ELLSWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a natural gas pipeline has exploded in a rural western Kansas cattle pasture, igniting a large plume of fire seen by motorists on nearby Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County. 

No one was injured in Thursday’s explosion about 15 miles northeast of the city of Ellsworth. Emergency manager Keith Haberer says pipeline owner Northern Natural Gas shut off gas to the pipeline to put out the flames.  A grass fire ignited by the explosion also was brought under control.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Emergency responders are working a gas line explosion near 23rd Road and Avenue C in Ellsworth County, according to the Ellsworth County Sheriff's office.

They asked the public to avoid the area. Authorities provided few additional details. There are no reports of injury and no threat to the public.

Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626983763322.png" alt="Approximate location of the gas pipeline explosion -Google map" />
 <figcaption>Approximate location of the gas pipeline explosion -Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a natural gas pipeline has exploded in a rural western Kansas cattle pasture, igniting a large plume of fire seen by motorists on nearby Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">View from the KICT radar and satellite at 115 pm CDT, picking up the intense heat of the pipeline explosion in northern Ellsworth county. Satellite temperature of 127 degrees celsius. (correction to time of earlier tweet). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/cuOfjyA75h">pic.twitter.com/cuOfjyA75h</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1418300887982743552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>No one was injured in Thursday’s explosion about 15 miles northeast of the city of Ellsworth. Emergency manager Keith Haberer says pipeline owner Northern Natural Gas shut off gas to the pipeline to put out the flames. A grass fire ignited by the explosion also was brought under control.--------ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Emergency responders are working a gas line explosion near 23rd Road and Avenue C in Ellsworth County, according to the Ellsworth County Sheriff's office.They asked the public to avoid the area. Authorities provided few additional details. There are no reports of injury and no threat to the public.Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.

Update: Gas pipeline explodes in Ellsworth County

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. highway safety regulators have opened an investigation into about a half-million semis with brakes that can catch fire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website this week that it has 11 complaints about brakes made by Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems, including seven fires. No injuries were reported. Haldex has its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City.

The complaints say problems occurred mostly on Kenworth and Peterbilt semis. The agency is investigating brakes from the 2015 through 2020 model years.

NHTSA says the investigation covers certain Haldex Gold Seal brake chambers, which convert compressed air into a mechanical force that stops the trucks. It says a spring can fracture, puncturing a diaphragm and causing air loss. That can make the brakes drag without warning to the driver and eventually cause fires.

The fires caused extensive damage to the trucks and in some cases the cargo, the agency says. NHTSA says it has learned that multiple truck fleets were having issues with the brake chambers. It says Haldex has replaced brake chambers on some vehicles in the fleets.

NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and what models it affects. An investigation can lead to a recall.

Messages were left seeking comment from Haldex.

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. highway safety regulators have opened an investigation into about a half-million semis with brakes that can catch fire.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website this week that it has 11 complaints about brakes made by Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems, including seven fires. No injuries were reported. Haldex has its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City.The complaints say problems occurred mostly on Kenworth and Peterbilt semis. The agency is investigating brakes from the 2015 through 2020 model years.NHTSA says the investigation covers certain Haldex Gold Seal brake chambers, which convert compressed air into a mechanical force that stops the trucks. It says a spring can fracture, puncturing a diaphragm and causing air loss. That can make the brakes drag without warning to the driver and eventually cause fires.The fires caused extensive damage to the trucks and in some cases the cargo, the agency says. NHTSA says it has learned that multiple truck fleets were having issues with the brake chambers. It says Haldex has replaced brake chambers on some vehicles in the fleets.NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and what models it affects. An investigation can lead to a recall.Messages were left seeking comment from Haldex.

US probes overheating brakes that cause fires in 500K semis

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A judge is considering whether Kansas’ Republican secretary of state ran afoul of the state’s open records law by ordering the removal of an election database function that generates a statewide report showing which provisional ballots were not counted — a decision civil rights advocates say will have far-reaching implications for government transparency.

Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson heard arguments last week in a lawsuit filed by voting rights activist Davis Hammet, who is the president of Loud Light, a nonprofit that strives to increase voter turnout. The group helps voters fix any issues that led them to cast provisional ballots so that their votes are counted.

Voters are given provisional ballots if they don’t appear to be registered, if they fail to present the required identification or if they are trying to vote at the wrong polling place.

“We know there are deficiencies... where they aren’t counting votes that they should be counting and I think on some level there may be a resistance from the secretary of state to provide that data because it means we can highlight these deficiencies,” Hammet said in a phone interview Wednesday. “We can prove how there are votes that should have been counted that are not being counted.”

That information can raise public awareness about problems in the elections system, leading to changes in state law. He noted the political outcry over the hundreds of discarded mail-in ballots statewide in the 2018 primary led to legislation a year later that requires election officials to notify voters before their mail-in ballots are thrown out because of problems with signatures.

Hammet won a lawsuit last year against Secretary of State Scott Schwab that forced him to turn over to him the names of voters who cast provisional ballots in the 2018 general election, including whether their votes were counted.

Schwab complied with the court’s order for the 2018 data, then instructed the outside firm that manages the database the end the secretary of state’s access to the statewide provisional ballot detail report. The state’s 105 counties can still run those reports, but only for their own local data.

When Hammet tried to get the same information for the 2020 primary election, the secretary of state’s office informed him that it no longer had the ability to provide the statewide report. Court filings show he was told the technology firm that manages the database could manually pull the data for $522, but could not guarantee he would get it in time for the general election.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas again sued Schwab on behalf of Hammet.

“The Kansas Open Records Act exists for a reason: to provide members of the public some measure of transparency and accountability of government agencies,” Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a written statement. “What Secretary Schwab did here was first to deny that right of access, and then when he lost that battle, he took affirmative steps to make access exceedingly difficult. Secretary Schwab’s actions run counter to the very purpose of having an open records law in the first place.”

Schwab’s office declined Wednesday to comment on the ongoing litigation. But in court documents, his attorneys argue that the provisional ballot detail report serves “no functional purpose” to the secretary of state’s office and that no statute requires his office to maintain it or collect information about individual provisional ballots,

They also contend Schwab has “no obligation to maintain this database function in perpetuity” and noted his office offered to contact the database vendor so they could write a script to manually pull the information Hammet sought if he paid for the cost. They also noted Hammet could obtain the data he wanted from county election officials.

