WICHITA&nbsp; — After 70 years, the remains of a Kansas priest who is being considered for sainthood arrived home Saturday afternoon, according to Catholic Diocese of Wichita.

The remains of Rev. Emil Kapaun  were flown back to Kansas from Hawaii and then taken to Pilsen — Kapaun's hometown — before being taken to Wichita, where a funeral is scheduled for Sept. 29. He died in a prisoner of war camp during the Korean War.

Kapaun was captured in 1950 while attending to soldiers during the Korean War. He died of pneumonia at the POW camp while continuing to minister to fellow prisoners.

Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1993, the Catholic church named him a “Servant of God,” which began the lengthy process of canonization.

The Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced in March that Kapaun’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-pope-john-paul-ii-kansas-sainthood-2c4b0f8a05d91b0c10b27fd262c3956b">remains had been identified</a>&nbsp;at the agency’s laboratory at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

On March 4, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were positively identified.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;A public Vigil service for Fr. Kapaun will be held at Hartman Arena on September 28th&nbsp;at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, September 29th&nbsp;a Mass will be held at Hartman Arena at 10:30 a.m. Following the Mass of Christian Burial at Hartman Arena, Father Kapaun's remains will process from Veterans Memorial Park (339 Veterans Memorial Pkwy) by way of horse-drawn caisson from&nbsp;1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where he will finally be laid to rest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632612695100.png" alt="The remains of Fr. Emil Kapaun arrived in Pilson Saturday -photo courtesy Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The remains of Fr. Emil Kapaun arrived in Pilson Saturday -photo courtesy Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA&nbsp; — After 70 years, the remains of a Kansas priest who is being considered for sainthood arrived home Saturday afternoon, according to Catholic Diocese of Wichita.The remains of Rev. Emil Kapaun were flown back to Kansas from Hawaii and then taken to Pilsen — Kapaun's hometown — before being taken to Wichita, where a funeral is scheduled for Sept. 29. He died in a prisoner of war camp during the Korean War.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fflywichita%2Fvideos%2F1468462940176952%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Kapaun was captured in 1950 while attending to soldiers during the Korean War. He died of pneumonia at the POW camp while continuing to minister to fellow prisoners.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614944899732.png" alt="Kapaun, the Marion County-native, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951." />
 <figcaption>Kapaun, the Marion County-native, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1993, the Catholic church named him a “Servant of God,” which began the lengthy process of canonization.The Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced in March that Kapaun’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wichita-pope-john-paul-ii-kansas-sainthood-2c4b0f8a05d91b0c10b27fd262c3956b">remains had been identified</a>&nbsp;at the agency’s laboratory at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.On March 4, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reported the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were positively identified.&nbsp; &nbsp;A public Vigil service for Fr. Kapaun will be held at Hartman Arena on September 28th&nbsp;at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, September 29th&nbsp;a Mass will be held at Hartman Arena at 10:30 a.m. Following the Mass of Christian Burial at Hartman Arena, Father Kapaun's remains will process from Veterans Memorial Park (339 Veterans Memorial Pkwy) by way of horse-drawn caisson from&nbsp;1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where he will finally be laid to rest.

🎥  Remains of revered Kansas priest arrive home

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization is recommending a pricey antibody treatment for certain coronavirus patients in the latest update to its guidelines for treating people with COVID-19.

The new guidelines, published Friday in the journal BMJ, say the two antibodies - casirivimab and imdevimab = made by Regeneron should be given to people infected with COVID-19 who are at highest risk of hospitalization and to people whose own immune systems have not mounted a response.

The U.N. health agency said the new advice was based on evidence from experimental trials, including a British-run study that is the world’s largest for testing potential COVID-19 treatments.

In the U.S., the Regeneron treatment is mostly recommended for people with mild to moderate COVID-19, to prevent them from needing hospitalization.

Activists worried that the cost of the treatment - more than $2,000 in the U.S. - means it will mostly be unavailable to people in poorer countries. Doctors Without Borders called for Regeneron to ensure the antibody drugs are accessible to needy patients and for the company to license any proprietary rights and share technological know-how for how to make them.

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization is recommending a pricey antibody treatment for certain coronavirus patients in the latest update to its guidelines for treating people with COVID-19.The new guidelines, published Friday in the journal BMJ, say the two antibodies - casirivimab and imdevimab = made by Regeneron should be given to people infected with COVID-19 who are at highest risk of hospitalization and to people whose own immune systems have not mounted a response.The U.N. health agency said the new advice was based on evidence from experimental trials, including a British-run study that is the world’s largest for testing potential COVID-19 treatments.In the U.S., the Regeneron treatment is mostly recommended for people with mild to moderate COVID-19, to prevent them from needing hospitalization.Activists worried that the cost of the treatment - more than $2,000 in the U.S. - means it will mostly be unavailable to people in poorer countries. Doctors Without Borders called for Regeneron to ensure the antibody drugs are accessible to needy patients and for the company to license any proprietary rights and share technological know-how for how to make them.

WHO endorses antibody treatment for some fighting COVID

MANHATTAN, KAN. – A Manhattan man has been arrested by the Topeka Police Department in connection to the murder of a 27-year-old woman in Manhattan early Saturday, according to Riley County Police Department spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.

Just before 6:00 a.m., officers responded to report of a man who had possibly murdered a family member in the 400 block of S. 12th Street and left the scene. 

First responders found Shanell Bobian, 27, of Manhattan. She was pronounced dead. Police did release details on where they found her.

Police identified Kamahl Bobian, 27, of Manhattan as the suspect and an attempt to locate was sent to neighboring agencies. 

Just after 7:30a.m., police arrested Bobian in Topeka&nbsp; after he crashed his vehicle near the intersection of Interstate 70 and W. 1st Ave. in Topeka.

Bobian is currently being held by the Topeka Police Department and will be extradited to the Riley County Jail.

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an apparent homicide in the 400 block of S. 12th Street in Manhattan, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police.

A suspect has been apprehended. This was an isolated incident with no danger to the public.

Check the Post for additional details when they are available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632593299450.png" alt="Kamahl Bobian has previous convictions for domestic battery, attempt to flee or elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Kamahl Bobian has previous convictions for domestic battery, attempt to flee or elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, KAN. – A Manhattan man has been arrested by the Topeka Police Department in connection to the murder of a 27-year-old woman in Manhattan early Saturday, according to Riley County Police Department spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.Just before 6:00 a.m., officers responded to report of a man who had possibly murdered a family member in the 400 block of S. 12th Street and left the scene. First responders found Shanell Bobian, 27, of Manhattan. She was pronounced dead. Police did release details on where they found her.Police identified Kamahl Bobian, 27, of Manhattan as the suspect and an attempt to locate was sent to neighboring agencies. Just after 7:30a.m., police arrested Bobian in Topeka&nbsp; after he crashed his vehicle near the intersection of Interstate 70 and W. 1st Ave. in Topeka.Bobian is currently being held by the Topeka Police Department and will be extradited to the Riley County Jail.--------------MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an apparent homicide in the 400 block of S. 12th Street in Manhattan, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police.A suspect has been apprehended. This was an isolated incident with no danger to the public.Check the Post for additional details when they are available.

