WELLINGTON, Kan. (AP) — A former Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy who fled the country after being charged with child sex crimes was ordered held on $1 million bond after his first court appearance on Thursday.

Derick Chandler, 30, of Wellington, was charged in Sumner County after an investigation by Wellington police.

The Sumner County Attorney Larry Marczynski said Chandler fled to Turkey. He was arrested in Budapest, Hungary, and was extradited back to the U.S. on Tuesday, KWCH-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2021/03/25/former-sedgwick-county-sheriffs-officer-who-fled-country-amid-child-sex-crimes-charges-appears-in-court/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Chandler was charged with five counts including sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent solicitation of a minor under 14 years old.

His next court date was scheduled for April 1.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A missing Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy is believed to be in Turkey.

Sheriff Jeff Easter says Homeland Security was able to confirm that Deputy Derick Chandler flew to Istanbul.&nbsp; Chandler is implicated in an investigation in Wellington of a sex crime involving a 13-year-old.

On Monday, a deputy found Chandler’s gun, badge, identification and armor in the back of his patrol car. He hadn’t been on duty for about a week.

Investigators believe he drove from Wichita to Dallas, flew to Houston and took another flight to Istanbul. Wellington officials have not issued a warrant for Chandler, so he is not currently considered a fugitive.

Easter said termination proceedings will begin, which can take at least a couple of weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616690815971.png" alt="Chandler photo Sumner Co." />
 <figcaption>Chandler photo Sumner Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WELLINGTON, Kan. (AP) — A former Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy who fled the country after being charged with child sex crimes was ordered held on $1 million bond after his first court appearance on Thursday.Derick Chandler, 30, of Wellington, was charged in Sumner County after an investigation by Wellington police.The Sumner County Attorney Larry Marczynski said Chandler fled to Turkey. He was arrested in Budapest, Hungary, and was extradited back to the U.S. on Tuesday, KWCH-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2021/03/25/former-sedgwick-county-sheriffs-officer-who-fled-country-amid-child-sex-crimes-charges-appears-in-court/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Chandler was charged with five counts including sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent solicitation of a minor under 14 years old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616519116958.png" alt="Chandler in a photo from the Sedgwick County Sheriff prior to leaving the country." />
 <figcaption>Chandler in a photo from the Sedgwick County Sheriff prior to leaving the country.</figcaption>
 </figure>His next court date was scheduled for April 1.---------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A missing Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy is believed to be in Turkey.Sheriff Jeff Easter says Homeland Security was able to confirm that Deputy Derick Chandler flew to Istanbul.&nbsp; Chandler is implicated in an investigation in Wellington of a sex crime involving a 13-year-old.On Monday, a deputy found Chandler’s gun, badge, identification and armor in the back of his patrol car. He hadn’t been on duty for about a week.Investigators believe he drove from Wichita to Dallas, flew to Houston and took another flight to Istanbul. Wellington officials have not issued a warrant for Chandler, so he is not currently considered a fugitive.Easter said termination proceedings will begin, which can take at least a couple of weeks.

Kan. man arrested in Hungary charged with child sex crimes 

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/24/kansas-republicans-promote-effort-to-preserve-political-expression-on-social-media/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A bill backed by Republican legislators to prohibit social media 
censorship raised flags Wednesday of possible litigation and 
unconstitutionality.

Under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb187/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 187</a>,
 social media platforms would still be able to censor speech that is 
obscene, lewd, excessively violent, harassing or otherwise objectionable
 as described in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. 
However, censorship of any harassing or objectionable material that is a
 form of political expression would not be allowed.

Violations
 would be reported to the attorney general, who would then be required 
to investigate and possibly take action to seek relief. The fiscal note 
attached to the bill indicated if a major social media platform’s terms 
of service are not compliant with this act, the number of potential 
complaints could be in the thousands.

The
 bill is a response to frustration among federal and state lawmakers of 
the banning and removal of certain users or posts on websites like 
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and others. Sen. Mark Steffen, 
R-Hutchinson, characterized these acts as the unjust suppression of 
conservative viewpoints like his own.

“Our
 bill continues to give the entities the right to censor what we do,” 
Steffen said. “It provides remedies through the attorney general. It 
provides a remedy for the individual through statutory damages, and it 
does ultimately level the playing field.”

Steffen
 was joined by a state representative and official with the Kansas 
Republican Party in asking the Senate Federal and State Affairs 
Committee to give the bill a stamp of approval. Opponents said this bill
 would violate the First Amendment and open the door for costly legal 
battles.

Rep.
 Tatum Lee-Hahn, R-Ness City, described the removal of social media 
posts as an attack on the liberties of rural America. Laura Tawater, a 
Kansas Republican Party officer who attended Jan. 6 Capitol riot and <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/14/kansas-legislators-weigh-security-risk-as-police-gear-up-for-threat-of-violence/?emci=82ac7f3c-5c57-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&amp;emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&amp;ceid=%7B%7BContactsEmailID%7D%7D" target="_blank">came under fire for an inflammatory and false post on her Facebook page</a>, also testified in support of the bill.

“RIGGED ELECTION!” Tawater
 wrote on her Facebook page on the morning of the insurrection. 
“Communists hijacked our country and destroyed our election process. 
TAKE IT BACK PATRIOTS. #GeorgiaWasStolen #LiberityOrDeath 
#AmericanRevolution”

Sen.
 Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, questioned how this law in Kansas 
would work within the bigger picture of federal law around social media.
 Steffen said Kansas is but a grain of sand to these platforms, so they 
have been working with other state legislatures to pass this bill across
 the county.

However,
 these efforts are already hitting roadblocks. On Tuesday, a similar 
bill was vetoed when it arrived at the desk of Republican Utah Gov. 
Spencer Cox. Cox too expressed frustration, but like tech advocates who 
testified in Kansas Wednesday, he was unsure this bill would stand up 
against legal challenges.

Steve
 Delbianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, an internet free speech 
advocacy and lobbying group, described himself as a lifelong 
conservative. NetChoice members include companies like Amazon, Google, 
Facebook and Twitter.

Delbianco
 recalled going door-to-door campaigning for Richard Nixon in a time 
when communicating across a broad spectrum of independent and moderate 
individuals through technology like social media was impossible. That is
 why a bill he said would alienate people who identify as moderate was 
so alarming to him.

While
 Delbianco said he too was frustrated by what he felt was unequal 
management of content by social media, but the issue with the measure 
boils down to a violation of First Amendment rights.

“The
 First Amendment prohibits government from compelling people or 
newspapers or social media to carry speech that they don’t want to 
display,” Delbianco said. “So if SB 187 will likely be enjoined and 
overturned on First Amendment grounds, what happens next? All you’ll 
have done is to encourage moderators by confirming that state 
governments cannot violate the First Amendment.”

Instead,
 Delbianco urged those who are frustrated to use other, 
conservative-oriented social media platforms to vent while maintaining a
 “town hall voice” on widely used platforms like Twitter.

Tyler
 Diers, of Midwest TechNet, said the bill also runs contrary to federal 
rules empowering online intermediaries to remove harmful content under 
the same immunity that exists in “real-world, offline contexts.”