“Government is supposed to be by the people, for the people,” Brett said. “A ruling against our client in this case would mean that government in Kansas is for the people, but only when the government feels like it and has nothing it wants to hide.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715324051.jpeg" alt="Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab - Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab - Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A judge is considering whether Kansas’ Republican secretary of state ran afoul of the state’s open records law by ordering the removal of an election database function that generates a statewide report showing which provisional ballots were not counted — a decision civil rights advocates say will have far-reaching implications for government transparency.Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson heard arguments last week in a lawsuit filed by voting rights activist Davis Hammet, who is the president of Loud Light, a nonprofit that strives to increase voter turnout. The group helps voters fix any issues that led them to cast provisional ballots so that their votes are counted.Voters are given provisional ballots if they don’t appear to be registered, if they fail to present the required identification or if they are trying to vote at the wrong polling place.“We know there are deficiencies... where they aren’t counting votes that they should be counting and I think on some level there may be a resistance from the secretary of state to provide that data because it means we can highlight these deficiencies,” Hammet said in a phone interview Wednesday. “We can prove how there are votes that should have been counted that are not being counted.”That information can raise public awareness about problems in the elections system, leading to changes in state law. He noted the political outcry over the hundreds of discarded mail-in ballots statewide in the 2018 primary led to legislation a year later that requires election officials to notify voters before their mail-in ballots are thrown out because of problems with signatures.Hammet won a lawsuit last year against Secretary of State Scott Schwab that forced him to turn over to him the names of voters who cast provisional ballots in the 2018 general election, including whether their votes were counted.Schwab complied with the court’s order for the 2018 data, then instructed the outside firm that manages the database the end the secretary of state’s access to the statewide provisional ballot detail report. The state’s 105 counties can still run those reports, but only for their own local data.When Hammet tried to get the same information for the 2020 primary election, the secretary of state’s office informed him that it no longer had the ability to provide the statewide report. Court filings show he was told the technology firm that manages the database could manually pull the data for $522, but could not guarantee he would get it in time for the general election.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas again sued Schwab on behalf of Hammet.“The Kansas Open Records Act exists for a reason: to provide members of the public some measure of transparency and accountability of government agencies,” Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a written statement. “What Secretary Schwab did here was first to deny that right of access, and then when he lost that battle, he took affirmative steps to make access exceedingly difficult. Secretary Schwab’s actions run counter to the very purpose of having an open records law in the first place.”Schwab’s office declined Wednesday to comment on the ongoing litigation. But in court documents, his attorneys argue that the provisional ballot detail report serves “no functional purpose” to the secretary of state’s office and that no statute requires his office to maintain it or collect information about individual provisional ballots,They also contend Schwab has “no obligation to maintain this database function in perpetuity” and noted his office offered to contact the database vendor so they could write a script to manually pull the information Hammet sought if he paid for the cost. They also noted Hammet could obtain the data he wanted from county election officials.“Government is supposed to be by the people, for the people,” Brett said. “A ruling against our client in this case would mean that government in Kansas is for the people, but only when the government feels like it and has nothing it wants to hide.”

Lawsuit: Kansas altered software to hide election records

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —Police are looking for the person who shot a teenage boy with a pellet or BB gun Tuesday evening.

Just after 7p.m. Tuesday, a 15-year-old Salina boy told police that he was walking in the 900 block of W. Republic Avenue when a black SUV pulled up and someone inside fired multiple rounds from a pellet or BB gun at the boy, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The boy said he wasn't sure of how many rounds were fired, but three struck him in the right waist area, right leg, and left ankle hard enough to break the skin, Forrester said.

The only description of the vehicle that the boy was able to give was that it was a black SUV with taillights that went all the way to the roof of the vehicle. The boy reported the incident Wednesday night, Forrester said. Police are trying to obtain video surveillance from the area, he said.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —Police are looking for the person who shot a teenage boy with a pellet or BB gun Tuesday evening.Just after 7p.m. Tuesday, a 15-year-old Salina boy told police that he was walking in the 900 block of W. Republic Avenue when a black SUV pulled up and someone inside fired multiple rounds from a pellet or BB gun at the boy, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The boy said he wasn't sure of how many rounds were fired, but three struck him in the right waist area, right leg, and left ankle hard enough to break the skin, Forrester said.The only description of the vehicle that the boy was able to give was that it was a black SUV with taillights that went all the way to the roof of the vehicle. The boy reported the incident Wednesday night, Forrester said. Police are trying to obtain video surveillance from the area, he said.

Police: Kan. teen injured in drive-by pellet gun shooting 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man was hit on his bicycle in Hutchinson Tuesday night and a dirt bike rider was arrested.

According to Hutchinson Police Lt. Dustin Loepp, a man was riding his bicycle north in the 2600 block of Hendricks around 6 p.m. Tuesday when a dirt bike rider, later identified as Mykle Mitchell of Hutchinson, swerved and hit the man on the bike.

The bicyclist had a broken wrist and fractured ribs. Mitchell had road rash, but initially ran from the scene and was caught on foot about a block away. Mitchell was booked into jail for No Drivers License; Leave the scene of an accident, resulting in great bodily harm; Registration Violation and No/Expired License Plate.

As of Thursday, Mitchell was still listed as in the Reno County jail with a bond of $2,650

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626970430610.png" alt="Mitchell photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Mitchell photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man was hit on his bicycle in Hutchinson Tuesday night and a dirt bike rider was arrested.According to Hutchinson Police Lt. Dustin Loepp, a man was riding his bicycle north in the 2600 block of Hendricks around 6 p.m. Tuesday when a dirt bike rider, later identified as Mykle Mitchell of Hutchinson, swerved and hit the man on the bike.The bicyclist had a broken wrist and fractured ribs. Mitchell had road rash, but initially ran from the scene and was caught on foot about a block away. Mitchell was booked into jail for No Drivers License; Leave the scene of an accident, resulting in great bodily harm; Registration Violation and No/Expired License Plate.As of Thursday, Mitchell was still listed as in the Reno County jail with a bond of $2,650

Kansas man jailed after dirtbike, bicycle accident 

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II, public health officials said Wednesday. The decrease for both Black Americans and Hispanic Americans was even worse: three years.

The drop <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr015-508.pdf">spelled out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention </a>is due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic, which health officials said is responsible for close to 74% of the overall life expectancy decline. More than 3.3 million Americans died last year, far more than any other year in U.S. history, with COVID-19 accounting for about 11% of those deaths.

Black life expectancy has not fallen so much in one year since the mid-1930s, during the Great Depression. Health officials have not tracked Hispanic life expectancy for nearly as long, but the 2020 decline was the largest recorded one-year drop.

The abrupt fall is “basically catastrophic,” said Mark Hayward, a University of Texas sociology professor who studies changes in U.S. mortality.

Killers other than COVID-19 played a role. Drug overdoses pushed life expectancy down, particularly for whites. And rising homicides were a small but significant reason for the decline for Black Americans, said Elizabeth Arias, the report’s lead author.

Other problems affected Black and Hispanic people, including lack of access to quality health care, more crowded living conditions, and a greater share of the population in lower-paying jobs that required them to keep working when the pandemic was at its worst, experts said.

Life expectancy is an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live. It’s an important statistical snapshot of a country’s health that can be influenced both by sustained trends such as obesity as well as more temporary threats like pandemics or war that might not endanger those newborns in their lifetimes.

For decades, U.S. life expectancy was on the upswing. But that trend stalled in 2015, for several years, before hitting 78 years, 10 months in 2019. Last year, the CDC said, it dropped to about 77 years, 4 months.

—Hispanic Americans have longer life expectancy than white or Black Americans, but had the largest decline in 2020. The three-year drop was the largest since the CDC started tracking Hispanic life expectancy 15 years ago.

—Black life expectancy dropped nearly three years, to 71 years, 10 months. It has not been that low since 2000.

