TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 411 to a total of 311,338, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 13 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5029.

<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 411 to a total of 311,338, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 13 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5029.<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/2021/5/1620839601298.png" alt="Wednesday May 12, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday May 12, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

CHAMBLEE, Ga. (AP) — State and federal officials are scrambling to find alternate routes to deliver gasoline in the Southeast U.S. after a hack of the nation’s largest fuel pipeline led to panic-buying that contributed to more than 1,000 gas stations running out of fuel.

There is no gasoline shortage, but if the pipeline shutdown continues past the weekend, it could create broader fuel disruptions.

The Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45% of what is consumed on the East Coast, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">hit on Friday with a cyberattack</a>&nbsp;by hackers who lock up computer systems and demand a ransom to release them. The attack raised concerns, once again, about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-hacking-government-and-politics-technology-business-b2a867c0705acd953c90d6e2a58fabb9">vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure</a>.

A large part of the pipeline resumed operations manually late Monday, and Colonial anticipates restarting most of its operations by the end of the week, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.

However, the disruption is taking place at the time of year when Americans begin to become more mobile, especially as the nation emerges from the pandemic.

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline ticked above $3 for the first time since 2016 Wednesday, according to the AAA auto club. Prices begin to rise around this time every year and the AAA auto club said Wednesday that the average price hit $3.008 nationally.

The AAA expects more than 37 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend, up 60% from last year, which was the lowest since AAA began keeping records in 2000.

Multiple U.S. agencies are coordinating efforts to avert any potential shortage, should they arise.

The White House said Wednesday that the Department of Transportation is now allowing Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to use interstate highways to transport overweight loads of gasoline and other fuels under existing disaster declarations.

The department’s Maritime Administration completed a review of potential actions available under the Jones Act, a U.S. maritime law that requires shipments between U.S. ports, including fuel, to be moved by American-flagged ships.

The Department of Homeland Security is prepared to review any temporary Jones Act waiver requests from companies if there is not sufficient capacity to get to regions suffering fuel shortages, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday.

CHAMBLEE, Ga. (AP) — More than 1,000 gas stations in the Southeast reported running out of fuel, primarily because of what analysts say is unwarranted panic-buying among drivers, as the shutdown of a major pipeline by a gang of hackers entered its fifth day Tuesday.

Government officials acted swiftly to waive safety and environmental rules to speed the delivery of fuel by truck, ship or rail to motorists and airports, even as they sought to assure the public that there was no cause for alarm.

The Colonial Pipeline, the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S., delivering about 45% of what is consumed on the East Coast, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ga-state-wire-business-c6ef4314af911fb58b8445d2b121e82d">hit on Friday with a cyberattack</a>&nbsp;by hackers who lock up computer systems and demand a ransom to release them. The attack raised concerns, once again, about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-hacking-government-and-politics-technology-business-b2a867c0705acd953c90d6e2a58fabb9">vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure</a>.

Motorists may still feel a crunch because it takes a few days to ramp up operations, but she said there is no reason to hoard gasoline.

“We know that we have gasoline; we just have to get it to the right places,” she said.

S&amp;P’s Oil Price Information Service put the number of gas stations encountering shortages at more than 1,000.

“A lot of that is because they’re selling three or four times as much gasoline that they normally sell in a given day, because people do panic,” said Tom Kloza, an analyst with S&amp;P. “It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

The pipeline runs from the Texas Gulf Coast to the New York metropolitan area. The states most dependent on the pipeline include Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas, Kloza said.

In Virginia, 7.7% of the state’s nearly 3,900 gas stations reported running out of fuel Tuesday, according to Gasbuddy.com, which tracks supply. In North Carolina, 8.5% of almost 5,400 stations were out, the company said.

There were scattered reports of higher gasoline prices, but prices were rising even before the pipeline incident heading into the busy summer driving season. Nevertheless, Granholm warned gas station owners, “We will have no tolerance for price gouging.”

To ease brief shortages, the White House is considering temporarily waiving a law that says ships delivering products between U.S. ports must be built and manned by Americans.

The Transportation Department also is relaxing some workforce requirements and enlisting railroads to deliver fuel inland. And the Environmental Protection Agency lifted some fuel quality requirements on an emergency basis.

“We’re looking at every option we have across the federal government and all of the federal agencies,” Granholm said.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended state taxes on motor fuels through Saturday. Georgia collects a gasoline tax of 28.7 cents per gallon and a diesel tax of 32.2 cents per gallon.

“It will probably help level the price at the pump off for a little while,” Kemp said.

However, he urged people not to hoard gasoline, saying he expects the situation to be resolved soon.

“You don’t need to go out and fill up every 5-gallon can you’ve got,” the governor said.

Scattered gas stations in metro Atlanta were out of fuel Monday and Tuesday. In Georgia, nearly 6% of about 6,400 stations had run out of fuel, Gasbuddy.com said.

In Florida, drivers in some areas faced long lines, and 3% of gas stations had run out.

The state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency Tuesday evening in response to the gasoline. The move activates the Florida National Guard, as needed, and directs state emergency management officials to work with federal and local officials.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency.

