Kansas City (AP) — A former student teacher in southwestern Missouri has been sentenced to four years in prison for sending nude photographs of herself to three 13-year-old male students of hers back in 2017.

Emily Edson, 39, was sentenced last week to four years for each of three counts of sexual misconduct with a child and one count of promoting child pornography. The sentences are to be served at the same time.

Edson had pleaded guilty to the charges. In exchange for her plea, more serious charges of sexual enticement and child pornography counts were dropped.

Prosecutors accused Edson of sending nude photos of herself to the boys, who were students at at Lamar Middle School where she worked, and of asking one of the boys to have sex with her several times

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603217122402.png" alt="Edson photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Edson photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City (AP) — A former student teacher in southwestern Missouri has been sentenced to four years in prison for sending nude photographs of herself to three 13-year-old male students of hers back in 2017.Emily Edson, 39, was sentenced last week to four years for each of three counts of sexual misconduct with a child and one count of promoting child pornography. The sentences are to be served at the same time.Edson had pleaded guilty to the charges. In exchange for her plea, more serious charges of sexual enticement and child pornography counts were dropped.Prosecutors accused Edson of sending nude photos of herself to the boys, who were students at at Lamar Middle School where she worked, and of asking one of the boys to have sex with her several times

Ex-student teacher gets prison for nude photos to students

KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;A Kansas City police sergeant accused of injuring a 15-year-old Black boy by forcing his head into the pavement and kneeling on him last year pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a third-degree felony assault charge.

Sgt. Matthew Neal appeared via video during a brief arraignment hearing in Jackson County Court. His next court date was scheduled for Nov. 19.

A grand jury indicted Neal in August after reviewing evidence from the November 2019 arrest. The teenager and a man were stopped by another officer who thought a robbery might occur, according to charging documents.

Prosecutors say the 15-year-old was in handcuffs and on the ground when Neal slammed his face into the pavement and kneeled on his head, while the teen repeatedly said “I can't breathe.”

Several of the teen’s teeth were broken and he required stitches. No charges were filed against him.

The case shares similarities with what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed and face-down, died May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes despite Floyd's pleas for air.

Although the confrontation involving Neal happened last November, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker said her office wasn't aware of it until a private attorney brought it to her office's attention in the late spring. And she has complained that the police department has resisted providing her office with charging documents or evidence in cases involving its officers.

Kansas City's police chief, Rick Smith, has said that after his department reviewed what happened, it sent information to federal prosecutors, the FBI and Baker’s office.

The case is one of several that civil rights activists have cited in protests this year against the police department, including calls for Smith to be fired or resign, which he said he doesn't plan to do.

Neal, an 18-year veteran of the police force, was placed on administrative leave and will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case, police said.

The Kansas City police union said in August that it believed Neal's actions were justified and that he will be exonerated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603220400802.png" alt="Several of the teen’s teeth were broken and he required stitches. Photo courtesy Jackson Co. Prosecutor's office" />
 <figcaption>Several of the teen’s teeth were broken and he required stitches. Photo courtesy Jackson Co. Prosecutor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;A Kansas City police sergeant accused of injuring a 15-year-old Black boy by forcing his head into the pavement and kneeling on him last year pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a third-degree felony assault charge.Sgt. Matthew Neal appeared via video during a brief arraignment hearing in Jackson County Court. His next court date was scheduled for Nov. 19.A grand jury indicted Neal in August after reviewing evidence from the November 2019 arrest. The teenager and a man were stopped by another officer who thought a robbery might occur, according to charging documents.Prosecutors say the 15-year-old was in handcuffs and on the ground when Neal slammed his face into the pavement and kneeled on his head, while the teen repeatedly said “I can't breathe.”Several of the teen’s teeth were broken and he required stitches. No charges were filed against him.The case shares similarities with what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed and face-down, died May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes despite Floyd's pleas for air.Although the confrontation involving Neal happened last November, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker said her office wasn't aware of it until a private attorney brought it to her office's attention in the late spring. And she has complained that the police department has resisted providing her office with charging documents or evidence in cases involving its officers.Kansas City's police chief, Rick Smith, has said that after his department reviewed what happened, it sent information to federal prosecutors, the FBI and Baker’s office.The case is one of several that civil rights activists have cited in protests this year against the police department, including calls for Smith to be fired or resign, which he said he doesn't plan to do.Neal, an 18-year veteran of the police force, was placed on administrative leave and will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case, police said.The Kansas City police union said in August that it believed Neal's actions were justified and that he will be exonerated.

Kansas City cop pleads not guilty to assaulting Black teen

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has said it’s time to tone down the “the anti-science, anti-mask rhetoric,” after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-wichita-d5deed1bb7d56559aa839d84bc0b58d7">retired firefighter</a>&nbsp;who was upset about Wichita’s mask ordinance was arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor.

“This is serious, and we all need to get on the same page and work together,” Kelly said Monday.

Police have said the man could face a charge of criminal threat. He was arrested Friday and prosecutors said he could be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article246561383.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Police have said the suspect sent text messages to a city official threatening the life of Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple because of his role in the passage of a mask mandate to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“He said he was going to kidnap me and slash my throat and he needed my address because I needed to see the hangman,” Whipple said.

Kelly said anger over restrictions imposed to protect public health is getting out of hand.

“It’s imperative that we turn down the rhetoric — the anti-science, anti-mask rhetoric,” Kelly said. “We see what’s going on, what it has done here with the mayor of Wichita and elsewhere such as Michigan.”

Members of a self-appointed militia group are facing charges accusing them of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The FBI and Michigan law enforcement have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-lansing-46e0a8b30dd62d82f2a9845d2f5bea38">charged 14 men&nbsp;</a>in connection with a domestic terrorism plot.

The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the total number of infections reported in the state to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the Kansas death toll to 872.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus claimed the life of a sixth Kansas inmate Monday. The inmate, who was serving a life sentence for four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, was housed at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. He is among about 2,500 inmates and more than 300 prison workers statewide to be infected.

The Kansas Department of Corrections said in a news release that the inmate’s family has asked that his name not be released. He was 60 and had underlying medical conditions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599772905858.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly puts on her mask when leaving a press conference in August." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly puts on her mask when leaving a press conference in August.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has said it’s time to tone down the “the anti-science, anti-mask rhetoric,” after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kansas-wichita-d5deed1bb7d56559aa839d84bc0b58d7">retired firefighter</a>&nbsp;who was upset about Wichita’s mask ordinance was arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor.“This is serious, and we all need to get on the same page and work together,” Kelly said Monday.Police have said the man could face a charge of criminal threat. He was arrested Friday and prosecutors said he could be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article246561383.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.Police have said the suspect sent text messages to a city official threatening the life of Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple because of his role in the passage of a mask mandate to slow the spread of the coronavirus.“He said he was going to kidnap me and slash my throat and he needed my address because I needed to see the hangman,” Whipple said.Kelly said anger over restrictions imposed to protect public health is getting out of hand.“It’s imperative that we turn down the rhetoric — the anti-science, anti-mask rhetoric,” Kelly said. “We see what’s going on, what it has done here with the mayor of Wichita and elsewhere such as Michigan.”Members of a self-appointed militia group are facing charges accusing them of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The FBI and Michigan law enforcement have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-lansing-46e0a8b30dd62d82f2a9845d2f5bea38">charged 14 men&nbsp;</a>in connection with a domestic terrorism plot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603128527249.png" alt="Monday Oct. 19, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Oct. 19, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the total number of infections reported in the state to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the Kansas death toll to 872.Meanwhile, the coronavirus claimed the life of a sixth Kansas inmate Monday. The inmate, who was serving a life sentence for four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, was housed at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. He is among about 2,500 inmates and more than 300 prison workers statewide to be infected.The Kansas Department of Corrections said in a news release that the inmate’s family has asked that his name not be released. He was 60 and had underlying medical conditions.

