SALINA, Kan. – Law enforcement authorities are invesstigating the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred Friday in Salina.

According to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, both men who sustained injuries during the shooting were transported by EMS to the Salina Regional Health Center. Kalun Purucker, 29, of Topeka, Kan., died Friday at the hospital.

The other injured subject is a 20-year-old man from Lindsborg,&nbsp; remains hospitalized but is now stable with non-life threatening injuries, according to the KBI.

The KBI will not identify the second suspect unless, or until, he is arrested or charged with a crime related to this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602299685999.png" alt="Investigators on the scene of the shooting Friday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene of the shooting Friday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA, Kan. – Law enforcement authorities are invesstigating the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred Friday in Salina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602366270558.png" alt="Purucker had previous convictions for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Purucker had previous convictions for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>According to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, both men who sustained injuries during the shooting were transported by EMS to the Salina Regional Health Center. Kalun Purucker, 29, of Topeka, Kan., died Friday at the hospital.The other injured subject is a 20-year-old man from Lindsborg,&nbsp; remains hospitalized but is now stable with non-life threatening injuries, according to the KBI.The KBI will not identify the second suspect unless, or until, he is arrested or charged with a crime related to this incident.

KBI: 1 suspect in officer-involved shooting in Salina died

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police have resumed the search for the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing in Missouri for a year.

Mengqi Ji Elledge, 28, was reported missing by her husband, Joseph Elledge, on Oct. 10, 2019. He was charged in February with first-degree murder in her death and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded</a>&nbsp;not guilty. The couple has a young child.

Police had searched for her remains at the Lamine River near Booneville after cadaver dogs hit on a scent there. Boonville is about 100 miles east of Kansas City. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7cad26816fa8b730d9aa0793c5e766fb">temporary levee</a>&nbsp;was constructed at the site to help the search but the effort stopped in June.

Assistant Police Chief Jeremiah Hunter said in a news release Wednesday that the water level at the site has recently dropped significantly, revealing that part of the levee was still present.

The remaining parts of the levee will be removed and searched by investigators for any evidence of Ji.

Elledge and Ji married in 2017 and attended the University of Missouri.

The Ji family said in a statement that they appreciate the police department's efforts during the last year but will not be satisfied until Ji's body is found.

“We will never give up looking for Mengqi," the family said. "We continue to hope for answers so that she can have a proper burial and we can have a funeral.”

Elledge also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6c1cf8b9afc1411bf8c2636f992dd793">pleaded&nbsp;</a>not guilty in March to domestic assault and child abuse charges related to the couple’s young daughter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge-photo Boone County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge-photo Boone County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police have resumed the search for the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing in Missouri for a year.Mengqi Ji Elledge, 28, was reported missing by her husband, Joseph Elledge, on Oct. 10, 2019. He was charged in February with first-degree murder in her death and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded</a>&nbsp;not guilty. The couple has a young child.Police had searched for her remains at the Lamine River near Booneville after cadaver dogs hit on a scent there. Boonville is about 100 miles east of Kansas City. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7cad26816fa8b730d9aa0793c5e766fb">temporary levee</a>&nbsp;was constructed at the site to help the search but the effort stopped in June.Assistant Police Chief Jeremiah Hunter said in a news release Wednesday that the water level at the site has recently dropped significantly, revealing that part of the levee was still present.The remaining parts of the levee will be removed and searched by investigators for any evidence of Ji.Elledge and Ji married in 2017 and attended the University of Missouri.The Ji family said in a statement that they appreciate the police department's efforts during the last year but will not be satisfied until Ji's body is found.“We will never give up looking for Mengqi," the family said. "We continue to hope for answers so that she can have a proper burial and we can have a funeral.”Elledge also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6c1cf8b9afc1411bf8c2636f992dd793">pleaded&nbsp;</a>not guilty in March to domestic assault and child abuse charges related to the couple’s young daughter.

Police resume search for missing Chinese woman

PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — Construction has begun on a tribal casino near Wichita, despite a lawsuit from the state seeking to stop the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma from operating the casino.

The tribe on Wednesday opened a smaller casino in a trailer while construction continues on the larger, permanent facility, KWCH-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2020/10/09/tribe-opens-small-casino-out-of-trailer-on-site-planned-for-bigger-facility-in-park-city/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

The Wyandotte Nation currently can offer only Class 2 gaming devices, such as electronic Bingo games. It hopes to offer slot machines and card games at the larger casino, which is scheduled to be completed early next year.

The state has objected to the project for decades, arguing the tribe doesn’t have the legal authority to build a casino on the 10-acre plot in Park City. In August, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-oklahoma-derek-schmidt-bb1215b8b296ef37c272bf75bd6b1f37">asked</a>&nbsp;a federal court to set aside a decision to allow construction of the casino.

The legal issue centers on whether federal law overrides Kansas’ prohibition on certain types of gaming.

The tribal casino in Park City would be about 30 miles from the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane. Sumner County and the city of Mulvane joined the state in its lawsuit, as did the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602267632452.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — Construction has begun on a tribal casino near Wichita, despite a lawsuit from the state seeking to stop the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma from operating the casino.The tribe on Wednesday opened a smaller casino in a trailer while construction continues on the larger, permanent facility, KWCH-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2020/10/09/tribe-opens-small-casino-out-of-trailer-on-site-planned-for-bigger-facility-in-park-city/" target="_blank">reported</a>.The Wyandotte Nation currently can offer only Class 2 gaming devices, such as electronic Bingo games. It hopes to offer slot machines and card games at the larger casino, which is scheduled to be completed early next year.The state has objected to the project for decades, arguing the tribe doesn’t have the legal authority to build a casino on the 10-acre plot in Park City. In August, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-oklahoma-derek-schmidt-bb1215b8b296ef37c272bf75bd6b1f37">asked</a>&nbsp;a federal court to set aside a decision to allow construction of the casino.The legal issue centers on whether federal law overrides Kansas’ prohibition on certain types of gaming.The tribal casino in Park City would be about 30 miles from the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane. Sumner County and the city of Mulvane joined the state in its lawsuit, as did the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.

Disputed tribal casino begins business in Kansas

DAVIESS COUNTY, MO.—One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Nissan Murano was improperly parked in the driving lane of southbound Interstate 35 just north of the Gallatin exit.

A southbound 2001 Peterbilt semi driven by Brian T. Froman, 39, Topeka, collided with the Nissan, traveled off the road and struck the Nissan driver Darwin Alberto Chavez Cardoza, 26, Granview, who was outside the vehicle. The semi then struck the guardrail and overturned

Chavez Cardoza was pronounced dead at the scene and was. transported to Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin. Froman was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY, MO.—One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Saturday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Nissan Murano was improperly parked in the driving lane of southbound Interstate 35 just north of the Gallatin exit.A southbound 2001 Peterbilt semi driven by Brian T. Froman, 39, Topeka, collided with the Nissan, traveled off the road and struck the Nissan driver Darwin Alberto Chavez Cardoza, 26, Granview, who was outside the vehicle. The semi then struck the guardrail and overturnedChavez Cardoza was pronounced dead at the scene and was. transported to Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin. Froman was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Kan. semi driver involved in fatal pedestrian accident

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top public health official warned Friday that the state is “losing the battle” against the coronavirus as it reported another record increase in new cases.