Dave Gussak drove from one station to the next in Tallahassee, Florida, in search of gas, seeing a line nearly a mile long at the pumps outside a Costco. He eventually passed a station with gas on the way to Florida State University where he works.

Irena Yanava’s tank was about half full, but she wasn’t about to take chances as she sat in her car at the same Tallahassee gas station.

“I know that I’ll be needing it soon, so why not?” she said.

Citgo’s Fairfax, Virginia, terminal ran out of premium reformulated gasoline, and its Richmond, Virginia, terminal was out of unleaded regular, according to the American Automobile Association, citing a shipper bulletin.

The Colonial Pipeline carries jet fuel as well. American Airlines rerouted two long-haul flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, because of possible shortages. Passengers flying to Honolulu will have to change planes in Dallas, and those heading to London will stop in Boston to refuel.

Southwest and United flights carried extra fuel on flights to Nashville, Tennessee, Baltimore and some other airports in case jet fuel was unavailable at those airports. Normally airlines load only enough fuel for a single flight, because topping off adds to the plane’s weight and hurts mileage. Most planes can carry enough fuel for a round trip, but the extra fuel burn costs money.

The Colonial Pipeline, the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S., delivering about 45% of what is consumed on the East Coast, was hit on Friday with a cyberattack by hackers who lock up computer systems and demand a ransom to release them. The attack raised concerns, once again, about the vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure.

There were scattered reports of higher gasoline prices, but prices were rising even before the pipeline incident heading into the busy summer driving season. Nevertheless, Granholm warned gas station owners, “We will have no tolerance for price gouging."

"I know that I’ll be needing it soon, so why not?” she said.

Citgo's Fairfax, Virginia, terminal ran out of premium reformulated gasoline, and its Richmond, Virginia, terminal was out of unleaded regular, according to the American Automobile Association, citing a shipper bulletin,

CHAMBLEE, Georgia (AP) —As the shutdown of a major fuel pipeline entered into its fifth day, efforts are under way to stave off potential fuel shortages, though no widespread disruptions were evident.

The Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast, was hit by a cyberattack on Friday. The attack raised concerns, once again, about the vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure. Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data to paralyze their target's networks. Large payments are demanded to decrypt it.

There were reports of gas stations in the Southeast running out of gasoline, according to Gasbuddy.com, which tracks outages and prices. In&nbsp;Virginia, 7.5% of the state’s 3,880 gas stations reported running out of fuel. In&nbsp;North Carolina, 5.4% of 5,372 stations were out, the company said.

By Tuesday, more than 1,000 gas stations had run out of gasoline, shortages primarily driven by panic buying.

“A lot of that is because they’re selling three or four times as much gasoline that they normally sell in a given day, because people do panic,” said Tom Kloza, a veteran analyst with S&amp;P’s Oil Price Information Service. “It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

The states most dependent on the pipeline include&nbsp;Alabama,&nbsp;Georgia,&nbsp;Tennessee&nbsp;and the Carolinas, he said.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm told reporters Tuesday that a large part of the pipeline resumed operations manually late Monday, and Colonial will be able restart most of its operations by the end of the week. Motorists may still feel a crunch because it takes a few days to ramp up operations, she said.

“We know that we have gasoline, we just have to get it to the right places,” Granholm said.

Granholm urged people not to hoard gasoline saying there is no need, and she warned gas station owners as well.

"We will have no tolerance for price gauging,” Granholm said.

The White House said this week that it is monitoring supply in parts of the Southeast and that President Joe Biden had directed federal agencies to bring their resources to bear.

There is action at the state level as well. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended state taxes on motor fuels through Saturday. Georgia collects a gasoline tax of 28.7 cents per gallon and a diesel tax of 32.2 cents per gallon.

“It will probably help level the price at the pump off for a little while,” Kemp told reporters at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Chamblee, an Atlanta suburb.

However, Kemp also urged people not to hoard gasoline, saying he expected the situation to be resolved soon.

“You don’t need to go out and fill up every 5-gallon can you’ve got,” Kemp said.

Scattered gas stations in metro Atlanta were out of fuel Monday and Tuesday, but most were operating normally. In Georgia, nearly 4% of 6,368 stations had run out of fuel, Gasbuddy.com said.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida">Florida</a>, just 2% of the gas stations had run out of fuel. Nevertheless, consumers in some areas faced long lines.

Dave Gussak drove from one station to the next in Tallahassee, Florida in search of gas without success, he said. After putting a number of miles on his vehicle, he said he saw a line nearly a mile long at the gas pumps outside of a Costco store.

Gussak eventually passed a station with gas on the way to Florida State University where he works. “This is insane,” said Gussak.

Irena Yanava’s tank was about half full, but she wasn’t about to take chances as she sat in her car at the same Tallahassee gas station. She had heard stories from friends about their search for gas. “I was just driving by and I saw that there was a line here of cars, and I know that I’ll be needing it soon, so why not?” she said.