Gov. Kelly: It's time to tone down 'anti-mask rhetoric'

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A prosecutor told a judge Tuesday that a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin admitted to authorities that he disposed of the bodies but denied killing the men.

Special prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff made the argument during a hearing in which a judge denied a defense request to have two charges of abandoning a corpse dismissed in the case against Garland Nelson, of Braymer, the St. Joseph News-Press&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/courts/prosecutor-nelson-admits-to-disposing-of-bodies-of-wisconsin-brothers/article_4aef135c-12f2-11eb-946a-67ee174c1116.html">reports.</a>

Nelson, whose case has been moved to Johnson County from Caldwell County, also was charged last year with first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared after visiting Nelson’s farm in July 2019, and their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Nelson’s attorneys argued that a person who is charged with murder cannot also be charged with abandoning the corpse of the alleged victim without violating the suspect’s right to remain silent and against self-incrimination.

But prosecutors contend that Nelson could have followed Missouri law by anonymously reporting where the brothers’ bodies were located, thus avoiding concerns about self-incrimination.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="Nelson photo Caldwell Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson photo Caldwell Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A prosecutor told a judge Tuesday that a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin admitted to authorities that he disposed of the bodies but denied killing the men.Special prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff made the argument during a hearing in which a judge denied a defense request to have two charges of abandoning a corpse dismissed in the case against Garland Nelson, of Braymer, the St. Joseph News-Press&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/courts/prosecutor-nelson-admits-to-disposing-of-bodies-of-wisconsin-brothers/article_4aef135c-12f2-11eb-946a-67ee174c1116.html">reports.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson, whose case has been moved to Johnson County from Caldwell County, also was charged last year with first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared after visiting Nelson’s farm in July 2019, and their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.Nelson’s attorneys argued that a person who is charged with murder cannot also be charged with abandoning the corpse of the alleged victim without violating the suspect’s right to remain silent and against self-incrimination.But prosecutors contend that Nelson could have followed Missouri law by anonymously reporting where the brothers’ bodies were located, thus avoiding concerns about self-incrimination.

Prosecutor: Man admits disposing of bodies of brothers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump’s return to the campaign trail will have to wait.

The first lady has decided against accompanying President Donald Trump to a campaign rally Tuesday in Erie, Pennsylvania, because of a lingering cough after her bout with COVID-19, said Stephanie Grisham, her chief of staff.

It was to be Mrs. Trump’s first public appearance since recovering from the coronavirus, as well as her first time out on the campaign trail in more than a year.

The first lady’s announcement served as yet another reminder for the president that, as much as he wishes the virus would “just disappear” — as he has said — it remains a powerful presence in everyday life, including his.

Trump said Monday that people are tired of hearing about COVID-19. More than 58,000 Americans a day are testing positive for the virus, and more than 700 a day are dying from the disease.

Mrs. Trump continues to feel better every day “but with a lingering cough, and out of an abundance of caution, she will not be traveling today,” Grisham said.

The first lady last appeared in public for the Sept. 29 debate in Cleveland between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. She and the president tested positive two days later.

The first lady announced in a blog post last week that she had recovered from a bout with COVID-19 that included headaches, body aches and fatigue, and had tested negative. She also revealed that the couple’s 14-year-old son, Barron, also had contracted the virus, but never had symptoms. He has since tested negative.

President Trump spent three nights at a military hospital outside Washington receiving treatment for his case of the disease. He was released Oct. 5 and returned to active campaigning last week.

Tuesday’s rally in Pennsylvania was to be the first campaign trail appearance for Mrs. Trump since she spoke briefly at a June 2019 event in Orlando, Florida, where the president launched his reelection bid.

She addressed a mostly virtual Republican National Convention in August from the White House Rose Garden.

The first lady had planned to headline Trump campaign fundraisers back in March, but those appearances were canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

She is expected to accompany the president to Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday for his second and final debate against Biden before the Nov. 3 election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602762449332.png" alt="First Lady&nbsp; Melania Trump and the President following the Sept. 29 presidential debate in Cleveland.- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>First Lady&nbsp; Melania Trump and the President following the Sept. 29 presidential debate in Cleveland.- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump’s return to the campaign trail will have to wait.The first lady has decided against accompanying President Donald Trump to a campaign rally Tuesday in Erie, Pennsylvania, because of a lingering cough after her bout with COVID-19, said Stephanie Grisham, her chief of staff.It was to be Mrs. Trump’s first public appearance since recovering from the coronavirus, as well as her first time out on the campaign trail in more than a year.The first lady’s announcement served as yet another reminder for the president that, as much as he wishes the virus would “just disappear” — as he has said — it remains a powerful presence in everyday life, including his.Trump said Monday that people are tired of hearing about COVID-19. More than 58,000 Americans a day are testing positive for the virus, and more than 700 a day are dying from the disease.Mrs. Trump continues to feel better every day “but with a lingering cough, and out of an abundance of caution, she will not be traveling today,” Grisham said.The first lady last appeared in public for the Sept. 29 debate in Cleveland between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. She and the president tested positive two days later.The first lady announced in a blog post last week that she had recovered from a bout with COVID-19 that included headaches, body aches and fatigue, and had tested negative. She also revealed that the couple’s 14-year-old son, Barron, also had contracted the virus, but never had symptoms. He has since tested negative.President Trump spent three nights at a military hospital outside Washington receiving treatment for his case of the disease. He was released Oct. 5 and returned to active campaigning last week.Tuesday’s rally in Pennsylvania was to be the first campaign trail appearance for Mrs. Trump since she spoke briefly at a June 2019 event in Orlando, Florida, where the president launched his reelection bid.She addressed a mostly virtual Republican National Convention in August from the White House Rose Garden.The first lady had planned to headline Trump campaign fundraisers back in March, but those appearances were canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.She is expected to accompany the president to Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday for his second and final debate against Biden before the Nov. 3 election.

COVID cough keeps First lady off campaign trail

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-10-19/5-things-to-know-about-casting-your-ballot-in-the-kansas-elections">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Kansas could see record-breaking turnout in the Nov. 3 general election, even during a pandemic.