—White life expectancy fell by roughly 14 months to about 77 years, 7 months. That was the lowest the lowest life expectancy for that population since 2002.

—COVID-19′s role varied by race and ethnicity. The coronavirus was responsible for 90% of the decline in life expectancy among Hispanics, 68% among white people and 59% among Black Americans.

—Life expectancy fell nearly two years for men, but about one year for women, widening a longstanding gap. The CDC estimated life expectancy of 74 years, 6 months for boys vs. 80 years, 2 months for girls.

More than 80% of last year’s COVID deaths were people 65 and older, CDC data shows. That actually diminished the pandemic’s toll on life expectancy at birth, which is swayed more by deaths of younger adults and children than those among seniors.

That’s why last year’s decline was just half as much as the three-year drop between 1942 and 1943, when young soldiers were dying in World War II. And it was just a fraction of the drop between 1917 and 1918, when World War I and a Spanish flu pandemic devastated younger generations.

Life expectancy bounced back after those drops, and experts believe it will this time, too. But some said it could take years.

Too many people have already died from COVID-19 this year, while variants of the coronavirus are spreading among unvaccinated Americans — many of them younger adults, some experts said.

“We can’t. In 2021, we can’t get back to pre-pandemic” life expectancy, said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II, public health officials said Wednesday. The decrease for both Black Americans and Hispanic Americans was even worse: three years.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. life expectancy declined by 1.5 years from 2019 to 2020 – the lowest level since 2003, according to new provisional data. Among the causes of death that contributed to the decline, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> contributed 73.8%. See more from <a href="https://twitter.com/NCHStats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCHStats</a>.<a href="https://t.co/pmiYVtmY4f">https://t.co/pmiYVtmY4f</a> <a href="https://t.co/BQFayQ174p">pic.twitter.com/BQFayQ174p</a>&mdash; CDC (@CDCgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1417874526310965248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The drop <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr015-508.pdf">spelled out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention </a>is due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic, which health officials said is responsible for close to 74% of the overall life expectancy decline. More than 3.3 million Americans died last year, far more than any other year in U.S. history, with COVID-19 accounting for about 11% of those deaths.Black life expectancy has not fallen so much in one year since the mid-1930s, during the Great Depression. Health officials have not tracked Hispanic life expectancy for nearly as long, but the 2020 decline was the largest recorded one-year drop.The abrupt fall is “basically catastrophic,” said Mark Hayward, a University of Texas sociology professor who studies changes in U.S. mortality.Killers other than COVID-19 played a role. Drug overdoses pushed life expectancy down, particularly for whites. And rising homicides were a small but significant reason for the decline for Black Americans, said Elizabeth Arias, the report’s lead author.Other problems affected Black and Hispanic people, including lack of access to quality health care, more crowded living conditions, and a greater share of the population in lower-paying jobs that required them to keep working when the pandemic was at its worst, experts said.Life expectancy is an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live. It’s an important statistical snapshot of a country’s health that can be influenced both by sustained trends such as obesity as well as more temporary threats like pandemics or war that might not endanger those newborns in their lifetimes.For decades, U.S. life expectancy was on the upswing. But that trend stalled in 2015, for several years, before hitting 78 years, 10 months in 2019. Last year, the CDC said, it dropped to about 77 years, 4 months.Other findings in the new CDC report:—Hispanic Americans have longer life expectancy than white or Black Americans, but had the largest decline in 2020. The three-year drop was the largest since the CDC started tracking Hispanic life expectancy 15 years ago.—Black life expectancy dropped nearly three years, to 71 years, 10 months. It has not been that low since 2000.—White life expectancy fell by roughly 14 months to about 77 years, 7 months. That was the lowest the lowest life expectancy for that population since 2002.—COVID-19′s role varied by race and ethnicity. The coronavirus was responsible for 90% of the decline in life expectancy among Hispanics, 68% among white people and 59% among Black Americans.—Life expectancy fell nearly two years for men, but about one year for women, widening a longstanding gap. The CDC estimated life expectancy of 74 years, 6 months for boys vs. 80 years, 2 months for girls.More than 80% of last year’s COVID deaths were people 65 and older, CDC data shows. That actually diminished the pandemic’s toll on life expectancy at birth, which is swayed more by deaths of younger adults and children than those among seniors.That’s why last year’s decline was just half as much as the three-year drop between 1942 and 1943, when young soldiers were dying in World War II. And it was just a fraction of the drop between 1917 and 1918, when World War I and a Spanish flu pandemic devastated younger generations.Life expectancy bounced back after those drops, and experts believe it will this time, too. But some said it could take years.Too many people have already died from COVID-19 this year, while variants of the coronavirus are spreading among unvaccinated Americans — many of them younger adults, some experts said.“We can’t. In 2021, we can’t get back to pre-pandemic” life expectancy, said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.

Why US life expectancy saw biggest drop in 70 years

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials are investigating the cause of death of three adults found dead inside a suburban Kansas City home.

The bodies of two women and one man were found Wednesday afternoon inside a Glenaire home, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported. Deputies found the bodies after a neighbor called police to say the residents of the home had not been seen for some time, officials said.

Investigators have not said how the three died, but that foul play is not suspected. All three were related, authorities said, but officials did not immediately give their names.

Autopsies have been ordered, officials said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials are investigating the cause of death of three adults found dead inside a suburban Kansas City home.The bodies of two women and one man were found Wednesday afternoon inside a Glenaire home, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported. Deputies found the bodies after a neighbor called police to say the residents of the home had not been seen for some time, officials said.Investigators have not said how the three died, but that foul play is not suspected. All three were related, authorities said, but officials did not immediately give their names.Autopsies have been ordered, officials said.

Police: 3 bodies found in suburban Kansas City home

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Families and advocates for the elderly in Kansas argue that with most nursing home residents vaccinated against COVID-19, some facilities’ visiting rules need to be relaxed, though the delta variant’s spread is making operators nervous.

A state official who investigates complaints against nursing homes and the elder-care focused Kansas Advocates for Better Care are calling on the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to crack down on homes that aren’t open enough. They’re concerned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-f15f7ec30eb50ab778f3f4a0b8d855b0">the delta variant</a>&nbsp;will prompt new lockdowns.

The aging department says it is working to ensure that residents and families have a voice in visitation policies, though some industry officials still see a need to proceed with caution.

The debate shows how operators feel they’re still facing tough choices after nursing homes were COVID-19 hot spots early on during the pandemic. It also shows how residents’ and families’ anguish and anger still linger.

“We hear about the threat of the COVID and the death from COVID, and its real,” Camille Russell, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, said Tuesday. “What we don’t understand is the pain and suffering and neglect and deaths that happen when there are not other people in the building.”

Clusters of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes accounted for fewer than 5% of the 324,000 cases reported by Kansas as of Monday but for nearly 39% of the state’s 5,200 reported deaths — more than 2,000 of them.

More than 90% of those cases and deaths happened before May 4, but they’re still happening, with nine active clusters as of last week. Meanwhile, confirmed delta variant cases grew by 84% during the 10-day period that ended Monday.

