroom of the courthouse and attempted to flee, according to a media release from the prosecutor's office.He was captured nearby. The prosecutor's office said he is now being investigated for attempted escape.Harris was convicted in July of killing Mary Schmitz, 20, and injuring a man at an apartment in Independence on Sept. 18, 2018.Harris told police he fought with the injured man and shot Schmitz during the fight, according to court records.

Man tried to escape after sentenced in KC shooting death 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A woman charged in the fatal stabbing of a man whose body was found earlier this month in a Wichita alley told investigators why she killed the victim.

&nbsp;Latoya Annette McCurn told investigators she stabbed 49-year-old Van Hung Nguyen because he wouldn't stop grabbing at her legs and buttocks or making sexual comments to her. 

Nguyen's body was found on Aug. 17 with a single stab wound to his chest. McCurn has been charged with first-degree murder. Police say she told investigators that she had met Nguyen earlier in the day and that she repeatedly told him to stop “messing with her" and later stabbed him when he touched her again.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A woman accused in the stabbing death of a man whose body was found in a Wichita alley made her first court appearance August 20.

Latoya McCurn, 34, was charged with&nbsp; 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

Just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to what was believed to be a shooting call in the 7800 block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Upon arrival, they located a man in the alley behind a business at that location with apparent trauma to his body. He was pronounced deceased on scene and has been identified as 49-year-old Hung Nguyen of Wichita.

Through the investigation, officers learned that a passerby discovered Nguyen's body and called 911, fearing he had been shot. Officers learned that Nguyen had been seen with a woman earlier in the day. Officers contacted the woman identified as 34-year-old Latoya McCurn, and took her into custody. 

Investigators learned that Nguyen had been stabbed. It’s believed the two were strangers, and McCurn stabbed Nguyen after he upset her.

McCurn has a criminal history for various crimes committed in Texas. She was recently released from prison in Texas on previous arson-related charges.&nbsp;&nbsp;She’s scheduled to return to court on Sept. 2.&nbsp; Her bond is $250,000, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629305498837.png" alt="McCurn photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>McCurn photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A woman charged in the fatal stabbing of a man whose body was found earlier this month in a Wichita alley told investigators why she killed the victim.&nbsp;Latoya Annette McCurn told investigators she stabbed 49-year-old Van Hung Nguyen because he wouldn't stop grabbing at her legs and buttocks or making sexual comments to her. Nguyen's body was found on Aug. 17 with a single stab wound to his chest. McCurn has been charged with first-degree murder. Police say she told investigators that she had met Nguyen earlier in the day and that she repeatedly told him to stop “messing with her" and later stabbed him when he touched her again.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY—A woman accused in the stabbing death of a man whose body was found in a Wichita alley made her first court appearance August 20.Latoya McCurn, 34, was charged with&nbsp; 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.Just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to what was believed to be a shooting call in the 7800 block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Upon arrival, they located a man in the alley behind a business at that location with apparent trauma to his body. He was pronounced deceased on scene and has been identified as 49-year-old Hung Nguyen of Wichita.Through the investigation, officers learned that a passerby discovered Nguyen's body and called 911, fearing he had been shot. Officers learned that Nguyen had been seen with a woman earlier in the day. Officers contacted the woman identified as 34-year-old Latoya McCurn, and took her into custody. Investigators learned that Nguyen had been stabbed. It’s believed the two were strangers, and McCurn stabbed Nguyen after he upset her.McCurn has a criminal history for various crimes committed in Texas. She was recently released from prison in Texas on previous arson-related charges.&nbsp;&nbsp;She’s scheduled to return to court on Sept. 2.&nbsp; Her bond is $250,000, according to the district attorney's office.

Woman explained why she fatally stabbed Kan. man  

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A state senator from Kansas City said he is demanding answers after an exhibit on the gay rights movement was removed from the state Capitol in Missouri.

Democrat Sen. Greg Razer, the only openly gay member of the Missouri Senate, said he was “appalled” when he was told the exhibit, “Making History: Kansas City and the Rise of Gay Rights” had been removed from the Missouri State Museum at the Capitol.

Connie Patterson, spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources, did not immediately reply to questions about why the exhibit was moved and who made the decision.

On Tuesday, Uriah Stark, legislative aide for state Rep. Mitch Boggs, a Republican from La Russell, posted pictures of the exhibit on Facebook and questioned why the “taxpayer funded museum is pushing the LGBT agenda in our state capitol?”

The next day, Stark thanked “several of our great elected officials” for having the exhibit removed, specifically mentioning Republican Reps. Ann Kelley, of Lamar, and Brian Seitz, of Branson, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/state-senator-demands-answers-after-gay-history-exhibit-removed-from-missouri-capitol/article_4d496d82-d47f-5470-b85e-1723f21fea37.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reported</a>.

