KANSAS CITY – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison, at a joint press conference with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, announced Monday that 518 arrests have been made by local and federal law enforcement officers in Operation LeGend.

“On behalf of the team of federal law enforcement agencies involved in this groundbreaking initiative, I made certain promises when Operation LeGend was launched,” Garrison said. “Those promises have been kept. The FBI, the ATF, the DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service worked collaboratively and effectively with the Kansas City Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to accomplish the objectives of Operation LeGend. We created a model for others to follow. Our success in Kansas City is now being duplicated in eight more cities across the nation.”

“We promised that Operation LeGend would be a short-term, high-impact strategy to freeze the escalation of violent crime and respond to the record number of homicides in Kansas City this year,” Garrison said. “That promise was kept. Operation LeGend has had a significant impact on violent crime in Kansas City, and those efforts will continue.”

During the 10 weeks from the announcement of Operation LeGend on July 8 through Sept. 16, homicides in Kansas City were down 22 percent, non-fatal shootings were down 24 percent, and aggravated assaults were down 44 percent, as compared to the 10 weeks before July 8.

“We promised that federal agents would work alongside local law enforcement, in a supportive role to provide additional support and assistance,” Garrison said. “That promise was kept, and in the process, valuable lessons were gained for how to confront violent crime.”

For example, the FBI has doubled the number of agents working violent crime cases and embedded agents with the Kansas City Police Department’s violent crime unit. The ATF has added a new unit that is permanently embedded with Kansas City’s assault squad. Intelligence has been gained and shared among law enforcement agencies to improve future investigations. “These strategies for collaborating with local law enforcement have been successful, and will continue,” Garrison said.

“We promised there would be no storm troopers patrolling the streets of Kansas City, no interference with the civil rights of protesters engaged in public demonstrations,” Garrison said. “Despite accusations of a federal occupation, we have worked cooperatively with both local law enforcement and local community leaders. None of those dire predictions from our critics came to pass.”

“I’ve also said, from the start of Operation LeGend, that law enforcement would not be the sole solution to violent crime,” Garrison added. “Violence is a community issue, and requires a community-wide response.”

“I hope that by keeping the promises we made, by doing what we said we would do, we’ve established a level of trust and credibility that will continue to bear fruit,” Garrison said.

Among those arrested since the launch of Operation LeGend, 126 are federal defendants in the Western District of Missouri (with additional federal cases referred to U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Kansas and Texas). Among the remaining arrests, 37 were homicide cases. In addition to the arrests, agents and officers have seized 176 firearms, large quantities of illegal drugs, and several stolen vehicles during Operation LeGend.

Among the homicide arrests made under Operation LeGend was the defendant charged in state court with murder of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, in whose memory the operation was named.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office does not track cases that are referred for prosecution in state court or in other districts. Defendants have been charged in the Western District of Missouri with the following federal crimes:&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;70 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;45 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking offenses;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;11 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595354920053.png" alt="4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, in whose memory the operation was named." />
 <figcaption>4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, in whose memory the operation was named.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison, at a joint press conference with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, announced Monday that 518 arrests have been made by local and federal law enforcement officers in Operation LeGend.“On behalf of the team of federal law enforcement agencies involved in this groundbreaking initiative, I made certain promises when Operation LeGend was launched,” Garrison said. “Those promises have been kept. The FBI, the ATF, the DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service worked collaboratively and effectively with the Kansas City Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to accomplish the objectives of Operation LeGend. We created a model for others to follow. Our success in Kansas City is now being duplicated in eight more cities across the nation.”Promises Made, Promises Kept“We promised that Operation LeGend would be a short-term, high-impact strategy to freeze the escalation of violent crime and respond to the record number of homicides in Kansas City this year,” Garrison said. “That promise was kept. Operation LeGend has had a significant impact on violent crime in Kansas City, and those efforts will continue.”During the 10 weeks from the announcement of Operation LeGend on July 8 through Sept. 16, homicides in Kansas City were down 22 percent, non-fatal shootings were down 24 percent, and aggravated assaults were down 44 percent, as compared to the 10 weeks before July 8.“We promised that federal agents would work alongside local law enforcement, in a supportive role to provide additional support and assistance,” Garrison said. “That promise was kept, and in the process, valuable lessons were gained for how to confront violent crime.”For example, the FBI has doubled the number of agents working violent crime cases and embedded agents with the Kansas City Police Department’s violent crime unit. The ATF has added a new unit that is permanently embedded with Kansas City’s assault squad. Intelligence has been gained and shared among law enforcement agencies to improve future investigations. “These strategies for collaborating with local law enforcement have been successful, and will continue,” Garrison said.“We promised there would be no storm troopers patrolling the streets of Kansas City, no interference with the civil rights of protesters engaged in public demonstrations,” Garrison said. “Despite accusations of a federal occupation, we have worked cooperatively with both local law enforcement and local community leaders. None of those dire predictions from our critics came to pass.”“I’ve also said, from the start of Operation LeGend, that law enforcement would not be the sole solution to violent crime,” Garrison added. “Violence is a community issue, and requires a community-wide response.”“I hope that by keeping the promises we made, by doing what we said we would do, we’ve established a level of trust and credibility that will continue to bear fruit,” Garrison said.Among those arrested since the launch of Operation LeGend, 126 are federal defendants in the Western District of Missouri (with additional federal cases referred to U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Kansas and Texas). Among the remaining arrests, 37 were homicide cases. In addition to the arrests, agents and officers have seized 176 firearms, large quantities of illegal drugs, and several stolen vehicles during Operation LeGend.Among the homicide arrests made under Operation LeGend was the defendant charged in state court with murder of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, in whose memory the operation was named.The U.S. Attorney’s Office does not track cases that are referred for prosecution in state court or in other districts. Defendants have been charged in the Western District of Missouri with the following federal crimes:&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;70 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;45 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking offenses;-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;11 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.

Operation LeGend results in over 500 arrests in Kansas City

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The judge is allowing family members of the victim, Micki Davis, to be in the courtroom along with two prosecutors, the defense attorney, deputies, and the defendant. 

Prosecutors say Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017. Hilyard left the woman's head in the kitchen sink.

Prosecutor said the 38-year-old Hilyard attacked Davis without provocation then grabbed a knife “to finish what she started.”

Hilyard testified that she thought Davis was dead when she cut off her head. Her defense attorney says his client made bad decisions with horrible consequences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601326324188.png" alt="Hilyard photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hilyard photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The judge is allowing family members of the victim, Micki Davis, to be in the courtroom along with two prosecutors, the defense attorney, deputies, and the defendant. Prosecutors say Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017. Hilyard left the woman's head in the kitchen sink.Prosecutor said the 38-year-old Hilyard attacked Davis without provocation then grabbed a knife “to finish what she started.”Hilyard testified that she thought Davis was dead when she cut off her head. Her defense attorney says his client made bad decisions with horrible consequences.-----

Kan. woman to be sentenced for beheading ex-boyfriend's mother

WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, started her tour on Capitol Hill Tuesday for meetings with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other pivotal Republican senators in preparation for her fast-track confirmation before the Nov. 3 election.

Members of the Kansas and Missouri congressional delegations immediately expressed support for Barrett.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who was included on the President's list of possible nominees to the court warned democrats to steer clear of Catholic-based criticism of Barrett.

The Senior Senator from Kansas Pat Roberts said, "I look forward to meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and I congratulate her on this most prestigious nomination. As a U.S. Senator, I have a responsibility to ‘advice and consent’ that I take very seriously.&nbsp;I hope for a fair confirmation process as the Senate moves forward with Judge Barrett's nomination.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran wrote on social media, "Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a well-qualified nominee, having served as a clerk for Justice Scalia and distinguishing herself as a law professor at Notre Dame before receiving bipartisan support during her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. I will review Judge Barrett’s legal writings in the coming weeks, and I look forward to meeting with her to learn more about her views of the judicial branch and the Constitution."

