KANSAS CITY (AP) — The founder of a Kansas City-area youth soccer club has pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a teen player and will be sentenced next month.

Jason Cummins, 37, pleaded guilty in Johnson County District Court last month to attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child between the ages of 14 and 16.&nbsp; He also registered as a sex offender.

Investigators said Cummins targeted a girl on one of his teams whom he had coached since she was 9. Among other things, police said, Cummins inappropriately touched her, forced her to sit on his lap and sent her inappropriate texts.

Cummins founded the soccer club Arson FC in 2014, putting together boys, girls and coed teams. Since his guilty plea, he’s turned operation of the club over to his wife, the Star said.

Cummins’s attorney, Scott Toth, said Cummins showed “poor judgment” in his interactions with the teen.

“Jason accepted responsibility quickly and decisively, and that indicates that he is remorseful and wants to move on with his life," Toth said.

But the teen's family says Cummins and hit wife have been telling team members and their families that the victim is lying, leading other teens to badger the victim and accuse her of lying about the former coach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597269232186.png" alt="Cummins photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Cummins photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The founder of a Kansas City-area youth soccer club has pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a teen player and will be sentenced next month.Jason Cummins, 37, pleaded guilty in Johnson County District Court last month to attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child between the ages of 14 and 16.&nbsp; He also registered as a sex offender.Investigators said Cummins targeted a girl on one of his teams whom he had coached since she was 9. Among other things, police said, Cummins inappropriately touched her, forced her to sit on his lap and sent her inappropriate texts.Cummins founded the soccer club Arson FC in 2014, putting together boys, girls and coed teams. Since his guilty plea, he’s turned operation of the club over to his wife, the Star said.Cummins’s attorney, Scott Toth, said Cummins showed “poor judgment” in his interactions with the teen.“Jason accepted responsibility quickly and decisively, and that indicates that he is remorseful and wants to move on with his life," Toth said.But the teen's family says Cummins and hit wife have been telling team members and their families that the victim is lying, leading other teens to badger the victim and accuse her of lying about the former coach.

KC youth soccer club founder pleads guilty to sex crime

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans are likely to stress Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall’s service on the House Agriculture Committee as he runs for the Senate.

The two-term GOP congressman for western and central Kansas who sometimes calls himself “the only candidate who can sort heifers from steers” is treating his agriculture background as as a major asset in his race against Democrat nominee Barbara Bollier. They’re both doctors, but she grew up in the Kansas City suburbs, while he describes himself as a “fifth-generation farm kid” after starting life on a farm outside El Dorado in south-central Kansas.

Marshall and Bollier are running for the seat held by retiring four-term GOP Sen. Pat Roberts. He has served as Senate Agriculture Committee chairman since 2015, is a former House Agriculture Committee chairman and has been a key player on farm legislation for decades. Kansas agriculture groups put a premium on the state being represented on both committees.

Kelly Arnold, a former Kansas Republican Party chairman, said Tuesday that Marshall’s agriculture background is “obviously going to be pushed” during the campaign.

“This is one of the strong points that Roger Marshall has,” Arnold said.

Marshall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6646c990bce8bd3d93e2722015de87f0">won the GOP primary</a>&nbsp;comfortably over Kris Kobach, a former Kansas secretary of state and polarizing conservative known for advocating restrictive immigration policies. Marshall had endorsements from the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association.

Farm groups’ support was crucial to Marshall in 2016 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2672bddfba71409caf2a7e171f074cfb">he ousted</a>&nbsp;conservative tea-party Rep. Tim Huelskamp during the GOP primary. Marshall is an obstetrician and Huelskamp was a farmer and rancher, but Huelskamp had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2885d5c77ae84233801402a7bb577abf">alienated agriculture groups</a>&nbsp;by getting booted from the House Agriculture Committee in 2012, costing Kansas a seat for the first time in nearly a century. Huelskamp had clashed with then-House Speaker John Boehner.

Marshall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c153fdbdb7c3455e84189f4c146d3d07/Kansas-regains-seat-on-House-agricultural-committee">immediately received a seat</a>&nbsp;on the House Agriculture Committee after taking office in 2017. He said after winning the Senate primary last week that it’s “vitally important” for Kansas to have a seat on the Senate committee and Bollier is “not qualified.”

“She wouldn’t know the difference between milo and soybeans,” Marshall said.

Bollier, a retired anesthesiologist, is a state senator who represents leafy and affluent suburbs in Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. Her father was an anesthesiologist and her mother, a nurse, but Bollier said in a post-primary interview that her father did own land near Chillicothe, Missouri, that he had farmed — growing soybeans — before it later became wetlands.

Bollier’s latest television spot features her with former GOP Rep. Tom Moxley on his Council Grove ranch, with him wearing a cowboy hat.

“I have served in the state Legislature for 11 years and have spent every year hearing about the needs of our agriculture community and voting for them,” she said. “I look forward to on that ag committee in Washington.”

And Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, of Topeka, said while Marshall’s agriculture background gives him a popular message in western Kansas, he’s not sure the issue plays as well in urban areas. He also said her message of bringing bipartisanship to Washington will resonate.

Political scientist Bob Beatty, of Washburn University in Topeka, said Marshall’s agriculture background is positive and will helps some voters feel more comfortable with him. But he also noted half of the state’s 1.85 million registered voters live in its five most populous counties.

