ROOKS COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Rooks County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Mazda pickup driven by Braden Higdon, 23, Stockton,&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 24 nine miles east of Stockton.&nbsp;

The pickup rear-ended a 2013 Ford pickup driven by Staci Ketelsen, 41, Stockton, who had&nbsp;started to slow down to turn right into her driveway. 

After the crash, the Mazda&nbsp; continued eastbound, entered the north ditch and caught fire.

Higdon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Plumer Overlease Funeral Home. EMS transported Ketelsen to the hospital in Plainville. The KHP did not have complete seat belt information due to the fire.

ROOKS COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Rooks County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Mazda pickup driven by Braden Higdon, 23, Stockton,&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 24 nine miles east of Stockton.&nbsp;The pickup rear-ended a 2013 Ford pickup driven by Staci Ketelsen, 41, Stockton, who had&nbsp;started to slow down to turn right into her driveway. After the crash, the Mazda&nbsp; continued eastbound, entered the north ditch and caught fire.Higdon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Plumer Overlease Funeral Home. EMS transported Ketelsen to the hospital in Plainville. The KHP did not have complete seat belt information due to the fire.

Kansas man dies after rear-end pickup crash, fire

TOPEKA —On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly appointed Carl Ice,&nbsp;Dr. Cynthia Lane, and Wint Winter to the Kansas Board of Regents.

“These individuals are highly qualified, forward-thinking, and committed to safeguarding our state’s world-class higher education system,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “I look forward to working with them and the entire Board of Regents to develop sustainable partnerships with education stakeholders, implement top tier workforce development programs, and leverage our colleges and universities as engines for economic growth.”

Carl Ice is the former President and CEO of BNSF Railway, where he worked for 42 years. Ice is currently the Vice Chairman of the KSU Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Salvation Army National Board of Directors, and a former member of the KSU Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Advisory Council. Ice received an A.A. from Coffeyville Community College and a B.S. in industrial engineering from Kansas State University.

Dr. Cynthia Lane has more than 36 years of professional experience in the field of education. Dr. Lane is currently the CEO of Evolve Education Leadership L.L.C. and serves on both the Governor’s Council of Education and the Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council. Dr. Lane was the superintendent of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools from 2010 to 2018, and received her Ed.D. from the University of Kansas along with her M.S. and B.S. Ed. from Pittsburg State University.

Wint Winter is a fifth-generation Kansan. He is currently a Partner at Stevens &amp; Brand, L.L.P., and previously was CEO and Co-Chairman of Peoples Bank &amp; Peoples, Inc. Winter served in the Kansas Senate from 1982-1992, and received a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Kansas.

The Kansas Board of Regents is a bipartisan, nine-member board composed of members who serve for a staggered period of four years. Each member is appointed by the Governor, and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

TOPEKA —On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly appointed Carl Ice,&nbsp;Dr. Cynthia Lane, and Wint Winter to the Kansas Board of Regents.“These individuals are highly qualified, forward-thinking, and committed to safeguarding our state’s world-class higher education system,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “I look forward to working with them and the entire Board of Regents to develop sustainable partnerships with education stakeholders, implement top tier workforce development programs, and leverage our colleges and universities as engines for economic growth.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623867107856.png" alt="Carl Ice" />
 <figcaption>Carl Ice</figcaption>
 </figure>Carl Ice is the former President and CEO of BNSF Railway, where he worked for 42 years. Ice is currently the Vice Chairman of the KSU Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Salvation Army National Board of Directors, and a former member of the KSU Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Advisory Council. Ice received an A.A. from Coffeyville Community College and a B.S. in industrial engineering from Kansas State University.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623867146184.png" alt="Dr. Cynthia Lane" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Cynthia Lane</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Cynthia Lane has more than 36 years of professional experience in the field of education. Dr. Lane is currently the CEO of Evolve Education Leadership L.L.C. and serves on both the Governor’s Council of Education and the Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council. Dr. Lane was the superintendent of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools from 2010 to 2018, and received her Ed.D. from the University of Kansas along with her M.S. and B.S. Ed. from Pittsburg State University.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623867211471.png" alt="Wint Winter" />
 <figcaption>Wint Winter</figcaption>
 </figure>Wint Winter is a fifth-generation Kansan. He is currently a Partner at Stevens &amp; Brand, L.L.P., and previously was CEO and Co-Chairman of Peoples Bank &amp; Peoples, Inc. Winter served in the Kansas Senate from 1982-1992, and received a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Kansas.The Kansas Board of Regents is a bipartisan, nine-member board composed of members who serve for a staggered period of four years. Each member is appointed by the Governor, and subject to confirmation by the Senate.\

Gov. names 3 new members to the Kansas Board of Regents

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana who ordered that plans continue for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska waters “and all eligible onshore properties.”

The decision is a blow to Democratic President Joe Biden’s efforts to rapidly transition the nation away from fossil fuels and thereby stave off the worst effects of climate change, including catastrophic droughts, floods and wildfires.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty said his ruling applies nationwide. It grants a preliminary injunction — technically a halt to the suspension pending further arguments on the merits of the case.

“The omission of any rational explanation in cancelling the lease sales, and in enacting the Pause, results in this Court ruling that Plaintiff States also have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of this claim,” he wrote.

“We are reviewing the judge’s opinion and will comply with the decision,” Melissa Schwartz of the Interior Department said in an email. “The Interior Department continues to work on an interim report that will include initial findings on the state of the federal conventional energy programs, as well as outline next steps and recommendations for the Department and Congress to improve stewardship of public lands and waters, create jobs, and build a just and equitable energy future.”

The moratorium was imposed after Biden on Jan. 27&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-executive-order-e465713362ebbd82bf98acb65a66ea84">signed executive orders</a>&nbsp;to fight climate change. The suit was filed in March. The Interior Department later canceled oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June — affecting Nevada, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and the bureau’s eastern region.

Biden’s orders included a call for Interior officials to review if the leasing program unfairly benefits companies at the expense of taxpayers, as well as the program’s impact on climate change.

The 13 states that sued said the administration bypassed comment periods and other bureaucratic steps required before such delays can be undertaken, and that the moratorium would cost the states money and jobs. Doughty heard arguments in the case last week in Lafayette.

Federal lawyers argued that the public notice and comment period doesn’t apply to the suspension, that the lease sales aren’t required by law and that the Secretary of the Interior has broad discretion in leasing decisions.

“No existing lease has been cancelled as a result of any of the actions challenged here, and development activity from exploration through drilling and production has continued at similar levels as the preceding four years,” lawyers for the administration argued in briefs.

But Doughty sided with the plaintiff states attorneys, who argued that the delay of new leasing cost states revenue from rents and royalties.

“Millions and possibly billions of dollars are at stake,” wrote Doughty, who was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2017.

“Local government funding, jobs for Plaintiff State workers, and funds for the restoration of Louisiana’s Coastline are at stake,” he added, alluding to a possible loss of oil and gas revenue that pays for Louisiana efforts to restore coastal wetlands.

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia are the other plaintiff states.

