KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City Council members boycotted a committee meeting Wednesday because Mayor Quinton Lucas has not removed another council member as leader of the committee for what they called racist and unethical behavior.

<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members">Council members</a> Kevin O’Neill, Melissa Robinson and Eric Bunch boycotted the meeting over a dispute with <a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members/councilwoman-teresa-loar">Councilwoman Teresa Loar</a>, who is white, after comments she made to Robinson, who is Black, in July. The boycott meant the committee did not have a quorum and could not meet.

A coalition of civil rights groups and the three council members have previously asked Lucas to remove Loar as chairwoman of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.

They said Lucas had made several verbal commitments to remove Loar but had not done so.

The mayor’s spokeswoman, Morgan Said, said he had committed only to evaluating a “change in committee structure” and that the evaluation was still underway.

In July, Robinson opposed a resolution proposed by Loar regarding the city’s animal control operations.

After Robinson spoke, Loar said “That was a very nice speech someone wrote you, Miss Robinson.”

Robinson replied that she had a Master of Business Administration degree and didn’t need anyone to write for her. When she told Loar not to question her intellect, Loar responded with a mocking physical gesture that included a neck roll and shimmy that Robinson and others considered racist, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article244511087.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Loar said Wednesday that she had apologized three times to Robinson and taken implicit bias training after Lucas asked her to do so.

Loar said the council members’ actions were more about a dispute over selecting bidders for work on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport than about racism.

In a letter sent to Lucas in August, the three council members objected to Loar’s behavior during negotiations over the bidding process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600285856803.png" alt="Second District Councilwoman Teresa Loar-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Second District Councilwoman Teresa Loar-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City Council members boycotted a committee meeting Wednesday because Mayor Quinton Lucas has not removed another council member as leader of the committee for what they called racist and unethical behavior.<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members">Council members</a> Kevin O’Neill, Melissa Robinson and Eric Bunch boycotted the meeting over a dispute with <a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/city-council-members/councilwoman-teresa-loar">Councilwoman Teresa Loar</a>, who is white, after comments she made to Robinson, who is Black, in July. The boycott meant the committee did not have a quorum and could not meet.A coalition of civil rights groups and the three council members have previously asked Lucas to remove Loar as chairwoman of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee.They said Lucas had made several verbal commitments to remove Loar but had not done so.The mayor’s spokeswoman, Morgan Said, said he had committed only to evaluating a “change in committee structure” and that the evaluation was still underway.In July, Robinson opposed a resolution proposed by Loar regarding the city’s animal control operations.After Robinson spoke, Loar said “That was a very nice speech someone wrote you, Miss Robinson.”Robinson replied that she had a Master of Business Administration degree and didn’t need anyone to write for her. When she told Loar not to question her intellect, Loar responded with a mocking physical gesture that included a neck roll and shimmy that Robinson and others considered racist, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article244511087.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.Loar said Wednesday that she had apologized three times to Robinson and taken implicit bias training after Lucas asked her to do so.Loar said the council members’ actions were more about a dispute over selecting bidders for work on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport than about racism.In a letter sent to Lucas in August, the three council members objected to Loar’s behavior during negotiations over the bidding process.

3 Kansas City Council members boycott committee meeting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita Police Department Sergeant Maurice Mitchell has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery by the City of Wichita Municipal Court, according to police spokesperson officer Charley Davidson.

Mitchell was placed on unpaid administrative leave on Tuesday, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and an internal review.

The charges stem from a previous incident between himself and a coworker during a training exercise.&nbsp; No physical injuries occurred.

The Wichita Police Department will review the incident to determine if department policies were violated after the completion of the criminal proceedings.

WPD requested the assistance of the Goddard Police Department to investigate the incident, and an outside prosecutor reviewed the case to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

WPD officials received confirmation of the charges on Tuesday.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita Police Department Sergeant Maurice Mitchell has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery by the City of Wichita Municipal Court, according to police spokesperson officer Charley Davidson.Mitchell was placed on unpaid administrative leave on Tuesday, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and an internal review.The charges stem from a previous incident between himself and a coworker during a training exercise.&nbsp; No physical injuries occurred.The Wichita Police Department will review the incident to determine if department policies were violated after the completion of the criminal proceedings.WPD requested the assistance of the Goddard Police Department to investigate the incident, and an outside prosecutor reviewed the case to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.WPD officials received confirmation of the charges on Tuesday.

Kan. police sergeant charged with battery involving coworker

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government outlined a sweeping plan Wednesday to make vaccines for COVID-19 available for free to all Americans, assuming a safe and effective shot is developed, even as top health officials faced questions about political interference with virus information reaching the public.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/strategy-for-distributing-covid-19-vaccine.pdf" target="_blank">report to Congress</a>&nbsp;and an accompanying&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/downloads/COVID-19-Vaccination-Program-Interim_Playbook.pdf" target="_blank">“playbook” for states and localities,</a>&nbsp;federal health agencies and the Defense Department sketched out complex plans for a vaccination campaign to begin gradually in January or even late this year, eventually ramping up to reach any American who wants a shot. The Pentagon would be involved with the distribution of vaccines, but civilian health workers would be the ones giving shots.

The whole enterprise faces remaining skepticism. Only about half of Americans said they’d get vaccinated in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dacdc8bc428dd4df6511bfa259cfec44">an Associated Press-NORC poll taken in May.&nbsp;</a>Since then, questions have only mounted about whether the government is trying to rush treatments and vaccines to help President Donald Trump’s reelection chances.

On Wednesday, the Health and Human Services Department announced that political appointee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bc1d25c72728fce624831e523e7fc678">Michael Caputo would take a leave of absence</a>. The news followed revelations that the senior communications official had tried to gain editorial control over scientific publications on COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he contended were hurting the Trump administration.

The director of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield, responding Wednesday before Senate lawmakers, rejected questions over whether the government’s timeline for states to be ready for a vaccine by Nov. 1 was politically motivated.

Redfield told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the “scientific integrity” of his agency’s output “has not been compromised and it will not be compromised under my watch.”

He said he was “deeply saddened” by Caputo’s accusations that CDC staff were working as a “resistance unit” against the administration.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the committee’s top Democrat, said political interference had damaged public trust in the government’s health information .

“The Trump administration needs to leave the science to the scientists immediately,” Murray said.

Although Trump asserted Tuesday that a vaccine could be three to four weeks away, Redfield, made clear to Congress that any version available this year would be in “very limited supply.” The shot wouldn’t be broadly available to most of the U.S. population until the summer of 2021, he estimated.

Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, quickly repeated the president’s version at the White House: “We do believe that it will be widely available by the end of the year.”

As for the planned vaccine campaign, the CDC playbook for states says it is “much larger in scope and complexity than seasonal influenza or other previous outbreak-related vaccination responses.” Redfield said that his agency will be working with state health officials to execute the vaccination plan in coming days.

— For most vaccines, people will need two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. Double-dose vaccines will have to come from the same drugmaker. There could be several vaccines from different manufacturers approved and available.

— Vaccination of the U.S. population won’t be a sprint but a marathon. Initially there may be a limited supply of vaccines, and the focus will be on protecting health workers, other essential employees, and people in vulnerable groups. “Early in (the) COVID-19 vaccination program there may be a limited supply of vaccine and vaccine efforts may focus on those critical to the response, providing direct care and maintaining societal functions, as well as those at highest risk for developing severe illness,” Redfield said. A second and third phase would expand vaccination to the entire population.