It’s too late to register to vote for this election, but you have until Oct. 27 to <a href="https://www.kssos.org/forms/elections/AV1.pdf" target="_blank">request an advance ballot</a>.

Want to know more about the major races in Kansas? The Kansas News Service has <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/your-cheat-sheet-kansas-2020-general-election" target="_blank">a full guide to the U.S. Senate and congressional races</a> so it’s easy to see where the candidates stand on major issues.

And now, answers to five important questions about voting in Kansas.

How do I return my mail-in advance ballot?

Already,
 the secretary of state’s office has mailed about three times as many 
ballots for this election compared to the last presidential election.

Voters
 can return their mail-in ballots to their county election office, at 
secure drop boxes, any early-voting location or at any Election Day 
polling place in their county.

Speaking of those drop boxes, 
Kansas spent more than $350,000 to help counties buy them, but there’s 
no statewide database of locations for security reasons. Contact your <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers.aspx" target="_blank">county election office</a> to find out where they are.

And when you part with your mail-in ballot, you can <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview" target="_blank">track it online</a>.

Ballots
 must be postmarked by Election Day. Secretary of State Scott Schwab 
says if you’re going to mail your ballot back, make sure to send it 
early enough to arrive within three days after the election — otherwise 
it won’t be counted.

“Fifteen hundred ballots didn’t get counted in the primary,” Schwab 
said in an interview. “Now, out of over 350,000, that’s a very low 
percentage, but it’s still 1,500 votes that weren’t counted because they
 didn't show up on time.”

Early voting is already underway in many places; <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers.aspx" target="_blank">county election officials</a> decide the locations and hours. <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/voter-information.html" target="_blank">By law</a>, all counties must allow early voting by Oct. 27th and it runs until noon Nov. 2.

Polling places will be open for the Nov. 3 election from at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although counties can extend those hours.

You’ll need to <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections-faq.html#Photo-ID" target="_blank">show a photo ID</a> at the polling place.

Because
 of the coronavirus, some counties have had to stop using nursing homes 
or schools for polling places. Some polling places have been combined, 
and in Wichita, sports arenas are serving as large early-voting sites to
 accommodate a lot of voters while maintaining social distancing.

Long story short, <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview" target="_blank">finding your polling place</a> before Election Day is a good idea, because it may have moved.

Kansas spent $4.6
 million in federal funding to help the election go smoothly. A million 
dollars went to protective equipment for the polls, and at least $2.6 
million is being set aside to reimburse counties for their expenses 
related to voting during the coronavirus.

Schwab said like in the 
primary, there will be protective screens and social distancing at 
voting locations. Because of that, you might run into long lines, 
although that won’t necessarily mean long wait times.

“If you come
 up to a polling place and it looks like the line’s out the door, don’t 
be discouraged. It’s just because we don’t want to compact people into a
 building,” he said. “Just go ahead and get in line. It’s moving 
quickly.”

After a statewide push, and a lot of interest in the presidential election, Schwab said most areas have enough poll workers.

In
 Douglas and Leavenworth counties, there are more applications than 
spots to fill. Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew has 300 more applications
 than he needs, but he’s hoping people remember that elections don’t 
just happen every four years.

“Don’t forget us next year, or the 
year after,” Shew said in an interview. “I see this as an opportunity to
 kind of get those people excited about working and maybe really help us
 for the next few cycles.”

Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603216212893.png" alt="Early voting has started in Kansas. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Early voting has started in Kansas. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2020-10-19/5-things-to-know-about-casting-your-ballot-in-the-kansas-elections">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE, Kansas — Kansas could see record-breaking turnout in the Nov. 3 general election, even during a pandemic.It’s too late to register to vote for this election, but you have until Oct. 27 to <a href="https://www.kssos.org/forms/elections/AV1.pdf" target="_blank">request an advance ballot</a>.Want to know more about the major races in Kansas? The Kansas News Service has <a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/kpr-news/your-cheat-sheet-kansas-2020-general-election" target="_blank">a full guide to the U.S. Senate and congressional races</a> so it’s easy to see where the candidates stand on major issues.And now, answers to five important questions about voting in Kansas.<h2>How do I return my mail-in advance ballot?</h2>Already,
 the secretary of state’s office has mailed about three times as many 
ballots for this election compared to the last presidential election.Voters
 can return their mail-in ballots to their county election office, at 
secure drop boxes, any early-voting location or at any Election Day 
polling place in their county.Speaking of those drop boxes, 
Kansas spent more than $350,000 to help counties buy them, but there’s 
no statewide database of locations for security reasons. Contact your <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers.aspx" target="_blank">county election office</a> to find out where they are.And when you part with your mail-in ballot, you can <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview" target="_blank">track it online</a>.Ballots
 must be postmarked by Election Day. Secretary of State Scott Schwab 
says if you’re going to mail your ballot back, make sure to send it 
early enough to arrive within three days after the election — otherwise 
it won’t be counted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603216291083.png" alt="The Kansas News Service is part of ProPublica's Electionland collaborative." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas News Service is part of ProPublica's Electionland collaborative.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Fifteen hundred ballots didn’t get counted in the primary,” Schwab 
said in an interview. “Now, out of over 350,000, that’s a very low 
percentage, but it’s still 1,500 votes that weren’t counted because they
 didn't show up on time.”<h2>How can I vote in person?</h2>Early voting is already underway in many places; <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/county_election_officers.aspx" target="_blank">county election officials</a> decide the locations and hours. <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/voter-information.html" target="_blank">By law</a>, all counties must allow early voting by Oct. 27th and it runs until noon Nov. 2.Polling places will be open for the Nov. 3 election from at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although counties can extend those hours.You’ll need to <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections-faq.html#Photo-ID" target="_blank">show a photo ID</a> at the polling place.<h2>Is my polling place still the same?</h2>Because
 of the coronavirus, some counties have had to stop using nursing homes 
or schools for polling places. Some polling places have been combined, 
and in Wichita, sports arenas are serving as large early-voting sites to
 accommodate a lot of voters while maintaining social distancing.Long story short, <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview" target="_blank">finding your polling place</a> before Election Day is a good idea, because it may have moved.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603216331302.png" alt="Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew stands by one of the county's ballot drop boxes. Stephen Koranda" />
 <figcaption>Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew stands by one of the county's ballot drop boxes. Stephen Koranda</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Is it safe to vote in person?</h2>Kansas spent $4.6
 million in federal funding to help the election go smoothly. A million 
dollars went to protective equipment for the polls, and at least $2.6 
million is being set aside to reimburse counties for their expenses 
related to voting during the coronavirus.Schwab said like in the 
primary, there will be protective screens and social distancing at 
voting locations. Because of that, you might run into long lines, 
although that won’t necessarily mean long wait times.“If you come
 up to a polling place and it looks like the line’s out the door, don’t 
be discouraged. It’s just because we don’t want to compact people into a
 building,” he said. “Just go ahead and get in line. It’s moving 
quickly.”<h2>Are there enough poll workers?</h2>After a statewide push, and a lot of interest in the presidential election, Schwab said most areas have enough poll workers.In
 Douglas and Leavenworth counties, there are more applications than 
spots to fill. Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew has 300 more applications
 than he needs, but he’s hoping people remember that elections don’t 
just happen every four years.“Don’t forget us next year, or the 
year after,” Shew said in an interview. “I see this as an opportunity to
 kind of get those people excited about working and maybe really help us
 for the next few cycles.”Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.