Additionally,
 social media companies already understand their responsibility to 
censor material in an unbiased manner, Diers said. However, with 
hundreds of thousands of posts each day, some errors will inevitably 
occur, he said.

“It
 would be fundamentally unfair to implement such a draconian penalty for
 instances where code misfired, or a simple mistake was made,” Diers 
said. “As written, the scope of the bill will also affect many other 
businesses as well, such as news sites, platforms for hosting reviews 
and comments, business to business services, and educational learning 
platforms.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616693710665.png" alt="A bill brought forth by Sen. Mark Steffen, a Reno County Republican, would prohibit social media terms of service that permit censorship of political speech. Opponents of the bill said the measure would not stand up to constitutional scrutiny. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A bill brought forth by Sen. Mark Steffen, a Reno County Republican, would prohibit social media terms of service that permit censorship of political speech. Opponents of the bill said the measure would not stand up to constitutional scrutiny. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/24/kansas-republicans-promote-effort-to-preserve-political-expression-on-social-media/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A bill backed by Republican legislators to prohibit social media 
censorship raised flags Wednesday of possible litigation and 
unconstitutionality.Under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb187/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 187</a>,
 social media platforms would still be able to censor speech that is 
obscene, lewd, excessively violent, harassing or otherwise objectionable
 as described in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. 
However, censorship of any harassing or objectionable material that is a
 form of political expression would not be allowed.Violations
 would be reported to the attorney general, who would then be required 
to investigate and possibly take action to seek relief. The fiscal note 
attached to the bill indicated if a major social media platform’s terms 
of service are not compliant with this act, the number of potential 
complaints could be in the thousands.The
 bill is a response to frustration among federal and state lawmakers of 
the banning and removal of certain users or posts on websites like 
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and others. Sen. Mark Steffen, 
R-Hutchinson, characterized these acts as the unjust suppression of 
conservative viewpoints like his own.“Our
 bill continues to give the entities the right to censor what we do,” 
Steffen said. “It provides remedies through the attorney general. It 
provides a remedy for the individual through statutory damages, and it 
does ultimately level the playing field.”Steffen
 was joined by a state representative and official with the Kansas 
Republican Party in asking the Senate Federal and State Affairs 
Committee to give the bill a stamp of approval. Opponents said this bill
 would violate the First Amendment and open the door for costly legal 
battles.Rep.
 Tatum Lee-Hahn, R-Ness City, described the removal of social media 
posts as an attack on the liberties of rural America. Laura Tawater, a 
Kansas Republican Party officer who attended Jan. 6 Capitol riot and <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/14/kansas-legislators-weigh-security-risk-as-police-gear-up-for-threat-of-violence/?emci=82ac7f3c-5c57-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&amp;emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&amp;ceid=%7B%7BContactsEmailID%7D%7D" target="_blank">came under fire for an inflammatory and false post on her Facebook page</a>, also testified in support of the bill.“RIGGED ELECTION!” Tawater
 wrote on her Facebook page on the morning of the insurrection. 
“Communists hijacked our country and destroyed our election process. 
TAKE IT BACK PATRIOTS. #GeorgiaWasStolen #LiberityOrDeath 
#AmericanRevolution”Sen.
 Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, questioned how this law in Kansas 
would work within the bigger picture of federal law around social media.
 Steffen said Kansas is but a grain of sand to these platforms, so they 
have been working with other state legislatures to pass this bill across
 the county.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616693775904.png" alt="Steve Delbianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, noted similar efforts are already being shot down, like in Utah. The bill would violate First Amendment rights, he said. (Screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Delbianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, noted similar efforts are already being shot down, like in Utah. The bill would violate First Amendment rights, he said. (Screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>However,
 these efforts are already hitting roadblocks. On Tuesday, a similar 
bill was vetoed when it arrived at the desk of Republican Utah Gov. 
Spencer Cox. Cox too expressed frustration, but like tech advocates who 
testified in Kansas Wednesday, he was unsure this bill would stand up 
against legal challenges.Steve
 Delbianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, an internet free speech 
advocacy and lobbying group, described himself as a lifelong 
conservative. NetChoice members include companies like Amazon, Google, 
Facebook and Twitter.Delbianco
 recalled going door-to-door campaigning for Richard Nixon in a time 
when communicating across a broad spectrum of independent and moderate 
individuals through technology like social media was impossible. That is
 why a bill he said would alienate people who identify as moderate was 
so alarming to him.While
 Delbianco said he too was frustrated by what he felt was unequal 
management of content by social media, but the issue with the measure 
boils down to a violation of First Amendment rights.“The
 First Amendment prohibits government from compelling people or 
newspapers or social media to carry speech that they don’t want to 
display,” Delbianco said. “So if SB 187 will likely be enjoined and 
overturned on First Amendment grounds, what happens next? All you’ll 
have done is to encourage moderators by confirming that state 
governments cannot violate the First Amendment.”Instead,
 Delbianco urged those who are frustrated to use other, 
conservative-oriented social media platforms to vent while maintaining a
 “town hall voice” on widely used platforms like Twitter.Tyler
 Diers, of Midwest TechNet, said the bill also runs contrary to federal 
rules empowering online intermediaries to remove harmful content under 
the same immunity that exists in “real-world, offline contexts.”Additionally,
 social media companies already understand their responsibility to 
censor material in an unbiased manner, Diers said. However, with 
hundreds of thousands of posts each day, some errors will inevitably 
occur, he said.“It
 would be fundamentally unfair to implement such a draconian penalty for
 instances where code misfired, or a simple mistake was made,” Diers 
said. “As written, the scope of the bill will also affect many other 
businesses as well, such as news sites, platforms for hosting reviews 
and comments, business to business services, and educational learning 
platforms.”

Kan. GOP promotes effort to preserve political expression on social media

New Brunswick, New Jersey —Rutgers University shared plans on the school's web site Thursday to take steps to protect "the health of our academic community and to move toward a full return to our pre-pandemic normal as a vibrant institution in Fall 2021."

<a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/president/our-path-forward">The statement</a> from President and University Professor Jonathan Holloway said "the University will be updating its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated.&nbsp;In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity."

"The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our University community." Benefits specific to the Rutgers community include:

"Most important, a safer Rutgers community supports a safer New Jersey for our families, our friends, and our neighbors across the state."

"The University has also been approved by the State to offer Rutgers clinics for on-campus administration of vaccines to faculty, staff, and students when vaccine supplies become available. However, we have not yet been given vaccine to administer. Thus, the University urges all members of its community currently eligible to receive a vaccine not to wait and to&nbsp;<a href="https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/">register with the State</a>&nbsp;in order to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wherever you can, if you have not done so already."&nbsp;

"Proof of vaccination will be required for all students planning to attend this fall.&nbsp;Any vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. (currently Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson &amp; Johnson) is acceptable.&nbsp; It is understood that some incoming students may be 17 years old, and may be only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine."

"Students planning to attend the fall 2021 semester may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students enrolled in fully online degree programs (typically defined as having no access to on-campus facilities), as well as individuals participating in fully online or off-campus Continuing Education programs, will not need to provide proof of vaccination."