“This is a victory not only for the rule of law, but also for the thousands of workers who produce affordable energy for Americans,” Landry said in a statement issued shortly after the ruling.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana who ordered that plans continue for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska waters “and all eligible onshore properties.”The decision is a blow to Democratic President Joe Biden’s efforts to rapidly transition the nation away from fossil fuels and thereby stave off the worst effects of climate change, including catastrophic droughts, floods and wildfires.U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty said his ruling applies nationwide. It grants a preliminary injunction — technically a halt to the suspension pending further arguments on the merits of the case.“The omission of any rational explanation in cancelling the lease sales, and in enacting the Pause, results in this Court ruling that Plaintiff States also have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of this claim,” he wrote.“We are reviewing the judge’s opinion and will comply with the decision,” Melissa Schwartz of the Interior Department said in an email. “The Interior Department continues to work on an interim report that will include initial findings on the state of the federal conventional energy programs, as well as outline next steps and recommendations for the Department and Congress to improve stewardship of public lands and waters, create jobs, and build a just and equitable energy future.”The moratorium was imposed after Biden on Jan. 27&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-executive-order-e465713362ebbd82bf98acb65a66ea84">signed executive orders</a>&nbsp;to fight climate change. The suit was filed in March. The Interior Department later canceled oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June — affecting Nevada, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and the bureau’s eastern region.Biden’s orders included a call for Interior officials to review if the leasing program unfairly benefits companies at the expense of taxpayers, as well as the program’s impact on climate change.The 13 states that sued said the administration bypassed comment periods and other bureaucratic steps required before such delays can be undertaken, and that the moratorium would cost the states money and jobs. Doughty heard arguments in the case last week in Lafayette.Federal lawyers argued that the public notice and comment period doesn’t apply to the suspension, that the lease sales aren’t required by law and that the Secretary of the Interior has broad discretion in leasing decisions.“No existing lease has been cancelled as a result of any of the actions challenged here, and development activity from exploration through drilling and production has continued at similar levels as the preceding four years,” lawyers for the administration argued in briefs.But Doughty sided with the plaintiff states attorneys, who argued that the delay of new leasing cost states revenue from rents and royalties.“Millions and possibly billions of dollars are at stake,” wrote Doughty, who was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2017.“Local government funding, jobs for Plaintiff State workers, and funds for the restoration of Louisiana’s Coastline are at stake,” he added, alluding to a possible loss of oil and gas revenue that pays for Louisiana efforts to restore coastal wetlands.Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia are the other plaintiff states.“This is a victory not only for the rule of law, but also for the thousands of workers who produce affordable energy for Americans,” Landry said in a statement issued shortly after the ruling.___

Federal judge blocks pause on sale of new oil, gas leases

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 329 to a total of 316,343, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5128.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 329 to a total of 316,343, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5128.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623863074420.png" alt="Wednesday June 16, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday June 16, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

HARVEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities arrested a golfer on Monday after a fight during a golf tournament&nbsp;at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton.

The victim identified as Southern California native and former University of Alabama-Birmingham golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/austen-dailey/1741">Austen Dailey </a>and suspect identified as 20-year-old <a href="https://utmsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster">Luke Smith, a University</a> of Tennessee Martin sophomore <a href="https://utmsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/luke-smith/1882">from Covington, Tennessee,</a> were golfing together as part of a qualifying event for the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Wichita Open, according to a media release from Newton Police.

An argument began when Smith and his father/caddy refused to help Dailey look for an errant golf ball in the rough. 

Smith then punched Dailey in the face and tackled him to the ground. He held Dailey down until he said “uncle,” and then released him.

Newton Police arrested Smith and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center on a requested charge of misdemeanor battery. The report will be forwarded to the Newton City Prosecutor’s Office for review of charges.

The Korn Ferry Tour has said little about the incident since the two golfers involved are not current members of their tour.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623855329259.png" alt="Luke Smith-photo Harvey County Detention Center" />
 <figcaption>Luke Smith-photo Harvey County Detention Center</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities arrested a golfer on Monday after a fight during a golf tournament&nbsp;at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton.The victim identified as Southern California native and former University of Alabama-Birmingham golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/austen-dailey/1741">Austen Dailey </a>and suspect identified as 20-year-old <a href="https://utmsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster">Luke Smith, a University</a> of Tennessee Martin sophomore <a href="https://utmsports.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/luke-smith/1882">from Covington, Tennessee,</a> were golfing together as part of a qualifying event for the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Wichita Open, according to a media release from Newton Police.An argument began when Smith and his father/caddy refused to help Dailey look for an errant golf ball in the rough. Smith then punched Dailey in the face and tackled him to the ground. He held Dailey down until he said “uncle,” and then released him.Newton Police arrested Smith and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center on a requested charge of misdemeanor battery. The report will be forwarded to the Newton City Prosecutor’s Office for review of charges.The Korn Ferry Tour has said little about the incident since the two golfers involved are not current members of their tour.

From putts to punches at golf tournament in Kansas 

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy have arrested&nbsp; Aneis L. Brown 22 of Topeka.

Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital after a 2-year-old had been driven there in a private vehicle and was suffering from serious gunshot injuries, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the 800 block of SW 11th Street in Topeka. All parties involved are believed to have been located and police are working to learn what happened.

Brown is being held in&nbsp;the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Endangering A Child; Reckless Situation, Criminal Poss Of Firearm By Felon ;Felony Conv Less Than 5 Years and Possession of hallucinogenic drug.

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy.

“This is the third shooting we’ve responded to in the last few days in which a child has been injured.," Said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles.&nbsp; "This concerning trend cannot continue. Gun safety is a community responsibility and we must all do our part to keep each other, and especially young children safe."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623807272108.png" alt="Brown photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy have arrested&nbsp; Aneis L. Brown 22 of Topeka.Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital after a 2-year-old had been driven there in a private vehicle and was suffering from serious gunshot injuries, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the 800 block of SW 11th Street in Topeka. All parties involved are believed to have been located and police are working to learn what happened.Brown is being held in&nbsp;the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Endangering A Child; Reckless Situation, Criminal Poss Of Firearm By Felon ;Felony Conv Less Than 5 Years and Possession of hallucinogenic drug.-------------TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy.Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital after a 2-year-old had been driven there in a private vehicle and was suffering from serious gunshot injuries, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the 800 block of SW 11th Street in Topeka. All parties involved are believed to have been located and police are working to learn what happened.“This is the third shooting we’ve responded to in the last few days in which a child has been injured.," Said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles.&nbsp; "This concerning trend cannot continue. Gun safety is a community responsibility and we must all do our part to keep each other, and especially young children safe."

Kan. man accused after 2-year-old boy injured in shooting

GENEVA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have concluded their high-stake summit in Geneva. 

The pair met for nearly four hours on Wednesday, first in a smaller session and later in a larger meeting that was expanded to include more officials from both sides and which lasted about 65 minutes. 

Putin and then Biden are scheduled to hold press conferences before departing the summit site.

GENEVA (AP) — With stern expressions and polite words before the cameras, President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin plunged into hours of face-to-face talks Wednesday at a lush lakeside Swiss mansion, a highly anticipated summit at a time when both leaders say relations between their countries are at an all-time low.

Biden called it a discussion between “two great powers” and said it was “always better to meet face to face.” Putin said he hoped the talks would be “productive.”

The meeting in a book-lined room had a somewhat awkward beginning — both men appeared to avoid looking directly at each other during a brief and chaotic photo opportunity before a scrum of jostling reporters.

Biden nodded when a reporter asked if Putin could be trusted, but the White House quickly sent out a tweet insisting that the president was “very clearly not responding to any one question, but nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally.”

Putin ignored shouted questions from reporters, including whether he feared jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The two leaders did shake hands — Biden extended his hand first and smiled at the stoic Russian leader — moments earlier when they posed with Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who welcomed them to Switzerland for the summit.

