BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

KU receives $22M in federal funding for high-security lab space

LAWRENCE — FBI director Christopher Wray provided a sobering analysis Thursday of the increasingly “complex and persistent and severe” cybersecurity threat posed by foreign adversaries to national security, the economy and critical infrastructure.

In a speech at the University of Kansas Cybersecurity Conference, Wray said criminals use ransomware to wreak havoc on business operations, food distributors, 911 call centers, police departments, schools and hospitals with the goal of “disrupting our democratic society.”

“They’re more pervasive, hit a wider array of victims and carry the potential for greater damage than ever before,” Wray said. “Even as I’m standing here talking to you, we’re investigating more than 100 different ransomware variants, each of them with scores and scores of victims.”

Wray said the FBI places a premium on collaborations with academic partners, including KU, to confront the threats.

Congress has earmarked $22 million for the KU National Security Innovation Center, an economic development organization and business incubator. The funding will help pay for an 80,000-square-foot high-security office and lab space.

Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, who announced the federal funding during the cybersecurity conference, said the project was part of his dream to provide educational opportunities for Kansans, as well as the opportunity to have careers and raise families in the state.

“I want to make certain that we do everything today that increases the chances that the student, the young kid, a kid growing up in small town or big city Kansas, who happens to get fascinated by science or engineering or mathematics, has a place to be educated,” Moran said.

“What a great thing it would be if you wanted to study science and engineering, be a researcher, and you said, ‘I want to go to school in Kansas.’ And if you wanted a career in those fields, you said, ‘I want to live in Kansas,’ ” he added.

Moran said his work as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee — he joked that’s “probably an oxymoron for most of you — made him realize that other countries are doing everything they can to steal America’s secrets. If they get a leg up, he said, they can “succeed in diminishing the future of the United States of America.”

“The threats are real,” Moran said. “They’re growing. They’re damaging, and the capabilities of our adversaries are increasing.”

Wray identified China, Russia, Iran and North Korea as the most prominent of foreign adversaries. He said foreign intelligence officers moonlight as cyber criminals, and profit-minded criminals by day are state-sponsored hackers by night.

“It’s getting more and more difficult to discern where cybercriminal activity ends and adversarial nation-state activity begins, as the line between the two just gets blurrier and blurrier,” Wray said.

The good news, he said, is the FBI has demonstrated success in taking down Russian malware and high-profile ransomware gangs. He said agents collaborate with allies to compromise criminal command and control networks, shut down their servers and websites, and deploy encryption protections. The FBI also targets money launderers and cryptocurrency wallets connected to illegal activity in an effort to “try to hit them everywhere it hurts and then put them down, hard.”

KU chancellor Doug Girod said the university was committed to doing the research that would push the field of cybersecurity forward. The work was necessary, he joked, because during the pandemic he received notice that fraudulent unemployment claims had been filed on his behalf in three states.

“This world of cyber warfare is really World War 3, and we are losing it right now,” Girod said. “We just can’t see it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712322417326.png" alt=" FBI director Christopher Wray speaks about threats to national securing during an April 4, 2024, cybersecurity conference at the University of Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> FBI director Christopher Wray speaks about threats to national securing during an April 4, 2024, cybersecurity conference at the University of Kansas. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>KU receives $22M in federal funding for high-security lab space</h2>LAWRENCE — FBI director Christopher Wray provided a sobering analysis Thursday of the increasingly “complex and persistent and severe” cybersecurity threat posed by foreign adversaries to national security, the economy and critical infrastructure.In a speech at the University of Kansas Cybersecurity Conference, Wray said criminals use ransomware to wreak havoc on business operations, food distributors, 911 call centers, police departments, schools and hospitals with the goal of “disrupting our democratic society.”“They’re more pervasive, hit a wider array of victims and carry the potential for greater damage than ever before,” Wray said. “Even as I’m standing here talking to you, we’re investigating more than 100 different ransomware variants, each of them with scores and scores of victims.”Wray said the FBI places a premium on collaborations with academic partners, including KU, to confront the threats.Congress has earmarked $22 million for the KU National Security Innovation Center, an economic development organization and business incubator. The funding will help pay for an 80,000-square-foot high-security office and lab space.Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, who announced the federal funding during the cybersecurity conference, said the project was part of his dream to provide educational opportunities for Kansans, as well as the opportunity to have careers and raise families in the state.“I want to make certain that we do everything today that increases the chances that the student, the young kid, a kid growing up in small town or big city Kansas, who happens to get fascinated by science or engineering or mathematics, has a place to be educated,” Moran said.“What a great thing it would be if you wanted to study science and engineering, be a researcher, and you said, ‘I want to go to school in Kansas.’ And if you wanted a career in those fields, you said, ‘I want to live in Kansas,’ ” he added.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712322381138.png" alt=" U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announces federal funding for the University of Kansas Innovation Park during an April 4, 2024, cybersecurity conference at KU. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announces federal funding for the University of Kansas Innovation Park during an April 4, 2024, cybersecurity conference at KU. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Moran said his work as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee — he joked that’s “probably an oxymoron for most of you — made him realize that other countries are doing everything they can to steal America’s secrets. If they get a leg up, he said, they can “succeed in diminishing the future of the United States of America.”“The threats are real,” Moran said. “They’re growing. They’re damaging, and the capabilities of our adversaries are increasing.”Wray identified China, Russia, Iran and North Korea as the most prominent of foreign adversaries. He said foreign intelligence officers moonlight as cyber criminals, and profit-minded criminals by day are state-sponsored hackers by night.“It’s getting more and more difficult to discern where cybercriminal activity ends and adversarial nation-state activity begins, as the line between the two just gets blurrier and blurrier,” Wray said.The good news, he said, is the FBI has demonstrated success in taking down Russian malware and high-profile ransomware gangs. He said agents collaborate with allies to compromise criminal command and control networks, shut down their servers and websites, and deploy encryption protections. The FBI also targets money launderers and cryptocurrency wallets connected to illegal activity in an effort to “try to hit them everywhere it hurts and then put them down, hard.”KU chancellor Doug Girod said the university was committed to doing the research that would push the field of cybersecurity forward. The work was necessary, he joked, because during the pandemic he received notice that fraudulent unemployment claims had been filed on his behalf in three states.“This world of cyber warfare is really World War 3, and we are losing it right now,” Girod said. “We just can’t see it.”