Police: Man arrested for murder of woman in Manhattan

COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. (AP) — An assistant coach for a youth football team in Kansas is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly pushing a player to the ground. Adam Dirks is charged with battery for an incident that happened Sept. 9 in Council Grove. 

Police say an 11-year-old boy told police that Dirks pushed him to the ground during a practice. Dirks also is charged with interference with law enforcement. 

Dirks does not have a listed phone number and it wasn’t immediately clear on Friday if he had an attorney. Dirks is a member of the Morris County Board of Education.

COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. (AP) — An assistant coach for a youth football team in Kansas is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly pushing a player to the ground. Adam Dirks is charged with battery for an incident that happened Sept. 9 in Council Grove. Police say an 11-year-old boy told police that Dirks pushed him to the ground during a practice. Dirks also is charged with interference with law enforcement. Dirks does not have a listed phone number and it wasn’t immediately clear on Friday if he had an attorney. Dirks is a member of the Morris County Board of Education.

Youth football coach in Kansas accused of pushing 11-year-old

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting made an arrest and continue asking the public for help to locate a second suspect.

On Sept. 17, Lawrence Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 18-year-old Javier Isidro Romero on a requested charge of first-degree murder in the Wednesday death of 21-year-old Christian Willis&nbsp;in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.

Police are also seeking information on the whereabouts of 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence in connection with the murder.

Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on Spates is encouraged to call the Lawrence Kansas Police Department at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers of Douglas County at 785-843-7477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards and tips can be anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631931965791.png" alt="Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and considered armed and dangerous-photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and considered armed and dangerous-photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting made an arrest and continue asking the public for help to locate a second suspect.On Sept. 17, Lawrence Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 18-year-old Javier Isidro Romero on a requested charge of first-degree murder in the Wednesday death of 21-year-old Christian Willis&nbsp;in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street, according to police department spokesperson Patrick Compton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631932120397.png" alt="Romero photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Romero photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police are also seeking information on the whereabouts of 19-year-old Andrel Darnell Spates, Jr. of Lawrence in connection with the murder.Spates is 6-foot tall, 165 pounds and is considered armed and dangerous.Anyone with information on Spates is encouraged to call the Lawrence Kansas Police Department at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers of Douglas County at 785-843-7477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards and tips can be anonymous.

Police: Search continues for suspect in fatal Kan. shooting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers who want to halt all public funds to Planned Parenthood are recommending that the Legislature give Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s administration authority to cancel abortion providers' Medicaid contracts based on behavior in other states deemed illegal or unethical.

The Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection approved a report with that recommendation on Thursday. Planned Parenthood is Missouri’s only abortion provider.

Abortion providers are already prohibited from using Medicaid funds for abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger or in the cases of rape or incest. Some lawmakers want to pull all public funds, including those for birth control, sexually transmitted disease treatments, cancer screenings and other health care for low-income women.

Democrats warned that the move would trigger a confrontation with the federal government that could threaten the overall Medicaid program.

Senate leaders created the interim committee to “deliver the knockout punch” to Planned Parenthood,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article254470928.html">The Kansas City Star reported</a>.

The committee’s report says the Legislature should change state law to allow the Department of Social Services to cut contracts with any provider when it or its affiliates have “committed fraud, abuse, or unethical behavior and has been removed or prohibited from being a Medicaid provider in another state’s Medicaid program” based on behavior that would be grounds for suspension or cancellation in Missouri.

Texas has already blocked Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds for non-abortion services.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers who want to halt all public funds to Planned Parenthood are recommending that the Legislature give Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s administration authority to cancel abortion providers' Medicaid contracts based on behavior in other states deemed illegal or unethical.The Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection approved a report with that recommendation on Thursday. Planned Parenthood is Missouri’s only abortion provider.Abortion providers are already prohibited from using Medicaid funds for abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger or in the cases of rape or incest. Some lawmakers want to pull all public funds, including those for birth control, sexually transmitted disease treatments, cancer screenings and other health care for low-income women.Democrats warned that the move would trigger a confrontation with the federal government that could threaten the overall Medicaid program.Senate leaders created the interim committee to “deliver the knockout punch” to Planned Parenthood,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article254470928.html">The Kansas City Star reported</a>.The committee’s report says the Legislature should change state law to allow the Department of Social Services to cut contracts with any provider when it or its affiliates have “committed fraud, abuse, or unethical behavior and has been removed or prohibited from being a Medicaid provider in another state’s Medicaid program” based on behavior that would be grounds for suspension or cancellation in Missouri.Texas has already blocked Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds for non-abortion services.

Missouri republicans move to cut Planned Parenthood funds

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The NBA has denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for a vaccination exemption, leaving the Golden State Warriors swingman ineligible to play home games until he meets San Francisco’s vaccination requirement.

The ruling was announced Friday, hours after the New York Knicks said their entire roster is vaccinated, making all their players eligible to play in their home games.

Because of local coronavirus regulations in New York and San Francisco, the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Warriors are required to be vaccinated to play in their home arenas unless exemptions for medical or religious reasons apply.

Wiggins sought an exemption from the league for religious reasons.

“The NBA has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events,” the league said in a statement. “Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfills the city’s vaccination requirements.”

The San Francisco Department of Public Health made clear earlier Friday there would be no exemption for anyone 12 and older at large indoor gatherings.

“Under the current order, if unvaccinated, they cannot enter indoor areas regardless of the reason they are unvaccinated and cannot test out of this requirement even if they have a medical or religious exemption,” it said in a statement.

Unvaccinated players are allowed to play this season, though the NBA has said that they will have to be tested daily on practice and travel days and at least once — possibly more — on game days, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6bbc7d1370cf1298eb8761eaf0fab632">fully vaccinated players will not be subject to daily testing</a>.

However, the Knicks, Nets and Warriors face stricter rules because of their local regulations, which the NBA has told teams do not apply to clubs visiting them.

The Knicks are the first of those teams to say they have met the mandate.

“I’m proud to say that our organization — players, coaches and staff — are 100 percent vaccinated,” general manager Scott Perry said Friday. “And I think it’s a credit to our players, too, in particular that they took this thing very seriously and took the responsibility to get that done.”

Nets general manager Sean Marks said earlier this week that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-brooklyn-9a86ea1fdacaa1d54f29929e04ae516f">couple players wouldn’t yet be eligible</a>, but he was confident everyone would be able to participate by the time the regular season began on Oct. 19.

Wiggins still has time, as San Francisco’s mandate doesn’t take effect until the middle of next month. Training camps open Tuesday.

The NBA has struck agreements this offseason to have virtually all parties involved in games — referees, coaches, stat-crew workers and anyone else who will be in close proximity to players on or off the court in NBA arenas — vaccinated in order to participate.

The one exception: The players themselves, with the National Basketball Players Association rebuking all efforts from the NBA to mandate that they be vaccinated. About 85% of players were vaccinated at the end of last season. The leaguewide figure is believed to have increased since.

Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said Friday that one player is completing his vaccine regimen. Everyone else on the roster has been vaccinated, as well as the entire coaching and front office staff.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau credited the Knicks’ medical staff for keeping the organization educated and aware about virus protocols. Perry praised the players for acting on the information they were given, saying their decision to get vaccinated was unrelated to any rules.

“As an organization we’re obviously following laws and mandates for the league and state government, but a lot of this was internal, internally driven,” Perry said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632575799436.png" alt="Wiggins was the Big 12 freshman of the year at KU in 2013-14. He was a First-team All-Big 12 member and a consensus second-team All-American. photo courtesy Golden State Warriors" />
 <figcaption>Wiggins was the Big 12 freshman of the year at KU in 2013-14. He was a First-team All-Big 12 member and a consensus second-team All-American. photo courtesy Golden State Warriors</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The NBA has denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for a vaccination exemption, leaving the Golden State Warriors swingman ineligible to play home games until he meets San Francisco’s vaccination requirement.The ruling was announced Friday, hours after the New York Knicks said their entire roster is vaccinated, making all their players eligible to play in their home games.Because of local coronavirus regulations in New York and San Francisco, the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Warriors are required to be vaccinated to play in their home arenas unless exemptions for medical or religious reasons apply.Wiggins sought an exemption from the league for religious reasons.“The NBA has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events,” the league said in a statement. “Wiggins will not be able to play in Warriors home games until he fulfills the city’s vaccination requirements.”The San Francisco Department of Public Health made clear earlier Friday there would be no exemption for anyone 12 and older at large indoor gatherings.“Under the current order, if unvaccinated, they cannot enter indoor areas regardless of the reason they are unvaccinated and cannot test out of this requirement even if they have a medical or religious exemption,” it said in a statement.Unvaccinated players are allowed to play this season, though the NBA has said that they will have to be tested daily on practice and travel days and at least once — possibly more — on game days, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6bbc7d1370cf1298eb8761eaf0fab632">fully vaccinated players will not be subject to daily testing</a>.However, the Knicks, Nets and Warriors face stricter rules because of their local regulations, which the NBA has told teams do not apply to clubs visiting them.The Knicks are the first of those teams to say they have met the mandate.“I’m proud to say that our organization — players, coaches and staff — are 100 percent vaccinated,” general manager Scott Perry said Friday. “And I think it’s a credit to our players, too, in particular that they took this thing very seriously and took the responsibility to get that done.”Nets general manager Sean Marks said earlier this week that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-brooklyn-9a86ea1fdacaa1d54f29929e04ae516f">couple players wouldn’t yet be eligible</a>, but he was confident everyone would be able to participate by the time the regular season began on Oct. 19.Wiggins still has time, as San Francisco’s mandate doesn’t take effect until the middle of next month. Training camps open Tuesday.The NBA has struck agreements this offseason to have virtually all parties involved in games — referees, coaches, stat-crew workers and anyone else who will be in close proximity to players on or off the court in NBA arenas — vaccinated in order to participate.The one exception: The players themselves, with the National Basketball Players Association rebuking all efforts from the NBA to mandate that they be vaccinated. About 85% of players were vaccinated at the end of last season. The leaguewide figure is believed to have increased since.Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said Friday that one player is completing his vaccine regimen. Everyone else on the roster has been vaccinated, as well as the entire coaching and front office staff.Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau credited the Knicks’ medical staff for keeping the organization educated and aware about virus protocols. Perry praised the players for acting on the information they were given, saying their decision to get vaccinated was unrelated to any rules.“As an organization we’re obviously following laws and mandates for the league and state government, but a lot of this was internal, internally driven,” Perry said.

Former KU Jayhawk in battle with NBA over vaccination 

Democratic governor’s job approval at 53%; GOP attorney general’s at 40%

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/24/campaign-poll-kelly-holds-slim-margin-over-schmidt-in-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — An early survey in the 
2022 election cycle shows Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly with a narrow 
advantage over Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt in a 
head-to-head gubernatorial showdown of two statewide officeholders 
gearing up for that campaign.

The poll by Clarity Campaign Labs, a liberal-leaning firm in 
Washington, D.C., at the behest of EMILY’s List, which promotes 
Democratic women candidates, indicated Kelly had a 3 percentage point 
advantage on Schmidt. Kelly held support of 47% of participants to 
Schmidt’s 44% in a survey with a 3.4% margin of error.

Kelly attracted backing from 83% of voters who considered themselves 
ideologically moderate and 21% who viewed themselves as somewhat 
conservative.

Laphonza Butler, newly appointed president of EMILY’s List, said 
Kelly had proven herself a champion of women and families during a 
period of unprecedented health and economic challenges caused by the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Butler expressed confidence in Kelly’s path to 
re-election.

“The numbers tell us that Kansans appreciate her leadership,” Butler 
said. “A majority of Kansans across party lines approve of Governor 
Kelly’s performance in office throughout her first term.”

Kelly and the Kansas Democratic Party have sought to convince voters 
the state’s economy was in a strong position. The governor has touted 
expansion in business investment and associated job growth. She says she
 was integral to achieving proper funding of K-12 public schools, 
restoring stability to the state’s transportation program and 
overhauling the child welfare system.

The Kansas Republican Party and Schmidt have argued Kelly fumbled the
 state’s response to COVID-19. They’ve asserted she responded to the 
pandemic by unnecessarily closing businesses, imposing mask mandates and
 limiting the size of gatherings at places of worship. In addition, the 
Kansas GOP has sought to nationalize the governor’s race by taking issue
 with policies embraced by President Joe Biden.

The survey taken more than one year prior to next year’s general 
election revealed 53% of respondents approved of the job Kelly had done 
as governor with 41% disapproving of her performance. Across the 
political spectrum, 27% of self-identified Republicans expressed approval of her track record as governor since 2019 along with 69% of&nbsp; independents and 94% of self-identified Democrats.

In terms of Schmidt, the pollsters said 40% of participants approved 
and 42% disapproved of his performance as attorney general. During the 
GOP primary campaign, Schmidt has sought to convince Republicans of his 
conservative credentials and eagerness to push back against policies of 
Biden.

In 2018, Kelly defeated the Republican nominee, Secretary of State 
Kris Kobach, by securing 47.8% of the vote. Kobach had prevailed in 
back-to-back statewide campaigns for secretary of state, but couldn’t 
translate high name recognition and a GOP registration advantage into 
victory in the governor’s race.

Kelly’s first campaign for governor emphasized unpopularity of former
 Gov. Sam Brownback, who had stepped down to work in the administration 
of President Donald Trump. Instead of distancing himself from Brownback,
 Kobach advocated resumption of the Brownback economic experiment that 
centered on slashing state income taxes. Spending wasn’t reduced a 
comparable amount under Brownback and the state struggled with budget 
problems until his tax program was repealed in 2017.

In her campaign for governor, Kelly asserted Brownback’s leadership 
jeopardized the state’s education and highway systems and undermined the
 safety net for vulnerable Kansas. She also said Kobach was “Sam 
Brownback on steroids.”

