TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is poised to require pornography websites to verify visitors are adults, a move that would follow Texas and a handful of other states despite concerns about privacy and how broadly the law could be applied.

The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature passed the proposal Tuesday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The House voted for it&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240326101041_655846/">92-31</a>&nbsp;and the Senate approved it unanimously last month. Kelly hasn't announced her plans, but she typically signs bills with bipartisan backing, and supporters have enough votes to override a veto anyway.

At least eight states have enacted age-verification laws since 2022 — Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Utah and Virginia, and lawmakers have introduced proposals in more than 20 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and an analysis from The Associated Press of data from the Plural bill-tracking service.

Weeks ago, a federal appeals court upheld the Texas age-verification requirement as constitutional and a the Oklahoma House sent&nbsp;<a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20ENGR/hB/HB3097%20ENGR.PDF">a similar measure</a>&nbsp;to the state Senate.

Supporters argue that they're protecting children from widespread pornography online. Oklahoma Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, a sponsor of the legislation, said pornography is dramatically more available now than when “there might be a sixth-grade boy who would find a Playboy magazine in a ditch somewhere.”

“What is commonplace in our society is for a child to be alone with their digital device in their bedroom,” said Hasenbeck, a Republican representing a rural southwest Oklahoma district.

In Kansas, some critics questioned whether the measure would violate free speech and press rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Last year, that issue was raised in a federal lawsuit over the Texas law from the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry.

A three-judge panel of the conservative, New Orleans-based Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Texas' age-verification requirement did not violate the First Amendment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/23/23-50627-CV0.pdf">The judges concluded</a>&nbsp;that such a law can stand as long as a state has a rational basis for it and states have a legitimate interest in blocking minors' access to pornography.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb394_00_0000.pdf">The Kansas bill</a>&nbsp;would make it a violation of state consumer protection laws for a website to fail to verify that a Kansas visitor is 18 if the website has material “harmful to minors.” The attorney general then could go to court seeking a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation. Parents also could sue for damages of at least $50,000.

Under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0002_section/021_064_0002_k/">an existing Kansas criminal law,</a>&nbsp;material is harmful to minors if it involves “nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse.”

But critics of the bill, mostly Democrats, argued that the law could be interpreted broadly enough that LGBTQ+ teenagers could not access information about sexual orientation or gender identity because the legal definition of sexual conduct includes acts of “homosexuality.” That means “being who we are” is defined as harmful to minors, said Rep. Brandon Woodard, who is gay and a Kansas City-area Democrat.

Woodard also said opponents don't understand "how technology works.” He said people could bypass an age-verification requirement by accessing pornography through the dark web or unregulated social media sites.

Other lawmakers questioned whether the state could prevent websites based outside Kansas from retaining people's personal information.

“The information used to verify a person’s age could fall into the hands of entities who could use it for fraudulent purposes,” said southeastern Kansas Rep. Ken Collins, one of two Republicans to vote against the bill.

Yet even critics acknowledged parents and other constituents have a strong interest in keeping minors from seeing pornography. Another southeastern Kansas Republican, Rep. Chuck Smith, chided the House because it didn't approve the bill unanimously, as the Senate did.

“Kids need to be protected," he said. "Everybody in here knows what pornography is — everybody.”

By JOHN HANNA and SEAN MURPHY&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is poised to require pornography websites to verify visitors are adults, a move that would follow Texas and a handful of other states despite concerns about privacy and how broadly the law could be applied.The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature passed the proposal Tuesday, sending it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The House voted for it&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240326101041_655846/">92-31</a>&nbsp;and the Senate approved it unanimously last month. Kelly hasn't announced her plans, but she typically signs bills with bipartisan backing, and supporters have enough votes to override a veto anyway.At least eight states have enacted age-verification laws since 2022 — Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Utah and Virginia, and lawmakers have introduced proposals in more than 20 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and an analysis from The Associated Press of data from the Plural bill-tracking service.Weeks ago, a federal appeals court upheld the Texas age-verification requirement as constitutional and a the Oklahoma House sent&nbsp;<a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20ENGR/hB/HB3097%20ENGR.PDF">a similar measure</a>&nbsp;to the state Senate.Supporters argue that they're protecting children from widespread pornography online. Oklahoma Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, a sponsor of the legislation, said pornography is dramatically more available now than when “there might be a sixth-grade boy who would find a Playboy magazine in a ditch somewhere.”“What is commonplace in our society is for a child to be alone with their digital device in their bedroom,” said Hasenbeck, a Republican representing a rural southwest Oklahoma district.In Kansas, some critics questioned whether the measure would violate free speech and press rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Last year, that issue was raised in a federal lawsuit over the Texas law from the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry.A three-judge panel of the conservative, New Orleans-based Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Texas' age-verification requirement did not violate the First Amendment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/23/23-50627-CV0.pdf">The judges concluded</a>&nbsp;that such a law can stand as long as a state has a rational basis for it and states have a legitimate interest in blocking minors' access to pornography.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb394_00_0000.pdf">The Kansas bill</a>&nbsp;would make it a violation of state consumer protection laws for a website to fail to verify that a Kansas visitor is 18 if the website has material “harmful to minors.” The attorney general then could go to court seeking a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation. Parents also could sue for damages of at least $50,000.Under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0002_section/021_064_0002_k/">an existing Kansas criminal law,</a>&nbsp;material is harmful to minors if it involves “nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse.”But critics of the bill, mostly Democrats, argued that the law could be interpreted broadly enough that LGBTQ+ teenagers could not access information about sexual orientation or gender identity because the legal definition of sexual conduct includes acts of “homosexuality.” That means “being who we are” is defined as harmful to minors, said Rep. Brandon Woodard, who is gay and a Kansas City-area Democrat.Woodard also said opponents don't understand "how technology works.” He said people could bypass an age-verification requirement by accessing pornography through the dark web or unregulated social media sites.Other lawmakers questioned whether the state could prevent websites based outside Kansas from retaining people's personal information.“The information used to verify a person’s age could fall into the hands of entities who could use it for fraudulent purposes,” said southeastern Kansas Rep. Ken Collins, one of two Republicans to vote against the bill.Yet even critics acknowledged parents and other constituents have a strong interest in keeping minors from seeing pornography. Another southeastern Kansas Republican, Rep. Chuck Smith, chided the House because it didn't approve the bill unanimously, as the Senate did.“Kids need to be protected," he said. "Everybody in here knows what pornography is — everybody.”

Kansas moves to require porn sites to verify people's ages

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Nicole Shanahan on Tuesday to be his vice presidential pick as he mounts an independent White House bid that has spooked national Democrats.

Shanahan, 38, is a California lawyer and philanthropist who’s never held elected office. Shanahan leads Bia-Echo Foundation, an organization she founded to direct money toward issues including women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform and environmental causes.

Kennedy, a former Democrat, made the announcement in Oakland, California.