"From the onset of the pandemic, the safety of the broader Rutgers community has been our shared responsibility. This has never been more true. The importance of an effective vaccination program to make our community safer for all cannot be overstated."

New Brunswick, New Jersey —Rutgers University shared plans on the school's web site Thursday to take steps to protect "the health of our academic community and to move toward a full return to our pre-pandemic normal as a vibrant institution in Fall 2021."<a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/president/our-path-forward">The statement</a> from President and University Professor Jonathan Holloway said "the University will be updating its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated.&nbsp;In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity.""The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our University community." Benefits specific to the Rutgers community include:<ul>
 <li>An expedited return to pre-pandemic normal</li><li>Additional face-to-face course offerings and academic experiences</li><li>Opportunities for a wider range of events and activities offered at our campuses</li><li>Expanded dining and recreation options at Rutgers</li><li>Greater interpersonal collaboration among faculty, students, and researchers</li>
 </ul>"Most important, a safer Rutgers community supports a safer New Jersey for our families, our friends, and our neighbors across the state.""The University has also been approved by the State to offer Rutgers clinics for on-campus administration of vaccines to faculty, staff, and students when vaccine supplies become available. However, we have not yet been given vaccine to administer. Thus, the University urges all members of its community currently eligible to receive a vaccine not to wait and to&nbsp;<a href="https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/">register with the State</a>&nbsp;in order to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wherever you can, if you have not done so already."&nbsp;"Proof of vaccination will be required for all students planning to attend this fall.&nbsp;Any vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. (currently Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson &amp; Johnson) is acceptable.&nbsp; It is understood that some incoming students may be 17 years old, and may be only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.""Students planning to attend the fall 2021 semester may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students enrolled in fully online degree programs (typically defined as having no access to on-campus facilities), as well as individuals participating in fully online or off-campus Continuing Education programs, will not need to provide proof of vaccination.""From the onset of the pandemic, the safety of the broader Rutgers community has been our shared responsibility. This has never been more true. The importance of an effective vaccination program to make our community safer for all cannot be overstated."

University will require COVID vaccine proof for all students

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have identified two suspects in custody as 19-year-old Tyree Jackson and 31-year-old Lakendria Lewis, according to Police Chief Drew Francis.

On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a Francis. He had been dead for several weeks.

Jackson and Lewis are being held in the Ford County Jail on the requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree.

Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant

Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.

At this time, it is believed that Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City.

Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area, according to Francis. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have made an arrest.

On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a media release. He had been dead for several weeks.

&nbsp;Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 31-year-old both from Dodge City.&nbsp; Both subjects were booked into the Ford County Jail on the charge of Murder in the 1st degree. 

Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant 

 Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.

At this time, it is believed that 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City. 

 Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area.  The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and asking the public for help with information.

Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a residence for a report of an individual knowing about a deceased body, according to a media release from Dodge City. Police.

With the information from this individual, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City.

After processing the scene, the body of the teen was turned over to the Ford County Coroner for further examination. The condition of the body indicated he had been deceased for a few weeks.

On Tuesday an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. DCPD asks that anyone with information about this incident please call the department at 620-225-8126, dispatch at 620-227-4646, or submit a tip through the DCPD Facebook page or tip411 service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616695133065.png" alt="Jackson photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Jackson photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have identified two suspects in custody as 19-year-old Tyree Jackson and 31-year-old Lakendria Lewis, according to Police Chief Drew Francis.On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a Francis. He had been dead for several weeks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616695080822.png" alt="Lewis photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Lewis photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>Jackson and Lewis are being held in the Ford County Jail on the requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree.Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrantCharges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.At this time, it is believed that Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City.Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area, according to Francis. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;----------FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have made an arrest.On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a media release. He had been dead for several weeks.&nbsp;Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 31-year-old both from Dodge City.&nbsp; Both subjects were booked into the Ford County Jail on the charge of Murder in the 1st degree. Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.At this time, it is believed that 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City. Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;----------FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and asking the public for help with information.Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a residence for a report of an individual knowing about a deceased body, according to a media release from Dodge City. Police.With the information from this individual, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City.After processing the scene, the body of the teen was turned over to the Ford County Coroner for further examination. The condition of the body indicated he had been deceased for a few weeks.On Tuesday an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. DCPD asks that anyone with information about this incident please call the department at 620-225-8126, dispatch at 620-227-4646, or submit a tip through the DCPD Facebook page or tip411 service.

Update: SW Kan. murder victim's body hidden since Jan. 28 

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Colorado supermarket shooting appeared in court for the first time Thursday, and a defense attorney immediately asked that he receive a mental health evaluation before the case against him proceeds.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, did not speak during the brief hearing except to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him that he is charged with murder in the attack that killed 10 people, including a Boulder police officer. Alissa is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at another police officer, who was unhurt.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said authorities planned to file more charges. He did not elaborate.

Alissa did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process. He has been jailed without bail.

The young man entered court in a wheelchair, presumably because of a gunshot wound to the leg that he suffered in Monday’s shooting. He appeared alert and attentive, moving his knees from side to side, his eyes darting back and forth from his lawyers to the judge. He wore a mask and purple, short-sleeved coveralls.

His attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, provided no details about his health. At Herold’s request, Alissa’s next hearing will not be scheduled for two to three months to allow the defense to evaluate his mental state and evidence collected by investigators.

“Our position is we cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” Herold said, adding that the defense cannot begin that assessment until it receives evidence from investigators.

A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting previously said that the suspect’s family told investigators they believed Alissa was suffering some type of mental illness, including delusions.

Relatives have described times when Alissa told them people were following or chasing him, which they said may have contributed to the violence, the official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Alissa’s legal team includes public defender Daniel King, who represented Colorado theater gunman James Holmes, as well as Robert Dear, who is accused of killing three people in a 2105 attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, two cases in which mental illness was a factor.

Jurors rejected Holmes’ insanity defense in the 2012 shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left a dozen dead. But jurors could not unanimously agree to sentence him to death after his lawyers presented evidence of his schizophrenia as a reason to spare his life. Colorado has since abolished the death penalty, and Holmes is in prison for life.

After repeatedly being found incompetent to stand trial in state court, Dear was charged in federal court, where his competency to stand trial has also slowed proceedings.

During the court proceedings, five deputies with black bands of mourning across their badges stood close by. Boulder police tweeted Thursday that they used the handcuffs of the slain officer, Eric Talley, to take the suspect from a hospital to jail earlier this week — and told him so.

“Though this was a small gesture, we hope it is the start of the healing process that so many of us need at this time,” the department said.

Screenshots of what was believed to be Alissa’s Facebook page hint of fears that he was secretly being tracked on his phone and reflect his interest in Islamic teachings, immigration and martial arts. The screenshots and dozens of postings were captured by the online extremist tracking firm SITE Intelligence Group.

In July 2019, Alissa wrote that his phone was being hacked by “racist islamophobic people.” At another point, he wrote that his old high school had likely gotten access to his phone, asking Facebook followers for advice on how to stop it.

Alissa was convicted in 2018 of assaulting a fellow high school student, according to police documents. A former classmate told the AP he was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.