5 things to know about casting your ballot in the Kansas elections

HUTCHINSON— The Board for the Kansas State Fair met in special session on Tuesday and gave approval to enter into a contract with former State Senator Ed Berger to be the Interim General Manager of the Fair.&nbsp;

Berger will replace David Tobias who announced last Tuesday that he was resigning and had accepted what he said was a new opportunity in the area. Tobias had served as interim general manager for the past three months, stepping in after the resignation of Robin Jennison in July.

The Board gave approval to enter into a formal contract with Berger who was also the former President of Hutchinson Community College before holding the State Senate's 34th District seat. He was defeated in the 2020 Republican primary by doctor Mark Steffen.

That contract should be finalized during the Boards November meeting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579184461670.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON— The Board for the Kansas State Fair met in special session on Tuesday and gave approval to enter into a contract with former State Senator Ed Berger to be the Interim General Manager of the Fair.&nbsp;Berger will replace David Tobias who announced last Tuesday that he was resigning and had accepted what he said was a new opportunity in the area. Tobias had served as interim general manager for the past three months, stepping in after the resignation of Robin Jennison in July.The Board gave approval to enter into a formal contract with Berger who was also the former President of Hutchinson Community College before holding the State Senate's 34th District seat. He was defeated in the 2020 Republican primary by doctor Mark Steffen.That contract should be finalized during the Boards November meeting.&nbsp;

Former State Senator named Interim GM of Kansas State Fair

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A body found this spring in Shawnee County was that of a man who was last seen in Topeka in 2018, police said.

The body was identified as Gregory McGovern, who was last seen in June 2018, KAKE-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/41664391/missing-in-kansas-body-found-near-river-identified-as-missing-topeka-man" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Tuesday. Friends said he lived in the Topeka area but would also spend several months in the Jacksonville, Florida, area.

The body was found in April along the Kansas River in Shawnee County. A backpack that belonged to McGovern also was found.

Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran said forensic scientists were able to match DNA from his family with the bones this month.

Nothing suspicious was found with the bones, Cochran said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603208714700.png" alt="McGovern was last seen in June of 2018 -photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>McGovern was last seen in June of 2018 -photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A body found this spring in Shawnee County was that of a man who was last seen in Topeka in 2018, police said.The body was identified as Gregory McGovern, who was last seen in June 2018, KAKE-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/41664391/missing-in-kansas-body-found-near-river-identified-as-missing-topeka-man" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Tuesday. Friends said he lived in the Topeka area but would also spend several months in the Jacksonville, Florida, area.The body was found in April along the Kansas River in Shawnee County. A backpack that belonged to McGovern also was found.Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran said forensic scientists were able to match DNA from his family with the bones this month.Nothing suspicious was found with the bones, Cochran said.

Sheriff: Body found near Kan. River was man missing 2 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced charges Monday against Russian intelligence officers in cyberattacks that targeted American businesses, a French presidential election and the Winter Olympics in South Korea. The case implicates the same Kremlin unit that interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections, but is not related to the November vote.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/six-russian-gru-officers-charged-connection-worldwide-deployment-destructive-malware-and">Click here to watch</a> the Justice Department press conference

The indictment accuses the six defendants, all said to be current and former officers in the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU, of hacks that prosecutors say were aimed at furthering the Kremlin’s geopolitical interests and in destabilizing or punishing perceived enemies. All told, the attacks caused billions of dollars in losses and disrupted a broad cross-section of life, including health care in Pennsylvania, a power grid serving hundreds of thousands of customers in Ukraine and a French election that saw the late-stage disclosure of hacked emails.

The seven-count indictment is the most recent in a series of Justice Department prosecutions of Russian hackers, often working on behalf of the government. Past cases have focused on attacks against targets like internet giant Yahoo and the 2016 presidential contest, when Russian hackers from the GRU stole Democratic emails that were released online in the weeks before the election.

The attacks in this case are “some of the most destructive, most costly, most egregious cyber attacks ever known,” said Scott Brady, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where the 50-page indictment was filed.

“Time and again, Russia has made it clear: They will not abide by accepted norms, and instead, they intend to continue their destructive, destabilizing cyber behavior,” said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich.

The indictment does not charge the defendants in connection with interference in American elections, though the officers are part of the same intelligence unit that prosecutors say interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. One of the six charged in the case announced Monday was among the Russian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d7eeadacc3e442ebbe23916a053856fa">military intelligence officers charged with hacking</a>&nbsp;in special counsel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller’s investigation</a>&nbsp;into Russian election interference.

The timing of the indictment was unrelated to the upcoming election in the U.S., said Assistant Attorney General John Demers. He said that despite ongoing warnings of Russian interference in the election, Americans “should be confident that a vote cast for their candidate will be counted for that candidate.”

The hacking targets described in Monday’s case are diverse, with the indictment fleshing out details about attacks that in some instances had already received significant attention because of the havoc they had caused.

The indictment accuses the officers, for instance, of hacking into the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Russia was punished by the International Olympic Committee for a vast doping conspiracy. It also says the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were targeted. Those Olympics have been postponed until next year.

The Japanese government’s chief Cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato declined to comment on specifics. “We cannot overlook malicious cyberattacks that could shake the foundation of democracy,” he said.

Tokyo 2020 in a statement said “no significant impact has been observed in our operations.” It said it has been taking “countermeasures” but declined to disclose them.

Prosecutors say the hackers unleashed a devastating malicious software attack during the opening ceremony in February 2018 that deleted data from thousands of computers related to the event and left them inoperable. Russia then tried to pin blame on North Korea in what prosecutors say was a failed “false flag” attempt.

Another attack was aimed at disrupting the 2017 presidential election in France through hacks that targeted local government entities, campaigns and political parties, including the party of current President Emmanuel Macron.

The controversy known as the “Macron Leaks” involved the leak of over 20,000 emails linked to Macron’s campaign in the days before his victory. The involvement of bots raised questions about the possible involvement of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. The leaks, which gained huge media attention in France, were shared by WikiLeaks and several alt-right activists on Twitter, Facebook and others.

Other attacks targeted international investigators looking into the suspected nerve agent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom, as well as the country of Georgia, where roughly 15,000 websites were defaced.

“In many cases,” the indictment says, “the Conspirators replaced website home pages with an image of a former Georgian president, who was known for his efforts to counter Russian influence in Georgia, along with the caption, ‘I’ll be back.’”