Barrett, a former Notre Dame law professor and current judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, says she is a firm supporter of the Constitution.  In 2016 she said in a speech to students: "we shouldn't be putting people on the court that share our policy preferences. We should be putting people on the court who want to apply the Constitution.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham says his panel will hold four days of confirmation hearings the week of Oct. 12.

Once the committee approves the nomination, it goes to the Senate floor for a final vote. This could all happen by Nov. 3 if the process goes smoothly. Graham said he hopes the committee can move the nomination to the Senate floor by the week of Oct. 26 for a confirmation vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601389390252.png" alt="Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett met with Vice President Pence in the Senate Majority Leader's office Tuesday morning. She is a committed Roman Catholic as well as a firm devotee of the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s favored interpretation of the Constitution known as originalism. -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett met with Vice President Pence in the Senate Majority Leader's office Tuesday morning. She is a committed Roman Catholic as well as a firm devotee of the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s favored interpretation of the Constitution known as originalism. -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, started her tour on Capitol Hill Tuesday for meetings with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other pivotal Republican senators in preparation for her fast-track confirmation before the Nov. 3 election.Members of the Kansas and Missouri congressional delegations immediately expressed support for Barrett.Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who was included on the President's list of possible nominees to the court warned democrats to steer clear of Catholic-based criticism of Barrett.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Now it’s time for the Democrats to swear off their religious bigotry. I call on every Senate Democrat to stop the anti-Catholic, anti-faith attacks on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmyConeyBarrett?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmyConeyBarrett</a>. There’s a long history of anti-Catholic bigotry - Dems shouldn’t be part of it any longer <a href="https://t.co/MmYLOv86Wg">pic.twitter.com/MmYLOv86Wg</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1309981234370695169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Senior Senator from Kansas Pat Roberts said, "I look forward to meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and I congratulate her on this most prestigious nomination. As a U.S. Senator, I have a responsibility to ‘advice and consent’ that I take very seriously.&nbsp;I hope for a fair confirmation process as the Senate moves forward with Judge Barrett's nomination.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/oMCQrxpeNe">pic.twitter.com/oMCQrxpeNe</a>&mdash; Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyBlunt/status/1309967745455357954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas Senator Jerry Moran wrote on social media, "Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a well-qualified nominee, having served as a clerk for Justice Scalia and distinguishing herself as a law professor at Notre Dame before receiving bipartisan support during her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. I will review Judge Barrett’s legal writings in the coming weeks, and I look forward to meeting with her to learn more about her views of the judicial branch and the Constitution."Barrett, a former Notre Dame law professor and current judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, says she is a firm supporter of the Constitution. In 2016 she said in a speech to students: "we shouldn't be putting people on the court that share our policy preferences. We should be putting people on the court who want to apply the Constitution.”Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham says his panel will hold four days of confirmation hearings the week of Oct. 12.Once the committee approves the nomination, it goes to the Senate floor for a final vote. This could all happen by Nov. 3 if the process goes smoothly. Graham said he hopes the committee can move the nomination to the Senate floor by the week of Oct. 26 for a confirmation vote.

Senator warns dems to avoid Catholic criticism of court nominee

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the federal government will begin distributing millions of rapid coronavirus tests to states this week and urged governors to use them to reopen schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

During her Monday news conference, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said she did not know how many tests the state would receive.  She hoped the tests would be "more true and we don't get a lot of false positives like we saw with the original Abbott test."

The move to vastly expand U.S. testing comes as confirmed new COVID-19 cases remain elevated at more than 40,000 per day and experts warn of a likely surge in infections during the colder months ahead. It also comes just five weeks before the November election, with Trump facing continued criticism for his handling of the crisis.

The tests will go out to states based on their population and can be used as governors see fit, but the Trump administration is encouraging states to place a priority on schools. White House officials said at a Rose Garden event that 6.5 million tests will go out this week and that a total of 100 million tests will be distributed to governors over the next several weeks.

Officials said the administration is emphasizing testing in schools because it’s important to the physical, social and emotional development of students to be back in classrooms to the degree that’s possible. The Abbott Laboratories tests would allow parents to know whether their symptomatic child has COVID-19. In some cases, states could undertake some baseline surveillance, like testing a proportion of students per week or per month to make sure that the incidence of COVID-19 is low.

“You have too many states that are locked down right now,” Trump said. “The governors are ... nobody knows what the governors are doing actually.”

The tests will come from a previously announced supply of 150 million ordered from Abbott. The company’s rapid test, the size of a credit card, is the first that does not require specialty computer equipment to process. It delivers results in about 15 minutes.

Rapid, convenient testing is considered essential to reopening the U.S. economy. But the effort has been plagued by problems since the earliest days of the outbreak.

First, the government lost pivotal weeks distributing, then correcting a flawed test developed by U.S. scientists. Then, for months private labs and hospitals struggled to ramp up testing capacity due to shortages of key supplies, including testing chemicals.

The issue is politically sensitive for Trump as he grapples with the pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans. For months, Trump has prodded state and local leaders to open schools this fall.

Only in the last two months has U.S. testing capacity generally exceeded demand. The government’s top testing official, Adm. Brett Giroir, told Congress last week that the nation will soon have the capacity to run 3 million tests per day, on average. The U.S. has been averaging about 900,000 tests per day, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.

Giroir demonstrated the ease with which the test is given, self-administering the nasal swab then placing it on a piece of paper that contained six drops of liquid.

“This is a very sophisticated little piece of cardboard with lots of antibodies and incredible technology,” he said.

Abbott’s test is an important advance because of its low cost and easy-to-use format. Until now, the vast majority of coronavirus tests had to be sent to high-grade medical laboratories for processing that typically took several days. Backlogs led to repeated delays in reporting results, especially during a summer spike in cases.

But rapid, point-of-care tests like Abbott’s have their own downsides. They are less accurate, and positive results often need to be confirmed with higher-grade lab tests. Additionally, because the tests are often performed outside the health care system, state officials have warned that many tests are going unreported. That could lead to undercounts of new cases, skewing government data needed to track the virus.

"What we’re hearing from the states is that they don’t know where these tests are being done,” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of theCouncil of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, in a recent interview. He warned that schools generally do not have the capacity or expertise to report mass testing results, which could artificially lower infection counts sent to state and federal officials.

Trump warned that with an increase in testing, there would “automatically” be an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“It’s important to remember that as younger and healthier people return to work and as we massively increase testing capacity, we will identify more cases in asymptomatic individuals in low-risk populations,” Trump said. “This should not cause undue alarm.”

The tests from Abbott are being made in two factories, one in Illinois and one in Maine. The company is in a ramping-up phase. The federal government bought the first 150 million, and it will take the rest of the year to completely fill that order. After that, the administration will decide whether the government should purchase more or whether the free market can determine adequate distribution.

The nonprofit Rockefeller Foundation says the U.S. will need roughly 200 million tests per month to safely reopen schools as part of a broader phased approach to easing restrictions, according to a paper issued earlier this month. The report authors noted that the U.S. is currently averaging fewer than 30 million tests per month.

Despite the gap, Rockefeller’s director, Dr. Jonathan Quick, called Monday’s announcement “an exciting and very significant step.” He added that states will need sustained funding and testing supplies “for the foreseeable future.”

The Trump administration announced earlier this month that the Abbott tests would also go to assisted-living facilities, moving to fill a testing gap for older adults who do not need the constant attention of a nursing home. Senior day care centers and home health agencies are getting the tests too.

