In an order Tuesday, the court modified an earlier ruling with November vote to ‘accommodate the governor’s apparent desire’ for a vote on the same day as the primary election

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday turned back an effort by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to push an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-sets-vote-on-tax-exemption-for-child-care-centers-kansas-city-police-funding/">election on Kansas City police funding</a>&nbsp;to November.

The court on April 30&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/09/missouri-voters-amend-state-constitution-to-legalize-recreational-marijuana/">overturned the results</a>&nbsp;of a 2022 election on the issue, agreeing with Lucas that the fiscal note summary printed on the ballot was misleading.&nbsp; In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=207700">that ruling</a>, the court revised the fiscal summary and ordered the new election in November on the measure proposed by lawmakers.

On May 28, however, Gov. Mike Parson directed that the vote be held in August.

That set off a flurry of weekend filings by attorneys for Lucas and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Starting Friday and concluding on Sunday, attorneys for Lucas asked the court to hold Ashcroft in contempt for accepting Parson’s directive and reset the election for November.

“The secretary’s action is especially perverse in light of the fact that this court has not yet ruled on (Lucas’s) motion to modify, which requested an adjustment to the court’s proposed fiscal note summary,” a May 31 filing signed by five attorneys representing Lucas stated.&nbsp;

In response, attorneys for Ashcroft responded that he had no choice except to follow Parson’s order because the governor can call special elections on measures sent to voters by lawmakers.&nbsp;

“Despite attempts by (Lucas) to claim otherwise, the Secretary of State acted appropriately and pursuant to the governor’s lawful order,” wrote Todd Scott of the attorney general’s office. “At worst, the secretary was placed in the unenviable position of performing his official duties in the face of potentially conflicting directives from the Supreme Court and the governor.”&nbsp;

The court instead changed the election date in the opinion to agree with Parson’s order and dismissed the motion to hold Ashcroft in contempt as moot.

The April 30 decision wasn’t final when Parson set the election date, a footnote added to the opinion states.

“At the time of the governor’s and secretary’s actions,however, this court had not ordered a special election for November 5 (or any other date) because no mandate had issued and the April 30 opinion was not final,” the footnote states. “Accordingly, Lucas’ May 31 motion is denied as premature.”

And because the decision wasn’t final, the footnote states, the court doesn’t have to weigh the question of whether Parson had the power to alter an election date set by the courts. The court modified the order to conform with Parson’s election date on its own motion, the footnote states.

“As a matter of comity and to accommodate the governor’s apparent desire to have the question&nbsp;decided on that date, one of those modifications is to change the date of the special&nbsp;election now called by this court from Nov. 5 to Aug. 6, 2024,” the footnote states.

The court’s decision Tuesday ends litigation over when Missourians will vote and what they will see in the ballot language. The judges granted one minor point to Lucas in the changes made to the April 30 opinion – a footnote was added that the decision should not “be taken as expressing any opinion as to the enforceability” of a law setting funding levels for Kansas City police.

In a statement issued after the decision, Lucas said he appreciated the ruling in his favor on the original fiscal note summary and accepts the modifications to the April 30 opinion.

“Unlike others, we understand and respect the rule of law in our country,” the statement read. “We continue to appreciate the court’s ruling in favor of Mayor Lucas, local control for the people of Kansas City, and fair elections. We also respect the court’s rewording issued today, which now makes the Secretary’s prior unlawful action all good.”

The ballot measure, which will be Amendment 4, grew out of a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/09/defund-the-police-was-designed-to-provoke-a-response-in-missouri-it-worked/">conservative reaction</a>&nbsp;to the “defund the police” rhetoric from Black Lives Matter protests after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. It would allow state lawmakers to pass a law mandating that Kansas City spend at least 25% of its general revenue budget on its police department.

When voters saw it in 2022, the fiscal note summary stated that the measure imposed no new costs and created no savings for state or local governments. That summary ignored Kansas City’s estimates that it could be required to increase police funding by up to $38.7 million, Lucas argued successfully to the courts in the case to overturn the election.

When voters see it in August, the fiscal note summary will now incorporate that estimate: “This would authorize a law passed in 2022 increasing required funding by the City of Kansas City for police department requests from 20% of general revenue to 25%, an increase of $38,743,646, though the city previously provided that level of funding voluntarily. No other state or local government entities estimates costs or savings.”

The proposal applies only to Kansas City because its police department is funded from city taxes but controlled by the state under a board appointed by the governor. All other police departments are under the control of local officials.

<h2>In an order Tuesday, the court modified an earlier ruling with November vote to ‘accommodate the governor’s apparent desire’ for a vote on the same day as the primary election</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday turned back an effort by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to push an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-sets-vote-on-tax-exemption-for-child-care-centers-kansas-city-police-funding/">election on Kansas City police funding</a>&nbsp;to November.The court on April 30&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/09/missouri-voters-amend-state-constitution-to-legalize-recreational-marijuana/">overturned the results</a>&nbsp;of a 2022 election on the issue, agreeing with Lucas that the fiscal note summary printed on the ballot was misleading.&nbsp; In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=207700">that ruling</a>, the court revised the fiscal summary and ordered the new election in November on the measure proposed by lawmakers.On May 28, however, Gov. Mike Parson directed that the vote be held in August.That set off a flurry of weekend filings by attorneys for Lucas and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Starting Friday and concluding on Sunday, attorneys for Lucas asked the court to hold Ashcroft in contempt for accepting Parson’s directive and reset the election for November.“The secretary’s action is especially perverse in light of the fact that this court has not yet ruled on (Lucas’s) motion to modify, which requested an adjustment to the court’s proposed fiscal note summary,” a May 31 filing signed by five attorneys representing Lucas stated.&nbsp;In response, attorneys for Ashcroft responded that he had no choice except to follow Parson’s order because the governor can call special elections on measures sent to voters by lawmakers.&nbsp;“Despite attempts by (Lucas) to claim otherwise, the Secretary of State acted appropriately and pursuant to the governor’s lawful order,” wrote Todd Scott of the attorney general’s office. “At worst, the secretary was placed in the unenviable position of performing his official duties in the face of potentially conflicting directives from the Supreme Court and the governor.”&nbsp;The court instead changed the election date in the opinion to agree with Parson’s order and dismissed the motion to hold Ashcroft in contempt as moot.The April 30 decision wasn’t final when Parson set the election date, a footnote added to the opinion states.“At the time of the governor’s and secretary’s actions,however, this court had not ordered a special election for November 5 (or any other date) because no mandate had issued and the April 30 opinion was not final,” the footnote states. “Accordingly, Lucas’ May 31 motion is denied as premature.”And because the decision wasn’t final, the footnote states, the court doesn’t have to weigh the question of whether Parson had the power to alter an election date set by the courts. The court modified the order to conform with Parson’s election date on its own motion, the footnote states.“As a matter of comity and to accommodate the governor’s apparent desire to have the question&nbsp;decided on that date, one of those modifications is to change the date of the special&nbsp;election now called by this court from Nov. 5 to Aug. 6, 2024,” the footnote states.The court’s decision Tuesday ends litigation over when Missourians will vote and what they will see in the ballot language. The judges granted one minor point to Lucas in the changes made to the April 30 opinion – a footnote was added that the decision should not “be taken as expressing any opinion as to the enforceability” of a law setting funding levels for Kansas City police.In a statement issued after the decision, Lucas said he appreciated the ruling in his favor on the original fiscal note summary and accepts the modifications to the April 30 opinion.“Unlike others, we understand and respect the rule of law in our country,” the statement read. “We continue to appreciate the court’s ruling in favor of Mayor Lucas, local control for the people of Kansas City, and fair elections. We also respect the court’s rewording issued today, which now makes the Secretary’s prior unlawful action all good.”The ballot measure, which will be Amendment 4, grew out of a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/09/defund-the-police-was-designed-to-provoke-a-response-in-missouri-it-worked/">conservative reaction</a>&nbsp;to the “defund the police” rhetoric from Black Lives Matter protests after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. It would allow state lawmakers to pass a law mandating that Kansas City spend at least 25% of its general revenue budget on its police department.When voters saw it in 2022, the fiscal note summary stated that the measure imposed no new costs and created no savings for state or local governments. That summary ignored Kansas City’s estimates that it could be required to increase police funding by up to $38.7 million, Lucas argued successfully to the courts in the case to overturn the election.When voters see it in August, the fiscal note summary will now incorporate that estimate: “This would authorize a law passed in 2022 increasing required funding by the City of Kansas City for police department requests from 20% of general revenue to 25%, an increase of $38,743,646, though the city previously provided that level of funding voluntarily. No other state or local government entities estimates costs or savings.”The proposal applies only to Kansas City because its police department is funded from city taxes but controlled by the state under a board appointed by the governor. All other police departments are under the control of local officials.

