By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/27/parents-of-disabled-kids-urge-kansas-lawmakers-to-expand-aid-and-fix-issues-with-health-care-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A Kansas mother struggling to balance treating her cancer with caring
 for her disabled children urged lawmakers Monday to provide more 
support for people like her.

Kathy Keck, a mother of five kids, 
three of whom have developmental and medical disabilities, said she left
 the workforce more than five years ago to care for her children. Now, 
with a mastectomy scheduled, Keck said she doesn’t know who will watch 
them while she is recovering.&nbsp;

According to Keck, her daughter’s 
full-time nurse covers 52 hour a week, and her husband, a full-time 
nurse, handles 40 hours of child care per week, leaving Keck in charge 
of her daughter for about 76 hours per week. Keck doesn’t know what to 
do for her six- to eight-week mastectomy recuperation period, where she 
won’t be able to do any heavy lifting.

“I too have concerns about another 
mastectomy, but the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is not knowing 
how I will care for two of my three disabled children/adults long enough
 to take care of my own medical needs and recover with the ongoing 
workforce crisis,” Keck said in testimony submitted to the Robert G. 
Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare
 Oversight.&nbsp;

Keck asked lawmakers at the meeting 
to address systemic issues by increasing medically necessary nursing 
care for children on the Technology Assisted Waiver, a Kansan waiver 
that provides people with services such as personalized medical care, 
and find ways to address the statewide shortage of qualified health care
 workers.&nbsp;

Keck said the KanCare system, the state-administered form of Medicaid in Kansas, needs to be fixed.&nbsp;

“What is happening in our system is a lot like cancer,” Keck said.

An issue brought up several times 
during the seven-hour meeting Monday was the waitlist for receiving aid 
for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

More than 4,800 Kansans are currently
 on a waiting list for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
HCBS waiver program, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and 
Disability Services. The waiver program provides extra resources, 
support staff and overnight care options, along with other disability 
aids.

Parent Rick Elskamp said his 
21-year-old daughter, Sheridan, got on the waitlist in 2013 and is still
 waiting for help, with advisers telling him the wait could be anywhere 
from 10 to 15 years.

According to Elskamp, Sheridan is 
mentally a 6-year-old and has sensory issues, a history of seizures, 
behavioral issues and communication delays. Elskamp and his wife work 
full time, and payment for her day care is very expensive.

Elskamp said he and his family tried 
to explore other options, such as contacting legislators, putting in a 
funding crisis request and utilizing a respite care plan offered by 
their insurance, all of which was denied or failed, Elskamp said.

“It should not be this difficult 
getting the funding for services Sheridan deserves. Could you imagine 
waiting 10 years after suffering a disabling injury to get benefits?” 
Elskamp said in his testimony.

Other speakers at the meeting brought up issues with child health care coverage in the state.&nbsp;

Approximately 76% of KanCare 
enrollees are children and their caregivers, according to the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment, but child health care advocates 
say an outdated child insurance eligibility requirement is barring 
hundreds more from adequate coverage.&nbsp;

The Kansas Children’s Health 
Insurance Program determines program eligibility by federal poverty 
income guidelines, with children qualifying if their families make less 
than 250% of these income guidelines.

But advocates from the Kansas Action 
for Children say the state Legislature tied CHIP eligibility to the 2008
 fixed poverty level, and have never updated it. Legislators increased 
funding during the 2022 legislative session to address the issue, 
approving $1.4 million in increased CHIP coverage, but advocates are now
 asking legislators to find a permanent fix to the issue in the 2023 
legislative session.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664374349052.png" alt="Parent Rick Elskamp urges legislators to provide more aid to struggling families during Monday’s hearing on KanCare oversight. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Parent Rick Elskamp urges legislators to provide more aid to struggling families during Monday’s hearing on KanCare oversight. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/27/parents-of-disabled-kids-urge-kansas-lawmakers-to-expand-aid-and-fix-issues-with-health-care-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A Kansas mother struggling to balance treating her cancer with caring
 for her disabled children urged lawmakers Monday to provide more 
support for people like her.Kathy Keck, a mother of five kids, 
three of whom have developmental and medical disabilities, said she left
 the workforce more than five years ago to care for her children. Now, 
with a mastectomy scheduled, Keck said she doesn’t know who will watch 
them while she is recovering.&nbsp;According to Keck, her daughter’s 
full-time nurse covers 52 hour a week, and her husband, a full-time 
nurse, handles 40 hours of child care per week, leaving Keck in charge 
of her daughter for about 76 hours per week. Keck doesn’t know what to 
do for her six- to eight-week mastectomy recuperation period, where she 
won’t be able to do any heavy lifting.“I too have concerns about another 
mastectomy, but the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is not knowing 
how I will care for two of my three disabled children/adults long enough
 to take care of my own medical needs and recover with the ongoing 
workforce crisis,” Keck said in testimony submitted to the Robert G. 
Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare
 Oversight.&nbsp;Keck asked lawmakers at the meeting 
to address systemic issues by increasing medically necessary nursing 
care for children on the Technology Assisted Waiver, a Kansan waiver 
that provides people with services such as personalized medical care, 
and find ways to address the statewide shortage of qualified health care
 workers.&nbsp;Keck said the KanCare system, the state-administered form of Medicaid in Kansas, needs to be fixed.&nbsp;“What is happening in our system is a lot like cancer,” Keck said.An issue brought up several times 
during the seven-hour meeting Monday was the waitlist for receiving aid 
for intellectual and developmental disabilities.More than 4,800 Kansans are currently
 on a waiting list for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
HCBS waiver program, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and 
Disability Services. The waiver program provides extra resources, 
support staff and overnight care options, along with other disability 
aids.Parent Rick Elskamp said his 
21-year-old daughter, Sheridan, got on the waitlist in 2013 and is still
 waiting for help, with advisers telling him the wait could be anywhere 
from 10 to 15 years.According to Elskamp, Sheridan is 
mentally a 6-year-old and has sensory issues, a history of seizures, 
behavioral issues and communication delays. Elskamp and his wife work 
full time, and payment for her day care is very expensive.Elskamp said he and his family tried 
to explore other options, such as contacting legislators, putting in a 
funding crisis request and utilizing a respite care plan offered by 
their insurance, all of which was denied or failed, Elskamp said.“It should not be this difficult 
getting the funding for services Sheridan deserves. Could you imagine 
waiting 10 years after suffering a disabling injury to get benefits?” 
Elskamp said in his testimony.Other speakers at the meeting brought up issues with child health care coverage in the state.&nbsp;Approximately 76% of KanCare 
enrollees are children and their caregivers, according to the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment, but child health care advocates 
say an outdated child insurance eligibility requirement is barring 
hundreds more from adequate coverage.&nbsp;The Kansas Children’s Health 
Insurance Program determines program eligibility by federal poverty 
income guidelines, with children qualifying if their families make less 
than 250% of these income guidelines.But advocates from the Kansas Action 
for Children say the state Legislature tied CHIP eligibility to the 2008
 fixed poverty level, and have never updated it. Legislators increased 
funding during the 2022 legislative session to address the issue, 
approving $1.4 million in increased CHIP coverage, but advocates are now
 asking legislators to find a permanent fix to the issue in the 2023 
legislative session.&nbsp;

Parents of disabled Kan. kids: Expand aid, fix health care system issues

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-elections-b660dba7114ca83eaa3d9e97604970c9">redrew Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;' suburban Kansas City, Kansas-area district this year to make a third term harder for her to win, adding rural areas where former President Donald Trump did well and removing urban areas that Davids had carried handily.