“It’s not time to fling the doors open with no guidance,” said Debra Zehr, CEO of LeadingAge Kansas, which represents nonprofit aging-services providers.

Limits on visitors, including lockdowns early in the pandemic, were aimed at preventing people from bringing COVID-19 into nursing homes, where elderly residents were particularly vulnerable to severe complications.

“Our families — our base — have basically been very, very supportive for the most part,” said Elizabeth Howarth, administrator of the Homestead Health Center in southwestern Wichita.

State and industry officials said homes’ current visitation policies are driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/docs/default-source/covid-19/ach-data/visitation/long-term-care-visitation-guidance-update-5-7-21.pdf?sfvrsn=32790eee_4" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;from federal and state regulators and health officials. The guidance calls for restricting visitors when more than 10% of a county’s COVID-19 tests are positive and fewer than 70% of a home’s residents are vaccinated.

The state said its overall positivity rate was 8.1% on Friday, but the figure has been as high as 11.2% this month. The federal government says more than 84% of Kansas nursing home residents have been fully vaccinated, while the rate for staff is 55%.

Homestead Health in Wichita does not limit how many times family members can visit residents each week. But it requires appointments, keeps visits to 45 minutes and allows two adult visitors per resident.

Those policies took effect in March, when about 90% of the residents had been vaccinated. Howarth said most family members didn’t want to visit without being vaccinated themselves.

And, she added, “That pandemic train is still coming down the track.”

The aging department says it had received 40 calls about homes’ visitation rules on a telephone hotline this year through July 13, without any citations. Deputy Secretary Scott Brunner said the agency told homes in December that they must discuss with all residents what they want and what’s possible with visitors.

As for getting more aggressive about cracking down on homes that restrict visitors, he said, “We have to weigh more than just one consideration at a time.”

Russell said the long-term care ombudsman’s office took up 40 complaints from May 10 through July 10 and received hundreds of calls.

“Some facilities have perhaps gotten comfortable with being in charge of when residents can receive visitors,” said Margaret Farley, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better. Care. “COVID is still lingering as a good excuse.”

In Ness City, Tatum Lee’s frustration with rules at the local county-run nursing home where her grandfather lives pushed her to seek a Kansas House seat last year. Once in office, Lee, a Republican, sponsored&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2327_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill that sought to</a>&nbsp;prevent county-run homes from restricting visits. It didn’t pass.

She’s still frustrated that visits with “my papa” are limited to an hour. Lee said family members monitor conditions and care at homes.

She said that last year, she had to ask workers at the local home when she saw them out in the community to give her grandfather hugs for her. Lee said she and others worry that homes will shut out visitors again if the area sees another wave of cases.

Lee also said families monitor their relatives’ care and, “It matters to the health of these residents.”

Ken Kennedy, a retired educator, said his mother’s isolation early in the pandemic at the Prairie Sunset Home in Pretty Prairie, west of Wichita, was “the worst part of it all.” In the fall, the home began putting up a tent in its courtyard for in-person visits, allowing him and other family members to see his mother regularly before she died in December.

The home’s administrator, Aaron Kelley, said residents thrived once restrictions were lifted. Prairie Sunset posts regulators’ guidance for visits on its website, but Kelley said he’s not having employees police them strictly, adding that, “Somebody’s going to hug somebody.”

“We’ve got to get back to humanity,” Kelley said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603391671069.png" alt="In October 2020, the Garden Valley Healthcare Center reported Ninety-eight residents and 44 employees had tested positive for COVID-19 -Google image" />
 <figcaption>In October 2020, the Garden Valley Healthcare Center reported Ninety-eight residents and 44 employees had tested positive for COVID-19 -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Families and advocates for the elderly in Kansas argue that with most nursing home residents vaccinated against COVID-19, some facilities’ visiting rules need to be relaxed, though the delta variant’s spread is making operators nervous.A state official who investigates complaints against nursing homes and the elder-care focused Kansas Advocates for Better Care are calling on the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to crack down on homes that aren’t open enough. They’re concerned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-f15f7ec30eb50ab778f3f4a0b8d855b0">the delta variant</a>&nbsp;will prompt new lockdowns.The aging department says it is working to ensure that residents and families have a voice in visitation policies, though some industry officials still see a need to proceed with caution.The debate shows how operators feel they’re still facing tough choices after nursing homes were COVID-19 hot spots early on during the pandemic. It also shows how residents’ and families’ anguish and anger still linger.“We hear about the threat of the COVID and the death from COVID, and its real,” Camille Russell, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, said Tuesday. “What we don’t understand is the pain and suffering and neglect and deaths that happen when there are not other people in the building.”Clusters of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes accounted for fewer than 5% of the 324,000 cases reported by Kansas as of Monday but for nearly 39% of the state’s 5,200 reported deaths — more than 2,000 of them.More than 90% of those cases and deaths happened before May 4, but they’re still happening, with nine active clusters as of last week. Meanwhile, confirmed delta variant cases grew by 84% during the 10-day period that ended Monday.“It’s not time to fling the doors open with no guidance,” said Debra Zehr, CEO of LeadingAge Kansas, which represents nonprofit aging-services providers.Limits on visitors, including lockdowns early in the pandemic, were aimed at preventing people from bringing COVID-19 into nursing homes, where elderly residents were particularly vulnerable to severe complications.“Our families — our base — have basically been very, very supportive for the most part,” said Elizabeth Howarth, administrator of the Homestead Health Center in southwestern Wichita.State and industry officials said homes’ current visitation policies are driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/docs/default-source/covid-19/ach-data/visitation/long-term-care-visitation-guidance-update-5-7-21.pdf?sfvrsn=32790eee_4" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;from federal and state regulators and health officials. The guidance calls for restricting visitors when more than 10% of a county’s COVID-19 tests are positive and fewer than 70% of a home’s residents are vaccinated.The state said its overall positivity rate was 8.1% on Friday, but the figure has been as high as 11.2% this month. The federal government says more than 84% of Kansas nursing home residents have been fully vaccinated, while the rate for staff is 55%.Homestead Health in Wichita does not limit how many times family members can visit residents each week. But it requires appointments, keeps visits to 45 minutes and allows two adult visitors per resident.Those policies took effect in March, when about 90% of the residents had been vaccinated. Howarth said most family members didn’t want to visit without being vaccinated themselves.And, she added, “That pandemic train is still coming down the track.”The aging department says it had received 40 calls about homes’ visitation rules on a telephone hotline this year through July 13, without any citations. Deputy Secretary Scott Brunner said the agency told homes in December that they must discuss with all residents what they want and what’s possible with visitors.As for getting more aggressive about cracking down on homes that restrict visitors, he said, “We have to weigh more than just one consideration at a time.”Russell said the long-term care ombudsman’s office took up 40 complaints from May 10 through July 10 and received hundreds of calls.“Some facilities have perhaps gotten comfortable with being in charge of when residents can receive visitors,” said Margaret Farley, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better. Care. “COVID is still lingering as a good excuse.”In Ness City, Tatum Lee’s frustration with rules at the local county-run nursing home where her grandfather lives pushed her to seek a Kansas House seat last year. Once in office, Lee, a Republican, sponsored&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2327_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill that sought to</a>&nbsp;prevent county-run homes from restricting visits. It didn’t pass.She’s still frustrated that visits with “my papa” are limited to an hour. Lee said family members monitor conditions and care at homes.She said that last year, she had to ask workers at the local home when she saw them out in the community to give her grandfather hugs for her. Lee said she and others worry that homes will shut out visitors again if the area sees another wave of cases.Lee also said families monitor their relatives’ care and, “It matters to the health of these residents.”Ken Kennedy, a retired educator, said his mother’s isolation early in the pandemic at the Prairie Sunset Home in Pretty Prairie, west of Wichita, was “the worst part of it all.” In the fall, the home began putting up a tent in its courtyard for in-person visits, allowing him and other family members to see his mother regularly before she died in December.The home’s administrator, Aaron Kelley, said residents thrived once restrictions were lifted. Prairie Sunset posts regulators’ guidance for visits on its website, but Kelley said he’s not having employees police them strictly, adding that, “Somebody’s going to hug somebody.”“We’ve got to get back to humanity,” Kelley said.