Missouri Supreme Court backs August election on Kansas City police funding

KANSAS CITY —Two adults have been charged in connection with a boy who was found to have extensive injuries over his body, including bruises and burns and apparent malnutrition, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

39- year-old James E. Griffin Jr. and 37-year-old Penny Woods each face a charge of Abuse or Neglect of a Child, a Class B felony.

According to court records filed, a the teen victim was taken by another adult from a Raytown residence to North Kansas City Hospital and eventually to Children's Mercy Hospital. 

Woods told the adult she couldn't handle the child any longer. &nbsp;At the hospital, the victim was observed to have multiple abrasions, lacerations, burns, missing teeth and signs of malnutrition. A search warrant of the residence where the victim had been staying found signs of blood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717594808471.png" alt="Griffin photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffin photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Two adults have been charged in connection with a boy who was found to have extensive injuries over his body, including bruises and burns and apparent malnutrition, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717534917376.png" alt="Woods-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Woods-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>39- year-old James E. Griffin Jr. and 37-year-old Penny Woods each face a charge of Abuse or Neglect of a Child, a Class B felony.According to court records filed, a the teen victim was taken by another adult from a Raytown residence to North Kansas City Hospital and eventually to Children's Mercy Hospital. Woods told the adult she couldn't handle the child any longer. &nbsp;At the hospital, the victim was observed to have multiple abrasions, lacerations, burns, missing teeth and signs of malnutrition. A search warrant of the residence where the victim had been staying found signs of blood.

Court records: KC boy hospitalized after months of abuse 

&nbsp;On Tuesday, President Biden announced actions to bar migrants who cross the southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum.&nbsp; Migrants will be restricted from receiving asylum at our southern border unless they seek it after entering through an established lawful process, according to a statement from the White House.

According to the President, "those who seek — come to the United States legally — for example, by making an appointment and coming to a port of entry — asylum will still be available to them — still available.&nbsp; But if an individual chooses not to use our legal pathways, if they choose to come without permission and against the law, they’ll be restricted from receiving asylum and staying in the United States."

"This action will help us to gain control of our border, restore order to the process.&nbsp;This ban will remain in place until the number of people trying to enter illegally is reduced to a level that our system can effectively manage."

Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt criticized Biden's announcement.

“Americans see right through this election year posturing. In his first 100 days, Biden reversed nearly 100 executive actions, which opened up our border&nbsp;to the tune of 10 million illegal immigrant crossings since he took office. This executive order would normalize another 1.75 million&nbsp;illegal immigrant crossings&nbsp;each and every year and further encourage cartel trafficking of children. Joe Biden has every authority he needs to&nbsp;completely&nbsp;close the border – he just doesn’t want to,” said&nbsp;Senator Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;

Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, delivered opening remarks and addressed President Biden’s Executive Order to reduce migrant entries at the southern border during a hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp; Moran said, "I’m doubtful that this executive order will make the necessary changes to ensure operational control of our border and that we know who, why and where people are crossing into our country."(Click below to watch)

On his social media account, Kansas Junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized President Biden's announcement.

In a statement from the Senator's Schmitt's office he wrote:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683898210525.png" alt="Photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;On Tuesday, President Biden announced actions to bar migrants who cross the southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum.&nbsp; Migrants will be restricted from receiving asylum at our southern border unless they seek it after entering through an established lawful process, according to a statement from the White House.According to the President, "those who seek — come to the United States legally — for example, by making an appointment and coming to a port of entry — asylum will still be available to them — still available.&nbsp; But if an individual chooses not to use our legal pathways, if they choose to come without permission and against the law, they’ll be restricted from receiving asylum and staying in the United States.""This action will help us to gain control of our border, restore order to the process.&nbsp;This ban will remain in place until the number of people trying to enter illegally is reduced to a level that our system can effectively manage."Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt criticized Biden's announcement.“Americans see right through this election year posturing. In his first 100 days, Biden reversed nearly 100 executive actions, which opened up our border&nbsp;to the tune of 10 million illegal immigrant crossings since he took office. This executive order would normalize another 1.75 million&nbsp;illegal immigrant crossings&nbsp;each and every year and further encourage cartel trafficking of children. Joe Biden has every authority he needs to&nbsp;completely&nbsp;close the border – he just doesn’t want to,” said&nbsp;Senator Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, delivered opening remarks and addressed President Biden’s Executive Order to reduce migrant entries at the southern border during a hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp; Moran said, "I’m doubtful that this executive order will make the necessary changes to ensure operational control of our border and that we know who, why and where people are crossing into our country."(Click below to watch)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3QZsHl-7cxc?si=4n5P9zyg7tGMoTBn&amp;start=48" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On his social media account, Kansas Junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized President Biden's announcement.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biden’s executive action does not ‘shut down’ the border or secure it - this is a desperate attempt at a political lifeline 5 months before the election.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1798047866138812485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today&#39;s announcement by President Joe Biden is an admission of guilt. <a href="https://t.co/HjtxJGhnAx">pic.twitter.com/HjtxJGhnAx</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1798092681194639574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717589204235.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">While Biden has been talking tough on the border, he’s been secretly carrying out a mass amnesty policy. He should explain to the American public how this is remotely legal 👇 <a href="https://t.co/PuwASHP32A">https://t.co/PuwASHP32A</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1798087358157574320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a statement from the Senator's Schmitt's office he wrote:<ul>
 <li>This executive order will still permit at least&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2024/06/04/us-news/biden-announces-border-crackdown-that-will-still-let-in-at-least-1-75-million-per-year/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost_sitebuttons">1.75 million illegal migrants</a>&nbsp;per year.</li><li>In total,&nbsp;more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters">9.6 million illegal immigrants</a>&nbsp;have crossed the border under Biden, including&nbsp;1.8 million known “gotaways” who escaped past Border Patrol and into the country.</li><li>The number of people killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/fentanyl-overdoses-leading-cause-death-adults">fentanyl</a>&nbsp;is up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/fentanyl-crisis-mexico-cartel">94 percent</a>&nbsp;since 2019.</li><li>In FY2024, at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics">80 terror-suspects</a>&nbsp;have been caught attempting to cross the border,&nbsp;<a href="https://homeland.house.gov/2023/11/15/fbi-director-wray-confirms-the-border-crisis-poses-major-homeland-security-threat-dhs-secretary-mayorkas-stonewalls/">the FBI</a>&nbsp;warns that the open border poses a major terror threat.</li><li>Senate Democrats have voted against the Laken Riley Act, HR.2, deporting illegal migrants that assault police officers, and allowing local law enforcement to detain illegal migrants who commit crimes.</li><li>In 2019, Obama-Biden DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said, “1,000 illegal border crossings per day overwhelms the system. I cannot begin to image what 4,000/day looks like.”</li>
 </ul>

🎥Mo., Kan. Senators critical of Biden's move to 'gain control' of the border

TOPEKA— Leaders of the Kansas legislature have written to Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on a new plan that could allow the Super Bowl Champions to use state bonds to help pay for a new stadium in Kansas.

TOPEKA— Leaders of the Kansas legislature have written to Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on a new plan that could allow the Super Bowl Champions to use state bonds to help pay for a new stadium in Kansas.Read the letter below<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717584376742.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Read the letter Kan. leaders sent Chiefs owner to lure team to move

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement in the Kansas City area.

Just before 3a.m. Tuesday, a State trooper attempted to stop a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 31-year-old Austin M. Brewer, 31, Kansas City, on U.S. 40 at South Crysler Avenue in Independence, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

 The driver had committed lane violation(s) and was suspected of driving while intoxicated.  A pursuit ensued and as the trooper pursued the suspect, officers with Independence Police&nbsp; successfully deployed spike strips on South Sterling Avenue just south of E 23rd Street. 