“Nicole and I both left the Democratic Party," he said. "Our values didn’t change. The Democratic Party did.”

Without the backing of a party, Kennedy faces an arduous task to get on the ballot, with varying rules across the 50 states. He’s picking a running mate now because about half of the states require him to designate one before he can apply for ballot access.

In advance of an event Tuesday in Oakland, Kennedy and his aides circulated the names of several contenders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-rodgers-ventura-453c6078714b867f5af736ee8f97d8fe">celebrities with no experience in politics</a>.

Two hours before Kennedy’s rally was scheduled to begin at a performing arts venue, a handful of supporters were lined up outside. Broken-down cars, discarded bicycles, tents and all manner of household goods took up the sidewalk and a park directly outside, a visual reminder of the housing crisis that has plagued California.

Dozens of men in black suits made up a heavy security presence for a candidate who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-arrest-los-angeles-impersonation-dcd6a12a95ea4ba46df649989edecb2d">loudly complained</a>&nbsp;that he has not been granted protection from the U.S. Secret Service. Kennedy’s campaign has spent millions of dollars with the security company owned by Gavin de Becker, who has been a major donor to his campaign and associated super PAC.

Sarah Morris, a Kennedy supporter from Olympia, Washington, who flew to Oakland for the rally, said Kennedy should pick somebody who would “complement him well and balance him out.”

“It would be nice to see a VP who leans a little more right than he does,” said the 47-year-old real estate agent. “I just hope he picks a good partner. I hope he doesn’t pick somebody that’s polarizing.”

A list of speakers includes Angela Stanton-King, a woman pardoned by then-President Donald Trump for her role in a car theft ring that led to a 2004 federal conspiracy conviction and two years in prison; Metta World Peace, the NBA all-star player formerly known as Ron Artest; and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford Medical School professor who questioned the efficacy of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and was part of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential launch event last year.

Kennedy's campaign has spooked Democrats, who are fighting third-party options that could draw support from President Joe Biden and help Trump. As they head into a 2020 rematch, Biden and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-campaign-democrats-republicans-440088966619e68dbf89f745788bb372">are broadly unpopular with the U.S. public</a>&nbsp;and will compete for the votes of people who aren't enthusiastic about either of them.

The requirement is already bedeviling Kennedy's ballot access effort in Nevada, where Democratic Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a March 7 letter to independent candidates that they must nominate a vice presidential candidate before collecting signatures. The letter came days after Kennedy's campaign announced he'd collected enough signatures in the state. If Aguilar's opinion survives a likely legal challenge, Kennedy will have to start again in collecting just over 10,000 signatures in the state.

"This is the epitome of corruption,” said Paul Rossi, a Kennedy campaign lawyer, in a statement Monday, accusing Aguilar of doing the bidding of the Democratic National Committee.

Kennedy has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">secured access to the ballot in Utah</a>. He and an allied super PAC,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-fec-complaint-kenedy-trump-biden-09d42502ca757cd4656b4829c4b4c00d">American Values 2024</a>, say they’ve collected enough signatures to qualify in several other states, including swing states Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, but election officials there have not yet signed off.

Kennedy is a descendant of a storied Democratic family that includes his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. senator, attorney general and presidential candidate, and his uncle former President John F. Kennedy.

He began his campaign as a primary challenge to Biden but last fall said he'd run as an independent instead.

Kennedy was a teenager when his father, known as RFK, was assassinated during his own presidential campaign in 1968. RFK Jr. built a reputation of his own as an activist, author and lawyer who fought for environmental causes such as clean water.

Along the way, his activism has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e">veered into conspiracies</a>&nbsp;and contradicted scientific consensus,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-vaccines-2ccde2df146f57b5e8c26e8494f0a16a">most infamously on vaccines</a>. Some members of his family have publicly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-joe-biden-2024-democrat-super-bowl-e4dee4be456e643be11735c6e4029377">criticized his views</a>. Dozens of Kennedy family members sent a message when they posed with Biden at a St. Patrick’s Day reception at the White House in a photo his sister Kerry Kennedy posted to social media.

An anti-vaccine group Kennedy led has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.

RFK Jr. is leveraging a network of loyal supporters he's built over years, many of them drawn to his anti-vaccine activism and his message that the U.S. government is beholden to corporations.

The Democratic National Committee, meanwhile, is gearing up to take on Kennedy and other third-party options, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-labels-election-2024-2859270c8a1e52b8cb92d2e6fd166e5b">No Labels</a>, a well-funded group working to recruit a centrist ticket. The effort is overseen by veteran strategist Mary Beth Cahill, whose resume includes chief of staff to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, another of RFK Jr.'s uncles.

Many Democrats blame Green Party candidates for Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush in 2000 and Hillary Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;plans to announce his running mate Tuesday as he races to secure a place on the ballot for his independent campaign for president.

In advance of an event Tuesday in Oakland, Kennedy and his aides have circulated the names of several contenders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-rodgers-ventura-453c6078714b867f5af736ee8f97d8fe">celebrities with no political experience</a>. Those names include NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, “Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who was a wrestler and actor. Speculation most recently has centered on Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and philanthropist who bankrolled a Super Bowl ad for Kennedy.