FBI director outlines threat of cyber attacks in speech at University of Kansas

COMANCHE COUNTY —Authorities are investigating after an explosion at a grain elevator in southwest Kansas.

Just before 6 p.m. Thursday,  Comanche County Communications received a call from Protection Fire Chief Brian Harris  regarding an explosion located at  Alliance Ag and Grain, 108 West Chestnut Street in Protection, Kansas, at the concrete elevator, according to Britt Lenertz,  Director of Comanche County Emergency Management.

&nbsp;Protection and Coldwater Fire Departments responded. The Ashland Kansas Fire Departments was called in for mutual aid to assist.

&nbsp;The site was secured by the Comanche County Sheriff's Office and Comanche County EMS were on scene to respond to any injuries. 

After entry safety measures were taken, firefighters were able to enter the structure to assess damages.  The explosion was contained to the outside leg of the elevator, grain pit and interior structures with no exterior damages occurring to the elevator.

Officials established a shelter at the Protection Baptist Church but no evacuations were necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were no reported injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712319729639.png" alt="Photo Comanche Co. Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photo Comanche Co. Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>COMANCHE COUNTY —Authorities are investigating after an explosion at a grain elevator in southwest Kansas.Just before 6 p.m. Thursday, Comanche County Communications received a call from Protection Fire Chief Brian Harris regarding an explosion located at Alliance Ag and Grain, 108 West Chestnut Street in Protection, Kansas, at the concrete elevator, according to Britt Lenertz, Director of Comanche County Emergency Management.&nbsp;Protection and Coldwater Fire Departments responded. The Ashland Kansas Fire Departments was called in for mutual aid to assist.&nbsp;The site was secured by the Comanche County Sheriff's Office and Comanche County EMS were on scene to respond to any injuries. After entry safety measures were taken, firefighters were able to enter the structure to assess damages. The explosion was contained to the outside leg of the elevator, grain pit and interior structures with no exterior damages occurring to the elevator.Officials established a shelter at the Protection Baptist Church but no evacuations were necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were no reported injuries.

Officials investigate after explosion at Kansas grain elevator

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident in Kansas City.

 Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday police responded to a hit-and-run at 6th Street and Prospect in Kansas City, according to a media release.

Preliminary investigation revealed the operator of a scooter was westbound on 6th Street. At Prospect the operator failed to stop for the posted stop sign, entered the intersection, and traveled underneath the trailer of a southbound International semi.

The rear wheels of the semi ran over the scooter driver.&nbsp; The driver of the semi left the scene but was located a short time later by responding officers. The driver of the scooter, whose name has not been released, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

This is fatality #31 compared to #16 at this time last year in Kansas City, according to KCPD.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident in Kansas City. Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday police responded to a hit-and-run at 6th Street and Prospect in Kansas City, according to a media release.Preliminary investigation revealed the operator of a scooter was westbound on 6th Street. At Prospect the operator failed to stop for the posted stop sign, entered the intersection, and traveled underneath the trailer of a southbound International semi.The rear wheels of the semi ran over the scooter driver.&nbsp; The driver of the semi left the scene but was located a short time later by responding officers. The driver of the scooter, whose name has not been released, was pronounced deceased at the scene.This is fatality #31 compared to #16 at this time last year in Kansas City, according to KCPD..

KC hit-and-run: Scooter operator run over, killed by semi 

CAIRO (AP)— The United States’ military says its forces shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile and two aerial drones launched by Yemen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-airstrikes-military-us-red-sea-de8430938b907a1cddc906e491dca96d">Iran-backed Houthi rebels</a>.

U.S. Central Command said Thursday that the target of the attack was the USS Gravely destroyer, which is patrolling the Red Sea. The military said it destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi-held territory in response to the attack early Wednesday.

The Houthis have repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">targeted international shipping</a>&nbsp;and U.S. forces in the Red Sea in recent months in what they portray as a blockade of Israel in response to the war in Gaza. They have attacked several ships with no known connection to Israel.

The U.S. and its allies have responded with strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen.

The latest confrontation came as tensions are high across the Middle East following an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria’s capital, Damascus, that destroyed the Iranian Consulate and killed two Iranian generals. Iran has vowed to respond to the attack.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Israel says it's taking steps to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, including reopening a key border crossing into hard-hit northern Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the plans early Friday, just hours after President Joe Biden told him that future U.S. support for the war in Gaza depends on Israel taking more action to protect civilians and aid workers. The announcement did not elaborate on quantities or types of items to be let in.

Still, despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide Israel crucial military aid and diplomatic support for Israel's six-month war against Hamas. Israel faces growing international isolation after its forces killed seven aid workers helping deliver food in Gaza.

The Palestinian death toll soared above 33,000 people on Thursday, with another 75,600 wounded, Gaza's Health Ministry said. The ministry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">doesn’t differentiate</a>&nbsp;between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/women-children-gaza-war-victims-un-inequality-f0f89a724543b99c2c22439e7af09405">women and children</a>&nbsp;make up two-thirds of the dead.

The United Nations says much of the population in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-11-2024-c6835d50f91dff0443e0f7fdf5e3229f">northern Gaza</a>&nbsp;is on the brink of starvation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-genocide-court-south-africa-27cf84e16082cde798395a95e9143c06">top United Nations court has concluded</a>&nbsp;there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza — a charge Israel strongly denies — and the U.N. Security Council has issued a legally binding demand for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-vote-ramadan-b7985fede65e5477aba2c8d2e62a6632">cease-fire</a>.