Biden and Putin first held a relatively intimate meeting joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Each side had a translator for the session, which lasted about an hour and a half. The meeting, after about a 40-minute break, then expanded to include senior aides on each side. Biden and Putin were expected to meet for a total of four to five hours of wide-ranging talks.

For months, they have traded sharp rhetoric. Biden has repeatedly called out Putin for malicious cyberattacks by Russian-based hackers on U.S. interests, for the jailing of Russia’s foremost opposition leader and for interference in American elections.

Putin has reacted with whatabout-isms and denials — pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that the U.S. has no business lecturing on democratic norms and insisting that the Russian government hasn’t been involved in any election interference or cyberattacks despite U.S. intelligence showing otherwise.

In advance of Wednesday’s meeting, both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-summits-34b4222285bac602168eadf15a414f5e">set out to lower expectations.</a>

Even so, Biden said it was an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship, a seemingly modest goal from the president for dealing with the person he sees as one of America’s fiercest adversaries.

“We should decide where it’s in our mutual interest, in the interest of the world, to cooperate, and see if we can do that,” Biden told reporters earlier this week. “And the areas where we don’t agree, make it clear what the red lines are.”

GENEVA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have finished the first round of their summit talks and are proceeding to the first of two larger meetings in Geneva. Biden and Putin first met accompanied by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a pair of translators. 

Two additional sessions are planned Wednesday afternoon with the leaders to be joined by additional aides and translators. The U.S. and Russian leaders are meeting at a time that relations between their countries are at an all-time low. Their talks are expected to last four to five hours.

GENEVA (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden was not suggesting to reporters that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin with his reaction to a reporter’s question in Geneva. At the start of a high-stakes summit in Geneva, Biden appeared to suggest that he can take the Russian leader at his word, nodding his head during a photo opportunity when asked by a reporter if Putin can be trusted. 

Communications director Kate Beddingfield later said there was a “chaotic scrum with reporters shouting over each other” in that moment. She argued that Biden “was very clearly not responding to any one question” when a journalist asked if he trusted Putin. Bedingfield said Biden was “nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally.”

GENEVA (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President Joe Biden and expressed wishes for a “productive” meeting as the two kicked off their meeting in Geneva. Putin told Biden upon first meeting him on Wednesday that he was thankful for the gathering as he knew the U.S. president “had a long trip and lots of work.” 

But the Russian president emphasized that there are “lots of questions accumulated in Russia-U.S. relations that require discussion on the highest level.” 

The two are expected to address everything from cybercrime to Russia’s alleged interference in U.S. elections during their meeting. Biden, who has spoken to Putin over the phone, told the Russian leader that “it is always better to meet face to face.”

GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin sit down Wednesday for their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-biden-cabinet-g-7-summit-91b7d8f2a9ac0058ccba74ac36036ae1">highly anticipated summit</a>&nbsp;in the Swiss city of Geneva, a moment of high-stakes diplomacy at a time when both leaders agree that relations between their countries are at an all-time low.

For four months, the two leaders have traded sharp rhetoric. Biden repeatedly called out Putin for malicious cyberattacks by Russian-based hackers on U.S. interests, a disregard for democracy with the jailing of Russia’s foremost opposition leader and interference in American elections.

Putin, for his part, has reacted with whatabout-isms and obfuscations — pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that the U.S. has no business lecturing on democratic norms and insisting that the Russian government hasn’t been involved in any election interference or cyberattacks despite U.S. intelligence showing otherwise.

Now, the pair will meet for their first face-to-face as leaders — a conversation that is expected to last four to five hours. In advance, both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-summits-34b4222285bac602168eadf15a414f5e">set out to lower expectations.</a>

Even so, Biden has said it would be an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship, a seemingly modest goal from the president for dealing with the person he sees as one of America’s fiercest adversaries.

Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that no breakthroughs were expected and that “the situation is too difficult in Russian-American relations.””

“However, the fact that the two presidents agreed to meet and finally start to speak openly about the problems is already an achievement,” Peskov said several hours before the summit’s scheduled start time.

Arrangements for the meeting have been carefully choreographed and vigorously negotiated by both sides.

Biden first floated the meeting in an April phone call in which he informed Putin that he would be expelling several Russian diplomats and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ap-top-news-moscow-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-4c368f4734d5d1c5938645aa09641c79">imposing sanctions</a>&nbsp;against dozens of people and companies, part of an effort to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year’s presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies.

Putin and his entourage will arrive first at the summit site: Villa La Grange, a grand lakeside mansion set in Geneva’s biggest park. Next come Biden and his team. Swiss President Guy Parmelin will greet the two leaders.

The three will spend a moment together in front of the cameras, but only Parmelin is expected to make remarks, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.

Biden and Putin first will hold a relatively intimate meeting joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Each side will have a translator.

The meeting will then expand to include five senior aides on each side.

After the meeting concludes, Putin is scheduled to hold a solo news conference, with Biden following suit. The White House opted against a joint news conference, deciding it did not want to appear to elevate Putin at a moment when the president is urging European allies to pressure Putin to cut out myriad provocations.

Biden sees himself with few peers on foreign policy. He traveled the globe as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was given difficult foreign policy assignments by President Barack Obama when Biden was vice president. His portfolio included messy spots like Iraq and Ukraine and weighing the mettle of China’s Xi Jinping during his rise to power.

He has repeatedly said that he believes executing effective foreign policy comes from forming strong personal relations, and he has managed to find rapport with both the likes of Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Biden has labeled an “autocrat,” and conventional politicians like Canada’s Justin Trudeau.

But with Putin, whom the president has “no soul,”&nbsp;<a href="ttps://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-fcf067acc9da94e9ffe7bd6a55a574cd" target="_blank">Biden has long been wary</a>. At the same time, he acknowledges that Putin, who remained the most powerful figure in Russian politics over the span of five U.S. presidents, is not without talent. Biden this week suggested that he is approaching his meeting with Putin carefully.

“He’s bright. He’s tough,” Biden said. “And I have found that he is a — as they say...a worthy adversary.”

The White House held on to hope of finding small areas of agreement.

No commitments have been made, but according to the senior administration official, there are hopes that both sides will return their ambassadors to their respective postings following the meeting. Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, was recalled from Washington about three months ago after Biden called Putin a killer; U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan left Moscow almost two months ago, after Russia suggested he return to Washington for consultations.

Both ambassadors will be in Geneva during Wednesday’s meeting.

Biden administration officials say they think common ground can be found on arms control. International arms control groups are pressing the Russian and American leaders to start a push for new arms control by holding “strategic stability” talks — a series of government-to-government discussions meant to sort through the many areas of disagreement and tension on the national security front.

The Biden team will press its concerns on cybersecurity. In recent months, Russia-based hackers have launched alarming attacks on a major U.S. oil pipeline and a Brazil-headquartered meat supplier that operates in the U.S.

The Russian side has said that the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is an internal political matter and one area where Putin won’t engage Biden. But the senior Biden administration official said there “is no issue that is off the table for the president,” suggesting Navalny will come up.