“This announcement is really going to shake up the political establishment,” Kennedy said in a video he posted on social media last week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711485258873.png" alt="Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan during Tuesday's announcement in Oakland-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan during Tuesday's announcement in Oakland-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Nicole Shanahan on Tuesday to be his vice presidential pick as he mounts an independent White House bid that has spooked national Democrats.Shanahan, 38, is a California lawyer and philanthropist who’s never held elected office. Shanahan leads Bia-Echo Foundation, an organization she founded to direct money toward issues including women’s reproductive science, criminal justice reform and environmental causes.Kennedy, a former Democrat, made the announcement in Oakland, California.“Nicole and I both left the Democratic Party," he said. "Our values didn’t change. The Democratic Party did.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711482633483.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Without the backing of a party, Kennedy faces an arduous task to get on the ballot, with varying rules across the 50 states. He’s picking a running mate now because about half of the states require him to designate one before he can apply for ballot access.In advance of an event Tuesday in Oakland, Kennedy and his aides circulated the names of several contenders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-rodgers-ventura-453c6078714b867f5af736ee8f97d8fe">celebrities with no experience in politics</a>.Two hours before Kennedy’s rally was scheduled to begin at a performing arts venue, a handful of supporters were lined up outside. Broken-down cars, discarded bicycles, tents and all manner of household goods took up the sidewalk and a park directly outside, a visual reminder of the housing crisis that has plagued California.Dozens of men in black suits made up a heavy security presence for a candidate who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-arrest-los-angeles-impersonation-dcd6a12a95ea4ba46df649989edecb2d">loudly complained</a>&nbsp;that he has not been granted protection from the U.S. Secret Service. Kennedy’s campaign has spent millions of dollars with the security company owned by Gavin de Becker, who has been a major donor to his campaign and associated super PAC.Sarah Morris, a Kennedy supporter from Olympia, Washington, who flew to Oakland for the rally, said Kennedy should pick somebody who would “complement him well and balance him out.”“It would be nice to see a VP who leans a little more right than he does,” said the 47-year-old real estate agent. “I just hope he picks a good partner. I hope he doesn’t pick somebody that’s polarizing.”A list of speakers includes Angela Stanton-King, a woman pardoned by then-President Donald Trump for her role in a car theft ring that led to a 2004 federal conspiracy conviction and two years in prison; Metta World Peace, the NBA all-star player formerly known as Ron Artest; and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford Medical School professor who questioned the efficacy of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and was part of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential launch event last year.Kennedy's campaign has spooked Democrats, who are fighting third-party options that could draw support from President Joe Biden and help Trump. As they head into a 2020 rematch, Biden and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-campaign-democrats-republicans-440088966619e68dbf89f745788bb372">are broadly unpopular with the U.S. public</a>&nbsp;and will compete for the votes of people who aren't enthusiastic about either of them.Without the backing of a party, Kennedy faces an arduous task to get on the ballot, with varying rules across the 50 states. He’s picking a running mate now because about half of the states require him to designate one before he can apply for ballot access.The requirement is already bedeviling Kennedy's ballot access effort in Nevada, where Democratic Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a March 7 letter to independent candidates that they must nominate a vice presidential candidate before collecting signatures. The letter came days after Kennedy's campaign announced he'd collected enough signatures in the state. If Aguilar's opinion survives a likely legal challenge, Kennedy will have to start again in collecting just over 10,000 signatures in the state."This is the epitome of corruption,” said Paul Rossi, a Kennedy campaign lawyer, in a statement Monday, accusing Aguilar of doing the bidding of the Democratic National Committee.Kennedy has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">secured access to the ballot in Utah</a>. He and an allied super PAC,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-fec-complaint-kenedy-trump-biden-09d42502ca757cd4656b4829c4b4c00d">American Values 2024</a>, say they’ve collected enough signatures to qualify in several other states, including swing states Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, but election officials there have not yet signed off.Kennedy is a descendant of a storied Democratic family that includes his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. senator, attorney general and presidential candidate, and his uncle former President John F. Kennedy.He began his campaign as a primary challenge to Biden but last fall said he'd run as an independent instead.Kennedy was a teenager when his father, known as RFK, was assassinated during his own presidential campaign in 1968. RFK Jr. built a reputation of his own as an activist, author and lawyer who fought for environmental causes such as clean water.Along the way, his activism has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e">veered into conspiracies</a>&nbsp;and contradicted scientific consensus,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-vaccines-2ccde2df146f57b5e8c26e8494f0a16a">most infamously on vaccines</a>. Some members of his family have publicly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-joe-biden-2024-democrat-super-bowl-e4dee4be456e643be11735c6e4029377">criticized his views</a>. Dozens of Kennedy family members sent a message when they posed with Biden at a St. Patrick’s Day reception at the White House in a photo his sister Kerry Kennedy posted to social media.An anti-vaccine group Kennedy led has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.RFK Jr. is leveraging a network of loyal supporters he's built over years, many of them drawn to his anti-vaccine activism and his message that the U.S. government is beholden to corporations.The Democratic National Committee, meanwhile, is gearing up to take on Kennedy and other third-party options, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-labels-election-2024-2859270c8a1e52b8cb92d2e6fd166e5b">No Labels</a>, a well-funded group working to recruit a centrist ticket. The effort is overseen by veteran strategist Mary Beth Cahill, whose resume includes chief of staff to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, another of RFK Jr.'s uncles.Many Democrats blame Green Party candidates for Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush in 2000 and Hillary Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016.---------------OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;plans to announce his running mate Tuesday as he races to secure a place on the ballot for his independent campaign for president.In advance of an event Tuesday in Oakland, Kennedy and his aides have circulated the names of several contenders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-rodgers-ventura-453c6078714b867f5af736ee8f97d8fe">celebrities with no political experience</a>. Those names include NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, “Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who was a wrestler and actor. Speculation most recently has centered on Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and philanthropist who bankrolled a Super Bowl ad for Kennedy.“This announcement is really going to shake up the political establishment,” Kennedy said in a video he posted on social media last week.Two hours before Kennedy’s rally was scheduled to begin at a performing arts venue, a handful of supporters were lined up outside. Broken-down cars, discarded bicycles, tents and all manner of household goods took up the sidewalk and a park directly outside, a visual reminder of the housing crisis that has plagued California.Dozens of men in black suits made up a heavy security presence for a candidate who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-arrest-los-angeles-impersonation-dcd6a12a95ea4ba46df649989edecb2d">loudly complained</a>&nbsp;that he has not been granted protection from the U.S. Secret Service. Kennedy’s campaign has spent millions of dollars with the security company owned by Gavin de Becker, who has been a major donor to his campaign and associated super PAC.Sarah Morris, a Kennedy supporter from Olympia, Washington, who flew to Oakland for the rally, said Kennedy should pick somebody who would “complement him well and balance him out.”“It would be nice to see a VP who leans a little more right than he does,” said the 47-year-old real estate agent. “I just hope he picks a good partner. I hope he doesn’t pick somebody that’s polarizing.”A list of speakers includes Angela Stanton-King, a woman pardoned by then-President Donald Trump for her role in a car theft ring that led to a 2004 federal conspiracy conviction and two years in prison; Metta World Peace, the NBA all-star player formerly known as Ron Artest; and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford Medical School professor who questioned the efficacy of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and was part of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential launch event last year.Kennedy's campaign has spooked Democrats, who are fighting third-party options that could draw support from President Joe Biden and help Trump. As they head into a 2020 rematch, Biden and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-campaign-democrats-republicans-440088966619e68dbf89f745788bb372">are broadly unpopular with the U.S. public</a>&nbsp;and will compete for the votes of people who aren't enthusiastic about either of them.Without the backing of a party, Kennedy faces an arduous task to get on the ballot, with varying rules across the 50 states. He’s picking a running mate now because about half of the states require him to designate one before he can apply for ballot access.The requirement is already bedeviling Kennedy's ballot access effort in Nevada, where Democratic Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a March 7 letter to independent candidates that they must nominate a vice presidential candidate before collecting signatures. The letter came days after Kennedy's campaign announced he'd collected enough signatures in the state. If Aguilar's opinion survives a likely legal challenge, Kennedy will have to start again in collecting just over 10,000 signatures in the state."This is the epitome of corruption,” said Paul Rossi, a Kennedy campaign lawyer, in a statement Monday, accusing Aguilar of doing the bidding of the Democratic National Committee.Kennedy has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">secured access to the ballot in Utah</a>. He and an allied super PAC,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-fec-complaint-kenedy-trump-biden-09d42502ca757cd4656b4829c4b4c00d">American Values 2024</a>, say they’ve collected enough signatures to qualify in several other states, including swing states Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, but election officials there have not yet signed off.Kennedy is a descendant of a storied Democratic family that includes his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. senator, attorney general and presidential candidate, and his uncle former President John F. Kennedy.He began his campaign as a primary challenge to Biden but last fall said he'd run as an independent instead.Kennedy was a teenager when his father, known as RFK, was assassinated during his own presidential campaign in 1968. RFK Jr. built a reputation of his own as an activist, author and lawyer who fought for environmental causes such as clean water.Along the way, his activism has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e">veered into conspiracies</a>&nbsp;and contradicted scientific consensus,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-vaccines-2ccde2df146f57b5e8c26e8494f0a16a">most infamously on vaccines</a>. Some members of his family have publicly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-joe-biden-2024-democrat-super-bowl-e4dee4be456e643be11735c6e4029377">criticized his views</a>. Dozens of Kennedy family members sent a message when they posed with Biden at a St. Patrick’s Day reception at the White House in a photo his sister Kerry Kennedy posted to social media.RFK Jr. is leveraging a network of loyal supporters he's built over years, many of them drawn to his anti-vaccine activism and his message that the U.S. government is beholden to corporations.The Democratic National Committee, meanwhile, is gearing up to take on Kennedy and other third-party options, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-labels-election-2024-2859270c8a1e52b8cb92d2e6fd166e5b">No Labels</a>, a well-funded group working to recruit a centrist ticket. The effort is overseen by veteran strategist Mary Beth Cahill, whose resume includes chief of staff to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, another of RFK Jr.'s uncles.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces VP pick for White House bid