Long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living, account for a sliver of the U.S. population but more than 40% of deaths from COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600118636963.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly discussed the distribution of tests during Monday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly discussed the distribution of tests during Monday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Monday that the federal government will begin distributing millions of rapid coronavirus tests to states this week and urged governors to use them to reopen schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.During her Monday news conference, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said she did not know how many tests the state would receive. She hoped the tests would be "more true and we don't get a lot of false positives like we saw with the original Abbott test."The move to vastly expand U.S. testing comes as confirmed new COVID-19 cases remain elevated at more than 40,000 per day and experts warn of a likely surge in infections during the colder months ahead. It also comes just five weeks before the November election, with Trump facing continued criticism for his handling of the crisis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601313079636.png" alt="Monday Sept. 28, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Sept. 28, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The tests will go out to states based on their population and can be used as governors see fit, but the Trump administration is encouraging states to place a priority on schools. White House officials said at a Rose Garden event that 6.5 million tests will go out this week and that a total of 100 million tests will be distributed to governors over the next several weeks.Officials said the administration is emphasizing testing in schools because it’s important to the physical, social and emotional development of students to be back in classrooms to the degree that’s possible. The Abbott Laboratories tests would allow parents to know whether their symptomatic child has COVID-19. In some cases, states could undertake some baseline surveillance, like testing a proportion of students per week or per month to make sure that the incidence of COVID-19 is low.“You have too many states that are locked down right now,” Trump said. “The governors are ... nobody knows what the governors are doing actually.”The tests will come from a previously announced supply of 150 million ordered from Abbott. The company’s rapid test, the size of a credit card, is the first that does not require specialty computer equipment to process. It delivers results in about 15 minutes.Rapid, convenient testing is considered essential to reopening the U.S. economy. But the effort has been plagued by problems since the earliest days of the outbreak.First, the government lost pivotal weeks distributing, then correcting a flawed test developed by U.S. scientists. Then, for months private labs and hospitals struggled to ramp up testing capacity due to shortages of key supplies, including testing chemicals.The issue is politically sensitive for Trump as he grapples with the pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans. For months, Trump has prodded state and local leaders to open schools this fall.Only in the last two months has U.S. testing capacity generally exceeded demand. The government’s top testing official, Adm. Brett Giroir, told Congress last week that the nation will soon have the capacity to run 3 million tests per day, on average. The U.S. has been averaging about 900,000 tests per day, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.Giroir demonstrated the ease with which the test is given, self-administering the nasal swab then placing it on a piece of paper that contained six drops of liquid.“This is a very sophisticated little piece of cardboard with lots of antibodies and incredible technology,” he said.Abbott’s test is an important advance because of its low cost and easy-to-use format. Until now, the vast majority of coronavirus tests had to be sent to high-grade medical laboratories for processing that typically took several days. Backlogs led to repeated delays in reporting results, especially during a summer spike in cases.But rapid, point-of-care tests like Abbott’s have their own downsides. They are less accurate, and positive results often need to be confirmed with higher-grade lab tests. Additionally, because the tests are often performed outside the health care system, state officials have warned that many tests are going unreported. That could lead to undercounts of new cases, skewing government data needed to track the virus."What we’re hearing from the states is that they don’t know where these tests are being done,” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of theCouncil of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, in a recent interview. He warned that schools generally do not have the capacity or expertise to report mass testing results, which could artificially lower infection counts sent to state and federal officials.Trump warned that with an increase in testing, there would “automatically” be an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.“It’s important to remember that as younger and healthier people return to work and as we massively increase testing capacity, we will identify more cases in asymptomatic individuals in low-risk populations,” Trump said. “This should not cause undue alarm.”The tests from Abbott are being made in two factories, one in Illinois and one in Maine. The company is in a ramping-up phase. The federal government bought the first 150 million, and it will take the rest of the year to completely fill that order. After that, the administration will decide whether the government should purchase more or whether the free market can determine adequate distribution.The nonprofit Rockefeller Foundation says the U.S. will need roughly 200 million tests per month to safely reopen schools as part of a broader phased approach to easing restrictions, according to a paper issued earlier this month. The report authors noted that the U.S. is currently averaging fewer than 30 million tests per month.Despite the gap, Rockefeller’s director, Dr. Jonathan Quick, called Monday’s announcement “an exciting and very significant step.” He added that states will need sustained funding and testing supplies “for the foreseeable future.”The Trump administration announced earlier this month that the Abbott tests would also go to assisted-living facilities, moving to fill a testing gap for older adults who do not need the constant attention of a nursing home. Senior day care centers and home health agencies are getting the tests too.Long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living, account for a sliver of the U.S. population but more than 40% of deaths from COVID-19.

US to ship millions of tests in push to keep K-12 schools open

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — Leaders of four universities and colleges in Springfield have asked city leaders to extend a mask mandate that is scheduled to end in mid-October to help them keep students and faculty safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Presidents and chancellors of Drury, Evangel and Missouri State universities and Ozarks Technical Community College said in the letter the requirement to wear masks in public and group settings has helped reduce cases of COVID-19 on their four campuses.

The letter was sent Friday to Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and the Springfield City Council. The city’s mask requirement is scheduled to end at midnight on Oct. 14.

The letter said face masks are “essential” to protecting the 40,000 students and faculty on the four campuses. It said all four schools have seen a reduction in COVID-19 cases since students began following the masking, physical distancing and proper hygiene guidance.

“Many of our students have come to Springfield from other parts of the nation,” the letter said. “As they have settled into our community and followed the current guidelines, the number of cases has continued to decline.”

The schools will keep requiring masks even if the city allows its mask mandate to expire. But the college leaders said students and faculty don’t “live in a bubble” and their safety and that of Springfield residents will suffer if the city mandate ends.

McClure did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said at a news conference Monday the letter sends a powerful message, KYTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2020/09/28/universities-in-springfield-write-joint-letter-asking-city-leaders-to-extend-mask-mandate/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

“I’m grateful for the leadership and willingness to step out there,” Goddard said.

Missouri on Monday reported 123,276 confirmed cases, which was a drop from the 123,406 cases reported Sunday. The numbers came on the same day the state unveiled a new dashboard with more detailed data on coronavirus cases.

Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the health department, said transitioning to the new system during the weekend allowed teams to identify and correct some issues with case totals, “including some instances of cases being counted more than once or cases being marked as confirmed without the correct verification documentation present.”

Missouri reported 2,074 deaths on Monday, an increase of nine from Sunday.

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — Leaders of four universities and colleges in Springfield have asked city leaders to extend a mask mandate that is scheduled to end in mid-October to help them keep students and faculty safe during the coronavirus pandemic.Presidents and chancellors of Drury, Evangel and Missouri State universities and Ozarks Technical Community College said in the letter the requirement to wear masks in public and group settings has helped reduce cases of COVID-19 on their four campuses.The letter was sent Friday to Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and the Springfield City Council. The city’s mask requirement is scheduled to end at midnight on Oct. 14.The letter said face masks are “essential” to protecting the 40,000 students and faculty on the four campuses. It said all four schools have seen a reduction in COVID-19 cases since students began following the masking, physical distancing and proper hygiene guidance.“Many of our students have come to Springfield from other parts of the nation,” the letter said. “As they have settled into our community and followed the current guidelines, the number of cases has continued to decline.”The schools will keep requiring masks even if the city allows its mask mandate to expire. But the college leaders said students and faculty don’t “live in a bubble” and their safety and that of Springfield residents will suffer if the city mandate ends.McClure did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said at a news conference Monday the letter sends a powerful message, KYTV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2020/09/28/universities-in-springfield-write-joint-letter-asking-city-leaders-to-extend-mask-mandate/" target="_blank">reported</a>.“I’m grateful for the leadership and willingness to step out there,” Goddard said.Missouri on Monday reported 123,276 confirmed cases, which was a drop from the 123,406 cases reported Sunday. The numbers came on the same day the state unveiled a new dashboard with more detailed data on coronavirus cases.Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the health department, said transitioning to the new system during the weekend allowed teams to identify and correct some issues with case totals, “including some instances of cases being counted more than once or cases being marked as confirmed without the correct verification documentation present.”Missouri reported 2,074 deaths on Monday, an increase of nine from Sunday.