After a white supremacist killed 51 people in the 2019 New Zealand mosque massacre, Alissa called the dead “victims of the entire Islamophobia industry that vilified them.” Three months later, he posted a link to a PBS story about how immigrants help the economy, writing, “Why refugees and immigrants are good for America.”

“What Islam is really about,” he wrote in one Facebook post that referred to a list of teachings from the Koran, including to “be good to others” and “restrain anger.”

In other posts, he urged followers to give to charity, described abortion as “disgusting” and said that he opposed gay marriage.

“There was no indication on his Facebook account that suggested radical views of any kind, whether it be Islamist, anti-Trump, or anything else,” said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE, which analyzed the postings. “He did mention Islam on his Facebook, but never to any extremity.”

Thursday’s court appearance was the first time Alissa appeared in public since his arrest Monday inside the King Soopers supermarket. He was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody.

According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil to remember the 10 people gunned down at a supermarket in a Colorado college town, while the 21-year-old man suspected of carrying out the rampage prepared for his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been jailed for investigation of murder since he was arrested inside the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder on Monday and treated at a hospital for a leg wound. He was to hear the pending charges he faces and his rights as a defendant, and he would not be asked for a plea until later in the judicial process.

Alissa was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody. A rifle, a green tactical vest and a handgun were recovered inside the grocery store, according to an arrest affidavit.

While most Colorado court proceedings have been conducted by video during the pandemic, District Judge Thomas Francis Mulvahill ordered Alissa to appear before him in court unless Alissa waives his right to appear in person in writing. The courtroom will be closed to the public.

More than 500 people bundled in winter jackets and wool hats attended a downtown candlelight vigil Wednesday night to mourn the victims and comfort one another. They observed a moment of silence; violins soothed the crowd; a woman sang “Ave Maria” as candle flames flickered in the crisp air. A star-shaped light usually turned on for the holidays glowed on a mountain overlooking the open square.

Michele Weiner-Davis, a Boulder family therapist, offered the community some words of wisdom.

“Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re thinking, no matter how uncomfortable, it’s completely natural,” Weiner-Davis said. “Be patient with yourself. Additionally, be just as compassionate with the people in your lives who might also be struggling.”

In addition to Officer Eric Talley, 51, the victims are Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65. Leiker, Olds and Stong worked at the supermarket.

Earlier Wednesday, hundreds of people paid their respects during a police procession for Talley as his body was taken to a funeral home in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

Police also announced that people whose cars were left in the supermarket parking lot Monday could retrieve them.

A supermarket employee told the AP she watched as the assailant opened fire and narrowly escaped his notice while joining others in a desperate scramble to get away.

Emily Giffen, 27, was smoking outside the store Monday during a break when she heard multiple loud pops that she knew were not fireworks. She said she saw a man running across an intersection suddenly fall over and another man approach him in a crouch and fire several rounds at close range.

“I don’t know how he didn’t see us,” she said of the suspect, who walked right by her before she ran into the supermarket and out the back.

“I just really am having a hard time understanding why me and my friends deserve to die,” she said, wondering why the gunman chose to target the Boulder store specifically.

According to the arrest affidavit, the suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol — which resembles an AR-15 rifle with a slightly shorter stock — on March 16, six days before the attack. Authorities have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616675661874.png" alt="Candlelight vigil on Wednesday night -photo courtesy city of Boulder" />
 <figcaption>Candlelight vigil on Wednesday night -photo courtesy city of Boulder</figcaption>
 </figure>BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Colorado supermarket shooting appeared in court for the first time Thursday, and a defense attorney immediately asked that he receive a mental health evaluation before the case against him proceeds.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, did not speak during the brief hearing except to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him that he is charged with murder in the attack that killed 10 people, including a Boulder police officer. Alissa is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at another police officer, who was unhurt.Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said authorities planned to file more charges. He did not elaborate.Alissa did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process. He has been jailed without bail.The young man entered court in a wheelchair, presumably because of a gunshot wound to the leg that he suffered in Monday’s shooting. He appeared alert and attentive, moving his knees from side to side, his eyes darting back and forth from his lawyers to the judge. He wore a mask and purple, short-sleeved coveralls.His attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, provided no details about his health. At Herold’s request, Alissa’s next hearing will not be scheduled for two to three months to allow the defense to evaluate his mental state and evidence collected by investigators.“Our position is we cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” Herold said, adding that the defense cannot begin that assessment until it receives evidence from investigators.A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting previously said that the suspect’s family told investigators they believed Alissa was suffering some type of mental illness, including delusions.Relatives have described times when Alissa told them people were following or chasing him, which they said may have contributed to the violence, the official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Alissa’s legal team includes public defender Daniel King, who represented Colorado theater gunman James Holmes, as well as Robert Dear, who is accused of killing three people in a 2105 attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, two cases in which mental illness was a factor.Jurors rejected Holmes’ insanity defense in the 2012 shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left a dozen dead. But jurors could not unanimously agree to sentence him to death after his lawyers presented evidence of his schizophrenia as a reason to spare his life. Colorado has since abolished the death penalty, and Holmes is in prison for life.After repeatedly being found incompetent to stand trial in state court, Dear was charged in federal court, where his competency to stand trial has also slowed proceedings.During the court proceedings, five deputies with black bands of mourning across their badges stood close by. Boulder police tweeted Thursday that they used the handcuffs of the slain officer, Eric Talley, to take the suspect from a hospital to jail earlier this week — and told him so.“Though this was a small gesture, we hope it is the start of the healing process that so many of us need at this time,” the department said.Screenshots of what was believed to be Alissa’s Facebook page hint of fears that he was secretly being tracked on his phone and reflect his interest in Islamic teachings, immigration and martial arts. The screenshots and dozens of postings were captured by the online extremist tracking firm SITE Intelligence Group.In July 2019, Alissa wrote that his phone was being hacked by “racist islamophobic people.” At another point, he wrote that his old high school had likely gotten access to his phone, asking Facebook followers for advice on how to stop it.Alissa was convicted in 2018 of assaulting a fellow high school student, according to police documents. A former classmate told the AP he was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.After a white supremacist killed 51 people in the 2019 New Zealand mosque massacre, Alissa called the dead “victims of the entire Islamophobia industry that vilified them.” Three months later, he posted a link to a PBS story about how immigrants help the economy, writing, “Why refugees and immigrants are good for America.”“What Islam is really about,” he wrote in one Facebook post that referred to a list of teachings from the Koran, including to “be good to others” and “restrain anger.”In other posts, he urged followers to give to charity, described abortion as “disgusting” and said that he opposed gay marriage.“There was no indication on his Facebook account that suggested radical views of any kind, whether it be Islamist, anti-Trump, or anything else,” said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE, which analyzed the postings. “He did mention Islam on his Facebook, but never to any extremity.”Thursday’s court appearance was the first time Alissa appeared in public since his arrest Monday inside the King Soopers supermarket. He was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody.According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.-------BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil to remember the 10 people gunned down at a supermarket in a Colorado college town, while the 21-year-old man suspected of carrying out the rampage prepared for his first court appearance Thursday morning.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been jailed for investigation of murder since he was arrested inside the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder on Monday and treated at a hospital for a leg wound. He was to hear the pending charges he faces and his rights as a defendant, and he would not be asked for a plea until later in the judicial process.Alissa was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody. A rifle, a green tactical vest and a handgun were recovered inside the grocery store, according to an arrest affidavit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616547245871.png" alt="Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa photo Boulder Police" />
 <figcaption>Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa photo Boulder Police</figcaption>
 </figure>While most Colorado court proceedings have been conducted by video during the pandemic, District Judge Thomas Francis Mulvahill ordered Alissa to appear before him in court unless Alissa waives his right to appear in person in writing. The courtroom will be closed to the public.More than 500 people bundled in winter jackets and wool hats attended a downtown candlelight vigil Wednesday night to mourn the victims and comfort one another. They observed a moment of silence; violins soothed the crowd; a woman sang “Ave Maria” as candle flames flickered in the crisp air. A star-shaped light usually turned on for the holidays glowed on a mountain overlooking the open square.Michele Weiner-Davis, a Boulder family therapist, offered the community some words of wisdom.“Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re thinking, no matter how uncomfortable, it’s completely natural,” Weiner-Davis said. “Be patient with yourself. Additionally, be just as compassionate with the people in your lives who might also be struggling.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616505527834.png" alt="Officer Eric Talley photo Boulder Police" />
 <figcaption>Officer Eric Talley photo Boulder Police</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to Officer Eric Talley, 51, the victims are Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65. Leiker, Olds and Stong worked at the supermarket.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616675706564.png" alt="Candlelight vigil on Wednesday -photo courtesy city of Boulder" />
 <figcaption>Candlelight vigil on Wednesday -photo courtesy city of Boulder</figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier Wednesday, hundreds of people paid their respects during a police procession for Talley as his body was taken to a funeral home in the Denver suburb of Aurora.Police also announced that people whose cars were left in the supermarket parking lot Monday could retrieve them.A supermarket employee told the AP she watched as the assailant opened fire and narrowly escaped his notice while joining others in a desperate scramble to get away.Emily Giffen, 27, was smoking outside the store Monday during a break when she heard multiple loud pops that she knew were not fireworks. She said she saw a man running across an intersection suddenly fall over and another man approach him in a crouch and fire several rounds at close range.“I don’t know how he didn’t see us,” she said of the suspect, who walked right by her before she ran into the supermarket and out the back.“I just really am having a hard time understanding why me and my friends deserve to die,” she said, wondering why the gunman chose to target the Boulder store specifically.According to the arrest affidavit, the suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol — which resembles an AR-15 rifle with a slightly shorter stock — on March 16, six days before the attack. Authorities have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.—---