— The vaccine itself will be free of charge, thanks to billions of dollars in taxpayer funding approved by Congress and allocated by the Trump administration. The goal is that patients won’t be separately charged for administration of their shots, and officials say they are working to ensure that’s the case for all Medicare recipients and uninsured people as well those covered by insurance at their jobs.

— States and local communities will need to devise precise plans for receiving and locally distributing vaccines, some of which will require special handling such as refrigeration or freezing. States and cities have a month to submit plans.

— A massive information technology effort will be needed to track who is getting which vaccines and when, and the key challenge involves getting multiple public and private databases to link with each other.

Some of the broad components of the federal plan have already been discussed, but Wednesday’s reports attempt to put the key details into a comprehensive framework. Distribution is under the umbrella of Operation Warp Speed, a White House-backed initiative to have vaccines ready to ship in 24 hours from when a version is given emergency use approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Several formulations are undergoing final trials.

However, public skepticism remains. Of the Americans who said in the May AP poll that they wouldn’t get vaccinated, the overwhelming majority said they were worried about safety. To effectively protect the nation from the coronavirus, experts say 70% to 90% of Americans must either be vaccinated or have their own immunity from fighting off COVID-19.

Before the Republican National Convention in August, the FDA granted authorization for treatment of COVID-19 patients with plasma from people who have recovered, even though some government scientists were not convinced the clinical evidence was sufficiently strong.

As public confidence in health agencies has taken a beating, Trump administration officials have been forced to play defense.

“We are working closely with our state and local public health partners ... to ensure that Americans can receive the vaccine as soon as possible and vaccinate with confidence,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Wednesday. “Americans should know that the vaccine development process is being driven completely by science and the data.”

That could be a tough sell. In the AP poll, 1 in 5 Americans said they would not get a coronavirus vaccine, and 31% said they were unsure.

“We’re dealing in a world of great uncertainty,” said Paul Mango, a top HHS official working on the vaccine plan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600265279122.png" alt="Photo courtesy AstraZeneca" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy AstraZeneca</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The government outlined a sweeping plan Wednesday to make vaccines for COVID-19 available for free to all Americans, assuming a safe and effective shot is developed, even as top health officials faced questions about political interference with virus information reaching the public.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/strategy-for-distributing-covid-19-vaccine.pdf" target="_blank">report to Congress</a>&nbsp;and an accompanying&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/downloads/COVID-19-Vaccination-Program-Interim_Playbook.pdf" target="_blank">“playbook” for states and localities,</a>&nbsp;federal health agencies and the Defense Department sketched out complex plans for a vaccination campaign to begin gradually in January or even late this year, eventually ramping up to reach any American who wants a shot. The Pentagon would be involved with the distribution of vaccines, but civilian health workers would be the ones giving shots.The whole enterprise faces remaining skepticism. Only about half of Americans said they’d get vaccinated in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dacdc8bc428dd4df6511bfa259cfec44">an Associated Press-NORC poll taken in May.&nbsp;</a>Since then, questions have only mounted about whether the government is trying to rush treatments and vaccines to help President Donald Trump’s reelection chances.On Wednesday, the Health and Human Services Department announced that political appointee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bc1d25c72728fce624831e523e7fc678">Michael Caputo would take a leave of absence</a>. The news followed revelations that the senior communications official had tried to gain editorial control over scientific publications on COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he contended were hurting the Trump administration.The director of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield, responding Wednesday before Senate lawmakers, rejected questions over whether the government’s timeline for states to be ready for a vaccine by Nov. 1 was politically motivated.Redfield told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the “scientific integrity” of his agency’s output “has not been compromised and it will not be compromised under my watch.”He said he was “deeply saddened” by Caputo’s accusations that CDC staff were working as a “resistance unit” against the administration.Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the committee’s top Democrat, said political interference had damaged public trust in the government’s health information .“The Trump administration needs to leave the science to the scientists immediately,” Murray said.Although Trump asserted Tuesday that a vaccine could be three to four weeks away, Redfield, made clear to Congress that any version available this year would be in “very limited supply.” The shot wouldn’t be broadly available to most of the U.S. population until the summer of 2021, he estimated.Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, quickly repeated the president’s version at the White House: “We do believe that it will be widely available by the end of the year.”As for the planned vaccine campaign, the CDC playbook for states says it is “much larger in scope and complexity than seasonal influenza or other previous outbreak-related vaccination responses.” Redfield said that his agency will be working with state health officials to execute the vaccination plan in coming days.Among the highlights of the plan:— For most vaccines, people will need two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. Double-dose vaccines will have to come from the same drugmaker. There could be several vaccines from different manufacturers approved and available.— Vaccination of the U.S. population won’t be a sprint but a marathon. Initially there may be a limited supply of vaccines, and the focus will be on protecting health workers, other essential employees, and people in vulnerable groups. “Early in (the) COVID-19 vaccination program there may be a limited supply of vaccine and vaccine efforts may focus on those critical to the response, providing direct care and maintaining societal functions, as well as those at highest risk for developing severe illness,” Redfield said. A second and third phase would expand vaccination to the entire population.— The vaccine itself will be free of charge, thanks to billions of dollars in taxpayer funding approved by Congress and allocated by the Trump administration. The goal is that patients won’t be separately charged for administration of their shots, and officials say they are working to ensure that’s the case for all Medicare recipients and uninsured people as well those covered by insurance at their jobs.— States and local communities will need to devise precise plans for receiving and locally distributing vaccines, some of which will require special handling such as refrigeration or freezing. States and cities have a month to submit plans.— A massive information technology effort will be needed to track who is getting which vaccines and when, and the key challenge involves getting multiple public and private databases to link with each other.Some of the broad components of the federal plan have already been discussed, but Wednesday’s reports attempt to put the key details into a comprehensive framework. Distribution is under the umbrella of Operation Warp Speed, a White House-backed initiative to have vaccines ready to ship in 24 hours from when a version is given emergency use approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Several formulations are undergoing final trials.However, public skepticism remains. Of the Americans who said in the May AP poll that they wouldn’t get vaccinated, the overwhelming majority said they were worried about safety. To effectively protect the nation from the coronavirus, experts say 70% to 90% of Americans must either be vaccinated or have their own immunity from fighting off COVID-19.Before the Republican National Convention in August, the FDA granted authorization for treatment of COVID-19 patients with plasma from people who have recovered, even though some government scientists were not convinced the clinical evidence was sufficiently strong.As public confidence in health agencies has taken a beating, Trump administration officials have been forced to play defense.“We are working closely with our state and local public health partners ... to ensure that Americans can receive the vaccine as soon as possible and vaccinate with confidence,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Wednesday. “Americans should know that the vaccine development process is being driven completely by science and the data.”That could be a tough sell. In the AP poll, 1 in 5 Americans said they would not get a coronavirus vaccine, and 31% said they were unsure.“We’re dealing in a world of great uncertainty,” said Paul Mango, a top HHS official working on the vaccine plan.