The war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708804229711.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central command</figcaption>
 </figure>CAIRO (AP)— The United States’ military says its forces shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile and two aerial drones launched by Yemen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-airstrikes-military-us-red-sea-de8430938b907a1cddc906e491dca96d">Iran-backed Houthi rebels</a>.U.S. Central Command said Thursday that the target of the attack was the USS Gravely destroyer, which is patrolling the Red Sea. The military said it destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi-held territory in response to the attack early Wednesday.The Houthis have repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">targeted international shipping</a>&nbsp;and U.S. forces in the Red Sea in recent months in what they portray as a blockade of Israel in response to the war in Gaza. They have attacked several ships with no known connection to Israel.The U.S. and its allies have responded with strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen.The latest confrontation came as tensions are high across the Middle East following an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria’s capital, Damascus, that destroyed the Iranian Consulate and killed two Iranian generals. Iran has vowed to respond to the attack.Meanwhile,&nbsp;Israel says it's taking steps to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, including reopening a key border crossing into hard-hit northern Gaza.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the plans early Friday, just hours after President Joe Biden told him that future U.S. support for the war in Gaza depends on Israel taking more action to protect civilians and aid workers. The announcement did not elaborate on quantities or types of items to be let in.Still, despite their differences, the Biden administration has continued to provide Israel crucial military aid and diplomatic support for Israel's six-month war against Hamas. Israel faces growing international isolation after its forces killed seven aid workers helping deliver food in Gaza.The Palestinian death toll soared above 33,000 people on Thursday, with another 75,600 wounded, Gaza's Health Ministry said. The ministry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">doesn’t differentiate</a>&nbsp;between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/women-children-gaza-war-victims-un-inequality-f0f89a724543b99c2c22439e7af09405">women and children</a>&nbsp;make up two-thirds of the dead.The United Nations says much of the population in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-11-2024-c6835d50f91dff0443e0f7fdf5e3229f">northern Gaza</a>&nbsp;is on the brink of starvation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-genocide-court-south-africa-27cf84e16082cde798395a95e9143c06">top United Nations court has concluded</a>&nbsp;there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza — a charge Israel strongly denies — and the U.N. Security Council has issued a legally binding demand for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-vote-ramadan-b7985fede65e5477aba2c8d2e62a6632">cease-fire</a>.The war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.

Terrorist target U.S. destroyer with missile, drones in the Red Sea

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Thursday in Newton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford F150 driven by George M. Owens, 57, Neosho, was southbound on Ibex Road one and one half miles northwest of Neosho.

The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck the ditch, a fence and rolled.

Owens was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county coroner's office. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Thursday in Newton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford F150 driven by George M. Owens, 57, Neosho, was southbound on Ibex Road one and one half miles northwest of Neosho.The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck the ditch, a fence and rolled.Owens was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county coroner's office. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after pickup rollover crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers in Kansas scuttled a plan for cutting taxes Thursday, with Republicans defying GOP leaders and Democrats ignoring a personal appeal from the state's Democratic governor.

The state House rejected&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2036_01_040324noon.pdf">a plan</a>&nbsp;to cut taxes by about $1.4 billion over the next three years. It resulted from a deal between Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature, but the House decided on a voice vote to have House and Senate negotiators draft a different plan. The vote was overwhelming enough that House members didn't ask for a count or roll call vote.

Some critics, particularly Republicans, saw the plan as too small. Others, mostly Democrats, argued that it was weighted too heavily toward wealthy taxpayers because it would have dropped the state's top personal income tax rate to 5.5% from 5.7%. Lawmakers in both parties thought it cut property taxes too little.

“Let us rise up and be united and send a message that Kansans deserve more,” state Rep. Stephen Owens, a conservative central Kansas Republican who led the effort to reject the measure, said during the House’s short debate.

The House's action came after the Senate approved the plan&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240404152249_863542/">38-1,</a>&nbsp;a vote that normally would have been a good omen for a House vote. Instead, many House Democrats clearly planned to vote “no” going in, and House Republicans had a private meeting outside the Statehouse beforehand, apparently so that supporters of the plan could work on their colleagues.

Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said the Legislature won't consider another tax plan this week. Lawmakers are set to adjourn Friday for a three-week spring break and go back in session April 29 for a few days to wrap up business for the year. Masterson said another tax plan could be considered then.

The events in Kansas came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.

A dozen other states cut their income tax rates last year, according to the conservative Tax Foundation, but major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-gop-infighting-3fcfeb252137bdda907655ae7f7fd69e">tax cuts were thwarted</a>&nbsp;in Kansas by the dispute between Republican leaders and Kelly over a GOP proposal for a single-rate, “flat” income tax, something Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.”

Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">vetoed a plan</a>&nbsp;with a single-rate income tax in January, and Republicans were unable to muster the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override her action.

Republican leaders wavered on a single-rate income tax in recent weeks as they grew less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins told his colleagues during a brief debate that if they rejected the plan, they would face headlines of “House scuttles tax relief.”

“There isn't a single one of us who wants to scuttle tax relief,” said Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.

Their private meeting before the vote was in the Kansas Contractors Association office near the Statehouse. When an Associated Press reporter showed up, Republican Rep. Patrick Penn, of Wichita, was urging colleagues to overcome their misgivings. GOP leaders forced the reporter to leave.

Later, after Owens finished his last speech against the bill, a few Republicans members could be heard saying quietly, “Here, here,” and some clapped and tapped on their desks when the plan failed.

And frustration with the plan and Kelly's intervention was palpable when the governor met Thursday morning with House Democrats to sell it. She touted it as a big victory for Democrats.

“I can guarantee that the other side has gone as far as — a lot farther than — they wanted to go,” Kelly told them. "We should be embracing this and taking credit for it."