Following vigil, Colorado shooting suspect faces judge for first time

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Joe Biden's first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">news conference</a>&nbsp;since taking office Jan. 20.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510139-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conference.

President Joe Biden says it's his “expectation” that he'll run for re-election in 2024. Biden is 78 and already the oldest president to hold office. He would be 82 at the start of a second term.

Biden was asked at the first news conference of his presidency whether he thought he could face a rematch against Donald Trump. Biden scoffed at the question. “Oh, I don’t even think about it,” Biden said. “I have no idea.”

President Joe Biden says addressing a nuclearized North Korea is his top foreign policy issue.

Biden says at his first news conference as president that North Korea has violated U.N. resolutions by launching ballistic missiles and that the United States and its allies will respond if the North escalates the situation.

Biden says: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization."

He says he agrees with former President Barack Obama’s warning that North Korea was the most pressing foreign policy priority to watch.

Four missiles fired this week were all short-range and don’t pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland. According to South Korea’s assessment, the first two weapons launched Sunday were believed to be cruise missiles. But Japan says the two fired Thursday were ballistic missiles. They're more provocative weapons that North Korea is banned from testing by U.N. resolutions.

President Joe Biden says he makes “no apology” for undoing some of the hard-line Trump-era immigration policies.

The Biden administration announced on Feb. 2 that it would no longer uphold the Trump administration policy of automatically deporting unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Two weeks later, the White House announced plans to admit 25,000 asylum-seekers to the United States who'd been forced to remain in Mexico.

Since then, the number of young migrants crossing into the U.S. without adults has risen. Both Customs and Border Protection, and Health and Human Services officials have struggled to house the influx of children. Immigration officials say the number of adult migrants and families trying to enter the U.S. illegally also has surged.

Biden says his administration is working on solutions to manage the number of children coming to the border. Biden officials have largely blamed the problems on what they say were shoddy Trump policies.

President Joe Biden is committing to pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan. But he's expressing doubts about meeting a May 1 deadline for withdrawal that was set by an agreement signed by Donald Trump.

Biden was asked about America's longest war at his first news conference since taking office. The president said, "We will leave. The question is when we will leave.”

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has been there ever since.

Last year, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban that would remove the last of several thousand American troops by May 1.

At the news conference, Biden repeated recent comments that it would be difficult to meet the deadline.

President Joe Biden says his administration is working on getting beds and other facilities up and running so children held in Border Patrol custody can be transferred.

Biden says in his first news conference that most of the migrants who are coming to the U.S.-Mexico border are being sent back, except for children. He says his administration is working to ease delays so children can be released from government custody to sponsors.

Biden says when parents send their children alone across the border, it's a “desperate act.” The president says he wants to help change the conditions in Central American countries when the migrants are coming from, but he says there's no easy answer.

Biden is pushing back against the idea there's a crush of migrants coming to the border.

President Joe Biden says he’s committed to making progress on overhauling the U.S. immigration system, bolstering gun laws and strengthening voting rights. And he's not ruling out supporting changes to Senate procedures that would help him achieve those goals.

Biden says at the first formal news conference of his term that he believes senators should have to engage in old-fashioned filibusters if they want to try to hold up legislation. That would force senators to have to stand on their feet and talk for hours, as was the case during the civil rights era and is portrayed in Hollywood movies, if they want to object to Biden's agenda.

But Biden says the rule is being abused in a “gigantic way.”

He adds: “If there’s complete lockdown and chaos, as a consequence of the filibuster, then we’re going to have to go beyond what I’m talking about.”

President Joe Biden is pledging to have 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered by the end of his first 100 days in office. That’s double the goal he set in December and reached earlier this month before his 60th day in office.

Biden announced the new goal Thursday at the start of his first formal news conference since his term began on Jan. 20.

Biden's goal seems ambitious, but it actually amounts to a continuation of the country's existing pace of vaccinations through the end of month. The U.S. is now averaging about 2.5 million doses per day.