But the dynamic changed in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>. Kansas voters responded in August by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a ballot measure expected to lead to more restrictions or a ban on abortion.

The magnitude of that vote has left Davids and other Democrats optimistic. That’s why she is spending the final stretch of the campaign focused on abortion, attempting to keep the same abortion-rights supporters who turned out to vote in August energized to do so again in November.

It's a delicate task, asking voters who may fault Democrats for rising housing and grocery prices to nonetheless support Davids for Congress.

“I think this has more to do with control and limiting people’s rights,” said swing voter Tanner Klingzell, a 42-year-old from the suburb of Prairie Village who says he is fiscally conservative but socially progressive. He supports abortion rights and says, “I just don’t feel comfortable voting for Republicans.”

The Supreme Court's abortion ruling has rewritten the script in districts around the country, and both Davids and Republican challenger Amanda Adkins must win over independents and GOP moderates to win the one swing congressional district in an otherwise red state.

Davids became the first lesbian Native American in Congress when she rode suburban anti-Trump sentiment to office in the 2018 election. Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter drew national interest, and Republicans initially tried to group her with “The Squad” of new liberal House members. Those efforts fell flat as she focused on such non-divisive issues as road projects, prescription drug prices and high-speed internet for rural areas.

Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues, a tactic Republicans nationally expect to carry them back to a House majority. She's also started highlighting crime and border security. She held a news conference on those issues Monday, days after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy released Republicans'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-kevin-mccarthy-newt-gingrich-border-security-97f04b6997ea980a868b8d7628378824">“Commitment to America” agenda,</a>&nbsp;which promises to fight inflation but also to “protect the lives of unborn children.”

The two have faced off before. Davids defeated Adkins in 2020 by 10 percentage points, but that was before redistricting after the 2020 census. While Democrat Joe Biden would have prevailed in the new district in 2020, his margin would have been roughly half the 10 percentage points he racked up in the old district — and that’s likely true for Davids as well. If Adkins’ percentage of the vote in the suburbs is a few points higher this year than in 2020, she can win.

In suburban Overland Park, Andrea Calvo, a 33-year-old freight-company accounts manager, is hoping Republicans emerge a little stronger from the November election because, in her view, “they have proven to be able to handle the economy better.”

While Calvo, a Republican, doesn’t see herself as a moderate, she voted in August against the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. She sees Adkins’ support for it as “definitely a problem.” But it’s not a deal-breaker.

“It’s all about the economy at the end of the day for me,” she said.

The two campaigns, the parties and political groups are now on track to spend about $8 million on television ads.

Davids' ads attack Adkins for her long association with former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in cutting taxes was followed by huge, persistent state budget shortfalls. Davids on Saturday launched an ad attacking Adkins on abortion that follows up on multiple Kansas Democratic Party mailings, including to Republicans.

Davids and her backers are painting Adkins as an extremist for supporting the proposed amendment that voters rejected in August. It would have removed protections for abortion from the state Constitution, which would have allowed the state Legislature, dominated by abortion opponents, to greatly restrict or ban abortion.

Davids' strong, public opposition to the Kansas anti-abortion measure contrasts with three decades of Democratic candidates soft-pedaling their support for abortion rights in most areas of the state. Abortion has been a dominant issue in Kansas politics since the 1991 anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests outside Dr. George Tiller's clinic in Wichita. Tiller was among the few doctors known to perform abortions late in pregnancy and was shot to death in 2009 by an anti-abortion zealot. Anti-abortion groups have been powerful forces in state politics.

Even with the 3rd District's new, more Republican leanings, 67.5% of its voters opposed the Kansas anti-abortion measure in the August abortion referendum.

“They were very engaged and sent a strong message about us not wanting to have politicians making our decisions for us,” Davids said.

Adkins describes herself as a Catholic who has “always been pro-life” and “100% committed to protecting life at every stage.” But Adkins said she respects the August vote and opposes federal laws on abortion, saying the issue should be decided at the state level.

“It should not be a federal issue, and Sharice Davids still is focusing on it as a federal issue,” Adkins said after a recent suburban meet-and-greet. Davids voted last year for a Democratic measure to guarantee abortion rights across the U.S. and override state restrictions.

Adkins has not been specific about how far she thinks abortion law should go in Kansas, which bans most abortions at the 22nd week, but said Monday that she would favor any new, incremental state measures that would reduce the number of abortions.

In the new, rural parts of the 3rd District, Democrats say the abortion ruling means volunteers are energized. But Republican state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall said that Davids is an “extremely hard sell,” especially with conservative farmers. Even Democrats tend to take more conservative positions on issues such as gun rights, she said.

“Also, taxes — people are extremely upset with how high their taxes are right now,” she said.

But about 85% of the district’s voters still live in the suburbs, where centrist and conservative Republicans have feuded for decades, and voters have been electing more Democrats in recent years.

Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, the four-term GOP incumbent ousted by Davids in 2018, praised Adkins as a candidate, but he pointed to the dominance of those suburbs in the district as the reason the race remains challenging for the GOP.