Springfield college leaders ask city to extend mask mandate

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-25/employers-compared-notes-on-secret-prices-at-kansas-hospitals-to-boost-their-leverage-on-costs">Kansas News Service</a>

The cost of getting an appendectomy with private health insurance has
 soared since the early 2000s. So has the bill for a knee replacement.

But the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/health/hospitals-trump-prices-transparency.html" target="_blank">secrecy of prices</a>
 negotiated between health care providers and insurance companies makes 
it hard for employers to understand what they pay for a knee replacement
 and whether it’s a good price.

Researchers broadly agree workers suffer for it.

“That’s
 a cost that comes directly out of how much your employer can pay you,” 
RAND Corporation policy researcher Christopher Whaley said. “In wages or
 other types of benefits.”

A new study from <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3033.html" target="_blank">RAND</a>,
 a think tank specializing in defense and public policy, analyzes 
billions of dollars in medical claims pooled largely by employers 
desperate to know who’s paying what.

They crave transparency that 
would let them comparison shop among health plans and hospitals in an 
industry that can charge vastly <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/08/09/price-of-surgical-procedures-vary-widely-research-minnesota" target="_blank">different amounts</a> to different people for the same services.

In
 Kansas, private health plans paid more than twice the rate of Medicare 
for hospital care in 2018, RAND found. Prices at the University of 
Kansas Hospital and Overland Park Regional Medical Center were among the
 highest RAND saw. Not just in Kansas, but across the country.

The KU Health System disputes the think tank’s findings that show KU 
Hospital charged four times what Medicare would have paid for the 676 
insurance claims that RAND managed to get.

“It is not a fair 
representation of charges at KU Health System,” Vice President of 
Revenue Colette Lasack said, “compared to our annual volumes of 52,000 
inpatients, and nearly 2 million outpatients.”

But Whaley says the health care industry could set the record straight if it chose to.

“If
 hospitals were more transparent,” he said, “we wouldn’t have to rely on
 employer claims and could be 100% confident that our prices are 
correct.”

Hospitals are battling a new federal requirement in court that would make them reveal their prices. <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/07/opening-appeals-brief-disclosure-negotiated-charges-7-17-20.pdf" target="_blank">They argue</a> doing so would be complex and burdensome because so many different prices exist.

The report is RAND’s third and most ambitious round yet in an ongoing project to pry the lid open on prices.

The
 undertaking began with Indiana employers banding together in 2017. RAND
 next gathered medical claims from two dozen states in 2019 and this 
year studied nearly $34 billion in charges from 49 states.

A fourth round is underway to pull together even more bills to analyze.

Nationally, the claims added up to about
 $20 billion more than Medicare would have paid for those $34 billion in
 claims. That’s a 247% difference. Kansas claims cost 234% of Medicare.

RAND
 doesn’t argue that doctors and hospitals should stick to the Medicare 
rates — an idea loathed by health care providers who say that would put 
them out of business. But it says Medicare is a way to compare the price
 for having surgery in places as different as, say, New York City and 
Topeka.

The federal government tweaks each hospital’s <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/comparing-private-payer-and-medicare-payment-rates-for-select-inpatient-hospital-services/" target="_blank">Medicare reimbursement</a>
 to reflect local labor costs, how sick patients are, whether the 
facility spends money on training medical students, and other factors.

So
 RAND analyzed each hospital’s medical claims — including facility and 
physician fees — as a percent of what Medicare would have paid it for 
those bills. Then it compared the hospitals.

The study found stark differences even within Kansas.

Claims 
from Overland Park Regional Medical Center and KU Hospital ranked among 
the 10% priciest among 1,600 hospitals where RAND compared both 
inpatient and outpatient services.

By contrast, prices were lower at Lawrence Memorial Hospital than across the state and nationally.

Chris
 Garmon, an economist at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has 
worked on antitrust investigations at the Federal Trade Commission. He 
said even prices for common services, such as MRI scans, can be 
maddeningly difficult to compare.

“They’re all over the place,” he said. “I mean, even in the same area, sometimes in the same hospital for the same service.”

The
 medical bills in the RAND report came in large part from self-insured 
employers. Those are typically large private companies and public 
entities — think local governments and colleges — that directly shoulder
 the cost of care for their workers but use insurance companies to help 
run the plans.

Hospitals say RAND not only draws vast conclusions with too little data, but ignores what it costs to operate their facilities.

Stormont
 Vail Health in Topeka says it sets fair prices for the privately 
insured that make up for its underpaid care of patients on Medicare and 
Medicaid and keep its doors open around the clock.

“There is no 
other industry that is required to provide services to individuals 
regardless of their ability to pay,” Stormont Vail Health Chief 
Financial Officer Robert Langland said in an email. “Last year alone we 
provided $45 million dollars in uncompensated care.”

The KU Health System, meanwhile, says it spends $70 million a year on teaching future physicians and similar costs.

“We
 are an Academic Medical Center,” Vice President Lasack wrote in an 
email. “This Mission comes with significantly higher costs.”

Several
 hospitals contacted by the Kansas News Service pointed to the American 
Hospital Association’s critiques of RAND’s work, which it calls “beyond 
reckless.”

“It is unfortunate that RAND continues to make broad 
claims about pricing based on a cherry-picked and limited data set,” it 
said in a recent <a href="https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2020-09-18-statement-rand-study-hospital-prices" target="_blank">statement</a>
 lambasting the think tank for releasing its study amid “a global 
pandemic that represents the greatest financial threat in history for 
hospitals and health systems.”

RAND argues: “Employers and their workers also face uncertain financial futures.”

KU
 Health System says it strives to help patients understand what they 
will pay for care. Patients can call for pricing help, or use an online 
portal to get estimates for scores of common procedures, with more to 
come this fall.

But Garmon, the UMKC economist, says patients 
across the country still struggle to get information. When they do get 
it, the estimates sometimes turn out to exclude bills from some of the 
doctors or medical assistants who help with surgery or care.

“You may find some hospitals are doing a good job on this,” he said, “but a lot of them are not.”

The Trump administration wants to make hospitals disclose the prices private insurers pay. The American Hospital Association <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/health/hospitals-trump-prices-transparency.html" target="_blank">sued</a> to block that but the group <a href="https://khn.org/morning-breakout/judge-upholds-trumps-transparency-policy-that-would-force-hospitals-to-reveal-negotiated-prices/" target="_blank">lost</a> in federal court this summer. It is <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/07/opening-appeals-brief-disclosure-negotiated-charges-7-17-20.pdf" target="_blank">appealing</a> the ruling.

About half of Americans get their <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">insurance through work</a>, and the cost of their health care has risen far faster than inflation.

The <a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/how-have-healthcare-prices-grown-in-the-u-s-over-time/#item-the-average-price-of-full-knee-replacements-varies-considerably-across-markets" target="_blank">Kaiser Family Foundation</a>
 says prices charged to large employer health plans for knee 
replacements rose 74% from 2003 to 2016. Appendectomies got 136% more 
expensive. Prices in the broader economy rose 28%.

In the new RAND
 study, the gap between what Medicare and private insurance paid for 
hospital care widened by about 5% a year from 2016 to 2018.

Its 
sample showed no correlation between prices and how many Medicare or 
Medicaid patients hospitals serve, a common argument among health care 
providers for making commercial insurance pay more.

Gloria 
Sachdev, president of the Employers Forum of Indiana, first conceived of
 the RAND project and reached out to the think tank, asking if it could 
analyze claims from her state.

National employers, she said, were 
baffled to rack up much higher hospital bills in Indiana than elsewhere.
 As she encouraged more and more employers across the country to pool 
their medical claims, she says, Indiana prices turned out to be 
unusually high.

That gave employers leverage to push for better 
deals, she said. They leaned on insurers, and some bypassed them and 
negotiated with hospitals themselves.

“Employers feel like they 
were operating in the dark, and now the light has been turned on,” 
Sachdev said. “Now they realize how messy their health care ‘house’ is.”