Kansas debate heats up over nursing homes' visitor rules

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A major Kansas health system is declining to admit patients from other hospitals because it has too few open beds with the faster-spreading delta variant wiping out recent months of progress for the state in containing COVID-19.

Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Health System, said Wednesday that the bed space problem at its main hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, is now worse than it was last fall, when the average number of new cases per day was climbing toward pandemic highs. He said the hospital had open beds then because people were wearing masks and social distancing, and doctors weren’t seeing other infections.

Kansas is seeing its highest averages for new COVID-19 cases since late February, as confirmed cases of the fast-spreading delta variant surge, data shows. Stites said the University of Kansas Health System is turning down between one and six patient transfers per day, and the problem will get worse as new cases keep climbing.

“We are full as a hospital, and because we are full, we cannot take transfers,” Stites said during a daily webcast. “The rest of our hospital is running full steam.”

Stites’ comments came a day after the health system announced that thousands of employees will receive bonuses of $1,250 after battling the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson called the bonuses “a special thank-you gift."

Top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature on June 15 ended a state of emergency for the pandemic over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s objections. The following week, the average number of new cases per day dropped below 100 for the first time in a year.

But new cases have been rising over the past four weeks. State Department of Health and Environment data showed that Kansas had an average of 495 new cases per day during the seven-day period that ended Wednesday, which was more than double the average for the seven-day period that ended July 7, two weeks earlier.

Confirmed delta variant cases tripled during that two-week period, from 358 on July 7 to 1,104 as of Wednesday. Confirming which variant sickened someone requires genetic testing of the patient’s nasal swab or saliva sample, and 7.8% of the samples from positive COVID-19 results have undergone such testing this month.

Kelly so far has remained focused on increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that about 1.26 million Kansas residents, or 43.2% of the state’s 2.9 million residents, have been fully vaccinated. That lagged behind the national rate of 48.8% and far behind the state with the highest rate, Vermont, where 67.1% of people had been inoculated as of Wednesday. Vaccinations in Kansas peaked in early April.

Asked Tuesday at the Statehouse whether there is a point at which she’d consider declaring another state of emergency, the governor said, “There is no red line.”

“We’re focused on doing what we can to get people vaccinated and make the delta variant irrelevant to them,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584374089535.png" alt="“We are full as a hospital, and because we are full, we cannot take transfers,” Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer said during a daily webcast" />
 <figcaption>“We are full as a hospital, and because we are full, we cannot take transfers,” Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer said during a daily webcast</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A major Kansas health system is declining to admit patients from other hospitals because it has too few open beds with the faster-spreading delta variant wiping out recent months of progress for the state in containing COVID-19.Dr. Steve Stites, the chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Health System, said Wednesday that the bed space problem at its main hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, is now worse than it was last fall, when the average number of new cases per day was climbing toward pandemic highs. He said the hospital had open beds then because people were wearing masks and social distancing, and doctors weren’t seeing other infections.Kansas is seeing its highest averages for new COVID-19 cases since late February, as confirmed cases of the fast-spreading delta variant surge, data shows. Stites said the University of Kansas Health System is turning down between one and six patient transfers per day, and the problem will get worse as new cases keep climbing.“We are full as a hospital, and because we are full, we cannot take transfers,” Stites said during a daily webcast. “The rest of our hospital is running full steam.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626887354242.png" alt="Wednesday July 21, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday July 21, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Stites’ comments came a day after the health system announced that thousands of employees will receive bonuses of $1,250 after battling the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson called the bonuses “a special thank-you gift."Top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature on June 15 ended a state of emergency for the pandemic over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s objections. The following week, the average number of new cases per day dropped below 100 for the first time in a year.But new cases have been rising over the past four weeks. State Department of Health and Environment data showed that Kansas had an average of 495 new cases per day during the seven-day period that ended Wednesday, which was more than double the average for the seven-day period that ended July 7, two weeks earlier.Confirmed delta variant cases tripled during that two-week period, from 358 on July 7 to 1,104 as of Wednesday. Confirming which variant sickened someone requires genetic testing of the patient’s nasal swab or saliva sample, and 7.8% of the samples from positive COVID-19 results have undergone such testing this month.Kelly so far has remained focused on increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates.The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that about 1.26 million Kansas residents, or 43.2% of the state’s 2.9 million residents, have been fully vaccinated. That lagged behind the national rate of 48.8% and far behind the state with the highest rate, Vermont, where 67.1% of people had been inoculated as of Wednesday. Vaccinations in Kansas peaked in early April.Asked Tuesday at the Statehouse whether there is a point at which she’d consider declaring another state of emergency, the governor said, “There is no red line.”“We’re focused on doing what we can to get people vaccinated and make the delta variant irrelevant to them,” she said.___

COVID: Kan. health system declining to take patient transfers

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old Kansas man has been convicted in the deaths of a woman and her cousin in Topeka. 

Richard Showalter, of Greenleaf in Washington County, was convicted Tuesday for his role in the beating and stabbing deaths of 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman and her 17-year-old cousin, Jesse Polinskey in July 2018. 

Showalter was the third man convicted in the case. Lisa Sportsman was the estranged wife of 43-year-old Bradley Sportsman, of Hollenberg, who pleaded guilty in October to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to almost 46 years in prison.

The third suspect, 22-year-old Matthew Hutto, of Clay Center, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574611652984.png" alt="Richard Showalter photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Richard Showalter photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old Kansas man has been convicted in the deaths of a woman and her cousin in Topeka. Richard Showalter, of Greenleaf in Washington County, was convicted Tuesday for his role in the beating and stabbing deaths of 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman and her 17-year-old cousin, Jesse Polinskey in July 2018. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574350781439.png" alt="Sportsman photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Sportsman photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Showalter was the third man convicted in the case. Lisa Sportsman was the estranged wife of 43-year-old Bradley Sportsman, of Hollenberg, who pleaded guilty in October to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to almost 46 years in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625951183808.png" alt="Matthew Hutto photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Hutto photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>The third suspect, 22-year-old Matthew Hutto, of Clay Center, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

Man convicted in murder of Kan. woman, her teen cousin

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans rejected an effort Wednesday to begin debate on the big&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-senate-infrastructure-deal-731487d7540cdf7e48c27124c43cc2d1">infrastructure deal</a>&nbsp;that a bipartisan group of senators brokered with President Joe Biden, but pressure was mounting as supporters insisted they just needed more time before another vote possibly next week.