At 2:51am, Brewer lost control of the Jeep and crashed into a utility pole. Brewer was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported passenger identified as Kassitie L. Murphy, 35, Independence, Missouri to&nbsp; Centerpoint Medical Center.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717513179242.png" alt="Photos courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement in the Kansas City area. Just before 3a.m. Tuesday, a State trooper attempted to stop a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 31-year-old Austin M. Brewer, 31, Kansas City, on U.S. 40 at South Crysler Avenue in Independence, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The driver had committed lane violation(s) and was suspected of driving while intoxicated. A pursuit ensued and as the trooper pursued the suspect, officers with Independence Police&nbsp; successfully deployed spike strips on South Sterling Avenue just south of E 23rd Street. At 2:51am, Brewer lost control of the Jeep and crashed into a utility pole. Brewer was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported passenger identified as Kassitie L. Murphy, 35, Independence, Missouri to&nbsp; Centerpoint Medical Center.&nbsp;

DWI suspect dies after crash during chase with state trooper

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at a h ome in the 3300 block of Chestnut, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews found heavy fire from the second floor of the two-story house. Searches of the home came back all clear. Two residents were home and safely escaped.&nbsp;

The home suffered significant damage to the second floor from fire, and water damage to the first. It will be unlivable until repairs can be made.&nbsp; No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717512153443.png" alt="Photos KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717512125403.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at a h ome in the 3300 block of Chestnut, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Crews found heavy fire from the second floor of the two-story house. Searches of the home came back all clear. Two residents were home and safely escaped.&nbsp;The home suffered significant damage to the second floor from fire, and water damage to the first. It will be unlivable until repairs can be made.&nbsp; No injuries were reported.

Two safely escape Kansas City house fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the&nbsp;&nbsp;alleged kidnappings and sex crimes involving three juveniles near a Kansas elementary school made another court appearance on Friday.

A judge ruled 22-year-old<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=246512">&nbsp;&nbsp;Manasseh Ward</a> of Wichita, is competent to stand trial for charges that include 4 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated kidnapping, 3 counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, 2 counts of attempted rape, aggravated assault and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 4p.m. January 4, 2023, a teenage girl reported being kidnapped by a man driving a blue vehicle in the 6600 block of East Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

The man later identified as Ward attempted to sexually assault the girl in the car. The man let the child go and she reported the incident to a family member.

Just before 9a.m. January 5, two elementary-aged children, a boy and girl, left their home on foot in the 900 block of South Drury to head to Clark Elementary School at 650 S Apache in Wichita.

A man in a blue vehicle kidnapped the children. The suspect put both kids in his vehicle and then drove away. A short time later he dropped the boy victim off and left with the girl..

While gathering information officers were patrolling the area and located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it. &nbsp;A brief foot pursuit occurred and officers took Ward into custody in the 6600 block of East Boston.&nbsp;

In September, police arrested Ward in connection with the alleged crimes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673003077182.png" alt="Ward-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Ward-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the&nbsp;&nbsp;alleged kidnappings and sex crimes involving three juveniles near a Kansas elementary school made another court appearance on Friday.A judge ruled 22-year-old<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=246512">&nbsp;&nbsp;Manasseh Ward</a> of Wichita, is competent to stand trial for charges that include 4 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated kidnapping, 3 counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, 2 counts of attempted rape, aggravated assault and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 4p.m. January 4, 2023, a teenage girl reported being kidnapped by a man driving a blue vehicle in the 6600 block of East Boston in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.The man later identified as Ward attempted to sexually assault the girl in the car. The man let the child go and she reported the incident to a family member.Just before 9a.m. January 5, two elementary-aged children, a boy and girl, left their home on foot in the 900 block of South Drury to head to Clark Elementary School at 650 S Apache in Wichita.A man in a blue vehicle kidnapped the children. The suspect put both kids in his vehicle and then drove away. A short time later he dropped the boy victim off and left with the girl..While gathering information officers were patrolling the area and located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it. &nbsp;A brief foot pursuit occurred and officers took Ward into custody in the 6600 block of East Boston.&nbsp;In September, police arrested Ward in connection with the alleged crimes.

Kan. man will go to trial for sex crimes near elementary school

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate president and Kansas House speaker said Tuesday they were intrigued by the potential of putting together an incentive package capable of attracting the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to a new stadium complex in Kansas.

The Kansas Legislature will be in Topeka starting June 18 to consider a tax relief bill after called into special session by Gov. Laura Kelly. There is no limit on topics lawmakers might consider, which opens the door consideration of a deal for the NFL franchise.

Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said in a statement establishing&nbsp;a home for the Chiefs on the Kansas side of&nbsp; the state line was an opportunity that deserved “thorough conversation.”

“We have reached out to the Chiefs organization and asked them to weigh in on the possibility of using Kansas’ unique STAR bond funding tool and explore what that collaboration could hold,” the statement said.

The two GOP legislative leaders&nbsp;have discouraged lawmakers from wading into issues during the special session other than tax reform and an economic development package tied to a second professional sports franchise. Sporting Kansas City, an MLS team, is based in Kansas City, Kansas.

During final days of the 2024 regular legislative session, House and Senate members discussed the possibility of the state issuing hundreds of millions of dollars in STAR bonds to finance construction of a stadium in the Kansas City area. The bonds would be repaid through tax collections within the business district bracketing the replacement for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The rush to land the Chiefs has been supported by formation of a lobbying organization, Scoop and Score, affiliated with former Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County and nearly two-dozen registered Kansas lobbyists.

Initially, the idea was to draw the Kansas City Royals to the Kansas side of the state line with Missouri. That idea surfaced after Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a sales tax proposal for construction of a downtown stadium for the MLB team.

However, proposed legislation floated at the Capitol did leave open the possibility of either the Chiefs or Royals relocating to Kansas.

“The rich tradition and history of the Chiefs are beloved across the entire Kansas City region and throughout Kansas,” Hawkins and Masterson said. “We’re excited that the Chiefs are open to this&nbsp; conversation and look forward to seeing what mutually beneficial opportunities might lie ahead for both the people of Kansas and the Chiefs franchise.”

The legislative leaders have communicated with Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt to tout potential of the state’s business incentives and strategic locations in Wyandotte County.

The key element of any deal would be STAR bonds, which could be used to finance construction of a stadium and related infrastructure to operate the facility. STAR bonds have been used for all sorts of Kansas economic development projects with debt repaid by collecting sales tax revenue within the bonding business district.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677183879921.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly - courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly - courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate president and Kansas House speaker said Tuesday they were intrigued by the potential of putting together an incentive package capable of attracting the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to a new stadium complex in Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717552705179.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Legislature will be in Topeka starting June 18 to consider a tax relief bill after called into special session by Gov. Laura Kelly. There is no limit on topics lawmakers might consider, which opens the door consideration of a deal for the NFL franchise.Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said in a statement establishing&nbsp;a home for the Chiefs on the Kansas side of&nbsp; the state line was an opportunity that deserved “thorough conversation.”“We have reached out to the Chiefs organization and asked them to weigh in on the possibility of using Kansas’ unique STAR bond funding tool and explore what that collaboration could hold,” the statement said.The two GOP legislative leaders&nbsp;have discouraged lawmakers from wading into issues during the special session other than tax reform and an economic development package tied to a second professional sports franchise. Sporting Kansas City, an MLS team, is based in Kansas City, Kansas.During final days of the 2024 regular legislative session, House and Senate members discussed the possibility of the state issuing hundreds of millions of dollars in STAR bonds to finance construction of a stadium in the Kansas City area. The bonds would be repaid through tax collections within the business district bracketing the replacement for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.The rush to land the Chiefs has been supported by formation of a lobbying organization, Scoop and Score, affiliated with former Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County and nearly two-dozen registered Kansas lobbyists.Initially, the idea was to draw the Kansas City Royals to the Kansas side of the state line with Missouri. That idea surfaced after Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a sales tax proposal for construction of a downtown stadium for the MLB team.However, proposed legislation floated at the Capitol did leave open the possibility of either the Chiefs or Royals relocating to Kansas.“The rich tradition and history of the Chiefs are beloved across the entire Kansas City region and throughout Kansas,” Hawkins and Masterson said. “We’re excited that the Chiefs are open to this&nbsp; conversation and look forward to seeing what mutually beneficial opportunities might lie ahead for both the people of Kansas and the Chiefs franchise.”The legislative leaders have communicated with Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt to tout potential of the state’s business incentives and strategic locations in Wyandotte County.The key element of any deal would be STAR bonds, which could be used to finance construction of a stadium and related infrastructure to operate the facility. STAR bonds have been used for all sorts of Kansas economic development projects with debt repaid by collecting sales tax revenue within the bonding business district.

Kansas legislative leaders draw up play to lure Kansas City Chiefs away from Missouri

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a central Kansas drug bust.