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. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308332636.png" alt="A new report from the RAND Corporation tries to shed light on prices negotiated between hospitals and private insurance. Chris Neal / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A new report from the RAND Corporation tries to shed light on prices negotiated between hospitals and private insurance. Chris Neal / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-25/employers-compared-notes-on-secret-prices-at-kansas-hospitals-to-boost-their-leverage-on-costs">Kansas News Service</a>The cost of getting an appendectomy with private health insurance has
 soared since the early 2000s. So has the bill for a knee replacement.But the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/health/hospitals-trump-prices-transparency.html" target="_blank">secrecy of prices</a>
 negotiated between health care providers and insurance companies makes 
it hard for employers to understand what they pay for a knee replacement
 and whether it’s a good price.Researchers broadly agree workers suffer for it.“That’s
 a cost that comes directly out of how much your employer can pay you,” 
RAND Corporation policy researcher Christopher Whaley said. “In wages or
 other types of benefits.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308401778.png" alt="This story is part of the series, Bills of Health. Do you have a medical bill from Kansas that you want to share with a reporter? Email celia@kcur.org." />
 <figcaption>This story is part of the series, Bills of Health. Do you have a medical bill from Kansas that you want to share with a reporter? Email celia@kcur.org.</figcaption>
 </figure>A new study from <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3033.html" target="_blank">RAND</a>,
 a think tank specializing in defense and public policy, analyzes 
billions of dollars in medical claims pooled largely by employers 
desperate to know who’s paying what.They crave transparency that 
would let them comparison shop among health plans and hospitals in an 
industry that can charge vastly <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/08/09/price-of-surgical-procedures-vary-widely-research-minnesota" target="_blank">different amounts</a> to different people for the same services.In
 Kansas, private health plans paid more than twice the rate of Medicare 
for hospital care in 2018, RAND found. Prices at the University of 
Kansas Hospital and Overland Park Regional Medical Center were among the
 highest RAND saw. Not just in Kansas, but across the country.The KU Health System disputes the think tank’s findings that show KU 
Hospital charged four times what Medicare would have paid for the 676 
insurance claims that RAND managed to get.“It is not a fair 
representation of charges at KU Health System,” Vice President of 
Revenue Colette Lasack said, “compared to our annual volumes of 52,000 
inpatients, and nearly 2 million outpatients.”But Whaley says the health care industry could set the record straight if it chose to.“If
 hospitals were more transparent,” he said, “we wouldn’t have to rely on
 employer claims and could be 100% confident that our prices are 
correct.”Hospitals are battling a new federal requirement in court that would make them reveal their prices. <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/07/opening-appeals-brief-disclosure-negotiated-charges-7-17-20.pdf" target="_blank">They argue</a> doing so would be complex and burdensome because so many different prices exist.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308437880.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen" />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>What RAND found</h2>The report is RAND’s third and most ambitious round yet in an ongoing project to pry the lid open on prices.The
 undertaking began with Indiana employers banding together in 2017. RAND
 next gathered medical claims from two dozen states in 2019 and this 
year studied nearly $34 billion in charges from 49 states.A fourth round is underway to pull together even more bills to analyze.Nationally, the claims added up to about
 $20 billion more than Medicare would have paid for those $34 billion in
 claims. That’s a 247% difference. Kansas claims cost 234% of Medicare.RAND
 doesn’t argue that doctors and hospitals should stick to the Medicare 
rates — an idea loathed by health care providers who say that would put 
them out of business. But it says Medicare is a way to compare the price
 for having surgery in places as different as, say, New York City and 
Topeka.The federal government tweaks each hospital’s <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/comparing-private-payer-and-medicare-payment-rates-for-select-inpatient-hospital-services/" target="_blank">Medicare reimbursement</a>
 to reflect local labor costs, how sick patients are, whether the 
facility spends money on training medical students, and other factors.So
 RAND analyzed each hospital’s medical claims — including facility and 
physician fees — as a percent of what Medicare would have paid it for 
those bills. Then it compared the hospitals.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308505190.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The study found stark differences even within Kansas.Claims 
from Overland Park Regional Medical Center and KU Hospital ranked among 
the 10% priciest among 1,600 hospitals where RAND compared both 
inpatient and outpatient services.By contrast, prices were lower at Lawrence Memorial Hospital than across the state and nationally.Chris
 Garmon, an economist at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has 
worked on antitrust investigations at the Federal Trade Commission. He 
said even prices for common services, such as MRI scans, can be 
maddeningly difficult to compare.“They’re all over the place,” he said. “I mean, even in the same area, sometimes in the same hospital for the same service.”The
 medical bills in the RAND report came in large part from self-insured 
employers. Those are typically large private companies and public 
entities — think local governments and colleges — that directly shoulder
 the cost of care for their workers but use insurance companies to help 
run the plans.RAND doesn’t identify them publicly.<h2>Ready 24-7</h2>Hospitals say RAND not only draws vast conclusions with too little data, but ignores what it costs to operate their facilities.Stormont
 Vail Health in Topeka says it sets fair prices for the privately 
insured that make up for its underpaid care of patients on Medicare and 
Medicaid and keep its doors open around the clock.“There is no 
other industry that is required to provide services to individuals 
regardless of their ability to pay,” Stormont Vail Health Chief 
Financial Officer Robert Langland said in an email. “Last year alone we 
provided $45 million dollars in uncompensated care.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601308573976.png" alt="Celia Llopis-Jepsen" />
 <figcaption>Celia Llopis-Jepsen</figcaption>
 </figure>The KU Health System, meanwhile, says it spends $70 million a year on teaching future physicians and similar costs.“We
 are an Academic Medical Center,” Vice President Lasack wrote in an 
email. “This Mission comes with significantly higher costs.”Several
 hospitals contacted by the Kansas News Service pointed to the American 
Hospital Association’s critiques of RAND’s work, which it calls “beyond 
reckless.”“It is unfortunate that RAND continues to make broad 
claims about pricing based on a cherry-picked and limited data set,” it 
said in a recent <a href="https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2020-09-18-statement-rand-study-hospital-prices" target="_blank">statement</a>
 lambasting the think tank for releasing its study amid “a global 
pandemic that represents the greatest financial threat in history for 
hospitals and health systems.”RAND argues: “Employers and their workers also face uncertain financial futures.”<h2>The fight over price transparency</h2>KU
 Health System says it strives to help patients understand what they 
will pay for care. Patients can call for pricing help, or use an online 
portal to get estimates for scores of common procedures, with more to 
come this fall.But Garmon, the UMKC economist, says patients 
across the country still struggle to get information. When they do get 
it, the estimates sometimes turn out to exclude bills from some of the 
doctors or medical assistants who help with surgery or care.“You may find some hospitals are doing a good job on this,” he said, “but a lot of them are not.”The Trump administration wants to make hospitals disclose the prices private insurers pay. The American Hospital Association <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/health/hospitals-trump-prices-transparency.html" target="_blank">sued</a> to block that but the group <a href="https://khn.org/morning-breakout/judge-upholds-trumps-transparency-policy-that-would-force-hospitals-to-reveal-negotiated-prices/" target="_blank">lost</a> in federal court this summer. It is <a href="https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/07/opening-appeals-brief-disclosure-negotiated-charges-7-17-20.pdf" target="_blank">appealing</a> the ruling.About half of Americans get their <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">insurance through work</a>, and the cost of their health care has risen far faster than inflation.The <a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/how-have-healthcare-prices-grown-in-the-u-s-over-time/#item-the-average-price-of-full-knee-replacements-varies-considerably-across-markets" target="_blank">Kaiser Family Foundation</a>
 says prices charged to large employer health plans for knee 
replacements rose 74% from 2003 to 2016. Appendectomies got 136% more 
expensive. Prices in the broader economy rose 28%.In the new RAND
 study, the gap between what Medicare and private insurance paid for 
hospital care widened by about 5% a year from 2016 to 2018.Its 
sample showed no correlation between prices and how many Medicare or 
Medicaid patients hospitals serve, a common argument among health care 
providers for making commercial insurance pay more.Gloria 
Sachdev, president of the Employers Forum of Indiana, first conceived of
 the RAND project and reached out to the think tank, asking if it could 
analyze claims from her state.National employers, she said, were 
baffled to rack up much higher hospital bills in Indiana than elsewhere.
 As she encouraged more and more employers across the country to pool 
their medical claims, she says, Indiana prices turned out to be 
unusually high.That gave employers leverage to push for better 
deals, she said. They leaned on insurers, and some bypassed them and 
negotiated with hospitals themselves.“Employers feel like they 
were operating in the dark, and now the light has been turned on,” 
Sachdev said. “Now they realize how messy their health care ‘house’ is.”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. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

Report: Employers compared notes on secret prices at Kan. hospitals

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Capital murder charges were filed Monday in the 2016 triple homicide of a man, woman and unborn child at a Topeka apartment complex, authorities said Monday.