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 37-year-old Justen&nbsp;Vannatta, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. Friday, a Mazda Protégé driven by&nbsp;Vannatta was eastbound on 63rd Street in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to Officer Jake Becchina.

 At 63rd and 350 Highway, the Mazda traveled off the roadway to the left, continued up over the concrete center median and struck a concrete bridge support. 

The impact caused the Mazda to rotate into the westbound lanes of 63rd Street and strike a westbound Buick Century. 

Vannatta was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the front seat passenger of the of the Mazda to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver and front seat passenger of the Buick were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

&nbsp;The fatality was number 24 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to 13 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 37-year-old Justen&nbsp;Vannatta, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. Friday, a Mazda Protégé driven by&nbsp;Vannatta was eastbound on 63rd Street in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to Officer Jake Becchina. At 63rd and 350 Highway, the Mazda traveled off the roadway to the left, continued up over the concrete center median and struck a concrete bridge support. The impact caused the Mazda to rotate into the westbound lanes of 63rd Street and strike a westbound Buick Century. Vannatta was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the front seat passenger of the of the Mazda to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver and front seat passenger of the Buick were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;The fatality was number 24 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to 13 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KCPD IDs man who died when car traveled up over center median

Senate favors enrollment count changes; House ties parental consent to health care

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate found compromise on legislation Monday setting ground rules for student enrollment counts tied to state appropriations that could serve interests of growing public school districts and support school districts with declining populations.

Senators offered preliminary support for a plan permitting districts to choose between reporting the current school year’s enrollment for budget purposes or using average enrollment from the past two years. The logic was districts taking in more students would prefer up-to-date enrollment figures so they would be compensated for new students, while districts with downward enrollment trends would benefit from the two-year average approach.

The deal, if endorsed by the Kansas House and Gov. Laura Kelly, would only allow the two-year average option during the 2024-2025 school year. The state’s cost of providing this softer glide path for urban and rural districts with declining enrollments would be about $4.6 million.

“This is critically important for schools with declining enrollment because it allows them to gradually adjust to a decrease in enrollments without suffering significant and abrupt loss in funding,” said Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican who said most school districts within her Senate district were losing students.

When debate started on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb386/">Senate Bill 386</a>, it would have mandated school districts calculate state revenue based on enrollment in either the current or preceding school year. As it stands now, the state would move to that enrollment and budget method in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Sen. Mary Ware, D-Wichita, said the original version of the legislation would have put the state’s largest school district in a financial bind. She said the Wichita school district had already negotiated two-year agreements with teachers and support staff based on the current school finance formula tied to enrollment.

However, Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, said the state’s special treatment of declining-enrollment districts would lead to a reckoning. She said Kansas had 10 districts with fewer than 100 students each, and one district with less than 20 students. “This is not an issue that is going to go away,” she said.

The original version and amended version of SB 386 represented a change from current law. Existing statute required school districts and the Kansas State Department of Education to determine state aid based on enrollment counts from the previous year. However, an exception allowing a district experiencing a decrease in enrollment between the second-preceding school year and the preceding school year to set funding based on headcounts in the second-preceding year.

Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, said it was time the Legislature required parental consent for children in schools to receive health care services.

The House delivered tentative approval for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/">Senate Bill 287</a>, which included a requirement professional licensing agencies sanction health providers who violated the statute. On Tuesday, the bill was approved by the House on a vote of 85-37. The Senate hasn’t voted on the legislation proposed by Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita.

Many school districts offer standard consent forms to parents or guardians at the outset of the school year, but the bill would mandate permission for dispensing prescription or nonprescription drugs, administering a diagnostic test with the minor’s body fluid or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatment to anyone under 18.

“The bill basically requires parents consent to treat a child in a school facility,” Bryce said during House floor debate on the bill. “Just who’s children are they anyway?”

Bryce, a physician licensed to practice medicine in Texas but not in Kansas, has been a proponent of laws blocking health professionals from advocating for gender-affirming care of minors. He said such transgender care was comparable to treating depression by performing a lobotomy.

Opposition to the bill emerged from the Kansas Board of Nursing, Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of pediatrics, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, Kansas School Nurses Association, Equality Kansas, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, Kansas Association of School Boards and others.

“This is government overreach,” said Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas. “I’m especially concerned for the medical providers that are in the schools. They’re all going to be very reluctant to do anything because of the high risk of losing their license.”

Rep. Nikki McDonald, D-Olathe, said the bill’s text was overly broad and could be detrimental to children when parents couldn’t be located to provide consent.

Exceptions in the bill wouldn’t extend the parental mandate to school-based health screenings required by law, health education of a minor or mental health interventions for someone in crisis.

Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute think tank in Wichita, initiated discussion of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb427/">Senate Bill 427</a>, which outlined a series of requirements for how locally elected school boards handled regular meetings. He asserted board policies adopted long ago served to block board conversations on public policy and inhibited parental involvement in education issues.

“A board member in USD 489 Hays has repeatedly tried to have a board discussion and vote on a controversial issue dealing with boys and girls sharing restroom facilities,” Trabert said. “Many community members have expressed concerns, but the board member cannot get the issue on the agenda.”

The Senate granted initial approval of the bill despite objections from the Kansas Association of School Boards that it could violate constitutional rights of people serving on local school boards.