“Our farmers and ranchers should not be forced to shoulder the Democrats’ trillion dollar spending spree to expand social programs,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “Our tax code should work for American families, not against them, and especially for family farms and ranches that often lack the cash flows to make ends meet.”

Senator Roger Marshall said, "We’ve still not seen full details of this plan or how it will be paid for. With Democrats on an unprecedented spending spree and our economy feeling the pinch of inflation, I could not vote to advance this legislation when I’ve still not even seen the bill text.”&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had scheduled the procedural vote to nudge along negotiations that have dragged for weeks. But Republicans mounted a filibuster, saying the bipartisan group still had a few unresolved issues and needed to review the final details. They sought a delay until Monday.

“We have made significant progress and are close to a final agreement,” the bipartisan group of senators, 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, said in a joint statement after the vote. The senators said they were optimistic they could finish up “in the coming days.”

The nearly $1 trillion measure over five years includes about $579 billion in new spending on roads, broadband and other public works projects — a first phase of Biden’s infrastructure agenda, to be followed by a much broader $3.5 trillion measure from Democrats next month.

Biden’s top priority is at a critical juncture, posing a test of his ability to forge bipartisan cooperation in Washington and make investments the White House views as crucial to the nation’s ability to pull out of the COVID-19 crisis and spur economic growth.

The president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-government-and-politics-ohio-coronavirus-pandemic-e9e474eca353b3a188f9b05d3ec0ebef">traveled to Ohio later Wednesday to promote his economic policies,&nbsp;</a>and was calling his infrastructure agenda a “blue-collar blueprint for building an American economy back.” He has said that Americans overwhelmingly support his plan.

In a CNN town hall, Biden also talked up the benefits of the bipartisan framework, saying, “It’s a good thing and I think we’re going to get it done.” He also made passing reference to the dangerously outdated Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River, saying they’ll “fix that damn bridge of yours.”

At another point, Biden was asked by a union electrician if it was possible to bring Congress together to pass an infrastructure bill that would help the region replace the bridge.

“The answer is, absolutely, positively, yes,” the president said.

The party-line vote blocked the bill from advancing, 51-49, and fell far short of the 60 votes required under Senate rules. Schumer switched his vote to “no” at the end, a procedural step that would allow him to move to quickly reconsider.

The bipartisan group has labored for days with Biden aides to strike a deal, which would be a first phase of the president’s eventual $4 trillion-plus package of domestic outlays — not just for roads and bridges, but foundations of everyday life including child care, family tax breaks, education and an expansion of Medicare for seniors.

The next steps are uncertain, but the bipartisan group insists it is close to a deal and expects to finish soon.

“We’re voting no today because we’re not ready, but we’re saying we do want to take up this bill as soon as we are,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a leader of the effort. “I think that’ll be Monday.”

At least 11 Republicans signed on to a letter to Schumer saying they would vote yes to proceed on Monday, if certain details about the package are ready.

Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana was among the Republicans who signed the letter and said he was “cautiously optimistic” they can reach a bipartisan deal.

Restless Democrats, who are facing a crowded calendar while trying to deliver on Biden’s priorities, nevertheless said they are willing to wait if a deal is within reach.

“I’m willing to give it another chance next week,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “But we need to fish or cut bait.”

The senators in the bipartisan group were joined for a private lunch ahead of the vote by the two leaders of the House’s Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a bipartisan group generally supportive of the effort.

Schumer said senators are in the fourth week of negotiations after reaching agreement on a broad framework for infrastructure spending with the White House. He said Wednesday’s vote was no different from other times when the Senate sought to get the ball rolling on debate and “not a deadline to have every final detail worked out.”

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky encouraged Republicans to vote against it, called the vote a “stunt” that would fail, but he emphasized senators were “still negotiating in good faith across the aisle.”

“Around here, we typically write the bills before we vote on them,” he said.

Biden has been in touch with both Democrats and Republicans for several days, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki traveling with the president Wednesday on Air Force One, said the administration was “encouraged.”

While Biden proposes paying for his proposals with a tax hike on corporations and wealthy Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year, the bipartisan group has been working almost around the clock to figure out a compromise to pay for its package, having dashed ideas for boosting the federal gas tax or strengthening the IRS to go after tax scofflaws.

Instead, senators in the bipartisan group are considering rolling back a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-medication-prescription-drug-costs-medicare-prescription-drugs-e171198402445755b920842ded293b59">Trump-era rule on pharmaceutical rebates&nbsp;</a>that could bring in $170 billion, some of which could be used for infrastructure. They are also targeting unspent COVID-19 relief aid to health care providers and extending multiyear, modest reductions in a wide array of federal benefit programs, according to two people familiar with the talks who described the details on condition of anonymity.

Senators are also still haggling over public transit funds. Typically, spending from the federal Highway Trust Fund has followed the formula of 80% for highways and 20% for transit. Some Republicans are concerned that the ratio would change to 82%-18% under the bipartisan bill, said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

“Big numbers are involved,” Romney said.

But Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said: “There’s not a lot of sentiment for public transit on their side. They don’t really believe in the word ‘public.’”

Ten Republicans would have been needed in the evenly split Senate to join all 50 Democrats in reaching the 60-vote threshold required to advance the bill past a filibuster to formal consideration.

Many Republicans are wary of moving ahead with the first, relatively slim package, fearing it will pave the way for the broader $3.5 trillion effort Democrats are preparing to pass on their own under special budget rules that only require 51 votes. Vice President Kamala Harris can break a tie.