Yanez C. Sanford, 38, was arrested Monday in Independence, Missouri, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said at a news conference.

Sanford faces charges linked to the shooting deaths at the Fairlawn Green Apartments of 23-year-old Dominique Ray, 20-year-old Camrah Trotter and her unborn son, Uriah Trotter. She was in her third trimester of pregnancy.

Authorities declined to say whether Sanford knew the victims.

He faces charges of capital murder, first-degree premeditated murder, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary, Kagay said.

Police Chief Bill Cochran described the filing of charges as “great moment for the city of Topeka and the Topeka Police Department.”

Detective Victor Riggins, the lead investigator, “never gave up” on the case, Kagay said.

The local Crime Stoppers program recently asked the public for help in identifying the killer, but police would not say whether that brought any tips that led to the charges.

Sanford was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond at the jail in Jackson County, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601374241791.png" alt="&nbsp;Sanford was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond at the jail in Jackson County, Missouri." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sanford was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond at the jail in Jackson County, Missouri.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Capital murder charges were filed Monday in the 2016 triple homicide of a man, woman and unborn child at a Topeka apartment complex, authorities said Monday.Yanez C. Sanford, 38, was arrested Monday in Independence, Missouri, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said at a news conference.Sanford faces charges linked to the shooting deaths at the Fairlawn Green Apartments of 23-year-old Dominique Ray, 20-year-old Camrah Trotter and her unborn son, Uriah Trotter. She was in her third trimester of pregnancy.Authorities declined to say whether Sanford knew the victims.He faces charges of capital murder, first-degree premeditated murder, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary, Kagay said.Police Chief Bill Cochran described the filing of charges as “great moment for the city of Topeka and the Topeka Police Department.”Detective Victor Riggins, the lead investigator, “never gave up” on the case, Kagay said.The local Crime Stoppers program recently asked the public for help in identifying the killer, but police would not say whether that brought any tips that led to the charges.Sanford was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond at the jail in Jackson County, Missouri.

Murder charges filed in 2016 triple homicide in Kansas

MARIES COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Monday in Maries County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Gregory A. Medlock, 52, Vienna, was northbound on U.S. 63 four miles north of Vichy.

The pickup traveled off the road, struck a rock bluff and overturned.

Osage Ambulance District transported Medlock to Phelps Health. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

MARIES COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Monday in Maries County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Gregory A. Medlock, 52, Vienna, was northbound on U.S. 63 four miles north of Vichy.The pickup traveled off the road, struck a rock bluff and overturned.Osage Ambulance District transported Medlock to Phelps Health. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after pickup strikes rock bluff, overturns

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ameren plans to invest $8 billion in renewable projects during the next two decades, with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 across Missouri and Illinois, the energy company announced Monday.

The St. Louis-based company said it plans to reduce carbon emissions 50% by 2030 and 85% by 2040, based on 2005 levels. It also will eventually close all of its coal-based power plants, starting with the retirement of the Meramec Energy Center in 2022 and ending with the final coal-power plant closing in 2042.

The changes were included in a generation plan — known as an Integrated Resource Plan — that Ameren submits to state regulators every three years.

“Under our plan, customers will receive significant benefits from advances in technology and falling renewable energy costs, as well as from robust energy efficiency programs to help keep their energy costs affordable,” Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said in a news release.

The company's plan would result in renewable energy projects that generate 3,100 megawatts by 2030, increasing to 5.400 megawatts of capacity by 2040. Ameren had already announced plans to acquire to wind-based energy systems in Missouri in the next few months for $1.2 billion.

“Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time. Our transformative plan to add large amounts of wind and solar energy generation will ensure all customers, regardless of where they happen to live or their household income, have access to clean, reliable and affordable energy,” said Gwen Mizell, vice president of sustainability and electrification at Ameren.

Ashok Gupta, a Kansas City-based senior energy economist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the plan is significant progress from Ameren, driven in part by mounting pressure from investors, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-announces-plans-to-reach-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050-and-spend-billions-on/article_6e898c8a-d64a-59c4-bdb5-5cea31ef887e.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reported</a>.

“This is driven by market forces because renewables have become so much cheaper than coal. Having so much coal in their portfolio was seen as a risk by investors,” Gupta said.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ameren plans to invest $8 billion in renewable projects during the next two decades, with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 across Missouri and Illinois, the energy company announced Monday.The St. Louis-based company said it plans to reduce carbon emissions 50% by 2030 and 85% by 2040, based on 2005 levels. It also will eventually close all of its coal-based power plants, starting with the retirement of the Meramec Energy Center in 2022 and ending with the final coal-power plant closing in 2042.The changes were included in a generation plan — known as an Integrated Resource Plan — that Ameren submits to state regulators every three years.“Under our plan, customers will receive significant benefits from advances in technology and falling renewable energy costs, as well as from robust energy efficiency programs to help keep their energy costs affordable,” Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, said in a news release.The company's plan would result in renewable energy projects that generate 3,100 megawatts by 2030, increasing to 5.400 megawatts of capacity by 2040. Ameren had already announced plans to acquire to wind-based energy systems in Missouri in the next few months for $1.2 billion.“Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time. Our transformative plan to add large amounts of wind and solar energy generation will ensure all customers, regardless of where they happen to live or their household income, have access to clean, reliable and affordable energy,” said Gwen Mizell, vice president of sustainability and electrification at Ameren.Ashok Gupta, a Kansas City-based senior energy economist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the plan is significant progress from Ameren, driven in part by mounting pressure from investors, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ameren-announces-plans-to-reach-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050-and-spend-billions-on/article_6e898c8a-d64a-59c4-bdb5-5cea31ef887e.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">reported</a>.“This is driven by market forces because renewables have become so much cheaper than coal. Having so much coal in their portfolio was seen as a risk by investors,” Gupta said.

Ameren announces new plans to emphasize renewable energy

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The city of Lawrence has agreed to pay $80,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit filed by a Black man who was shot by a rookie police officer in 2018 during a traffic stop.

Akira Lewis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/84b01273bc614a41ab93355e131a5804">sued</a>&nbsp;the city, two officers, the police department and the police chief after he was shot. He alleged the officers used excessive force and that the traffic stop was racially motivated.

The city contended Lewis caused the confrontation by unreasonably refusing to get out of his car.

Under the settlement approved Friday, neither the city or Lewis accepted liability for the shooting, The Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/city-government/2020/sep/25/settlement-finalized-between-city-of-lawrence-motorist-who-was-shot-during-altercation-with-lawrence-police-officer/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Lewis was shot when he was pulled over by officers Ian McCann and Brindley Blood. Lewis refused to get out of his car or give the officers his identification. A police video shows McCann trying to pull Lewis from the car.

When Lewis began hitting McCann, Blood shot him. She said later she meant to use her Taser but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8101b46c41784f1b8d67674becef4d5b">drew her gun</a>&nbsp;instead. An aggravated battery charge against her was dropped and she later left the force.