The legislation would require school board members to have their names and emails published on state and school district websites. If the bill was signed into law, any member of a local school board could add discussion items to the agenda and ask questions of the public attending meetings. Each school board would be required to schedule a public comment portion of each meeting to enable citizens to speak to board members on any subject.

State law would be amended to allow tax dollars to be spent on annual dues for any not-for-profit organization providing “guidance, resources and other services to member school districts.” School board members would, by law, be granted access to district property during school hours or during events conducted at the schools.

“Some folks are wondering why we are doing this,” said Baumgardner, the Louisburg Republican. “It’s because we have 286 school districts … and not all of them operate the same.”

Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said the bill stepped into issues best left to local school board members elected to serve their constituents. He said the Senate bill set the stage for unnecessary conflict at school board meetings. Even the Senate operated with standard procedural rules established by the Senate itself, he said.

“Mandating that across every single school board could cause a lot of chaos in these meetings,” he said. “We need to leave that power within the local school boards.”

The Senate also granted preliminary approval Tuesday to legislation that would declare all public school students in the foster care system eligible for supplemental at-risk services.

Participation in the state’s foster care system would become the 12th criteria for identifying students as at-risk of academic challenges. Others include homelessness, dyslexia, English language deficiency, failure to advance to the next grade level, not reading at grade level and high rate of absences.

“It heightens the need when the foster child is put into a new school building or a new school, for them to be identified as a foster child,” said Baumgardner, who chairs the Senate Education Committee.

Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, said it was disappointing the bill didn’t also require appropriation of state funding to help school districts provide at-risk services to foster children.

“I would hope that if these students were counted then, in fact, there would be an increase in the at-risk funding for that student,” Francisco said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711475846069.png" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican, convinced the Kansas Senate to amend a bill to allow urban and rural public school districts with declining enrollments to avoid in the 2025-2026 academic year a new policy linking state appropriations to the current year's student enrollment. Her amendment allowed districts to use the current year or to take the average of the previous two years to determine state aid. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican, convinced the Kansas Senate to amend a bill to allow urban and rural public school districts with declining enrollments to avoid in the 2025-2026 academic year a new policy linking state appropriations to the current year's student enrollment. Her amendment allowed districts to use the current year or to take the average of the previous two years to determine state aid. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Senate favors enrollment count changes; House ties parental consent to health care</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate found compromise on legislation Monday setting ground rules for student enrollment counts tied to state appropriations that could serve interests of growing public school districts and support school districts with declining populations.Senators offered preliminary support for a plan permitting districts to choose between reporting the current school year’s enrollment for budget purposes or using average enrollment from the past two years. The logic was districts taking in more students would prefer up-to-date enrollment figures so they would be compensated for new students, while districts with downward enrollment trends would benefit from the two-year average approach.The deal, if endorsed by the Kansas House and Gov. Laura Kelly, would only allow the two-year average option during the 2024-2025 school year. The state’s cost of providing this softer glide path for urban and rural districts with declining enrollments would be about $4.6 million.“This is critically important for schools with declining enrollment because it allows them to gradually adjust to a decrease in enrollments without suffering significant and abrupt loss in funding,” said Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican who said most school districts within her Senate district were losing students.When debate started on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb386/">Senate Bill 386</a>, it would have mandated school districts calculate state revenue based on enrollment in either the current or preceding school year. As it stands now, the state would move to that enrollment and budget method in the 2025-2026 academic year.Sen. Mary Ware, D-Wichita, said the original version of the legislation would have put the state’s largest school district in a financial bind. She said the Wichita school district had already negotiated two-year agreements with teachers and support staff based on the current school finance formula tied to enrollment.However, Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, said the state’s special treatment of declining-enrollment districts would lead to a reckoning. She said Kansas had 10 districts with fewer than 100 students each, and one district with less than 20 students. “This is not an issue that is going to go away,” she said.The original version and amended version of SB 386 represented a change from current law. Existing statute required school districts and the Kansas State Department of Education to determine state aid based on enrollment counts from the previous year. However, an exception allowing a district experiencing a decrease in enrollment between the second-preceding school year and the preceding school year to set funding based on headcounts in the second-preceding year.<h2>School health care</h2>Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, said it was time the Legislature required parental consent for children in schools to receive health care services.The House delivered tentative approval for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/">Senate Bill 287</a>, which included a requirement professional licensing agencies sanction health providers who violated the statute. On Tuesday, the bill was approved by the House on a vote of 85-37. The Senate hasn’t voted on the legislation proposed by Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita.Many school districts offer standard consent forms to parents or guardians at the outset of the school year, but the bill would mandate permission for dispensing prescription or nonprescription drugs, administering a diagnostic test with the minor’s body fluid or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatment to anyone under 18.“The bill basically requires parents consent to treat a child in a school facility,” Bryce said during House floor debate on the bill. “Just who’s children are they anyway?”Bryce, a physician licensed to practice medicine in Texas but not in Kansas, has been a proponent of laws blocking health professionals from advocating for gender-affirming care of minors. He said such transgender care was comparable to treating depression by performing a lobotomy.Opposition to the bill emerged from the Kansas Board of Nursing, Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of pediatrics, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, Kansas School Nurses Association, Equality Kansas, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, Kansas Association of School Boards and others.“This is government overreach,” said Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas. “I’m especially concerned for the medical providers that are in the schools. They’re all going to be very reluctant to do anything because of the high risk of losing their license.”Rep. Nikki McDonald, D-Olathe, said the bill’s text was overly broad and could be detrimental to children when parents couldn’t be located to provide consent.Exceptions in the bill wouldn’t extend the parental mandate to school-based health screenings required by law, health education of a minor or mental health interventions for someone in crisis.<h2>School board mandates</h2>Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute think tank in Wichita, initiated discussion of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb427/">Senate Bill 427</a>, which outlined a series of requirements for how locally elected school boards handled regular meetings. He asserted board policies adopted long ago served to block board conversations on public policy and inhibited parental involvement in education issues.“A board member in USD 489 Hays has repeatedly tried to have a board discussion and vote on a controversial issue dealing with boys and girls sharing restroom facilities,” Trabert said. “Many community members have expressed concerns, but the board member cannot get the issue on the agenda.”The Senate granted initial approval of the bill despite objections from the Kansas Association of School Boards that it could violate constitutional rights of people serving on local school boards.The legislation would require school board members to have their names and emails published on state and school district websites. If the bill was signed into law, any member of a local school board could add discussion items to the agenda and ask questions of the public attending meetings. Each school board would be required to schedule a public comment portion of each meeting to enable citizens to speak to board members on any subject.State law would be amended to allow tax dollars to be spent on annual dues for any not-for-profit organization providing “guidance, resources and other services to member school districts.” School board members would, by law, be granted access to district property during school hours or during events conducted at the schools.“Some folks are wondering why we are doing this,” said Baumgardner, the Louisburg Republican. “It’s because we have 286 school districts … and not all of them operate the same.”Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said the bill stepped into issues best left to local school board members elected to serve their constituents. He said the Senate bill set the stage for unnecessary conflict at school board meetings. Even the Senate operated with standard procedural rules established by the Senate itself, he said.“Mandating that across every single school board could cause a lot of chaos in these meetings,” he said. “We need to leave that power within the local school boards.”<h2>The foster care kids</h2>The Senate also granted preliminary approval Tuesday to legislation that would declare all public school students in the foster care system eligible for supplemental at-risk services.Participation in the state’s foster care system would become the 12th criteria for identifying students as at-risk of academic challenges. Others include homelessness, dyslexia, English language deficiency, failure to advance to the next grade level, not reading at grade level and high rate of absences.“It heightens the need when the foster child is put into a new school building or a new school, for them to be identified as a foster child,” said Baumgardner, who chairs the Senate Education Committee.Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, said it was disappointing the bill didn’t also require appropriation of state funding to help school districts provide at-risk services to foster children.“I would hope that if these students were counted then, in fact, there would be an increase in the at-risk funding for that student,” Francisco said.