A rate even greater than that is possible. Over the next month, two of the bottlenecks to getting Americans vaccinated are set to be lifted. The U.S. supply of vaccines is on track to increase and states are lifting eligibility requirements for people to get the shots.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616693626372.png" alt="President Joe Biden entered the East Room prior to the Thursday afternoon press conference-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden entered the East Room prior to the Thursday afternoon press conference-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Joe Biden's first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">news conference</a>&nbsp;since taking office Jan. 20.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510139-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conference.President Joe Biden says it's his “expectation” that he'll run for re-election in 2024. Biden is 78 and already the oldest president to hold office. He would be 82 at the start of a second term.Biden was asked at the first news conference of his presidency whether he thought he could face a rematch against Donald Trump. Biden scoffed at the question. “Oh, I don’t even think about it,” Biden said. “I have no idea.”-------President Joe Biden says addressing a nuclearized North Korea is his top foreign policy issue.Biden says at his first news conference as president that North Korea has violated U.N. resolutions by launching ballistic missiles and that the United States and its allies will respond if the North escalates the situation.Biden says: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization."He says he agrees with former President Barack Obama’s warning that North Korea was the most pressing foreign policy priority to watch.Four missiles fired this week were all short-range and don’t pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland. According to South Korea’s assessment, the first two weapons launched Sunday were believed to be cruise missiles. But Japan says the two fired Thursday were ballistic missiles. They're more provocative weapons that North Korea is banned from testing by U.N. resolutions.___President Joe Biden says he makes “no apology” for undoing some of the hard-line Trump-era immigration policies.The Biden administration announced on Feb. 2 that it would no longer uphold the Trump administration policy of automatically deporting unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Two weeks later, the White House announced plans to admit 25,000 asylum-seekers to the United States who'd been forced to remain in Mexico.Since then, the number of young migrants crossing into the U.S. without adults has risen. Both Customs and Border Protection, and Health and Human Services officials have struggled to house the influx of children. Immigration officials say the number of adult migrants and families trying to enter the U.S. illegally also has surged.Biden says his administration is working on solutions to manage the number of children coming to the border. Biden officials have largely blamed the problems on what they say were shoddy Trump policies.___President Joe Biden is committing to pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan. But he's expressing doubts about meeting a May 1 deadline for withdrawal that was set by an agreement signed by Donald Trump.Biden was asked about America's longest war at his first news conference since taking office. The president said, "We will leave. The question is when we will leave.”The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has been there ever since.Last year, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban that would remove the last of several thousand American troops by May 1.At the news conference, Biden repeated recent comments that it would be difficult to meet the deadline.___President Joe Biden says his administration is working on getting beds and other facilities up and running so children held in Border Patrol custody can be transferred.Biden says in his first news conference that most of the migrants who are coming to the U.S.-Mexico border are being sent back, except for children. He says his administration is working to ease delays so children can be released from government custody to sponsors.Biden says when parents send their children alone across the border, it's a “desperate act.” The president says he wants to help change the conditions in Central American countries when the migrants are coming from, but he says there's no easy answer.Biden is pushing back against the idea there's a crush of migrants coming to the border.___President Joe Biden says he’s committed to making progress on overhauling the U.S. immigration system, bolstering gun laws and strengthening voting rights. And he's not ruling out supporting changes to Senate procedures that would help him achieve those goals.Biden says at the first formal news conference of his term that he believes senators should have to engage in old-fashioned filibusters if they want to try to hold up legislation. That would force senators to have to stand on their feet and talk for hours, as was the case during the civil rights era and is portrayed in Hollywood movies, if they want to object to Biden's agenda.But Biden says the rule is being abused in a “gigantic way.”He adds: “If there’s complete lockdown and chaos, as a consequence of the filibuster, then we’re going to have to go beyond what I’m talking about.”-----President Joe Biden is pledging to have 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered by the end of his first 100 days in office. That’s double the goal he set in December and reached earlier this month before his 60th day in office.Biden announced the new goal Thursday at the start of his first formal news conference since his term began on Jan. 20.Biden's goal seems ambitious, but it actually amounts to a continuation of the country's existing pace of vaccinations through the end of month. The U.S. is now averaging about 2.5 million doses per day.A rate even greater than that is possible. Over the next month, two of the bottlenecks to getting Americans vaccinated are set to be lifted. The U.S. supply of vaccines is on track to increase and states are lifting eligibility requirements for people to get the shots.___

🎥  Pres. Biden talks '24 re-election, immigration and more

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in suburban Kansas City are seeking a driver who plowed into three pedestrians crossing a road in Independence, killing one of them.

The incident happened late Tuesday night when the three were crossing Sterling near Blue Ridge Boulevard, police said. A silver sedan traveling south hit the trio and didn’t stop, investigators said.

One man died at the scene. The medical conditions of the other two were not released, and the names of the victims have not been released.

Police are asking the public for any information that could help them find the driver involved.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in suburban Kansas City are seeking a driver who plowed into three pedestrians crossing a road in Independence, killing one of them.The incident happened late Tuesday night when the three were crossing Sterling near Blue Ridge Boulevard, police said. A silver sedan traveling south hit the trio and didn’t stop, investigators said.One man died at the scene. The medical conditions of the other two were not released, and the names of the victims have not been released.Police are asking the public for any information that could help them find the driver involved.

Police seek KC-area driver who hit 3 pedestrians, killing 1

Democratic governor signs bill granting Legislature new oversight power

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/25/house-senate-gop-leaders-pledge-to-derail-new-kansas-mask-order-if-re-issued-by-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republican
 leaders of the House and Senate pledged to move swiftly to thwart Gov. 
Laura Kelly’s issuance of a new executive order April 1 directing 
statewide reliance on face coverings during the pandemic.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman 
and Senate President Ty Masterson said they would act on new disaster 
oversight authority vested in the Legislature now that Kelly signed into
 law Wednesday <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/16/kansas-legislature-passes-rewrite-of-emergency-management-powers/">an overhaul of the Kansas Emergency Management Act</a>.

The GOP-dominated Legislature put together <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb40/">Senate Bill 40</a>
 to amend procedures for declaration and extension of disaster 
emergencies, but the statute also extended the current overarching 
COVID-19 declaration until May 28. The new law revoked all current 
executive orders related to the pandemic, but the governor retained the 
right to re-issue orders.

The Democratic governor 
said she intended to re-issue a mask order and renew 11 other orders. 
They would remain in place until end of the coronavirus emergency or 
until rescinded by passage of a concurrent resolution in the House and 
Senate or by action of lawmakers on the Legislative Coordinating 
Council.

Kelly could have vetoed 
the bill, but the practical reality was Republicans possess two-thirds 
majorities in the House and Senate and were almost certain to overturn a
 decision to spike the package diminishing her executive authority, 
undercutting health officers and empowering Kansans to challenge 
disaster rules.

“This bipartisan 
compromise will extend the state of disaster emergency that allows us to
 provide hospitals with personal protective equipment, support food 
banks and pantries, and otherwise respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” 
Kelly said. “The bill includes provisions that I do not support and that
 could complicate our emergency response efforts, but I will continue to
 work with legislators and local leaders to keep Kansans safe and 
healthy during this pandemic.”

The Kansas Department of 
Health and Environment reported the virus has so far infected 300,900, 
hospitalized 9,600 and contributed to the death of 4,881 Kansas 
residents since March 2020. More than 1 million doses of COVID-19 
vaccine have been administered in Kansas.

Ryckman, the House’s top 
official and an Olathe Republican, said Senate Bill 40 delivered 
“much-needed oversight” of Kelly’s executive orders and completed 
reshaping of the KEMA law that initially enabled the governor to close 
schools and businesses, require wearing of masks and institute 
restrictions on mass gatherings. The Legislature previously acted to 
allow county commissions to opt out of Kelly’s health directives.