Citgo's Fairfax, Virginia terminal ran out of premium grade reformulated gasoline and its Richmond, Virginia terminal was out of unleaded regular, according to the American Automobile Association, citing a shipper bulletin,

The Colonial Pipeline carries jet fuel as well, and planes at the busy suburban airport where Kemp spoke Tuesday were being fueled and taking off.

American Airlines rerouted two long-haul flights from Charlotte due to possible fuel shortages, but said overall impact has been minimal. Passengers flying to Honolulu will have to change planes in Dallas, and those heading to London will stop in Boston to refuel.

To help alleviate potential shortages, the Environmental Protection Agency waved some fuel quality requirements on an emergency basis in parts of Washington D.C.,&nbsp;Maryland,&nbsp;Pennsylvania&nbsp;and Virginia.

The cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline struck as the Biden administration, still grappling with its response to massive breaches by Russia of federal agencies and private corporations, works on an executive order intended to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. The Justice Department, meanwhile, has formed a ransomware task force designed for such situations. The Energy Department on April 20 announced a 100-day initiative focused on protecting energy infrastructure from cyber threats. Similar actions are planned for other critical industries, such as water and natural gas.

The challenge facing the government and the private sector is immense.

The FBI assigned blame Monday in the Colonial attack to DarkSide, a criminal syndicate whose ransomware was used to snarl pipeline operations. The group’s members are Russian speakers, and the syndicate’s malware is coded not to attack networks using Russian-language keyboards. Russia has denied any involvement in the attack.

Asked Monday whether Russia was involved, Biden said, “I’m going to be meeting with President (Vladimir) Putin, and so far there is no evidence based on, from our intelligence people, that Russia is involved, although there is evidence that the actors, ransomware, is in Russia."

“They have some responsibility to deal with this,” he said.

Pipeline cyberattack: Scramble on for new fuel routes 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A doorbell camera captured video of a mountain lion trotting along a residential back alley in Wichita earlier this week, Kansas wildlife officials confirmed.

Kansas Department of Wildlife Research Biologist Matt Peek said it’s the first confirmed cougar sighting in Wichita, KAKE&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/43857857/firstever-confirmed-mountain-lion-sighting-in-wichita-and-its-all-caught-on-camera" target="_blank">reported</a>.

The video was captured early Monday morning on Cris Boyle’s doorbell camera, showing the large cat padding along the alleyway in the Riverside neighborhood. The wildcat can even be heard growling as it passes by Boyle’s house.

Wildlife officials have notified Wichita police of the sighting, Peek said.

“So that if somebody does call up and say, you know, there’s a mountain lion in the tree in my yard, that they take it seriously because it is possible,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620829476424.png" alt="Kansas Department of Wildlife Research Biologist Matt Peek said it’s the first confirmed cougar sighting in Wichita- image courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Wildlife Research Biologist Matt Peek said it’s the first confirmed cougar sighting in Wichita- image courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A doorbell camera captured video of a mountain lion trotting along a residential back alley in Wichita earlier this week, Kansas wildlife officials confirmed.Kansas Department of Wildlife Research Biologist Matt Peek said it’s the first confirmed cougar sighting in Wichita, KAKE&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/43857857/firstever-confirmed-mountain-lion-sighting-in-wichita-and-its-all-caught-on-camera" target="_blank">reported</a>.The video was captured early Monday morning on Cris Boyle’s doorbell camera, showing the large cat padding along the alleyway in the Riverside neighborhood. The wildcat can even be heard growling as it passes by Boyle’s house.Wildlife officials have notified Wichita police of the sighting, Peek said.“So that if somebody does call up and say, you know, there’s a mountain lion in the tree in my yard, that they take it seriously because it is possible,” he said.

Officials: Big cat captured on Kan. door camera is cougar

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as the chamber’s No. 3 GOP leader on Wednesday, punishing her after she repeatedly rebuked former President Donald Trump for his false claims of election fraud and his role in fomenting the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Meeting behind closed doors for less than 20 minutes, GOP lawmakers used a voice vote to remove Cheney, R-Wyo., from the party’s No. 3 House position, a jarring turnabout to what’s been her fast-rising career within the party.

She was Congress’ highest-ranking Republican woman and is a daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, and her demotion was the latest evidence that challenging Trump can be career-threatening.

Cheney has refused to stop repudiating Trump and defiantly signaled after the meeting that she intended to use her overthrow to try pointing the party away from the former president.

“I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office,” she told reporters.