Democrats hope to show progress on that bill before lawmakers leave Washington for their recess in August.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been working to keep restless House Democrats in line as they grow impatient with the sluggish Senate pace.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter with 30 Democrats on the panel warning that the Senate proposal was inadequate and that House lawmakers want a seat at the negotiating table for any final product.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans rejected an effort Wednesday to begin debate on the big&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-senate-infrastructure-deal-731487d7540cdf7e48c27124c43cc2d1">infrastructure deal</a>&nbsp;that a bipartisan group of senators brokered with President Joe Biden, but pressure was mounting as supporters insisted they just needed more time before another vote possibly next week.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YE4eU85d5IY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Our farmers and ranchers should not be forced to shoulder the Democrats’ trillion dollar spending spree to expand social programs,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “Our tax code should work for American families, not against them, and especially for family farms and ranches that often lack the cash flows to make ends meet.”Senator Roger Marshall said, "We’ve still not seen full details of this plan or how it will be paid for. With Democrats on an unprecedented spending spree and our economy feeling the pinch of inflation, I could not vote to advance this legislation when I’ve still not even seen the bill text.”&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had scheduled the procedural vote to nudge along negotiations that have dragged for weeks. But Republicans mounted a filibuster, saying the bipartisan group still had a few unresolved issues and needed to review the final details. They sought a delay until Monday.“We have made significant progress and are close to a final agreement,” the bipartisan group of senators, 11 Republicans and 11 Democrats, said in a joint statement after the vote. The senators said they were optimistic they could finish up “in the coming days.”The nearly $1 trillion measure over five years includes about $579 billion in new spending on roads, broadband and other public works projects — a first phase of Biden’s infrastructure agenda, to be followed by a much broader $3.5 trillion measure from Democrats next month.Biden’s top priority is at a critical juncture, posing a test of his ability to forge bipartisan cooperation in Washington and make investments the White House views as crucial to the nation’s ability to pull out of the COVID-19 crisis and spur economic growth.The president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-government-and-politics-ohio-coronavirus-pandemic-e9e474eca353b3a188f9b05d3ec0ebef">traveled to Ohio later Wednesday to promote his economic policies,&nbsp;</a>and was calling his infrastructure agenda a “blue-collar blueprint for building an American economy back.” He has said that Americans overwhelmingly support his plan.In a CNN town hall, Biden also talked up the benefits of the bipartisan framework, saying, “It’s a good thing and I think we’re going to get it done.” He also made passing reference to the dangerously outdated Brent Spence Bridge across the Ohio River, saying they’ll “fix that damn bridge of yours.”At another point, Biden was asked by a union electrician if it was possible to bring Congress together to pass an infrastructure bill that would help the region replace the bridge.“The answer is, absolutely, positively, yes,” the president said.The party-line vote blocked the bill from advancing, 51-49, and fell far short of the 60 votes required under Senate rules. Schumer switched his vote to “no” at the end, a procedural step that would allow him to move to quickly reconsider.The bipartisan group has labored for days with Biden aides to strike a deal, which would be a first phase of the president’s eventual $4 trillion-plus package of domestic outlays — not just for roads and bridges, but foundations of everyday life including child care, family tax breaks, education and an expansion of Medicare for seniors.The next steps are uncertain, but the bipartisan group insists it is close to a deal and expects to finish soon.“We’re voting no today because we’re not ready, but we’re saying we do want to take up this bill as soon as we are,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a leader of the effort. “I think that’ll be Monday.”At least 11 Republicans signed on to a letter to Schumer saying they would vote yes to proceed on Monday, if certain details about the package are ready.Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana was among the Republicans who signed the letter and said he was “cautiously optimistic” they can reach a bipartisan deal.Restless Democrats, who are facing a crowded calendar while trying to deliver on Biden’s priorities, nevertheless said they are willing to wait if a deal is within reach.“I’m willing to give it another chance next week,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “But we need to fish or cut bait.”The senators in the bipartisan group were joined for a private lunch ahead of the vote by the two leaders of the House’s Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a bipartisan group generally supportive of the effort.Schumer said senators are in the fourth week of negotiations after reaching agreement on a broad framework for infrastructure spending with the White House. He said Wednesday’s vote was no different from other times when the Senate sought to get the ball rolling on debate and “not a deadline to have every final detail worked out.”But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky encouraged Republicans to vote against it, called the vote a “stunt” that would fail, but he emphasized senators were “still negotiating in good faith across the aisle.”“Around here, we typically write the bills before we vote on them,” he said.Biden has been in touch with both Democrats and Republicans for several days, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki traveling with the president Wednesday on Air Force One, said the administration was “encouraged.”While Biden proposes paying for his proposals with a tax hike on corporations and wealthy Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year, the bipartisan group has been working almost around the clock to figure out a compromise to pay for its package, having dashed ideas for boosting the federal gas tax or strengthening the IRS to go after tax scofflaws.Instead, senators in the bipartisan group are considering rolling back a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-medication-prescription-drug-costs-medicare-prescription-drugs-e171198402445755b920842ded293b59">Trump-era rule on pharmaceutical rebates&nbsp;</a>that could bring in $170 billion, some of which could be used for infrastructure. They are also targeting unspent COVID-19 relief aid to health care providers and extending multiyear, modest reductions in a wide array of federal benefit programs, according to two people familiar with the talks who described the details on condition of anonymity.Senators are also still haggling over public transit funds. Typically, spending from the federal Highway Trust Fund has followed the formula of 80% for highways and 20% for transit. Some Republicans are concerned that the ratio would change to 82%-18% under the bipartisan bill, said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.“Big numbers are involved,” Romney said.But Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said: “There’s not a lot of sentiment for public transit on their side. They don’t really believe in the word ‘public.’”Ten Republicans would have been needed in the evenly split Senate to join all 50 Democrats in reaching the 60-vote threshold required to advance the bill past a filibuster to formal consideration.Many Republicans are wary of moving ahead with the first, relatively slim package, fearing it will pave the way for the broader $3.5 trillion effort Democrats are preparing to pass on their own under special budget rules that only require 51 votes. Vice President Kamala Harris can break a tie.Democrats hope to show progress on that bill before lawmakers leave Washington for their recess in August.Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been working to keep restless House Democrats in line as they grow impatient with the sluggish Senate pace.Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter with 30 Democrats on the panel warning that the Senate proposal was inadequate and that House lawmakers want a seat at the negotiating table for any final product.___

Moran, Marshall in long term $1T Infrastructure bill battle

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of abusing a former student over a three-year period.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says an arrest warrant was issued this week for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, director of the Elkhorn South High School band who has been employed by the district for two decades.

Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse.

Investigators believe Bluford groomed a student at Elkhorn South starting in 2017, which led to sexual contact with the student. The sheriff's office said it first learned of the alleged abuse in June and launched an investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626786847655.png" alt="Buford-photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Buford-photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of abusing a former student over a three-year period.The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says an arrest warrant was issued this week for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, director of the Elkhorn South High School band who has been employed by the district for two decades.Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse.Investigators believe Bluford groomed a student at Elkhorn South starting in 2017, which led to sexual contact with the student. The sheriff's office said it first learned of the alleged abuse in June and launched an investigation.

Sheriff: High school band director accused of sex with student

Two people were arrested after a short pursuit through a Salina neighborhood early Wednesday.

Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, a Saline County deputy stopped a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup in the 200 Block of S. Penn. It had been reported for suspicious behavior, according to Saline County Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes

&nbsp;The pickup had allegedly been driving up and down alleys in the neighborhood. In the pickup were Greg Todd, 39 of Salina, and Cady Cole, 23, of Salina, Hughes said.

After talking with the two, the deputy released them and then ran the license plate on the pickup. When he discovered that the license plate was stolen out of Ottawa County, he attempted to stop the pickup once again, but a short pursuit ensued.

The pickup stopped near the intersection of N. Kansas Avenue and E. Elm Street, and Todd and Cole took off on foot, Hughes said. The deputy apprehended Cole nearby. A short time later, another deputy apprehended Todd elsewhere in the neighborhood.

It was determined that the pickup had been reported stolen on June 21 from where it was parked at the Rodeway Inn &amp; Suites, 3932 S. Ninth Street, Hughes said.