The state Department of Health and Environment said Kansas reported 1,855 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Wednesday, an increase of 2.9%, to bring the total for the pandemic to 65,807. The state also reported another 40 COVID-19-related deaths, increasing the pandemic total to 763.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/HD/document/media%20releases/10082020_Updates_to_COVID_Deaths_on_SCHD_Dashboard.pdf" target="_blank">Twenty-six of those</a>&nbsp;were reported Thursday in Shawnee County, where the local health department reviewed previous death certificates from the Topeka area.

“Other states are doing bad, and we’re doing worst than most,” Dr. Lee Norman, the head of the state health department, said during an interview. “We’re losing the battle right now.”

The state saw an average of 671 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, breaking the state’s previous record of 667 for the seven days ending Sept. 28. The state has seen that seven-day average hit or exceed 600 cases per day for five of the six reports it has issued in the past two weeks.

Norman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-hutchinson-prisons-kansas-wichita-6fde15e9983c7e7382be97b6f6a65aed">predicted last week&nbsp;</a>that the state’s reporting of new cases could increase to as many as 900 a day on average in the coming months. COVID-19-related deaths have for about a month hovered around 1.1% of reported cases, but with Friday’s report, the figure was 1.16%, the highest in almost two months.

The actual number of cases is thought to be much higher because people can be infected without feeling ill or they may have only minor symptoms, and because of a lack of testing, particularly early in the pandemic. Norman said earlier this week that between 4% and 4.5% of the state’s population probably has been infected since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March — between 116,000 and 131,000 cases.

Norman blamed the increases on residents’ refusal to consistently follow public health guidelines for mask-wearing, social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings. He said people need to do all of them in tandem to check the virus’ spread.

“One of the things that we just have to collectively as a state start working together with is what are the social and psychological underpinnings for the reasons why for we’re going the direction we’re going,” Norman said. “Our curve is going absolutely the wrong direction.”

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top public health official warned Friday that the state is “losing the battle” against the coronavirus as it reported another record increase in new cases.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F346905849722977%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The state Department of Health and Environment said Kansas reported 1,855 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Wednesday, an increase of 2.9%, to bring the total for the pandemic to 65,807. The state also reported another 40 COVID-19-related deaths, increasing the pandemic total to 763.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/HD/document/media%20releases/10082020_Updates_to_COVID_Deaths_on_SCHD_Dashboard.pdf" target="_blank">Twenty-six of those</a>&nbsp;were reported Thursday in Shawnee County, where the local health department reviewed previous death certificates from the Topeka area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602263997717.png" alt="October 9, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>October 9, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Other states are doing bad, and we’re doing worst than most,” Dr. Lee Norman, the head of the state health department, said during an interview. “We’re losing the battle right now.”The state saw an average of 671 new cases a day for the seven days ending Friday, breaking the state’s previous record of 667 for the seven days ending Sept. 28. The state has seen that seven-day average hit or exceed 600 cases per day for five of the six reports it has issued in the past two weeks.Norman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-hutchinson-prisons-kansas-wichita-6fde15e9983c7e7382be97b6f6a65aed">predicted last week&nbsp;</a>that the state’s reporting of new cases could increase to as many as 900 a day on average in the coming months. COVID-19-related deaths have for about a month hovered around 1.1% of reported cases, but with Friday’s report, the figure was 1.16%, the highest in almost two months.The actual number of cases is thought to be much higher because people can be infected without feeling ill or they may have only minor symptoms, and because of a lack of testing, particularly early in the pandemic. Norman said earlier this week that between 4% and 4.5% of the state’s population probably has been infected since the pandemic reached Kansas in early March — between 116,000 and 131,000 cases.Norman blamed the increases on residents’ refusal to consistently follow public health guidelines for mask-wearing, social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings. He said people need to do all of them in tandem to check the virus’ spread.“One of the things that we just have to collectively as a state start working together with is what are the social and psychological underpinnings for the reasons why for we’re going the direction we’re going,” Norman said. “Our curve is going absolutely the wrong direction.”

 🎥 Top health official: Kansas 'losing the battle' on COVID-19

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1p.m. Friday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Toyota Camry driven by Brianne R. Norman, 20, Pittsburg, was northbound on South 260th Street two miles east of Pittsburg.

The driver failed to stop for the stop sign at Kansas 126 and struck an eastbound 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Kelly Connole, 45, Butte, Montana in the passenger side rear quarter.

The impact caused the Silverado strike a westbound 2014 Dodge Dart driven by Sergio A.&nbsp;Madrigal Arevalo, 30, Logansport, Indiana.

Madrigal Arevalo was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger in the Dart identified as Juan C. Ortiz, 21, Logansport, Indiana, to Via Christi.

Connole, Norman and two teenagers in the Camry were not injured. All six were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1p.m. Friday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Toyota Camry driven by Brianne R. Norman, 20, Pittsburg, was northbound on South 260th Street two miles east of Pittsburg.The driver failed to stop for the stop sign at Kansas 126 and struck an eastbound 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by Kelly Connole, 45, Butte, Montana in the passenger side rear quarter.The impact caused the Silverado strike a westbound 2014 Dodge Dart driven by Sergio A.&nbsp;Madrigal Arevalo, 30, Logansport, Indiana.Madrigal Arevalo was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger in the Dart identified as Juan C. Ortiz, 21, Logansport, Indiana, to Via Christi.Connole, Norman and two teenagers in the Camry were not injured. All six were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after 3-vehicle Kansas crash

SALINA– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were involved in a shooting following a car stop Friday in Salina.

KBI agents were attempting to locate a male subject who was believed connected to a KBI case, and who had arrest warrants. They requested help from KHP troopers to locate the subject.&nbsp;

The man was observed getting into a vehicle that then left the area. Just before 4p.m., KBI agents and a KHP trooper initiated a car stop near Choctaw and Cherokee in Salina. The driver stopped, and as they approached the car, the law enforcement officers took gunfire from occupants in the vehicle. Two KBI agents and a KHP trooper returned gunfire hitting two male subjects.

Life saving measures were attempted at the scene. Both subjects were transported to area hospitals with critical injuries. No agents or troopers were injured in the incident.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate this incident.&nbsp;

As is standard practice, and in accordance with Kansas Highway Patrol policy, the trooper involved will be placed on administrative leave while this case is being investigated by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Also, per KBI policy, the agents will be placed on administrative leave.

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Salina.

Just after 4p.m. Friday,&nbsp;KBI agents were conducting an operation near the intersection &nbsp;of Cherokee and Choctaw in Salina and were involved in a shooting with two suspects, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

Both suspects were shot and later taken to the hospital. 

KBI agents were not injured and no other law enforcement officers present were injured, according to Underwood.

Authorities released no additional details.