Cheney’s replacement was widely expected to be Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who entered the House in 2015 at age 30, then the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Stefanik owns a more moderate voting record than Cheney but has evolved into a vigorous Trump defender who’s echoed some of his unfounded claims about widespread election cheating.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620826013560.png" alt="Rep. Liz Cheney answered questions following Wednesday's vote and said she will do whatever is necessary to keep Trump from getting close to the Oval Office ever again.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Liz Cheney answered questions following Wednesday's vote and said she will do whatever is necessary to keep Trump from getting close to the Oval Office ever again.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as the chamber’s No. 3 GOP leader on Wednesday, punishing her after she repeatedly rebuked former President Donald Trump for his false claims of election fraud and his role in fomenting the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.Meeting behind closed doors for less than 20 minutes, GOP lawmakers used a voice vote to remove Cheney, R-Wyo., from the party’s No. 3 House position, a jarring turnabout to what’s been her fast-rising career within the party.She was Congress’ highest-ranking Republican woman and is a daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, and her demotion was the latest evidence that challenging Trump can be career-threatening.Cheney has refused to stop repudiating Trump and defiantly signaled after the meeting that she intended to use her overthrow to try pointing the party away from the former president.“I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office,” she told reporters.Cheney’s replacement was widely expected to be Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who entered the House in 2015 at age 30, then the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Stefanik owns a more moderate voting record than Cheney but has evolved into a vigorous Trump defender who’s echoed some of his unfounded claims about widespread election cheating.

House GOP ousts Trump critic Cheney from top post

ROOKS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect wanted on federal charges after a traffic stop in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

Just after 10:30 p.m. May 6, police conducted a traffic stop on North Washington Street in Plainville, according to a social media report Wednesday.&nbsp; A K-9 officer and K-9 conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

They located Marijuana, THC Wax and drug Paraphernalia&nbsp; along with over $5,500 in cash.&nbsp; It was also discovered that the 69-year-old driver identified as William Dean Thompson had a federal warrant out of the state of Washington.

Officers arrested Thompson on requested charges that include drug possession with the intent to distribute and related drug charges. He is currently being held at the Rooks County Jail. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620824068994.jpeg" alt="Thompson photo Rooks County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Rooks County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ROOKS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect wanted on federal charges after a traffic stop in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;Just after 10:30 p.m. May 6, police conducted a traffic stop on North Washington Street in Plainville, according to a social media report Wednesday.&nbsp; A K-9 officer and K-9 conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.They located Marijuana, THC Wax and drug Paraphernalia&nbsp; along with over $5,500 in cash.&nbsp; It was also discovered that the 69-year-old driver identified as William Dean Thompson had a federal warrant out of the state of Washington.Officers arrested Thompson on requested charges that include drug possession with the intent to distribute and related drug charges. He is currently being held at the Rooks County Jail.

Man wanted on federal warrant captured in NW Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — U.S. educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.

There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate — 2019 is the last year for which it is available — and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. But soaring numbers of students who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/distance-learning-coronavirus-pandemic-oregon-7fde612c3dbfd2e21fab9673ca49ad89">failing classes&nbsp;</a>or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements.

“When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years.

At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city.

“If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said.

Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement.

The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://en.unesco.org/news/why-world-must-urgently-strengthen-learning-and-protect-finance-education" target="_blank">warned&nbsp;</a>that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the U.S. made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20the%20third%20quarter%20of%202019,%20full-time%20workers%20age%2025%20and%20older%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$975.%20Those%20without%20a%20high%20school%20diploma%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$606,%20compared%20with%20$749%20for%20high%20school%20graduates%20(no%20college),%20and%20$874%20for%20workers%20with%20some%20college%20or%20an%20associate%20degree.%20Workers%20with%20a%20bachelor's%20degree%20(and%20no%20additional%20degree)%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$1,281.%20Workers%20with%20an%20advanced%20degree%20(master's,%20professional,%20and%20doctoral%20degrees)%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$1,559%20in%20the%20third%20quarter%20of%202019." target="_blank">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>&nbsp;data.

To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts.

“If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said.

A National Dropout Prevention Center report predicted a doubling or tripling of the number of students who were at risk of falling behind academically and not graduating.

Among them for much of this school year was Jose Solano-Hernandez, a 17-year-old senior at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In January, when he was at his lowest point following the deaths of one grandparent from COVID-19 and another from cancer in the same week, he estimated that he had missed eight assignments in each of his classes.

“I wouldn’t make my parents proud,” he recalled thinking as he struggled to learn virtually at night while working by day at a mechanic’s shop.

Solano-Hernandez has been slowly chipping away at his backlog of work since his school brought back him and other struggling seniors for extra in-person help more than a month before the rest of the student body returned at the end of March. He said the change brought “relief” and he’s now hopeful he’ll graduate.

Mary Stewart, the school’s principal, said there was “radio silence” from hundreds of students in the fall. But the number who weren’t accounted for shrank to about 40 by the spring after staff hunted down siblings and scrolled through Facebook searching for clues to their whereabouts.

“I went to a house of a young man the day before Thanksgiving and found that he had self-isolated in his room because of a mental health issue,” she said. “That is very common. Whatever happens in the community and in the world, we are a micro-system of that.”

The pandemic also has taken a toll on students at North Grand High School in Chicago.

Principal Emily Feltes said some of her students took on jobs to support their families and others fell ill. Her students returned for part-time in-person instruction in April, but she’s worried that dropout numbers will rise.

“We have done everything that we think that we can to try to re-engage kids — to try to help them. And I know that my colleagues are all working really hard too,” she said. “But the reality is that this has been a worldwide and a national trauma.”