Beyond that, though, the hacks had harmful impacts on quality-of-life for everyday citizens. The attacks in Ukraine, for instance, disrupted the power supply in the middle of winter for hundreds of thousands of customers, officials say.

And the global malware attack known as NotPetya that infected computers across the world harmed the operations of the Heritage Valley Heath System, which prosecutors say serves tens of thousands of people in western Pennsylvania. Work stations were locked, hard drives encrypted, laboratory records and other files were inaccessible, and Heritage Valley temporarily lost access to critical computer systems related to medical care.

Robert Lee, a security researcher who helped uncover the malware used in one of the Ukraine hacks, said U.S. and European political leaders should have done more at the time to call out Russia and make clear that attacks on power grids are unacceptable.

But Lee, CEO of security firm Dragos, also welcomed the indictment as an important message before the U.S. presidential election about American officials’ resolve to fight back against attacks on elections and civic infrastructure.

“This is a broad signal from U.S. intelligence to say, ‘We’re watching you and we’re willing to burn our resources to burn your resources,’” Lee said. “Leading up to the election, I think that’s an important signal to send.”

The six defendants face charges including conspiracy to conduct computer fraud and abuse, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. None is currently in custody, but the Justice Department in recent years has eagerly charged foreign hackers in absentia in countries including Russia, China and Iran with the goal of creating a message of deterrence.

“No country has weaponized its cyber capabilities as maliciously and irresponsibly as Russia, wantonly causing unprecedented collateral damage to pursue small tactical advantages as fits of spite,” said Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603206726113.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced charges Monday against Russian intelligence officers in cyberattacks that targeted American businesses, a French presidential election and the Winter Olympics in South Korea. The case implicates the same Kremlin unit that interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections, but is not related to the November vote.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/six-russian-gru-officers-charged-connection-worldwide-deployment-destructive-malware-and">Click here to watch</a> the Justice Department press conferenceThe indictment accuses the six defendants, all said to be current and former officers in the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU, of hacks that prosecutors say were aimed at furthering the Kremlin’s geopolitical interests and in destabilizing or punishing perceived enemies. All told, the attacks caused billions of dollars in losses and disrupted a broad cross-section of life, including health care in Pennsylvania, a power grid serving hundreds of thousands of customers in Ukraine and a French election that saw the late-stage disclosure of hacked emails.The seven-count indictment is the most recent in a series of Justice Department prosecutions of Russian hackers, often working on behalf of the government. Past cases have focused on attacks against targets like internet giant Yahoo and the 2016 presidential contest, when Russian hackers from the GRU stole Democratic emails that were released online in the weeks before the election.The attacks in this case are “some of the most destructive, most costly, most egregious cyber attacks ever known,” said Scott Brady, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where the 50-page indictment was filed.“Time and again, Russia has made it clear: They will not abide by accepted norms, and instead, they intend to continue their destructive, destabilizing cyber behavior,” said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich.The indictment does not charge the defendants in connection with interference in American elections, though the officers are part of the same intelligence unit that prosecutors say interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. One of the six charged in the case announced Monday was among the Russian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d7eeadacc3e442ebbe23916a053856fa">military intelligence officers charged with hacking</a>&nbsp;in special counsel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller’s investigation</a>&nbsp;into Russian election interference.The timing of the indictment was unrelated to the upcoming election in the U.S., said Assistant Attorney General John Demers. He said that despite ongoing warnings of Russian interference in the election, Americans “should be confident that a vote cast for their candidate will be counted for that candidate.”The hacking targets described in Monday’s case are diverse, with the indictment fleshing out details about attacks that in some instances had already received significant attention because of the havoc they had caused.The indictment accuses the officers, for instance, of hacking into the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Russia was punished by the International Olympic Committee for a vast doping conspiracy. It also says the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were targeted. Those Olympics have been postponed until next year.The Japanese government’s chief Cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato declined to comment on specifics. “We cannot overlook malicious cyberattacks that could shake the foundation of democracy,” he said.Tokyo 2020 in a statement said “no significant impact has been observed in our operations.” It said it has been taking “countermeasures” but declined to disclose them.Prosecutors say the hackers unleashed a devastating malicious software attack during the opening ceremony in February 2018 that deleted data from thousands of computers related to the event and left them inoperable. Russia then tried to pin blame on North Korea in what prosecutors say was a failed “false flag” attempt.Another attack was aimed at disrupting the 2017 presidential election in France through hacks that targeted local government entities, campaigns and political parties, including the party of current President Emmanuel Macron.The controversy known as the “Macron Leaks” involved the leak of over 20,000 emails linked to Macron’s campaign in the days before his victory. The involvement of bots raised questions about the possible involvement of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. The leaks, which gained huge media attention in France, were shared by WikiLeaks and several alt-right activists on Twitter, Facebook and others.Other attacks targeted international investigators looking into the suspected nerve agent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom, as well as the country of Georgia, where roughly 15,000 websites were defaced.“In many cases,” the indictment says, “the Conspirators replaced website home pages with an image of a former Georgian president, who was known for his efforts to counter Russian influence in Georgia, along with the caption, ‘I’ll be back.’”Beyond that, though, the hacks had harmful impacts on quality-of-life for everyday citizens. The attacks in Ukraine, for instance, disrupted the power supply in the middle of winter for hundreds of thousands of customers, officials say.And the global malware attack known as NotPetya that infected computers across the world harmed the operations of the Heritage Valley Heath System, which prosecutors say serves tens of thousands of people in western Pennsylvania. Work stations were locked, hard drives encrypted, laboratory records and other files were inaccessible, and Heritage Valley temporarily lost access to critical computer systems related to medical care.Robert Lee, a security researcher who helped uncover the malware used in one of the Ukraine hacks, said U.S. and European political leaders should have done more at the time to call out Russia and make clear that attacks on power grids are unacceptable.But Lee, CEO of security firm Dragos, also welcomed the indictment as an important message before the U.S. presidential election about American officials’ resolve to fight back against attacks on elections and civic infrastructure.“This is a broad signal from U.S. intelligence to say, ‘We’re watching you and we’re willing to burn our resources to burn your resources,’” Lee said. “Leading up to the election, I think that’s an important signal to send.”The six defendants face charges including conspiracy to conduct computer fraud and abuse, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. None is currently in custody, but the Justice Department in recent years has eagerly charged foreign hackers in absentia in countries including Russia, China and Iran with the goal of creating a message of deterrence.“No country has weaponized its cyber capabilities as maliciously and irresponsibly as Russia, wantonly causing unprecedented collateral damage to pursue small tactical advantages as fits of spite,” said Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official.