“It’s still a Biden district,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664368382021.png" alt="Amanda Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues." />
 <figcaption>Amanda Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-elections-b660dba7114ca83eaa3d9e97604970c9">redrew Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;' suburban Kansas City, Kansas-area district this year to make a third term harder for her to win, adding rural areas where former President Donald Trump did well and removing urban areas that Davids had carried handily.But the dynamic changed in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>. Kansas voters responded in August by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a ballot measure expected to lead to more restrictions or a ban on abortion.The magnitude of that vote has left Davids and other Democrats optimistic. That’s why she is spending the final stretch of the campaign focused on abortion, attempting to keep the same abortion-rights supporters who turned out to vote in August energized to do so again in November.It's a delicate task, asking voters who may fault Democrats for rising housing and grocery prices to nonetheless support Davids for Congress.“I think this has more to do with control and limiting people’s rights,” said swing voter Tanner Klingzell, a 42-year-old from the suburb of Prairie Village who says he is fiscally conservative but socially progressive. He supports abortion rights and says, “I just don’t feel comfortable voting for Republicans.”The Supreme Court's abortion ruling has rewritten the script in districts around the country, and both Davids and Republican challenger Amanda Adkins must win over independents and GOP moderates to win the one swing congressional district in an otherwise red state.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610038234095.png" alt="Rep. Sharie Davids-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Sharie Davids-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Davids became the first lesbian Native American in Congress when she rode suburban anti-Trump sentiment to office in the 2018 election. Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter drew national interest, and Republicans initially tried to group her with “The Squad” of new liberal House members. Those efforts fell flat as she focused on such non-divisive issues as road projects, prescription drug prices and high-speed internet for rural areas.Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues, a tactic Republicans nationally expect to carry them back to a House majority. She's also started highlighting crime and border security. She held a news conference on those issues Monday, days after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy released Republicans'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-kevin-mccarthy-newt-gingrich-border-security-97f04b6997ea980a868b8d7628378824">“Commitment to America” agenda,</a>&nbsp;which promises to fight inflation but also to “protect the lives of unborn children.”The two have faced off before. Davids defeated Adkins in 2020 by 10 percentage points, but that was before redistricting after the 2020 census. While Democrat Joe Biden would have prevailed in the new district in 2020, his margin would have been roughly half the 10 percentage points he racked up in the old district — and that’s likely true for Davids as well. If Adkins’ percentage of the vote in the suburbs is a few points higher this year than in 2020, she can win.In suburban Overland Park, Andrea Calvo, a 33-year-old freight-company accounts manager, is hoping Republicans emerge a little stronger from the November election because, in her view, “they have proven to be able to handle the economy better.”While Calvo, a Republican, doesn’t see herself as a moderate, she voted in August against the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. She sees Adkins’ support for it as “definitely a problem.” But it’s not a deal-breaker.“It’s all about the economy at the end of the day for me,” she said.The two campaigns, the parties and political groups are now on track to spend about $8 million on television ads.Davids' ads attack Adkins for her long association with former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in cutting taxes was followed by huge, persistent state budget shortfalls. Davids on Saturday launched an ad attacking Adkins on abortion that follows up on multiple Kansas Democratic Party mailings, including to Republicans.Davids and her backers are painting Adkins as an extremist for supporting the proposed amendment that voters rejected in August. It would have removed protections for abortion from the state Constitution, which would have allowed the state Legislature, dominated by abortion opponents, to greatly restrict or ban abortion.Davids' strong, public opposition to the Kansas anti-abortion measure contrasts with three decades of Democratic candidates soft-pedaling their support for abortion rights in most areas of the state. Abortion has been a dominant issue in Kansas politics since the 1991 anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests outside Dr. George Tiller's clinic in Wichita. Tiller was among the few doctors known to perform abortions late in pregnancy and was shot to death in 2009 by an anti-abortion zealot. Anti-abortion groups have been powerful forces in state politics.Even with the 3rd District's new, more Republican leanings, 67.5% of its voters opposed the Kansas anti-abortion measure in the August abortion referendum.“They were very engaged and sent a strong message about us not wanting to have politicians making our decisions for us,” Davids said.Adkins describes herself as a Catholic who has “always been pro-life” and “100% committed to protecting life at every stage.” But Adkins said she respects the August vote and opposes federal laws on abortion, saying the issue should be decided at the state level.“It should not be a federal issue, and Sharice Davids still is focusing on it as a federal issue,” Adkins said after a recent suburban meet-and-greet. Davids voted last year for a Democratic measure to guarantee abortion rights across the U.S. and override state restrictions.Adkins has not been specific about how far she thinks abortion law should go in Kansas, which bans most abortions at the 22nd week, but said Monday that she would favor any new, incremental state measures that would reduce the number of abortions.In the new, rural parts of the 3rd District, Democrats say the abortion ruling means volunteers are energized. But Republican state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall said that Davids is an “extremely hard sell,” especially with conservative farmers. Even Democrats tend to take more conservative positions on issues such as gun rights, she said.“Also, taxes — people are extremely upset with how high their taxes are right now,” she said.But about 85% of the district’s voters still live in the suburbs, where centrist and conservative Republicans have feuded for decades, and voters have been electing more Democrats in recent years.Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, the four-term GOP incumbent ousted by Davids in 2018, praised Adkins as a candidate, but he pointed to the dominance of those suburbs in the district as the reason the race remains challenging for the GOP.“It’s still a Biden district,” he said.

Kansas race tests which matters more: Economy or abortion?

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,645 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 21, to Wednesday September 28, for a total of 878,499 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp; 476 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on September 21, for a total of 9,555.&nbsp; The large increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.

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

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

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,645 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 21, to Wednesday September 28, for a total of 878,499 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp; 476 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on September 21, for a total of 9,555.&nbsp; The large increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664384369884.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE: Statewide COVID death toll tops 9,500

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

Law enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.

The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.

Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.

All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.

The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382055631.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLaw enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382073662.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382093937.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

Students air-lifted to hospital after Nebraska school bus, semi crash

By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-28/pandemic-spending-kansas-hospitals-health-insurance-more-expensive">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— Spending shot up at hospitals in the first 
year of the pandemic amid struggles to find workers and critical 
supplies. Kansas saw a particularly big jump — and residents may end up 
footing the bill.

Hospitals in the state spent an average of 
$2,228 per patient per day in 2020, a 13% jump from the year before. 
That outpaced the national spending increase, according to an <a href="https://quotewizard.com/news/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses" target="_blank">analysis</a> of American Health Association data by LendingTree.

“Hospitals
 have been facing longstanding financial issues even before the 
pandemic,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital 
Association. “And more recently, hospitals are not immune to the 
challenges created from the cost and the impact of the pandemic.”

Soaring
 costs for workers, prescription drugs and supplies like personal 
protective equipment fueled the spending surge, he said. Some of those 
issues, including a shortage of nurses and nursing assistants that have 
forced medical facilities to rely on expensive <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-22/kansas-nursing-homes-are-closing-because-they-cant-find-enough-workers" target="_blank">staffing agencies</a>, still remain.

“Some
 communities are still facing the same issues,” Austin said. “We are 
seeing some relief in other communities where the cost of staffing 
agencies has gone down slightly, but it’s still a significant portion of
 the overall operations of the hospital.”

Meanwhile, some patients
 were sitting in hospitals for days while they waited for room to open 
up at facilities that could treat them. Those <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/rural-hospitals-their-own-as-covid-19-surges-across-country-complicate-care" target="_blank">delays</a> in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-kansas-5ba0063b4c9fca95c043c9f5c03cb1cb" target="_blank">transferring</a> patients also cost hospitals more money.

“Because
 we have such a rural, diverse health care system,” said Cindy 
Samuelson, a senior vice president with the Kansas Hospital Association,
 “there were some challenges in finding places where people could go to 
get the right care that they needed.”

The spending boom could mean bigger bills for Kansans.

“Ultimately,”
 said senior LendingTree analyst Nick VinZant, who authored the report, 
“when we see hospital costs increase, that is going to be passed on down
 to people’s health insurance premiums.”