Persuading reluctant students to return isn’t easy. At Orange County Public Schools in the Orlando, Florida, area, substitute teacher Patrice Pullen was assigned in December to oversee a group of 13 seniors who fell behind during virtual learning. She said it became clear on her first day that her most important job would be “rebranding” the students, who had come to see themselves as failures.

“You have kids — and I’m not exaggerating — they had zeros. They had not turned in anything since August, since school started,” she said. Now, eleven are on track to graduate and the other two are close to being on track.

At Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, the 185,000-student district saw the percentage of middle school and high school students earning F’s in at least two classes jump by 83% in the fall.

The spring numbers returned to more normal levels as the district made several changes, including dropping the minimum number of assignments per quarter from nine to six and allowing teachers to accept late work on major assignments with minimal penalties, said district spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell. Still, she said, it is hard to say how many students disappeared or what will happen with dropouts.

“The pandemic was extraordinarily difficult on families — emotionally, economically, and physically,” Caldwell said.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — U.S. educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country’s dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.There isn’t data available yet on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s overall dropout rate — 2019 is the last year for which it is available — and many school officials say it’s too early to know how many students who stopped logging on for distance learning don’t plan to return. But soaring numbers of students who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/distance-learning-coronavirus-pandemic-oregon-7fde612c3dbfd2e21fab9673ca49ad89">failing classes&nbsp;</a>or are chronically absent have experts fearing the worst, and schools have been busy tracking down wayward seniors through social media, knocking on their doors, assigning staff to help them make up for lost time and, in some cases, even relaxing graduation requirements.“When students drop out, they typically look for an out, an opportunity to leave. And this has provided that, unfortunately,” Sandy Addis, chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, said recently, referring to the pandemic. His group believes the dropout rate has spiked this year and will remain high for years.At one high school in Kansas City, Kansas, staff members have made thousands of calls to the families of at-risk students, said Troy Pitsch, who supervises high school principals in the city.“If we lose a student, it is going to be after kicking and screaming and fighting tooth and nail for them,” Pitsch said.Many districts were forgiving last spring when schools shut down abruptly, freezing grades unless students wanted to improve them. That made this year the first for which schools would feel the full effects of the pandemic on student performance and engagement.The early signs aren’t encouraging. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization&nbsp;<a href="https://en.unesco.org/news/why-world-must-urgently-strengthen-learning-and-protect-finance-education" target="_blank">warned&nbsp;</a>that the pandemic had put 24 million children worldwide at risk of dropping out of school. And the pandemic’s effects could erase gains the U.S. made in reducing its dropout rate, which fell from 9.3% in 2007 to 5.1% in 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Not finishing high school significantly hurts a person’s earning potential, with dropouts bringing home an average of $150 less per week than graduates, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/In%20the%20third%20quarter%20of%202019,%20full-time%20workers%20age%2025%20and%20older%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$975.%20Those%20without%20a%20high%20school%20diploma%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$606,%20compared%20with%20$749%20for%20high%20school%20graduates%20(no%20college),%20and%20$874%20for%20workers%20with%20some%20college%20or%20an%20associate%20degree.%20Workers%20with%20a%20bachelor's%20degree%20(and%20no%20additional%20degree)%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$1,281.%20Workers%20with%20an%20advanced%20degree%20(master's,%20professional,%20and%20doctoral%20degrees)%20had%20median%20weekly%20earnings%20of%20$1,559%20in%20the%20third%20quarter%20of%202019." target="_blank">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>&nbsp;data.To keep students on track, some local governments and school systems have waived certain testing requirements for graduation or changed grading policies so that missed assignments aren’t as damaging. But such leniency carries the risk of watering down academic standards, said Russell Rumberger, a professor emeritus of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has written about dropouts.“If they let you pass with a D and you don’t have to do very much to do it, maybe technically you are getting a diploma, but you are not getting the same type of diploma you may have gotten prior to the pandemic, when the standards were higher,” he said.A National Dropout Prevention Center report predicted a doubling or tripling of the number of students who were at risk of falling behind academically and not graduating.Among them for much of this school year was Jose Solano-Hernandez, a 17-year-old senior at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In January, when he was at his lowest point following the deaths of one grandparent from COVID-19 and another from cancer in the same week, he estimated that he had missed eight assignments in each of his classes.“I wouldn’t make my parents proud,” he recalled thinking as he struggled to learn virtually at night while working by day at a mechanic’s shop.Solano-Hernandez has been slowly chipping away at his backlog of work since his school brought back him and other struggling seniors for extra in-person help more than a month before the rest of the student body returned at the end of March. He said the change brought “relief” and he’s now hopeful he’ll graduate.Mary Stewart, the school’s principal, said there was “radio silence” from hundreds of students in the fall. But the number who weren’t accounted for shrank to about 40 by the spring after staff hunted down siblings and scrolled through Facebook searching for clues to their whereabouts.“I went to a house of a young man the day before Thanksgiving and found that he had self-isolated in his room because of a mental health issue,” she said. “That is very common. Whatever happens in the community and in the world, we are a micro-system of that.”The pandemic also has taken a toll on students at North Grand High School in Chicago.Principal Emily Feltes said some of her students took on jobs to support their families and others fell ill. Her students returned for part-time in-person instruction in April, but she’s worried that dropout numbers will rise.“We have done everything that we think that we can to try to re-engage kids — to try to help them. And I know that my colleagues are all working really hard too,” she said. “But the reality is that this has been a worldwide and a national trauma.”Persuading reluctant students to return isn’t easy. At Orange County Public Schools in the Orlando, Florida, area, substitute teacher Patrice Pullen was assigned in December to oversee a group of 13 seniors who fell behind during virtual learning. She said it became clear on her first day that her most important job would be “rebranding” the students, who had come to see themselves as failures.“You have kids — and I’m not exaggerating — they had zeros. They had not turned in anything since August, since school started,” she said. Now, eleven are on track to graduate and the other two are close to being on track.At Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, the 185,000-student district saw the percentage of middle school and high school students earning F’s in at least two classes jump by 83% in the fall.The spring numbers returned to more normal levels as the district made several changes, including dropping the minimum number of assignments per quarter from nine to six and allowing teachers to accept late work on major assignments with minimal penalties, said district spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell. Still, she said, it is hard to say how many students disappeared or what will happen with dropouts.“The pandemic was extraordinarily difficult on families — emotionally, economically, and physically,” Caldwell said.