“The farm credential in Kansas is more cultural than just pure votes,” Beatty said. “It’s been waning over the years, but it still has symbolic power.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597245429364.png" alt="Rep. Roger Marshall during a stop in southeast Kansas -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Roger Marshall during a stop in southeast Kansas -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans are likely to stress Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall’s service on the House Agriculture Committee as he runs for the Senate.The two-term GOP congressman for western and central Kansas who sometimes calls himself “the only candidate who can sort heifers from steers” is treating his agriculture background as as a major asset in his race against Democrat nominee Barbara Bollier. They’re both doctors, but she grew up in the Kansas City suburbs, while he describes himself as a “fifth-generation farm kid” after starting life on a farm outside El Dorado in south-central Kansas.Marshall and Bollier are running for the seat held by retiring four-term GOP Sen. Pat Roberts. He has served as Senate Agriculture Committee chairman since 2015, is a former House Agriculture Committee chairman and has been a key player on farm legislation for decades. Kansas agriculture groups put a premium on the state being represented on both committees.Kelly Arnold, a former Kansas Republican Party chairman, said Tuesday that Marshall’s agriculture background is “obviously going to be pushed” during the campaign.“This is one of the strong points that Roger Marshall has,” Arnold said.Marshall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6646c990bce8bd3d93e2722015de87f0">won the GOP primary</a>&nbsp;comfortably over Kris Kobach, a former Kansas secretary of state and polarizing conservative known for advocating restrictive immigration policies. Marshall had endorsements from the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association.Farm groups’ support was crucial to Marshall in 2016 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2672bddfba71409caf2a7e171f074cfb">he ousted</a>&nbsp;conservative tea-party Rep. Tim Huelskamp during the GOP primary. Marshall is an obstetrician and Huelskamp was a farmer and rancher, but Huelskamp had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2885d5c77ae84233801402a7bb577abf">alienated agriculture groups</a>&nbsp;by getting booted from the House Agriculture Committee in 2012, costing Kansas a seat for the first time in nearly a century. Huelskamp had clashed with then-House Speaker John Boehner.Marshall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c153fdbdb7c3455e84189f4c146d3d07/Kansas-regains-seat-on-House-agricultural-committee">immediately received a seat</a>&nbsp;on the House Agriculture Committee after taking office in 2017. He said after winning the Senate primary last week that it’s “vitally important” for Kansas to have a seat on the Senate committee and Bollier is “not qualified.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596590340401.png" alt="State Senator Barbara Bollier" />
 <figcaption>State Senator Barbara Bollier</figcaption>
 </figure>“She wouldn’t know the difference between milo and soybeans,” Marshall said.Bollier, a retired anesthesiologist, is a state senator who represents leafy and affluent suburbs in Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. Her father was an anesthesiologist and her mother, a nurse, but Bollier said in a post-primary interview that her father did own land near Chillicothe, Missouri, that he had farmed — growing soybeans — before it later became wetlands.Bollier’s latest television spot features her with former GOP Rep. Tom Moxley on his Council Grove ranch, with him wearing a cowboy hat.“I have served in the state Legislature for 11 years and have spent every year hearing about the needs of our agriculture community and voting for them,” she said. “I look forward to on that ag committee in Washington.”And Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, of Topeka, said while Marshall’s agriculture background gives him a popular message in western Kansas, he’s not sure the issue plays as well in urban areas. He also said her message of bringing bipartisanship to Washington will resonate.Political scientist Bob Beatty, of Washburn University in Topeka, said Marshall’s agriculture background is positive and will helps some voters feel more comfortable with him. But he also noted half of the state’s 1.85 million registered voters live in its five most populous counties.“The farm credential in Kansas is more cultural than just pure votes,” Beatty said. “It’s been waning over the years, but it still has symbolic power.”___

Farm ties key for GOP, Rep. Marshall in Kan. Senate race

TOPEKA — The Health Department in Shawnee County has identified a COVID-19 case linked to&nbsp;Mid-American Baseball Tournament&nbsp;games held on Aug. 2, 2020 at Washburn University, according to a media release.

Anyone who attended any of the games held that day is at risk for potential exposure and should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of attendance. 

Individuals are recommended to contact their primary care provider IF they develop any of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills, rigors,&nbsp; myalgia (muscle pain or aches),&nbsp; malaise,&nbsp; headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing),&nbsp; new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose and nausea or vomiting

“It is important to remember that appropriate social distancing and masks need to be used at sporting events, even those held outdoors.” said Linda Ochs Shawnee County Health Department Director. “We encourage any individuals to contact their healthcare provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19”.

As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

TOPEKA — The Health Department in Shawnee County has identified a COVID-19 case linked to&nbsp;Mid-American Baseball Tournament&nbsp;games held on Aug. 2, 2020 at Washburn University, according to a media release.Anyone who attended any of the games held that day is at risk for potential exposure and should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of attendance. Individuals are recommended to contact their primary care provider IF they develop any of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills, rigors,&nbsp; myalgia (muscle pain or aches),&nbsp; malaise,&nbsp; headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing),&nbsp; new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose and nausea or vomiting“It is important to remember that appropriate social distancing and masks need to be used at sporting events, even those held outdoors.” said Linda Ochs Shawnee County Health Department Director. “We encourage any individuals to contact their healthcare provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19”.As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid close contact with people who are sick.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Officials link COVID-19 to baseball tournament in Kansas

LINDSBORG – The Bethany College Board of Directors announced Wednesday, that by unanimous decision, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch has been appointed to lead Bethany College as its 15th president, according to a media release.

Mauch has served as the interim president since July of 2019 and is the first woman to be appointed to serve at Bethany College as president.

"Dr. Mauch's tenacious work ethic and her commitment to transparency and openness make her the obvious choice to lead us through these trying times and into a bright future,” said Roper DeGarmo, chair of the board of directors.

Plans for a formal celebration will be made at a later date.

Mauch came to Bethany College as the vice president of academic affairs. Prior to that, she served as the dean of the college of education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania from 2012 to May of 2017 and before that was professor of mathematics and interim dean from 2009 to 2012. In May of 2018, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selected Mauch for a Fulbright award to Poland. In June 2019, Mauch went to Lodz University of Technology in Lodz, Poland and taught STEM faculty techniques of flipped classrooms, how to use these techniques for the types of learners educated at Lodz University of Technology, and the best methods for assisting them in understanding STEM subjects.