The survey for EMILY’s List showed Brownback remained unpopular among
 Kansas voters. In this poll, 17% said they were in favor of returning 
to Brownback-era policies. At the same time, 56% of respondents wanted 
to “go in a different direction” than policy championed by Brownback.

Overall, 30% approved of how Brownback did his job as governor and 
62% disapproved of his performance as the state’s chief executive.

The telephone survey of 810 registered voters in Kansas was conducted
 Sept. 13-15. The sample was weighted by the polling firm to reflect a 
likely 2022 general electorate. The margin of error was plus or minus 
3.45%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632492286198.png" alt="New polling shows Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly with a slight edge over Attorney General Derek Schmidt, left, in a likely 2022 gubernatorial showdown following former Gov. Jeff Colyer’s withdrawal from the GOP primary. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>New polling shows Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly with a slight edge over Attorney General Derek Schmidt, left, in a likely 2022 gubernatorial showdown following former Gov. Jeff Colyer’s withdrawal from the GOP primary. (Screen capture/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democratic governor’s job approval at 53%; GOP attorney general’s at 40%</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/24/campaign-poll-kelly-holds-slim-margin-over-schmidt-in-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — An early survey in the 
2022 election cycle shows Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly with a narrow 
advantage over Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt in a 
head-to-head gubernatorial showdown of two statewide officeholders 
gearing up for that campaign.The poll by Clarity Campaign Labs, a liberal-leaning firm in 
Washington, D.C., at the behest of EMILY’s List, which promotes 
Democratic women candidates, indicated Kelly had a 3 percentage point 
advantage on Schmidt. Kelly held support of 47% of participants to 
Schmidt’s 44% in a survey with a 3.4% margin of error.Kelly attracted backing from 83% of voters who considered themselves 
ideologically moderate and 21% who viewed themselves as somewhat 
conservative.Laphonza Butler, newly appointed president of EMILY’s List, said 
Kelly had proven herself a champion of women and families during a 
period of unprecedented health and economic challenges caused by the 
COVID-19 pandemic. Butler expressed confidence in Kelly’s path to 
re-election.“The numbers tell us that Kansans appreciate her leadership,” Butler 
said. “A majority of Kansans across party lines approve of Governor 
Kelly’s performance in office throughout her first term.”Kelly and the Kansas Democratic Party have sought to convince voters 
the state’s economy was in a strong position. The governor has touted 
expansion in business investment and associated job growth. She says she
 was integral to achieving proper funding of K-12 public schools, 
restoring stability to the state’s transportation program and 
overhauling the child welfare system.The Kansas Republican Party and Schmidt have argued Kelly fumbled the
 state’s response to COVID-19. They’ve asserted she responded to the 
pandemic by unnecessarily closing businesses, imposing mask mandates and
 limiting the size of gatherings at places of worship. In addition, the 
Kansas GOP has sought to nationalize the governor’s race by taking issue
 with policies embraced by President Joe Biden.The survey taken more than one year prior to next year’s general 
election revealed 53% of respondents approved of the job Kelly had done 
as governor with 41% disapproving of her performance. Across the 
political spectrum, 27% of self-identified Republicans expressed approval of her track record as governor since 2019 along with 69% of&nbsp; independents and 94% of self-identified Democrats.In terms of Schmidt, the pollsters said 40% of participants approved 
and 42% disapproved of his performance as attorney general. During the 
GOP primary campaign, Schmidt has sought to convince Republicans of his 
conservative credentials and eagerness to push back against policies of 
Biden.In 2018, Kelly defeated the Republican nominee, Secretary of State 
Kris Kobach, by securing 47.8% of the vote. Kobach had prevailed in 
back-to-back statewide campaigns for secretary of state, but couldn’t 
translate high name recognition and a GOP registration advantage into 
victory in the governor’s race.Kelly’s first campaign for governor emphasized unpopularity of former
 Gov. Sam Brownback, who had stepped down to work in the administration 
of President Donald Trump. Instead of distancing himself from Brownback,
 Kobach advocated resumption of the Brownback economic experiment that 
centered on slashing state income taxes. Spending wasn’t reduced a 
comparable amount under Brownback and the state struggled with budget 
problems until his tax program was repealed in 2017.In her campaign for governor, Kelly asserted Brownback’s leadership 
jeopardized the state’s education and highway systems and undermined the
 safety net for vulnerable Kansas. She also said Kobach was “Sam 
Brownback on steroids.”The survey for EMILY’s List showed Brownback remained unpopular among
 Kansas voters. In this poll, 17% said they were in favor of returning 
to Brownback-era policies. At the same time, 56% of respondents wanted 
to “go in a different direction” than policy championed by Brownback.Overall, 30% approved of how Brownback did his job as governor and 
62% disapproved of his performance as the state’s chief executive.The telephone survey of 810 registered voters in Kansas was conducted
 Sept. 13-15. The sample was weighted by the polling firm to reflect a 
likely 2022 general electorate. The margin of error was plus or minus 
3.45%.

Poll: Kelly holds slim margin over Schmidt in Kansas governor’s race

GREENE COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Friday in Greene County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 GMC Sonoma driven by Christopher J. Godeaux, 40, was southbound on Farm Road 164 two miles west of Rogersville.

The driver failed to yield and the GMC traveled into the path of an eastbound 2004 Pontiac Vibe driven by Jodi A. Blomenkamp, 49, Rogersville.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Pontiac struck the GMC. After impact the Pontiac overturned and the driver was ejected.

Blomenkamp was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county medical examiner's office. Godeaux was not injured.&nbsp; Blomenkamp was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

GREENE COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Friday in Greene County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 GMC Sonoma driven by Christopher J. Godeaux, 40, was southbound on Farm Road 164 two miles west of Rogersville.The driver failed to yield and the GMC traveled into the path of an eastbound 2004 Pontiac Vibe driven by Jodi A. Blomenkamp, 49, Rogersville.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Pontiac struck the GMC. After impact the Pontiac overturned and the driver was ejected.Blomenkamp was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county medical examiner's office. Godeaux was not injured.&nbsp; Blomenkamp was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman dies after ejected in 2-vehicle crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday that the state will adopt the recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning Pfizer booster shots as part of the effort to fight COVID-19.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky ruled Thursday that people 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 and up who have chronic health problems such as diabetes should be offered a booster once they’re six months past their last Pfizer dose.

Kelly, a Democrat, said in a news release that she has authorized all COVID-19 vaccine providers to begin administering Pfizer booster shots to eligible Kansans as of Friday.

Kelly said the CDC’s announcement “will provide additional protection to the most vulnerable Kansans and our frontline healthcare workers.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday that the state will adopt the recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning Pfizer booster shots as part of the effort to fight COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626984902343.png" alt="CDC Director Rochelle Walensky" />
 <figcaption>CDC Director Rochelle Walensky</figcaption>
 </figure>CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky ruled Thursday that people 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 and up who have chronic health problems such as diabetes should be offered a booster once they’re six months past their last Pfizer dose.Kelly, a Democrat, said in a news release that she has authorized all COVID-19 vaccine providers to begin administering Pfizer booster shots to eligible Kansans as of Friday.Kelly said the CDC’s announcement “will provide additional protection to the most vulnerable Kansans and our frontline healthcare workers.”