Besides adjusting the state's personal top income tax rate, the bill also would have eliminated state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It also would have increased the state’s standard personal income tax deductions, increased an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduced property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and ended an expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

The property tax was modest. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140. A home’s appraised value can easily rise enough in a year to wipe out the cut.

“This, in my mind, is half a Band-Aid when the sore is still festering,” state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat and the only “no” vote in the Senate, said during debate.

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers in Kansas scuttled a plan for cutting taxes Thursday, with Republicans defying GOP leaders and Democrats ignoring a personal appeal from the state's Democratic governor.The state House rejected&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2036_01_040324noon.pdf">a plan</a>&nbsp;to cut taxes by about $1.4 billion over the next three years. It resulted from a deal between Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature, but the House decided on a voice vote to have House and Senate negotiators draft a different plan. The vote was overwhelming enough that House members didn't ask for a count or roll call vote.Some critics, particularly Republicans, saw the plan as too small. Others, mostly Democrats, argued that it was weighted too heavily toward wealthy taxpayers because it would have dropped the state's top personal income tax rate to 5.5% from 5.7%. Lawmakers in both parties thought it cut property taxes too little.“Let us rise up and be united and send a message that Kansans deserve more,” state Rep. Stephen Owens, a conservative central Kansas Republican who led the effort to reject the measure, said during the House’s short debate.The House's action came after the Senate approved the plan&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240404152249_863542/">38-1,</a>&nbsp;a vote that normally would have been a good omen for a House vote. Instead, many House Democrats clearly planned to vote “no” going in, and House Republicans had a private meeting outside the Statehouse beforehand, apparently so that supporters of the plan could work on their colleagues.Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said the Legislature won't consider another tax plan this week. Lawmakers are set to adjourn Friday for a three-week spring break and go back in session April 29 for a few days to wrap up business for the year. Masterson said another tax plan could be considered then.The events in Kansas came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.A dozen other states cut their income tax rates last year, according to the conservative Tax Foundation, but major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-gop-infighting-3fcfeb252137bdda907655ae7f7fd69e">tax cuts were thwarted</a>&nbsp;in Kansas by the dispute between Republican leaders and Kelly over a GOP proposal for a single-rate, “flat” income tax, something Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.”Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">vetoed a plan</a>&nbsp;with a single-rate income tax in January, and Republicans were unable to muster the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override her action.Republican leaders wavered on a single-rate income tax in recent weeks as they grew less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year.House Speaker Dan Hawkins told his colleagues during a brief debate that if they rejected the plan, they would face headlines of “House scuttles tax relief.”“There isn't a single one of us who wants to scuttle tax relief,” said Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.Their private meeting before the vote was in the Kansas Contractors Association office near the Statehouse. When an Associated Press reporter showed up, Republican Rep. Patrick Penn, of Wichita, was urging colleagues to overcome their misgivings. GOP leaders forced the reporter to leave.Later, after Owens finished his last speech against the bill, a few Republicans members could be heard saying quietly, “Here, here,” and some clapped and tapped on their desks when the plan failed.And frustration with the plan and Kelly's intervention was palpable when the governor met Thursday morning with House Democrats to sell it. She touted it as a big victory for Democrats.“I can guarantee that the other side has gone as far as — a lot farther than — they wanted to go,” Kelly told them. "We should be embracing this and taking credit for it."Besides adjusting the state's personal top income tax rate, the bill also would have eliminated state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It also would have increased the state’s standard personal income tax deductions, increased an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduced property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and ended an expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.The property tax was modest. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140. A home’s appraised value can easily rise enough in a year to wipe out the cut.“This, in my mind, is half a Band-Aid when the sore is still festering,” state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat and the only “no” vote in the Senate, said during debate.

Kansas lawmakers scuttle a plan for cutting taxes

SHAWNEE&nbsp; COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a burglary and robbery have captured a wanted suspect.

On March 20, police asked the public for help to locate 33-year-old&nbsp;

&nbsp;Thomas “Tommy” Lathrom of Topeka, about an ongoing aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary incident that happened on March 1, 2024. 

Just before 6a.m. Thursday, police located Lathrom at a residence in the 3600 block of SE 6th Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; Lathrom was&nbsp;attempting to hide in a shed behind the home. He barricaded himself inside the shed for a brief period, but was taken into custody without incident.

Police booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Burglary, Battery and Theft. He is being held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712244318974.png" alt="Lathrom as shown in his Thursday Shawnee Co. booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Lathrom as shown in his Thursday Shawnee Co. booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE&nbsp; COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a burglary and robbery have captured a wanted suspect.On March 20, police asked the public for help to locate 33-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Thomas “Tommy” Lathrom of Topeka, about an ongoing aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary incident that happened on March 1, 2024. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710947696116.png" alt="Lathrom's photo from the police alert March 20." />
 <figcaption>Lathrom's photo from the police alert March 20.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6a.m. Thursday, police located Lathrom at a residence in the 3600 block of SE 6th Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; Lathrom was&nbsp;attempting to hide in a shed behind the home. He barricaded himself inside the shed for a brief period, but was taken into custody without incident.Police booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Burglary, Battery and Theft. He is being held without bond.

Violent Kansas robbery suspect caught hiding in a shed

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man who boasted about having associates selling cocaine in several local bars and nightclubs was sentenced in federal court Friday for distributing cocaine, according to the United State's Attorney.

Manuel A. Contreras, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Contreras to forfeit to the government $40,600, which represents the proceeds of his illegal cocaine trafficking.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Contreras pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing cocaine. According to his plea agreement, Contreras sold more than a kilogram of cocaine to an FBI confidential source over five separate occasions in 2022, for a total of $40,600.

On Oct. 14, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Contreras’s residence. Officers found a loaded SCCY 9mm semi-automatic handgun, 196.7 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and $2,526 in cash in his bedroom.

According to court documents, Contreras told the confidential source that he had people who sell cocaine for him at several bars and nightclubs in the Kansas City area.