Early Monday morning, a joint operation between the Saline County Drug Task Force and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) found more than three pounds of various types of drugs at a Salina home, according to Salina Police Capt. James Feldman.

Investigators found approximately a pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms, over two pounds of miscellaneous marijuana products, over three grams of suspected methamphetamine, a large quantity of paraphernalia and cash.&nbsp; Officers arrested 33-year-old Kristoff Lindgren of Salina.

He is being held on requested charges that include distribution of a hallucinogenic, distribution of marijuana, distribution of methamphetamines, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug crime, unlawful drug proceeds, felony paraphernalia and a paraphernalia misdemeanor.

Feldman said the Drug Task Force and KBI had worked on this investigation for some time. Officers jointly continue to investigate the crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717505608786.jpeg" alt="Lindgren photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Lindgren photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a central Kansas drug bust.Early Monday morning, a joint operation between the Saline County Drug Task Force and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) found more than three pounds of various types of drugs at a Salina home, according to Salina Police Capt. James Feldman.Investigators found approximately a pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms, over two pounds of miscellaneous marijuana products, over three grams of suspected methamphetamine, a large quantity of paraphernalia and cash.&nbsp; Officers arrested 33-year-old Kristoff Lindgren of Salina.He is being held on requested charges that include distribution of a hallucinogenic, distribution of marijuana, distribution of methamphetamines, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug crime, unlawful drug proceeds, felony paraphernalia and a paraphernalia misdemeanor.Feldman said the Drug Task Force and KBI had worked on this investigation for some time. Officers jointly continue to investigate the crime.

Task force finds drugs, cash at central Kansas home

TOPEKA&nbsp;- A second Florida resident is under investigation for alleged election crimes committed in Kansas, according to a media release from the Kansas Attorney General's office.

On May 29, Nebraska authorities arrested Jamie Johnson, 47, of Dade City, Florida, for forging signatures on petitions to make "No Labels" an officially recognized political party in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;On February 6, George Andrews, 30 of Dade City, Florida, was arrested for forging signatures on petitions to make “No Labels” an officially recognized political party in Kansas.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab reviewed the allegations against Johnson before forwarding the case to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s Office.

"As attorney general, I am determined to prosecute election fraud to the fullest extent of the law. It doesn't matter how far you run. 

We will drag you back to Kansas and prosecute you," Kobach said. "The people of Kansas deserve the most secure elections possible.

"The arrest of Johnson comes following an extensive investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and intense efforts by law enforcement in Nebraska and Johnson County, Kansas,&nbsp;to track down Ms. Johnson.

Johnson is charged with multiple counts of election fraud in Johnson County District Court, including one count of election perjury and 18 counts of election forgery.&nbsp; She is currently detained in Nebraska pending extradition to Kansas and appearance in Johnson County District Court.&nbsp;

“As I have always said, my office is committed to pursuing any evidence of election crime. Kansas has strong laws to ensure the integrity of our elections, and this case demonstrates that the process works,” Schwab said.Johnson should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717530787938.png" alt="Johnson photo from an earlier arrest in Pasco Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo from an earlier arrest in Pasco Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;- A second Florida resident is under investigation for alleged election crimes committed in Kansas, according to a media release from the Kansas Attorney General's office.On May 29, Nebraska authorities arrested Jamie Johnson, 47, of Dade City, Florida, for forging signatures on petitions to make "No Labels" an officially recognized political party in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;On February 6, George Andrews, 30 of Dade City, Florida, was arrested for forging signatures on petitions to make “No Labels” an officially recognized political party in Kansas.Secretary of State Scott Schwab reviewed the allegations against Johnson before forwarding the case to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s Office."As attorney general, I am determined to prosecute election fraud to the fullest extent of the law. It doesn't matter how far you run. We will drag you back to Kansas and prosecute you," Kobach said. "The people of Kansas deserve the most secure elections possible."The arrest of Johnson comes following an extensive investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and intense efforts by law enforcement in Nebraska and Johnson County, Kansas,&nbsp;to track down Ms. Johnson.Johnson is charged with multiple counts of election fraud in Johnson County District Court, including one count of election perjury and 18 counts of election forgery.&nbsp; She is currently detained in Nebraska pending extradition to Kansas and appearance in Johnson County District Court.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708380593446.png" alt="Andrews photo Pasco Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Andrews photo Pasco Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>“As I have always said, my office is committed to pursuing any evidence of election crime. Kansas has strong laws to ensure the integrity of our elections, and this case demonstrates that the process works,” Schwab said.Johnson should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

2nd Florida resident accused of election fraud in Kansas

The measure passed in 2023 requires removal of almost all personal identifiers, including witness and victim names and addresses, from public court documents

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A state law requiring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=509.520&amp;bid=54051&amp;hl=">secrecy in court filings</a>&nbsp;violates the Missouri Constitution’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++14&amp;bid=31714&amp;constit=y">requirement for open courts</a>&nbsp;and imposes steep new costs on litigants, especially those pursuing appeals, a lawsuit filed last week argues.

The lawsuit, filed in Cole County by the Missouri Broadcasters Association, two attorneys and William Freivogel, editor of the Gateway Journalism Review, asks for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Petition.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3183171">courts to overturn the law</a>, passed during the 2023 legislative session.

Along with violating Missourians’ rights to courts that are open, the lawsuit alleges that the law violates First Amendment free speech protections in the U.S. Constitution and sections of the Missouri Constitution limiting lawmakers’ powers to expand bills beyond their original scope.

Under the law and rules implementing it, every reference to a witness or victim in every case filing must be censored or the attorney filing it risks sanctions.

“For example, court records cannot even name the victim of a murder case –&nbsp; even though murder is a terrible crime of great interest to every Missouri community and citizen,” the lawsuit states. “This makes it difficult for citizens and the media to fully follow and understand criminal cases of great interest. And there is no privacy&nbsp; interest for redacting murder victims’ names, because homicide victims, being deceased, have no personal privacy interest.”

Removing those names can be time consuming and – when lawyers charge hundreds of dollars per hour – expensive, said Dave Roland, one of the attorneys working on the case.

The rules put additional burdens on prosecutors, defense attorneys and counsel in civil cases to scour their filings for possible violations, Roland said. The task is multiplied many times when preparing cases for an appeal, he said, because a party seeking to overturn a lower court ruling must file a complete copy of the court record – including transcripts of trials and other hearings – with all the prohibited information removed.

Transcripts are already expensive, Roland said.

“Depending on the length of the trial you know, the cost can vary,” he said. “If you have a one day trial, it may only be a couple of hundred dollars for the transcript. If you’ve got a multi-week trial, then it could be thousands of dollars.”

The two attorneys who are parties to the case, Michael Gross and Nina McDonnell, have turned down clients because of the additional cost and time&nbsp;

“For example, Plaintiff McDonnell recently refused an employment discrimination direct appeal from a 12-day trial because redacting the transcripts would have required time the potential client could not afford, and the firm could not absorb,” the lawsuit states.

Roland’s co-counsels on the case include former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Wolff, who with Roland will represent Freivogel and the two attorneys, and Mike Nepple, Mark Sableman and Justin Mulligan of Thompson Coburn, representing the broadcasters.

In October, writing for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gatewayjr.org/op-ed-missouri-becomes-state-of-unknown-persons-by-redacting-court-records/">Gateway Journalism Review</a>, Sableman called Missouri the “State of Unnamed Persons.”

The new law hurts the public by hiding information, makes it difficult for attorneys outside the case to evaluate it and leaves people interested in a case unsure about how it was handled, he wrote.&nbsp;

Even judges writing appellate opinions must follow the rules and leave out any individual identifiers, he noted.

“You can’t tell if ‘Expert Witness’ in one case had been found to lack credibility in a previous case,” Sableman wrote “You can’t tell if Officer D.V. in State v. Smith was found guilty of misconduct in another case. If you know and care about a particular case, you can’t tell if the witnesses you know about were called to testify or considered by the court.”

The broadcasters association joined the lawsuit because court records are a staple of news reporting, said Chad Mahoney, executive director of the association.

“You have to have the facts and the context to give people the whole truth,” Mahoney said. “And now a lot of the context, according to what we’re hearing from some of our member newsrooms, is lost, making it very difficult for them to inform the public about what’s going on.”

The lawsuit not only asks the court to throw out the law requiring censorship of court documents, it also argues that the bill in its entirety violates procedural rules in the constitution for passing bills.