Lewis was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading no contest to battery of a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576270880606.png" alt="Photo courtesy Lawrence police" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Lawrence police</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The city of Lawrence has agreed to pay $80,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit filed by a Black man who was shot by a rookie police officer in 2018 during a traffic stop.Akira Lewis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/84b01273bc614a41ab93355e131a5804">sued</a>&nbsp;the city, two officers, the police department and the police chief after he was shot. He alleged the officers used excessive force and that the traffic stop was racially motivated.The city contended Lewis caused the confrontation by unreasonably refusing to get out of his car.Under the settlement approved Friday, neither the city or Lewis accepted liability for the shooting, The Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/city-government/2020/sep/25/settlement-finalized-between-city-of-lawrence-motorist-who-was-shot-during-altercation-with-lawrence-police-officer/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Lewis was shot when he was pulled over by officers Ian McCann and Brindley Blood. Lewis refused to get out of his car or give the officers his identification. A police video shows McCann trying to pull Lewis from the car.When Lewis began hitting McCann, Blood shot him. She said later she meant to use her Taser but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8101b46c41784f1b8d67674becef4d5b">drew her gun</a>&nbsp;instead. An aggravated battery charge against her was dropped and she later left the force.Lewis was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading no contest to battery of a law enforcement officer.

Lawrence settles with Black driver shot by rookie officer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A state low-income housing tax credit sought by developers seeking to build affordable housing but often criticized by Missouri officials as inefficient has resumed after a three-year moratorium.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission has restarted the program.<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article246015995.html" target="_blank">.</a>&nbsp;The commission’s decision came in a unanimous vote Friday.

Developers and tenant advocates have noted that the supply of affordable housing in Missouri badly trails demand and developers say it’s hard to make such ventures work financially without the credit.

Jeff Smith, executive director of the Missouri Workforce Housing Association, said about 100,000 people across Missouri are on a waiting list for affordable housing.

But the tax credit is resuming without legislative reforms that were once thought necessary to get the program running again.

Then-Republican Gov. Eric Greitens zeroed it out in 2017, portraying developers and investors who bought the credits as “tax credit millionaires.” Evaluations of the program by politicians in both parties have questioned whether the state gets enough in return for its investment in the tax credit.

The housing commission did adopt some changes, including a public scoring system for applicants that supporters say will provide more transparency about who gets the tax credits and why.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A state low-income housing tax credit sought by developers seeking to build affordable housing but often criticized by Missouri officials as inefficient has resumed after a three-year moratorium.The Missouri Housing Development Commission has restarted the program.<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article246015995.html" target="_blank">.</a>&nbsp;The commission’s decision came in a unanimous vote Friday.Developers and tenant advocates have noted that the supply of affordable housing in Missouri badly trails demand and developers say it’s hard to make such ventures work financially without the credit.Jeff Smith, executive director of the Missouri Workforce Housing Association, said about 100,000 people across Missouri are on a waiting list for affordable housing.But the tax credit is resuming without legislative reforms that were once thought necessary to get the program running again.Then-Republican Gov. Eric Greitens zeroed it out in 2017, portraying developers and investors who bought the credits as “tax credit millionaires.” Evaluations of the program by politicians in both parties have questioned whether the state gets enough in return for its investment in the tax credit.The housing commission did adopt some changes, including a public scoring system for applicants that supporters say will provide more transparency about who gets the tax credits and why.

Missouri panel restarts housing tax credit dropped in 2017

Trump’s frequent allegations on voter fraud fuels bipartisan trepidation

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/26/kansas-federal-candidates-loathe-potential-unruly-transfer-of-u-s-presidential-power/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Michelle De La 
Isla and Jake LaTurner remain partisan rivals in the 2nd District 
congressional campaign, but both expect President Donald Trump to 
respect the Constitution by ushering in a peaceful transition of power 
if voters reverse course in November.

LaTurner, the Republican 
state treasurer, and De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, responded to a 
request for comment following Trump’s statements about adhering to 
revered traditions on transfer of federal government authority. It would
 become a moot issue if Trump prevailed, but a transition would occur if
 Democrat Joe Biden won.

“Since our nation’s 
founding, the peaceful transition of power between presidents has been 
foundational to America,” De La Isla said. “Our presidents, regardless 
of political party, should respect that precedent.”

LaTurner said a White 
House spokeswoman expressed a belief the president would “accept the 
results of a free and fair election and, given our country has a nearly 
250-year record of providing just that, I am confident we will continue 
to have a peaceful transition of power this year and for years to come 
should the American public vote for that.”

Trump’s responses to 
inquiries about whether he would follow constitutional mandates if a 
transition was required didn’t quell speculation of a possible showdown 
about the national vote in the presidential race.

The Kansas Reflector 
reached out to the six members of the Kansas congressional delegation 
and the candidates for four U.S. House seats and the U.S. Senate seat 
opened by retirement of U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. Three Republicans and 
four Democrats responded.

Barbara Bollier, a 
Democrat campaigning for U.S. Senate against Republican nominee Roger 
Marshall, said she expected Trump and Biden to appreciate the necessity 
of a well-executed transfer of power if called for in January. Marshall 
didn’t respond to the request for a statement.

“The American people know that our democracy is bigger than any one person or one president,” Bollier said.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a 
Kansas Republican, said the “peaceful transition of power is an 
essential part of our democracy. Nothing but the rule of law under the 
Constitution determines this process.”

Amanda Adkins, the 
Republican nominee in the 3rd District that features Johnson and 
Wyandotte counties, said the country would come together in such moments
 as it had in the past. Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids didn’t 
reply.

“I’m fully confident that 
the winner of the presidential election will be inaugurated on January 
20, as our nation has 58 times before,” Adkins said.

Democrats Kali Barnett, a 
candidate in the large rural 1st District, and Laura Lombard, the 
candidate in the 4th District surrounding Wichita, said Trump’s comments
 indicating he might not concede were problematic because it could 
ignite a constitutional crisis.

Tracey Mann, Barnett’s GOP
 opponent, and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican seeking re-election 
against Lombard, declined to share their views.

“The president’s comments 
are extremely disturbing,” Lombard said. “The United States has 
maintained its democracy through peaceful transitions of power since its
 inception. We may not always like the results of presidential 
elections, but the losing candidate has always conceded.”

Barnett said the tradition of transitioning from president to president helped build trust in American’s institutions.

“Any suggestion that 
another choice besides peaceful transferal of power exists should be a 
cause for alarm for all Americans regardless of party,” she said.

While responding to 
questions from reporters, Trump declined to commit to a peaceful 
transition if not re-elected to a second term. Trump generated 
uncertainty Wednesday when he answered questions about a potential 
transition by saying “we’re going to have to see what happens.” On 
Thursday, the president said “we want to make sure that the election is 
honest, and I’m not sure that it can be.”