The meeting is sure to invite comparisons with President Donald Trump’s 2018 meeting with Putin in Helsinki, where the two leaders held a joint news conference and Trump sided with Russian denials when asked whether Moscow had meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

Biden has prepared for his one-on-one by reviewing materials and consulting with officials across government and with outside advisers. Aides said the level of preparation wasn’t unusual. Biden, in a brief exchange with reporters upon a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-biden-cabinet-g-7-summit-91b7d8f2a9ac0058ccba74ac36036ae1">rriving in Geneva on Tuesday night</a>, sought to offer the impression that he wasn’t sweating his big meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623857775069.png" alt="President Joe Biden and the Russian President just ahead of their brief meeting on Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and the Russian President just ahead of their brief meeting on Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have concluded their high-stake summit in Geneva. The pair met for nearly four hours on Wednesday, first in a smaller session and later in a larger meeting that was expanded to include more officials from both sides and which lasted about 65 minutes. Putin and then Biden are scheduled to hold press conferences before departing the summit site.---------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623845475995.png" alt="Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden as their summit begins in Geneva-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden as their summit begins in Geneva-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) — With stern expressions and polite words before the cameras, President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin plunged into hours of face-to-face talks Wednesday at a lush lakeside Swiss mansion, a highly anticipated summit at a time when both leaders say relations between their countries are at an all-time low.Biden called it a discussion between “two great powers” and said it was “always better to meet face to face.” Putin said he hoped the talks would be “productive.”The meeting in a book-lined room had a somewhat awkward beginning — both men appeared to avoid looking directly at each other during a brief and chaotic photo opportunity before a scrum of jostling reporters.Biden nodded when a reporter asked if Putin could be trusted, but the White House quickly sent out a tweet insisting that the president was “very clearly not responding to any one question, but nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally.”Putin ignored shouted questions from reporters, including whether he feared jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.The two leaders did shake hands — Biden extended his hand first and smiled at the stoic Russian leader — moments earlier when they posed with Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who welcomed them to Switzerland for the summit.Biden and Putin first held a relatively intimate meeting joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Each side had a translator for the session, which lasted about an hour and a half. The meeting, after about a 40-minute break, then expanded to include senior aides on each side. Biden and Putin were expected to meet for a total of four to five hours of wide-ranging talks.For months, they have traded sharp rhetoric. Biden has repeatedly called out Putin for malicious cyberattacks by Russian-based hackers on U.S. interests, for the jailing of Russia’s foremost opposition leader and for interference in American elections.Putin has reacted with whatabout-isms and denials — pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that the U.S. has no business lecturing on democratic norms and insisting that the Russian government hasn’t been involved in any election interference or cyberattacks despite U.S. intelligence showing otherwise.In advance of Wednesday’s meeting, both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-summits-34b4222285bac602168eadf15a414f5e">set out to lower expectations.</a>Even so, Biden said it was an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship, a seemingly modest goal from the president for dealing with the person he sees as one of America’s fiercest adversaries.“We should decide where it’s in our mutual interest, in the interest of the world, to cooperate, and see if we can do that,” Biden told reporters earlier this week. “And the areas where we don’t agree, make it clear what the red lines are.”---------GENEVA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have finished the first round of their summit talks and are proceeding to the first of two larger meetings in Geneva. Biden and Putin first met accompanied by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a pair of translators. Two additional sessions are planned Wednesday afternoon with the leaders to be joined by additional aides and translators. The U.S. and Russian leaders are meeting at a time that relations between their countries are at an all-time low. Their talks are expected to last four to five hours.-------------GENEVA (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden was not suggesting to reporters that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin with his reaction to a reporter’s question in Geneva. At the start of a high-stakes summit in Geneva, Biden appeared to suggest that he can take the Russian leader at his word, nodding his head during a photo opportunity when asked by a reporter if Putin can be trusted. Communications director Kate Beddingfield later said there was a “chaotic scrum with reporters shouting over each other” in that moment. She argued that Biden “was very clearly not responding to any one question” when a journalist asked if he trusted Putin. Bedingfield said Biden was “nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally.”----------GENEVA (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President Joe Biden and expressed wishes for a “productive” meeting as the two kicked off their meeting in Geneva. Putin told Biden upon first meeting him on Wednesday that he was thankful for the gathering as he knew the U.S. president “had a long trip and lots of work.” But the Russian president emphasized that there are “lots of questions accumulated in Russia-U.S. relations that require discussion on the highest level.” The two are expected to address everything from cybercrime to Russia’s alleged interference in U.S. elections during their meeting. Biden, who has spoken to Putin over the phone, told the Russian leader that “it is always better to meet face to face.”--------GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin sit down Wednesday for their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-biden-cabinet-g-7-summit-91b7d8f2a9ac0058ccba74ac36036ae1">highly anticipated summit</a>&nbsp;in the Swiss city of Geneva, a moment of high-stakes diplomacy at a time when both leaders agree that relations between their countries are at an all-time low.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623838573406.png" alt="President Biden has said it would be an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden has said it would be an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>For four months, the two leaders have traded sharp rhetoric. Biden repeatedly called out Putin for malicious cyberattacks by Russian-based hackers on U.S. interests, a disregard for democracy with the jailing of Russia’s foremost opposition leader and interference in American elections.Putin, for his part, has reacted with whatabout-isms and obfuscations — pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that the U.S. has no business lecturing on democratic norms and insisting that the Russian government hasn’t been involved in any election interference or cyberattacks despite U.S. intelligence showing otherwise.Now, the pair will meet for their first face-to-face as leaders — a conversation that is expected to last four to five hours. In advance, both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-summits-34b4222285bac602168eadf15a414f5e">set out to lower expectations.</a>Even so, Biden has said it would be an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability” in their relationship, a seemingly modest goal from the president for dealing with the person he sees as one of America’s fiercest adversaries.“We should decide where it’s in our mutual interest, in the interest of the world, to cooperate, and see if we can do that,” Biden told reporters earlier this week. “And the areas where we don’t agree, make it clear what the red lines are.”Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that no breakthroughs were expected and that “the situation is too difficult in Russian-American relations.””“However, the fact that the two presidents agreed to meet and finally start to speak openly about the problems is already an achievement,” Peskov said several hours before the summit’s scheduled start time.Arrangements for the meeting have been carefully choreographed and vigorously negotiated by both sides.Biden first floated the meeting in an April phone call in which he informed Putin that he would be expelling several Russian diplomats and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ap-top-news-moscow-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-4c368f4734d5d1c5938645aa09641c79">imposing sanctions</a>&nbsp;against dozens of people and companies, part of an effort to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year’s presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies.Putin and his entourage will arrive first at the summit site: Villa La Grange, a grand lakeside mansion set in Geneva’s biggest park. Next come Biden and his team. Swiss President Guy Parmelin will greet the two leaders.The three will spend a moment together in front of the cameras, but only Parmelin is expected to make remarks, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.Biden and Putin first will hold a relatively intimate meeting joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Each side will have a translator.The meeting will then expand to include five senior aides on each side.After the meeting concludes, Putin is scheduled to hold a solo news conference, with Biden following suit. The White House opted against a joint news conference, deciding it did not want to appear to elevate Putin at a moment when the president is urging European allies to pressure Putin to cut out myriad provocations.Biden sees himself with few peers on foreign policy. He traveled the globe as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was given difficult foreign policy assignments by President Barack Obama when Biden was vice president. His portfolio included messy spots like Iraq and Ukraine and weighing the mettle of China’s Xi Jinping during his rise to power.He has repeatedly said that he believes executing effective foreign policy comes from forming strong personal relations, and he has managed to find rapport with both the likes of Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Biden has labeled an “autocrat,” and conventional politicians like Canada’s Justin Trudeau.But with Putin, whom the president has “no soul,”&nbsp;<a href="ttps://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-europe-middle-east-fcf067acc9da94e9ffe7bd6a55a574cd" target="_blank">Biden has long been wary</a>. At the same time, he acknowledges that Putin, who remained the most powerful figure in Russian politics over the span of five U.S. presidents, is not without talent. Biden this week suggested that he is approaching his meeting with Putin carefully.“He’s bright. He’s tough,” Biden said. “And I have found that he is a — as they say...a worthy adversary.”The White House held on to hope of finding small areas of agreement.No commitments have been made, but according to the senior administration official, there are hopes that both sides will return their ambassadors to their respective postings following the meeting. Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, was recalled from Washington about three months ago after Biden called Putin a killer; U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan left Moscow almost two months ago, after Russia suggested he return to Washington for consultations.Both ambassadors will be in Geneva during Wednesday’s meeting.Biden administration officials say they think common ground can be found on arms control. International arms control groups are pressing the Russian and American leaders to start a push for new arms control by holding “strategic stability” talks — a series of government-to-government discussions meant to sort through the many areas of disagreement and tension on the national security front.The Biden team will press its concerns on cybersecurity. In recent months, Russia-based hackers have launched alarming attacks on a major U.S. oil pipeline and a Brazil-headquartered meat supplier that operates in the U.S.The Russian side has said that the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is an internal political matter and one area where Putin won’t engage Biden. But the senior Biden administration official said there “is no issue that is off the table for the president,” suggesting Navalny will come up.The meeting is sure to invite comparisons with President Donald Trump’s 2018 meeting with Putin in Helsinki, where the two leaders held a joint news conference and Trump sided with Russian denials when asked whether Moscow had meddled in the 2016 presidential election.Biden has prepared for his one-on-one by reviewing materials and consulting with officials across government and with outside advisers. Aides said the level of preparation wasn’t unusual. Biden, in a brief exchange with reporters upon a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-biden-cabinet-g-7-summit-91b7d8f2a9ac0058ccba74ac36036ae1">rriving in Geneva on Tuesday night</a>, sought to offer the impression that he wasn’t sweating his big meeting.“I am always ready,” Biden said.