Kansas Senate, House adding new chapters to state law on K-12 public education policy

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue investigating a deadly crash that killed a Kansas police officer on his way home from work on March 16.

According to the Sumner County District Attorney's office the case is now under investigation by the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The accident occurred just before 3:30a.m. March 16, when a passenger vehicle driven by 26-year-old Scott Hollingsworth was southbound on U.S. 81 at 119th Street, according to Friday. A westbound pickup struck the vehicle driven by Hollingsworth.&nbsp;

Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported three passengers in the pickup to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The pickup driver was not injured, according to Friday.

Law enforcement authorities will report additional details of the crash after the district attorney's office determines possible charges.

A funeral service for Hollingsworth was held on Saturday March 23, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Derby. Hollingsworth is survived by his wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710681634704.png" alt="Officer Scott Hollingsworth-photo city of Clearwater" />
 <figcaption>Officer Scott Hollingsworth-photo city of Clearwater</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue investigating a deadly crash that killed a Kansas police officer on his way home from work on March 16.According to the Sumner County District Attorney's office the case is now under investigation by the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The accident occurred just before 3:30a.m. March 16, when a passenger vehicle driven by 26-year-old Scott Hollingsworth was southbound on U.S. 81 at 119th Street, according to Friday. A westbound pickup struck the vehicle driven by Hollingsworth.&nbsp;Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported three passengers in the pickup to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The pickup driver was not injured, according to Friday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FClearwaterKS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Cn79XeUkedxXpjvctn3AGZY4rBbUC1vmFw4Siii2o1QsqFaYyvFUtuqtpnp2wa89l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="703" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Law enforcement authorities will report additional details of the crash after the district attorney's office determines possible charges.A funeral service for Hollingsworth was held on Saturday March 23, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Derby. Hollingsworth is survived by his wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney.&nbsp;

Investigation continues in crash that killed Kansas police officer

NEOSHO COUNTY—A fire that killed two in Chanute started from carelessly discarded smoking materials, according to the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office.

Just after 1:30a.m.&nbsp; March 21, fire crews were dispatched to a fire at the Cornerstone Apartments, 1520 W. 4th Street in Chanute, Kansas, according to a media release from the office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal.

First responders found the south half of the 3-story, 24-unit apartment building was fully engulfed in flames and residents were jumping from windows to escape.

Chanute Firefighters, Police Officers, and responders from Neosho County Emergency Medical Services arrived and rescued several residents of the apartment building, while requesting mutual aid assistance from the Parsons, Iola, and Thayer Fire Departments.

Tragically, two residents of the apartment building died in the blaze. Kalyn Jones, 22, was found deceased at the scene. Jolavon Haymaker, 90, passed away after being airlifted with severe injuries to K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City. 

Seven other residents of the building were injured, and were treated and released by a local hospital.

The Chanute Fire Department requested assistance from the Kansas State Fire Marshal in investigating the cause and origin of the fire. A team of certified fire investigators from the State Fire Marshal; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE); the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069034335469&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVi6Bb2aIPDXo6IYpcOtnPxd3Zj7bH9qcSrIIdGb2WHhgBZq8LvRmD9MWl_IlUIoeAD97qht5z_4-DKvYnHgJB424b0tj5JoK-RhPYlg2xc9H4NAhNaiKa0P4lo_52tBJrQhqd0huXz0uzqJeAVlCl1xKxTmzeU3TJwuDExZAGmAEdYEk7fQhuXUz76pGO-QBw&amp;__tn__=-]K*F">Neosho County Sheriff's Office</a>; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/scfiredistrict1?__cft__[0]=AZVi6Bb2aIPDXo6IYpcOtnPxd3Zj7bH9qcSrIIdGb2WHhgBZq8LvRmD9MWl_IlUIoeAD97qht5z_4-DKvYnHgJB424b0tj5JoK-RhPYlg2xc9H4NAhNaiKa0P4lo_52tBJrQhqd0huXz0uzqJeAVlCl1xKxTmzeU3TJwuDExZAGmAEdYEk7fQhuXUz76pGO-QBw&amp;__tn__=-]K*F">Sedgwick County Fire District 1</a>&nbsp;responded.

The team has spent more than 140 investigative hours conducting a logical investigation of the fire, reviewing physical evidence at the scene, and completing more than 35 interviews of residents and witnesses.

“Our investigation determined the cause of the fire at the Cornerstone Apartments was accidental,” said State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm. 

“The fire started due to carelessly discarded smoking materials on an exterior balcony of the building.” High wind conditions rapidly drove the fire up the exterior of the building and through an adjacent, open stairwell. 

Because of its rapid growth up the exterior of the building, the fire extended into the attic before it was detected by a resident. The resident activated the fire alarm as they fled, however the fire destroyed the alarm system wiring shortly after it was activated, silencing the fire alarms.