Between 2016 and 2020, 
health premiums in Kansas swelled 14% — slightly less than the national 
average, but still nearly double the rate of inflation during that 
period. The average Kansan paid $6,675 for health insurance in 2020.

And those numbers don’t yet reflect the pandemic-fueled hike in hospital spending.

“How
 long before this filters out to everybody is really the big question,” 
VinZant said. “That day might be coming for a lot of us.”

The state’s high rate of uninsured people — which, unlike most states’, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-16/kansas-health-insurance-coverage-pandemic-census-data" target="_blank">did not improve during</a>
 the pandemic despite special programs to boost coverage rates — could 
mean even bigger premium increases for people who are insured.

“We
 still have a large pool of uninsured patients in the state because we 
didn’t expand Medicaid,” said Donna Ginther, an economics professor at 
the University of Kansas. “When hospitals have a large number of 
uninsured patients, those costs get passed on to people with private 
insurance.”

Hospital expenses also offer an early window into the 
state of the health care industry as a whole. VinZant said higher costs 
there likely indicate higher costs across the board — which could 
compound insurance price hikes.

“If hospital expenses are going up
 this much, how much are other medical care costs also going up because 
of the pandemic?” said VinZant. “And then how much is that ultimately 
going to lead to an increase in your health insurance premiums?”

Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664374523125.png" alt=" David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-28/pandemic-spending-kansas-hospitals-health-insurance-more-expensive">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— Spending shot up at hospitals in the first 
year of the pandemic amid struggles to find workers and critical 
supplies. Kansas saw a particularly big jump — and residents may end up 
footing the bill.Hospitals in the state spent an average of 
$2,228 per patient per day in 2020, a 13% jump from the year before. 
That outpaced the national spending increase, according to an <a href="https://quotewizard.com/news/states-with-the-highest-hospital-expenses" target="_blank">analysis</a> of American Health Association data by LendingTree.“Hospitals
 have been facing longstanding financial issues even before the 
pandemic,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital 
Association. “And more recently, hospitals are not immune to the 
challenges created from the cost and the impact of the pandemic.”Soaring
 costs for workers, prescription drugs and supplies like personal 
protective equipment fueled the spending surge, he said. Some of those 
issues, including a shortage of nurses and nursing assistants that have 
forced medical facilities to rely on expensive <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-22/kansas-nursing-homes-are-closing-because-they-cant-find-enough-workers" target="_blank">staffing agencies</a>, still remain.“Some
 communities are still facing the same issues,” Austin said. “We are 
seeing some relief in other communities where the cost of staffing 
agencies has gone down slightly, but it’s still a significant portion of
 the overall operations of the hospital.”Meanwhile, some patients
 were sitting in hospitals for days while they waited for room to open 
up at facilities that could treat them. Those <a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/rural-hospitals-their-own-as-covid-19-surges-across-country-complicate-care" target="_blank">delays</a> in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-kansas-5ba0063b4c9fca95c043c9f5c03cb1cb" target="_blank">transferring</a> patients also cost hospitals more money.“Because
 we have such a rural, diverse health care system,” said Cindy 
Samuelson, a senior vice president with the Kansas Hospital Association,
 “there were some challenges in finding places where people could go to 
get the right care that they needed.”The spending boom could mean bigger bills for Kansans.“Ultimately,”
 said senior LendingTree analyst Nick VinZant, who authored the report, 
“when we see hospital costs increase, that is going to be passed on down
 to people’s health insurance premiums.”Between 2016 and 2020, 
health premiums in Kansas swelled 14% — slightly less than the national 
average, but still nearly double the rate of inflation during that 
period. The average Kansan paid $6,675 for health insurance in 2020.And those numbers don’t yet reflect the pandemic-fueled hike in hospital spending.“How
 long before this filters out to everybody is really the big question,” 
VinZant said. “That day might be coming for a lot of us.”The state’s high rate of uninsured people — which, unlike most states’, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-09-16/kansas-health-insurance-coverage-pandemic-census-data" target="_blank">did not improve during</a>
 the pandemic despite special programs to boost coverage rates — could 
mean even bigger premium increases for people who are insured.“We
 still have a large pool of uninsured patients in the state because we 
didn’t expand Medicaid,” said Donna Ginther, an economics professor at 
the University of Kansas. “When hospitals have a large number of 
uninsured patients, those costs get passed on to people with private 
insurance.”Hospital expenses also offer an early window into the 
state of the health care industry as a whole. VinZant said higher costs 
there likely indicate higher costs across the board — which could 
compound insurance price hikes.“If hospital expenses are going up
 this much, how much are other medical care costs also going up because 
of the pandemic?” said VinZant. “And then how much is that ultimately 
going to lead to an increase in your health insurance premiums?”Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

Pandemic spending at Kan. hospitals could raise insurance cost

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/28/longhorned-tick-that-can-cause-illness-to-cattle-found-in-northern-missouri/">Missouri Independent</a>

A species of tick known to cause severe weight loss in cattle has been discovered in northern Missouri, researchers from the <a target="_blank" href="https://showme.missouri.edu/2022/longhorned-tick-discovered-in-northern-missouri-for-first-time-mu-researchers-find/">University of Missouri reported this week</a>.&nbsp;

The longhorned tick was found in 
southern Missouri last year, according to a press release from the 
university. But Rosalie Ierardi, an anatomic pathologist at the MU 
College of Veterinary Medicine, discovered two of the ticks in Linn 
County, near the Iowa border.&nbsp;

Longhorned ticks can reproduce more easily than other tick species as females can lay eggs without a male.

“Studying the prevalence of invasive 
ticks in different geographical regions can help veterinarians and 
farmers take proactive, preventative steps that may ultimately protect 
the health of livestock, which has huge economic implications,” Ierardi 
said.&nbsp;

The university says the threat to 
humans, cattle and pets in Missouri remains low, but the species has 
been known to cost millions of dollars in lost agricultural revenue 
around the world. An infestation of the ticks can cause outbreaks of 
bovine theileriosis, which kills red blood cells in cows.

There are no confirmed cases of bovine theileriosis in Missouri, according to the university.&nbsp;

Ram Raghavan, a professor in the MU 
College of Veterinary Medicine and MU School of Health Professions, has 
been studying and predicting the spread of various types of ticks and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-37205-2">forecast the regions where the longhorned tick would take hold</a> in 2019. The tick was first discovered in the U.S. in 2017.&nbsp;

Raghavan warned the impacts of climate change could cause a continued increase in tick infestations.&nbsp;

“Warmer temperatures in the Midwest 
seem to be creating perfect conditions for ticks and the pathogens they 
carry to thrive, and this problem may get worse going forward as the 
planet continues to warm, which is concerning,” Raghavan said. “We must 
be vigilant and devote resources toward trying to prevent these ticks 
from spreading diseases that harm the health of cattle, humans and their
 pets.”

Cattle ranchers whose animals show 
signs of weakness or jaundice or lose pregnancies should contact their 
veterinarian and the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 
Ierardi said.