US outlines sweeping plan to provide free COVID-19 vaccines

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday shooting that left one man dead and two injured and arrested 21-year-old Terry Wallace.&nbsp;

Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Ash in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he died.&nbsp; Two other 18-year-old men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot. They remain hospitalized, according to police Captain Jason Stephens,

Investigators have learned that four individuals had a prearranged meeting set for the residence on North Ash. There was a disagreement during the meeting that led to shots being fired, according to Stephens.

Some of the individuals do have gang connections, according Stephens but police do no know the motive for the shooting.

Wallace is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20057690">online jail records.</a>

This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days and the 38th criminal homicide in 2020, according to Stephens. There were 35 criminal homicides in 2019.

A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600257007493.png" alt="Terry Wallace photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Terry Wallace photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday shooting that left one man dead and two injured and arrested 21-year-old Terry Wallace.&nbsp;Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Ash in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he died.&nbsp; Two other 18-year-old men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot. They remain hospitalized, according to police Captain Jason Stephens,<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600181821911.png" alt="Investigators on the scene of the shooting Tuesday morning -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene of the shooting Tuesday morning -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators have learned that four individuals had a prearranged meeting set for the residence on North Ash. There was a disagreement during the meeting that led to shots being fired, according to Stephens.Some of the individuals do have gang connections, according Stephens but police do no know the motive for the shooting.Wallace is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20057690">online jail records.</a>This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days and the 38th criminal homicide in 2020, according to Stephens. There were 35 criminal homicides in 2019.A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend in Wichita.

Suspect jailed in Wichita's 38th criminal homicide in 2020

Tests show more than 50,000 Kansans with virus, fatalities rise to 586

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/16/kansas-bankers-wary-of-covid-19-surge-in-foreclosures-evictions-in-early-2021/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Community banking
 executives advised Kansas legislators Wednesday to be aware of 
potential for dramatic escalation in business and residential 
foreclosures or evictions in early 2021 unless the federal government 
delivers a new COVID-19 stimulus package.

Injecting businesses with 
federal disaster assistance and the state’s ban on foreclosures and 
evictions built up a reservoir of economic peril that may be unleashed 
during the first quarter of next year absent a fresh government bailout,
 banking officials told a joint House and Senate committee working on 
economic recovery recommendations.

“Be aware of the concerns 
of your counties and your cities,” said Blake Heid, president of First 
Option Bank, a Paola community bank. “They anticipate, if there will be 
problems, seeing issues start to arise with December tax payments. Banks
 would know first or second quarter of next year if past dues start to 
rise.”

Brad Yaeger, president and
 chief executive officer of Legacy Bank in Wichita, said actions by the 
Federal Reserve to funnel cash into the economy and multiple rounds of 
stimulus packages, including larger unemployment checks and access to 
business loans, helped companies and individuals make loan payments 
during the pandemic.

“However,” he said, “some 
of them have only a little gas left in the tank. Each city has a 
different need depending on the industries that drive their economies, 
but a little tax relief on real estate taxes and income taxes may be 
warranted if a vaccine does not get approved by year end.”

The two banks funded a 
combined $59 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans designed by 
Congress to help struggling businesses make payroll and keep people off 
unemployment. Together, these Kansas banks issued more than 900 PPP 
loans that averaged about $65,000 each. Legacy Bank’s smallest loan was 
for $129 and the largest for $2 million.

“PPP loans were lifelines for many of these businesses and kept them from closing their doors permanently,” Yaeger said.

Kyle Kessler, executive 
director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of 
Kansas, said the 26 licensed community facilities providing behavioral 
health services across Kansas must grapple with anxiety and depression 
resulting from job losses during the pandemic.

In a Kansas survey, he 
said, the percentage of people who know someone suffering from mental 
health issues has risen 9 points since last year.

However, he said the 
state’s safety-net clinics have reported a reduction in the number of 
new patients compared to this time last year.

“Some believe a whiplash 
effect may occur where the system will see a significantly high number 
of new patients in a short amount of time when people feel safer to seek
 treatment in person,” Kessler said.

He recommended the 
Legislature consider requiring the Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment begin approving Medicaid-financed therapy without the 
patient physically present at a clinic. It’s a useful tool for helping 
youth and others enrolled in Medicaid while their parents, foster 
parents or other caregivers aren’t part of the program, he said.

Derek Schmidt, the 
attorney general for Kansas, suggested the House and Senate committee 
work on revising the Kansas Emergency Management Act to make it a more 
effective tool during a “widespread, long-lasting sometimes highly 
intrusive government response to disasters such as the pandemic that 
affects the state unevenly.”

He said limits imposed by 
Gov. Laura Kelly regarding closure of businesses and limits on in-person
 gatherings proved to be a blunt instrument. Those steps did little to 
contain the public health crisis, the attorney general said, but fueled 
the economic crisis.

“Even now, the hangover 
from those earlier, centrally ordered statewide lock downs, and the fear
 they will return, continues to stir debate and foster uncertainty in 
our state,” Schmidt said.

Kelly has said repeatedly 
it wasn’t her intention to again direct businesses to close in an 
attempt to restrain spread of the virus. It was a pledge that helped 
convinced Republican leaders in the Legislature to concur last week with
 the governor’s request to extend the state’s emergency disaster 
declaration.

So far, KDHE reports, 
there have been 50,870 positive tests for the virus, 2,516 
hospitalizations and 586 fatalities in Kansas since March.