Just after 4p.m. Friday,&nbsp;KBI agents were conducting an operation in Salina and were involved in a shooting with two suspects, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602299685999.png" alt="Near the shooting scene photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Near the shooting scene photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were involved in a shooting following a car stop Friday in Salina.KBI agents were attempting to locate a male subject who was believed connected to a KBI case, and who had arrest warrants. They requested help from KHP troopers to locate the subject.&nbsp;The man was observed getting into a vehicle that then left the area. Just before 4p.m., KBI agents and a KHP trooper initiated a car stop near Choctaw and Cherokee in Salina. The driver stopped, and as they approached the car, the law enforcement officers took gunfire from occupants in the vehicle. Two KBI agents and a KHP trooper returned gunfire hitting two male subjects.Life saving measures were attempted at the scene. Both subjects were transported to area hospitals with critical injuries. No agents or troopers were injured in the incident.The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate this incident.&nbsp;As is standard practice, and in accordance with Kansas Highway Patrol policy, the trooper involved will be placed on administrative leave while this case is being investigated by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Also, per KBI policy, the agents will be placed on administrative leave.--------SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just after 4p.m. Friday,&nbsp;KBI agents were conducting an operation near the intersection &nbsp;of Cherokee and Choctaw in Salina and were involved in a shooting with two suspects, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.Both suspects were shot and later taken to the hospital. KBI agents were not injured and no other law enforcement officers present were injured, according to Underwood.Authorities released no additional details.SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just after 4p.m. Friday,&nbsp;KBI agents were conducting an operation in Salina and were involved in a shooting with two suspects, according to KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood.Both suspects were shot and later taken to the hospital. KBI agents were not injured and no other law enforcement officers present were injured, according to Underwood.Authorities released no additional details.

Update: 2 suspects wounded during KBI investigation in Salina

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple drug charges after a welfare check on a vehicle.

Just before 4a.m. Thursday,&nbsp; the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a call regarding an individual asleep inside a vehicle at a gas pump in the 3600 block of NW 46th Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 Upon arrival, deputies located Kaylee M. Hogue, 30,&nbsp; of Topeka, asleep inside a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. During the investigation, it was determined that Hogue was under the influence, according to Hogue.

Deputies arrested Hogue and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested&nbsp; charges of possession of methamphetamine and opiate, distribution of a certain depressant, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602241322739.png" alt="Hogue photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hogue photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple drug charges after a welfare check on a vehicle.Just before 4a.m. Thursday,&nbsp; the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a call regarding an individual asleep inside a vehicle at a gas pump in the 3600 block of NW 46th Street in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Upon arrival, deputies located Kaylee M. Hogue, 30,&nbsp; of Topeka, asleep inside a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. During the investigation, it was determined that Hogue was under the influence, according to Hogue.Deputies arrested Hogue and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested&nbsp; charges of possession of methamphetamine and opiate, distribution of a certain depressant, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.

Sheriff: Kan. woman jailed after found asleep at gas pump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden is officially off.

The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday that the Oct. 15 faceoff would be scrapped. The decision was made a day after the commission announced the debate would take place “virtually” because Trump had contracted the coronavirus.

Trump balked at holding the debate in that format, and Biden scheduled a town hall with ABC News for that night once Trump said he would not participate.

Trump’s team later countered with a call to hold the debates as scheduled once the president’s doctor said he would be cleared to hold public events beginning on Saturday.

But the commission said it would not reverse its decision not to have the candidates on stage together, citing an abundance of caution with health concerns — particularly for the town-hall-style debate that was set to feature questions from average voters.

The third debate, scheduled for Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee, is still on.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden is officially off.The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday that the Oct. 15 faceoff would be scrapped. The decision was made a day after the commission announced the debate would take place “virtually” because Trump had contracted the coronavirus.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Commission on Presidential Debates is supposedly bipartisan w/ an equal number of Rs and Ds. I know all of the Republicans and most are friends of mine. I am concerned that none of them support <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. A biased Debate Commission is unfair.&mdash; Senator Bob Dole (@SenatorDole) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorDole/status/1314657560994045952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump balked at holding the debate in that format, and Biden scheduled a town hall with ABC News for that night once Trump said he would not participate.Trump’s team later countered with a call to hold the debates as scheduled once the president’s doctor said he would be cleared to hold public events beginning on Saturday.But the commission said it would not reverse its decision not to have the candidates on stage together, citing an abundance of caution with health concerns — particularly for the town-hall-style debate that was set to feature questions from average voters.The third debate, scheduled for Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee, is still on.

2nd Trump, Biden debate is officially canceled

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State University is conducting an internal investigation into allegations that men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall mistreated players, the school and Marshall have confirmed.

<a href="https://watchstadium.com/sources-wichita-states-gregg-marshall-punched-player-choked-assistant-10-08-2020/">Stadium</a>, a multiplatform sports network, said the inquiry began after the university learned it was conducting an investigation in which it interviewed 36 players and former coaches.

Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall, the school’s all-time winningest coach, during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen.

They were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall’s winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported.

“I love my teammates, the city and Wichita State,” said Morris, who played at Wichita State from 2014-18. “But if I could go back to that day when he punched me, I would have left.”

Taylor transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the 2015-16 season.

Last spring, six scholarship Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja’Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent.

Wichita State said in a statement Friday that it “acknowledges the allegations within its Men’s Basketball program brought forth by media” and that the investigation was being handled in an “expeditious and deliberate manner.”

“We have received full cooperation from university staff, coaches, and current student-athletes, and Coach Gregg Marshall and support any individual who chooses to participate in order to conduct a fair, impartial and thorough investigation,” the statement said, adding that team activities will continue as scheduled while the probe is underway.

Marshall on Thursday wrote in a text message to&nbsp;<a href="https://theathletic.com/2123302/2020/10/08/gregg-marshall-under-investigation-by-wichita-state-for-allegations-of-misconduct/">The Athletic</a>, a subscription-based sports website, that he was fully participating in the process.

“I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team,” said Marshall, the school’s all-time winningest coach. He did not immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment.

Michelle Basi, an attorney at Tueth Keeney, the St. Louis-based law firm handling the inquiry, didn’t immediately return a phone message from the AP.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall has confirmed that the school is conducting an internal investigation amid allegations he mistreated players.

“I’m aware the university conducted interviews and I fully participated in the process. I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team," Marshall, the school's all-time winningest coach, wrote in a text message to&nbsp;<a href="https://theathletic.com/2123302/2020/10/08/gregg-marshall-under-investigation-by-wichita-state-for-allegations-of-misconduct/">The Athletic,&nbsp;</a>a subscription-based sports website.

Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen.

They were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall's winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported.

Last spring, six scholarship Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja’Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent, according to The Athletic.

Team spokesman Bryan Holmgren didn’t immediately return a phone message or email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Marshall also didn’t immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment.