The Fulbright award was an extension of her research interest in the recruitment and retention of students in STEM disciplines. Her research in this subject began as an undergraduate at Moravian College where she completed an honor’s project on cooperative learning in mathematics education under the direction of Dr. Robert Mayer. While at Bloomsburg University, she continued her study as she led the Math &amp; Science Resource Center. She broadened the vision of the center and enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational experiences with STEM summer campus for local 5th through 12th grade students, and research-based training and development programs for local STEM subject teachers.

During her time as dean of the college of education at Bloomsburg University, she was able to work collaboratively with university faculty, regional school districts, superintendents, local politicians, and area business leaders to extend the initiatives she started as director of the Math &amp; Science Center. Starting as the STEM Magnet Program, her efforts led to what is now known as the Regional STEM Education Center. Mauch also customized a mathematics program with school districts and industry in the rural central Pennsylvania region, creating a successful rural STEM model. One of her most significant responsibilities as dean was to provide fiscal leadership in the on-going operations of the various programs. She worked to secure sustainable funding from regional businesses through a Pennsylvania tax program known as the Educational Incentive Tax Credit system, secured sustainable funding from Bloomsburg University and obtained grants for innovative new programming.

“I am humbled to have been asked to serve as the 15th President of Bethany College. Even though we are entering a semester with many unknowns, I am excited about the future of Bethany College,” Mauch said.

Mauch is currently focused on the upcoming Higher Learning Commission visit that will happen in February of 2021 and maintaining a safe and healthy campus for the upcoming semester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597267726401.jpeg" alt="Elizabeth Mauch&nbsp;Photo by Jim Turner, courtesy Bethany College" />
 <figcaption>Elizabeth Mauch&nbsp;Photo by Jim Turner, courtesy Bethany College</figcaption>
 </figure>LINDSBORG – The Bethany College Board of Directors announced Wednesday, that by unanimous decision, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch has been appointed to lead Bethany College as its 15th president, according to a media release.Mauch has served as the interim president since July of 2019 and is the first woman to be appointed to serve at Bethany College as president."Dr. Mauch's tenacious work ethic and her commitment to transparency and openness make her the obvious choice to lead us through these trying times and into a bright future,” said Roper DeGarmo, chair of the board of directors.Plans for a formal celebration will be made at a later date.Mauch came to Bethany College as the vice president of academic affairs. Prior to that, she served as the dean of the college of education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania from 2012 to May of 2017 and before that was professor of mathematics and interim dean from 2009 to 2012. In May of 2018, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selected Mauch for a Fulbright award to Poland. In June 2019, Mauch went to Lodz University of Technology in Lodz, Poland and taught STEM faculty techniques of flipped classrooms, how to use these techniques for the types of learners educated at Lodz University of Technology, and the best methods for assisting them in understanding STEM subjects.The Fulbright award was an extension of her research interest in the recruitment and retention of students in STEM disciplines. Her research in this subject began as an undergraduate at Moravian College where she completed an honor’s project on cooperative learning in mathematics education under the direction of Dr. Robert Mayer. While at Bloomsburg University, she continued her study as she led the Math &amp; Science Resource Center. She broadened the vision of the center and enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational experiences with STEM summer campus for local 5th through 12th grade students, and research-based training and development programs for local STEM subject teachers.During her time as dean of the college of education at Bloomsburg University, she was able to work collaboratively with university faculty, regional school districts, superintendents, local politicians, and area business leaders to extend the initiatives she started as director of the Math &amp; Science Center. Starting as the STEM Magnet Program, her efforts led to what is now known as the Regional STEM Education Center. Mauch also customized a mathematics program with school districts and industry in the rural central Pennsylvania region, creating a successful rural STEM model. One of her most significant responsibilities as dean was to provide fiscal leadership in the on-going operations of the various programs. She worked to secure sustainable funding from regional businesses through a Pennsylvania tax program known as the Educational Incentive Tax Credit system, secured sustainable funding from Bloomsburg University and obtained grants for innovative new programming.“I am humbled to have been asked to serve as the 15th President of Bethany College. Even though we are entering a semester with many unknowns, I am excited about the future of Bethany College,” Mauch said.Mauch is currently focused on the upcoming Higher Learning Commission visit that will happen in February of 2021 and maintaining a safe and healthy campus for the upcoming semester.

First woman named as president of Bethany College

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), will hold a press briefing Wednesday afternoon to discuss the latest on increase in coronavirus in Kansas.

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state also reported 8 additional deaths from Coronavirus for a total of 395 since the pandemic began.

<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), will hold a press briefing Wednesday afternoon to discuss the latest on increase in coronavirus in Kansas.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F637120493592839%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 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state also reported 8 additional deaths from Coronavirus for a total of 395 since the pandemic began.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

🎥  Dr. Lee Norman on increase in COVID-19 in Kansas

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling.

Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family's health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems.

Mindy Kroesche, a freelance writer and editor from Lincoln, Nebraska, had been leaning toward homeschooling her 12-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD diagnoses that made middle school a challenge. But she always felt her 10-year-old daughter was “built for school.” Now with the pandemic raging, she is pulling them both out for the year.

“We just saw that with her wearing a mask for the entire day, that would make learning more difficult for her,” she said. “It was going to be such a different environment. We didn’t think it would be as beneficial for her.”

Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%. In North Carolina, a rush of parents filing notices that they planned to homeschool overwhelmed a government website last month, leaving it temporarily unable to accept applications.

There were about 2.5 million homeschool students last year in grades K-12 in the U.S., making up about 3% to 4% of school-age children, according to the National Home Educators Research Institute. Brian Ray, the group’s president, is anticipating that their numbers will increase by at least 10%.

“One day the school district says X and four days later they say Y,” Ray said. “And then the governor says another thing and then that changes what the school district can do. And parents and teachers are tired of what appear to be arbitrary and capricious decisions. They are tired of it and saying we are out of here.”

Interest in homeschooling materials also has been surging, driven in part by parents who are keeping their children enrolled in schools but looking for ways to supplement distance learning.