Kan. follows CDC recommendation, begins Pfizer booster effort

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Basehor Police Department reported that 77-year-old Donald Pursley, of Basehor, was discovered deceased on Friday night at the Leavenworth State Fishing Lake in Tonganoxie, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Basehor Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Basehor man.

The whereabouts of 77-year-old Donald L. Pursley are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Pursley is a white male, 5 ft. 10 in. tall, weighing around 170 lbs. He has grey hair and hazel eyes. Pursley was last known driving a silver 2003 Toyota Tacoma, with Kansas Veterans tag&nbsp;59982. The pickup truck has USMC and POW stickers on the rear window.

Pursley left his home on Sept. 21 around 11 a.m. to go fishing and has not returned home. He was wearing a dark-colored USMC ball cap and jeans. Pursley’s last location may have been within a 10 mile radius of Oskaloosa, Kansas.

Pursley’s family reported him missing Friday evening, Sept. 24, and shared that he sometimes fishes at Lake Perry in Jefferson County, or Smithville Lake in Missouri. They are concerned for his safety.

If you see Pursley, his vehicle, or have information about his whereabouts, please immediately call 911 or the Basehor Police Department at 913-758-4022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632538450016.png" alt="Donald L. Pursley" />
 <figcaption>Donald L. Pursley</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Basehor Police Department reported that 77-year-old Donald Pursley, of Basehor, was discovered deceased on Friday night at the Leavenworth State Fishing Lake in Tonganoxie, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.---------LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Basehor Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Basehor man.The whereabouts of 77-year-old Donald L. Pursley are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Pursley is a white male, 5 ft. 10 in. tall, weighing around 170 lbs. He has grey hair and hazel eyes. Pursley was last known driving a silver 2003 Toyota Tacoma, with Kansas Veterans tag&nbsp;59982. The pickup truck has USMC and POW stickers on the rear window.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632538425842.png" alt="Mr. Pursley" />
 <figcaption>Mr. Pursley</figcaption>
 </figure>Pursley left his home on Sept. 21 around 11 a.m. to go fishing and has not returned home. He was wearing a dark-colored USMC ball cap and jeans. Pursley’s last location may have been within a 10 mile radius of Oskaloosa, Kansas.Pursley’s family reported him missing Friday evening, Sept. 24, and shared that he sometimes fishes at Lake Perry in Jefferson County, or Smithville Lake in Missouri. They are concerned for his safety.If you see Pursley, his vehicle, or have information about his whereabouts, please immediately call 911 or the Basehor Police Department at 913-758-4022.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kan. man found deceased

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal shooting of 2-year-old have arrested 21-year-old Bishop Isaiah Mendoza of Lawrence.

Just before 11a.m. Sept. 17, police were dispatched to a home in the 1500 Block of Wedgewood Drive in Lawrence in reference to a shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.&nbsp;

Officers arrived on scene and located a 2-year-old child later identified as Legend King who was critically injured from an apparent gunshot wound. The child was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical. The child was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Mendoza is being held on requested charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated child endangerment and possession of a stolen handgun, according to Compton.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left a child dead.

Just before 11a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the 1500 Block of Wedgewood Drive in reference to a shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.&nbsp;

Officers arrived on scene and located a 2-year-old child who was critically injured from an apparent gunshot wound. The child was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical. The child was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Officers and detectives are currently speaking with the parties involved in the incident and preliminary information suggests the shooting was accidental. Authorities released no additional details including names of those involved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631914210754.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Friday fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Friday fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal shooting of 2-year-old have arrested 21-year-old Bishop Isaiah Mendoza of Lawrence.Just before 11a.m. Sept. 17, police were dispatched to a home in the 1500 Block of Wedgewood Drive in Lawrence in reference to a shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.&nbsp;Officers arrived on scene and located a 2-year-old child later identified as Legend King who was critically injured from an apparent gunshot wound. The child was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical. The child was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632512725788.png" alt="Mendoza-photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>Mendoza is being held on requested charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated child endangerment and possession of a stolen handgun, according to Compton.--------DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left a child dead.Just before 11a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to the 1500 Block of Wedgewood Drive in reference to a shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.&nbsp;Officers arrived on scene and located a 2-year-old child who was critically injured from an apparent gunshot wound. The child was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical. The child was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.Officers and detectives are currently speaking with the parties involved in the incident and preliminary information suggests the shooting was accidental. Authorities released no additional details including names of those involved.

Police: Stolen handgun used in killing of 2-year-old Kansas boy 

The Silver Alert for Marsha McClellan, 81, of Shawnee, has been canceled. McClellan was located in Missouri. She was involved in an auto accident, but is in good condition, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Shawnee Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide silver alert for a missing Shawnee woman.&nbsp;

The whereabouts of 81-year-old Marsha A. McClellan are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.

McClellan&nbsp;left her home at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, in a tan 2013 Buick Encore, with Kansas Veteran tag&nbsp;75AZD. Her vehicle was last seen heading East at Johnson Dr. &amp; Neiman Rd., in Shawnee, around 3 p.m. on Friday.

McClellan has been diagnosed with dementia, and has not driven in over six months. She also does not have medication with her.

McClellan is a white female, 5 ft. 4 in. tall, and weighs approximately 135 lbs.&nbsp;She has blue eyes and short white hair.

If you see McClellan or her vehicle, or have details about her whereabouts, please immediately call 911, or contact the Shawnee Police Department at&nbsp;(913) 742-6770.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632533084973.png" alt="Marsha McClellan-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Marsha McClellan-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The Silver Alert for Marsha McClellan, 81, of Shawnee, has been canceled. McClellan was located in Missouri. She was involved in an auto accident, but is in good condition, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;-----------JOHNSON COUNTY –&nbsp;The Shawnee Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide silver alert for a missing Shawnee woman.&nbsp;The whereabouts of 81-year-old Marsha A. McClellan are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632533137335.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>McClellan&nbsp;left her home at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, in a tan 2013 Buick Encore, with Kansas Veteran tag&nbsp;75AZD. Her vehicle was last seen heading East at Johnson Dr. &amp; Neiman Rd., in Shawnee, around 3 p.m. on Friday.McClellan has been diagnosed with dementia, and has not driven in over six months. She also does not have medication with her.McClellan is a white female, 5 ft. 4 in. tall, and weighs approximately 135 lbs.&nbsp;She has blue eyes and short white hair.If you see McClellan or her vehicle, or have details about her whereabouts, please immediately call 911, or contact the Shawnee Police Department at&nbsp;(913) 742-6770.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kan. woman found after traffic crash

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have announced that the president of Emporia State University in Kansas will become the new chancellor of Oklahoma's higher education system. 