Stadium reported that the St. Louis law firm Tueth Keeney was hired to handle the inquiry. Michelle Basi, an attorney at the firm, didn't immediately return a phone message from the AP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602261953575.png" alt="Coach Gregg Marshall -photo courtesy Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Coach Gregg Marshall -photo courtesy Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State University is conducting an internal investigation into allegations that men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall mistreated players, the school and Marshall have confirmed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wichita State University acknowledges the allegations within its Men’s Basketball program brought forth by media. The university is in the process of an independent investigation conducted by Tueth Keeney, a St. Louis-based law firm. Read more: <a href="https://t.co/rj5wEkELoN">https://t.co/rj5wEkELoN</a>&mdash; Wichita State (@WichitaState) <a href="https://twitter.com/WichitaState/status/1314617374969077766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://watchstadium.com/sources-wichita-states-gregg-marshall-punched-player-choked-assistant-10-08-2020/">Stadium</a>, a multiplatform sports network, said the inquiry began after the university learned it was conducting an investigation in which it interviewed 36 players and former coaches.Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall, the school’s all-time winningest coach, during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen.They were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall’s winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported.“I love my teammates, the city and Wichita State,” said Morris, who played at Wichita State from 2014-18. “But if I could go back to that day when he punched me, I would have left.”Taylor transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the 2015-16 season.Last spring, six scholarship Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja’Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent.Wichita State said in a statement Friday that it “acknowledges the allegations within its Men’s Basketball program brought forth by media” and that the investigation was being handled in an “expeditious and deliberate manner.”“We have received full cooperation from university staff, coaches, and current student-athletes, and Coach Gregg Marshall and support any individual who chooses to participate in order to conduct a fair, impartial and thorough investigation,” the statement said, adding that team activities will continue as scheduled while the probe is underway.Marshall on Thursday wrote in a text message to&nbsp;<a href="https://theathletic.com/2123302/2020/10/08/gregg-marshall-under-investigation-by-wichita-state-for-allegations-of-misconduct/">The Athletic</a>, a subscription-based sports website, that he was fully participating in the process.“I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team,” said Marshall, the school’s all-time winningest coach. He did not immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment.Michelle Basi, an attorney at Tueth Keeney, the St. Louis-based law firm handling the inquiry, didn’t immediately return a phone message from the AP.--------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State men's basketball coach Gregg Marshall has confirmed that the school is conducting an internal investigation amid allegations he mistreated players.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wichita State University acknowledges the allegations within its Men’s Basketball program brought forth by media. The university is in the process of an independent investigation conducted by Tueth Keeney, a St. Louis-based law firm. Read more: <a href="https://t.co/rj5wEkELoN">https://t.co/rj5wEkELoN</a>&mdash; Wichita State (@WichitaState) <a href="https://twitter.com/WichitaState/status/1314617374969077766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I’m aware the university conducted interviews and I fully participated in the process. I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team," Marshall, the school's all-time winningest coach, wrote in a text message to&nbsp;<a href="https://theathletic.com/2123302/2020/10/08/gregg-marshall-under-investigation-by-wichita-state-for-allegations-of-misconduct/">The Athletic,&nbsp;</a>a subscription-based sports website.<a href="https://watchstadium.com/sources-wichita-states-gregg-marshall-punched-player-choked-assistant-10-08-2020/">Stadium</a>, a multiplatform sports network, said the inquiry began after the university learned it was conducting an investigation in which it interviewed 36 players and former coaches.Former Wichita State forward Shaq Morris told Stadium he was punched twice by Marshall during an October 2015 practice, and former guard Ty Taylor said he saw it happen.They were the only players who agreed to be identified; the others said they feared retribution and community backlash because Marshall's winning record has made him popular, Stadium reported.“I love my teammates, the city and Wichita State,” said Morris, who played at Wichita State from 2014-18. “But if I could go back to that day when he punched me, I would have left.”Taylor transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the 2015-16 season.Last spring, six scholarship Shockers players plus a walk-on also transferred. In addition, 2020 commit Ja’Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent, according to The Athletic.Team spokesman Bryan Holmgren didn’t immediately return a phone message or email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Marshall also didn’t immediately respond to an email from the AP to his assistant or a phone message seeking comment.Stadium reported that the St. Louis law firm Tueth Keeney was hired to handle the inquiry. Michelle Basi, an attorney at the firm, didn't immediately return a phone message from the AP.

Update: Wichita State investigating conduct of coach Marshall

CRAWFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office have identified the skeletal remains of a man found on August 10 north of K-126 on 80th&nbsp;Street in western Crawford County, according to a media release from the agency.

The deceased man has been identified as 19-year-old Joseph Ruttgen. On July 1, Ruttgen was reported missing by a family member to the Erie Police Department. He was last seen in Parsons, Kansas.

Assisting in the identification of Ruttgen was forensic anthropologist, Dr. Alexandra Klales, and forensic scientists from the KBI forensic science laboratory. Due to the condition of the remains, DNA was used to positively identify Ruttgen.

Ruttgen was the victim of a homicide.Anyone with information about the circumstances of his murder is asked to contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Parsons Police Department at 620-421-7060. Tips can also be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

CRAWFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office have identified the skeletal remains of a man found on August 10 north of K-126 on 80th&nbsp;Street in western Crawford County, according to a media release from the agency.The deceased man has been identified as 19-year-old Joseph Ruttgen. On July 1, Ruttgen was reported missing by a family member to the Erie Police Department. He was last seen in Parsons, Kansas.Assisting in the identification of Ruttgen was forensic anthropologist, Dr. Alexandra Klales, and forensic scientists from the KBI forensic science laboratory. Due to the condition of the remains, DNA was used to positively identify Ruttgen.Ruttgen was the victim of a homicide.Anyone with information about the circumstances of his murder is asked to contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Parsons Police Department at 620-421-7060. Tips can also be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI IDs homicide victim as 19-year-old Kan. man

Gov. Kelly says nonpartisan commission should oversee redistricting

By SHERMAN SMITH and TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/09/senate-president-susan-wagle-embraces-gerrymandering-to-benefit-gop-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democrats blasted
 Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle on Friday for recent comments she 
made about the desire to redraw legislative and congressional district 
boundaries in Kansas to favor Republicans.

Wagle, a Republican from 
Wichita who is retiring from the Legislature after withdrawing from the 
U.S. Senate race, told a gathering of Republicans last month that the 
party needs to secure a supermajority in the Legislature to craft new 
maps in 2022 that would keep her seat in GOP hands and prevent Democrats
 from maintaining a foothold in the 3rd congressional district.

The comments enflamed 
Democrats who have accused Republicans of exploiting their political 
power to gerrymander political boundaries. Gov. Laura Kelly said the 
comments are an indication that Kansas should form a nonpartisan 
commission to make the maps.

Wagle said recasting the 
congressional districts would inhibit the ability of Democratic U.S. 
Rep. Sharice Davids to retain her seat. Additionally, Wagle’s own 
district has shifted to the left, the senate president explained. If 
Republican state Rep. Renee Erickson can defeat Democrat Melissa Gregory
 for Wagle’s seat, Wagle said, the Republican will need help to hang 
onto it.

“During redistricting, I 
need to give her some more Republican neighborhoods in order to make 
sure she stays elected,” Wagle said. “So redistricting, it’s right 
around the corner. And if Governor Kelly can veto a Republican bill that
 gives us four Republican congressmen, that takes out Sharice Davids up 
in the 3rd — we can do that. I guarantee you we can draw four Republican
 congressional maps. But we can’t do it unless we have a two-thirds 
majority in the Senate and House.”

Davis Hammet, a voting rights activist, <a href="https://twitter.com/Davis_Hammet/status/1314566887230054402?s=20">published on social media Friday</a> a video of Wagle’s comments, which were made during a Sept. 25 speech at the Pachyderm Club in Wichita.

Davids, who is seeking 
re-election in the 3rd District anchored by Johnson and Wyandotte 
counties, said Kansas would benefit from a nonpartisan redistricting 
process. She is competing against GOP nominee Amanda Adkins.

“Corrupt politicians are 
using partisan gerrymandering to manipulate our already broken political
 system so it benefits their extreme agenda, not hardworking Kansans,” 
Davids said. “I believe every elected official should be accountable to 
the people they represent. That means we need a redistricting process 
that’s independent, non-partisan and creates truly representative 
districts.”