Schools fight to keep students amid fear of dropout surge

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A suspect accused in the fatal shooting of a convenience store security guard made his first court appearance Tuesday.&nbsp;

Laroy West, 41 of Wichita, was charged with 2nd degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 10p.m. May 5, police responded to report of a shooting near the QuikTrip convience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located 39-year-old Will Robinson, the Quick Trip security guard, in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. 

EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died two days later, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Investigators learned Robinson encountered West who was causing a disruption inside the store. He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and West shot him.&nbsp;

Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”

West remains jailed on a bond of $250,000. His next court date is May 20, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who worked security at a QuikTrip store in Wichita has died, two days after being shot. Will Robinson was shot Wednesday night at the downtown store. Wichita Police say he died Friday. He was 39. A suspect Laroy West in custody in the shooting. Police say he has a long criminal record. 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that critically injured a convenience store security guard have arrested 41-year-old Laroy West of Wichita.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man identified as the Quick Trip security guard in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition on Friday, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

The security guard encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement

On Thursday evening, a Wichita Police Lieutenant was doing follow-up on the investigation and observed West in the area of 19th and Broadway.  West was contacted and arrested without incident.&nbsp;

He is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070639">held on requested charges</a> of attempted 1st-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Davidson.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.

At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.

Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620393217853.png" alt="West&nbsp; is being held on a bond of $250,000, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney." />
 <figcaption>West&nbsp; is being held on a bond of $250,000, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A suspect accused in the fatal shooting of a convenience store security guard made his first court appearance Tuesday.&nbsp;Laroy West, 41 of Wichita, was charged with 2nd degree murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 10p.m. May 5, police responded to report of a shooting near the QuikTrip convience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334492831.png" alt="Security camera image of shooting suspect Laroy West -Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of shooting suspect Laroy West -Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, officers located 39-year-old Will Robinson, the Quick Trip security guard, in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died two days later, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Investigators learned Robinson encountered West who was causing a disruption inside the store. He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and West shot him.&nbsp;Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”West remains jailed on a bond of $250,000. His next court date is May 20, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;-----------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who worked security at a QuikTrip store in Wichita has died, two days after being shot. Will Robinson was shot Wednesday night at the downtown store. Wichita Police say he died Friday. He was 39. A suspect Laroy West in custody in the shooting. Police say he has a long criminal record. Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that critically injured a convenience store security guard have arrested 41-year-old Laroy West of Wichita.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620393217853.png" alt="Laroy West has multiple previous felony convictions, according to police -Photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Laroy West has multiple previous felony convictions, according to police -Photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man identified as the Quick Trip security guard in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition on Friday, according to Officer Charley Davidson.The security guard encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statementOn Thursday evening, a Wichita Police Lieutenant was doing follow-up on the investigation and observed West in the area of 19th and Broadway. West was contacted and arrested without incident.&nbsp;He is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070639">held on requested charges</a> of attempted 1st-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334524153.png" alt="Security camera image of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement

Suspect charged in deadly shooting of Kan. security guard 

SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged privacy crime.

Just before midnight Sunday, the Scott City Police Department responded to an address in Scott City after the reporting party stated someone had been observed standing outside a woman’s window recording her, according to a social media report from police.

 An investigation began immediately and on Tuesday after the execution of a search warrant police arrested 20-year-old Jose Angel Rodriguez of Scott City, on a requested charge of felony breach of privacy. He is currently housed in the Scott County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620771372401.png" alt=" Rodriguez photo Scott County Jail" />
 <figcaption> Rodriguez photo Scott County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged privacy crime.Just before midnight Sunday, the Scott City Police Department responded to an address in Scott City after the reporting party stated someone had been observed standing outside a woman’s window recording her, according to a social media report from police. An investigation began immediately and on Tuesday after the execution of a search warrant police arrested 20-year-old Jose Angel Rodriguez of Scott City, on a requested charge of felony breach of privacy. He is currently housed in the Scott County Jail.