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man who boasted about having associates selling cocaine in several local bars and nightclubs was sentenced in federal court Friday for distributing cocaine, according to the United State's Attorney.Manuel A. Contreras, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Contreras to forfeit to the government $40,600, which represents the proceeds of his illegal cocaine trafficking.On Oct. 26, 2023, Contreras pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing cocaine. According to his plea agreement, Contreras sold more than a kilogram of cocaine to an FBI confidential source over five separate occasions in 2022, for a total of $40,600.On Oct. 14, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Contreras’s residence. Officers found a loaded SCCY 9mm semi-automatic handgun, 196.7 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and $2,526 in cash in his bedroom.According to court documents, Contreras told the confidential source that he had people who sell cocaine for him at several bars and nightclubs in the Kansas City area.

KC man sold cocaine to an FBI confidential source five times

DOUGLAS COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified those involved in a fatal crash that occurred just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Douglas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 GMC Sierra driven by&nbsp; Lowell A.&nbsp;Neitzel, 43, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on U.S. 24 near north 2100 Road.

The pickup struck a westbound 2010 Kia Soul driven by&nbsp;Milano, Ronald L. Milano, 70, Bennet, Nebraska, head-on.

Milano and two passengers identified as 39-year-old Joshua Z.&nbsp;Milano and 33-year-old Patricia A. Milano both of Lincoln Nebraska were pronounced dead and transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics.

The KHP indicated Neitzel was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital but not injured.&nbsp; The drivers were wearing seat belts, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have seat belt usage details on the passengers in the Kia.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified those involved in a fatal crash that occurred just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Douglas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 GMC Sierra driven by&nbsp; Lowell A.&nbsp;Neitzel, 43, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on U.S. 24 near north 2100 Road.The pickup struck a westbound 2010 Kia Soul driven by&nbsp;Milano, Ronald L. Milano, 70, Bennet, Nebraska, head-on.Milano and two passengers identified as 39-year-old Joshua Z.&nbsp;Milano and 33-year-old Patricia A. Milano both of Lincoln Nebraska were pronounced dead and transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics.The KHP indicated Neitzel was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital but not injured.&nbsp; The drivers were wearing seat belts, according to the KHP. The KHP did not have seat belt usage details on the passengers in the Kia.

KHP IDs three who died in Kansas head-on crash

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drug related death in Manhattan and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday officers with the Riley County Police Department arrested 22-year-old Daron Marsean Island Jones in connection to an incident from June 2023, where RCPD officers investigated the overdose death of a 25-year-old in Manhattan.

Jones was jailed on requested charges of distribution of opiates in quantities surpassing 10 units, dissemination of a controlled substance resulting in fatality, and the utilization of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drug related death in Manhattan and have made an arrest.Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday officers with the Riley County Police Department arrested 22-year-old Daron Marsean Island Jones in connection to an incident from June 2023, where RCPD officers investigated the overdose death of a 25-year-old in Manhattan.Jones was jailed on requested charges of distribution of opiates in quantities surpassing 10 units, dissemination of a controlled substance resulting in fatality, and the utilization of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation.

Kansas man accused in fentanyl overdose death

By MIKE COURSON&nbsp;Great Bend Post

Smiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC.

"I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications."

Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out.

"I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"

Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom.

"I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."

But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."

This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality.

"I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."

The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented.

"At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."

The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news.

"I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."

The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.

There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.

Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself.

"She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."

While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.

In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.

From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.

Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact.

"My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."

Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch.

"They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."

With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.

Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.

Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind.

"It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."

Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes.

"On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."

Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe.

"I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."

Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun.

"My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."

Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422086057.jpeg" alt="Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Klug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Klug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON&nbsp;Great Bend PostSmiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC."I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications."Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out."I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom."I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422249917.jpeg" alt="-Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>-Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality."I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented."At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news."I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself."She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact."My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch."They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind."It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes."On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe."I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun."My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

Kansas teacher appearing on 'Wheel of Fortune' Friday

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly explosion and fire in Wichita.

Just before noon Thursday, 911 received a call of an explosion at an apartment complex in the 8400 block of E Harry, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

First responders from Wichita Police and the Wichita Fire Department located a garage on fire and a man who was deceased. 

&nbsp;Wichita Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives&nbsp; and other partners as well as mental health professionals were on scene.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712262626265.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly explosion and fire in Wichita.Just before noon Thursday, 911 received a call of an explosion at an apartment complex in the 8400 block of E Harry, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.First responders from Wichita Police and the Wichita Fire Department located a garage on fire and a man who was deceased. &nbsp;Wichita Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives&nbsp; and other partners as well as mental health professionals were on scene.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Police: One dead in Kan. apartment complex explosion, fire

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism in Ellsworth County.

Vandals used a chainsaw to cut down power poles in an attempt to steal copper, according to a social media report from Western Cooperative Electric Association.

Vandals did not know there was no copper on these poles and "their effort is not only wrong but incredibly dangerous."

"Luckily for the would-be thieves, these power lines were not electrified at the time of the vandalism; otherwise, there may have been a loss of life."

 Western Cooperative Electric Association reported they recently have seen an uptick in damages in Ellsworth County.&nbsp; Anytime and anywhere you see suspicious activity near power equipment, please report it to the county Sheriff. "It's for their own safety."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712226182707.png" alt="Photo&nbsp;Western Cooperative Electric Association." />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp;Western Cooperative Electric Association.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism in Ellsworth County.Vandals used a chainsaw to cut down power poles in an attempt to steal copper, according to a social media report from Western Cooperative Electric Association.Vandals did not know there was no copper on these poles and "their effort is not only wrong but incredibly dangerous."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712226145235.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Luckily for the would-be thieves, these power lines were not electrified at the time of the vandalism; otherwise, there may have been a loss of life." Western Cooperative Electric Association reported they recently have seen an uptick in damages in Ellsworth County.&nbsp; Anytime and anywhere you see suspicious activity near power equipment, please report it to the county Sheriff. "It's for their own safety."