Outcome of the state 
Senate race between Erickson and Gregory will be decided Nov. 3. 
Erickson didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Gregory said 
residents of the east Wichita district were weary of the “extremism of 
Susan Wagle and her handpicked replacement, Renee Erickson.”

The redistricting flap was one more reason the election is critical to Kansas’ future, Gregory said.

“To move Kansas forward, 
we need bipartisan cooperation to create a map that is best for Kansans,
 not one that is best for the extremists of either political party,” she
 said. “We need to expand Medicaid to 150,000 Kansans, protect coverage 
for their pre-existing conditions and restore jobs in a way that keeps 
us all safe and healthy. But that won’t happen if politicians get to 
choose their voters.”

Redistricting is performed
 each decade following completion of the U.S. Census. The population 
count is relied upon to set boundaries of U.S. House districts, which 
there are four in Kansas, as well as the 165 state legislative districts
 and the 10 state Board of Education districts.

Vicki Hiatt, chairwoman of
 the Kansas Democratic Party, called the video “a cynical and extremely 
disappointing display of the extremist, obstructionist politics that 
have marked Republican leadership in the Kansas Legislature.”

“Susan Wagle just said the
 quiet part of Republicans’ strategy to manipulate our districts out 
loud,” Hiatt said. “By promising to gerrymander districts in the Kansas 
Legislature and write Rep. Sharice Davids out of office, Republican 
leadership just made it clear they intend to undermine the voices of 
hardworking Kansans.”

Kelly responded to the 
Wagle’s comments by revealing her intention to urge legislative leaders 
to support her idea for a nonpartisan voting commission to oversee 
redistricting, rather than leave the map making up to the Legislature.

“A 
democracy means voters choose their elected officials — not elected 
officials choosing their voters,” Kelly said. “Kansans deserve to know 
where their leaders stand on an issue that will impact our state for the
 next decade.”

C.J. Grover, spokesman for
 the Kansas Republican Party, said Kansans should vote for Republicans 
in the upcoming election to ensure fair maps that reflect the will of 
the majority. He said it was laughable to suggest a duly elected 
supermajority of the Legislature could undermine the will of the people.

Following news reports 
about Wagle’s comments on redistricting, the Senate president said in a 
statement that the Democratic governor was certain to seek district maps
 beneficial to liberal unless the GOP checked her power to veto 
GOP-drawn maps.

Wagle doubled down on her belief political boundaries ought to reflect interests of those who win elections.

“Elections have 
consequences and there is no question reapportionment is a political 
process as it sets the table for both Congress and our Kansas 
Legislature for the next 10 years,” Wagle said. “I’m working tirelessly 
for the next 25 days to make sure Republicans keep control of the state 
Legislature as a check on Governor Kelly’s liberal policies and to make 
sure we have a powerful seat at the reapportionment table.”

Members of the Kansas Legislature draw the maps, which are subject to veto by the state’s governor.

In 2012, the House and 
Senate in Kansas failed to adopt a new district maps. Conflict between 
moderate and conservative Republicans in the Senate led to stalemate 
that triggered a lawsuit.

A three-judge panel in 
U.S. District Court intervened to draw the congressional and state 
legislative districts in June 2012. The federal judges wrote in an 
unsigned order they redrew the maps after weighing the proposals of 27 
individuals allowed to intervene in the case.

“Most of the interveners 
have unabashedly political reasons for intervening and they seek to 
advance their respective political agendas,” the judges wrote.

Hammet said the U.S. 
Supreme Court recognized last year that political gerrymandering is 
unjust but deferred to Congress and the states to fix the problem. 
Wagle’s comments, Hammet said, make it clear that “some Kansas leaders 
plan to exploit the problem.”

“Everyone knows that 
gerrymandering goes against the core values of the United States,” 
Hammet said. “It’s a dirty trick to circumvent and undermine the will of
 voters.”