“There is NOTHING controversial about an exhibit that explains how members of the LGBT community fought to end persecution and demand rights as citizens,” Razer tweeted on Thursday. “I’m extremely disappointed and angry that @mostateparks may think otherwise."

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A state senator from Kansas City said he is demanding answers after an exhibit on the gay rights movement was removed from the state Capitol in Missouri.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I‘ve been made aware that <a href="https://twitter.com/mostateparks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mostateparks</a> removed an exhibit from the Missouri Capitol entitled “Making History: Kansas City and the Rise of Gay Rights” after only four days on display. I’m appalled, personally offended, and I will demand answers immediately. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/moleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#moleg</a>&mdash; State Senator Greg Razer (@SenGregRazer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenGregRazer/status/1433269773937299459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Democrat Sen. Greg Razer, the only openly gay member of the Missouri Senate, said he was “appalled” when he was told the exhibit, “Making History: Kansas City and the Rise of Gay Rights” had been removed from the Missouri State Museum at the Capitol.Connie Patterson, spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources, did not immediately reply to questions about why the exhibit was moved and who made the decision.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/mostateparks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mostateparks</a> decision to put LGBT history exhibit back in the closet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/moleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#moleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/dxLstgyFFr">pic.twitter.com/dxLstgyFFr</a>&mdash; State Senator Greg Razer (@SenGregRazer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenGregRazer/status/1433454029162618887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Tuesday, Uriah Stark, legislative aide for state Rep. Mitch Boggs, a Republican from La Russell, posted pictures of the exhibit on Facebook and questioned why the “taxpayer funded museum is pushing the LGBT agenda in our state capitol?”The next day, Stark thanked “several of our great elected officials” for having the exhibit removed, specifically mentioning Republican Reps. Ann Kelley, of Lamar, and Brian Seitz, of Branson, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/state-senator-demands-answers-after-gay-history-exhibit-removed-from-missouri-capitol/article_4d496d82-d47f-5470-b85e-1723f21fea37.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reported</a>.“There is NOTHING controversial about an exhibit that explains how members of the LGBT community fought to end persecution and demand rights as citizens,” Razer tweeted on Thursday. “I’m extremely disappointed and angry that @mostateparks may think otherwise."

State senator from KC criticized removal of gay rights exhibit

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday blasted the Supreme Court’s decision not to block a new Texas law banning most abortions in the state and directed federal agencies to do what they can to “insulate women and providers” from the impact.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday blasted the Supreme Court’s decision not to block a new Texas law banning most abortions in the state and directed federal agencies to do what they can to “insulate women and providers” from the impact.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Read My Full Statement on Supreme Court Shadow Ruling on Texas Reproductive Rights Case here: <a href="https://t.co/Qon4WtB9ax">https://t.co/Qon4WtB9ax</a>&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1433457775581990912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hours earlier, in the middle of the night, a deeply divided high court allowed the law to remain in force. It is the nation’s biggest curb to abortion rights since the court announced in its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that women have a constitutional right to abortion.The court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21053670-whole-womans-health-v-jackson" target="_blank">voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal</a>&nbsp;from abortion providers and others but also suggested that their order likely wasn’t the last word and other challenges can be brought.Biden said in a statement that his administration will launch a “whole-of-government effort to respond to this decision” and look at “what steps the federal government can take to ensure that women in Texas have access to safe and legal abortions as protected by Roe.”Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department was “deeply concerned” about the Texas law and “evaluating all options to protect the constitutional rights of women, including access to an abortion.”Biden, who has come under pressure from Democrats to expand the size of the Supreme Court, has ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-judiciary-8734750b75318ed429bf206e2a8af6d1">review of the court</a>&nbsp;that is due next month.The Texas law,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-health-abortion-government-and-politics-ba02cd7c3f02b1eb5c87094257ee4db2">signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May</a>, prohibits abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity</a>, usually around six weeks and before many women know they’re pregnant.The law is part of a broader push by Republicans nationwide to impose new restrictions on abortion. At least 12 other states have enacted bans early in pregnancy, but all have been blocked from going into effect.The high court’s order declining to halt the Texas law came just before midnight Wednesday. The majority said those bringing the case had not met the high burden required for a stay of the law.“In reaching this conclusion, we stress that we do not purport to resolve definitively any jurisdictional or substantive claim in the applicants’ lawsuit. In particular, this order is not based on any conclusion about the constitutionality of Texas’s law, and in no way limits other procedurally proper challenges to the Texas law, including in Texas state courts,” the unsigned order said.Chief Justice John Roberts dissented along with the court’s three liberal justices. Each of the four wrote a statement expressing disagreement with the majority.