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/2020/9/1600281548411.png" alt="Brad Yaeger, president of Legacy Bank in Wichita, says federal stimulus money has helped most businesses and individuals make loan payments, but pressure to foreclose or evict people will rise in early 2021 with action by Congress on a new package. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Brad Yaeger, president of Legacy Bank in Wichita, says federal stimulus money has helped most businesses and individuals make loan payments, but pressure to foreclose or evict people will rise in early 2021 with action by Congress on a new package. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Tests show more than 50,000 Kansans with virus, fatalities rise to 586</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/16/kansas-bankers-wary-of-covid-19-surge-in-foreclosures-evictions-in-early-2021/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Community banking
 executives advised Kansas legislators Wednesday to be aware of 
potential for dramatic escalation in business and residential 
foreclosures or evictions in early 2021 unless the federal government 
delivers a new COVID-19 stimulus package.Injecting businesses with 
federal disaster assistance and the state’s ban on foreclosures and 
evictions built up a reservoir of economic peril that may be unleashed 
during the first quarter of next year absent a fresh government bailout,
 banking officials told a joint House and Senate committee working on 
economic recovery recommendations.“Be aware of the concerns 
of your counties and your cities,” said Blake Heid, president of First 
Option Bank, a Paola community bank. “They anticipate, if there will be 
problems, seeing issues start to arise with December tax payments. Banks
 would know first or second quarter of next year if past dues start to 
rise.”Brad Yaeger, president and
 chief executive officer of Legacy Bank in Wichita, said actions by the 
Federal Reserve to funnel cash into the economy and multiple rounds of 
stimulus packages, including larger unemployment checks and access to 
business loans, helped companies and individuals make loan payments 
during the pandemic.“However,” he said, “some 
of them have only a little gas left in the tank. Each city has a 
different need depending on the industries that drive their economies, 
but a little tax relief on real estate taxes and income taxes may be 
warranted if a vaccine does not get approved by year end.”The two banks funded a 
combined $59 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans designed by 
Congress to help struggling businesses make payroll and keep people off 
unemployment. Together, these Kansas banks issued more than 900 PPP 
loans that averaged about $65,000 each. Legacy Bank’s smallest loan was 
for $129 and the largest for $2 million.“PPP loans were lifelines for many of these businesses and kept them from closing their doors permanently,” Yaeger said.Kyle Kessler, executive 
director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of 
Kansas, said the 26 licensed community facilities providing behavioral 
health services across Kansas must grapple with anxiety and depression 
resulting from job losses during the pandemic.In a Kansas survey, he 
said, the percentage of people who know someone suffering from mental 
health issues has risen 9 points since last year.However, he said the 
state’s safety-net clinics have reported a reduction in the number of 
new patients compared to this time last year.“Some believe a whiplash 
effect may occur where the system will see a significantly high number 
of new patients in a short amount of time when people feel safer to seek
 treatment in person,” Kessler said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281606326.jpeg" alt="Kyle Kessler, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, are worried about a surge in patients once people become more comfortable seeking in-person treatment for anxiety and depression. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kyle Kessler, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, are worried about a surge in patients once people become more comfortable seeking in-person treatment for anxiety and depression. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>He recommended the 
Legislature consider requiring the Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment begin approving Medicaid-financed therapy without the 
patient physically present at a clinic. It’s a useful tool for helping 
youth and others enrolled in Medicaid while their parents, foster 
parents or other caregivers aren’t part of the program, he said.Derek Schmidt, the 
attorney general for Kansas, suggested the House and Senate committee 
work on revising the Kansas Emergency Management Act to make it a more 
effective tool during a “widespread, long-lasting sometimes highly 
intrusive government response to disasters such as the pandemic that 
affects the state unevenly.”He said limits imposed by 
Gov. Laura Kelly regarding closure of businesses and limits on in-person
 gatherings proved to be a blunt instrument. Those steps did little to 
contain the public health crisis, the attorney general said, but fueled 
the economic crisis.“Even now, the hangover 
from those earlier, centrally ordered statewide lock downs, and the fear
 they will return, continues to stir debate and foster uncertainty in 
our state,” Schmidt said.Kelly has said repeatedly 
it wasn’t her intention to again direct businesses to close in an 
attempt to restrain spread of the virus. It was a pledge that helped 
convinced Republican leaders in the Legislature to concur last week with
 the governor’s request to extend the state’s emergency disaster 
declaration.So far, KDHE reports, 
there have been 50,870 positive tests for the virus, 2,516 
hospitalizations and 586 fatalities in Kansas since March.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. bankers wary of COVID-19 surge in foreclosures, evictions in early 2021

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) held a press briefing Wednesday on COVID-19.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 971 to a total of 50,870 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 586, an increase of 52.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) held a press briefing Wednesday on COVID-19.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F1976642482472236%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 971 to a total of 50,870 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 586, an increase of 52.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600277925237.png" alt="Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Dr. Lee Norman on increase in virus deaths in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly is holding a virtual discussion&nbsp; with rural hospital administrators from across Kansas Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; She wants to learn how their hospitals have handled the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a media release from Kelly's office.

The governor will be joined by representatives of the Kansas Hosptial Association, Graham County Hospital, Memorial Health System, Goodland Regional Medical Center, Smith County Memorial Hospital and Southwest Medical Center.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly is holding a virtual discussion&nbsp; with rural hospital administrators from across Kansas Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp; She wants to learn how their hospitals have handled the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a media release from Kelly's office.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F328691774912009%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The governor will be joined by representatives of the Kansas Hosptial Association, Graham County Hospital, Memorial Health System, Goodland Regional Medical Center, Smith County Memorial Hospital and Southwest Medical Center.

🎥  Gov. holds virtual discussion with rural hospital administrators

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/15/kansas-draws-privacy-line-to-exclude-some-businesses-from-covid-19-cluster-report/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura 
Kelly’s administration has rejected an open records request by Kansas 
Reflector seeking the name and location of businesses connected to 
COVID-19 outbreaks of fewer than 20 infections.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment last week began <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/09/kansas-names-businesses-schools-churches-long-term-care-facilities-with-covid-19-outbreaks/" target="_blank">selectively identifying active clusters of COVID-19 cases</a>
 with five or more infections for a wide range of locations, but decided
 it would only disclose the location of private businesses that have 20 
or more cases.

KDHE cited a “personal 
privacy” exemption in state law in rejecting the request to identify all
 businesses, and the governor’s office said the identity of businesses 
with up to 19 infections will remain secret because they are not public 
entities. The administration wouldn’t explain why personal privacy is a 
concern for business but not a concern for sports teams, fraternities, 
rallies, hospitals, churches or other locations that are named.

The policy to shield 
businesses from public scrutiny is inconsistent with the message from 
health secretary Lee Norman, who says people should have information 
that allows them to make decisions about personal health and safety.

The agency began naming 
locations, Norman said during last week’s news briefing, “to empower 
Kansans to be more proactive about assessing their own personal risks. 
Am I putting myself at risk to go here or to go there?”

Some private businesses, 
including an optometrist in Colby associated with seven cases, are 
identified by KDHE because they fall under other categories. The risk 
associated with other businesses is kept secret.

“Our businesses actually 
by and large have done a great job of opening in a safe manner,” Kelly 
said during her Monday news briefing at the Capitol. “We have had no 
known outbreaks in any of our hair salons, our barber shops, even in our
 restaurants. It’s working. Our bars — another story.”

KDHE combines bars and 
restaurants into a single category. Since the beginning of the pandemic,
 outbreaks at 14 bars and restaurants were responsible for 272 
infections.

An additional 153 
outbreaks, with seven deaths and 1,159 cases, have been connected to 
private businesses. Those figures don’t include the 19 deaths and 3,470 
cases attributed to outbreaks at meatpacking plants.

“In terms of choosing the 
numbers five and 20, there is a natural dividing line when we looked at 
the number of active cases,” said Lauren Fitzgerald, a spokeswoman for 
the governor. “As an example, if we disclosed every outbreak with two 
cases, that would be 95% of the outbreaks. If we increased it to five, 
this dropped to 50%. We saw a similar natural breaking point at 20 for 
businesses.”

KDHE denied the request 
for businesses below the “breaking point.” An attorney for the agency 
cited an exemption in the Kansas Open Records Act that allows government
 agencies to withhold public information “of a personal nature where the
 public disclosure thereof would constitute a clearly unwarranted 
invasion of personal privacy.”

Ron Keefover, president of
 the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said it was 
difficult to understand how the personal privacy exemption could be 
applied to records about businesses.

“After all,” Keefover 
said, “no one is seeking the names, Social Security numbers, or other 
identifiers of anyone with COVID-19. Rather, the statistical information
 is sought to educate and inform the public about locations that may 
have resulted in the infections. We ask: Why is it not an invasion of 
privacy to release locations involving 20 or more infections, but it is 
so for businesses with fewer than that number? That simply doesn’t make 
sense.”

Keefover also wondered why
 the disclosure of COVID-19 outbreaks at businesses would be different 
from the disclosure of restaurant inspections, which are handled by KDHE
 and made available to the public.

“If we can find out if 
someone smokes in the food preparation, surely we should be able to know
 if a cook or other employee has contracted a life-threatening 
infectious disease,” Keefover said.