Ierardi said the symptoms can be 
mistaken for anaplasmosis, a different and widely prevalent bovine 
disease, and ranchers should get their animals tested whenever they are 
in doubt.&nbsp;

“Although these longhorned ticks are 
known to transmit a number of human disease pathogens,” leradi said, “at
 the moment the threat from them appears to be mostly bovine 
theileriosis, which impacts cattle.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664372166760.png" alt="A researcher from the University of Missouri discovered two longhorned ticks in Linn County, north of Interstate 70. The ticks are known to cause illness in cattle. (Photo courtesy of the University of Missouri)" />
 <figcaption>A researcher from the University of Missouri discovered two longhorned ticks in Linn County, north of Interstate 70. The ticks are known to cause illness in cattle. (Photo courtesy of the University of Missouri)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/28/longhorned-tick-that-can-cause-illness-to-cattle-found-in-northern-missouri/">Missouri Independent</a>A species of tick known to cause severe weight loss in cattle has been discovered in northern Missouri, researchers from the <a target="_blank" href="https://showme.missouri.edu/2022/longhorned-tick-discovered-in-northern-missouri-for-first-time-mu-researchers-find/">University of Missouri reported this week</a>.&nbsp;The longhorned tick was found in 
southern Missouri last year, according to a press release from the 
university. But Rosalie Ierardi, an anatomic pathologist at the MU 
College of Veterinary Medicine, discovered two of the ticks in Linn 
County, near the Iowa border.&nbsp;Longhorned ticks can reproduce more easily than other tick species as females can lay eggs without a male.“Studying the prevalence of invasive 
ticks in different geographical regions can help veterinarians and 
farmers take proactive, preventative steps that may ultimately protect 
the health of livestock, which has huge economic implications,” Ierardi 
said.&nbsp;The university says the threat to 
humans, cattle and pets in Missouri remains low, but the species has 
been known to cost millions of dollars in lost agricultural revenue 
around the world. An infestation of the ticks can cause outbreaks of 
bovine theileriosis, which kills red blood cells in cows.There are no confirmed cases of bovine theileriosis in Missouri, according to the university.&nbsp;Ram Raghavan, a professor in the MU 
College of Veterinary Medicine and MU School of Health Professions, has 
been studying and predicting the spread of various types of ticks and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-37205-2">forecast the regions where the longhorned tick would take hold</a> in 2019. The tick was first discovered in the U.S. in 2017.&nbsp;Raghavan warned the impacts of climate change could cause a continued increase in tick infestations.&nbsp;“Warmer temperatures in the Midwest 
seem to be creating perfect conditions for ticks and the pathogens they 
carry to thrive, and this problem may get worse going forward as the 
planet continues to warm, which is concerning,” Raghavan said. “We must 
be vigilant and devote resources toward trying to prevent these ticks 
from spreading diseases that harm the health of cattle, humans and their
 pets.”Cattle ranchers whose animals show 
signs of weakness or jaundice or lose pregnancies should contact their 
veterinarian and the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 
Ierardi said.Ierardi said the symptoms can be 
mistaken for anaplasmosis, a different and widely prevalent bovine 
disease, and ranchers should get their animals tested whenever they are 
in doubt.&nbsp;“Although these longhorned ticks are 
known to transmit a number of human disease pathogens,” leradi said, “at
 the moment the threat from them appears to be mostly bovine 
theileriosis, which impacts cattle.”

Tick that can cause illness to cattle found in northern Missouri

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor has indicated that he intends to try a woman for the third time in the killings of her ex-husband and his girlfriend two decades ago.

Dana Chandler is accused of killing 47-year-old Mike Sisco and his fiancee, 53-year-old Karen Harkness, in 2002 in Topeka.

Chandler's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-homicide-kansas-topeka-d06799f1d607eda29cf906502f202f9a">second trial</a>&nbsp;on two counts of first-degree murder ended in a hung jury last month.

Chandler, who has always maintained she was in Colorado when the murders occurred, was convicted in her first trial in 2012, but the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a7bf444f550144da85887405174fb2da">overturned that conviction</a>&nbsp;because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-supreme-court-topeka-crime-1b16fa5d53c75ecb1d863c4f9dbbe497">prosecutorial misconduct</a>.

In a court filing last week responding to a defense motion seeking an acquittal, Shawnee County Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt indicated prosecutors will try Chandler again, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/27/dana-chandler-third-murder-trial-shawnee-county-da-filing-argues/69522132007/">reported</a>.

Prosecutors contend that Chandler shot the victims because she was bitter and upset by her divorce from Sisco. They acknowledged they had little physical evidence tying her to the killings but said the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.

Chandler's attorneys argued that police did not investigate other potential suspects and conducted a sloppy investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592599404405.png" alt="Chandler -photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Chandler -photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prosecutor has indicated that he intends to try a woman for the third time in the killings of her ex-husband and his girlfriend two decades ago.Dana Chandler is accused of killing 47-year-old Mike Sisco and his fiancee, 53-year-old Karen Harkness, in 2002 in Topeka.Chandler's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-homicide-kansas-topeka-d06799f1d607eda29cf906502f202f9a">second trial</a>&nbsp;on two counts of first-degree murder ended in a hung jury last month.Chandler, who has always maintained she was in Colorado when the murders occurred, was convicted in her first trial in 2012, but the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a7bf444f550144da85887405174fb2da">overturned that conviction</a>&nbsp;because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-supreme-court-topeka-crime-1b16fa5d53c75ecb1d863c4f9dbbe497">prosecutorial misconduct</a>.In a court filing last week responding to a defense motion seeking an acquittal, Shawnee County Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt indicated prosecutors will try Chandler again, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/27/dana-chandler-third-murder-trial-shawnee-county-da-filing-argues/69522132007/">reported</a>.Prosecutors contend that Chandler shot the victims because she was bitter and upset by her divorce from Sisco. They acknowledged they had little physical evidence tying her to the killings but said the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.Chandler's attorneys argued that police did not investigate other potential suspects and conducted a sloppy investigation.

Kan. woman faces 3rd trial for killing ex-husband, his girlfriend

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-kansas-gop-governor-hayden-endorses-reelection-of-democrat-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Former Republican Gov. Mike Hayden endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Hayden, who served as the state’s governor from 1987 to 1991, joined 
former GOP Gov. Bill Graves and former Democratic Govs. Kathleen 
Sebelius and John Carlin in urging Kansans to vote for Kelly on Nov. 8.

“In 50 years in Kansas politics I’ve seen the good times 
and the bad,” Hayden said. “The affairs of Kansas are in good shape 
right now, and I credit the bipartisan approach of Governor Kelly.”

He said Kelly’s work as governor led to adoption of a 
multibillion-dollar highway and transportation program. He said state 
aid to K-12 public schools reached record levels and jobs were being 
created in the state’s economy. He touted passage of a law phasing out 
the state’s regressive 6.5% sales tax on groceries.