The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbmGexEg8E">National Home School Association </a>received more than 3,400 requests for information on a single day last month, up from between five and 20 inquiries per day before the coronavirus. The group had to increase the size of its email inbox to keep up.

“Clearly the interest we have been getting has exploded,” said J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the suburban Denver-based group. “That is really the only way to describe it.”

Some parents in rural parts of Nebraska are turning to homeschooling because staffing and limited access to home internet leave districts unable to offer a virtual learning option, said Kathryn Dillow, president and executive director of Nebraska Home Schools, a support and advocacy group.

Homeschooling applications continue arriving in Nebraska, where the number of homeschoolers already had risen to 3,400 as of July 14, up from 2,800 at the same time a year ago, said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education.

Jespersen said there is “a lot of confusion” and that “parents are delayed in making their decision” because so much is changing.

Regardless of the final number, Jespersen doesn’t expect that the increase will bust districts’ budgets because homeschoolers will still remain a small fraction of about 326,000 students spread over the state’s 244 school systems.

Most other states don’t have homeschooling numbers, either because they aren’t collected at the state level or it’s too early. But all indications point to increases across the country.

“Now is when the reality sets in,” said John Edelson, president of Time4Learning, an online curriculum provider, which has seen business explode. “People have postponed the decision, but we are at this great inflection point. And it is hard to see what the angle is going to be, but it is definitely up.”

In Missouri, calls and emails pour into the homeschool advocacy group Families For Home Education each time a district releases its reopening plan, said Charyti Jackson, the group’s executive director. She said families are in a “panic” about virtual starts to the year and hybrid plans in which students attend classes parttime and study at home the rest.

“They are asking, ’What am I supposed to be doing with my children when I am working full time?’” she said.

For the families who only plan to homeschool for a semester or two, some in small groups or pods, her advice is focused on how to make sure students can transition back to public schooling smoothly when the pandemic ends. That’s trickier for students who receive special education services and high schoolers who need to meet their district’s graduation requirements.

There also are some indications the exodus to homeschooling could continue well into fall. Christina Rothermel-Branham, a psychology and counseling professor at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, said she is going to attempt remote learning through her local school district for her 6-year-old son. But she said the virtual learning she oversaw in the spring was “very monotonous” and that she plans to switch to homeschooling if the first month goes poorly.

“If there is a lot of stress between the two of us it is probably going to get him pulled out,” she said.

Rothermel-Branham, 39, already has scouted out curriculum as a backup and has signed up for art and music classes through Outschool, an online learning platform that is reporting 30 times year-over-year growth since March.

“It is such a big mess,” said Outschool CEO Amir Nathoo. “A lot of schools spent all summer preparing for a social distanced reopening and now it looks like that isn’t going to happen because of the virus.”

He said the demand for classes has been particularly strong in states that moved aggressively to reopen, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona.

Chris Perrin, the CEO of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Classical Academic Press, said curriculum sales to homeschoolers are up by 50% and that enrollment in its online Scholé Academy has increased by 100% amid the pandemic. He said some there was “understandably a lot of bad online learning” in the spring and that some parents were “appalled” as they oversaw it.

“They are saying I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Perrin said. “So they are becoming homeschoolers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597257614362.png" alt="Image courtesy National Home School Association&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy National Home School Association&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling.Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family's health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems.Mindy Kroesche, a freelance writer and editor from Lincoln, Nebraska, had been leaning toward homeschooling her 12-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD diagnoses that made middle school a challenge. But she always felt her 10-year-old daughter was “built for school.” Now with the pandemic raging, she is pulling them both out for the year.“We just saw that with her wearing a mask for the entire day, that would make learning more difficult for her,” she said. “It was going to be such a different environment. We didn’t think it would be as beneficial for her.”Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%. In North Carolina, a rush of parents filing notices that they planned to homeschool overwhelmed a government website last month, leaving it temporarily unable to accept applications.There were about 2.5 million homeschool students last year in grades K-12 in the U.S., making up about 3% to 4% of school-age children, according to the National Home Educators Research Institute. Brian Ray, the group’s president, is anticipating that their numbers will increase by at least 10%.“One day the school district says X and four days later they say Y,” Ray said. “And then the governor says another thing and then that changes what the school district can do. And parents and teachers are tired of what appear to be arbitrary and capricious decisions. They are tired of it and saying we are out of here.”Interest in homeschooling materials also has been surging, driven in part by parents who are keeping their children enrolled in schools but looking for ways to supplement distance learning.The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbmGexEg8E">National Home School Association </a>received more than 3,400 requests for information on a single day last month, up from between five and 20 inquiries per day before the coronavirus. The group had to increase the size of its email inbox to keep up.“Clearly the interest we have been getting has exploded,” said J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the suburban Denver-based group. “That is really the only way to describe it.”Some parents in rural parts of Nebraska are turning to homeschooling because staffing and limited access to home internet leave districts unable to offer a virtual learning option, said Kathryn Dillow, president and executive director of Nebraska Home Schools, a support and advocacy group.Homeschooling applications continue arriving in Nebraska, where the number of homeschoolers already had risen to 3,400 as of July 14, up from 2,800 at the same time a year ago, said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education.Jespersen said there is “a lot of confusion” and that “parents are delayed in making their decision” because so much is changing.Regardless of the final number, Jespersen doesn’t expect that the increase will bust districts’ budgets because homeschoolers will still remain a small fraction of about 326,000 students spread over the state’s 244 school systems.Most other states don’t have homeschooling numbers, either because they aren’t collected at the state level or it’s too early. But all indications point to increases across the country.“Now is when the reality sets in,” said John Edelson, president of Time4Learning, an online curriculum provider, which has seen business explode. “People have postponed the decision, but we are at this great inflection point. And it is hard to see what the angle is going to be, but it is definitely up.”In Missouri, calls and emails pour into the homeschool advocacy group Families For Home Education each time a district releases its reopening plan, said Charyti Jackson, the group’s executive director. She said families are in a “panic” about virtual starts to the year and hybrid plans in which students attend classes parttime and study at home the rest.“They are asking, ’What am I supposed to be doing with my children when I am working full time?’” she said.For the families who only plan to homeschool for a semester or two, some in small groups or pods, her advice is focused on how to make sure students can transition back to public schooling smoothly when the pandemic ends. That’s trickier for students who receive special education services and high schoolers who need to meet their district’s graduation requirements.There also are some indications the exodus to homeschooling could continue well into fall. Christina Rothermel-Branham, a psychology and counseling professor at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, said she is going to attempt remote learning through her local school district for her 6-year-old son. But she said the virtual learning she oversaw in the spring was “very monotonous” and that she plans to switch to homeschooling if the first month goes poorly.“If there is a lot of stress between the two of us it is probably going to get him pulled out,” she said.Rothermel-Branham, 39, already has scouted out curriculum as a backup and has signed up for art and music classes through Outschool, an online learning platform that is reporting 30 times year-over-year growth since March.“It is such a big mess,” said Outschool CEO Amir Nathoo. “A lot of schools spent all summer preparing for a social distanced reopening and now it looks like that isn’t going to happen because of the virus.”He said the demand for classes has been particularly strong in states that moved aggressively to reopen, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona.Chris Perrin, the CEO of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Classical Academic Press, said curriculum sales to homeschoolers are up by 50% and that enrollment in its online Scholé Academy has increased by 100% amid the pandemic. He said some there was “understandably a lot of bad online learning” in the spring and that some parents were “appalled” as they oversaw it.“They are saying I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Perrin said. “So they are becoming homeschoolers.”