The Latest: Biden, Putin long-anticipated summit ends

SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. (AP) — Five people from Nebraska were seriously injured when a boat exploded Tuesday at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the explosion happened near Sunrise Beach. The boat was docked when a mechanical failure caused a fuel-related fire, the patrol said.

James and Kari Hohenstein, Brad Vanwinkle and two children aged 12 and 16 were seriously injured. The 16-year-old and Vanwinkle were flow to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment, while the three others were taken to a nearby hospital.

A 2-year-old was taken by private vehicle to the hospital with minor injuries.

The people on the boat are from Gretna and Elkhorn, Nebraska.

SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. (AP) — Five people from Nebraska were seriously injured when a boat exploded Tuesday at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the explosion happened near Sunrise Beach. The boat was docked when a mechanical failure caused a fuel-related fire, the patrol said.James and Kari Hohenstein, Brad Vanwinkle and two children aged 12 and 16 were seriously injured. The 16-year-old and Vanwinkle were flow to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment, while the three others were taken to a nearby hospital.A 2-year-old was taken by private vehicle to the hospital with minor injuries.The people on the boat are from Gretna and Elkhorn, Nebraska.

5 hurt when boat explodes at Lake of the Ozarks

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas teen injured in what was reported as accidental&nbsp; shooting has died.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the report of shooting in&nbsp;1700 block of SE 31st Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. 

Upon arrival, officers found that a 13-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. She died on Tuesday, according to police department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The incident was reported initially as a possible accidental shooting.&nbsp; Police have not&nbsp; released her name or additional details.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas teen injured in what was reported as accidental&nbsp; shooting has died.&nbsp; &nbsp;Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the report of shooting in&nbsp;1700 block of SE 31st Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. Upon arrival, officers found that a 13-year-old girl suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. She died on Tuesday, according to police department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The incident was reported initially as a possible accidental shooting.&nbsp; Police have not&nbsp; released her name or additional details.--------

13-year-old Kan. girl dies from injuries in accidental shooting

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing six people on or near trails in south Kansas City four to five years ago has been found not competent to stand trial.

A judge ruled Monday that Fredrick Scott, 26, of Kansas City, is mentally unfit to aid in his own defense.

Scott is charged with first-degree murder in the separate shooting deaths of 57-year-old Steven Gibbons; 54-year-old John Palmer; 67-year-old David Lenox; 57-year-old Timothy Rice; 61-year-old Michael Darby; and 64-year-old Karen Harmeyer.

All of the killings occurred in 2016 and 2017 along city hiking and biking trails that frightened the community and users of the trails. Scott has been in custody since his arrest nearly four years ago.

Police have said that in the days before his arrest, Scott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cb6ff074d84644b9a41f53075819e695">reported four handguns stolen</a>&nbsp;from him. Police believe those guns were used in the killings and that Scott reported them stolen to throw off investigators.

Police have said Scott told detectives after his arrest that he was angry about the 2015 shooting death of his half brother. Scott's mother has said he suffered from delusions as a result of undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia.

The judge set an August hearing for re-evaluation of Scott’s mental fitness.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623839245972.png" alt="Scott remains jailed in Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Scott remains jailed in Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing six people on or near trails in south Kansas City four to five years ago has been found not competent to stand trial.A judge ruled Monday that Fredrick Scott, 26, of Kansas City, is mentally unfit to aid in his own defense.Scott is charged with first-degree murder in the separate shooting deaths of 57-year-old Steven Gibbons; 54-year-old John Palmer; 67-year-old David Lenox; 57-year-old Timothy Rice; 61-year-old Michael Darby; and 64-year-old Karen Harmeyer.All of the killings occurred in 2016 and 2017 along city hiking and biking trails that frightened the community and users of the trails. Scott has been in custody since his arrest nearly four years ago.Police have said that in the days before his arrest, Scott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cb6ff074d84644b9a41f53075819e695">reported four handguns stolen</a>&nbsp;from him. Police believe those guns were used in the killings and that Scott reported them stolen to throw off investigators.Police have said Scott told detectives after his arrest that he was angry about the 2015 shooting death of his half brother. Scott's mother has said he suffered from delusions as a result of undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia.The judge set an August hearing for re-evaluation of Scott’s mental fitness.

KC trail killing suspect found not competent for trial

BARTON COUNTY —The replacement hospital being planned in Ellinwood is moving off the current campus to a new location, according to a media release from the hospital.

 Officials say moving the hospital to the new site on the northwest corner of the intersection of Park Street and U.S 56 Highway will accomplish a number of objectives, not the least of which is to save significant amounts of time and money and while also making the institution more accessible.

CEO Kile Magner announced the new site is 15.85 acres located across from the Grove Park Golf Course and the Ellinwood Packing Plant. Magner, CEO since 2015, reported, “We were continuing to plan for construction and demolition on the existing site but the project just became more and more complicated because we didn’t have the space to do everything we needed to do when we needed to do it.”

Magner says they knew it was going to be a tight work zone when planning started but as they moved deeper into the planning and mobilization strategies, the complexity and cost just kept increasing. Finally, he said, “Our staff team requested time to look into an alternate site. Almost immediately we identified savings of more than a half million dollars and that savings number is now even higher.”