Under those rules, a bill changing court operating rules established by the Missouri Supreme Court must be “a law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=V++++5&amp;bid=31900&amp;constit=y">limited to the purpose</a>.” In addition, bills cannot be amended to change their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++21&amp;bid=31761&amp;constit=y">original purpose</a>&nbsp;and must deal with “<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++23&amp;bid=31763&amp;constit=y">one subject&nbsp;</a>clearly expressed in its title.”

The bill that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44662">included the court censorship language</a>&nbsp;began in the Senate as a four-page bill changing the dates in one section of state law concerning when a fund to support court automation expires, with a title stating it was about court automation.

When it left the Senate, it was five pages long and included a pay raise for court reporters. The title stated it was about court operations.

When it returned from the House, it was 54 pages long, it altered 29 sections of state statutes and the title stated it was about judicial proceedings. There are at least five provisions that have nothing to do with the courts, the lawsuit states.

State Rep. Rudy Veit, a Wardsville Republican, shepherded the bill through the House. He could not be reached Monday for comment on the lawsuit.

The provision was added on the House floor by state Rep. Justin Hicks, a Lake St. Louis Republican. Hicks could not be reached Monday for comment.

Hicks, a candidate for the GOP nomination to Congress in the 3rd District, has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/gop-candidate-says-missouri-lawmaker-is-suing-him-over-disclosure-of-court-records/">used the courts repeatedly</a>&nbsp;to bury embarrassing information about his past. In 2021, he persuaded a St. Louis County judge to seal the records from a 2010 domestic violence case when a woman accused Hicks, then 17, of choking her.

A consent order signed by Hicks barred him from contact with the woman for a year.

When a potential candidate for Hicks’s House seat published copies of the order and other material from the case online, Hicks sued him and accused him of publishing private information. After initially sealing the case, St. Charles County Circuit Judge W. Christopher McDonough opened it, saying there was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/09/judge-unseals-gop-legislators-lawsuit-against-rival-who-published-court-documents/">no “compelling justification”</a>&nbsp;to keep it closed. The case has since been dismissed.

Because the lawsuit has just been filed, there has been no response from the state. But because the attorney general’s office, which will have to defend the law, has already been troubled by violations in its own court filings, Roland hopes for a quick resolution.

“It is possible, and this is me being optimistic, that the attorney general’s office may recognize that they’ve got a significant constitutional problem on their hands,” Roland said.

In a pending appeal of a $23 million award to HHS Technologies over a breach of contract claim with the state Medicaid system, Bailey’s office had to file the same set of documents three times to get the redactions right, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288586301.html">Kansas City Star reported</a>.

“This illustrates the problem,” Roland said. “If the attorney general’s office is going to get dinged for failing to make proper redactions, it illustrates the problem.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698455713470.png" alt="The Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The measure passed in 2023 requires removal of almost all personal identifiers, including witness and victim names and addresses, from public court documents</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A state law requiring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=509.520&amp;bid=54051&amp;hl=">secrecy in court filings</a>&nbsp;violates the Missouri Constitution’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++14&amp;bid=31714&amp;constit=y">requirement for open courts</a>&nbsp;and imposes steep new costs on litigants, especially those pursuing appeals, a lawsuit filed last week argues.The lawsuit, filed in Cole County by the Missouri Broadcasters Association, two attorneys and William Freivogel, editor of the Gateway Journalism Review, asks for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Petition.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3183171">courts to overturn the law</a>, passed during the 2023 legislative session.Along with violating Missourians’ rights to courts that are open, the lawsuit alleges that the law violates First Amendment free speech protections in the U.S. Constitution and sections of the Missouri Constitution limiting lawmakers’ powers to expand bills beyond their original scope.Under the law and rules implementing it, every reference to a witness or victim in every case filing must be censored or the attorney filing it risks sanctions.“For example, court records cannot even name the victim of a murder case –&nbsp; even though murder is a terrible crime of great interest to every Missouri community and citizen,” the lawsuit states. “This makes it difficult for citizens and the media to fully follow and understand criminal cases of great interest. And there is no privacy&nbsp; interest for redacting murder victims’ names, because homicide victims, being deceased, have no personal privacy interest.”Removing those names can be time consuming and – when lawyers charge hundreds of dollars per hour – expensive, said Dave Roland, one of the attorneys working on the case.The rules put additional burdens on prosecutors, defense attorneys and counsel in civil cases to scour their filings for possible violations, Roland said. The task is multiplied many times when preparing cases for an appeal, he said, because a party seeking to overturn a lower court ruling must file a complete copy of the court record – including transcripts of trials and other hearings – with all the prohibited information removed.Transcripts are already expensive, Roland said.“Depending on the length of the trial you know, the cost can vary,” he said. “If you have a one day trial, it may only be a couple of hundred dollars for the transcript. If you’ve got a multi-week trial, then it could be thousands of dollars.”The two attorneys who are parties to the case, Michael Gross and Nina McDonnell, have turned down clients because of the additional cost and time&nbsp;“For example, Plaintiff McDonnell recently refused an employment discrimination direct appeal from a 12-day trial because redacting the transcripts would have required time the potential client could not afford, and the firm could not absorb,” the lawsuit states.Roland’s co-counsels on the case include former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Wolff, who with Roland will represent Freivogel and the two attorneys, and Mike Nepple, Mark Sableman and Justin Mulligan of Thompson Coburn, representing the broadcasters.In October, writing for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gatewayjr.org/op-ed-missouri-becomes-state-of-unknown-persons-by-redacting-court-records/">Gateway Journalism Review</a>, Sableman called Missouri the “State of Unnamed Persons.”The new law hurts the public by hiding information, makes it difficult for attorneys outside the case to evaluate it and leaves people interested in a case unsure about how it was handled, he wrote.&nbsp;Even judges writing appellate opinions must follow the rules and leave out any individual identifiers, he noted.“You can’t tell if ‘Expert Witness’ in one case had been found to lack credibility in a previous case,” Sableman wrote “You can’t tell if Officer D.V. in State v. Smith was found guilty of misconduct in another case. If you know and care about a particular case, you can’t tell if the witnesses you know about were called to testify or considered by the court.”The broadcasters association joined the lawsuit because court records are a staple of news reporting, said Chad Mahoney, executive director of the association.“You have to have the facts and the context to give people the whole truth,” Mahoney said. “And now a lot of the context, according to what we’re hearing from some of our member newsrooms, is lost, making it very difficult for them to inform the public about what’s going on.”The lawsuit not only asks the court to throw out the law requiring censorship of court documents, it also argues that the bill in its entirety violates procedural rules in the constitution for passing bills.Under those rules, a bill changing court operating rules established by the Missouri Supreme Court must be “a law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=V++++5&amp;bid=31900&amp;constit=y">limited to the purpose</a>.” In addition, bills cannot be amended to change their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++21&amp;bid=31761&amp;constit=y">original purpose</a>&nbsp;and must deal with “<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++23&amp;bid=31763&amp;constit=y">one subject&nbsp;</a>clearly expressed in its title.”The bill that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44662">included the court censorship language</a>&nbsp;began in the Senate as a four-page bill changing the dates in one section of state law concerning when a fund to support court automation expires, with a title stating it was about court automation.When it left the Senate, it was five pages long and included a pay raise for court reporters. The title stated it was about court operations.When it returned from the House, it was 54 pages long, it altered 29 sections of state statutes and the title stated it was about judicial proceedings. There are at least five provisions that have nothing to do with the courts, the lawsuit states.State Rep. Rudy Veit, a Wardsville Republican, shepherded the bill through the House. He could not be reached Monday for comment on the lawsuit.The provision was added on the House floor by state Rep. Justin Hicks, a Lake St. Louis Republican. Hicks could not be reached Monday for comment.Hicks, a candidate for the GOP nomination to Congress in the 3rd District, has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/gop-candidate-says-missouri-lawmaker-is-suing-him-over-disclosure-of-court-records/">used the courts repeatedly</a>&nbsp;to bury embarrassing information about his past. In 2021, he persuaded a St. Louis County judge to seal the records from a 2010 domestic violence case when a woman accused Hicks, then 17, of choking her.A consent order signed by Hicks barred him from contact with the woman for a year.When a potential candidate for Hicks’s House seat published copies of the order and other material from the case online, Hicks sued him and accused him of publishing private information. After initially sealing the case, St. Charles County Circuit Judge W. Christopher McDonough opened it, saying there was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/09/judge-unseals-gop-legislators-lawsuit-against-rival-who-published-court-documents/">no “compelling justification”</a>&nbsp;to keep it closed. The case has since been dismissed.Because the lawsuit has just been filed, there has been no response from the state. But because the attorney general’s office, which will have to defend the law, has already been troubled by violations in its own court filings, Roland hopes for a quick resolution.“It is possible, and this is me being optimistic, that the attorney general’s office may recognize that they’ve got a significant constitutional problem on their hands,” Roland said.In a pending appeal of a $23 million award to HHS Technologies over a breach of contract claim with the state Medicaid system, Bailey’s office had to file the same set of documents three times to get the redactions right, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288586301.html">Kansas City Star reported</a>.“This illustrates the problem,” Roland said. “If the attorney general’s office is going to get dinged for failing to make proper redactions, it illustrates the problem.”