Kansas Reflector has filed
 a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s office, which has the 
authority to investigate alleged violations of the Kansas Open Records 
Act.

As of Monday, eight 
private businesses were connected to enough infections to make the 
public cluster list. They include meatpacking plants in southwest Kansas
 and Simmons Pet Food in Emporia. The Amazon Fulfillment Center in 
Kansas City is listed with 42 cases.

“Nothing is more important
 than safety of our teams,” said Maria Boschetti, a spokeswoman for 
Amazon. “We’ve invested over $800 million in the first half of this year
 implementing 150 significant process changes on COVID-19 safety 
measures by purchasing items like masks, hand sanitizer, thermal 
cameras, thermometers, sanitizing wipes, gloves, additional handwashing 
stations, and adding disinfectant spraying in buildings, procuring COVID
 testing supplies, and additional janitorial teams.”

Businesses have pressured 
the Kelly administration to avoid the disclosure of any information 
relating to COVID-19 outbreaks. Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the 
Kansas Chamber, said businesses are adhering to recommendations from the
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include closing to 
allow employees to quarantine and time for extra cleaning.

Cobb said it was “near 
impossible to trust the data shared by KDHE,” which could be tainted 
with “false reports and misrepresentation of the actual facts.”

“KDHE is linking cases 
that are ‘associated’ with a business without providing any clear 
definition to what ‘associated’ means, nor is it explaining how it is 
determined that the business is the source of a virus outbreak,” Cobb 
said.

He said the chamber has 
heard from businesses of all sizes that are concerned about the negative
 impact of being placed on the public cluster list.

Norman, the KDHE 
secretary, said “we don’t want anything we do to be anti-commerce or 
anti-business, but also we want people to be safe.”

KDHE’s figures show 534 
people have died from COVID-19 in Kansas, and 49,899 have been infected.
 Those numbers include a spike of 23 deaths between Friday and Monday. 
The total number of deaths has increased by 88 in two weeks — the same 
amount recorded for all of August.

Norman said the most common complaint he has received has been the decision to keep information about outbreaks secret.

“I’ve commonly been asked,
 ‘Can we have the information so we can make informed decisions for 
ourselves and our loved ones?’ ” Norman said.

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281228447.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly says businesses in Kansas "have done a great job of opening in a safe manner." Her administration is shielding those with clusters of less than 20 COVID-19 infections from public disclosure. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly says businesses in Kansas "have done a great job of opening in a safe manner." Her administration is shielding those with clusters of less than 20 COVID-19 infections from public disclosure. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/15/kansas-draws-privacy-line-to-exclude-some-businesses-from-covid-19-cluster-report/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura 
Kelly’s administration has rejected an open records request by Kansas 
Reflector seeking the name and location of businesses connected to 
COVID-19 outbreaks of fewer than 20 infections.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment last week began <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/09/kansas-names-businesses-schools-churches-long-term-care-facilities-with-covid-19-outbreaks/" target="_blank">selectively identifying active clusters of COVID-19 cases</a>
 with five or more infections for a wide range of locations, but decided
 it would only disclose the location of private businesses that have 20 
or more cases.KDHE cited a “personal 
privacy” exemption in state law in rejecting the request to identify all
 businesses, and the governor’s office said the identity of businesses 
with up to 19 infections will remain secret because they are not public 
entities. The administration wouldn’t explain why personal privacy is a 
concern for business but not a concern for sports teams, fraternities, 
rallies, hospitals, churches or other locations that are named.The policy to shield 
businesses from public scrutiny is inconsistent with the message from 
health secretary Lee Norman, who says people should have information 
that allows them to make decisions about personal health and safety.The agency began naming 
locations, Norman said during last week’s news briefing, “to empower 
Kansans to be more proactive about assessing their own personal risks. 
Am I putting myself at risk to go here or to go there?”Some private businesses, 
including an optometrist in Colby associated with seven cases, are 
identified by KDHE because they fall under other categories. The risk 
associated with other businesses is kept secret.“Our businesses actually 
by and large have done a great job of opening in a safe manner,” Kelly 
said during her Monday news briefing at the Capitol. “We have had no 
known outbreaks in any of our hair salons, our barber shops, even in our
 restaurants. It’s working. Our bars — another story.”KDHE combines bars and 
restaurants into a single category. Since the beginning of the pandemic,
 outbreaks at 14 bars and restaurants were responsible for 272 
infections.An additional 153 
outbreaks, with seven deaths and 1,159 cases, have been connected to 
private businesses. Those figures don’t include the 19 deaths and 3,470 
cases attributed to outbreaks at meatpacking plants.“In terms of choosing the 
numbers five and 20, there is a natural dividing line when we looked at 
the number of active cases,” said Lauren Fitzgerald, a spokeswoman for 
the governor. “As an example, if we disclosed every outbreak with two 
cases, that would be 95% of the outbreaks. If we increased it to five, 
this dropped to 50%. We saw a similar natural breaking point at 20 for 
businesses.”KDHE denied the request 
for businesses below the “breaking point.” An attorney for the agency 
cited an exemption in the Kansas Open Records Act that allows government
 agencies to withhold public information “of a personal nature where the
 public disclosure thereof would constitute a clearly unwarranted 
invasion of personal privacy.”Ron Keefover, president of
 the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said it was 
difficult to understand how the personal privacy exemption could be 
applied to records about businesses.“After all,” Keefover 
said, “no one is seeking the names, Social Security numbers, or other 
identifiers of anyone with COVID-19. Rather, the statistical information
 is sought to educate and inform the public about locations that may 
have resulted in the infections. We ask: Why is it not an invasion of 
privacy to release locations involving 20 or more infections, but it is 
so for businesses with fewer than that number? That simply doesn’t make 
sense.”Keefover also wondered why
 the disclosure of COVID-19 outbreaks at businesses would be different 
from the disclosure of restaurant inspections, which are handled by KDHE
 and made available to the public.“If we can find out if 
someone smokes in the food preparation, surely we should be able to know
 if a cook or other employee has contracted a life-threatening 
infectious disease,” Keefover said.Kansas Reflector has filed
 a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s office, which has the 
authority to investigate alleged violations of the Kansas Open Records 
Act.As of Monday, eight 
private businesses were connected to enough infections to make the 
public cluster list. They include meatpacking plants in southwest Kansas
 and Simmons Pet Food in Emporia. The Amazon Fulfillment Center in 
Kansas City is listed with 42 cases.“Nothing is more important
 than safety of our teams,” said Maria Boschetti, a spokeswoman for 
Amazon. “We’ve invested over $800 million in the first half of this year
 implementing 150 significant process changes on COVID-19 safety 
measures by purchasing items like masks, hand sanitizer, thermal 
cameras, thermometers, sanitizing wipes, gloves, additional handwashing 
stations, and adding disinfectant spraying in buildings, procuring COVID
 testing supplies, and additional janitorial teams.”Businesses have pressured 
the Kelly administration to avoid the disclosure of any information 
relating to COVID-19 outbreaks. Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the 
Kansas Chamber, said businesses are adhering to recommendations from the
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include closing to 
allow employees to quarantine and time for extra cleaning.Cobb said it was “near 
impossible to trust the data shared by KDHE,” which could be tainted 
with “false reports and misrepresentation of the actual facts.”“KDHE is linking cases 
that are ‘associated’ with a business without providing any clear 
definition to what ‘associated’ means, nor is it explaining how it is 
determined that the business is the source of a virus outbreak,” Cobb 
said.He said the chamber has 
heard from businesses of all sizes that are concerned about the negative
 impact of being placed on the public cluster list.Norman, the KDHE 
secretary, said “we don’t want anything we do to be anti-commerce or 
anti-business, but also we want people to be safe.”KDHE’s figures show 534 
people have died from COVID-19 in Kansas, and 49,899 have been infected.
 Those numbers include a spike of 23 deaths between Friday and Monday. 
The total number of deaths has increased by 88 in two weeks — the same 
amount recorded for all of August.Norman said the most common complaint he has received has been the decision to keep information about outbreaks secret.“I’ve commonly been asked,
 ‘Can we have the information so we can make informed decisions for 
ourselves and our loved ones?’ ” Norman said.Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal, where he started on the copy desk, then oversaw digital operations, was the managing editor and reported from the Statehouse.