Attempted copper theft: Chainsaw cut down power poles in Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — More and more businesses are taking advantage of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/solar-eclipse-2024">total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;set to dim skies across North America&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-sun-moon-7beea0599f2b829d322f0ec3c71648a6">on Monday</a>.

In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a <a href="https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featured/blackout-slush-float/">“Blackout Slush Float.</a>” And Frito-Lay's SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event's nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality.

MoonPie also kicked off a “Sun vs. Moon” smackdown-themed campaign as the chocolate snack maker promotes its “eclipse survival kit,” made up of four mini MoonPies and two pairs of eclipse glasses.

Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwL2gEt66no">along the 115 mile (185 kilometer)-wide prime path</a>&nbsp;are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand.

Some towns and local vendors have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-promotions-beer-food-c2e881062d0c366ab72b5d6ca1db3b59">anticipating the celestial event</a>&nbsp;and its huge crowds for years. There are oodles of special eclipse safety glasses for sale, along with T-shirts emblazoned with clever slogans and more astronomical souvenirs. Other offerings include eclipse-themed beer, specialty dining packages and watch parties at amusement parks, wineries and zoos.

Marketing tied to rare spectacles, like the sun’s disappearing act behind the moon, isn’t new.

In 2017, the last time the U.S. saw a big slice of a total solar eclipse, scores of companies tapped into the action — including Krispy Kreme.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company previously rolled out limited-edition chocolate glazed doughnuts for the 2017 eclipse, and those treats have made a few returns since. But that might not be the case for this year's "Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut." The Krispy Kreme-Oreo combo is set to be available from Friday through Monday, according to an announcement from the chain this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712247708219.png" alt="Sonic Blackout Slush Float inspired by the eclipse" />
 <figcaption>Sonic Blackout Slush Float inspired by the eclipse</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — More and more businesses are taking advantage of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/solar-eclipse-2024">total solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;set to dim skies across North America&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-sun-moon-7beea0599f2b829d322f0ec3c71648a6">on Monday</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712085263547.png" alt="Image Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Image Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a <a href="https://www.sonicdrivein.com/menu/featured/blackout-slush-float/">“Blackout Slush Float.</a>” And Frito-Lay's SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event's nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality.MoonPie also kicked off a “Sun vs. Moon” smackdown-themed campaign as the chocolate snack maker promotes its “eclipse survival kit,” made up of four mini MoonPies and two pairs of eclipse glasses.Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwL2gEt66no">along the 115 mile (185 kilometer)-wide prime path</a>&nbsp;are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand.Some towns and local vendors have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/total-solar-eclipse-promotions-beer-food-c2e881062d0c366ab72b5d6ca1db3b59">anticipating the celestial event</a>&nbsp;and its huge crowds for years. There are oodles of special eclipse safety glasses for sale, along with T-shirts emblazoned with clever slogans and more astronomical souvenirs. Other offerings include eclipse-themed beer, specialty dining packages and watch parties at amusement parks, wineries and zoos.Marketing tied to rare spectacles, like the sun’s disappearing act behind the moon, isn’t new.In 2017, the last time the U.S. saw a big slice of a total solar eclipse, scores of companies tapped into the action — including Krispy Kreme.The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company previously rolled out limited-edition chocolate glazed doughnuts for the 2017 eclipse, and those treats have made a few returns since. But that might not be the case for this year's "Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut." The Krispy Kreme-Oreo combo is set to be available from Friday through Monday, according to an announcement from the chain this week.

From Sonic to SunChips, companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators and the Democratic governor in Kansas have brokered a deal on cutting taxes after GOP leaders gave up on moving the state to a single-rate personal income tax that the governor strongly opposed.

But signs of trouble emerged Thursday as top Republicans and Gov. Laura Kelly tried to sell the new plan to lawmakers. During a meeting of skeptical House Democrats, Kelly touted it as a big victory. Many of them saw it as favoring wealthier taxpayers.

Both the Senate and the House were expected to vote on the package Thursday or Friday. The plan would save taxpayers about $1.4 billion over the next three years, but it is smaller than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-legislature-budget-tax-cuts-disability-diversity-40fe17614b20b0ade7fa6ed0833fbe67">separate plans approved last month</a>&nbsp;by each chamber and smaller than one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature</a>&nbsp;in January that Kelly vetoed.

GOP leaders wanted to move Kansas to a single personal income tax rate from the three current rates and cut the top rate from its current 5.7%, which Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.” The same dispute&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-gop-infighting-3fcfeb252137bdda907655ae7f7fd69e">thwarted major tax cuts</a>&nbsp;in 2023, when a dozen other states cut income tax rates, according to the conservative Tax Foundation.

The Kansas deal came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.

The compromise plan in Kansas preserves three personal income tax rates but cuts the top rate to 5.5%. Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a Kelly veto of a single-rate plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">thanks to Republican defectors</a>&nbsp;who, as state Senate President Ty Masterson put it Wednesday, “chained themselves to the tree of progressive taxation.”

“So, you know what?” We're just going to cut the tree off on the top," said Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican. “Everything else is a win.”

The bill also would eliminate state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It would also increase the state's standard personal income tax deductions, increase an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduce property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and end an expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

“We’ve got to get something, and this is a compromise,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “We need to get it done and get out of here.”

But bipartisan grumbling about the plan began immediately.

House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith said before either chamber voted that he didn't know whether he would support the deal — even though it was his job to explain it to colleagues and he would normally promote a plan backed by GOP leaders.

“I’m hearing a lot of dissent,” said Smith, a western Kansas Republican. “I've got to carry the bill, and it’s bad when I don’t even know if I’m going to vote for it.”

Republicans wanted to cut taxes by between $500 million and $600 million annually or between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion over three years. The new plan, worth about $430 million annually, is less generous than either the House or Senate plans in increasing standard deductions, which helps poorer families.