Interest in homeschooling has 'exploded' amid pandemic

GLENDIVE, Mont. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office have located the person of interest they have been searching for, who is believed connected to the July 27 homicide of Joyce Foulkrod, according to a media release from the KBI.

Clinton W. Rogers, 34, was located Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Glendive, Mont. He was arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:30 p.m. (CDT) on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kan. He is currently being held in the Dawson County Jail.

KBI agents are traveling to Montana, where they will question Rogers.&nbsp;

BARBER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help to locate Clinton Rogers, a person of interest connected to a homicide that occurred in Medicine Lodge.

Just before 2 p.m., July 27, a family member called 911 after finding 61-year-old Joyce A. Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane., in Medicine Lodge.

Clinton Rogers is a 34-year-old white male with hazel eyes. He is 6-foot-1 in. tall, and weighs approximately 270 pounds.

Clinton W. Rogers, 34, stole a dark red 1995 Chevrolet Camaro with t-tops in Kingman County on Sunday. It is possible that the Camaro is still bearing Kansas license plate, 870JUK. Rogers is no longer traveling in the white F-150 pickup truck.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Clint Rogers, or encounters him or the Camaro, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips related to this case can also be submitted online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596053633735.png" alt="Rogers photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Rogers photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>GLENDIVE, Mont. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office have located the person of interest they have been searching for, who is believed connected to the July 27 homicide of Joyce Foulkrod, according to a media release from the KBI.Clinton W. Rogers, 34, was located Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Glendive, Mont. He was arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:30 p.m. (CDT) on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kan. He is currently being held in the Dawson County Jail.KBI agents are traveling to Montana, where they will question Rogers.&nbsp;--------BARBER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help to locate Clinton Rogers, a person of interest connected to a homicide that occurred in Medicine Lodge.Just before 2 p.m., July 27, a family member called 911 after finding 61-year-old Joyce A. Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane., in Medicine Lodge.Clinton Rogers is a 34-year-old white male with hazel eyes. He is 6-foot-1 in. tall, and weighs approximately 270 pounds.Clinton W. Rogers, 34, stole a dark red 1995 Chevrolet Camaro with t-tops in Kingman County on Sunday. It is possible that the Camaro is still bearing Kansas license plate, 870JUK. Rogers is no longer traveling in the white F-150 pickup truck.Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Clint Rogers, or encounters him or the Camaro, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips related to this case can also be submitted online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

Suspect in Kan. woman's murder captured in Montana

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 395<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/2020/8/1597252311291.png" alt="Wednesday August 12, 2020" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday August 12, 2020</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — National discount department store chain Stein Mart is filing for bankruptcy and will close most, if not all, of its stores. 

The 112-year-old Florida-based company said in a news release that it filed for Chapter 11 protection on Wednesday. 

It said the downturn in the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic was too difficult to overcome. Stein Mart has more than 280 stores in 30 states specializing in clothing, shoes and housewares at discount prices. Many are in community shopping centers.&nbsp;

There are three Stein Mart stores in Kansas including Wichita, Lenexa and Overland Park and three stores in Missouri, near St. Louis.

As of May 30, the company employed about 8,400 people. Stein Mart first started doing business in Mississippi in 1908.&nbsp;

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — National discount department store chain Stein Mart is filing for bankruptcy and will close most, if not all, of its stores. The 112-year-old Florida-based company said in a news release that it filed for Chapter 11 protection on Wednesday. It said the downturn in the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic was too difficult to overcome. Stein Mart has more than 280 stores in 30 states specializing in clothing, shoes and housewares at discount prices. Many are in community shopping centers.&nbsp;There are three Stein Mart stores in Kansas including Wichita, Lenexa and Overland Park and three stores in Missouri, near St. Louis.As of May 30, the company employed about 8,400 people. Stein Mart first started doing business in Mississippi in 1908.&nbsp;

Stein Mart files for bankruptcy; to close nearly 300 stores

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes that talks on a huge COVID-19 relief deal would generate an agreement soon are fizzling, with both the Trump administration negotiating team and top congressional Democrats adopting hard lines and testy attitudes.