Kan. draws line to exclude some from COVID-19 cluster report

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 971 to a total of 50,870 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 586, an increase of 52

TOPEKA, Kan. — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 971 to a total of 50,870 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 586, an increase of 52<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600277925237.png" alt="Wednesday Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Sept. 16, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a worker killed in 2018 when a nearly 2,000-foot tall TV tower in southwest Missouri collapsed is suing Missouri State University for wrongful death.

The April 19, 2018, tower collapse happened in Fordland, killing 56-year-old Steve Lemay, who ran a tower repair company in Blaine, Washington. Missouri State University owned the tower and used it for its Ozarks Public Television station.

The lawsuit says the university maintained a “dangerous condition” on its property that led to Lemay’s death.

Lemay’s family is asking for an unspecified amount in damages that include Lemay’s pain and suffering as well as medical, funeral and burial expenses. The lawsuit also names a South Carolina tower repair company that hired Lemay's company to complete the work.

A federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3d8b5b6f4f7f42308908eae5947fe05f">report&nbsp;</a>on the fatal incident said the removal of key bolts during a bracing procedure caused a TV tower to collapse. The lawsuit says the supports provided to Lemay to complete the bracing work were incorrect, forcing Lemay’s crew to drill new bolt holes.

Lemay and five other workers were about 100 feet high when the structure collapsed. The other workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson for MSU said that the university does not comment on pending litigation.

Scene of the 2028 TV tower accident -photo courtesy KYTV

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The family of a worker killed in 2018 when a nearly 2,000-foot tall TV tower in southwest Missouri collapsed is suing Missouri State University for wrongful death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600267217335.png" alt="Scene of the&nbsp; 2018 TV tower accident -photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the&nbsp; 2018 TV tower accident -photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a worker killed in 2018 when a nearly 2,000-foot tall TV tower in southwest Missouri collapsed is suing Missouri State University for wrongful death.The April 19, 2018, tower collapse happened in Fordland, killing 56-year-old Steve Lemay, who ran a tower repair company in Blaine, Washington. Missouri State University owned the tower and used it for its Ozarks Public Television station.The lawsuit says the university maintained a “dangerous condition” on its property that led to Lemay’s death.Lemay’s family is asking for an unspecified amount in damages that include Lemay’s pain and suffering as well as medical, funeral and burial expenses. The lawsuit also names a South Carolina tower repair company that hired Lemay's company to complete the work.A federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3d8b5b6f4f7f42308908eae5947fe05f">report&nbsp;</a>on the fatal incident said the removal of key bolts during a bracing procedure caused a TV tower to collapse. The lawsuit says the supports provided to Lemay to complete the bracing work were incorrect, forcing Lemay’s crew to drill new bolt holes.Lemay and five other workers were about 100 feet high when the structure collapsed. The other workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.A spokesperson for MSU said that the university does not comment on pending litigation.Scene of the 2028 TV tower accident -photo courtesy KYTVSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The family of a worker killed in 2018 when a nearly 2,000-foot tall TV tower in southwest Missouri collapsed is suing Missouri State University for wrongful death.The April 19, 2018, tower collapse happened in Fordland, killing 56-year-old Steve Lemay, who ran a tower repair company in Blaine, Washington. Missouri State University owned the tower and used it for its Ozarks Public Television station.The lawsuit says the university maintained a “dangerous condition” on its property that led to Lemay’s death.Lemay’s family is asking for an unspecified amount in damages that include Lemay’s pain and suffering as well as medical, funeral and burial expenses. The lawsuit also names a South Carolina tower repair company that hired Lemay's company to complete the work.A federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3d8b5b6f4f7f42308908eae5947fe05f">report&nbsp;</a>on the fatal incident said the removal of key bolts during a bracing procedure caused a TV tower to collapse. The lawsuit says the supports provided to Lemay to complete the bracing work were incorrect, forcing Lemay’s crew to drill new bolt holes.

Family of worker killed in TV tower collapse sues 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two cases of sexual assault and after a 7-hour standoff have a suspect in custody.

On August 29, Wichita police began a sexual assault and robbery investigation following an incident reported in the 6100 Block of East Boston, according to Captain Jason Stephens. 

Two victims reported an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The female victims reported the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Patrick Newborn of Wichita, had committed a sexual assault against her one to two weeks earlier, according to Stephens.

On Sept. 13, police investigated another sexual assault involving a different victim at a residence in the 700 Block of South Pershing in Wichita. Investigators determined the cases were likely connected and later confirmed that.

On Tuesday police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.

The officers retreated from the residence and called in the SWAT team. The SWAT team established a perimeter around the location and spent 7 hours communicating with Newborn.

Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.

Newborn is being held on requested charges that include rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, criminal threat, aggravated residential robbery,&nbsp; aggravated residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, criminal possession of a firearm and a state parole violation, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18820474">according to online booking records.</a>

He has a previous conviction for Aggravated Indecent Liberties, Sex Intercourse with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported sexual assault of a 32-year-old woman at a home in Wichita.

At approximately 12:00 a.m., Saturday, police were dispatched to a burglary in progress call in the 700 block of South Pershing, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon their arrival, they contacted the 32-year-old female victim, who reported an unknown, armed male suspect entered her residence.

Once inside the suspect demanded money, sexually assaulted her, and left.

The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Also, inside the residence were two small children.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600269243259.png" alt="Newborn -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Newborn -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two cases of sexual assault and after a 7-hour standoff have a suspect in custody.On August 29, Wichita police began a sexual assault and robbery investigation following an incident reported in the 6100 Block of East Boston, according to Captain Jason Stephens. Two victims reported an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The female victims reported the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Patrick Newborn of Wichita, had committed a sexual assault against her one to two weeks earlier, according to Stephens.On Sept. 13, police investigated another sexual assault involving a different victim at a residence in the 700 Block of South Pershing in Wichita. Investigators determined the cases were likely connected and later confirmed that.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600271410562.png" alt="Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.The officers retreated from the residence and called in the SWAT team. The SWAT team established a perimeter around the location and spent 7 hours communicating with Newborn.Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.Newborn is being held on requested charges that include rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, criminal threat, aggravated residential robbery,&nbsp; aggravated residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, criminal possession of a firearm and a state parole violation, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18820474">according to online booking records.</a>He has a previous conviction for Aggravated Indecent Liberties, Sex Intercourse with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported sexual assault of a 32-year-old woman at a home in Wichita.At approximately 12:00 a.m., Saturday, police were dispatched to a burglary in progress call in the 700 block of South Pershing, according to officer Paul Cruz.Upon their arrival, they contacted the 32-year-old female victim, who reported an unknown, armed male suspect entered her residence.Once inside the suspect demanded money, sexually assaulted her, and left.The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Also, inside the residence were two small children.&nbsp;

SWAT standoff leads to arrest of Kan. rape suspect

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Some state and local officials around the U.S. are rolling back social-distancing rules again after an abortive effort over the summer, allowing bars, restaurants and gyms to open. Fans are gathering mask-free at football games. President Donald Trump is holding crowded indoor rallies.