Lawsuit claims new Missouri court secrecy law is unconstitutional

Intrigue centers on Democrats’ bid to erode GOP’s supermajorities in House, Senate

TOPEKA — Minutes from the deadline for candidates to file for the Kansas Legislature, Rep. Brenda Landwehr withdrew from the ballot after more than 25 years in the Kansas House to spend more time with family and make way for a Republican she was comfortable endorsing.

Landwehr, a Republican from northwest Wichita and the influential chair of the House’s public health committee, said the decision to retire was easier after getting to know Jill Ward, who filed to run in the 105th District’s two-person GOP primary in August and, if successful, against a Democratic nominee in November.

“I love the people and the work, but it is time to devote more of myself to my husband, kids and grandkids,” Landwehr said.

Ward successfully lobbied the Legislature this year to pass Levi’s Law to increase penalties for people found guilty of leaving the scene of a deadly collision. Her son was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

“Drafting, introducing and shepherding the bill through to being signed by the governor taught me a lot about the process and the people that make policy affecting Kansas families and businesses,” Ward said. “It ignited a passion in me to make a difference for current and future Kansans.”

On Monday, Landwehr was among 19 members of the House and 11 in the Senate who chose not to seek reelection in 2024. The list included moderate Republican Rep. Susan Concannon of Beloit, who was involved in policy initiatives on child welfare, public health and rural life. Concannon was a fervent supporter of Medicaid expansion, to the consternation of GOP leadership, and she looked “forward to celebrating its passage someday.”

Under tragic circumstances, McPherson Rep. Les Mason’s candidacy for reelection in the 73rd District was withdrawn after he suffered a brain aneurysm Friday. He was unresponsive at a Wichita hospital before passing away Monday, said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita.

McPherson Sen. Rick Wilborn, who serves as vice president of the Senate and had decided not to seek reelection, filed for Mason’s seat in the House.

“We’ve been friends for 40 years,” Wilborn said. “We have served in the Legislature together, both serving McPherson County. We have a lot of common interests. I felt compelled, on behalf of Les. I cannot fill his shoes, but I can sure run for a seat.”

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, literally, brought a gavel down on new filings at noon Monday. Despite skepticism expressed by election-fraud conspiracy theorists in Kansas and elsewhere, the GOP secretary of state said he was convinced the 2024 elections would be fair, accurate and honest.

“Yes,” he said. “Our clerks will make it so.”

Overall, 41 candidates for the House, which amounts to nearly one-third of the chamber’s 125 seats, immediately won their 2024 campaigns because none attracted an opponent. Twenty-five Republicans and 16 Democrats were among lucky victors on filing deadline day. There also were five senators who didn’t draw a primary or general election opponent, and could only be defeated by a write-in or third party candidate.

Nine state representatives decided to leave the House to seek promotions to the Senate, and several former state legislators filed in an attempt to return to the Capitol.

Democrats fielded candidates in 92 of 125 House races, and placed a Democratic candidate in every House seat — except one — that was won by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2022. That fell in line with a quest of Democrats to break the Republican’s two-thirds majority in the House, which has made it easier for the GOP to override vetoes by the Democratic governor. Kelly and other organizations have set up political-action committees for the purpose of ending the GOP supermajority in the House.

House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat running for the Kansas Senate, said Democratic candidates also were motivated by GOP lawmakers intent on diminishing abortion rights in Kansas. He said that GOP agenda existed despite rejection by Kansas voters in 2022 of a state constitutional amendment designed to reverse a court decision declaring the right to abortion was embedded in the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

“It is no accident that so many women filed this year. Women are sick and tired of being silenced, and they’re not holding back. Our candidates reflect Kansans. They’re hard working, humble and diverse,” Miller said.

In Senate District 19, Miller is involved in a five-candidate race for the open seat with two Republicans and two other Democrats. Candidate Patrick Schmidt, a Topeka Democrat who previously ran for the U.S. House, said it was clear GOP extremists in the Legislature were eager to trample reproductive rights of women in Kansas.

Schmidt said the district required a senator who would be a “champion of women’s rights” and “bring new blood to the Legislature.”

In an intriguing move, Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, filed to challenge incumbent Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, in the 2nd District. That political tangle became more interesting with the filing of Republican David Miller, 74. He served a dozen years in the Kansas House, was chairman of the Kansas Republican Party and in 1990 was a lieutenant governor running mate to GOP gubernatorial candidate Nestor Weigand.

“Douglas County has become a one-party county and we are all paying dearly for it,” David Miller said. “We must have real tax relief. Our taxes have skyrocketed and the Legislature failed to override the governor’s tax cut veto. It seems that she and her party care more about the government’s fat checkbook than they care about the taxpayers.”

In a maneuver comparable to that of Landwehr, Louisburg Republican Sen. Molly Baumgardner withdrew her candidacy for reelection in the final hour. She arrived at the secretary of state’s office to submit written notification of her decision at the same time Doug Shane, a Miami County Republican, showed up to file for her 37th District seat. Democrat Sherry Giebler of Olathe also filed in that Senate district.

“In knowing the responsibilities facing me in the near future,” Baumgardner said, “this is an appropriate decision for the constituents I’ve had the honor to serve these past 10 years.”

Eleven senators opted not to run in 2024. Combined with three resignations and one death, it meant 15 of 40 senators elected in 2020 have or will have exited by January.

Sen. Dennis Pyle, the Hiawatha Republican who irritated some peers by running as an independent candidate for governor in 2022, decided to seek another four-year term. He said he didn’t object to assertions he was a maverick who “stands for the people and doesn’t take orders from the establishment.”

In the GOP primary in Senate District 1, he faces state Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison, and Holton Republican Craig Bowser. No Democrat filed in that district.

“I am the only candidate with Senate experience and a proven conservative record fighting for traditional family values, 2nd Amendment, life, limited government and fiscal conservatism,” Pyle said.

Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat who didn’t draw an opponent, said 34 of 40 Senate seats were contested by Democrats. Eighteen of 39 Democrats seeking Senate seats were women, she said. Currently, Republicans outnumber Democrats in the Senate 29 to 11.

A goal of Senate Democrats was to increase their caucus by recruiting candidates capable of mounting campaigns to defeat “extremist Republicans trying to turn our state into a place that isn’t welcoming and that doesn’t respect or invest in its people,” Sykes said.

Sen. David Haley, the longest-serving state senator and a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, wound up with a primary challenger. Ephren Taylor, who has worked as an organizer for the nonprofit organization Loud Light, said he entered the 4th District contest to support public schools, expand Medicaid, create a more fair tax system and bring about gun control laws.