Now that President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive edicts and the national political conventions are set to begin, consuming the attention of both Trump and top Democrats, the talks seem to be on an indefinite pause. The urgency has evaporated now that rank-and-file lawmakers have been set free for the August recess, and while both sides still want an agreement — and pressure is likely to remain high — it’s looking more like a September legislating effort than an August one.

The impasse leaves millions of jobless people without a $600-per-week pandemic bonus jobless benefit that has helped families stay afloat, leaves state and local governments seeking fiscal relief high and dry, and holds back a more than $100 billion school aid package. Money for other priorities, including the election, may come too late, if at all.

Still, it’s not like Washington politicians to leave so much money on the table. No one is giving up on an accord, though near-term prospects aren’t promising. Based on weeks of reporting on the talks, here’s a look at the key obstacles to an agreement:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who’s displaying her stern streak in her dealings with top Republicans, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, have adopted hardball negotiating tactics as they survey a tactical landscape that favors them. They have given some ground on the overall price tag, but say it’s up to Republicans to acknowledge the scope of the crisis.

Trump is eager for an agreement, much of the country expects one, and it’s not too difficult to sketch one out on paper. But Pelosi may have to cede ground to Trump and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who have largely abandoned the talks when confronted with Pelosi’s demands. And Trump’s team ultimately may have to make more concessions than they think since Republicans are split.

Meadows made his name in Washington — and he’s unpopular in many quarters in both parties — as a tea party bomb-thrower who forced out former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015. Meadows has never been a consensus builder and he seems focused on tending to Trump’s conservative flank and trying to make sure that whatever deal is reached doesn’t divide Republicans too badly. As such, he’s been taking a hard line with Pelosi, and they have been unable to forge a productive relationship and have taken their backbiting public.

Meadows has been understaffed during the talks, which can slow down the complicated horse-trading such a sweeping bill requires. He also appeared to be the principal force behind Trump’s threats — and ultimate moves — to issue executive edicts on the payroll tax and unemployment insurance, steps that coincided with the rapid deterioration of the talks. The orders gave Trump a short-term tactical victory, but will do little for the states, schools and families still clamoring for help.

Any upcoming bill is sure to be opposed by many GOP conservatives, who are already agitating for the party to try to reclaim its long-abandoned focus on deficits and debt.

Many Republicans oppose the generous jobless benefits, viewing them as a disincentive to work, and are against other social welfare elements of the legislation. They’re in no mood to accept a Pelosi-blessed agreement. But the pragmatic wing of the party wants to restore bonus jobless benefits that have been cut off, and many GOP incumbents up for reelection are agitating for deal.

Probably the biggest issue impeding the talks is renewal of the pandemic bonus unemployment benefit, which was set at $600 until it expired at the end of July. The $600 benefit meant that most workers were receiving more on unemployment than through their former jobs, and many GOP senators are adamant that it not be fully renewed. But the benefit is popular with voters and Pelosi is solidly behind the full $600, which economists say has helped keep millions out of poverty. Still, the Democrats are probably going to have to compromise, though it will likely be among the final items resolved if a deal is to be reached.

Governors in both parties and a slew of local officials are the driving force behind a massive Pelosi-driven aid plan for state and local governments, which have been starved of tax revenues as the economy slumps. They are pleading for help and have panned Trump’s recent executive moves as confusing and inadequate.

But the distance between negotiators on state and local aid is vast. The two sides are hundreds of billions of dollars apart, and Trump has taken to railing against the idea, falsely portraying it as assistance only for the high-profile Democratic governors and big city mayors he often vilifies.

It’s clear that Pelosi recognizes she’ll have to go far lower than the $900-plus billion aid package that she built into the Democrats’ bill. It’s equally clear that Republicans know some level of funding will have to be included. So long as the issue is unresolved, an agreement will be out of reach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596796356877.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters after a virus relief negotiation session last week-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters after a virus relief negotiation session last week-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes that talks on a huge COVID-19 relief deal would generate an agreement soon are fizzling, with both the Trump administration negotiating team and top congressional Democrats adopting hard lines and testy attitudes.Now that President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive edicts and the national political conventions are set to begin, consuming the attention of both Trump and top Democrats, the talks seem to be on an indefinite pause. The urgency has evaporated now that rank-and-file lawmakers have been set free for the August recess, and while both sides still want an agreement — and pressure is likely to remain high — it’s looking more like a September legislating effort than an August one.The impasse leaves millions of jobless people without a $600-per-week pandemic bonus jobless benefit that has helped families stay afloat, leaves state and local governments seeking fiscal relief high and dry, and holds back a more than $100 billion school aid package. Money for other priorities, including the election, may come too late, if at all.Still, it’s not like Washington politicians to leave so much money on the table. No one is giving up on an accord, though near-term prospects aren’t promising. Based on weeks of reporting on the talks, here’s a look at the key obstacles to an agreement:DEMOCRATIC HARDBALLHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who’s displaying her stern streak in her dealings with top Republicans, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, have adopted hardball negotiating tactics as they survey a tactical landscape that favors them. They have given some ground on the overall price tag, but say it’s up to Republicans to acknowledge the scope of the crisis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596624511341.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and&nbsp; White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows leave a virus relief negotiation session-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and&nbsp; White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows leave a virus relief negotiation session-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump is eager for an agreement, much of the country expects one, and it’s not too difficult to sketch one out on paper. But Pelosi may have to cede ground to Trump and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who have largely abandoned the talks when confronted with Pelosi’s demands. And Trump’s team ultimately may have to make more concessions than they think since Republicans are split.WHITE HOUSE INEXPERIENCEMeadows made his name in Washington — and he’s unpopular in many quarters in both parties — as a tea party bomb-thrower who forced out former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015. Meadows has never been a consensus builder and he seems focused on tending to Trump’s conservative flank and trying to make sure that whatever deal is reached doesn’t divide Republicans too badly. As such, he’s been taking a hard line with Pelosi, and they have been unable to forge a productive relationship and have taken their backbiting public.Meadows has been understaffed during the talks, which can slow down the complicated horse-trading such a sweeping bill requires. He also appeared to be the principal force behind Trump’s threats — and ultimate moves — to issue executive edicts on the payroll tax and unemployment insurance, steps that coincided with the rapid deterioration of the talks. The orders gave Trump a short-term tactical victory, but will do little for the states, schools and families still clamoring for help.GOP SPLITSAny upcoming bill is sure to be opposed by many GOP conservatives, who are already agitating for the party to try to reclaim its long-abandoned focus on deficits and debt.Many Republicans oppose the generous jobless benefits, viewing them as a disincentive to work, and are against other social welfare elements of the legislation. They’re in no mood to accept a Pelosi-blessed agreement. But the pragmatic wing of the party wants to restore bonus jobless benefits that have been cut off, and many GOP incumbents up for reelection are agitating for deal.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCEProbably the biggest issue impeding the talks is renewal of the pandemic bonus unemployment benefit, which was set at $600 until it expired at the end of July. The $600 benefit meant that most workers were receiving more on unemployment than through their former jobs, and many GOP senators are adamant that it not be fully renewed. But the benefit is popular with voters and Pelosi is solidly behind the full $600, which economists say has helped keep millions out of poverty. Still, the Democrats are probably going to have to compromise, though it will likely be among the final items resolved if a deal is to be reached.STATE AND LOCAL AIDGovernors in both parties and a slew of local officials are the driving force behind a massive Pelosi-driven aid plan for state and local governments, which have been starved of tax revenues as the economy slumps. They are pleading for help and have panned Trump’s recent executive moves as confusing and inadequate.But the distance between negotiators on state and local aid is vast. The two sides are hundreds of billions of dollars apart, and Trump has taken to railing against the idea, falsely portraying it as assistance only for the high-profile Democratic governors and big city mayors he often vilifies.It’s clear that Pelosi recognizes she’ll have to go far lower than the $900-plus billion aid package that she built into the Democrats’ bill. It’s equally clear that Republicans know some level of funding will have to be included. So long as the issue is unresolved, an agreement will be out of reach.