This story has been corrected to say that Senate President Susan Wagle withdrew from the U.S. Senate race.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602270800776.png" alt="Senate President Susan Wagle said Republicans could redraw self-serving legislative and congressional districts as long as they have a two-thirds majority in the Statehouse to override a veto by Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Susan Wagle said Republicans could redraw self-serving legislative and congressional districts as long as they have a two-thirds majority in the Statehouse to override a veto by Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gov. Kelly says nonpartisan commission should oversee redistricting</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH and TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/09/senate-president-susan-wagle-embraces-gerrymandering-to-benefit-gop-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democrats blasted
 Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle on Friday for recent comments she 
made about the desire to redraw legislative and congressional district 
boundaries in Kansas to favor Republicans.Wagle, a Republican from 
Wichita who is retiring from the Legislature after withdrawing from the 
U.S. Senate race, told a gathering of Republicans last month that the 
party needs to secure a supermajority in the Legislature to craft new 
maps in 2022 that would keep her seat in GOP hands and prevent Democrats
 from maintaining a foothold in the 3rd congressional district.The comments enflamed 
Democrats who have accused Republicans of exploiting their political 
power to gerrymander political boundaries. Gov. Laura Kelly said the 
comments are an indication that Kansas should form a nonpartisan 
commission to make the maps.Wagle said recasting the 
congressional districts would inhibit the ability of Democratic U.S. 
Rep. Sharice Davids to retain her seat. Additionally, Wagle’s own 
district has shifted to the left, the senate president explained. If 
Republican state Rep. Renee Erickson can defeat Democrat Melissa Gregory
 for Wagle’s seat, Wagle said, the Republican will need help to hang 
onto it.“During redistricting, I 
need to give her some more Republican neighborhoods in order to make 
sure she stays elected,” Wagle said. “So redistricting, it’s right 
around the corner. And if Governor Kelly can veto a Republican bill that
 gives us four Republican congressmen, that takes out Sharice Davids up 
in the 3rd — we can do that. I guarantee you we can draw four Republican
 congressional maps. But we can’t do it unless we have a two-thirds 
majority in the Senate and House.”Davis Hammet, a voting rights activist, <a href="https://twitter.com/Davis_Hammet/status/1314566887230054402?s=20">published on social media Friday</a> a video of Wagle’s comments, which were made during a Sept. 25 speech at the Pachyderm Club in Wichita.Davids, who is seeking 
re-election in the 3rd District anchored by Johnson and Wyandotte 
counties, said Kansas would benefit from a nonpartisan redistricting 
process. She is competing against GOP nominee Amanda Adkins.“Corrupt politicians are 
using partisan gerrymandering to manipulate our already broken political
 system so it benefits their extreme agenda, not hardworking Kansans,” 
Davids said. “I believe every elected official should be accountable to 
the people they represent. That means we need a redistricting process 
that’s independent, non-partisan and creates truly representative 
districts.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602270876929.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat seeking re-election in the 3rd District, said “corrupt politicians are using partisan gerrymandering to manipulate our already broken political system so it benefits their extreme agenda.”(Submitted/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat seeking re-election in the 3rd District, said “corrupt politicians are using partisan gerrymandering to manipulate our already broken political system so it benefits their extreme agenda.”(Submitted/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Outcome of the state 
Senate race between Erickson and Gregory will be decided Nov. 3. 
Erickson didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Gregory said 
residents of the east Wichita district were weary of the “extremism of 
Susan Wagle and her handpicked replacement, Renee Erickson.”The redistricting flap was one more reason the election is critical to Kansas’ future, Gregory said.“To move Kansas forward, 
we need bipartisan cooperation to create a map that is best for Kansans,
 not one that is best for the extremists of either political party,” she
 said. “We need to expand Medicaid to 150,000 Kansans, protect coverage 
for their pre-existing conditions and restore jobs in a way that keeps 
us all safe and healthy. But that won’t happen if politicians get to 
choose their voters.”Redistricting is performed
 each decade following completion of the U.S. Census. The population 
count is relied upon to set boundaries of U.S. House districts, which 
there are four in Kansas, as well as the 165 state legislative districts
 and the 10 state Board of Education districts.Vicki Hiatt, chairwoman of
 the Kansas Democratic Party, called the video “a cynical and extremely 
disappointing display of the extremist, obstructionist politics that 
have marked Republican leadership in the Kansas Legislature.”“Susan Wagle just said the
 quiet part of Republicans’ strategy to manipulate our districts out 
loud,” Hiatt said. “By promising to gerrymander districts in the Kansas 
Legislature and write Rep. Sharice Davids out of office, Republican 
leadership just made it clear they intend to undermine the voices of 
hardworking Kansans.”Kelly responded to the 
Wagle’s comments by revealing her intention to urge legislative leaders 
to support her idea for a nonpartisan voting commission to oversee 
redistricting, rather than leave the map making up to the Legislature.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602270904109.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly said a nonpartisan commission should be appointed to handle redrawing of political boundaries for legislative, congressional and state education board districts rather than leave the work to the Legislature and governor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly said a nonpartisan commission should be appointed to handle redrawing of political boundaries for legislative, congressional and state education board districts rather than leave the work to the Legislature and governor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“A 
democracy means voters choose their elected officials — not elected 
officials choosing their voters,” Kelly said. “Kansans deserve to know 
where their leaders stand on an issue that will impact our state for the
 next decade.”C.J. Grover, spokesman for
 the Kansas Republican Party, said Kansans should vote for Republicans 
in the upcoming election to ensure fair maps that reflect the will of 
the majority. He said it was laughable to suggest a duly elected 
supermajority of the Legislature could undermine the will of the people.Following news reports 
about Wagle’s comments on redistricting, the Senate president said in a 
statement that the Democratic governor was certain to seek district maps
 beneficial to liberal unless the GOP checked her power to veto 
GOP-drawn maps.Wagle doubled down on her belief political boundaries ought to reflect interests of those who win elections.“Elections have 
consequences and there is no question reapportionment is a political 
process as it sets the table for both Congress and our Kansas 
Legislature for the next 10 years,” Wagle said. “I’m working tirelessly 
for the next 25 days to make sure Republicans keep control of the state 
Legislature as a check on Governor Kelly’s liberal policies and to make 
sure we have a powerful seat at the reapportionment table.”Members of the Kansas Legislature draw the maps, which are subject to veto by the state’s governor.In 2012, the House and 
Senate in Kansas failed to adopt a new district maps. Conflict between 
moderate and conservative Republicans in the Senate led to stalemate 
that triggered a lawsuit.A three-judge panel in 
U.S. District Court intervened to draw the congressional and state 
legislative districts in June 2012. The federal judges wrote in an 
unsigned order they redrew the maps after weighing the proposals of 27 
individuals allowed to intervene in the case.“Most of the interveners 
have unabashedly political reasons for intervening and they seek to 
advance their respective political agendas,” the judges wrote.Hammet said the U.S. 
Supreme Court recognized last year that political gerrymandering is 
unjust but deferred to Congress and the states to fix the problem. 
Wagle’s comments, Hammet said, make it clear that “some Kansas leaders 
plan to exploit the problem.”“Everyone knows that 
gerrymandering goes against the core values of the United States,” 
Hammet said. “It’s a dirty trick to circumvent and undermine the will of
 voters.”This story has been corrected to say that Senate President Susan Wagle withdrew from the U.S. Senate race.

Senate President Wagle embraces gerrymandering to benefit Kan. GOP

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with a felony after a 6-year-old boy was shot in August at a friend’s home.

The Douglas County Attorney’s office charged Rashun B. Lewis&nbsp; of Lawrence with aggravated endangering a child, which alleges he allowed a child to be in a situation where his life and health were endangered, according to the charging document.

The child, Tayshawn Mack Harris, was flown to a Kansas City-area hospital in critical condition after he was shot on Aug. 5.

Lawrence police have not released any details of the shooting but have said they do not suspect foul play.

Tayshawn’s mother, Tyeisha Bell, told the media previously that he was shot in the right side of his head while visiting a friend’s house, and she wasn’t sure how it happened.

His aunt established a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tayshawn-is-a-fighter">GoFundMe</a>&nbsp;to assist the boy and his mother.

Lewis has been issued a summons and his first court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597321578203.png" alt="Tyshawn photo courtesy GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Tyshawn photo courtesy GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with a felony after a 6-year-old boy was shot in August at a friend’s home.The Douglas County Attorney’s office charged Rashun B. Lewis&nbsp; of Lawrence with aggravated endangering a child, which alleges he allowed a child to be in a situation where his life and health were endangered, according to the charging document.The child, Tayshawn Mack Harris, was flown to a Kansas City-area hospital in critical condition after he was shot on Aug. 5.Lawrence police have not released any details of the shooting but have said they do not suspect foul play.Tayshawn’s mother, Tyeisha Bell, told the media previously that he was shot in the right side of his head while visiting a friend’s house, and she wasn’t sure how it happened.His aunt established a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tayshawn-is-a-fighter">GoFundMe</a>&nbsp;to assist the boy and his mother.Lewis has been issued a summons and his first court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 5.

Man charged after 6-year-old Kan. boy shot in the head 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,855 to a total of 65,807 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 763, an increase of 40.

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,855 to a total of 65,807 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 763, an increase of 40.<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/2020/10/1602263997717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Thursday in Barton County.

A 1986 Ford Mustang convertible driven by Jason Bitter, 33, Great Bend, was northbound on U.S. 281 at a high rate of speed, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The Mustang rear-ended a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Carlos Orozco age 22 of Leoti, Kansas, who had been stopped at the bridge construction site when the light turned green and began to proceed north. &nbsp;

The impact caused Pontiac to strike the construction site crash barriers and spin into the east ditch.&nbsp;

Both drivers were transported to the hospital in Great Bend and they were later flown to Wichita area hospitals in serious condition.

Barton County 911 had received a reckless driving complaint on the Mustang a few minutes prior to the reported collision.

The sheriff’s office believes alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. "We will pursue criminal charges upon further investigation and toxicology reports, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602262741272.png" alt="1986 Mustang involved in Thursday's crash photo Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>1986 Mustang involved in Thursday's crash photo Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Thursday in Barton County.A 1986 Ford Mustang convertible driven by Jason Bitter, 33, Great Bend, was northbound on U.S. 281 at a high rate of speed, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The Mustang rear-ended a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Carlos Orozco age 22 of Leoti, Kansas, who had been stopped at the bridge construction site when the light turned green and began to proceed north. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602262309114.png" alt="Pontiac Grand Prix involved the crash-photo Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Pontiac Grand Prix involved the crash-photo Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The impact caused Pontiac to strike the construction site crash barriers and spin into the east ditch.&nbsp;Both drivers were transported to the hospital in Great Bend and they were later flown to Wichita area hospitals in serious condition.Barton County 911 had received a reckless driving complaint on the Mustang a few minutes prior to the reported collision.The sheriff’s office believes alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. "We will pursue criminal charges upon further investigation and toxicology reports, according to Bellendir.