Prominent Republican 
lawmakers in Washington said speculation about Trump instigating a 
disorderly transition were misguided, while Democrats contended Trump 
could rely on powerful tools of the presidency to challenge the outcome 
and prolong his time in office.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601306668434.png" alt="Kansas 2nd District congressional opponents Michelle De La Isla and Jake LaTurner both say they expect a peaceful transition of power if President Donald Trump loses re-election. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas 2nd District congressional opponents Michelle De La Isla and Jake LaTurner both say they expect a peaceful transition of power if President Donald Trump loses re-election. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Trump’s frequent allegations on voter fraud fuels bipartisan trepidation</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/26/kansas-federal-candidates-loathe-potential-unruly-transfer-of-u-s-presidential-power/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Michelle De La 
Isla and Jake LaTurner remain partisan rivals in the 2nd District 
congressional campaign, but both expect President Donald Trump to 
respect the Constitution by ushering in a peaceful transition of power 
if voters reverse course in November.LaTurner, the Republican 
state treasurer, and De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, responded to a 
request for comment following Trump’s statements about adhering to 
revered traditions on transfer of federal government authority. It would
 become a moot issue if Trump prevailed, but a transition would occur if
 Democrat Joe Biden won.“Since our nation’s 
founding, the peaceful transition of power between presidents has been 
foundational to America,” De La Isla said. “Our presidents, regardless 
of political party, should respect that precedent.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601306726810.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, responded to speculation about transfer of presidential power if Joe Biden defeats Donald Trump by saying a “peaceful transition of power is an essential part of our democracy.” (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, responded to speculation about transfer of presidential power if Joe Biden defeats Donald Trump by saying a “peaceful transition of power is an essential part of our democracy.” (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>LaTurner said a White 
House spokeswoman expressed a belief the president would “accept the 
results of a free and fair election and, given our country has a nearly 
250-year record of providing just that, I am confident we will continue 
to have a peaceful transition of power this year and for years to come 
should the American public vote for that.”Trump’s responses to 
inquiries about whether he would follow constitutional mandates if a 
transition was required didn’t quell speculation of a possible showdown 
about the national vote in the presidential race.The Kansas Reflector 
reached out to the six members of the Kansas congressional delegation 
and the candidates for four U.S. House seats and the U.S. Senate seat 
opened by retirement of U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. Three Republicans and 
four Democrats responded.Barbara Bollier, a 
Democrat campaigning for U.S. Senate against Republican nominee Roger 
Marshall, said she expected Trump and Biden to appreciate the necessity 
of a well-executed transfer of power if called for in January. Marshall 
didn’t respond to the request for a statement.“The American people know that our democracy is bigger than any one person or one president,” Bollier said.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a 
Kansas Republican, said the “peaceful transition of power is an 
essential part of our democracy. Nothing but the rule of law under the 
Constitution determines this process.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601306754542.jpeg" alt="Democrat Laura Lombard, who is campaigning for the U.S. House in the 4th District, said talk of not respecting the will of voters in the presidential election was dangerous. She said: “We may not always like the results of presidential elections, but the losing candidate has always conceded.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democrat Laura Lombard, who is campaigning for the U.S. House in the 4th District, said talk of not respecting the will of voters in the presidential election was dangerous. She said: “We may not always like the results of presidential elections, but the losing candidate has always conceded.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Amanda Adkins, the 
Republican nominee in the 3rd District that features Johnson and 
Wyandotte counties, said the country would come together in such moments
 as it had in the past. Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids didn’t 
reply.“I’m fully confident that 
the winner of the presidential election will be inaugurated on January 
20, as our nation has 58 times before,” Adkins said.Democrats Kali Barnett, a 
candidate in the large rural 1st District, and Laura Lombard, the 
candidate in the 4th District surrounding Wichita, said Trump’s comments
 indicating he might not concede were problematic because it could 
ignite a constitutional crisis.Tracey Mann, Barnett’s GOP
 opponent, and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican seeking re-election 
against Lombard, declined to share their views.“The president’s comments 
are extremely disturbing,” Lombard said. “The United States has 
maintained its democracy through peaceful transitions of power since its
 inception. We may not always like the results of presidential 
elections, but the losing candidate has always conceded.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601306782487.jpeg" alt="Democratic candidate Kali Barnett, who is running for the 1st District U.S. House seat against Republican Tracey Mann, said: “Any suggestion that another choice besides peaceful transferal of power exists should be a cause for alarm for all Americans regardless of party.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democratic candidate Kali Barnett, who is running for the 1st District U.S. House seat against Republican Tracey Mann, said: “Any suggestion that another choice besides peaceful transferal of power exists should be a cause for alarm for all Americans regardless of party.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Barnett said the tradition of transitioning from president to president helped build trust in American’s institutions.“Any suggestion that 
another choice besides peaceful transferal of power exists should be a 
cause for alarm for all Americans regardless of party,” she said.While responding to 
questions from reporters, Trump declined to commit to a peaceful 
transition if not re-elected to a second term. Trump generated 
uncertainty Wednesday when he answered questions about a potential 
transition by saying “we’re going to have to see what happens.” On 
Thursday, the president said “we want to make sure that the election is 
honest, and I’m not sure that it can be.”Prominent Republican 
lawmakers in Washington said speculation about Trump instigating a 
disorderly transition were misguided, while Democrats contended Trump 
could rely on powerful tools of the presidency to challenge the outcome 
and prolong his time in office.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

Kan. federal candidates loathe potential unruly transfer of U.S. presidential power

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference Monday to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have faced many unknowns while trying to slow the virus’s spread. As a result, Kansas’ and the nation’s virus response was made through trial and error.

I’m pleased to announce that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is beginning Phase One of our unified COVID-19 testing strategy that, when complete, will coordinate both public and private testing efforts across Kansas.

Our new strategy seeks to increase routine screening in areas of the state with high, ongoing community spread of the virus. This will be valuable for at-congregate setting, such as nursing homes and schools. 

Together with masks and recommended social distancing, we can better contain the virus – and Kansas schools and businesses can re-open responsibly.

We must locate COVID in our communities, keep Kansans safe, and give businesses looking to relocate to Kansas market certainty that we can provide them with the healthy workforce they need to thrive in our state."

Despite some technical difficulties in Topeka, you can watch the governor's comments.

&nbsp;The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2037 to a total of 58,629 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 637, an increase of 5.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference Monday to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy."Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have faced many unknowns while trying to slow the virus’s spread. As a result, Kansas’ and the nation’s virus response was made through trial and error.I’m pleased to announce that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is beginning Phase One of our unified COVID-19 testing strategy that, when complete, will coordinate both public and private testing efforts across Kansas.Our new strategy seeks to increase routine screening in areas of the state with high, ongoing community spread of the virus. This will be valuable for at-congregate setting, such as nursing homes and schools. Together with masks and recommended social distancing, we can better contain the virus – and Kansas schools and businesses can re-open responsibly.We must locate COVID in our communities, keep Kansans safe, and give businesses looking to relocate to Kansas market certainty that we can provide them with the healthy workforce they need to thrive in our state."Despite some technical difficulties in Topeka, you can watch the governor's comments.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F393383638728572%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" 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 2037 to a total of 58,629 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; Coronavirus deaths were reported at 637, an increase of 5.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601313079636.png" alt="Monday Sept. 28, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Sept. 28, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

 🎥  Gov. announces new, unified virus testing strategy

JACKSON COUNTY— Deputies took Jason M. Thomas, 37 of Topeka, into custody Monday afternoon after a detective saw him leave a residence in Delia, Kansas, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Thomas is wanted in connection with the Saturday morning fatal shooting of&nbsp;35-year-old Matthew Pressler&nbsp; at a home in the 300 Block of SW Roosevelt Street in Topeka, according to police.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as 37-year-old Jason M. Thomas of Topeka.

Just before 3a.m. Saturday police responded to a shooting in the 300 block of SW Roosevelt Street in Topeka, according to&nbsp;LT Matt Danielson.

When officers arrived on scene, they found&nbsp; 35-year-old Matthew Pressler of Topeka&nbsp;suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601307096163.png" alt="Thomas-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY— Deputies took Jason M. Thomas, 37 of Topeka, into custody Monday afternoon after a detective saw him leave a residence in Delia, Kansas, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Thomas is wanted in connection with the Saturday morning fatal shooting of&nbsp;35-year-old Matthew Pressler&nbsp; at a home in the 300 Block of SW Roosevelt Street in Topeka, according to police.--------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as 37-year-old Jason M. Thomas of Topeka.Just before 3a.m. Saturday police responded to a shooting in the 300 block of SW Roosevelt Street in Topeka, according to&nbsp;LT Matt Danielson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601120598332.png" alt="Police at the scene early Saturday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene early Saturday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived on scene, they found&nbsp; 35-year-old Matthew Pressler of Topeka&nbsp;suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.On Monday police reminded the public, if you see Thomas, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to apprehend him yourself. You can report past sightings by emailing telltpd@topeka.org. Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.--------------