6 charged in 'destructive' hacking campaign in U.S.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has seriously injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol had initially reported that a person died in the crash, but later said the person was critically injured. The patrol says the crash involved two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle. No other details of the crash — including the name of the person injured— were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, critically injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle were involved in the crash. No other details of the crash — including the name of those involved — were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603198995041.png" alt="Scene of Tuesday morning's crash -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of Tuesday morning's crash -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has seriously injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa. The Kansas Highway Patrol had initially reported that a person died in the crash, but later said the person was critically injured. The patrol says the crash involved two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle. No other details of the crash — including the name of the person injured— were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.----------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, critically injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa.The Kansas Highway Patrol says two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle were involved in the crash. No other details of the crash — including the name of those involved — were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

3-vehicle crash near Kansas City, Kansas, closes I-435

TOPEKA, Kansas – A&nbsp; Ellsworth Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, October 19, 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the sixth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

The resident tested positive on September 26 at which time he was moved to the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) COVID-19 Management Unit (CMU).&nbsp; Three days later he was transported from LCF to the hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released.&nbsp; He was a 60-year-old black male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;

This resident was serving a life sentence based on four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, Kansas.&nbsp;

TOPEKA, Kansas – A&nbsp; Ellsworth Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, October 19, 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the sixth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.The resident tested positive on September 26 at which time he was moved to the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) COVID-19 Management Unit (CMU).&nbsp; Three days later he was transported from LCF to the hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released.&nbsp; He was a 60-year-old black male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;This resident was serving a life sentence based on four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, Kansas.&nbsp;

6th Kan. inmate died after testing positive for COVID-19

TOPEKA— One person was injured in a house fire on Monday in Topeka.

Just after 4:30p.m., crews responded&nbsp; to a fire at a home&nbsp;at 2953 SE Highland in Topeka, according to Fire Marshall Todd Harrison.

&nbsp;First arriving crews reported smoke and flames visible from the single story brick duplex.&nbsp;The fire was extinguished, keeping it contained to the room of fire origin. The remaining&nbsp;structure sustained varying degrees of smoke and water damage throughout.

EMS transported one adult victim for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening smoke inhalation. Two juvenile occupants were able to escape unharmed.&nbsp;

Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with juveniles playing with a lighter, according to Harrison.

The Estimated dollar loss is $40,000.00; of which $30,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 is associated with content loss.

Two occupants of the adjoining duplex have been temporarily displaced as a result of the fire. Working smoke detectors were present within the residence, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603196917266.png" alt="EMS transported one adult to a local hospital due to the fire-photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>EMS transported one adult to a local hospital due to the fire-photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— One person was injured in a house fire on Monday in Topeka.Just after 4:30p.m., crews responded&nbsp; to a fire at a home&nbsp;at 2953 SE Highland in Topeka, according to Fire Marshall Todd Harrison.&nbsp;First arriving crews reported smoke and flames visible from the single story brick duplex.&nbsp;The fire was extinguished, keeping it contained to the room of fire origin. The remaining&nbsp;structure sustained varying degrees of smoke and water damage throughout.EMS transported one adult victim for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening smoke inhalation. Two juvenile occupants were able to escape unharmed.&nbsp;Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with juveniles playing with a lighter, according to Harrison.The Estimated dollar loss is $40,000.00; of which $30,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 is associated with content loss.Two occupants of the adjoining duplex have been temporarily displaced as a result of the fire. Working smoke detectors were present within the residence, according to Harrison.

Children playing with a lighter blamed for Kan. house fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak has killed 10 residents in a nursing home in a northwestern Kansas county that proportionally already had the nation’s largest increase in cases over two weeks.

The health department in Norton County reported Monday night that all 62 residents and an unspecified number of employees at the Andbe Home in Norton had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The agency also said one Andbe Home resident was hospitalized, while the remaining 51 were being treated at the home.

“Steps are being taken to prevent any further outbreak, including quarantining residents in their rooms and not allowing outside visitors into the facility,” the county health department said in a statement Monday evening.

The outbreak at the nursing home came after the state Department of Health and Environment last week reported more than 100 cases at the state’s prison in Norton over the two weeks ending Wednesday.

Kansas is seeing an average of more than 700 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases a day, its largest numbers since the pandemic reached the state in early March.

But northwestern Kansas has been hit hard by coronavirus in recent weeks, and Norton County had the largest number of new cases per 100,000 residents of any county in the U.S. for the two weeks ending Sunday, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid-hub.inside.ap.org/" target="_blank">data collected by Johns Hopkins University.</a>

The Kansas health department said that cases in Norton County rose from 46 two weeks ago to 340 as of Monday in Norton County. With about 5,400 residents, that was an increase of 5,484 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s figures.

But the state released its report before Norton County officials confirmed that all Andbe Home residents had tested positive for coronavirus and before local officials reported 10 deaths at the home.

The 15 counties in the state’s northwest corner together had 987 new coronavirus cases during the past two weeks, an increase of nearly 49%, to bring the total to 3,024, according to state health department data. With 80,000 people living in the region, the increase was 1,226 cases for every 100,000 residents, more than three times the state’s figure.

Two other northwest Kansas counties, Sheridan and Gove, also were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the largest proportional increases in cases for the two weeks ending Sunday, based on Johns Hopkins data.

The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the pandemic total to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 872 before the nursing home deaths in Norton were reported.

Kansas had an average of 729 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday after first exceeding 700 cases a day for the seven days ending Oct. 12. The record is 743 cases for the seven days ending Wednesday.

The state on Monday also reported its first COVID-19-related staff death at one of its four hospitals for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled.

The Department for Aging and Disability Services, which oversees the hospitals, said an employee at the state’s mental hospital in Larned in southwestern Kansas died last week but said the staffer had not been on hospital grounds for several weeks. The department did not identify the staffer.

In Olathe in the Kansas City area, a middle school classroom assistant died from COVID-19-related complications,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/olathe-teacher-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19-shortly-before-students-headed-back-to-class/article_6b0528d0-1238-11eb-966c-ab3fce83f95f.html?block_id=991162" target="_blank">KCTV reported.</a>&nbsp;Mission Trail Middle School’s principal said in an email to parents that the staffer had been sick for several weeks and had not been in the building since Sept. 24.

Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly and Wichita State University officials celebrated the opening of a new laboratory that can run 32,000 coronavirus testing specimens a week. Kansas has averaged about 29,000 tests a week over the past month, according to data from the state health department.

Kelly said the high-capacity lab will help the state identify coronavirus hot spots so that its residents can avoid them.