“Governor
 Kelly’s announcement that she intends to issue another unnecessary mask
 mandate shows the importance of this oversight,” Ryckman said. “House 
Republicans stand ready to take action if Governor Kelly moves forward 
with this plan.”

Masterson, the Andover 
Republican and president of the Senate, said the Legislature wouldn’t be
 shy about deploying its new ability to offer a check on the governor.

“Should the governor issue
 any more executive orders which imposes an undue burden on the people 
of Kansas, including any unnecessary new mask mandate, rest assured the 
Senate will take immediate action,” he said.

Kelly released a statement
 saying that on April 1 she would re-issue an order applicable to all 
counties outlining face-covering protocol for people in public places 
and in outdoor spaces where social distancing couldn’t be maintained.

In addition, she planned 
to issue orders allowing notaries and witnesses to act through 
audio-video communications, relieving restrictions on shared work 
programs, amending licensure, certification and registration rules, 
prohibiting certain foreclosures and evictions, and requiring 
coronavirus testing in adult care homes.

She also listed an order 
providing relief from unemployment insurance requirements, employer 
payment of income tax withholding for work performed in another state 
and relief from tuberculin testing requirements. The roster included an 
order authorizing additional COVID-19 vaccinators.

Kelly said she intended 
not to re-issue orders deferring tax deadlines and payments, mandating 
COVID-19 mitigation procedures in K-12 schools and amending regulation 
of vehicle registration and personal driver licenses.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616690888663.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 40 that broadened the Legislature's oversight powers during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicated she would re-issue a dozen executive orders April 1, including guidance on wearing masks. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 40 that broadened the Legislature's oversight powers during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicated she would re-issue a dozen executive orders April 1, including guidance on wearing masks. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democratic governor signs bill granting Legislature new oversight power</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/25/house-senate-gop-leaders-pledge-to-derail-new-kansas-mask-order-if-re-issued-by-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Republican
 leaders of the House and Senate pledged to move swiftly to thwart Gov. 
Laura Kelly’s issuance of a new executive order April 1 directing 
statewide reliance on face coverings during the pandemic.House Speaker Ron Ryckman 
and Senate President Ty Masterson said they would act on new disaster 
oversight authority vested in the Legislature now that Kelly signed into
 law Wednesday <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/16/kansas-legislature-passes-rewrite-of-emergency-management-powers/">an overhaul of the Kansas Emergency Management Act</a>.The GOP-dominated Legislature put together <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb40/">Senate Bill 40</a>
 to amend procedures for declaration and extension of disaster 
emergencies, but the statute also extended the current overarching 
COVID-19 declaration until May 28. The new law revoked all current 
executive orders related to the pandemic, but the governor retained the 
right to re-issue orders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616690951177.jpeg" alt="House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, said the Kansas House would be ready to respond if Gov. Laura Kelly issued a new executive order guiding Kansans to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, said the Kansas House would be ready to respond if Gov. Laura Kelly issued a new executive order guiding Kansans to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Democratic governor 
said she intended to re-issue a mask order and renew 11 other orders. 
They would remain in place until end of the coronavirus emergency or 
until rescinded by passage of a concurrent resolution in the House and 
Senate or by action of lawmakers on the Legislative Coordinating 
Council.Kelly could have vetoed 
the bill, but the practical reality was Republicans possess two-thirds 
majorities in the House and Senate and were almost certain to overturn a
 decision to spike the package diminishing her executive authority, 
undercutting health officers and empowering Kansans to challenge 
disaster rules.“This bipartisan 
compromise will extend the state of disaster emergency that allows us to
 provide hospitals with personal protective equipment, support food 
banks and pantries, and otherwise respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” 
Kelly said. “The bill includes provisions that I do not support and that
 could complicate our emergency response efforts, but I will continue to
 work with legislators and local leaders to keep Kansans safe and 
healthy during this pandemic.”The Kansas Department of 
Health and Environment reported the virus has so far infected 300,900, 
hospitalized 9,600 and contributed to the death of 4,881 Kansas 
residents since March 2020. More than 1 million doses of COVID-19 
vaccine have been administered in Kansas.Ryckman, the House’s top 
official and an Olathe Republican, said Senate Bill 40 delivered 
“much-needed oversight” of Kelly’s executive orders and completed 
reshaping of the KEMA law that initially enabled the governor to close 
schools and businesses, require wearing of masks and institute 
restrictions on mass gatherings. The Legislature previously acted to 
allow county commissions to opt out of Kelly’s health directives.“Governor
 Kelly’s announcement that she intends to issue another unnecessary mask
 mandate shows the importance of this oversight,” Ryckman said. “House 
Republicans stand ready to take action if Governor Kelly moves forward 
with this plan.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616690977367.jpeg" alt="Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, praised Gov. Laura Kelly for signing Senate Bill 40, which overhauled the Kansas Emergency Management Act. He said the governor shouldn’t issue a new executive order directing people to wear a face covering. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, praised Gov. Laura Kelly for signing Senate Bill 40, which overhauled the Kansas Emergency Management Act. He said the governor shouldn’t issue a new executive order directing people to wear a face covering. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Masterson, the Andover 
Republican and president of the Senate, said the Legislature wouldn’t be
 shy about deploying its new ability to offer a check on the governor.“Should the governor issue
 any more executive orders which imposes an undue burden on the people 
of Kansas, including any unnecessary new mask mandate, rest assured the 
Senate will take immediate action,” he said.Kelly released a statement
 saying that on April 1 she would re-issue an order applicable to all 
counties outlining face-covering protocol for people in public places 
and in outdoor spaces where social distancing couldn’t be maintained.In addition, she planned 
to issue orders allowing notaries and witnesses to act through 
audio-video communications, relieving restrictions on shared work 
programs, amending licensure, certification and registration rules, 
prohibiting certain foreclosures and evictions, and requiring 
coronavirus testing in adult care homes.She also listed an order 
providing relief from unemployment insurance requirements, employer 
payment of income tax withholding for work performed in another state 
and relief from tuberculin testing requirements. The roster included an 
order authorizing additional COVID-19 vaccinators.Kelly said she intended 
not to re-issue orders deferring tax deadlines and payments, mandating 
COVID-19 mitigation procedures in K-12 schools and amending regulation 
of vehicle registration and personal driver licenses.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Kan. GOP leaders pledge to derail new mask order if re-issued by Kelly

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people including a Wichita police officer were injured in an accident during a police chase just before 2a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Fusion driven by Alex Julian Acevedo, 22, Garden City, was fleeing from law enforcement eastbound at the Intersection of Kincaid and Washington in Wichita. Acevedo was in a stolen vehicle, according to officer Trevor Macey.

The driver failed to stop at the intersection. The stolen Ford struck a northbound Wichita Police Department Dodge Charger and it ultimately struck a house in the 1000 Block of East Kinkaid, according to Macey.

Acevedo attempted to flee the scene but officers caught him. EMS transported Acevedo to local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The officer was also treated at a local hospital and later released.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no other injuries, according to Macey.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Fusion driven by Alex Julian Acevedo, 22, Garden City, was fleeing from law enforcement eastbound at the Intersection of Kincaid and Washington in Wichita.

The driver failed to stop at the intersection. The Ford struck a northbound Wichita Police Department Dodge Charger.