According to Ellinwood Hospital District Board President Joyce Schulte, “We will save more than $350,000 simply by not having to deal with existing drainage issues on the current campus, issues that would have only been made worse with a new building and more parking. By working with the city, along with our engineers and earthwork planners, we can address stormwater runoff issues at the new site ahead of construction, something that would have been impossible on the current campus. Eliminating the need for temporary structures so we can continue to provide care during construction is a huge savings as well.”

Moving to the new site, which is 3 times larger than the existing campus, will allow for a shorter construction time, ability to plan for the future, and much greater visibility than currently available to the existing facility, which was built in 1952.

Magner said the hospital has known for quite some time that they had a visibility problem. “There are people who live in Ellinwood and the surrounding area that don’t know the hospital is here in Ellinwood,” he reflected. “And there are others that think it is a nursing home or that thought it was closed.”

Schulte says the new location “will allow the hospital to send the message that we are alive and well here in Ellinwood. Construction on the new site will allow an extra two years of visibility and related marketing. We’re excited because the new facility says we’re still growing what we started 70 years ago.”

The project, according to Magner, is expected to total an estimated 20 million dollars and should be complete in 2.5 years. The project is using USDA Community Development Programs to support both the short-term construction funding and long-term permanent financing needs while relying on the issuance of revenue bonds for debt service.

Over the last two years, the administration and board members of the hospital have been working through extensive research, financial studies, preliminary design, and other due diligence to develop a plan and take steps to the consideration of a new hospital and clinic facility for Ellinwood. The final pieces of the development of the immensely complicated project are coming together now.

Magner reported about the project, “The plans are being finalized, the funding mechanisms are being organized, and the timeline is coming together. The hospital and clinic will be rolling out educational pieces and opportunities to ask questions in the next few months and encourage the community to watch the newspaper and the hospital Facebook page for more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623697056816.png" alt="Rendering of the new Ellinwood Hospital to be constructed at Park &amp; US 56 Highway." />
 <figcaption>Rendering of the new Ellinwood Hospital to be constructed at Park &amp; US 56 Highway.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —The replacement hospital being planned in Ellinwood is moving off the current campus to a new location, according to a media release from the hospital. Officials say moving the hospital to the new site on the northwest corner of the intersection of Park Street and U.S 56 Highway will accomplish a number of objectives, not the least of which is to save significant amounts of time and money and while also making the institution more accessible.CEO Kile Magner announced the new site is 15.85 acres located across from the Grove Park Golf Course and the Ellinwood Packing Plant. Magner, CEO since 2015, reported, “We were continuing to plan for construction and demolition on the existing site but the project just became more and more complicated because we didn’t have the space to do everything we needed to do when we needed to do it.”Magner says they knew it was going to be a tight work zone when planning started but as they moved deeper into the planning and mobilization strategies, the complexity and cost just kept increasing. Finally, he said, “Our staff team requested time to look into an alternate site. Almost immediately we identified savings of more than a half million dollars and that savings number is now even higher.”According to Ellinwood Hospital District Board President Joyce Schulte, “We will save more than $350,000 simply by not having to deal with existing drainage issues on the current campus, issues that would have only been made worse with a new building and more parking. By working with the city, along with our engineers and earthwork planners, we can address stormwater runoff issues at the new site ahead of construction, something that would have been impossible on the current campus. Eliminating the need for temporary structures so we can continue to provide care during construction is a huge savings as well.”Moving to the new site, which is 3 times larger than the existing campus, will allow for a shorter construction time, ability to plan for the future, and much greater visibility than currently available to the existing facility, which was built in 1952.Magner said the hospital has known for quite some time that they had a visibility problem. “There are people who live in Ellinwood and the surrounding area that don’t know the hospital is here in Ellinwood,” he reflected. “And there are others that think it is a nursing home or that thought it was closed.”Schulte says the new location “will allow the hospital to send the message that we are alive and well here in Ellinwood. Construction on the new site will allow an extra two years of visibility and related marketing. We’re excited because the new facility says we’re still growing what we started 70 years ago.”The project, according to Magner, is expected to total an estimated 20 million dollars and should be complete in 2.5 years. The project is using USDA Community Development Programs to support both the short-term construction funding and long-term permanent financing needs while relying on the issuance of revenue bonds for debt service.Over the last two years, the administration and board members of the hospital have been working through extensive research, financial studies, preliminary design, and other due diligence to develop a plan and take steps to the consideration of a new hospital and clinic facility for Ellinwood. The final pieces of the development of the immensely complicated project are coming together now.Magner reported about the project, “The plans are being finalized, the funding mechanisms are being organized, and the timeline is coming together. The hospital and clinic will be rolling out educational pieces and opportunities to ask questions in the next few months and encourage the community to watch the newspaper and the hospital Facebook page for more information.

New hospital planned for small Kansas community

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged Monday with killing the mother of their children during an argument.

Christopher Sears, 33, was also charged with armed criminal action in the death of Andrea Dean, 32, who was found dead at her home on Sunday.

Charging documents said three juvenile children in the home told police their father shot their mother in the head while they argued. The children ran to a neighbor's home for help.

Hours after the shooting, Sears went to a fire station and told firefighters he had shot the mother of his children, according to a probable cause statement.

In a later interview with police, he said the couple was arguing when they fought over the gun. He said the gun went off and when he got control of it, he shot Dean in the head, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors recommended a $250,000 bond for Sears. He does not yet have an attorney, according to online court records.

Dean's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623752932882.png" alt="Spears photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Spears photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged Monday with killing the mother of their children during an argument.Christopher Sears, 33, was also charged with armed criminal action in the death of Andrea Dean, 32, who was found dead at her home on Sunday.Charging documents said three juvenile children in the home told police their father shot their mother in the head while they argued. The children ran to a neighbor's home for help.Hours after the shooting, Sears went to a fire station and told firefighters he had shot the mother of his children, according to a probable cause statement.In a later interview with police, he said the couple was arguing when they fought over the gun. He said the gun went off and when he got control of it, he shot Dean in the head, prosecutors said.Prosecutors recommended a $250,000 bond for Sears. He does not yet have an attorney, according to online court records.Dean's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

Kansas City woman shot in the head in front of her children

HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man facing several charges including kidnapping is due back in a Reno County courtroom Wednesday on a motion to have his attorney removed from the case.&nbsp;

Charges against 56-year-old Thomas Lee Boyd of Hutchinson include one count of kidnapping and one count of stalking. The charges stem from an incident involving a Hutchison woman after following her in her vehicle then confronting her May 9.

Depending on his past criminal history, he could be facing as many as 20 years in prison if he is tried and convicted of the kidnapping charge.

Boyd is still being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $226,100. His hearing is set for 1 p.m. in front of Judge Keith Schroeder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623703695172.jpeg" alt="Boyd has previous convictions for indent liberties with a child, battery, aggravated battery, violation of a protection order of abuse, obstruction and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Boyd has previous convictions for indent liberties with a child, battery, aggravated battery, violation of a protection order of abuse, obstruction and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man facing several charges including kidnapping is due back in a Reno County courtroom Wednesday on a motion to have his attorney removed from the case.&nbsp;Charges against 56-year-old Thomas Lee Boyd of Hutchinson include one count of kidnapping and one count of stalking. The charges stem from an incident involving a Hutchison woman after following her in her vehicle then confronting her May 9.Depending on his past criminal history, he could be facing as many as 20 years in prison if he is tried and convicted of the kidnapping charge.Boyd is still being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $226,100. His hearing is set for 1 p.m. in front of Judge Keith Schroeder.