The Chanute Community Foundation has set up a dedicated fund to collect monetary donations to assist those affected by the fire. Monetary donations may be dropped off at the Chanute Area Chamber, 21 N. Lincoln, and several local banks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711409538765.png" alt="Photos Chanute Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photos Chanute Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEOSHO COUNTY—A fire that killed two in Chanute started from carelessly discarded smoking materials, according to the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office.Just after 1:30a.m.&nbsp; March 21, fire crews were dispatched to a fire at the Cornerstone Apartments, 1520 W. 4th Street in Chanute, Kansas, according to a media release from the office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal.First responders found the south half of the 3-story, 24-unit apartment building was fully engulfed in flames and residents were jumping from windows to escape.Chanute Firefighters, Police Officers, and responders from Neosho County Emergency Medical Services arrived and rescued several residents of the apartment building, while requesting mutual aid assistance from the Parsons, Iola, and Thayer Fire Departments.Tragically, two residents of the apartment building died in the blaze. Kalyn Jones, 22, was found deceased at the scene. Jolavon Haymaker, 90, passed away after being airlifted with severe injuries to K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711409475532.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Seven other residents of the building were injured, and were treated and released by a local hospital.The Chanute Fire Department requested assistance from the Kansas State Fire Marshal in investigating the cause and origin of the fire. A team of certified fire investigators from the State Fire Marshal; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE); the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069034335469&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVi6Bb2aIPDXo6IYpcOtnPxd3Zj7bH9qcSrIIdGb2WHhgBZq8LvRmD9MWl_IlUIoeAD97qht5z_4-DKvYnHgJB424b0tj5JoK-RhPYlg2xc9H4NAhNaiKa0P4lo_52tBJrQhqd0huXz0uzqJeAVlCl1xKxTmzeU3TJwuDExZAGmAEdYEk7fQhuXUz76pGO-QBw&amp;__tn__=-]K*F">Neosho County Sheriff's Office</a>; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/scfiredistrict1?__cft__[0]=AZVi6Bb2aIPDXo6IYpcOtnPxd3Zj7bH9qcSrIIdGb2WHhgBZq8LvRmD9MWl_IlUIoeAD97qht5z_4-DKvYnHgJB424b0tj5JoK-RhPYlg2xc9H4NAhNaiKa0P4lo_52tBJrQhqd0huXz0uzqJeAVlCl1xKxTmzeU3TJwuDExZAGmAEdYEk7fQhuXUz76pGO-QBw&amp;__tn__=-]K*F">Sedgwick County Fire District 1</a>&nbsp;responded. The team has spent more than 140 investigative hours conducting a logical investigation of the fire, reviewing physical evidence at the scene, and completing more than 35 interviews of residents and witnesses.“Our investigation determined the cause of the fire at the Cornerstone Apartments was accidental,” said State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm. “The fire started due to carelessly discarded smoking materials on an exterior balcony of the building.” High wind conditions rapidly drove the fire up the exterior of the building and through an adjacent, open stairwell. Because of its rapid growth up the exterior of the building, the fire extended into the attic before it was detected by a resident. The resident activated the fire alarm as they fled, however the fire destroyed the alarm system wiring shortly after it was activated, silencing the fire alarms.The Chanute Community Foundation has set up a dedicated fund to collect monetary donations to assist those affected by the fire. Monetary donations may be dropped off at the Chanute Area Chamber, 21 N. Lincoln, and several local banks.

Investigators ID victims of deadly Kansas apartment fire

BALTIMORE (AP) — A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people.

Two people were pulled from the waters, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but he said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.

The vessel appears to have crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Though he said it was too early to know how many people were affected, he called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”

The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/patapsco.">according to a buoy</a>&nbsp;that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Cartwright added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.

Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the “Dali” — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while it was in control of two pilots. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.

Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck, according to Cartwright.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

A vessel called Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.

“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.

In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Volunteer Firefighters from <a href="https://twitter.com/jmvfc8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jmvfc8</a>, the Volunteer Swift Water Team and the <a href="https://twitter.com/HarfordCoDES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarfordCoDES</a> Special Operations Team are assisting the Unified Command at the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. <a href="https://t.co/ipoTR2HljY">pic.twitter.com/ipoTR2HljY</a>&mdash; Harford Co., MD Fire &amp; EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarforCoFireEMS/status/1772531201904873564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Two people were pulled from the waters, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but he said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.The vessel appears to have crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Though he said it was too early to know how many people were affected, he called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/patapsco.">according to a buoy</a>&nbsp;that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Cartwright added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the “Dali” — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while it was in control of two pilots. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck, according to Cartwright.From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.A vessel called Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

🎥 Cargo ship hits huge bridge in Baltimore bringing it down

KANSAS CITY —One person died in crash while fleeing a traffic stop just after 2a.m. Monday in Kansas City.

The Missouri Highway Patrol was in pursuit of a white Jeep Grand Cherokee that had refused to stop for a traffic violation, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

The Jeep was westbound at a high rate of speed on 33rd Street. In the area of 33rd and Indiana, the Jeep traveled off the roadway to the right, struck two telephone poles and then a large tree. 

EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Jeep to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to Becchina.

This is Fatality #25 compared to #14 at this time last year and the investigation is ongoing. No KCPD officers were directly involved in the pursuit.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in crash while fleeing a traffic stop just after 2a.m. Monday in Kansas City.The Missouri Highway Patrol was in pursuit of a white Jeep Grand Cherokee that had refused to stop for a traffic violation, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.The Jeep was westbound at a high rate of speed on 33rd Street. In the area of 33rd and Indiana, the Jeep traveled off the roadway to the right, struck two telephone poles and then a large tree. EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Jeep to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to Becchina.This is Fatality #25 compared to #14 at this time last year and the investigation is ongoing. No KCPD officers were directly involved in the pursuit.

Driver dies after Jeep struck telephone poles while fleeing  police

TOPEKA (AP) —Milk from dairy cows in Kansas and in Texas has tested positive for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-ohio-egg-farm-usda-d873383dd0927f8ebbdd850a6eebb9a5">bird flu</a>, U.S. officials said Monday.

Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people. The virus is affecting older dairy cows in those states and in New Mexico, causing decreased lactation and low appetite.

It comes a week after officials in Minnesota announced that goats on a farm where there had been an outbreak of bird flu among poultry were diagnosed with the virus. It's believed to be the first time bird flu — also known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avian-flu-chicken-outbreak-california-poultry-eggs-976f0f82843bf716dbad64f459b4b8be">highly pathogenic avian influenza</a>&nbsp;— was found in U.S. livestock.

The commercial milk supply is safe and risk to people is low, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dairies are required to only allow milk from healthy animals to enter the food supply, and milk from the sick animals is being diverted or destroyed. Pasteurization also kills viruses and other bacteria, and the process is required for milk sold through interstate commerce, the agency said.

“At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health,” the USDA said in a statement.

The federal government said its tests in the cattle did not detect any changes to the virus that would make it spread more easily to people.

Dairy farmers in Texas first became concerned three weeks ago when cattle started falling ill with what officials called “mystery dairy cow disease," Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. Milk production fell sharply and the cows were lethargic and weren't eating much.

“We hadn't seen anything like it before,” he said. “It was kind of like they had a cold.”

The state's animal health commission began an investigation that included tests for bird flu, spokeswoman Erin Robinson said. Based on findings from Texas, USDA officials think the cows got the virus from infected wild birds.

Experts say livestock appear to recover on their own within seven to 10 days. That's different than bird flu outbreaks in poultry, which necessitate killing flocks to get rid of the virus. Since 2022, outbreaks in have led to the loss of about 80 million birds in U.S. commercial flocks.

So far, the virus appears to be infecting about 10% of lactating dairy cows in the affected herds, said Michael Payne, a food animal veterinarian and and biosecurity expert with the University of California-Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.

“This doesn’t look anything like the high-path influenza in bird flocks,” he said.