While some Americans may see such things as a welcome step closer to normal, public health experts warn the U.S. is setting itself up for failure — again.

“Folks are becoming very cavalier about the pandemic,” said Mark Rupp, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Nebraska’s governor ended nearly all of his state’s restrictions on Monday, even with new cases of the coronavirus on the rise.

“I think it is setting us up for further transmission and more people getting ill and, unfortunately, more people dying,” Rupp said.

The virus is blamed for more than 6.5 million confirmed infections and 195,000 deaths in the U.S., by far the highest totals of any country, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University.

While case numbers have fallen from a peak average of 67,000 new infections per day in late July to about 36,000 now, the numbers remain staggeringly high. Deaths are running at about 750 a day, down from a peak of over 2,200 in late April.

In recent days, Mississippi has allowed restaurants to expand their customer capacity to 75%. New Jersey reopened gyms and indoor dining at restaurants, though with limited capacity. Michigan’s governor allowed gyms to reopen and organized sports to resume. County commissioners in Pinellas County, Florida, on Thursday are set to discuss whether to repeal their mask ordinance.

Public health experts noted that it is safe to resume certain activities in communities where there are low levels of infection.

The nation’s top infectious-disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, appeared via video at Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s virus briefing Tuesday and praised the state’s response and its steps to reopen safely. He chalked it up to Vermont’s emphasis on wearing masks, avoiding crowds and taking other simple precautions.

But elsewhere, experts said, case counts are too high to resume higher-risk activities, such as going to bars, gyms, theaters and stadiums, participating in close contact sports or eating inside a restaurant.

In most communities in Florida, bars were allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity on Monday, while keeping some precautions in place. But Florida’s three biggest counties — Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach — are keeping their bars closed because of high case numbers.

Even in places where drinking establishments have been given the OK to reopen, some owners and customers alike are hesitant.

At The Leon Pub, a smoky bar a mile up the road from Florida’s Capitol in Tallahassee, the Monday night crowd was sparse, as it has been for much of the long, oppressive summer.

“It’s been crickets and tumbleweeds,” said bartender Lauren Bryant.

Among the few there were Allie Preston and her husband. “We’ve been cooped up for a while. It was nice to have normalcy,” she said.

Florida bars were shuttered on St. Patrick’s Day in March, allowed to reopen in June, then ordered closed again about two weeks later as virus cases surged. The Leon Pub was allowed to reopen in July because it had a restaurant license.

Jim Smith. owner of Poor Paul’s Pourhouse in Tallahassee, intends to keep his place closed until the outbreak is over.

“I miss going to work every day. I miss seeing the customers and employees,” he said. “We have to get this thing under control.”

It’s not just government officials who are letting up on restrictions. In Milwaukee, the Roman Catholic archbishop said he will no longer excuse people from in-person worship unless they are ill or are caring for someone who is sick. Meanwhile, cases in Wisconsin are on the rise.

Some local officials are cracking down as they see cases climb.

In Wichita, Kansas, health officials made bar curfews and mask wearing mandatory. In Framingham, Massachusetts, officials said they have starting issuing $500 fines to property owners who violate the rules on gatherings and mask-wearing.

Public health experts said they worry they are seeing a pattern: A drop in cases leads officials and regular Americans to relax measures to stay safe, and infections and deaths make a comeback.

“Please, you’ve done so well, don’t let your guard down,” Fauci said during a call-in news conference during the video call with Vermont’s governor. “Because if we do, we are going to see surges that are going to put us back to where we were months ago.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Some state and local officials around the U.S. are rolling back social-distancing rules again after an abortive effort over the summer, allowing bars, restaurants and gyms to open. Fans are gathering mask-free at football games. President Donald Trump is holding crowded indoor rallies.While some Americans may see such things as a welcome step closer to normal, public health experts warn the U.S. is setting itself up for failure — again.“Folks are becoming very cavalier about the pandemic,” said Mark Rupp, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Nebraska’s governor ended nearly all of his state’s restrictions on Monday, even with new cases of the coronavirus on the rise.“I think it is setting us up for further transmission and more people getting ill and, unfortunately, more people dying,” Rupp said.The virus is blamed for more than 6.5 million confirmed infections and 195,000 deaths in the U.S., by far the highest totals of any country, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University.While case numbers have fallen from a peak average of 67,000 new infections per day in late July to about 36,000 now, the numbers remain staggeringly high. Deaths are running at about 750 a day, down from a peak of over 2,200 in late April.In recent days, Mississippi has allowed restaurants to expand their customer capacity to 75%. New Jersey reopened gyms and indoor dining at restaurants, though with limited capacity. Michigan’s governor allowed gyms to reopen and organized sports to resume. County commissioners in Pinellas County, Florida, on Thursday are set to discuss whether to repeal their mask ordinance.Public health experts noted that it is safe to resume certain activities in communities where there are low levels of infection.The nation’s top infectious-disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, appeared via video at Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s virus briefing Tuesday and praised the state’s response and its steps to reopen safely. He chalked it up to Vermont’s emphasis on wearing masks, avoiding crowds and taking other simple precautions.But elsewhere, experts said, case counts are too high to resume higher-risk activities, such as going to bars, gyms, theaters and stadiums, participating in close contact sports or eating inside a restaurant.In most communities in Florida, bars were allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity on Monday, while keeping some precautions in place. But Florida’s three biggest counties — Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach — are keeping their bars closed because of high case numbers.Even in places where drinking establishments have been given the OK to reopen, some owners and customers alike are hesitant.At The Leon Pub, a smoky bar a mile up the road from Florida’s Capitol in Tallahassee, the Monday night crowd was sparse, as it has been for much of the long, oppressive summer.“It’s been crickets and tumbleweeds,” said bartender Lauren Bryant.Among the few there were Allie Preston and her husband. “We’ve been cooped up for a while. It was nice to have normalcy,” she said.Florida bars were shuttered on St. Patrick’s Day in March, allowed to reopen in June, then ordered closed again about two weeks later as virus cases surged. The Leon Pub was allowed to reopen in July because it had a restaurant license.Jim Smith. owner of Poor Paul’s Pourhouse in Tallahassee, intends to keep his place closed until the outbreak is over.“I miss going to work every day. I miss seeing the customers and employees,” he said. “We have to get this thing under control.”It’s not just government officials who are letting up on restrictions. In Milwaukee, the Roman Catholic archbishop said he will no longer excuse people from in-person worship unless they are ill or are caring for someone who is sick. Meanwhile, cases in Wisconsin are on the rise.Some local officials are cracking down as they see cases climb.In Wichita, Kansas, health officials made bar curfews and mask wearing mandatory. In Framingham, Massachusetts, officials said they have starting issuing $500 fines to property owners who violate the rules on gatherings and mask-wearing.Public health experts said they worry they are seeing a pattern: A drop in cases leads officials and regular Americans to relax measures to stay safe, and infections and deaths make a comeback.“Please, you’ve done so well, don’t let your guard down,” Fauci said during a call-in news conference during the video call with Vermont’s governor. “Because if we do, we are going to see surges that are going to put us back to where we were months ago.”——

Experts worry as US virus restrictions are eased or violated

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A trial has been delayed for the second time for the suspect in the shooting death of a former Washburn University football player and the wounding of another player who went on to play for the New York Giants. 