Kelly said she welcomed support from Hayden, who served as 
Kansas House speaker. The Vietnam veteran also was secretary of the 
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for two Democratic governors.

“Governing from the middle to bring both sides together is 
how I’ve always operated and it’s how we’ve been able to accomplish so 
much these past few years,” Kelly said. “I will always fight for what’s 
right for Kansas. Not for any one political party.”

Other Kansas Republicans endorsing Kelly include former 
U.S. Sen. Sheila Frahm, former Republican National Committeewoman Alicia
 Salisbury, former Attorney General Robert Stephan and former Insurance 
Commissioner Sandy Praeger.

Schmidt has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,
 former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike 
Pompeo and former Gov. Jeff Colyer. The list includes U.S. Sen. Roger 
Marshall and U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner and Ron Estes, all 
Republicans.

In addition, Schmidt earned support of five GOP governors —
 Florida’s Ron DeSantis, Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds,
 Missouri’s Mike Parson and Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664311569283.png" alt="Former Gov. Mike Hayden, a Republican who also served as Kansas House speaker, endorsed Democratic Gov. Laura’s Kelly’s reelection over Republican nominee Derek Schmidt, the state’s attorney general. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gov. Laura Kelly’s YouTube post)" />
 <figcaption>Former Gov. Mike Hayden, a Republican who also served as Kansas House speaker, endorsed Democratic Gov. Laura’s Kelly’s reelection over Republican nominee Derek Schmidt, the state’s attorney general. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gov. Laura Kelly’s YouTube post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-kansas-gop-governor-hayden-endorses-reelection-of-democrat-kelly/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Republican Gov. Mike Hayden endorsed Tuesday the reelection of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.Hayden, who served as the state’s governor from 1987 to 1991, joined 
former GOP Gov. Bill Graves and former Democratic Govs. Kathleen 
Sebelius and John Carlin in urging Kansans to vote for Kelly on Nov. 8.“In 50 years in Kansas politics I’ve seen the good times 
and the bad,” Hayden said. “The affairs of Kansas are in good shape 
right now, and I credit the bipartisan approach of Governor Kelly.”He said Kelly’s work as governor led to adoption of a 
multibillion-dollar highway and transportation program. He said state 
aid to K-12 public schools reached record levels and jobs were being 
created in the state’s economy. He touted passage of a law phasing out 
the state’s regressive 6.5% sales tax on groceries.Kelly said she welcomed support from Hayden, who served as 
Kansas House speaker. The Vietnam veteran also was secretary of the 
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for two Democratic governors.“Governing from the middle to bring both sides together is 
how I’ve always operated and it’s how we’ve been able to accomplish so 
much these past few years,” Kelly said. “I will always fight for what’s 
right for Kansas. Not for any one political party.”Other Kansas Republicans endorsing Kelly include former 
U.S. Sen. Sheila Frahm, former Republican National Committeewoman Alicia
 Salisbury, former Attorney General Robert Stephan and former Insurance 
Commissioner Sandy Praeger.Schmidt has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,
 former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike 
Pompeo and former Gov. Jeff Colyer. The list includes U.S. Sen. Roger 
Marshall and U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner and Ron Estes, all 
Republicans.In addition, Schmidt earned support of five GOP governors —
 Florida’s Ron DeSantis, Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds,
 Missouri’s Mike Parson and Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts.

Former Kan. GOP governor endorses Kelly's re-election

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding farmers and 
ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell livestock because of 
drought conditions that they may have more time to replace their 
livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales.

Today, the IRS posted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-43.pdf">Notice 2022-43</a>PDF
 listing the applicable regions, a county or other jurisdiction, 
designated as eligible for federal assistance on IRS.gov. This includes 
44 states, two U.S. Territories and two independent nations in a Compact
 of Free Association with the United States. The relief generally 
applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on 
sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. Sales of 
other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting
 purposes, or poultry, are not eligible.

The sales must be solely due to drought, causing an area to be 
designated as eligible for federal assistance. Livestock generally must 
be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year 
period. The IRS is authorized to further extend this replacement period 
if the drought continues.

The one-year extension, announced in the notice, gives eligible 
farmers and ranchers until the end of their first tax year after the 
first drought-free year to replace the sold livestock. Details, 
including an example of how this provision works, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2006-39_IRB#NOT-2006-82">Notice 2006-82</a>.

The IRS provides this extension to eligible farmers and ranchers that
 qualified for the four-year replacement period, if the applicable 
region is listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought 
conditions during any week between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 
2022. This determination is made by the <a href="https://drought.unl.edu/">National Drought Mitigation Center</a>.

As a result, eligible farmers and ranchers whose drought-sale 
replacement period was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022, in most
 cases now have until the end of their next tax year to replace the sold
 livestock. Because the normal drought-sale replacement period is four 
years, this extension impacts drought sales that occurred during 2018. 
The replacement periods for some drought sales before 2018 are also 
affected due to previous drought-related extensions affecting some of 
these localities.

More information on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a>, available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding farmers and 
ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell livestock because of 
drought conditions that they may have more time to replace their 
livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales.Today, the IRS posted <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-43.pdf">Notice 2022-43</a>PDF
 listing the applicable regions, a county or other jurisdiction, 
designated as eligible for federal assistance on IRS.gov. This includes 
44 states, two U.S. Territories and two independent nations in a Compact
 of Free Association with the United States. The relief generally 
applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on 
sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. Sales of 
other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting
 purposes, or poultry, are not eligible.The sales must be solely due to drought, causing an area to be 
designated as eligible for federal assistance. Livestock generally must 
be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year 
period. The IRS is authorized to further extend this replacement period 
if the drought continues.The one-year extension, announced in the notice, gives eligible 
farmers and ranchers until the end of their first tax year after the 
first drought-free year to replace the sold livestock. Details, 
including an example of how this provision works, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2006-39_IRB#NOT-2006-82">Notice 2006-82</a>.The IRS provides this extension to eligible farmers and ranchers that
 qualified for the four-year replacement period, if the applicable 
region is listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought 
conditions during any week between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 
2022. This determination is made by the <a href="https://drought.unl.edu/">National Drought Mitigation Center</a>.As a result, eligible farmers and ranchers whose drought-sale 
replacement period was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022, in most
 cases now have until the end of their next tax year to replace the sold
 livestock. Because the normal drought-sale replacement period is four 
years, this extension impacts drought sales that occurred during 2018. 
The replacement periods for some drought sales before 2018 are also 
affected due to previous drought-related extensions affecting some of 
these localities.More information on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-225">Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide</a>, available on IRS.gov.

IRS continues relief to drought-stricken farmers, ranchers

PAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Kansas were notified this week that John Freeman Colt entered a Guilty plea in the Federal District Court of Utah to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. His sentencing in Federal Court is currently scheduled for October 27, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

On June 30, 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on September 27, 2021.