Regents Chair Jeffrey Hickman on Friday said Allison Garrett, the first woman named as chancellor, will succeed Glen Johnson, who is retiring Sept. 30 after serving as chancellor since 2007. 

Garrett, president at Emporia State since 2016, previously was an administrator at Abilene Christian University in Texas and at Oklahoma Christian University. She also worked as an executive at Walmart, which is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632528187360.png" alt="Allison Garrett-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Allison Garrett-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have announced that the president of Emporia State University in Kansas will become the new chancellor of Oklahoma's higher education system. Regents Chair Jeffrey Hickman on Friday said Allison Garrett, the first woman named as chancellor, will succeed Glen Johnson, who is retiring Sept. 30 after serving as chancellor since 2007. Garrett, president at Emporia State since 2016, previously was an administrator at Abilene Christian University in Texas and at Oklahoma Christian University. She also worked as an executive at Walmart, which is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Emporia State president named chancellor of Okla. higher education system

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden on Friday urged those now eligible for boosters of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to get the added protection a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the extra doses for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514937-1/president-biden-announces-eligible-groups-pfizer-booster-shots">Click here to watch </a>a replay of President Biden's comments

Now public health officials must clear up confusion over exactly who should get a booster, and why — as they juggle vaccinating the unvaccinated who still make up the vast majority of the nation’s coronavirus cases.

People 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 and up who have chronic health problems such as diabetes should be offered a booster once they’re six months past their last Pfizer dose, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky ruled late Thursday.

And a broad swath of other adults can decide for themselves if they want a booster once they reach that six-month mark: Younger people with underlying health problems — plus people at increased risk of infection because of their jobs, such as health workers, or their living conditions, such as jails or homeless shelters.

Walensky overruled objections from her own advisory panel in adding that last category, but the decision drew praise from health organizations that need their employees to avoid even a mild infection so they can come to work.

“At a time when hospitals across the country are experiencing ongoing surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations and severe workforce shortages, all available tools — including booster shots — should be considered to keep frontline health care workers safe and safeguard access to care,” said American Hospital Association CEO Rick Pollack.

The booster decision comes even as CDC data shows the vaccines used in the U.S. still strongly protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and death from COVID-19, although immunity against milder infection appears to be waning somewhat months after getting the shots.

“You’re in good shape and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way, which is where the booster comes in,” Biden said Friday as he praised the decision. He aimed to set aside any unease about another vaccination by saying he would get his own booster soon.

“It’s hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, but I’ll be getting my booster shot,” Biden said. “It’s a bear, isn’t it?”

The approval prompted many Americans to immediately seek their own boosters.

Jen Peck, 52, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, got the booster first thing Friday morning. She qualified as a math and science consultant at rural schools in Wisconsin, and got her last Pfizer dose in March.

“It’s a little scary out there,” she said of her job traveling between school districts in places where many students and teachers don’t wear masks and the younger children aren’t vaccinated.

“Because I go from building to building I don’t want to be COVID Mary carrying it around to buildings full of unvaccinated kiddos. I could not live with myself if I carried it from one building to another. That haunts me, the thought of that,” Peck said.

CDC’s Walensky said getting the unvaccinated their first shots remains the top priority. But her advisers on Thursday wrestled with whether the booster debate was distracting from that goal, especially if the shots were opened to the wide swath of Americans that Walensky ultimately settled on.

Only about 182 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or just 55% of the population.

It’s rare for a CDC director to overrule the panel recommendation; experts said it has only happened once this century.

Still to come: Government decisions on whether to allow booster doses of vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson.

Britain and Israel are already giving a third round of shots over strong objections from the World Health Organization that poor countries don’t have enough for their initial doses.

The U.S. had already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632493622883.png" alt="“It’s hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, but I’ll be getting my booster shot,” President Biden said. “It’s a bear, isn’t it?”-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>“It’s hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, but I’ll be getting my booster shot,” President Biden said. “It’s a bear, isn’t it?”-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden on Friday urged those now eligible for boosters of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to get the added protection a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the extra doses for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514937-1/president-biden-announces-eligible-groups-pfizer-booster-shots">Click here to watch </a>a replay of President Biden's commentsNow public health officials must clear up confusion over exactly who should get a booster, and why — as they juggle vaccinating the unvaccinated who still make up the vast majority of the nation’s coronavirus cases.People 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 and up who have chronic health problems such as diabetes should be offered a booster once they’re six months past their last Pfizer dose, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky ruled late Thursday.And a broad swath of other adults can decide for themselves if they want a booster once they reach that six-month mark: Younger people with underlying health problems — plus people at increased risk of infection because of their jobs, such as health workers, or their living conditions, such as jails or homeless shelters.Walensky overruled objections from her own advisory panel in adding that last category, but the decision drew praise from health organizations that need their employees to avoid even a mild infection so they can come to work.“At a time when hospitals across the country are experiencing ongoing surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations and severe workforce shortages, all available tools — including booster shots — should be considered to keep frontline health care workers safe and safeguard access to care,” said American Hospital Association CEO Rick Pollack.The booster decision comes even as CDC data shows the vaccines used in the U.S. still strongly protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and death from COVID-19, although immunity against milder infection appears to be waning somewhat months after getting the shots.“You’re in good shape and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way, which is where the booster comes in,” Biden said Friday as he praised the decision. He aimed to set aside any unease about another vaccination by saying he would get his own booster soon.“It’s hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, but I’ll be getting my booster shot,” Biden said. “It’s a bear, isn’t it?”The approval prompted many Americans to immediately seek their own boosters.Jen Peck, 52, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, got the booster first thing Friday morning. She qualified as a math and science consultant at rural schools in Wisconsin, and got her last Pfizer dose in March.“It’s a little scary out there,” she said of her job traveling between school districts in places where many students and teachers don’t wear masks and the younger children aren’t vaccinated.“Because I go from building to building I don’t want to be COVID Mary carrying it around to buildings full of unvaccinated kiddos. I could not live with myself if I carried it from one building to another. That haunts me, the thought of that,” Peck said.CDC’s Walensky said getting the unvaccinated their first shots remains the top priority. But her advisers on Thursday wrestled with whether the booster debate was distracting from that goal, especially if the shots were opened to the wide swath of Americans that Walensky ultimately settled on.Only about 182 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or just 55% of the population.It’s rare for a CDC director to overrule the panel recommendation; experts said it has only happened once this century.Still to come: Government decisions on whether to allow booster doses of vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson.Britain and Israel are already giving a third round of shots over strong objections from the World Health Organization that poor countries don’t have enough for their initial doses.The U.S. had already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.

🎥 Biden: Hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, I’ll get my booster shot

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The driver of an all-terrain vehicle is dead after it reportedly popped a wheelie and crashed into the side of a Jeep.

<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/4-wheeler-rider-dead-after-popping-a-wheelie-driving-into-car-with-baby-inside/article_f4d12e42-1d36-11ec-97e3-ffdbd3825b4e.html?block_id=991162">KCTV-TV&nbsp;</a>reports that the accident happened around 10 p.m. Thursday in Kansas City. Police said a man driving a Yamaha four-wheeler ran a red light and popped a wheelie while trying to go around a vehicle that was in front of him at the light.

As the ATV ran the red light it drove into the side of a Jeep. The ATV driver was thrown from the vehicle and died. The woman driving the Jeep is hospitalized with serious injuries. Her 1-year-old son who was in the Jeep was not hurt.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The driver of an all-terrain vehicle is dead after it reportedly popped a wheelie and crashed into the side of a Jeep.<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/4-wheeler-rider-dead-after-popping-a-wheelie-driving-into-car-with-baby-inside/article_f4d12e42-1d36-11ec-97e3-ffdbd3825b4e.html?block_id=991162">KCTV-TV&nbsp;</a>reports that the accident happened around 10 p.m. Thursday in Kansas City. Police said a man driving a Yamaha four-wheeler ran a red light and popped a wheelie while trying to go around a vehicle that was in front of him at the light.As the ATV ran the red light it drove into the side of a Jeep. The ATV driver was thrown from the vehicle and died. The woman driving the Jeep is hospitalized with serious injuries. Her 1-year-old son who was in the Jeep was not hurt.

ATV driver dead after crash into Jeep with baby inside

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed legislation Friday that would guarantee a woman’s right to an abortion, an effort by Democrats to circumvent a new Texas law that has placed that access under threat.

The bill's 218-211 approval is mostly symbolic, as Republican opposition will doom it in the Senate.

Still, Democrats say they are doing all they can to codify the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision after the Supreme Court recently allowed the Texas law banning most abortions in the state to take effect. The court will hear arguments in December in a separate Mississippi bid to overturn the landmark decision.

Despite the long odds in his chamber, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement after the vote that “Congress must assert its role to protect the constitutional right to abortion” and that the Senate would hold a vote “in the very near future.”

Codifying the Roe ruling would mean creating a right to abortion in federal law, a monumental change that would make it harder for courts and states to impose restrictions.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that congressional action would make a “tremendous difference” in Democrats’ efforts to maintain access to abortion rights. She called the Supreme Court's decision “shameful” and counter to its own precedent.

Pelosi said just ahead of Friday's vote that it should “send a very positive message to the women of our country — but not just the women, to the women and their families, to everyone who values freedom, honors our Constitution and respects women.”

No Republicans voted for the legislation, which would supersede state laws on the subject, give health care providers the right to perform abortions and patients the right to receive them. Republicans argue it would prevent states from setting requirements like parental involvement and could weaken laws that allow doctors to refuse to perform an abortion.

The legislation “isn't about freedom for women, it's about death for babies,” said Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri. She said it would eliminate protections for women and girls who may be coerced into having abortions.

“It ends the life of a living human being with a plan and a purpose from God and who deserves to live,” Hartzler said.

Only one member crossed party lines — Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, who voted against the bill.

The vote came as Democrats have spoken boldly about fighting the Supreme Court — which has a more conservative tilt after Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed last year — but struggled privately to find an effective strategy. They control Congress by the slimmest of margins, including the evenly split 50-50 Senate, making the prospects of a successful legislative response difficult.

The party has split, in some cases, over how far Washington must go to preserve access to abortions. Liberal lawmakers backed by advocates of reproductive rights who helped power President Joe Biden to office want to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court to rebalance power, changing the rules if needed to lower the 60-vote threshold typically required in the Senate to advance legislation.

“Democrats can either abolish the filibuster and expand the court, or do nothing as millions of peoples’ bodies, rights, and lives are sacrificed for far-right minority rule," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. “This shouldn’t be a difficult decision.”

But other Democrats — Biden among them — have been wary of such a move.

Biden supports the House bill and called the court’s ruling on Texas an “unprecedented assault on a woman’s constitutional rights." He has directed multiple agencies to conduct a government-wide effort to ensure women have abortion access and to protect health care providers. But he has not endorsed the idea of adding justices to the Supreme Court, instead forming a commission to study the idea.

The court's decisions on abortion could prompt political tensions among Republicans, as well.

Former President Donald Trump was able to secure three new conservative Supreme Court justices because Republican leadership in Congress led by GOP leader Mitch McConnell paved the way. Now, as the court upheld the strict new Texas aw outlawing most abortions in the state, the political fallout will test the limits of that strategy.

Women and advocates of abortion rights are quickly mobilizing to take on not just those Republicans, but also the big businesses that backed them, aiming squarely at those that contributed to many of the Texas Republicans behind the abortion law.

“They will be met with a fierce response from women and people across the country,” said Sonja Spoo, director of Reproductive Rights Campaigns at UltraViolet, an advocacy organization, in an interview.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican who supports abortion rights, says the Texas law is “harmful and extreme” and she supports codifying Roe.

But she says the House bill goes “way beyond” that and could threaten the rights of doctors who refuse to perform abortions on religious or moral grounds, for example.

“I support codifying Roe, and I am working with some of my colleagues in the Senate on legislation that would do so,” Collins said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632509999612.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that congressional action would make a “tremendous difference” in Democrats’ efforts to maintain access to abortion rights. She called the Supreme Court's decision “shameful” and counter to its own precedent.-photo courtesy House Speaker" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that congressional action would make a “tremendous difference” in Democrats’ efforts to maintain access to abortion rights. She called the Supreme Court's decision “shameful” and counter to its own precedent.-photo courtesy House Speaker</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed legislation Friday that would guarantee a woman’s right to an abortion, an effort by Democrats to circumvent a new Texas law that has placed that access under threat.The bill's 218-211 approval is mostly symbolic, as Republican opposition will doom it in the Senate.Still, Democrats say they are doing all they can to codify the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision after the Supreme Court recently allowed the Texas law banning most abortions in the state to take effect. The court will hear arguments in December in a separate Mississippi bid to overturn the landmark decision.Despite the long odds in his chamber, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement after the vote that “Congress must assert its role to protect the constitutional right to abortion” and that the Senate would hold a vote “in the very near future.”Codifying the Roe ruling would mean creating a right to abortion in federal law, a monumental change that would make it harder for courts and states to impose restrictions.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that congressional action would make a “tremendous difference” in Democrats’ efforts to maintain access to abortion rights. She called the Supreme Court's decision “shameful” and counter to its own precedent.Pelosi said just ahead of Friday's vote that it should “send a very positive message to the women of our country — but not just the women, to the women and their families, to everyone who values freedom, honors our Constitution and respects women.”No Republicans voted for the legislation, which would supersede state laws on the subject, give health care providers the right to perform abortions and patients the right to receive them. Republicans argue it would prevent states from setting requirements like parental involvement and could weaken laws that allow doctors to refuse to perform an abortion.The legislation “isn't about freedom for women, it's about death for babies,” said Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri. She said it would eliminate protections for women and girls who may be coerced into having abortions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Democrats&#39; radical abortion bill being considered today isn’t about freedom for women. It’s about death for babies. (1/3) <a href="https://t.co/UQU6IpldMe">pic.twitter.com/UQU6IpldMe</a>&mdash; Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepHartzler/status/1441422196132380678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It ends the life of a living human being with a plan and a purpose from God and who deserves to live,” Hartzler said.Only one member crossed party lines — Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, who voted against the bill.The vote came as Democrats have spoken boldly about fighting the Supreme Court — which has a more conservative tilt after Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed last year — but struggled privately to find an effective strategy. They control Congress by the slimmest of margins, including the evenly split 50-50 Senate, making the prospects of a successful legislative response difficult.The party has split, in some cases, over how far Washington must go to preserve access to abortions. Liberal lawmakers backed by advocates of reproductive rights who helped power President Joe Biden to office want to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court to rebalance power, changing the rules if needed to lower the 60-vote threshold typically required in the Senate to advance legislation.“Democrats can either abolish the filibuster and expand the court, or do nothing as millions of peoples’ bodies, rights, and lives are sacrificed for far-right minority rule," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. “This shouldn’t be a difficult decision.”But other Democrats — Biden among them — have been wary of such a move.Biden supports the House bill and called the court’s ruling on Texas an “unprecedented assault on a woman’s constitutional rights." He has directed multiple agencies to conduct a government-wide effort to ensure women have abortion access and to protect health care providers. But he has not endorsed the idea of adding justices to the Supreme Court, instead forming a commission to study the idea.The court's decisions on abortion could prompt political tensions among Republicans, as well.Former President Donald Trump was able to secure three new conservative Supreme Court justices because Republican leadership in Congress led by GOP leader Mitch McConnell paved the way. Now, as the court upheld the strict new Texas aw outlawing most abortions in the state, the political fallout will test the limits of that strategy.Women and advocates of abortion rights are quickly mobilizing to take on not just those Republicans, but also the big businesses that backed them, aiming squarely at those that contributed to many of the Texas Republicans behind the abortion law.“They will be met with a fierce response from women and people across the country,” said Sonja Spoo, director of Reproductive Rights Campaigns at UltraViolet, an advocacy organization, in an interview.Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican who supports abortion rights, says the Texas law is “harmful and extreme” and she supports codifying Roe.But she says the House bill goes “way beyond” that and could threaten the rights of doctors who refuse to perform abortions on religious or moral grounds, for example.“I support codifying Roe, and I am working with some of my colleagues in the Senate on legislation that would do so,” Collins said in a statement.

House votes to protect abortion rights amid state challenges

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — A Jackson County judge has ordered a suburban Kansas City restaurant to shut down in the wake of its owner’s continued defiance of a mask mandate intended to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this month, Judge James Kanatazar ordered Rae’s Cafe in Blue Springs to temporarily close after owner Amanda Wohletz ignored a health department order to close because of repeated violations of the county’s indoor mask requirement.

On Thursday, Judge Jennifer Phillips barred the restaurant from operating, rejecting Wohletz’s argument of medical exemptions and that the restaurant could skirt the mandate by operating as a private club. The judge also ordered Rae’s Cafe to cease operations until it obtained a valid food permit.

On Sept. 3, Jackson County health officials and sheriff’s deputies served Wohletz with an order to close because the mask mandate was being ignored. But the business continued to operate, and its food permit was then suspended. Wohletz reopened as a private club, which charged customers $1 to join and prohibited masks.

Wohletz had said she and all her workers were medically exempt from the mask mandate, saying in court filings that “wearing masks caused them anxiety and mental stress."

The restaurant was the first business the county sought to close for not following public safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631393652541.png" alt="A large gathering outside the Kansas City-area restaurant&nbsp; on Sept. 10-photo courtesy Rae's" />
 <figcaption>A large gathering outside the Kansas City-area restaurant&nbsp; on Sept. 10-photo courtesy Rae's</figcaption>
 </figure>BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — A Jackson County judge has ordered a suburban Kansas City restaurant to shut down in the wake of its owner’s continued defiance of a mask mandate intended to fight the spread of COVID-19.Earlier this month, Judge James Kanatazar ordered Rae’s Cafe in Blue Springs to temporarily close after owner Amanda Wohletz ignored a health department order to close because of repeated violations of the county’s indoor mask requirement.On Thursday, Judge Jennifer Phillips barred the restaurant from operating, rejecting Wohletz’s argument of medical exemptions and that the restaurant could skirt the mandate by operating as a private club. The judge also ordered Rae’s Cafe to cease operations until it obtained a valid food permit.On Sept. 3, Jackson County health officials and sheriff’s deputies served Wohletz with an order to close because the mask mandate was being ignored. But the business continued to operate, and its food permit was then suspended. Wohletz reopened as a private club, which charged customers $1 to join and prohibited masks.Wohletz had said she and all her workers were medically exempt from the mask mandate, saying in court filings that “wearing masks caused them anxiety and mental stress."The restaurant was the first business the county sought to close for not following public safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mask dispute: Judge orders KC-area restaurant to cease operations 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,528 to a total of 404,459 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 62 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5981.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 2,528 to a total of 404,459 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 62 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5981.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632503011665.png" alt="Friday Sept. 24, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Sept. 24, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 2500 new cases, 62 more COVID deaths

TOPEKA —The Kansas Supreme Court announced Friday that it had vacated a former Smoky Valley Middle School counselor's two convictions of rape of a child under the age of 14 and remanded the case for a new trial, according to a media release from the court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632500056460.png" alt="Dinkel- photo Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dinkel- photo Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Supreme Court announced Friday that it had vacated a former Smoky Valley Middle School counselor's two convictions of rape of a child under the age of 14 and remanded the case for a new trial, according to a media release from the court.Brooke Dinkel who formerly taught in Hays is now 40. She was convicted in Saline County District Court in 2014. According to court records, the victim was a student at the middle school.In her defense, Dinkel argued the alleged victim had physically forced the first act of sexual intercourse and blackmailed Dinkel into continuing the sexual contact and that she had a mental disease or defect. After the conviction in Saline County District Court, Dinkel appealed, alleging a number of errors, and the Court of Appeals remanded the case for a hearing on whether her trial counsel had been ineffective, according to information released by the Kansas Supreme Court with its ruling. The district court concluded that Dinkel's counsel had not been ineffective and the Court of Appeals agreed. Additionally, the Court of Appeals rejected Dinkel's claims of error, largely based on its conclusion that her intent was irrelevant because there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child."On review, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals conclusion that Dinkel's intent was irrelevant. It ruled that evidence the sexual intercourse was physically forced was relevant to the voluntary act requirement," the Kansas Supreme Court information noted.The Kansas Supreme Court then remanded the case to the district court for a hearing concerning whether Dinkel's counsel had been ineffective for failing to argue the voluntary act requirement. According to the information from the Kansas Supreme Court, the district court concluded counsel had not been ineffective."In an opinion written by Justice Eric Rosen, a majority of the Supreme Court disagreed. It held that counsel had been ineffective when it failed to craft a defense that rendered Dinkel's claims of forced intercourse legally relevant. But it affirmed the Court of Appeals conclusion there is no mental culpability requirement for rape of a child," the Kansas Supreme Court noted.