Some lawmakers also said the new plan doesn't cut property taxes enough amid rising home values and local levies. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140. A home’s appraised value can easily rise enough in a year to wipe out the cut.

“This, to me, doesn’t cut it,” said northeastern Kansas Sen. Tom Holland, who represented Democratic senators in tax negotiations. “There are monster increases every year.”

Another problem for many Democrats: The plan would keep a tax rate of 5.2% on a married couples' income between $30,000 and $60,000 and impose the 5.5% rate after that.

Rep. Rui Xu, a Kansas City-area Democrat, told Kelly the proposal is "pretty close to a flat tax.” Masterson made the same argument in touting it during an interview Wednesday evening.

Kelly suggested later that House Democrats' reaction showed that many lawmakers didn't expect her and GOP leaders to be able to compromise.

“I’m not surprised that some people were shocked that we got something at all,” she said.

The Kansas House and Senate were expected to vote on the compromise package Thursday or Friday, and Gov. Laura Kelly was expected to sign it if it reached her desk. The plan would save taxpayers about $1.4 billion over the next three years, but it is smaller than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-legislature-budget-tax-cuts-disability-diversity-40fe17614b20b0ade7fa6ed0833fbe67">separate plans approved last month</a>&nbsp;by each chamber and smaller than one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature</a>&nbsp;in January that Kelly vetoed.

The compromise plan preserves three personal income tax rates but cuts the top rate to 5.5%. Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a Kelly veto of a single-rate plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">thanks to Republican defectors</a>&nbsp;who, as state Senate President Ty Masterson put it Wednesday, “chained themselves to the tree of progressive taxation.”

The bill also would eliminate state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It would also increase the state's standard personal income tax deductions, increase an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduce property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and end the state's already expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

Still, the final deal inspired bipartisan grumbling. Kelly's office and GOP leaders worked it out privately instead of three House and three Senate negotiators drafting a plan, with some discussions in public.

House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith said before either chamber voted that he didn't know whether he'd support the deal — even though it was his job to explain it to colleagues and he'd normally promote a plan backed by GOP leaders.

Republicans had wanted to cut taxes by between $500 million and $600 million annually or between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion over three years. The new plan, worth about $430 million annually, is less generous in increasing standard deductions than the Senate's plan, which boosted the one for married couples to $22,000 to help lower-income families.

Some lawmakers also said the new plan doesn't cut property taxes enough amid rising home values and local levies. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140.

“This, to me, doesn't cut it,” said northeastern Kansas Sen. Tom Holland, who represented Democratic senators in tax negotiations. “There are monster increases every year.”

The deal in Kansas came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia's Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.

But tax debates in Kansas are fraught because of a nationally notorious experiment in cutting income taxes in 2012 and 2013 under GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. Large budget shortfalls followed and persisted until bipartisan legislative majorities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/07/kansas-brownback-tax-veto-override/">reversed most of the cuts</a>&nbsp;in 2017 over Brownback's opposition.

Kelly won the first of her two terms in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/gubernatorial-elections-f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">by running against</a>&nbsp;Brownback's fiscal policies, and she still cites them in criticizing Republican proposals. She called the GOP plan she vetoed in January fiscally reckless.

Republican leaders said repeatedly that they weren't repeating the mistakes of 2012 and 2013 and that, with its huge surplus, Kansas could sustain their proposed cuts.

But, unable to override a Kelly veto, they became less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year.