He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="Colt-photo Wayne County Utah" />
 <figcaption>Colt-photo Wayne County Utah</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Kansas were notified this week that John Freeman Colt entered a Guilty plea in the Federal District Court of Utah to a single count of Failing to Register under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. His sentencing in Federal Court is currently scheduled for October 27, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625086515798.png" alt="Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt during his escape from the Larned State Hospital-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On June 30, 2021, Colt escaped from the Sexual Predator Treatment program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Following a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested in Wayne County, Utah on September 27, 2021.He is currently charged under Kansas Law with Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony. Additionally, he is still subject to his civil commitment to the Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program. Once he completes his sentence on the federal conviction, arrangements will be made for Colt’s extradition back to Kansas.

Escapee from Kan. sex offender program enters plea to federal charges

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 8:p.m. Tuesday in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder driven by&nbsp; Stefanie L. Turner, 42, Wamego, was westbound in the 15,000 Block of Elm Slough Road. 

The driver lost consciousness and the SUV traveled off the roadway to the left.

Turner was pronounced dead at the scene. An 11-year-old girl in the vehicle was not injured.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the incident, according to the KHP.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 8:p.m. Tuesday in Pottawatomie County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder driven by&nbsp; Stefanie L. Turner, 42, Wamego, was westbound in the 15,000 Block of Elm Slough Road. The driver lost consciousness and the SUV traveled off the roadway to the left.Turner was pronounced dead at the scene. An 11-year-old girl in the vehicle was not injured.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the incident, according to the KHP.

KHP: Kan. woman lost consciousness, died when SUV left road

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.

Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.

Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.

Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.

Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.

“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”

A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.

Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.

Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”

Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.

Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.

Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.

Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.

The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.

One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.

In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.

New judge lets Missouri boarding school stay open for now

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Tuesday to speak to those attending the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) annual fall conference.

Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs. 

"That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," she said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."

Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future."

The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment.

"Credit also goes to KEDA and other forward-thinking leaders here in Kansas who have made it their shared goal to strengthen the economic future of our state," Kelly said. 

"I can't thank you all enough for your partnership and your commitment to our state's success," she added.

Kelly also noted that Kansas also has become "a highly sought after destination for companies looking for a new location to grow their businesses."

"For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"

Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase.

"It's a resounding validation that we're on the right track and our future is as bright as it has ever been. Kansas is truly officially open for business," Kelly said.

The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following it's Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021.

"It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.

Kelly said that none of the state's economic success has been possible without "the right people in place, sufficient housing, childcare, and quality education."

"We're working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. The main ways we're doing this are childcare expansion and affordable housing," she said. 

"This year, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding tax credits for businesses that provide childcare to employees, and I announced that my administration is giving a total of $53 million to eligible childcare staff at licensed facilities as a reward for their incredibly essential and hard work," Kelly said. 

"To reduce the price of housing, I worked to secure over $90 million in funding for housing throughout the state, and $100 million in incentives for communities to invest in diversifying and rehabilitating housing stock," she added.

Kelly noted that "without a strong education system in place, none of this is sustainable. That's why I am especially proud that we have achieved all of this while fully funding our schools."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664316359253.jpeg" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly speaks at the Kansas Economic Development Alliance annual conference in Salina Tuesday afternoon&nbsp;in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall at Tony's Pizza Events Center. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly speaks at the Kansas Economic Development Alliance annual conference in Salina Tuesday afternoon&nbsp;in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall at Tony's Pizza Events Center. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostKansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Tuesday to speak to those attending the Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) annual fall conference.Kelly told those assembled that since she took office in January 2019, her administration has worked with private sector businesses to create and retain more than 50,000 jobs. "That's a milestone worth celebrating. Fifty thousand jobs represent 50,000 opportunities for Kansans across state to achieve their dreams and provide greater futures for themselves and their families," she said. "This is on top of a 2.5 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in state history."Kelly said that the jobs and unemployment rate, combined with record-setting levels of new private sector investment "underscore the strength of the Kansas economy now and into the future."The governor praised the Kansas Department of Commerce, led by Lieutenant Governor David Toland, closing more than 750 economic development projects representing more than $14 billion in capital investment."Credit also goes to KEDA and other forward-thinking leaders here in Kansas who have made it their shared goal to strengthen the economic future of our state," Kelly said. "I can't thank you all enough for your partnership and your commitment to our state's success," she added.Kelly also noted that Kansas also has become "a highly sought after destination for companies looking for a new location to grow their businesses.""For the past two years, Kansas has won the prestigious Gold Shovel Award for excellence in attracting high-value investment projects that created a significant number of new jobs in our communities," Kelly said. "And, Kansas won the Governor's Cup for being the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. Kansas is No. 1 right now!"Kelly talked about the largest private-sector investment in state history: Panasonic's $4 billion new electric vehicle battery facility in DeSoto, which was announced in July. The facility will employ 4,000 workers and create another 4,000 permanent jobs at suppliers and community businesses, she said. Additionally, 16,500 people will be hired for the construction phase."It's a resounding validation that we're on the right track and our future is as bright as it has ever been. Kansas is truly officially open for business," Kelly said.The "thriving business climate" is due to the state following it's Framework for Growth Plan that was launched in 2021."It addressed current and future trends in our state and created a roadmap for developing several key Kansas industries, including aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, and animal health," she said.Kelly said that none of the state's economic success has been possible without "the right people in place, sufficient housing, childcare, and quality education.""We're working hard to recruit and retain the skilled workforce Kansas needs to compete at a global level. The main ways we're doing this are childcare expansion and affordable housing," she said. "This year, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding tax credits for businesses that provide childcare to employees, and I announced that my administration is giving a total of $53 million to eligible childcare staff at licensed facilities as a reward for their incredibly essential and hard work," Kelly said. "To reduce the price of housing, I worked to secure over $90 million in funding for housing throughout the state, and $100 million in incentives for communities to invest in diversifying and rehabilitating housing stock," she added.Kelly noted that "without a strong education system in place, none of this is sustainable. That's why I am especially proud that we have achieved all of this while fully funding our schools."

Governor lauds state's economic development during Salina speech

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death of his 9-year-old disabled son, who disappeared nearly 20 years ago.

Dawan Ferguson, of St. Louis, was sentenced Tuesday after being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carjacking-missouri-08e06a3a648266ff7e2a7edf7e2f8733">convicted in July</a>&nbsp;of first-degree murder nearly two decades after his son, Christopher, disappeared. The boy's body has never been found.

Ferguson has always claimed the boy was inside his SUV when it was stolen after Ferguson stopped to make a phone call, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/sexually%20abusing%20two%20children%20over%20several%20years.">reported</a>.

Christian had a disorder that prevented his body from processing protein. Without medication, he would have died within 24 to 72 hours. When he disappeared, Christian could not walk or talk.

The sentence will run consecutively to a life sentence plus 30 years that Ferguson was given last week for convictions of sexually abusing two children over several years.