EMS transported both drivers to a local hospital. Acevedo was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the police officer or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616682330465.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the Thursday morning crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the Thursday morning crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people including a Wichita police officer were injured in an accident during a police chase just before 2a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Fusion driven by Alex Julian Acevedo, 22, Garden City, was fleeing from law enforcement eastbound at the Intersection of Kincaid and Washington in Wichita. Acevedo was in a stolen vehicle, according to officer Trevor Macey.The driver failed to stop at the intersection. The stolen Ford struck a northbound Wichita Police Department Dodge Charger and it ultimately struck a house in the 1000 Block of East Kinkaid, according to Macey.Acevedo attempted to flee the scene but officers caught him. EMS transported Acevedo to local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The officer was also treated at a local hospital and later released.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no other injuries, according to Macey.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people including a Wichita police officer were injured in an accident during a police chase just before 2a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Fusion driven by Alex Julian Acevedo, 22, Garden City, was fleeing from law enforcement eastbound at the Intersection of Kincaid and Washington in Wichita.The driver failed to stop at the intersection. The Ford struck a northbound Wichita Police Department Dodge Charger.EMS transported both drivers to a local hospital. Acevedo was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the police officer or additional details.

Kan. officer out of hospital after chase, crash into house 

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon wanted for alleged&nbsp;aggravated escape from custody.

Jeremy Thomas Cullen Cullen was last seen on Feb. 23 when he walked away from a court ordered drug/alcohol treatment facility in another county, according to Saline County Sheriff.&nbsp;

 He has been in and out of custody since 2015 for numerous convictions that include burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Cullen has ties to several areas in Kansas and is possibly in the company of his girlfriend, Amber Cooper, who also has outstanding warrants.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either subject, please contact Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or Investigator Todd Walsh of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 785-826-6500, ext. 116. You are not required to give your name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602167210735.jpeg" alt="Cullen, 26, is described as 6-foot-tall, 132 pounds with blue eyes and Brown Hair." />
 <figcaption>Cullen, 26, is described as 6-foot-tall, 132 pounds with blue eyes and Brown Hair.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon wanted for alleged&nbsp;aggravated escape from custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616685387581.png" alt="Cullen" />
 <figcaption>Cullen</figcaption>
 </figure>Jeremy Thomas Cullen Cullen was last seen on Feb. 23 when he walked away from a court ordered drug/alcohol treatment facility in another county, according to Saline County Sheriff.&nbsp; He has been in and out of custody since 2015 for numerous convictions that include burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Cullen has ties to several areas in Kansas and is possibly in the company of his girlfriend, Amber Cooper, who also has outstanding warrants.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616685289359.png" alt="Amber Rachelle Cooper, 31, is described as 5-foot-7, 193 pounds with brown eyes and blonde hair." />
 <figcaption>Amber Rachelle Cooper, 31, is described as 5-foot-7, 193 pounds with brown eyes and blonde hair.</figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either subject, please contact Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or Investigator Todd Walsh of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 785-826-6500, ext. 116. You are not required to give your name.

Sheriff asks for help to locate wanted Kan. felon, girlfriend

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday signed legislation rewriting Kansas laws for managing the coronavirus pandemic and future emergencies even though she believes it could hinder disaster response efforts.

Kelly’s action on the measure approved last week by the Republican-controlled Legislature came only hours after the county commission in the state’s second-most populous county ended all remaining COVID-19 restrictions. Sedgwick County commissioners had said the measure Kelly signed essentially strips them of their power to impose restrictions by making it likely that the county would lose lawsuits from residents who feel aggrieved.

The Legislature also gave final approval Wednesday to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb63_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would require all public schools to offer all students full-time, in-person classes by March 31, through the end of the current school year. It’s largely symbolic because only a handful of the state’s 286 local school districts didn’t plan to have a majority of students returning full-time to their buildings by then, according to the State Department of Education.

Republican lawmakers have criticized Kelly throughout the pandemic. They have suggested she overreacted by imposing a statewide stay-at-home order for five weeks last spring and closing all K-12 buildings from mid-March 2020 until the end of that semester.

They forced her last year to accept county control over mask mandates and restrictions on businesses and public gatherings to keep a state of emergency in effect. The measure Kelly signed Wednesday takes effect within a week and extends that state of emergency until May 28, instead of expiring March 31— a point she cited in a statement announcing her action.

“This bipartisan compromise will extend the state of disaster emergency that allows us to provide hospitals with PPE, support food banks and pantries, and otherwise respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kelly said.

Kelly added that parts of the measure “could complicate our emergency response efforts,” without being more specific in her statement.

The changes apply both to the coronavirus pandemic and to future emergencies. The measure preserves the control granted to counties last year over restrictions, though it prevents appointed local health officers from imposing the rules, leaving decisions to elected county commissioners.

Kelly signed the measure as Kansas faced a glitch in its efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines more broadly. The state health department said problems with production of a single-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine will result in Kansas getting only 16,500 doses next week, instead of the 100,000 initially expected.

Meanwhile, the Sedgwick County Commission voted 3-2 along party lines to end the mask mandate and other restrictions, with Republicans backing the move and Democrats opposing it,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article250171570.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle reports.</a>

Commissioners said earlier this week that the measure signed by Kelly tips court challenges against restrictions in favor of the challengers while potentially clogging the courts with cases by requiring each case to be heard within 72 hours.

The push to require all schools to offer in-person classes came from state Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. GOP lawmakers said children have suffered academically and emotionally in online classes.

Many Democrats decried taking the decision away from local school boards, but Kelly’s office indicated that she would sign it. Governor spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald said its mandate was possible because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-power-outages-7ed16c2550a84b0290cef1684ae3e0de">push launched by Kelly</a>&nbsp;last month to ensure that any teacher wanting inoculations got them.

The measure would apply only to the current school year. The emergency management changes Kelly signed into law leave future decisions on closing K-12 buildings during emergencies or after disasters to local school boards.

The Senate approved the schools reopening bill&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210324161014_884631/" target="_blank">28-11,</a>&nbsp;with no Democrats voting for it, after the House&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210323112019_665068/" target="_blank">passed it</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bill to ensure Kansas can continue providing communities with resources and support critical to the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.&nbsp;

Among other provisions, Senate Bill 40 modifies the procedure for the declaration and extension of a state disaster emergency under the Kansas Emergency Management Act, and extends the current disaster declaration to May 28, 2021.

“This bipartisan compromise will extend the State of Disaster Emergency that allows us to provide hospitals with PPE, support food banks and pantries, and otherwise respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“The bill includes provisions that I do not support and that could complicate our emergency response efforts. But I will continue to work with legislators and local leaders to keep Kansans safe and healthy during this pandemic.”

Several executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic were set to expire on March 31 in conjunction with the expiration of the state of disaster emergency. Senate Bill 40 includes a provision that revokes all current executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Governor retains the authority to re-issue orders under the new process imposed by the bill.

On April 1, the Governor will re-issue the following orders, which will remain in effect until rescinded or until the statewide state of disaster emergency expires, whichever is earlier:

The following orders will not be re-issued and therefore allowed to expire: