BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;

“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;

The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.

Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643994445130.jpg" alt="&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

Lawmakers pass bill responding to low Kansas school district enrollment

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.

The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.

Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.

Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.

Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:

A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.

“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”

There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.

“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?

When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.

The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.

When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.

The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.

It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.

The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.

Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.

According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?

People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather.

"Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.

“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714172157352.png" alt="View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera" />
 <figcaption>View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:WHAT IS A TORNADO EMERGENCY?A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.WHEN WAS THE FIRST EMERGENCY ISSUED?The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather."Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

The difference between a tornado emergency, watch and warning

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.

On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.

While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child Endangerment

Robert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent

Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715285045425.png" alt="Hayes-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hayes-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284991236.png" alt="Conley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Conley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child EndangermentRobert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284725328.png" alt="Preston-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Preston-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

Police found fentanyl and cocaine at Kansas home

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.

Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.

For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.

But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.

It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.

Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.

Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.

Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.

Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.

State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.

“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”

Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?

A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.

Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.

Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.

Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.

“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”

A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.

“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.

Other states are considering what the impacts might be.

The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.

A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.

It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.

Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?

A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.

Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.

Most businesses can deduct their costs from their income and pay taxes on their net income. Marijuana businesses cannot take that deduction, known as 280E, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group.

Schedule I status also makes access to the U.S. banking system difficult.

Others complain that making marijuana legal in some states has not been fair to the communities of color that saw the most active enforcement.

Rescheduling would not fix those issues on its own, but advocates are hopeful it is a sign of momentum toward full legalization.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-launch-renewed-push-full-marijuana-legalization">reintroduced a bill</a>&nbsp;last week to de-schdule the drug altogether. The measure includes expanding the 280E tax break and several provisions meant to address social justice.

Q: Could Trump reverse this if he wins in November?

A: Probably, though there’s no indication that’s on his agenda.

It’s unclear what the status of the rescheduling will be when the next Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20.

If former President Donald Trump wins back the presidency and the rescheduling is still pending, he could direct the DEA and DOJ to scrap the change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Q: Is weed legal now?</h2>A: No.Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”<h2>Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?</h2>A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”<h2>Q: How are states preparing?</h2>A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.Other states are considering what the impacts might be.The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.<h2>Q: Why does research matter?</h2>A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.<h2>Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?</h2>A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.Most businesses can deduct their costs from their income and pay taxes on their net income. Marijuana businesses cannot take that deduction, known as 280E, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group.Schedule I status also makes access to the U.S. banking system difficult.Others complain that making marijuana legal in some states has not been fair to the communities of color that saw the most active enforcement.Rescheduling would not fix those issues on its own, but advocates are hopeful it is a sign of momentum toward full legalization.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-launch-renewed-push-full-marijuana-legalization">reintroduced a bill</a>&nbsp;last week to de-schdule the drug altogether. The measure includes expanding the 280E tax break and several provisions meant to address social justice.<h2>Q: Could Trump reverse this if he wins in November?</h2>A: Probably, though there’s no indication that’s on his agenda.It’s unclear what the status of the rescheduling will be when the next Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20.If former President Donald Trump wins back the presidency and the rescheduling is still pending, he could direct the DEA and DOJ to scrap the change.Trump has not commented on the issue.

Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan

TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.

The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.

The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.

While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.

“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.

“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”

David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;

“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”

The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.

An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.

“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.

More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.

“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.

“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715354376809.png" alt=" More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

Kansas Office of Early Childhood concept fizzles out following legislative inaction

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900.

The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900. The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle struck a culvert

SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.

The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.

At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.

If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715480702597.png" alt="Location where the remains were found-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location where the remains were found-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI: Human remains found in rural Kansas; signs of foul play

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.

&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715283324756.png" alt="Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

Jury: Kan. man guilty of multiple sex crimes involving children

JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.

Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..

The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715350223098.png" alt="Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

Teen admits killing 15-year-old Kansas girl 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.

According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.

The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.

Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.

Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Officers seize $1 million worth of cocaine in I-70 taffic stop

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.

On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;

Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.

All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. 

Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673629872866.png" alt="Adame-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Adame-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

Prison for woman after 8-vehicle Kan. crash at near 100mph

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>

The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.

Kelly said in her veto message that while Kansas needs stronger protections against foreign adversaries, the bill was so “overly broad” that it could disrupt “legitimate investment and business relationships.”

“I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development,” Kelly said in her veto message.

Kansas exported $14.1 billion worth of products in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets">International Trade Administration.</a>&nbsp;China was its fourth-largest trading partner, with $848 million worth of exports, behind Mexico, Canada and Japan.

But Kansas already limits corporate ownership of agricultural land. More than 20 other states restrict foreign land ownership, according to the National Agricultural Law Center.

Early in 2023, before being shot down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;floated across U.S. skies for several days, including over northeast Kansas, home to Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army's college for training commanders. That intensified interest in restrictions on foreign land ownership in Kansas, though concerns existed already because of the construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-bio-lab-manhattan-kansas-opening-5fb349d58192d6821d4efa5d5a80731b">national biosecurity lab</a>&nbsp;near Kansas State University.

Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Kansas City-area Republican and retired Army officer who was among the most vocal supporters of the bill, said Kelly's veto leaves its military bases and other critical infrastructure “wide open for adversarial foreign governments.”

“The assets of this state are too important for us to sit on our hands and wait until it’s too late,” Croft said in a statement after the veto.

Some conservative Republicans, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, pushed for even stronger restrictions. Kobach backed a plan to ban all foreign ownership of more than 3 acres of land, with a new state board able to make exceptions.

“Despite the governor’s apathy, we’ll continue to work to protect Kansas and its citizens from those foreign bad actors who wish to exploit land ownership loopholes,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican said.

A few Republicans in the state Senate balked at the restrictions, and the bill appeared to be just short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The bill would have given affected foreign individuals and companies two years to divest themselves of their Kansas properties.

Critics suggested attributed support for the bill to xenophobia. They suggested the main effect would be to force immigrants — including those fleeing repressive regimes — to sell their shops and restaurants.

“To the extent that this bill affects anyone, it affects everyday people, those who are trying to live the American dream," Democratic state Rep. Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, said ahead of one vote on the bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654525369104.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.Kelly said in her veto message that while Kansas needs stronger protections against foreign adversaries, the bill was so “overly broad” that it could disrupt “legitimate investment and business relationships.”“I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development,” Kelly said in her veto message.Kansas exported $14.1 billion worth of products in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets">International Trade Administration.</a>&nbsp;China was its fourth-largest trading partner, with $848 million worth of exports, behind Mexico, Canada and Japan.But Kansas already limits corporate ownership of agricultural land. More than 20 other states restrict foreign land ownership, according to the National Agricultural Law Center.Early in 2023, before being shot down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;floated across U.S. skies for several days, including over northeast Kansas, home to Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army's college for training commanders. That intensified interest in restrictions on foreign land ownership in Kansas, though concerns existed already because of the construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-bio-lab-manhattan-kansas-opening-5fb349d58192d6821d4efa5d5a80731b">national biosecurity lab</a>&nbsp;near Kansas State University.Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Kansas City-area Republican and retired Army officer who was among the most vocal supporters of the bill, said Kelly's veto leaves its military bases and other critical infrastructure “wide open for adversarial foreign governments.”“The assets of this state are too important for us to sit on our hands and wait until it’s too late,” Croft said in a statement after the veto.Some conservative Republicans, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, pushed for even stronger restrictions. Kobach backed a plan to ban all foreign ownership of more than 3 acres of land, with a new state board able to make exceptions.“Despite the governor’s apathy, we’ll continue to work to protect Kansas and its citizens from those foreign bad actors who wish to exploit land ownership loopholes,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican said.A few Republicans in the state Senate balked at the restrictions, and the bill appeared to be just short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The bill would have given affected foreign individuals and companies two years to divest themselves of their Kansas properties.Critics suggested attributed support for the bill to xenophobia. They suggested the main effect would be to force immigrants — including those fleeing repressive regimes — to sell their shops and restaurants.“To the extent that this bill affects anyone, it affects everyday people, those who are trying to live the American dream," Democratic state Rep. Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, said ahead of one vote on the bill.

Kansas governor kills proposed limits on foreign land ownership

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $105 billion bill designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-boeing-airlines-faa-068547c51c1b477a4d4972af95c7e8ff">improve air safety</a>&nbsp;and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.

The bipartisan bill, which comes after a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-investigating-southwest-airlines-laguardia-flight-1e0b5b4685ece7eb412f0bf792280af5">close calls</a>&nbsp;between planes at the nation’s airports, would boost the number of air traffic controllers, improve safety standards and make it easier for customers to get refunds after flights are delayed or canceled.

It passed the Senate 88-4. The legislation now goes to the House, which is out of session until next week. The Senate also passed a one-week extension that would give the House time to pass the bill while ensuring the FAA isn't forced to furlough around 3,600 employees.

The bill stalled for several days this week after senators from Virginia and Maryland objected to a provision that would allow an additional 10 flights a day to and from the heavily trafficked Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators have tried to add unrelated provisions, as well, seeing it as a prime chance to enact their legislative priorities.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called a vote Thursday evening after it became clear that senators would not be able to agree on amendments to the bill before it expired. After the bill passed, leaders in both parties worked out how to pass an extension and ensure the law does not expire Friday. The House passed a one-week extension earlier this week.

The FAA has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-administrator-boeing-safety-oversight-8b8433b3c6c9bcb31980f7a979ce3326">under scrutiny</a>&nbsp;since it approved Boeing jets that were involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate legislation would govern FAA operations for the next five years and put several new safety standards in place.

The bill would increase the number of air traffic controllers and require the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-aviation-administration">FAA</a>&nbsp;to use new technology designed to prevent collisions between planes on runways. It would require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, up from the current two hours, to help investigators.

It would also try to improve customer service for flyers by requiring airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays — three hours for a domestic flight and six for an international one. Lawmakers tweaked the bill this week to make it even easier for customers to receive refunds, revising language that would have put most of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-refunds-congress-faa-cb8ccaa66e25e5af30d852f3411bcc10">onus on the customer</a>&nbsp;to request them. The change put the Senate bill more in line with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">new regulations</a>&nbsp;issued by President Joe Biden’s administration last week.

In addition, the bill would prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together and triple the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. And it would require the Transportation Department to create a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.

The FAA says that if the law expires Friday, the 3,600 employees would be furloughed without a guarantee of back pay starting at midnight. The agency would also be unable to collect daily airport fees that help pay for operations, and ongoing airport improvements would come to a halt.

No one in “safety critical” positions — like air traffic controllers — would be affected if the deadline is missed, the FAA says, and the safety of the flying public would not be at risk.

Still, failure to pass the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-aviation-safety-bill-faa-3bed07b5384105e1c168afb10a369eed">bipartisan bill</a>&nbsp;by May 10 would be the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and another example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation, even when it has broad support.

Opening the Senate on Thursday, Schumer urged senators to come to an agreement soon. “Absolutely nobody should want us to slip past the deadline because that would needlessly increase risks for so many travelers and so many federal workers,” he said.

Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, had pushed for a vote on their amendment to block the additional long-haul flights at Virginia's Reagan National. They say the airport is restricted in size and too busy already, pointing to a close call there between two planes earlier in April that they said is a “flashing red warning light.”

Several Western lawmakers have argued for more flights at the airport, saying it is unfair to consumers that there is a restriction on long-haul flights. The provision’s chief proponent is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, who has argued that San Antonio should have a direct flight from the airport. Cruz blocked a vote on Kaine and Warner's amendment when Schumer tried to bring it up shortly before final passage.

Airlines are also split on the idea of additional flights at Reagan National. Delta Airlines has argued for more flights, while United Airlines, with a major operation at farther-out Dulles Airport, has lobbied against the increase.

The House last year passed its own version of the FAA legislation without additional Reagan National flights after intense, last-minute lobbying from the Virginia delegation — a bipartisan vote on an amendment to the FAA bill that saw members aligning not by party but geographic location. Lawmakers use the airport frequently as it’s the closest Washington airport to the Capitol, and Congress has long tried to have a say in which routes have service there.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $105 billion bill designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-boeing-airlines-faa-068547c51c1b477a4d4972af95c7e8ff">improve air safety</a>&nbsp;and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.The bipartisan bill, which comes after a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-investigating-southwest-airlines-laguardia-flight-1e0b5b4685ece7eb412f0bf792280af5">close calls</a>&nbsp;between planes at the nation’s airports, would boost the number of air traffic controllers, improve safety standards and make it easier for customers to get refunds after flights are delayed or canceled.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Grateful for Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Cruz and Sen. Duckworth for their partnership and tireless work to balance the priorities of the FAA, the aviation community, its academic partners and the flying public.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1788712877014061414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It passed the Senate 88-4. The legislation now goes to the House, which is out of session until next week. The Senate also passed a one-week extension that would give the House time to pass the bill while ensuring the FAA isn't forced to furlough around 3,600 employees.The bill stalled for several days this week after senators from Virginia and Maryland objected to a provision that would allow an additional 10 flights a day to and from the heavily trafficked Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators have tried to add unrelated provisions, as well, seeing it as a prime chance to enact their legislative priorities.But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called a vote Thursday evening after it became clear that senators would not be able to agree on amendments to the bill before it expired. After the bill passed, leaders in both parties worked out how to pass an extension and ensure the law does not expire Friday. The House passed a one-week extension earlier this week.The FAA has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-administrator-boeing-safety-oversight-8b8433b3c6c9bcb31980f7a979ce3326">under scrutiny</a>&nbsp;since it approved Boeing jets that were involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate legislation would govern FAA operations for the next five years and put several new safety standards in place.The bill would increase the number of air traffic controllers and require the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-aviation-administration">FAA</a>&nbsp;to use new technology designed to prevent collisions between planes on runways. It would require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, up from the current two hours, to help investigators.It would also try to improve customer service for flyers by requiring airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays — three hours for a domestic flight and six for an international one. Lawmakers tweaked the bill this week to make it even easier for customers to receive refunds, revising language that would have put most of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-refunds-congress-faa-cb8ccaa66e25e5af30d852f3411bcc10">onus on the customer</a>&nbsp;to request them. The change put the Senate bill more in line with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">new regulations</a>&nbsp;issued by President Joe Biden’s administration last week.In addition, the bill would prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together and triple the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. And it would require the Transportation Department to create a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.The FAA says that if the law expires Friday, the 3,600 employees would be furloughed without a guarantee of back pay starting at midnight. The agency would also be unable to collect daily airport fees that help pay for operations, and ongoing airport improvements would come to a halt.No one in “safety critical” positions — like air traffic controllers — would be affected if the deadline is missed, the FAA says, and the safety of the flying public would not be at risk.Still, failure to pass the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-aviation-safety-bill-faa-3bed07b5384105e1c168afb10a369eed">bipartisan bill</a>&nbsp;by May 10 would be the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and another example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation, even when it has broad support.Opening the Senate on Thursday, Schumer urged senators to come to an agreement soon. “Absolutely nobody should want us to slip past the deadline because that would needlessly increase risks for so many travelers and so many federal workers,” he said.Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, had pushed for a vote on their amendment to block the additional long-haul flights at Virginia's Reagan National. They say the airport is restricted in size and too busy already, pointing to a close call there between two planes earlier in April that they said is a “flashing red warning light.”Several Western lawmakers have argued for more flights at the airport, saying it is unfair to consumers that there is a restriction on long-haul flights. The provision’s chief proponent is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, who has argued that San Antonio should have a direct flight from the airport. Cruz blocked a vote on Kaine and Warner's amendment when Schumer tried to bring it up shortly before final passage.Airlines are also split on the idea of additional flights at Reagan National. Delta Airlines has argued for more flights, while United Airlines, with a major operation at farther-out Dulles Airport, has lobbied against the increase.The House last year passed its own version of the FAA legislation without additional Reagan National flights after intense, last-minute lobbying from the Virginia delegation — a bipartisan vote on an amendment to the FAA bill that saw members aligning not by party but geographic location. Lawmakers use the airport frequently as it’s the closest Washington airport to the Capitol, and Congress has long tried to have a say in which routes have service there.

Senate passes bill improving air safety and service for travelers

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Kansas City Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation at around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, May 10. KBI agents responded to investigate.

A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.

Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify the decedent. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

During the investigation two firearms were located in the area. Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.The Kansas City Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation at around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, May 10. KBI agents responded to investigate.A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify the decedent. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.During the investigation two firearms were located in the area. Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI: Man dead in Kansas officer-involved shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 7a.m. May 8, police&nbsp;responded to a reported injury vehicle crash near SW 16th and Buchanan in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. It was reported that a vehicle struck three detached garages and finally came to a stop.

Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, that had crashed into a detached garage, causing damage. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Christopher W. Darnall, 34, of Topeka, ran from the crash and officers located him nearby. 

Darnall was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared and then was arrested and booked on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Driving without a License, interference, DUI, Failure to Stop at Accident and a Felony Warrant.&nbsp; Darnall has previous convictions for burglary, theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude and aggravated escape from custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715352962120.png" alt="Darnall photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Darnall photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 7a.m. May 8, police&nbsp;responded to a reported injury vehicle crash near SW 16th and Buchanan in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. It was reported that a vehicle struck three detached garages and finally came to a stop.Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, that had crashed into a detached garage, causing damage. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Christopher W. Darnall, 34, of Topeka, ran from the crash and officers located him nearby. Darnall was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared and then was arrested and booked on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Driving without a License, interference, DUI, Failure to Stop at Accident and a Felony Warrant.&nbsp; Darnall has previous convictions for burglary, theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude and aggravated escape from custody.

Kansas felon back in jail after crash in stolen vehicle

DOUGLAS COUNTY—An alert&nbsp; police officer stopped what appeared to be an auto burglary in progress this week in Lawrence&nbsp; during a routine parking lot safety check, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

This led to a drone team being deployed and the recovery of a stolen vehicle -- a KIA with a hacked steering column

Just after 2a.m., the officer was riding through the Rockland Apartments, 1301 West 24th Street and noticed an interior light and open glove box on a BMW.&nbsp; As he drove closer, he saw a man at the passenger’s side and asked if the car was his.

 The person ran and got away after a short pursuit. As additional officers and the drone team were deployed, a sergeant found the KIA, still running, in the same lot. 

 Ultimately, the team was able to identify a vehicle in the area they believed was there to pick up the suspect.  A patrol unit later pulled that car over and found the suspect inside along with other juveniles. 

The suspect and an occupant with outstanding warrants were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. The other two were released to a guardian.  The owner of the BMW noticed nothing missing and officers identified and notified the KIA owner the next morning.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—An alert&nbsp; police officer stopped what appeared to be an auto burglary in progress this week in Lawrence&nbsp; during a routine parking lot safety check, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police. This led to a drone team being deployed and the recovery of a stolen vehicle -- a KIA with a hacked steering columnJust after 2a.m., the officer was riding through the Rockland Apartments, 1301 West 24th Street and noticed an interior light and open glove box on a BMW.&nbsp; As he drove closer, he saw a man at the passenger’s side and asked if the car was his. The person ran and got away after a short pursuit. As additional officers and the drone team were deployed, a sergeant found the KIA, still running, in the same lot. Ultimately, the team was able to identify a vehicle in the area they believed was there to pick up the suspect. A patrol unit later pulled that car over and found the suspect inside along with other juveniles. The suspect and an occupant with outstanding warrants were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. The other two were released to a guardian. The owner of the BMW noticed nothing missing and officers identified and notified the KIA owner the next morning.

Alert Kansas police officer stops auto burglary in progress

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A cyberattack on the Ascension health system operating in Kansas and 18 other states across the U.S. forced some of its 140 hospitals to divert ambulances, caused patients to postpone medical tests and blocked online access to patient records.

An Ascension spokesperson said it detected “unusual activity” Wednesday on its computer network systems. Officials refused to say whether the non-profit Catholic health system, based in St. Louis, was the victim of a ransomware attack or whether it had paid a ransom, and it did not immediately respond to an email seeking updates.

But the attack had the hallmarks of a ransomware, and Ascension said it had called in Mandiant, the Google cybersecurity unit that is a leading responder to such attacks. Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealth-change-cyberattack-50e7e86ace92e95711dfbf8914d27db1">cyberattack</a>&nbsp;on Change Healthcare disrupted care systems nationwide, and the CEO of its parent, UnitedHealth Group Inc., acknowledged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/change-healthcare-cyberattack-unitedhealth-senate-9e2fff70ce4f93566043210bdd347a1f">in testimony to Congress</a>&nbsp;that it had paid a ransom of $22 million in bitcoin.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715251352366.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A cyberattack on the Ascension health system operating in Kansas and 18 other states across the U.S. forced some of its 140 hospitals to divert ambulances, caused patients to postpone medical tests and blocked online access to patient records.An Ascension spokesperson said it detected “unusual activity” Wednesday on its computer network systems. Officials refused to say whether the non-profit Catholic health system, based in St. Louis, was the victim of a ransomware attack or whether it had paid a ransom, and it did not immediately respond to an email seeking updates.But the attack had the hallmarks of a ransomware, and Ascension said it had called in Mandiant, the Google cybersecurity unit that is a leading responder to such attacks. Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealth-change-cyberattack-50e7e86ace92e95711dfbf8914d27db1">cyberattack</a>&nbsp;on Change Healthcare disrupted care systems nationwide, and the CEO of its parent, UnitedHealth Group Inc., acknowledged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/change-healthcare-cyberattack-unitedhealth-senate-9e2fff70ce4f93566043210bdd347a1f">in testimony to Congress</a>&nbsp;that it had paid a ransom of $22 million in bitcoin.Ascension said that both its electronic records system and the MyChart system that gives patients access to their records and allows them to communicate with their doctors were offline.“We have determined this is a cybersecurity incident,” the national Ascension spokesperson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event">statement</a>&nbsp;said. “Our investigation and restoration work will take time to complete, and we do not have a timeline for completion.”To prevent the automated spread of ransomware, hospital IT officials typically take electronic medical records and appointment-scheduling systems offline. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told congressional committees that Change Healthcare immediately disconnected from other systems to prevent the attack from spreading during its incident.The Ascension spokesperson's latest statement, issued Thursday, said ambulances had been diverted from “several” hospitals without naming them.In Wichita, Kansas, local news reports said the local emergency medical services started diverting all ambulance calls from its hospitals there Wednesday, though the health system's spokesperson there said Friday that the full diversion of ambulances ended Thursday afternoon.The EMS service for Pensacola, Florida, also diverted patients from the Ascension hospital there to other hospitals, its spokesperson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2024/05/09/ascension-hacked-cyberattack/73627088007/">told the Pensacola News Journal.</a>And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/patients-continue-to-be-turned-away-because-of-ascension-cyber-attack">WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reported</a>&nbsp;that Ascension patients in the area said they were missing CT scans and mammograms and couldn't refill prescriptions.Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, is among the Ascension providers turning to paper records this week to cope. Smith, who coordinates surgeries at Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, said the hospital didn’t cancel any surgical procedures and continued treating emergency patients.But she said everything has slowed down because electronic systems are built into the hospital’s daily operations. Younger providers are often unfamiliar with paper copies of essential records and it takes more time to document patient care, check the results of prior lab tests and verify information with doctors’ offices, she said.Smith said union leaders feel staff and service cutbacks have made the situation even tougher. Hospital staff also have received little information about what led to the attack or when operations might get closer to normal, she said.“You’re doing everything to the best of your ability but you leave feeling frustrated because you know you could have done things faster or gotten that patient home sooner if you just had some extra hands,” Smith said.Ascension said its system expected to use “downtime” procedures “for some time” and advised patients to bring notes on their symptoms and a list of prescription numbers or prescription bottles with them to appointments.Cybersecurity experts say ransomware attacks have increased substantially in recent years, especially in the health care sector. Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online.“We are working around the clock with internal and external advisors to investigate, contain, and restore our systems,” the Ascension spokesperson's latest statement said.The attack against Change Healthcare earlier this year delayed insurance reimbursements and heaped stress on doctor’s offices around the country. Change Healthcare provides technology used by doctor offices and other care providers to submit and process billions of insurance claims a year.It was unclear Friday whether the same group was responsible for both attacks.Witty said Change Healthcare's core systems were now fully functional. But company officials have said it may take several months of analysis to identify and notify those who were affected by the attack.They also have said they see no signs that doctor charts or full medical histories were released after the attack. Witty told senators that UnitedHealth repels an attempted intrusion every 70 seconds.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ransomware-attack-hospitals-emergency-rooms-0841defe1b881b71eccb8826ed46130e">ransomware attack in November</a>&nbsp;prompted the Ardent Health Services system, operating 30 hospitals in six states, to divert patients from some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals while postponing certain elective procedures.