Peeping Tom accused of recording woman at Kan. home

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday announced the state is cutting off all federal pandemic unemployment benefits in an attempt to push people back to work.

Parson said those extra federal benefits will end for Missourians June 12.

Roughly 53,500 Missourians received extra weeks of unemployment aid thanks to federal aid in the last week of April, according to the latest available data.

Another 37,000 people who otherwise wouldn't qualify for regular unemployment help also claimed aid, according to a state labor department spokeswoman. That includes independent contractors, farm workers and people who are self-employed.

Missouri’s unemployment rate hit 4.2% in March, down from 4.3% in February.

Parson said business owners in Missouri are struggling to fill jobs as the economy continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. He said he hopes cutting the federal aid will push people back to work and address labor shortages.

“Continuing these programs only worsens the workforce issues we're currently facing,” the Republican governor told reporters Tuesday. “It's time that we end these programs that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce.”

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade in a Tuesday statement said the free market, “not some federal boogeyman,” is mostly to blame for the labor shortage. She said workers will return if they're offered more money, especially for jobs where the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is higher.

“If companies provide a livable wage, applicants will respond,” she said. "The notion that Missourians are refusing to work so they can temporarily collect $300 a week is an offensive right-wing myth.”

Missouri is t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-1f092b895c281c13c87ff3dfa6279f62">he latest of several states</a>&nbsp;— Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana and South Carolina — ending the $300 federal benefit that is on top of state benefits.

Labor experts say the shortage is not just about the $300 payment. Some unemployed people also have been reluctant to look for work because they fear catching the virus. Others have found new occupations rather than return to their old jobs. And many women, especially working mothers, have had to leave the workforce to care for children.

“Our economic recovery is nuanced, and many Missourians haven’t been able to return to work because they still have children home from school or jobs aren’t available in their areas,” Amy Blouin, president and of the Missouri Budget Project, said in a statement.

The nonprofit Missouri Budget Project analyzes state financial issues with an eye toward their impact on low-income residents.

Missouri's Republican-led Legislature has also considered cutting how long people can receive state unemployment help as a means to force people back to work, but those proposals have stalled.

Lawmakers have until Friday to send bills to Parson.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday announced the state is cutting off all federal pandemic unemployment benefits in an attempt to push people back to work.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovMikeParson%2Fvideos%2F482963262953836%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Parson said those extra federal benefits will end for Missourians June 12.Roughly 53,500 Missourians received extra weeks of unemployment aid thanks to federal aid in the last week of April, according to the latest available data.Another 37,000 people who otherwise wouldn't qualify for regular unemployment help also claimed aid, according to a state labor department spokeswoman. That includes independent contractors, farm workers and people who are self-employed.Missouri’s unemployment rate hit 4.2% in March, down from 4.3% in February.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Missouri has 221,266 known job postings across the state. 💼<a href="https://twitter.com/JobsMoGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JobsMoGov</a> 💼<a href="https://t.co/ftScLc2mlH">https://t.co/ftScLc2mlH</a>&mdash; Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovParsonMO/status/1392200569574412288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Parson said business owners in Missouri are struggling to fill jobs as the economy continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. He said he hopes cutting the federal aid will push people back to work and address labor shortages.“Continuing these programs only worsens the workforce issues we're currently facing,” the Republican governor told reporters Tuesday. “It's time that we end these programs that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce.”Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade in a Tuesday statement said the free market, “not some federal boogeyman,” is mostly to blame for the labor shortage. She said workers will return if they're offered more money, especially for jobs where the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is higher.“If companies provide a livable wage, applicants will respond,” she said. "The notion that Missourians are refusing to work so they can temporarily collect $300 a week is an offensive right-wing myth.”Missouri is t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-government-and-politics-1f092b895c281c13c87ff3dfa6279f62">he latest of several states</a>&nbsp;— Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana and South Carolina — ending the $300 federal benefit that is on top of state benefits.Labor experts say the shortage is not just about the $300 payment. Some unemployed people also have been reluctant to look for work because they fear catching the virus. Others have found new occupations rather than return to their old jobs. And many women, especially working mothers, have had to leave the workforce to care for children.“Our economic recovery is nuanced, and many Missourians haven’t been able to return to work because they still have children home from school or jobs aren’t available in their areas,” Amy Blouin, president and of the Missouri Budget Project, said in a statement.The nonprofit Missouri Budget Project analyzes state financial issues with an eye toward their impact on low-income residents.Missouri's Republican-led Legislature has also considered cutting how long people can receive state unemployment help as a means to force people back to work, but those proposals have stalled.Lawmakers have until Friday to send bills to Parson.