“We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely,” Kelly said in a statement.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak has killed 10 residents in a nursing home in a northwestern Kansas county that proportionally already had the nation’s largest increase in cases over two weeks.The health department in Norton County reported Monday night that all 62 residents and an unspecified number of employees at the Andbe Home in Norton had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The agency also said one Andbe Home resident was hospitalized, while the remaining 51 were being treated at the home.“Steps are being taken to prevent any further outbreak, including quarantining residents in their rooms and not allowing outside visitors into the facility,” the county health department said in a statement Monday evening.The outbreak at the nursing home came after the state Department of Health and Environment last week reported more than 100 cases at the state’s prison in Norton over the two weeks ending Wednesday.Kansas is seeing an average of more than 700 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases a day, its largest numbers since the pandemic reached the state in early March.But northwestern Kansas has been hit hard by coronavirus in recent weeks, and Norton County had the largest number of new cases per 100,000 residents of any county in the U.S. for the two weeks ending Sunday, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid-hub.inside.ap.org/" target="_blank">data collected by Johns Hopkins University.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603128527249.png" alt="Monday Oct. 19,2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Oct. 19,2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas health department said that cases in Norton County rose from 46 two weeks ago to 340 as of Monday in Norton County. With about 5,400 residents, that was an increase of 5,484 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s figures.But the state released its report before Norton County officials confirmed that all Andbe Home residents had tested positive for coronavirus and before local officials reported 10 deaths at the home.The 15 counties in the state’s northwest corner together had 987 new coronavirus cases during the past two weeks, an increase of nearly 49%, to bring the total to 3,024, according to state health department data. With 80,000 people living in the region, the increase was 1,226 cases for every 100,000 residents, more than three times the state’s figure.Two other northwest Kansas counties, Sheridan and Gove, also were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the largest proportional increases in cases for the two weeks ending Sunday, based on Johns Hopkins data.The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the pandemic total to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 872 before the nursing home deaths in Norton were reported.Kansas had an average of 729 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday after first exceeding 700 cases a day for the seven days ending Oct. 12. The record is 743 cases for the seven days ending Wednesday.The state on Monday also reported its first COVID-19-related staff death at one of its four hospitals for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled.The Department for Aging and Disability Services, which oversees the hospitals, said an employee at the state’s mental hospital in Larned in southwestern Kansas died last week but said the staffer had not been on hospital grounds for several weeks. The department did not identify the staffer.In Olathe in the Kansas City area, a middle school classroom assistant died from COVID-19-related complications,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/olathe-teacher-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19-shortly-before-students-headed-back-to-class/article_6b0528d0-1238-11eb-966c-ab3fce83f95f.html?block_id=991162" target="_blank">KCTV reported.</a>&nbsp;Mission Trail Middle School’s principal said in an email to parents that the staffer had been sick for several weeks and had not been in the building since Sept. 24.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603127838980.png" alt="WSU unveiled their new molecular diagnostic lab Monday. This high-volume testing center is the latest in innovative solutions from Kansas colleges that will play a significant role in our continued fight to mitigate the spread of COVID-19." />
 <figcaption>WSU unveiled their new molecular diagnostic lab Monday. This high-volume testing center is the latest in innovative solutions from Kansas colleges that will play a significant role in our continued fight to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.</figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly and Wichita State University officials celebrated the opening of a new laboratory that can run 32,000 coronavirus testing specimens a week. Kansas has averaged about 29,000 tests a week over the past month, according to data from the state health department.Kelly said the high-capacity lab will help the state identify coronavirus hot spots so that its residents can avoid them.“We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely,” Kelly said in a statement.

10 residents dead amid virus outbreak at Kansas nursing home

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as 31-year-old Latrelle Sheneice Praylow and Todge Anderson.

Just after 11:30a.m. October 3, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk in Topeka for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found 38-year-old Christopher McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Police asked that if you see either Parylow or Anderson, please do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. Call 911 immediately.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp; Christopher McMillon, 38, of Topeka. 

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no additional details early Sunday.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found a man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603125537277.png" alt="Anderson-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Anderson-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as 31-year-old Latrelle Sheneice Praylow and Todge Anderson.Just after 11:30a.m. October 3, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk in Topeka for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found 38-year-old Christopher McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603125505902.png" alt="Praylow has previous convictions for theft, forgery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Praylow has previous convictions for theft, forgery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police asked that if you see either Parylow or Anderson, please do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. Call 911 immediately.&nbsp;---------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp; Christopher McMillon, 38, of Topeka. Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no additional details early Sunday.-----------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found a man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police: Search continues for suspects in Kan. man's murder

MCLOUGH, Kan. (AP) — A former northeast Kansas high school science teacher has been charged in a second child sex crime case. 

After the initial case was filed in May, Anthony Kuckelman was charged in a second case involving a different student with electronic solicitation of a minor, attempted unlawful sexual relations and promoting obscenity to minors. 

The student from the first case also has filed a civil case that was moved this week from state to federal court. The suit alleges that Kuckelman began sexually assaulting her when she was in his science class at McLouth High School.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588783855563.png" alt="Kuckelman photo Jefferson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kuckelman photo Jefferson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MCLOUGH, Kan. (AP) — A former northeast Kansas high school science teacher has been charged in a second child sex crime case. After the initial case was filed in May, Anthony Kuckelman was charged in a second case involving a different student with electronic solicitation of a minor, attempted unlawful sexual relations and promoting obscenity to minors. The student from the first case also has filed a civil case that was moved this week from state to federal court. The suit alleges that Kuckelman began sexually assaulting her when she was in his science class at McLouth High School.

Former Kan. teacher charged in second child sex crime case

&nbsp;SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 3a.m. October 17, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a car stop on a maroon 2002 Ford Ranger at SE 29th Street and SE Bennett Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The deputy recognized the vehicle as stolen from recent agency criminal intelligence and was reported stolen from the Topeka Police Department.

The deputy took the driver, Delbert L. New III, 39, of Topeka,&nbsp; into custody for further questioning. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included multiple traffic infractions.

New has precious convictions for failure to remain at the scene of an accident, domestic battery, driving while suspended and for drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603146274364.png" alt="New -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>New -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have a suspect in custody.Just after 3a.m. October 17, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a car stop on a maroon 2002 Ford Ranger at SE 29th Street and SE Bennett Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The deputy recognized the vehicle as stolen from recent agency criminal intelligence and was reported stolen from the Topeka Police Department.The deputy took the driver, Delbert L. New III, 39, of Topeka,&nbsp; into custody for further questioning. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included multiple traffic infractions.New has precious convictions for failure to remain at the scene of an accident, domestic battery, driving while suspended and for drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff finds Kansas felon driving stolen pickup

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-18/a-topeka-area-school-district-was-named-after-a-kkk-leader-so-some-students-want-a-change">Kansas News Service</a>

A northeast Kansas school district was named after a leader of the 
Topeka Ku Klux Klan, student journalists at Seaman High School <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">revealed </a><a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">on Friday</a>.

Fred
 Seaman tried and failed to become head of the state’s public schools in
 the mid-1920s, when the terror group made a concerted effort across the
 country to fill public offices with Klansmen or other white 
supremacists.

The revelation has some students calling for a change to
 the name of Seaman Unified School District 345 and its sole high school
 to make clear that the community today does not share Fred Seaman’s 
values.

“It’s going to be a really divisive issue to our 
community. It’s really going to shape it,” said Seaman High School 
sophomore Rene Cabrera, who identifies as Hispanic and had relatively 
few classmates and teachers of color growing up in the district.

The core of Topeka is more diverse, but to its north, enrollment at the nearly 4,000-student USD 345 is 82% white.

If the community stands by the Seaman name, Cabrera said, people of color could feel less welcome.

“For
 example, if I have kids, am I going to raise my kids here at Seaman?” 
he said, “Or am I basically going to leave to Lawrence or something 
where people of color are more welcomed?”