Hughes said that during the initial stop, Cole had been driving, but Todd had been driving when the two exited the pickup and fled on foot.

Todd was arrested on the following requested charges, Hughes said.

●Interference with a law enforcement officer

Hughes said Cole was arrested on the following requested charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626888189775.png" alt="Todd, who lives in Salina, has a previous conviction for 3rd degree attempted criminal sexual conduct in Michigan in 2003, according to the KBI offender registry." />
 <figcaption>Todd, who lives in Salina, has a previous conviction for 3rd degree attempted criminal sexual conduct in Michigan in 2003, according to the KBI offender registry.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTwo people were arrested after a short pursuit through a Salina neighborhood early Wednesday.Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, a Saline County deputy stopped a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup in the 200 Block of S. Penn. It had been reported for suspicious behavior, according to Saline County Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626884097050.jpeg" alt="Cole-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Cole-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The pickup had allegedly been driving up and down alleys in the neighborhood. In the pickup were Greg Todd, 39 of Salina, and Cady Cole, 23, of Salina, Hughes said.After talking with the two, the deputy released them and then ran the license plate on the pickup. When he discovered that the license plate was stolen out of Ottawa County, he attempted to stop the pickup once again, but a short pursuit ensued.The pickup stopped near the intersection of N. Kansas Avenue and E. Elm Street, and Todd and Cole took off on foot, Hughes said. The deputy apprehended Cole nearby. A short time later, another deputy apprehended Todd elsewhere in the neighborhood.It was determined that the pickup had been reported stolen on June 21 from where it was parked at the Rodeway Inn &amp; Suites, 3932 S. Ninth Street, Hughes said.Hughes said that during the initial stop, Cole had been driving, but Todd had been driving when the two exited the pickup and fled on foot.Todd was arrested on the following requested charges, Hughes said.●Felony possession of stolen property●Possession of methamphetamine●Flee and elude●Interference with a law enforcement officer●No proof of insurance●Possession of drug paraphernalia●Possession of marijuanaHughes said Cole was arrested on the following requested charges.●Driving while suspended●Driving while a habitual violator●Criminal use of a weapon●Felony possession of stolen property●Possession of methamphetamine●Flee and elude●Interference with a law enforcement officer●No proof of insurance●Possession of drug paraphernalia●Possession of marijuana

Registered sex offender caught driving stolen truck in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect involved in police chase died in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Rav4 driven by Gabriel Christian Seim, 28, Salina, was northbound on Interstate 135 one mile south of Park City.

Wichita Police attempted to stop the Toyota and had been looking for the Seim after a report he might have been involved in drug trafficking, according to Wichita Police Officer Charley Davidson.

Seim failed to stop for police and exited Interstate 135 at 53rd Street North. He failed to stop at the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp, turned eastbound on 53rd St. North at a high rate of speed. 

A 2015 GMC Sierra driven by Nicklaus Alan Davis,&nbsp; 43, Haysville, was northbound on North Hydraulic. The driver stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of 53rd and Hydraulic. 

Siem, fleeing police in the Toyota, failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of 53rd and Hydraulic and struck the GMC Sierra as it began to enter the intersection.

Seim, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center, according to the KHP. EMS transported Davis to Via Christi. 

After the crash, police found possible evidence of drug trafficking in the Toyota, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605280524501.png" alt="Gabriel Seim has previous convictions for drugs and one for obstruction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Gabriel Seim has previous convictions for drugs and one for obstruction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect involved in police chase died in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Rav4 driven by Gabriel Christian Seim, 28, Salina, was northbound on Interstate 135 one mile south of Park City.Wichita Police attempted to stop the Toyota and had been looking for the Seim after a report he might have been involved in drug trafficking, according to Wichita Police Officer Charley Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626910626706.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Seim failed to stop for police and exited Interstate 135 at 53rd Street North. He failed to stop at the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp, turned eastbound on 53rd St. North at a high rate of speed. A 2015 GMC Sierra driven by Nicklaus Alan Davis,&nbsp; 43, Haysville, was northbound on North Hydraulic. The driver stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of 53rd and Hydraulic. Siem, fleeing police in the Toyota, failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of 53rd and Hydraulic and struck the GMC Sierra as it began to enter the intersection.Seim, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center, according to the KHP. EMS transported Davis to Via Christi. After the crash, police found possible evidence of drug trafficking in the Toyota, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Kansas drug suspect dies in crash during police chase

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for alleged battery in Atchison.

Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance that had occurred in the 500 block North 9th Street in Atchison involving a group of teenagers, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson

 An 18-year-old girl reported that during the disturbance Blayne Williams, 18, Atchison, struck her in the head with his fists and a handgun. 

The victim was examined by EMS for her injuries but not transported for medical treatment, according to Wilson. Police located and arrested Williams on requested charges of aggravated battery and battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626877377454.png" alt="Williams photo Atchison Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Atchison Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for alleged battery in Atchison.Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance that had occurred in the 500 block North 9th Street in Atchison involving a group of teenagers, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson An 18-year-old girl reported that during the disturbance Blayne Williams, 18, Atchison, struck her in the head with his fists and a handgun. The victim was examined by EMS for her injuries but not transported for medical treatment, according to Wilson. Police located and arrested Williams on requested charges of aggravated battery and battery.

Police: Kan. teen accused of striking girl with handgun

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged accidental shooting and have made an arrest.

Just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the apartment complex in the 500 block of North Nims in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. 

Upon arrival, officers located 19-year-old Jyrez Ricks of Wichita in the parking lot who had been shot. Ricks was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed 21-year-old Jordan Williams was handling a handgun inside the apartment occupied by Ricks and three other adult friends. The gun accidentally discharged, striking Ricks.

Police contacted Williams on the scene and arrested without incident on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Davidson reminded the importance of practicing gun safety.

• Always store guns unloaded and security locked;

• Use a gun case, gun safe, or lockbox for safer storage;

• Store ammunition in a separate location; and

• Talk to your children about gun safety.

If you find a gun, leave it alone and tell an adult;

• Ask your parents about proper gun safety.

Practice gun safety to protect yourself and your family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626869996073.png" alt="Williams -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Williams -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged accidental shooting and have made an arrest.Just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the apartment complex in the 500 block of North Nims in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located 19-year-old Jyrez Ricks of Wichita in the parking lot who had been shot. Ricks was pronounced deceased on the scene, according to Davidson.The investigation revealed 21-year-old Jordan Williams was handling a handgun inside the apartment occupied by Ricks and three other adult friends. The gun accidentally discharged, striking Ricks.Police contacted Williams on the scene and arrested without incident on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter.Davidson reminded the importance of practicing gun safety.If you own a gun:• Always store guns unloaded and security locked;• Use a gun case, gun safe, or lockbox for safer storage;• Store ammunition in a separate location; and• Talk to your children about gun safety.If you find a gun, leave it alone and tell an adult;• Always assume a gun is loaded;• Never point a gun at anyone; and• Ask your parents about proper gun safety.Practice gun safety to protect yourself and your family.