Kan. man with history of crime to appear in court for stalking

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enacted a new law Tuesday limiting the duration of local public health restrictions and barring governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to use public facilities and transportation.

The law took effect immediately upon Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.

Parson, a Republican, said the law still is important for the future.

“Then next time we do get in a crisis, we're going to have a little bit more safeguards for the general public to make sure they have more transparency and more of a voice in the process,” he said.

When under a statewide emergency declaration, the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0195H.08T.pdf">law</a>&nbsp;limits local orders restricting businesses, churches, schools or gatherings to 30 days, unless extended by a majority vote of the local governing body such as the city council. If there is no state emergency declaration, then local orders closing entire classifications of entities or activities could last for only 21 days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.

The law also lets local governing bodies halt public health orders at any time by a majority vote and prohibits cities and counties that receive public funds from requiring vaccination proof.

The Republican-led House and Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly during the legislative session that ended in May. The measure was driven by lawmakers upset that some local officials — primarily in the state's more populated areas — kept coronavirus capacity limits in place long after Parson lifted statewide restrictions in May 2020.

“When this pandemic occurred, there was overreach on the local levels,” Parson said.

Parson never imposed a mask mandate, though he encouraged people to wear them. Some local officials kept mask mandates in place until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that fully vaccinated people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5">no longer needed to wear masks</a>&nbsp;in most settings.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-fe2e65c19506b99ebdb8f1e0badc846b">Research has found&nbsp;</a>that mask mandates and limits on group activities such as indoor dining can help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But states with greater government-imposed restrictions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-ron-desantis-889df3826d4da96447b329f524c33047">did not always fare better</a>&nbsp;than states with fewer restrictions during the long course of the pandemic.

As vaccination rates have increased and coronavirus caseloads have decreased, most state and local officials have lifted restrictions. As of Tuesday, more than a dozen states had announced an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-health-1ecc111678cba61d78b7017e749e66c2">their COVID-19 emergency declarations</a>, including neighboring Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kansas' top Republican lawmakers, whose approval is needed for emergency extensions, also let Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-7302d46eef675734fe1343f2640236f9">emergency declaration expire</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.

Parson's emergency declaration is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. He said the order has allowed his administration to waive about 600 regulations during the pandemic. Parson said he has considered ending the emergency declaration but has continued it to help facilitate an economic recovery and to be able to mobilize the National Guard if necessary.

Some states are offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-health-7bf8deb0e195f324b3e008b5ef7e3a39">large cash prizes</a>&nbsp;and free college tuition as incentives for people to get vaccinated. Parson said he is reluctant to offer similar perks — even though Missouri's vaccination rate is lower than the national average.

“I get the whole theory behind it, but I think as government you've got to be careful when you start doing things like that — that pattern you set,” he said,.

Missouri has been without a permanent director of its health department since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michael-brown-coronavirus-39299321bc2a13119b1c838d7776f6a2">Randall Williams resigned&nbsp;</a>in April. Parson said he has winnowed the search for a replacement to four or five candidates and is weighing whether it's most important to have someone with a medical background or administrative expertise.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623796947629.png" alt="The law took effect immediately upon Gov. Mike Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status." />
 <figcaption>The law took effect immediately upon Gov. Mike Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enacted a new law Tuesday limiting the duration of local public health restrictions and barring governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to use public facilities and transportation.The law took effect immediately upon Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.Parson, a Republican, said the law still is important for the future.“Then next time we do get in a crisis, we're going to have a little bit more safeguards for the general public to make sure they have more transparency and more of a voice in the process,” he said.When under a statewide emergency declaration, the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0195H.08T.pdf">law</a>&nbsp;limits local orders restricting businesses, churches, schools or gatherings to 30 days, unless extended by a majority vote of the local governing body such as the city council. If there is no state emergency declaration, then local orders closing entire classifications of entities or activities could last for only 21 days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.The law also lets local governing bodies halt public health orders at any time by a majority vote and prohibits cities and counties that receive public funds from requiring vaccination proof.The Republican-led House and Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly during the legislative session that ended in May. The measure was driven by lawmakers upset that some local officials — primarily in the state's more populated areas — kept coronavirus capacity limits in place long after Parson lifted statewide restrictions in May 2020.“When this pandemic occurred, there was overreach on the local levels,” Parson said.Parson never imposed a mask mandate, though he encouraged people to wear them. Some local officials kept mask mandates in place until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that fully vaccinated people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5">no longer needed to wear masks</a>&nbsp;in most settings.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-fe2e65c19506b99ebdb8f1e0badc846b">Research has found&nbsp;</a>that mask mandates and limits on group activities such as indoor dining can help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But states with greater government-imposed restrictions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-ron-desantis-889df3826d4da96447b329f524c33047">did not always fare better</a>&nbsp;than states with fewer restrictions during the long course of the pandemic.As vaccination rates have increased and coronavirus caseloads have decreased, most state and local officials have lifted restrictions. As of Tuesday, more than a dozen states had announced an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-health-1ecc111678cba61d78b7017e749e66c2">their COVID-19 emergency declarations</a>, including neighboring Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kansas' top Republican lawmakers, whose approval is needed for emergency extensions, also let Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-7302d46eef675734fe1343f2640236f9">emergency declaration expire</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.Parson's emergency declaration is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. He said the order has allowed his administration to waive about 600 regulations during the pandemic. Parson said he has considered ending the emergency declaration but has continued it to help facilitate an economic recovery and to be able to mobilize the National Guard if necessary.Some states are offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-health-7bf8deb0e195f324b3e008b5ef7e3a39">large cash prizes</a>&nbsp;and free college tuition as incentives for people to get vaccinated. Parson said he is reluctant to offer similar perks — even though Missouri's vaccination rate is lower than the national average.“I get the whole theory behind it, but I think as government you've got to be careful when you start doing things like that — that pattern you set,” he said,.Missouri has been without a permanent director of its health department since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michael-brown-coronavirus-39299321bc2a13119b1c838d7776f6a2">Randall Williams resigned&nbsp;</a>in April. Parson said he has winnowed the search for a replacement to four or five candidates and is weighing whether it's most important to have someone with a medical background or administrative expertise.

New Missouri law limits length of public health restrictions

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames in jail on multiple charges after an arrest late Monday.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.

An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.

Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon, brought her in for questioning and later arrested her on requested charges of attempted murder, arson and willful injury, according to a media release.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities in western Iowa are investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames.

Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon and brought her in for questioning. Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623754087247.png" alt="Maves photo Pottawatomie County" />
 <figcaption>Maves photo Pottawatomie County</figcaption>
 </figure>COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames in jail on multiple charges after an arrest late Monday.Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon, brought her in for questioning and later arrested her on requested charges of attempted murder, arson and willful injury, according to a media release.---------------COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities in western Iowa are investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623688227978.png" alt="Maves photo Council Bluffs Police" />
 <figcaption>Maves photo Council Bluffs Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon and brought her in for questioning. Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

Update: Woman accused of setting another woman on fire 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Wichita Police officer on several allegations.

The Sedgwick County District Attorney has charged Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace on one count of sexual exploitation of a child, according to police department spokesman Officer Charley Davidson.

The District Attorney is also considering charges of stalking against Wallace.

Wichita Police officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office that began late last year concerning another Wichita Police Department employee. 

The investigation into these allegations led to his arrest in February and the current charges, according to Davidson.

Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on unpaid administrative leave Tuesday, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a report of alleged stalking and have arrested a police officer.&nbsp;

On Friday afternoon authorities booked Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace into the Sedgwick County Jail on two counts of misdemeanor stalking, according to police spokesman officer Charley Davidson.

Officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that began late last year concerning another Wichita police department employee.&nbsp; 

The sheriff's office investigated in order to avoid conflicts of interest.&nbsp;

Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612615648257.png" alt="Wallace Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Wallace Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Wichita Police officer on several allegations.The Sedgwick County District Attorney has charged Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace on one count of sexual exploitation of a child, according to police department spokesman Officer Charley Davidson.The District Attorney is also considering charges of stalking against Wallace.Wichita Police officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office that began late last year concerning another Wichita Police Department employee. The investigation into these allegations led to his arrest in February and the current charges, according to Davidson.Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on unpaid administrative leave Tuesday, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.------------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a report of alleged stalking and have arrested a police officer.&nbsp;On Friday afternoon authorities booked Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace into the Sedgwick County Jail on two counts of misdemeanor stalking, according to police spokesman officer Charley Davidson.Officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that began late last year concerning another Wichita police department employee.&nbsp; The sheriff's office investigated in order to avoid conflicts of interest.&nbsp;Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

Kan. police officer arrested in Feb., charged with child sex crime

<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b6b0a700755b14f031e2111776be434a/utilitys-green-energy-plan-fuels-debate-kansas-missouri#">By JOHN HANNA</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' largest electric company expects to make its first big investments in solar energy over the next three years and promises zero net carbon emissions in 2045.

Environmentalists don’t think Evergy is moving quickly enough. Conversely, other critics worry that its plans could make electricity more costly and less reliable.

Evergy outlined its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evergy.com/-/media/documents/smart-energy/evergy-2021-irp-overview.pdf?la=en">long-term plan</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks for regulators in Kansas, where the company has about 1 million customers, and Missouri, where it has an additional 600,000. The plan is inspiring a debate about climate change, electric rates and promoting social justice through energy policy.

It's the first time a Kansas utility has filed such a plan with state regulators, and Evergy promises to update it every three years. Utilities across the U.S. and investors increasingly see green initiatives as good for companies' bottom lines as well as the environment.

“Most utilities see the handwriting on the wall,” said Lisa Frantzis, senior managing director for Advanced Energy Economy, a national association for clean-energy technology firms. “The customers — their ratepayers — are requiring it and we're even seeing even more and more pressure from financial institutions."

Eighteen states have a goal to generate all their power from renewable or clean sources by 2050, as do utilities such as Arizona Public Service and Duke Energy, according to Advanced Energy Economy.

Evergy would shut down nearly three-quarters of its coal-fired generating capacity by 2039, starting with a plant in Lawrence by 2023. Its capacity to generate power from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-environment-kansas-utilities-energy-industry-9a959204c49da95beefe23bcf2ab9244">wind farms</a>&nbsp;would increase by 23% by 2026.

Evergy has almost no solar power now, but solar farms would provide 13% of its generating capacity within a decade. Its first would go online in 2023.

<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b6b0a700755b14f031e2111776be434a/utilitys-green-energy-plan-fuels-debate-kansas-missouri#">By JOHN HANNA</a>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' largest electric company expects to make its first big investments in solar energy over the next three years and promises zero net carbon emissions in 2045.Environmentalists don’t think Evergy is moving quickly enough. Conversely, other critics worry that its plans could make electricity more costly and less reliable.Evergy outlined its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evergy.com/-/media/documents/smart-energy/evergy-2021-irp-overview.pdf?la=en">long-term plan</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks for regulators in Kansas, where the company has about 1 million customers, and Missouri, where it has an additional 600,000. The plan is inspiring a debate about climate change, electric rates and promoting social justice through energy policy.It's the first time a Kansas utility has filed such a plan with state regulators, and Evergy promises to update it every three years. Utilities across the U.S. and investors increasingly see green initiatives as good for companies' bottom lines as well as the environment.“Most utilities see the handwriting on the wall,” said Lisa Frantzis, senior managing director for Advanced Energy Economy, a national association for clean-energy technology firms. “The customers — their ratepayers — are requiring it and we're even seeing even more and more pressure from financial institutions."Eighteen states have a goal to generate all their power from renewable or clean sources by 2050, as do utilities such as Arizona Public Service and Duke Energy, according to Advanced Energy Economy.Evergy would shut down nearly three-quarters of its coal-fired generating capacity by 2039, starting with a plant in Lawrence by 2023. Its capacity to generate power from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-environment-kansas-utilities-energy-industry-9a959204c49da95beefe23bcf2ab9244">wind farms</a>&nbsp;would increase by 23% by 2026.Evergy has almost no solar power now, but solar farms would provide 13% of its generating capacity within a decade. Its first would go online in 2023.“Every year, the technology gets better and better," said Chuck Caisley, an Evergy senior vice president and its chief customer officer. "You're just going to see that march continue.”However, under Evergy's plan, only 20% of its coal-fired generating capacity would go offline by 2030. Also, for now it plans to add natural-gas fired plants after 2030 to back up solar and wind farms. Gas is cleaner but not emissions-free.Evergy's move toward clean energy is "not fast enough to align with the urgency of climate change," said Jeff Deyette of the Union Concerned Scientists.Kansas' and Missouri's utility regulatory commissions are providing forums for comments on the plan rather than dictating the details, though later reviews of Evergy rates could shape what it does.Evergy's plan worries at least a few conservatives in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. They argue that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-54179537e56b69ab71aafc6f42fa990b">rolling blackouts</a>&nbsp;during a brutal cold snap in February showed that Kansas needs fossil-fuel powered plants because wind and sun are not reliable enough.Senate Utilities Committee Chair Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, said he's concerned about how much customers' rates might rise to pay for new wind and solar farms.“The Legislature needs to do something — exactly what, I'm not sure yet," Thompson said.Attorneys representing utility customers also are reviewing Evergy's plan, focusing on keeping power affordable and reliable."You need it to live a modern life," said Robert Vincent, a Kansas City-area attorney representing large industrial customers.Yet environmentalists also cite the cost of electricity to justify a more aggressive move toward green energy.Evergy acknowledges that wind power is as cheap or cheaper than other power and that solar power is getting there.“What's changed in the last five years is that the economics actually make sense,” added Sarah Akers, a utility analyst in St. Louis for Wells Fargo Securities, which provides services to Evergy.The Sierra Club contends Evergy could free up $780 million by shutting down all of its coal-fired plants earlier, by 2030, under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2072_2021">a bipartisan Kansas law</a>&nbsp;enacted in April. The law allows utilities to use low-interest bonds to spread out shutdown costs, lessening the rate shock for customers.Activists said savings could lower rates, pay for green technology or fund programs for financially struggling families. They argue there also will be financial and health benefits from lessening pollution that disproportionately affects poor and minority neighborhoods.“There's no reason why we should continue to have a coal-fired power plant operating even two more years,” said Beto Lugo, executive director of Clean Air Now, a Kansas City group that sees green energy countering “environmental racism.”But Evergy wants coal-fired power plants to back up wind and solar farms. Also, Caisley said, its plan would give solar batteries time to develop into something that can store massive amounts of power and dispatch it over time. Better green technology also could prompt Evergy to forgo building gas-fired plants after 2030.“You really do have to look at a bunch of factors over over a long time period,” he said.