“Our people need someone in office that is accessible, who will listen to their needs and provide them a seat at the table,” Taylor said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717523993337.png" alt=" Rep. Brenda Landwehr, left, a Wichita Republican with 25 years of experience in the Kansas House, chose not to seek reelection and endorsed GOP candidate Jill Ward, a Republican from northwest Wichita, for her 105th District seat. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Brenda Landwehr, left, a Wichita Republican with 25 years of experience in the Kansas House, chose not to seek reelection and endorsed GOP candidate Jill Ward, a Republican from northwest Wichita, for her 105th District seat. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Intrigue centers on Democrats’ bid to erode GOP’s supermajorities in House, Senate</h2>TOPEKA — Minutes from the deadline for candidates to file for the Kansas Legislature, Rep. Brenda Landwehr withdrew from the ballot after more than 25 years in the Kansas House to spend more time with family and make way for a Republican she was comfortable endorsing.Landwehr, a Republican from northwest Wichita and the influential chair of the House’s public health committee, said the decision to retire was easier after getting to know Jill Ward, who filed to run in the 105th District’s two-person GOP primary in August and, if successful, against a Democratic nominee in November.“I love the people and the work, but it is time to devote more of myself to my husband, kids and grandkids,” Landwehr said.Ward successfully lobbied the Legislature this year to pass Levi’s Law to increase penalties for people found guilty of leaving the scene of a deadly collision. Her son was killed in a hit-and-run accident.“Drafting, introducing and shepherding the bill through to being signed by the governor taught me a lot about the process and the people that make policy affecting Kansas families and businesses,” Ward said. “It ignited a passion in me to make a difference for current and future Kansans.”On Monday, Landwehr was among 19 members of the House and 11 in the Senate who chose not to seek reelection in 2024. The list included moderate Republican Rep. Susan Concannon of Beloit, who was involved in policy initiatives on child welfare, public health and rural life. Concannon was a fervent supporter of Medicaid expansion, to the consternation of GOP leadership, and she looked “forward to celebrating its passage someday.”Under tragic circumstances, McPherson Rep. Les Mason’s candidacy for reelection in the 73rd District was withdrawn after he suffered a brain aneurysm Friday. He was unresponsive at a Wichita hospital before passing away Monday, said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita.McPherson Sen. Rick Wilborn, who serves as vice president of the Senate and had decided not to seek reelection, filed for Mason’s seat in the House.“We’ve been friends for 40 years,” Wilborn said. “We have served in the Legislature together, both serving McPherson County. We have a lot of common interests. I felt compelled, on behalf of Les. I cannot fill his shoes, but I can sure run for a seat.”Secretary of State Scott Schwab, literally, brought a gavel down on new filings at noon Monday. Despite skepticism expressed by election-fraud conspiracy theorists in Kansas and elsewhere, the GOP secretary of state said he was convinced the 2024 elections would be fair, accurate and honest.“Yes,” he said. “Our clerks will make it so.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717523960711.png" alt="House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said a strong field of Democratic candidates were recruited in a bid to end Republicans’ two-thirds majority in the Kansas House. The GOP supermajority makes it easier to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, said a strong field of Democratic candidates were recruited in a bid to end Republicans’ two-thirds majority in the Kansas House. The GOP supermajority makes it easier to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Triumphs by default</h2>Overall, 41 candidates for the House, which amounts to nearly one-third of the chamber’s 125 seats, immediately won their 2024 campaigns because none attracted an opponent. Twenty-five Republicans and 16 Democrats were among lucky victors on filing deadline day. There also were five senators who didn’t draw a primary or general election opponent, and could only be defeated by a write-in or third party candidate.Nine state representatives decided to leave the House to seek promotions to the Senate, and several former state legislators filed in an attempt to return to the Capitol.Democrats fielded candidates in 92 of 125 House races, and placed a Democratic candidate in every House seat — except one — that was won by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2022. That fell in line with a quest of Democrats to break the Republican’s two-thirds majority in the House, which has made it easier for the GOP to override vetoes by the Democratic governor. Kelly and other organizations have set up political-action committees for the purpose of ending the GOP supermajority in the House.House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat running for the Kansas Senate, said Democratic candidates also were motivated by GOP lawmakers intent on diminishing abortion rights in Kansas. He said that GOP agenda existed despite rejection by Kansas voters in 2022 of a state constitutional amendment designed to reverse a court decision declaring the right to abortion was embedded in the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights.“It is no accident that so many women filed this year. Women are sick and tired of being silenced, and they’re not holding back. Our candidates reflect Kansans. They’re hard working, humble and diverse,” Miller said.In Senate District 19, Miller is involved in a five-candidate race for the open seat with two Republicans and two other Democrats. Candidate Patrick Schmidt, a Topeka Democrat who previously ran for the U.S. House, said it was clear GOP extremists in the Legislature were eager to trample reproductive rights of women in Kansas.Schmidt said the district required a senator who would be a “champion of women’s rights” and “bring new blood to the Legislature.”In an intriguing move, Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, filed to challenge incumbent Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, in the 2nd District. That political tangle became more interesting with the filing of Republican David Miller, 74. He served a dozen years in the Kansas House, was chairman of the Kansas Republican Party and in 1990 was a lieutenant governor running mate to GOP gubernatorial candidate Nestor Weigand.“Douglas County has become a one-party county and we are all paying dearly for it,” David Miller said. “We must have real tax relief. Our taxes have skyrocketed and the Legislature failed to override the governor’s tax cut veto. It seems that she and her party care more about the government’s fat checkbook than they care about the taxpayers.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717523903387.png" alt=" McPherson Sen. Rick Wilburn, left, signs papers Monday at the Kansas secretary of state’s office to file for the Kansas House seat vacated when McPherson Rep. Les Mason experienced a medical emergency. He passed away later Monday. To Wilburn’s left is Eddy Martinez, a Lawrence Democrat, who filed to run for the Kansas House in the 42nd District. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> McPherson Sen. Rick Wilburn, left, signs papers Monday at the Kansas secretary of state’s office to file for the Kansas House seat vacated when McPherson Rep. Les Mason experienced a medical emergency. He passed away later Monday. To Wilburn’s left is Eddy Martinez, a Lawrence Democrat, who filed to run for the Kansas House in the 42nd District. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Baumgardner’s exit</h2>In a maneuver comparable to that of Landwehr, Louisburg Republican Sen. Molly Baumgardner withdrew her candidacy for reelection in the final hour. She arrived at the secretary of state’s office to submit written notification of her decision at the same time Doug Shane, a Miami County Republican, showed up to file for her 37th District seat. Democrat Sherry Giebler of Olathe also filed in that Senate district.“In knowing the responsibilities facing me in the near future,” Baumgardner said, “this is an appropriate decision for the constituents I’ve had the honor to serve these past 10 years.”Eleven senators opted not to run in 2024. Combined with three resignations and one death, it meant 15 of 40 senators elected in 2020 have or will have exited by January.Sen. Dennis Pyle, the Hiawatha Republican who irritated some peers by running as an independent candidate for governor in 2022, decided to seek another four-year term. He said he didn’t object to assertions he was a maverick who “stands for the people and doesn’t take orders from the establishment.”In the GOP primary in Senate District 1, he faces state Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison, and Holton Republican Craig Bowser. No Democrat filed in that district.“I am the only candidate with Senate experience and a proven conservative record fighting for traditional family values, 2nd Amendment, life, limited government and fiscal conservatism,” Pyle said.Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat who didn’t draw an opponent, said 34 of 40 Senate seats were contested by Democrats. Eighteen of 39 Democrats seeking Senate seats were women, she said. Currently, Republicans outnumber Democrats in the Senate 29 to 11.A goal of Senate Democrats was to increase their caucus by recruiting candidates capable of mounting campaigns to defeat “extremist Republicans trying to turn our state into a place that isn’t welcoming and that doesn’t respect or invest in its people,” Sykes said.Sen. David Haley, the longest-serving state senator and a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, wound up with a primary challenger. Ephren Taylor, who has worked as an organizer for the nonprofit organization Loud Light, said he entered the 4th District contest to support public schools, expand Medicaid, create a more fair tax system and bring about gun control laws.“Our people need someone in office that is accessible, who will listen to their needs and provide them a seat at the table,” Taylor said.

30 Kan. legislators decline to seek reelection, dozens to win campaigns by default

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office has identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest.

 One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;

On May 17, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.

The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715979738614.png" alt="Williams photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office has identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest. One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715980197399.png" alt="Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>On May 17, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Homicide: Still no arrest reported after bodies found in rural Kansas

NEW YORK —Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that following investigations by its Department of Investigations, disciplinary action has been taken against Major League players Tucupita Marcano (San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder) and Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher); and Minor League players Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder) and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher) for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting rules and policies. MLB’s investigations included interviews, thorough review of the available information in each matter, and significant cooperation from MLB’s legal sportsbook partners, according to a media release.

In March 2024, MLB learned from a legal sports betting operator that it had identified past baseball betting activity from accounts connected to multiple Major and Minor League players. MLB obtained data from that operator and other sportsbooks, including authentication data for bets. None of these players played in any game on which they placed a bet. Further, all of the players denied that they had any inside information relevant to the bets or that any of the baseball games they bet on were compromised or manipulated, and the betting data does not suggest that any outcomes in the baseball games on which they placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way. None of the players are appealing their discipline.

Under Major League Rule 21, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Whereas, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans. The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing in baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from engaging in certain types of behavior that are legal for other people. Since the Supreme Court decision opened the door to legalized sports betting, we have worked with licensed sports betting operators and other third parties to put ourselves in a better position from an integrity perspective through the transparency that a regulated sports betting system can provide. MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, educational programming and awareness initiatives with the goal of ensuring strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game.”