A spokesperson for USD 
345 said on Sunday that the superintendent and school board will plan “a
 process for community input and board discussion.”

Student journalists reported last week on Fred Seaman’s role in the KKK in their online newspaper, <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">The Clipper</a>. The article was based on new research by teachers at the school, who scoured century-old newspapers for evidence.

The district’s namesake founded its high school 100 years ago and served as the principal.

Seniors
 Madeline Gearhart and Tristan Fangman, The Clipper’s co-editors, say 
rumors of his link to the KKK passed down year after year among students
 and teachers.

Articles from 1920s issues of The Kansas City Star and papers in Topeka and other cities confirm it.

History
 teacher Nathan McAlister and journalism teacher Amy Riley dug for more 
evidence after an archivist at the Kansas Historical Society passed one 
such piece to McAlister this summer.

“It’s easy for people to dismiss one piece of evidence,” Riley said. “As you gather more evidence, your story becomes stronger.”

They found several more articles last week.

McAlister
 and Riley attended the district as students in the 1980s and 1990s and 
say they heard the rumors of Fred Seaman’s Klan history at that time, 
too.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603121149757.png" alt="On April 7, 1925, the Topeka Journal wrote that local KKK leader Fred Seaman sought to sway a mayoral election with his endorsement. Klan members handed out fliers announcing Seaman’s preferred candidate to voters arriving at the polls. The candidate won." />
 <figcaption>On April 7, 1925, the Topeka Journal wrote that local KKK leader Fred Seaman sought to sway a mayoral election with his endorsement. Klan members handed out fliers announcing Seaman’s preferred candidate to voters arriving at the polls. The candidate won.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-18/a-topeka-area-school-district-was-named-after-a-kkk-leader-so-some-students-want-a-change">Kansas News Service</a>A northeast Kansas school district was named after a leader of the 
Topeka Ku Klux Klan, student journalists at Seaman High School <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">revealed </a><a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">on Friday</a>.Fred
 Seaman tried and failed to become head of the state’s public schools in
 the mid-1920s, when the terror group made a concerted effort across the
 country to fill public offices with Klansmen or other white 
supremacists.The revelation has some students calling for a change to
 the name of Seaman Unified School District 345 and its sole high school
 to make clear that the community today does not share Fred Seaman’s 
values.“It’s going to be a really divisive issue to our 
community. It’s really going to shape it,” said Seaman High School 
sophomore Rene Cabrera, who identifies as Hispanic and had relatively 
few classmates and teachers of color growing up in the district.The core of Topeka is more diverse, but to its north, enrollment at the nearly 4,000-student USD 345 is 82% white.If the community stands by the Seaman name, Cabrera said, people of color could feel less welcome.“For
 example, if I have kids, am I going to raise my kids here at Seaman?” 
he said, “Or am I basically going to leave to Lawrence or something 
where people of color are more welcomed?”A spokesperson for USD 
345 said on Sunday that the superintendent and school board will plan “a
 process for community input and board discussion.”Student journalists reported last week on Fred Seaman’s role in the KKK in their online newspaper, <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">The Clipper</a>. The article was based on new research by teachers at the school, who scoured century-old newspapers for evidence.The district’s namesake founded its high school 100 years ago and served as the principal.Seniors
 Madeline Gearhart and Tristan Fangman, The Clipper’s co-editors, say 
rumors of his link to the KKK passed down year after year among students
 and teachers.Articles from 1920s issues of The Kansas City Star and papers in Topeka and other cities confirm it.History
 teacher Nathan McAlister and journalism teacher Amy Riley dug for more 
evidence after an archivist at the Kansas Historical Society passed one 
such piece to McAlister this summer.“It’s easy for people to dismiss one piece of evidence,” Riley said. “As you gather more evidence, your story becomes stronger.”They found several more articles last week.McAlister
 and Riley attended the district as students in the 1980s and 1990s and 
say they heard the rumors of Fred Seaman’s Klan history at that time, 
too.What they found makes clear that he wasn’t just a member, but
 enjoyed influence in the Klan, and that the wider community knew of 
that standing.<h2>Klan surge in Topeka and Kansas</h2>The 
1920s saw a resurgence of the KKK’s influence, particularly in states 
such as Kansas that hadn’t been part of the Confederacy. Millions of 
whites joined and tens of thousands of robed Klansmen <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/12/second-klan/509468/" target="_blank">marched</a> in Washington, D.C.Nearly
 1,200 people joined the Klan’s 1923 march in Topeka, according to a 
Topeka Daily Capital article from July 22 headlined: “The KKK Owned 
Topeka Last Night.”The <a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/ku-klux-klan-in-kansas/15612" target="_blank">Kansas Historical Society</a>,
 a state agency, says the state had about 30 KKK chapters and 60,000 
Klansmen by that year. As its influence grew, some politicians ran on 
Anti-Klan platforms, vowing to curb the group’s spread. Gov. Henry Allen
 <a href="https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/214407" target="_blank">opposed the Klan</a> and the state Legislature banned it in the mid-1920s.But
 nationally and in Kansas, the growing Klan used its influence to fill 
public offices with Klan members or candidates they felt supported their
 anti-Black, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant agenda.“The Klan made war via elections,” New York University historian Linda Gordon wrote in her 2017 book, The Second Coming of the Klan. “No one has been able to count all the Klan candidates elected to state and local offices.”Seaman sought to carry out that mission in Topeka, too.A
 1926 Kansas City Star article identifies him as a “well-known” Klansman
 and head of the Topeka KKK. That article came amid his bid for the 
Republican nomination in the race for state superintendent of schools.A
 year earlier, the Topeka Journal says he launched the city’s first-ever
 “Klan ticket,” endorsing 10 people for public office, including five 
candidates for school board positions.The Klan sought to sway the races by handing paper slips listing the endorsements to voters at the polls on Election Day.The
 surprise endorsements and mass distribution of fliers mobilized 
last-minute efforts by opponents to undermine it by urging Black, 
Catholic and Jewish voters to turn out at the polls.“With close 
to 2,000 votes cast,” the paper wrote, “the appearance is that the 
election vote will be one of the biggest in the history of city 
elections.”The same day, the KKK’s Hutchinson branch used the 
same last-day tactic in its quest to oust school board members who 
refused to purge the city’s classrooms of teachers who were Catholic.Seaman
 High School had students of color even in its early years, which Riley 
and Fangman say made some suspect the rumors about Seaman couldn’t be 
true or he would have blocked enrollment by non-whites.“I didn’t 
find out until recently that high schools had to be integrated,” Fangman
 said. Now, she said, “I realize that wasn’t his choice.”In the 
1920s, most Kansas schools, including Seaman High, were required by 
state law to serve Black students. That fact is commonly misunderstood 
today because elementary schools within Topeka city limits remained 
segregated until the 1950s Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit.Cabrera
 and other students say they plan to circulate a petition calling for a 
name change and address the school board at its next meeting.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.