🎥 Get back to work: Missouri cuts off all federal pandemic jobless benefits 

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 10p.m. May 9, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Pontiac Bonneville in the 4500 block of SE 45th Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the stop and investigation deputies found illegal narcotics and arrested the driver identified as 63-year-old Ladora S. Benaka of Topeka.

Benaka was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container of liquor and improper driving on a laned roadway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620736547550.png" alt="Benaka photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Benaka photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges after a traffic stop.Just after 10p.m. May 9, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Pontiac Bonneville in the 4500 block of SE 45th Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the stop and investigation deputies found illegal narcotics and arrested the driver identified as 63-year-old Ladora S. Benaka of Topeka.Benaka was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container of liquor and improper driving on a laned roadway.

Sheriff: Kan. woman was transporting methamphetamine

GOWER, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City-area man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 5-month-old son.

Dillon Livingston also is charged with child abuse or neglect of a child in the February death. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond in Clinton County. A motion hearing is scheduled for Friday.

According to a probable cause statement, first responders found the boy unresponsive at Livingston’s home on Feb. 12. The child was suffering from several hemorrhages, bruises and fractures.

Livingston was taking care of the child at the time. He initially told investigators the child rolled off a recliner, but he later said he handled the baby too forcefully when he became fussy, according to court documents.

Livingston also is accused abusing the infant’s twin in November 2020 when the mother of the children was not home, according to court documents. He said he accidentally dropped the child.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 14.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620484450291.png" alt="Livingston photo Clinton County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Livingston photo Clinton County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>GOWER, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City-area man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 5-month-old son.Dillon Livingston also is charged with child abuse or neglect of a child in the February death. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond in Clinton County. A motion hearing is scheduled for Friday.According to a probable cause statement, first responders found the boy unresponsive at Livingston’s home on Feb. 12. The child was suffering from several hemorrhages, bruises and fractures.Livingston was taking care of the child at the time. He initially told investigators the child rolled off a recliner, but he later said he handled the baby too forcefully when he became fussy, according to court documents.Livingston also is accused abusing the infant’s twin in November 2020 when the mother of the children was not home, according to court documents. He said he accidentally dropped the child.The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 14.

KC-area man charged with murder of infant son

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff’s deputy accused of alleged domestic violence is returning to work and no charges will be filed, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Benjamin Blick.

On April 13, the Wichita Police Department arrested 31-year-od Deputy Tyler Brooks for alleged Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property stemming from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.

The Wichita Police Department fully investigated this incident. The case was presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office as well as the City of Wichita Prosecutor’s Office. Both offices declined charges.&nbsp;

 Brooks returned to restricted duty pending the outcome of the internal investigation, which is being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit, according to Lt. Brooks.

While on Restricted Duty, deputies under investigation for a serious policy violation do not have contact with the public

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County sherif's deputy for alleged domestic violence.

On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Tyler Brooks on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property, according to a Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp; He was booked into jail just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

The requested charges stem from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.

&nbsp;Deputy Brooks has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 8 years.

In addition to the criminal case, the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an investigation.

Following the arrest, Deputy Brooks was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation, according to Blick. His initial bond was $25,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618420882448.png" alt="Brooks photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brooks photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff’s deputy accused of alleged domestic violence is returning to work and no charges will be filed, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Benjamin Blick.On April 13, the Wichita Police Department arrested 31-year-od Deputy Tyler Brooks for alleged Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property stemming from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.The Wichita Police Department fully investigated this incident. The case was presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office as well as the City of Wichita Prosecutor’s Office. Both offices declined charges.&nbsp; Brooks returned to restricted duty pending the outcome of the internal investigation, which is being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit, according to Lt. Brooks.While on Restricted Duty, deputies under investigation for a serious policy violation do not have contact with the public---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County sherif's deputy for alleged domestic violence.On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Tyler Brooks on requested charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Domestic Violence Criminal Damage to Property, according to a Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp; He was booked into jail just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.&nbsp;The requested charges stem from an incident involving an intimate partner of the deputy with whom he shares a residence.&nbsp;Deputy Brooks has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for 8 years.In addition to the criminal case, the Professional Standards Unit of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an investigation.Following the arrest, Deputy Brooks was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation, according to Blick. His initial bond was $25,000.

No charges against Kan. deputy for domestic abuse

SEWARD COUNTY —A Kansas died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday in Seward County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by&nbsp; Santos Enriquez, 60, Turpin, Oklahoma, was northbound on U.S. 83 one mile south of the U.S. 160 Junction.

The semi crossed the center line and struck a 2002 Chevy Suburban driven by Sergio Ortega, 45, Garden City, head-on.

&nbsp;Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miller's Mortuary. EMS transported Enriquez to the hospital in Liberal. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

SEWARD COUNTY —A Kansas died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday in Seward County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by&nbsp; Santos Enriquez, 60, Turpin, Oklahoma, was northbound on U.S. 83 one mile south of the U.S. 160 Junction.The semi crossed the center line and struck a 2002 Chevy Suburban driven by Sergio Ortega, 45, Garden City, head-on.&nbsp;Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miller's Mortuary. EMS transported Enriquez to the hospital in Liberal. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.