The following players have been disciplined for violating Major League Rule 21 and the Major League or Minor League sports betting policy applicable to them at the time of their bets:

San Diego Padres Major League infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano&nbsp;has been declared permanently ineligible for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(2).

Oakland Athletics Major League pitcher Michael Kelly has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Padres Minor League pitcher Jay Groome&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Philadelphia Phillies Minor League infielder José Rodríguez&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League pitcher Andrew Saalfrank&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717513899838.png" alt="Marcano photo courtesy San Diego Padres" />
 <figcaption>Marcano photo courtesy San Diego Padres</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK —Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that following investigations by its Department of Investigations, disciplinary action has been taken against Major League players Tucupita Marcano (San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder) and Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher); and Minor League players Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder) and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher) for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting rules and policies. MLB’s investigations included interviews, thorough review of the available information in each matter, and significant cooperation from MLB’s legal sportsbook partners, according to a media release.In March 2024, MLB learned from a legal sports betting operator that it had identified past baseball betting activity from accounts connected to multiple Major and Minor League players. MLB obtained data from that operator and other sportsbooks, including authentication data for bets. None of these players played in any game on which they placed a bet. Further, all of the players denied that they had any inside information relevant to the bets or that any of the baseball games they bet on were compromised or manipulated, and the betting data does not suggest that any outcomes in the baseball games on which they placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way. None of the players are appealing their discipline.Under Major League Rule 21, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Whereas, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans. The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing in baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from engaging in certain types of behavior that are legal for other people. Since the Supreme Court decision opened the door to legalized sports betting, we have worked with licensed sports betting operators and other third parties to put ourselves in a better position from an integrity perspective through the transparency that a regulated sports betting system can provide. MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, educational programming and awareness initiatives with the goal of ensuring strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game.”The following players have been disciplined for violating Major League Rule 21 and the Major League or Minor League sports betting policy applicable to them at the time of their bets:San Diego Padres Major League infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano&nbsp;has been declared permanently ineligible for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(2).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from October 16, 2022 through October 23, 2022, and from July 12, 2023 through November 1, 2023, Marcano placed 387 baseball bets, including 231 MLB-related bets among other bets on international baseball games through a legal sportsbook. Marcano’s MLB bets were generally parlays, which would sometimes include multiple MLB-related legs, and they would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>In total, Marcano bet more than $150,000 on baseball, with $87,319 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $378 per bet). Of the over 200 MLB bets Marcano placed over this period, 25 of those bets included Pirates games while he was assigned to the Pirates’ Major League Club. Marcano did not appear in any of the games on which he placed bets, however, because all of Marcano’s Pirates-related bets, and the vast majority of his bets overall, occurred during the period after he suffered a season-ending knee injury on July 24, 2023 and was receiving medical treatment at PNC Park.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Consistent with Marcano’s overall baseball betting activity, almost all of Marcano’s Pirates bets were on which Club (the Pirates or their opponent) would win the game or whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game. Ultimately, Marcano lost all of his parlays involving the Pirates and only won 4.3% of all of his MLB-related bets overall.</li><li>There is no evidence to suggest — and Marcano denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Oakland Athletics Major League pitcher Michael Kelly has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from October 5, 2021 through October 17, 2021, Kelly, who at the time was a Minor League player assigned to the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, Texas, placed 10 bets involving nine MLB games, including bets on the outcomes, over/under bets on the number of runs scored, and on an individual pitcher’s strikeout total. Three of the nine games on which Kelly placed bets involved the Houston Astros Major League Club.</li><li>Kelly’s account bet $99.22 on MLB games (an average of $9.92 per bet). Overall, Kelly won five of the MLB game bets and had a net win of $28.30 on the bets.</li><li>Kelly did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Kelly denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Padres Minor League pitcher Jay Groome&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from July 22, 2020 through July 24, 2021, Groome placed 32 MLB-related bets. Of those, 24 bets involved the Red Sox Major League Club, all of which Groome placed while he was assigned to the Red Sox’ High-A affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. All 24 of Groome’s Red Sox bets were on the final outcome.</li><li>In total, Groome bet $453.74 on 30 MLB game-related bets (an average of approximately $15.12 per bet) and had a net loss of $433.54 on these bets. Ultimately, Groome only received payouts on two of his MLB bets.</li><li>Groome’s MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>Groome did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Groome denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Philadelphia Phillies Minor League infielder José Rodríguez&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that on September 30, 2021, and from June 5, 2022 through July 30, 2022, Rodríguez placed 31 baseball bets, comprised of three bets on college baseball games and 28 MLB-related bets while he was on a Minor League contract with the Chicago White Sox. His MLB bets included seven bets involving the White Sox’ Major League team while he was assigned to the White Sox’ Double-A affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Two Club-related bets involved the outcomes and his other Club-related bets were on whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game.</li><li>In total, Rodríguez bet $749.09 on baseball, with $724.09 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $25.86 per bet). His MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>Rodríguez did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Rodríguez denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League pitcher Andrew Saalfrank&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from September 9, 2021 through October 29, 2021, and on March 9, 2022, Saalfrank placed 29 baseball bets, including 28 MLB-related bets and one parlay bet on college baseball games, while he was on a Minor League contract with the Diamondbacks. Saalfrank placed all of his MLB-related bets, including four bets involving the Diamondbacks’ Major League team, while he was assigned to and on the Injured List of the Diamondbacks’ Low-A affiliate.</li><li>In total, Saalfrank bet $445.87 on baseball, with $444.07 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $15.86 per bet) and with a net loss of $272.64 on MLB bets. Ultimately, Saalfrank only won five of his 28 MLB-related bets and lost his $1.80 college bet.</li><li>Saalfrank’s MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs. Saalfrank’s bets varied, including who would win the game, the over/under of strikeouts by a pitcher, or whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game.</li><li>Saalfrank did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Saalfrank denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>

MLB gambling scandal: Padres infielder banned for life

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA2LzAzL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg5NjU2OS8xMV9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjRfMDYtMDMtMjAyNF9GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNjAzLjk1NzEyNTMxIn0.R_w7KdhIIL8j8TRwu_QQsKNEz--_jF59y_vQS-k-uQY/s/1303160919/br/243518724559-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.

“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”

Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.

Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate. &nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA2LzAzL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg5NjU2OS8xMV9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjRfMDYtMDMtMjAyNF9GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNjAzLjk1NzEyNTMxIn0.R_w7KdhIIL8j8TRwu_QQsKNEz--_jF59y_vQS-k-uQY/s/1303160919/br/243518724559-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate. &nbsp;

Sec. of Revenue explains why Kan. tax collections were down in May

KANSAS CITY—After ten days the alligator missing from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle school was found alive.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KC Pet Project Animal Services Division pickup up the alligator Monday afternoon.

The KC Pet Project received an anonymous tip that the missing alligator was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.

The alligator’s mouth was still taped shut. The KC Pet Project team quickly drove the alligator to the campus, and they are conducting an investigation on where the alligator has been since it went missing. 

The Pet Project also has a veterinarian who works with exotic pets do an exam on the animal.

On May 23,&nbsp;staff with the Kansas City Pet Project responded to Lakeview Middle School, 6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,  working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo.

Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.

Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717450609456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—After ten days the alligator missing from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle school was found alive.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KC Pet Project Animal Services Division pickup up the alligator Monday afternoon.The KC Pet Project received an anonymous tip that the missing alligator was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717450589965.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The alligator’s mouth was still taped shut. The KC Pet Project team quickly drove the alligator to the campus, and they are conducting an investigation on where the alligator has been since it went missing. The Pet Project also has a veterinarian who works with exotic pets do an exam on the animal.On May 23,&nbsp;staff with the Kansas City Pet Project responded to Lakeview Middle School, 6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City, working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo.Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

Alligator found 10 days after escape from KC school petting zoo

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and have identified the victim as 33-year-old&nbsp;William C. Wright, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sgt. Phil DiMartino.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717372495605.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and have identified the victim as 33-year-old&nbsp;William C. Wright, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sgt. Phil DiMartino.Just before 2p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at the intersection of E. 9th Street and Van Brunt Boulevard, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.First responders were summoned to the sidewalk where Wright was located unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS could respond and take over. EMS personnel responded and declared the victim deceased shortly after arrival.The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently unknown and no one is in custody, according to Gonzalez