Sheriff: Alcohol a possible factor in violent Kan. crash

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-08/clues-from-the-blood-of-kansans-suggest-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-stick-around-for-a-long-time">Kansas News Service</a>

Perhaps two in every 50 Kansans have <a href="https://www.livescience.com/antibodies.html" target="_blank">antibodies</a> swimming in their bloodstream that show they’ve had COVID-19.

That relatively low number — based on the assumption that <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">blood donors</a>
 reflect the broader population — suggests a gloomy reality. Kansas is 
still in the early days of this pandemic and it's looking at a future 
likely to bring many more cases than it has so far seen.

“Absolutely,”
 said Roger Shapiro, an immunologist at Harvard University’s School of 
Public Health. “When you look at these figures, you realize how far we 
are from herd immunity.”

The overwhelming number of Kansans, perhaps more than 95%, haven’t yet experienced the virus that has killed more than <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality" target="_blank">200,000 Americans</a>.

So
 medical pros say the only thing to do is sit tight, keep your masks on 
and stay away from other people, until we have a vaccine.

“This
 is not the time to play a guessing game of, ‘Do I have the flu or do I 
have COVID?’” said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins’ 
Center for Health Security.

Many people still can’t get fast 
coronavirus tests that would let them isolate in time to stop the 
disease from spreading further, and hospitals remain at risk of getting 
overwhelmed by coronavirus and flu cases this fall.

The
 human body produces antibodies when exposed to a disease, to fend it 
off. And those microscopic defenders can stick around after recovery.

So the American Red Cross screens blood donations for antibodies against <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2</a>, the virus behind COVID-19. It then sends <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&amp;ContentID=37" target="_blank">plasma</a>
 with the specialized proteins to hospitals treating coronavirus 
patients, and it reports how often it detects the antibodies to state 
health agencies trying to piece together the bigger picture.

Nationally, the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">Red Cross</a> has tested about 1.2 million blood donations for the antibodies.

From
 mid-June to mid-September, it found them in about 2% of donations 
nationally. The same was true for Kansas donors. It’s not known how well
 that statistic might reflect the broader population.

Weekly 
tallies suggest the number of people carrying the antibodies has ticked 
upward in Kansas, as elsewhere. In recent weeks, the Red Cross reported 
antibodies in 4% to 5% of Kansas donations.

Could someone with 
antibodies catch the virus again a year from now and get seriously sick?
 How about two years from now? Or could they catch it, not show any 
symptoms, and spread the virus anyway? Scientists can’t yet say.

“This
 is not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Gronvall said. If a test shows you
 have antibodies, she said, you should still wear a mask and follow 
social distancing rules.

Recent reports of a few patients catching the novel coronavirus <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/28/covid-19-reinfection-implications/" target="_blank">more than once</a>
 in a relatively short time may not signal what to expect for most 
people, but leave open the possibility that one infection doesn’t 
protect you against another.

The Red Cross reported in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2770771" target="_blank">a medical journal</a>
 last month that blood donations from people of color test positive for 
the antibodies at a higher rate than blood from white donors.

That matches <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-infection-by-race/faq-20488802" target="_blank">other research</a>
 that shows communities of color bearing the brunt of the pandemic. It 
likely reflects broader social and economic disparities, such as lower 
incomes and a greater likelihood of working high-risk jobs that involve 
in-person contact with many customers or colleagues in a single day.

The virus spread fast in crowded Kansas <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/emails-show-kansas-agencies-helped-keep-meatpacking-plants-open-despite-concerns-about" target="_blank">meatpacking plants</a>, for example, that rely heavily on the labor of people of color in southwest Kansas.

Some
 studies and modeling point to higher antibody rates nationally and 
globally than the Red Cross has seen among blood donors, but still don’t
 offer good news.

“The (World Health Organization) just came out with an estimate that maybe <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/10-worlds-people-infected-virus-73427817" target="_blank">up to 10%</a>
 of the world has been infected,” Shapiro said. “But even at that 
number, we’re still so far from achieving herd immunity. … We really 
need to create immunity with a vaccine.”

Vaccines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf" target="_blank">mimic natural infections</a>. They kick a person’s immune system into gear so that it churns out antibodies and stores viral information in <a href="https://askabiologist.asu.edu/memory-b-cell" target="_blank">memory cells</a>
 that could defend us even after those antibodies fade. (Researchers 
have found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies triggered by natural infection two or 
even three months after infection, and say it varies from person to 
person.)

Ongoing coronavirus vaccine trials aim to check how 
protective these immune responses will prove long-term, and whether 
people will need booster shots over time to keep their defenses up.

Part
 of the benefit from vaccines will ultimately come from the sheer number
 of people who would gain some level of protection at once.

“As we
 get to high enough vaccine levels, the herd immunity will actually just
 lower the amount of virus that’s circulating,” Shapiro said. “There 
will be just less virus around. This is our hope.”

The Red Cross’ free antibody tests serve three functions.

They
 gather the information that helps public health experts studying the 
virus’ spread, and they allow the Red Cross to flag plasma with 
antibodies for hospitals.

Scientists <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/513405-science-inconclusive-on-use-of-convalescent-plasma-in-covid-19-patients" target="_blank">still can’t say</a> whether the donated plasma works for treating COVID-19. A separate, <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/provocative-results-boost-hopes-antibody-treatment-covid-19" target="_blank">lab-based approach</a>, may prove more effective.

But either way, donations remain as critical as ever to the nation’s blood supply.

And that’s a third reason for offering antibody tests. They attract people to <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">keep donating</a> amid the pandemic.

The
 Red Cross uses respected tests, and when a blood sample proves positive
 for antibodies, it double-checks with a second, high-quality process.

For
 people who had respiratory symptoms in recent months — but couldn’t get
 checked for COVID-19 because of the nationwide shortage of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html" target="_blank">viral tests</a> — that may satisfy their curiosity.

And
 that could help keep donations flowing as the pandemic hampers 
traditional blood drives, such as a major annual effort that would have 
attracted thousands of donors next week.

“The biggest blood
 drive the Red Cross does across the country is at the University of 
Missouri in Columbia,” said Joe Zydlo, a regional communications manager
 in St. Louis. “And that has been canceled.”

Meanwhile, Gronvall 
advises against buying an antibody test somewhere. After all, the 
information won’t help you medically, she said, and many products are 
unreliable anyway.