What's keeping Washington from a virus deal, explained

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Wednesday that a lockdown has been implemented at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit after testing revealed additional staff and residents as positive for COVID-19.

In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.

As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken today include:

“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” Zmuda said. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men. Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum custody) units.


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — There has been a spike in the case count of COVID-19 in Reno County. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, there are now 105 cases active in the county. The latest numbers are due to a cluster at Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

"They have been doing a lot of testing," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "The numbers come from a number that came back from their testing. I don't know a whole lot, because we're still in the process of investigating that. The cases that came in overnight, 53 of the 57 cases that changed on the dashboard were related to Hutchinson Correctional Facility. I don't know if those are inmates or employees. We are still doing testing."

Two other clusters also have been identified at Tyson in South Hutchinson and a nursing home in Pretty Prairie. Hammersmith said they may later be able to break the numbers out so people can know which cases are public and which are not, but they aren't that far yet.

"That is something that we may be able to look at on the reporting dashboard, to keep that separate," Hammersmith said. "I think that is probably a good idea if that's something that can be done. I think it would probably be a manual adjustment, but we could do that."

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman showed concern for what a spike at HCF could mean as one of his justifications for advising for the cancellation of the Kansas State Fair earlier this year.

"Once it gets into prison settings and nursing homes, sometimes those numbers can escalate, especially in a prison where you have so many people living in those close quarters. That's why you always want to watch any virus or disease process that gets there and try to make sure it doesn't have wide spread, but it's very hard not to."

This is the first day since the beginning of the pandemic with over 100 active cases at the same time.

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Wednesday that a lockdown has been implemented at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit after testing revealed additional staff and residents as positive for COVID-19.In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken today include:<ul>
 <li>All residents in the Central Unit will remain locked in their cells</li><li>Necessary movement will be done in cohort groups</li><li>Essential resident workers in laundry and food service will continue to operate on a limited schedule</li><li>Some residents may be relocated to Lansing Correctional Facility’s COVID-19 Medical Unit</li>
 </ul>“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” Zmuda said. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men. Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum custody) units.---------
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — There has been a spike in the case count of COVID-19 in Reno County. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, there are now 105 cases active in the county. The latest numbers are due to a cluster at Hutchinson Correctional Facility."They have been doing a lot of testing," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "The numbers come from a number that came back from their testing. I don't know a whole lot, because we're still in the process of investigating that. The cases that came in overnight, 53 of the 57 cases that changed on the dashboard were related to Hutchinson Correctional Facility. I don't know if those are inmates or employees. We are still doing testing."Two other clusters also have been identified at Tyson in South Hutchinson and a nursing home in Pretty Prairie. Hammersmith said they may later be able to break the numbers out so people can know which cases are public and which are not, but they aren't that far yet."That is something that we may be able to look at on the reporting dashboard, to keep that separate," Hammersmith said. "I think that is probably a good idea if that's something that can be done. I think it would probably be a manual adjustment, but we could do that."Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman showed concern for what a spike at HCF could mean as one of his justifications for advising for the cancellation of the Kansas State Fair earlier this year."Once it gets into prison settings and nursing homes, sometimes those numbers can escalate, especially in a prison where you have so many people living in those close quarters. That's why you always want to watch any virus or disease process that gets there and try to make sure it doesn't have wide spread, but it's very hard not to."This is the first day since the beginning of the pandemic with over 100 active cases at the same time.

Update: Kan. prison on lockdown due to COVID-19 cases

TOPEKA — Police investigating the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard have made an arrest.

On Tuesday, police arrested Tony Baird, Jr., 29, Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.

The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. 

Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. 

Baird is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Murder. Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues, according to Trimble.

Ross' family and friends have established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerrie-jr-ross-funeral-and-family-expenses?utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all">a GoFundMe </a>page to assist with her funeral expenses.

TOPEKA — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. 

Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka  near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.

Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the Topeka

Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early August 6, 2020 -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early August 6, 2020 -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Police investigating the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard have made an arrest.On Tuesday, police arrested Tony Baird, Jr., 29, Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597229507782.png" alt="Baird-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Baird-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Baird is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Murder. Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues, according to Trimble.Ross' family and friends have established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerrie-jr-ross-funeral-and-family-expenses?utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all">a GoFundMe </a>page to assist with her funeral expenses.-----------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596745506137.png" alt="&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.-----------------TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the TopekaPolice Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128

Suspect arrested in death of Kan. woman hit by stray bullet 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.

The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.

The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.

“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.

The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.

Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.

The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.

DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.

DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.

Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.

“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.

Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”

Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.

The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.

“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.

The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”

DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″

Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”

During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.

“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”

In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.

“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596998721849.png" alt="Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

Postal Service emerges as flash point heading into election

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Staff members at USD 342, McLouth in Jefferson County, Kansas tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent to parents and posted on the district's web site.

Per the district's established protocol, they have closed off the building so that it can be thoroughly clean and disinfected.

The building will remain closed through Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday, according to the letter.

"We are also in contact with the Jefferson County Department of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our McLouth family.&nbsp; The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school until their isolation period is complete and they are symptom free."

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Jefferson County Health Department.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Staff members at USD 342, McLouth in Jefferson County, Kansas tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent to parents and posted on the district's web site.Per the district's established protocol, they have closed off the building so that it can be thoroughly clean and disinfected.The building will remain closed through Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday, according to the letter."We are also in contact with the Jefferson County Department of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our McLouth family.&nbsp; The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school until their isolation period is complete and they are symptom free."The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Jefferson County Health Department.

Kan. district closes school building after staff has COVID-19

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his 15-year-old daughter whose violent handling at the hands of Kansas City police has been widely viewed online are now suing several of the officers.

Tarence Maddox and his daughter were at a May 30 protest at the Country Club Plaza to protest police brutality in the wake of the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Maddox yelled at police that they were using excessive force when a line of officers descended on them, the lawsuit says, dousing Maddox and his daughter with pepper spray and pulling Maddox into the street to arrest him. One of the officers pulled Maddox’s daughter toward him and sprayed her directly in the eyes from about 4 inches away, the lawsuit says. She had “in no way” hindered his ability to make an arrest, said Maddox's attorney, Tom Porto.

The incident was captured on video, which has been viewed more than 8.6 million times on Twitter.

The lawsuit accuses the officers of deliberately harming Maddox and his daughter, despite the pair posing no threat to the officers, Porto said. Maddox also suffered permanent injury to his knee during the arrest that required surgery, the attorney said.

Police at the time said they would review the officers’ actions, but did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request Tuesday for comment on the lawsuit.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his 15-year-old daughter whose violent handling at the hands of Kansas City police has been widely viewed online are now suing several of the officers.Tarence Maddox and his daughter were at a May 30 protest at the Country Club Plaza to protest police brutality in the wake of the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Maddox yelled at police that they were using excessive force when a line of officers descended on them, the lawsuit says, dousing Maddox and his daughter with pepper spray and pulling Maddox into the street to arrest him. One of the officers pulled Maddox’s daughter toward him and sprayed her directly in the eyes from about 4 inches away, the lawsuit says. She had “in no way” hindered his ability to make an arrest, said Maddox's attorney, Tom Porto.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kcpolice</a> WE are disappointed. This man was using his WORDS and was responded to with WEAPONS. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForGeorge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeForGeorge</a> <a href="https://t.co/B7Ef7qAzK3">pic.twitter.com/B7Ef7qAzK3</a>&mdash; 🤍🖤🤎 (@Elise_Villa) <a href="https://twitter.com/Elise_Villa/status/1266923192612016129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The incident was captured on video, which has been viewed more than 8.6 million times on Twitter.The lawsuit accuses the officers of deliberately harming Maddox and his daughter, despite the pair posing no threat to the officers, Porto said. Maddox also suffered permanent injury to his knee during the arrest that required surgery, the attorney said.Police at the time said they would review the officers’ actions, but did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request Tuesday for comment on the lawsuit.

Man, daughter in protest video sue Kansas City officers

Wichita —The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has 123 confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus. This includes 112 inmates and 11 cases for staff members, according to Lt. Lanon Thompson.

Testing for all inmates and staff began on Monday. The jail expect to test all current inmates this week. Our current inmate population is 1510 inmates.&nbsp;On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.

The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has been in consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and our contracted medical provider. The following steps are being taken to combat the pandemic:

As inmates arrive in the detention facility housing area, they will be housed separately and tested. Once testing results are received, they will be housed according to their test results.

Inmates that have tested positive are being housed together. Inmates that have tested negative are being housed together. Inmates that have tested and are awaiting test results are being housed together.&nbsp; Any inmate that is symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus is being housed separately in isolation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595499501642.png" alt="Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita —The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has 123 confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus. This includes 112 inmates and 11 cases for staff members, according to Lt. Lanon Thompson.Testing for all inmates and staff began on Monday. The jail expect to test all current inmates this week. Our current inmate population is 1510 inmates.&nbsp;On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has been in consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and our contracted medical provider. The following steps are being taken to combat the pandemic:As inmates arrive in the detention facility housing area, they will be housed separately and tested. Once testing results are received, they will be housed according to their test results.Inmates that have tested positive are being housed together. Inmates that have tested negative are being housed together. Inmates that have tested and are awaiting test results are being housed together.&nbsp; Any inmate that is symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus is being housed separately in isolation.

123 new coronavirus cases at Kansas jail

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney, Kan. police officer who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

According to a social media report, the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training academy.

Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the officer.

As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again. The Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597226363937.jpeg" alt="Caney Officer Joe Elliott" />
 <figcaption>Caney Officer Joe Elliott</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney, Kan. police officer who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.According to a social media report, the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training academy.Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the officer.As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again. The Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson is the main police academy for officers outside the state's largest cities.