Ferguson said in a statement Tuesday that he would appeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664313761822.png" alt="Ferguson-photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Ferguson-photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death of his 9-year-old disabled son, who disappeared nearly 20 years ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664313667774.png" alt="Image courtesy KSDK TV" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KSDK TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Dawan Ferguson, of St. Louis, was sentenced Tuesday after being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carjacking-missouri-08e06a3a648266ff7e2a7edf7e2f8733">convicted in July</a>&nbsp;of first-degree murder nearly two decades after his son, Christopher, disappeared. The boy's body has never been found.Ferguson has always claimed the boy was inside his SUV when it was stolen after Ferguson stopped to make a phone call, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/sexually%20abusing%20two%20children%20over%20several%20years.">reported</a>.Christian had a disorder that prevented his body from processing protein. Without medication, he would have died within 24 to 72 hours. When he disappeared, Christian could not walk or talk.The sentence will run consecutively to a life sentence plus 30 years that Ferguson was given last week for convictions of sexually abusing two children over several years.Ferguson said in a statement Tuesday that he would appeal.

Mo. father sentenced in death of boy who disappeared in 2003

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a death during an incident at a Topeka area business on Saturday have identified the victim as 59-year-old Timothy Edward Cole, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Just after 8a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a medical call at the Goodyear Plant in the 1900 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway, according to Christian.

First responders learned that a Cole sustained life threatening injuries while working. The Soldier Township Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR - Topeka) responded to the scene as well. AMR transported the man to a local hospital where Cole was pronounced deceased.

He was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 28 years, according to<a href="https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/254646/Timothy-Cole/Dove-KS"> his obituary.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664064571829.png" alt="Goodyear Tire Plant -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Goodyear Tire Plant -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a death during an incident at a Topeka area business on Saturday have identified the victim as 59-year-old Timothy Edward Cole, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Just after 8a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a medical call at the Goodyear Plant in the 1900 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway, according to Christian.First responders learned that a Cole sustained life threatening injuries while working. The Soldier Township Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR - Topeka) responded to the scene as well. AMR transported the man to a local hospital where Cole was pronounced deceased.He was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 28 years, according to<a href="https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/254646/Timothy-Cole/Dove-KS"> his obituary.</a>

Sheriff IDs employee who died after incident at Kan. tire plant

WASHINGTON (AP) —A libertarian group in California filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">student debt cancellation</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, calling it an illegal overreach that would increase state tax burdens for some Americans who get their debt forgiven.

(Click below to listen to&nbsp;White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre)

The lawsuit, believed to be the first targeting Biden’s plan, was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento legal advocacy group. It was filed in federal court in Indiana, one of several states that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">plan to tax</a>&nbsp;any student debt canceled by Biden’s plan.

“Congress did not authorize the executive branch to unilaterally cancel student debt,” said Caleb Kruckenberg, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. He said it’s illegal for the executive branch to create the policy “by press release, and without statutory authority.”

The suit’s plaintiff is Frank Garrison, described as a public interest attorney who lives in Indiana and is employed by the libertarian group.

By COLLIN BINKLEY&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) —A libertarian group in California filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">student debt cancellation</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, calling it an illegal overreach that would increase state tax burdens for some Americans who get their debt forgiven.(Click below to listen to&nbsp;White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dc2HRDqXTNc?start=1722" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The lawsuit, believed to be the first targeting Biden’s plan, was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento legal advocacy group. It was filed in federal court in Indiana, one of several states that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">plan to tax</a>&nbsp;any student debt canceled by Biden’s plan.“Congress did not authorize the executive branch to unilaterally cancel student debt,” said Caleb Kruckenberg, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. He said it’s illegal for the executive branch to create the policy “by press release, and without statutory authority.”The suit’s plaintiff is Frank Garrison, described as a public interest attorney who lives in Indiana and is employed by the libertarian group.Garrison is on track to get his student debt erased through a separate federal program for public servants. Although most borrowers will need to apply for Biden’s plan, Garrison and many others in that program will automatically get the relief because the Education Department has their income information on file.Biden’s plan would automatically cancel up to $20,000 of Garrison’s debt, which in turn would trigger an “immediate tax liability” from the state of Indiana, according to the suit. Under the debt forgiveness program he’s enrolled in now, canceled debt cannot be taxed.“Mr. Garrison and millions of others similarly situated in the six relevant states will receive no additional benefit from the cancellation — just a one-time additional penalty,” the suit argues.Any student debt forgiven under Biden’s plan would also be subject to state taxes in Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin, unless lawmakers in those states change their current laws.Asked about the suit, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said anyone will be able to opt out of the cancellation. She did not explain how that would work — the White House previously said roughly 8 million Americans would automatically get the debt relief without applying.“The bottom line is this — no one who does not want debt relief will have to get that debt relief," Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing.A separate statement from the White House called the lawsuit “baseless,” saying opponents “are trying anything they can to stop this program that will provide needed relief to working families.”The Pacific Legal Foundation is a legal group that promotes individual liberties and the separation of powers. It was formed in the 1970s by staff members under Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California. The group says it has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court 16 times, prevailing in 14 cases.Biden’s plan promises to cancel $10,000 in federal student debt for borrowers with incomes of less than $125,000 per year or households making less than $250,000. Those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college would get an additional $10,000 erased.An application to receive the benefit is expected by early October.Conservative groups have been threatening to challenge debt cancellation since Biden first aired the idea, saying it’s legally questionable and unfairly cancels student debt at the expense of Americans who didn’t attend college. One of the main challenges has been finding someone who faces personal harm as a result of Biden’s plan, giving them legal standing to sue.The Biden administration has repeatedly argued that the plan is on solid legal ground.In its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">legal justification</a>&nbsp;for debt cancellation, the Biden administration invoked the HEROES Act of 2003, which aimed to provide help to members of the military. The law gives the administration “sweeping authority” to reduce or eliminate student debt during a national emergency, the Justice Department said in an August legal opinion.Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said he has the legal authority to cancel debt for people who faced hardship during the pandemic. Cardona says Biden’s plan will ensure borrowers aren’t worse off after the pandemic than they were before.The suit challenges that rationale, saying Garrison and others will see their debt burdens increase as a result of Biden’s plan. It also contends that the plan doesn’t meet the requirements of the 2003 law, arguing that the problem of high student debt is not a “direct result” of the pandemic.“Nothing about loan cancellation is lawful or appropriate,” the suit alleges. “In an end-run around Congress, the administration threatens to enact a profound and transformational policy that will have untold economic impacts.”The legality of mass student debt cancellation has stirred debate since it became a popular idea among Democrats in recent years. After being elected, Biden himself questioned whether he had the authority to cancel debt without Congress, asking the Justice Department to study the question.The Trump administration took steps to block broad debt cancellation during its final weeks in office, issuing an Education Department memo concluding that the secretary lacked the authority to provide such relief.The lawsuit asks the court to overturn Biden’s plan and to temporarily halt it while legal questions are resolved.