“There’s just been so many bad tests out there,” she said. “Right now I would not spend money on it.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602251360190.png" alt=" Photo illustration by Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Photo illustration by Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-08/clues-from-the-blood-of-kansans-suggest-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-stick-around-for-a-long-time">Kansas News Service</a>Perhaps two in every 50 Kansans have <a href="https://www.livescience.com/antibodies.html" target="_blank">antibodies</a> swimming in their bloodstream that show they’ve had COVID-19.That relatively low number — based on the assumption that <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">blood donors</a>
 reflect the broader population — suggests a gloomy reality. Kansas is 
still in the early days of this pandemic and it's looking at a future 
likely to bring many more cases than it has so far seen.“Absolutely,”
 said Roger Shapiro, an immunologist at Harvard University’s School of 
Public Health. “When you look at these figures, you realize how far we 
are from herd immunity.”The overwhelming number of Kansans, perhaps more than 95%, haven’t yet experienced the virus that has killed more than <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality" target="_blank">200,000 Americans</a>.So
 medical pros say the only thing to do is sit tight, keep your masks on 
and stay away from other people, until we have a vaccine.That, and get a flu shot.“This
 is not the time to play a guessing game of, ‘Do I have the flu or do I 
have COVID?’” said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins’ 
Center for Health Security.Many people still can’t get fast 
coronavirus tests that would let them isolate in time to stop the 
disease from spreading further, and hospitals remain at risk of getting 
overwhelmed by coronavirus and flu cases this fall.<h2>Clues in the blood</h2>The
 human body produces antibodies when exposed to a disease, to fend it 
off. And those microscopic defenders can stick around after recovery.So the American Red Cross screens blood donations for antibodies against <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2</a>, the virus behind COVID-19. It then sends <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&amp;ContentID=37" target="_blank">plasma</a>
 with the specialized proteins to hospitals treating coronavirus 
patients, and it reports how often it detects the antibodies to state 
health agencies trying to piece together the bigger picture.Nationally, the <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">Red Cross</a> has tested about 1.2 million blood donations for the antibodies.From
 mid-June to mid-September, it found them in about 2% of donations 
nationally. The same was true for Kansas donors. It’s not known how well
 that statistic might reflect the broader population.Weekly 
tallies suggest the number of people carrying the antibodies has ticked 
upward in Kansas, as elsewhere. In recent weeks, the Red Cross reported 
antibodies in 4% to 5% of Kansas donations.Could someone with 
antibodies catch the virus again a year from now and get seriously sick?
 How about two years from now? Or could they catch it, not show any 
symptoms, and spread the virus anyway? Scientists can’t yet say.“This
 is not a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Gronvall said. If a test shows you
 have antibodies, she said, you should still wear a mask and follow 
social distancing rules.Recent reports of a few patients catching the novel coronavirus <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2020/08/28/covid-19-reinfection-implications/" target="_blank">more than once</a>
 in a relatively short time may not signal what to expect for most 
people, but leave open the possibility that one infection doesn’t 
protect you against another.<h2>Greater risk</h2>The Red Cross reported in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2770771" target="_blank">a medical journal</a>
 last month that blood donations from people of color test positive for 
the antibodies at a higher rate than blood from white donors.That matches <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-infection-by-race/faq-20488802" target="_blank">other research</a>
 that shows communities of color bearing the brunt of the pandemic. It 
likely reflects broader social and economic disparities, such as lower 
incomes and a greater likelihood of working high-risk jobs that involve 
in-person contact with many customers or colleagues in a single day.The virus spread fast in crowded Kansas <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/emails-show-kansas-agencies-helped-keep-meatpacking-plants-open-despite-concerns-about" target="_blank">meatpacking plants</a>, for example, that rely heavily on the labor of people of color in southwest Kansas.<h2>The need for a vaccine</h2>Some
 studies and modeling point to higher antibody rates nationally and 
globally than the Red Cross has seen among blood donors, but still don’t
 offer good news.“The (World Health Organization) just came out with an estimate that maybe <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/10-worlds-people-infected-virus-73427817" target="_blank">up to 10%</a>
 of the world has been infected,” Shapiro said. “But even at that 
number, we’re still so far from achieving herd immunity. … We really 
need to create immunity with a vaccine.”Vaccines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf" target="_blank">mimic natural infections</a>. They kick a person’s immune system into gear so that it churns out antibodies and stores viral information in <a href="https://askabiologist.asu.edu/memory-b-cell" target="_blank">memory cells</a>
 that could defend us even after those antibodies fade. (Researchers 
have found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies triggered by natural infection two or 
even three months after infection, and say it varies from person to 
person.)Ongoing coronavirus vaccine trials aim to check how 
protective these immune responses will prove long-term, and whether 
people will need booster shots over time to keep their defenses up.Part
 of the benefit from vaccines will ultimately come from the sheer number
 of people who would gain some level of protection at once.“As we
 get to high enough vaccine levels, the herd immunity will actually just
 lower the amount of virus that’s circulating,” Shapiro said. “There 
will be just less virus around. This is our hope.”<h2>Should you get an antibody test?</h2>The Red Cross’ free antibody tests serve three functions.They
 gather the information that helps public health experts studying the 
virus’ spread, and they allow the Red Cross to flag plasma with 
antibodies for hospitals.Scientists <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/513405-science-inconclusive-on-use-of-convalescent-plasma-in-covid-19-patients" target="_blank">still can’t say</a> whether the donated plasma works for treating COVID-19. A separate, <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/provocative-results-boost-hopes-antibody-treatment-covid-19" target="_blank">lab-based approach</a>, may prove more effective.But either way, donations remain as critical as ever to the nation’s blood supply.And that’s a third reason for offering antibody tests. They attract people to <a href="https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html" target="_blank">keep donating</a> amid the pandemic.The
 Red Cross uses respected tests, and when a blood sample proves positive
 for antibodies, it double-checks with a second, high-quality process.For
 people who had respiratory symptoms in recent months — but couldn’t get
 checked for COVID-19 because of the nationwide shortage of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html" target="_blank">viral tests</a> — that may satisfy their curiosity.And
 that could help keep donations flowing as the pandemic hampers 
traditional blood drives, such as a major annual effort that would have 
attracted thousands of donors next week.“The biggest blood
 drive the Red Cross does across the country is at the University of 
Missouri in Columbia,” said Joe Zydlo, a regional communications manager
 in St. Louis. “And that has been canceled.”Meanwhile, Gronvall 
advises against buying an antibody test somewhere. After all, the 
information won’t help you medically, she said, and many products are 
unreliable anyway.“There’s just been so many bad tests out there,” she said. “Right now I would not spend money on it.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Antibody tests show 'we’re still so far from achieving herd immunity'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would for now continue to allow women to obtain an abortion pill by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The action came over the dissent of two conservative justices who would have immediately granted a Trump administration request to reinstate the requirement that women must visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to obtain a pill.

The court did little more than defer its first action on an abortion-related issue since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month. The court called for a lower-court judge to take a new look at the issue and rule within 40 days. That would put any further high court action after the Nov. 3 election.

The court said in an unsigned opinion that it was holding the administration’s appeal “in abeyance.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582813176978.jpeg" alt=" Mifepristone, commonly called the abortion pill, is the most common form of abortion in Kansas. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Mifepristone, commonly called the abortion pill, is the most common form of abortion in Kansas. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would for now continue to allow women to obtain an abortion pill by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.The action came over the dissent of two conservative justices who would have immediately granted a Trump administration request to reinstate the requirement that women must visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to obtain a pill.The court did little more than defer its first action on an abortion-related issue since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month. The court called for a lower-court judge to take a new look at the issue and rule within 40 days. That would put any further high court action after the Nov. 3 election.The court said in an unsigned opinion that it was holding the administration’s appeal “in abeyance.”The administration is asking to be allowed to enforce a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule. The administration has suspended similar in-person visits for other drugs, including opioids in some cases, but refused to relax the rules for getting the abortion pill.A federal judge in Maryland ruled in July that, during the public health emergency declared by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, health care providers can arrange for mifepristone to be mailed or delivered to patients. The FDA has approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage.Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they would have granted the administration’s request. “Six weeks have passed since the application was submitted, but the Court refuses to rule,” Alito wrote.