Francisco A. “Franky” Mendez, 19, was scheduled to be tried Oct. 26 in the April 2019 death of Dwane Simmons and the wounding of Corey Ballentine. 

Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios granted Mendez a continuance in the case while scheduling a status conference to take place Nov. 12. Mendez was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder after the April 28 shooting in Topeka.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563037412059.png" alt="Francisco Mendez" />
 <figcaption>Francisco Mendez</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A trial has been delayed for the second time for the suspect in the shooting death of a former Washburn University football player and the wounding of another player who went on to play for the New York Giants. Francisco A. “Franky” Mendez, 19, was scheduled to be tried Oct. 26 in the April 2019 death of Dwane Simmons and the wounding of Corey Ballentine. Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios granted Mendez a continuance in the case while scheduling a status conference to take place Nov. 12. Mendez was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder after the April 28 shooting in Topeka.&nbsp;

Trial delayed again for suspect in death of Washburn player

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A commissioner for the most populous county in Kansas urged constituents to buy firearms and prepare for a “coming war" in a Facebook post that described a chaotic end to law and order.

Mike Brown, a white member of the Johnson County commission in suburban Kansas City, used the hashtags “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” as he described violence, “burning churches" and “looting stores” in the weekend post.

“I hear the war drum off in the distance from a not far away place foreshadowing in whispers the haunting cadence of the coming war," he wrote, urging people to “buy a firearm and ammunition and take a class now to learn how to safely use it to defend yourself and your property, know what's happening around you at all times."

The post is no longer public, but Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat who is Black,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259">retweeted</a>&nbsp;images of it Monday and described the message as “racist” and “reckless.”

Johnson County commission chairman Ed Eilert noted that Brown was up for election in November.

“The voters in his district do have a decision to make," he said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. “We want our community safe. We want law enforcement to operate in a safe environment. The feedback I read and I hear is people looked at that post and saw indications that there was a violent note to it. We understand free speech and Second Amendment rights, but it left the opportunity for many, many people to come away with the idea that it promoted violence.”

Brown's commentary comes after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9dd40f7bd6f261291b17542f2620b782">said&nbsp;</a>while laying out his case for reelection that a Joe Biden presidency would “give free rein to violent anarchists,” a contention that Biden has disputed.

Brown, a Republican, wrote the post following the shooting of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2619c68d20a5c578239fa4ac196ed14c">sheriff’s deputies in California.&nbsp;</a><a>He</a>&nbsp;didn't respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press. But he said in an email to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article245719970.html">The Kansas City Star&nbsp;</a>that he is “only speaking out against violence and calling on other electeds, community leaders and citizens to do the same.”

During his term, Brown has come under fire multiple times for his Facebook posts, including in March when he wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic is a “political stunt” and told constituents to “get a grip.” In recent months, Brown has sparred with other commissioners and public health officials over COVID-19 restrictions and the mask mandate, The Star reported. The county stressed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/article/2020/09/15/14695">statement&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that that the mask order remains in effect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600251199298.png" alt="Mike Brown" />
 <figcaption>Mike Brown</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A commissioner for the most populous county in Kansas urged constituents to buy firearms and prepare for a “coming war" in a Facebook post that described a chaotic end to law and order.Mike Brown, a white member of the Johnson County commission in suburban Kansas City, used the hashtags “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” as he described violence, “burning churches" and “looting stores” in the weekend post.“I hear the war drum off in the distance from a not far away place foreshadowing in whispers the haunting cadence of the coming war," he wrote, urging people to “buy a firearm and ammunition and take a class now to learn how to safely use it to defend yourself and your property, know what's happening around you at all times."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At a time when heated rhetoric rarely surprises me, I have to admit shock in seeing something like this from a local elected. Gross distortions; encouraging constituents to prepare for armed war w/political opponents? This is reckless. This is racist. This is wrong. Just stop. <a href="https://t.co/Zc50URHgEW">https://t.co/Zc50URHgEW</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The post is no longer public, but Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat who is Black,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259">retweeted</a>&nbsp;images of it Monday and described the message as “racist” and “reckless.”Johnson County commission chairman Ed Eilert noted that Brown was up for election in November.“The voters in his district do have a decision to make," he said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. “We want our community safe. We want law enforcement to operate in a safe environment. The feedback I read and I hear is people looked at that post and saw indications that there was a violent note to it. We understand free speech and Second Amendment rights, but it left the opportunity for many, many people to come away with the idea that it promoted violence.”Brown's commentary comes after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9dd40f7bd6f261291b17542f2620b782">said&nbsp;</a>while laying out his case for reelection that a Joe Biden presidency would “give free rein to violent anarchists,” a contention that Biden has disputed.Brown, a Republican, wrote the post following the shooting of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2619c68d20a5c578239fa4ac196ed14c">sheriff’s deputies in California.&nbsp;</a><a>He</a>&nbsp;didn't respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press. But he said in an email to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article245719970.html">The Kansas City Star&nbsp;</a>that he is “only speaking out against violence and calling on other electeds, community leaders and citizens to do the same.”During his term, Brown has come under fire multiple times for his Facebook posts, including in March when he wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic is a “political stunt” and told constituents to “get a grip.” In recent months, Brown has sparred with other commissioners and public health officials over COVID-19 restrictions and the mask mandate, The Star reported. The county stressed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/article/2020/09/15/14695">statement&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that that the mask order remains in effect.

Suburban Kansas City commissioner warns of ‘coming war’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and two injured.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.&nbsp; Two other men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot.

Investigators are working to determine the details of what occurred. Police released no additional details late Tuesday.

This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days. A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600181821911.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Tuesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Tuesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and two injured.Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Ash in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.&nbsp; Two other men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot.Investigators are working to determine the details of what occurred. Police released no additional details late Tuesday.This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days. A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend.&nbsp;

Wichita police investigate 3rd fatal shooting in 4 days

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have found a body in a Kansas lake while searching for a missing kayaker.

Emergency crews began looking Sunday in Lake Fort Scott for 19-year-old Raymond Harper, of Fort Scott, after his friends recovered his kayak but couldn’t find him.

A helicopter and divers were called in to help before a body that is believed to be Harper’s was found Monday afternoon, the Fort Scott Police Department said in a news release.

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have found a body in a Kansas lake while searching for a missing kayaker.Emergency crews began looking Sunday in Lake Fort Scott for 19-year-old Raymond Harper, of Fort Scott, after his friends recovered his kayak but couldn’t find him.A helicopter and divers were called in to help before a body that is believed to be Harper’s was found Monday afternoon, the Fort Scott Police Department said in a news release.