“We've got to get something, and this is a compromise,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “We need to get it done and get out of here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712235275411.png" alt="Members of the conference committee on Senate and House Taxation during a Wednesday meeting- image from Kansas Legislature YouTube" />
 <figcaption>Members of the conference committee on Senate and House Taxation during a Wednesday meeting- image from Kansas Legislature YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators and the Democratic governor in Kansas have brokered a deal on cutting taxes after GOP leaders gave up on moving the state to a single-rate personal income tax that the governor strongly opposed.But signs of trouble emerged Thursday as top Republicans and Gov. Laura Kelly tried to sell the new plan to lawmakers. During a meeting of skeptical House Democrats, Kelly touted it as a big victory. Many of them saw it as favoring wealthier taxpayers.“I can guarantee that the other side has gone as far as — a lot farther than — they wanted to go,” Kelly told them. "We should be embracing this and taking credit for it."Both the Senate and the House were expected to vote on the package Thursday or Friday. The plan would save taxpayers about $1.4 billion over the next three years, but it is smaller than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-legislature-budget-tax-cuts-disability-diversity-40fe17614b20b0ade7fa6ed0833fbe67">separate plans approved last month</a>&nbsp;by each chamber and smaller than one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature</a>&nbsp;in January that Kelly vetoed.GOP leaders wanted to move Kansas to a single personal income tax rate from the three current rates and cut the top rate from its current 5.7%, which Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.” The same dispute&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-gop-infighting-3fcfeb252137bdda907655ae7f7fd69e">thwarted major tax cuts</a>&nbsp;in 2023, when a dozen other states cut income tax rates, according to the conservative Tax Foundation.The Kansas deal came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.The compromise plan in Kansas preserves three personal income tax rates but cuts the top rate to 5.5%. Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a Kelly veto of a single-rate plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">thanks to Republican defectors</a>&nbsp;who, as state Senate President Ty Masterson put it Wednesday, “chained themselves to the tree of progressive taxation.”“So, you know what?” We're just going to cut the tree off on the top," said Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican. “Everything else is a win.”The bill also would eliminate state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It would also increase the state's standard personal income tax deductions, increase an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduce property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and end an expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.Republican leaders wavered on a single-rate income tax in recent weeks as they grew less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year.“We’ve got to get something, and this is a compromise,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “We need to get it done and get out of here.”But bipartisan grumbling about the plan began immediately.House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith said before either chamber voted that he didn't know whether he would support the deal — even though it was his job to explain it to colleagues and he would normally promote a plan backed by GOP leaders.“I’m hearing a lot of dissent,” said Smith, a western Kansas Republican. “I've got to carry the bill, and it’s bad when I don’t even know if I’m going to vote for it.”Republicans wanted to cut taxes by between $500 million and $600 million annually or between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion over three years. The new plan, worth about $430 million annually, is less generous than either the House or Senate plans in increasing standard deductions, which helps poorer families.Some lawmakers also said the new plan doesn't cut property taxes enough amid rising home values and local levies. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140. A home’s appraised value can easily rise enough in a year to wipe out the cut.“This, to me, doesn’t cut it,” said northeastern Kansas Sen. Tom Holland, who represented Democratic senators in tax negotiations. “There are monster increases every year.”Another problem for many Democrats: The plan would keep a tax rate of 5.2% on a married couples' income between $30,000 and $60,000 and impose the 5.5% rate after that.Rep. Rui Xu, a Kansas City-area Democrat, told Kelly the proposal is "pretty close to a flat tax.” Masterson made the same argument in touting it during an interview Wednesday evening.Kelly suggested later that House Democrats' reaction showed that many lawmakers didn't expect her and GOP leaders to be able to compromise.“I’m not surprised that some people were shocked that we got something at all,” she said.--------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators and the Democratic governor in Kansas have brokered a deal on cutting taxes after GOP leaders gave up on moving the state to a single-rate personal income tax that the governor strongly opposed.The Kansas House and Senate were expected to vote on the compromise package Thursday or Friday, and Gov. Laura Kelly was expected to sign it if it reached her desk. The plan would save taxpayers about $1.4 billion over the next three years, but it is smaller than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-legislature-budget-tax-cuts-disability-diversity-40fe17614b20b0ade7fa6ed0833fbe67">separate plans approved last month</a>&nbsp;by each chamber and smaller than one&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-8fbaf4d7aa99b0b23f38daddd7dc2c28">passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature</a>&nbsp;in January that Kelly vetoed.GOP leaders wanted to move Kansas to a single personal income tax rate from the three current rates and cut the top rate from its current 5.7%, which Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.” The same dispute&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-gop-infighting-3fcfeb252137bdda907655ae7f7fd69e">thwarted major tax cuts</a>&nbsp;in 2023, when a dozen other states cut income tax rates, according to the conservative Tax Foundation.The compromise plan preserves three personal income tax rates but cuts the top rate to 5.5%. Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a Kelly veto of a single-rate plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">thanks to Republican defectors</a>&nbsp;who, as state Senate President Ty Masterson put it Wednesday, “chained themselves to the tree of progressive taxation.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706447481513.png" alt="File photo Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and Gov. Laura Kelly photo Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>File photo Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and Gov. Laura Kelly photo Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>“So, you know what?” We're just going to cut the tree off on the top," said Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican. “Everything else is a win.”The bill also would eliminate state income taxes on retirees' Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It would also increase the state's standard personal income tax deductions, increase an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduce property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and end the state's already expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.Still, the final deal inspired bipartisan grumbling. Kelly's office and GOP leaders worked it out privately instead of three House and three Senate negotiators drafting a plan, with some discussions in public.House Taxation Committee Chair Adam Smith said before either chamber voted that he didn't know whether he'd support the deal — even though it was his job to explain it to colleagues and he'd normally promote a plan backed by GOP leaders.“I’m hearing a lot of dissent,” said Smith, a western Kansas Republican. “I've got to carry the bill, and it’s bad when I don’t even know if I’m going to vote for it.”Republicans had wanted to cut taxes by between $500 million and $600 million annually or between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion over three years. The new plan, worth about $430 million annually, is less generous in increasing standard deductions than the Senate's plan, which boosted the one for married couples to $22,000 to help lower-income families.Some lawmakers also said the new plan doesn't cut property taxes enough amid rising home values and local levies. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140.“This, to me, doesn't cut it,” said northeastern Kansas Sen. Tom Holland, who represented Democratic senators in tax negotiations. “There are monster increases every year.”The deal in Kansas came two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-brian-kemp-corporate-income-tax-cuts-7a414376871e7baf20bfb2ea12bb7260">Georgia's Republican-controlled Legislature passed</a>&nbsp;personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025.But tax debates in Kansas are fraught because of a nationally notorious experiment in cutting income taxes in 2012 and 2013 under GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. Large budget shortfalls followed and persisted until bipartisan legislative majorities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/07/kansas-brownback-tax-veto-override/">reversed most of the cuts</a>&nbsp;in 2017 over Brownback's opposition.Kelly won the first of her two terms in 2018&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/gubernatorial-elections-f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">by running against</a>&nbsp;Brownback's fiscal policies, and she still cites them in criticizing Republican proposals. She called the GOP plan she vetoed in January fiscally reckless.Republican leaders said repeatedly that they weren't repeating the mistakes of 2012 and 2013 and that, with its huge surplus, Kansas could sustain their proposed cuts.But, unable to override a Kelly veto, they became less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year.“We've got to get something, and this is a compromise,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. “We need to get it done and get out of here.”

Kan. Gov. and GOP leaders have deal on tax cuts but lawmakers are grumbling

GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a man found at a rest stop in Geary County.

Just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday, the Geary County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the I-70 eastbound rest stop just before&nbsp;Moritz Road reference to a check welfare, according to a media release.

Deputies located a deceased man in the driver’s seat of a gold in color van. The name of the subject is not being released at this time until notification can be made to his family.

GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a man found at a rest stop in Geary County.Just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday, the Geary County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the I-70 eastbound rest stop just before&nbsp;Moritz Road reference to a check welfare, according to a media release.Deputies located a deceased man in the driver’s seat of a gold in color van. The name of the subject is not being released at this time until notification can be made to his family.This case is still under investigation and the Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone that may have information on this case to call 785-238-2261.