Bird flu was detected in unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. The virus was also found in a nose and throat swab from another dairy in Texas.

Officials called it a rapidly evolving situation. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are involved, along with officials in the three states. Another dairy-heavy state, Iowa, said it is monitoring the situation.

Dairy industry officials said that producers have started enhanced biosecurity efforts on U.S. farms, including limiting the amount of traffic into and out of properties and restricting visits to employees and essential personnel.

Bird flu previously has been reported in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">48 different mammal species</a>, Payne noted, adding: “It was probably only a matter of time before avian influenza made its way to ruminants.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636037846131.jpeg" alt="photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —Milk from dairy cows in Kansas and in Texas has tested positive for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-ohio-egg-farm-usda-d873383dd0927f8ebbdd850a6eebb9a5">bird flu</a>, U.S. officials said Monday.Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people. The virus is affecting older dairy cows in those states and in New Mexico, causing decreased lactation and low appetite.It comes a week after officials in Minnesota announced that goats on a farm where there had been an outbreak of bird flu among poultry were diagnosed with the virus. It's believed to be the first time bird flu — also known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/avian-flu-chicken-outbreak-california-poultry-eggs-976f0f82843bf716dbad64f459b4b8be">highly pathogenic avian influenza</a>&nbsp;— was found in U.S. livestock.The commercial milk supply is safe and risk to people is low, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dairies are required to only allow milk from healthy animals to enter the food supply, and milk from the sick animals is being diverted or destroyed. Pasteurization also kills viruses and other bacteria, and the process is required for milk sold through interstate commerce, the agency said.“At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health,” the USDA said in a statement.The federal government said its tests in the cattle did not detect any changes to the virus that would make it spread more easily to people.Dairy farmers in Texas first became concerned three weeks ago when cattle started falling ill with what officials called “mystery dairy cow disease," Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. Milk production fell sharply and the cows were lethargic and weren't eating much.“We hadn't seen anything like it before,” he said. “It was kind of like they had a cold.”The state's animal health commission began an investigation that included tests for bird flu, spokeswoman Erin Robinson said. Based on findings from Texas, USDA officials think the cows got the virus from infected wild birds.Experts say livestock appear to recover on their own within seven to 10 days. That's different than bird flu outbreaks in poultry, which necessitate killing flocks to get rid of the virus. Since 2022, outbreaks in have led to the loss of about 80 million birds in U.S. commercial flocks.So far, the virus appears to be infecting about 10% of lactating dairy cows in the affected herds, said Michael Payne, a food animal veterinarian and and biosecurity expert with the University of California-Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.“This doesn’t look anything like the high-path influenza in bird flocks,” he said.Bird flu was detected in unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. The virus was also found in a nose and throat swab from another dairy in Texas.Officials called it a rapidly evolving situation. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are involved, along with officials in the three states. Another dairy-heavy state, Iowa, said it is monitoring the situation.Dairy industry officials said that producers have started enhanced biosecurity efforts on U.S. farms, including limiting the amount of traffic into and out of properties and restricting visits to employees and essential personnel.Bird flu previously has been reported in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">48 different mammal species</a>, Payne noted, adding: “It was probably only a matter of time before avian influenza made its way to ruminants.”___

Dairy cattle in Kansas test positive for bird flu

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot increased to an estimated $865 million after no one won Monday night’s drawing, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day.

The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23.

Since the last winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without a big winner. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">the odds are so long</a>, at 1 in 292.2 million.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-powerball-jackpot-lottery-5e77fc75273d31b6991bbd3c8614d3f6">top prize up for grabs Monday night</a>&nbsp;was for an estimated $800 million.

The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million.

The Powerball prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">has mushroomed</a>&nbsp;at a time when Mega Millions, the other nearly national U.S. lottery game, has become even bigger, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-c0c579d6d29716483756f81646a7430f">an estimated annuity payout of $1.1 billion</a>. The next Mega Millions drawing will be Tuesday night.

Both games are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot increased to an estimated $865 million after no one won Monday night’s drawing, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day.The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23.Since the last winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without a big winner. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">the odds are so long</a>, at 1 in 292.2 million.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-powerball-jackpot-lottery-5e77fc75273d31b6991bbd3c8614d3f6">top prize up for grabs Monday night</a>&nbsp;was for an estimated $800 million.The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million.The Powerball prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">has mushroomed</a>&nbsp;at a time when Mega Millions, the other nearly national U.S. lottery game, has become even bigger, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-c0c579d6d29716483756f81646a7430f">an estimated annuity payout of $1.1 billion</a>. The next Mega Millions drawing will be Tuesday night.Both games are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.

Powerball jackpot climbs to $865 million as long winless drought continues

STAFFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Stafford Police Department reported that 60-year-old Amy Piper was located and is safe.

STAFFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Stafford Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Stafford woman, according to a media release.

The whereabouts of 60-year-old Amy P. Piper are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.

Piper is believed to be driving a white 2013 Honda Fit bearing Kansas tag 214DKS.

She was last seen in Stafford, Kansas on Friday, March 22. Her family cannot reach her and they are concerned about her uncharacteristic behavior.

Piper is a white female who is 5 ft. 2 in tall, and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has white hair and blue eyes.&nbsp;

If you see Amy Piper or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 620-549-3247.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711474314164.png" alt="Amy Piper-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Amy Piper-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>STAFFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Stafford Police Department reported that 60-year-old Amy Piper was located and is safe.The silver alert is now canceled.&nbsp;-----------STAFFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Stafford Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Stafford woman, according to a media release.The whereabouts of 60-year-old Amy P. Piper are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.Piper is believed to be driving a white 2013 Honda Fit bearing Kansas tag 214DKS.She was last seen in Stafford, Kansas on Friday, March 22. Her family cannot reach her and they are concerned about her uncharacteristic behavior.Piper is a white female who is 5 ft. 2 in tall, and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has white hair and blue eyes.&nbsp;If you see Amy Piper or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 620-549-3247.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas woman found

ELDORDO —El Dorado Correctional Facility inmate 39-year-old John Lewis Wardrup died on Monday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Wardrup was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. 

Wardrup, originally served an 88-month sentence for Forgery and Attempted Rape and had been on post-release supervision. He was most recently serving time for violating conditions of supervision, plus an 18-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County, Kansas of Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He had listed as a registered sex offender since 2014.

The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711392630530.png" alt="Wardrup photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Wardrup photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>ELDORDO —El Dorado Correctional Facility inmate 39-year-old John Lewis Wardrup died on Monday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Wardrup was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. Wardrup, originally served an 88-month sentence for Forgery and Attempted Rape and had been on post-release supervision. He was most recently serving time for violating conditions of supervision, plus an 18-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County, Kansas of Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He had listed as a registered sex offender since 2014.The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Kansas registered sex offender found dead in prison

KAY COUNTY , OKla —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly crash that left one dead and two injured on Monday.&nbsp;

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Avenger with 4 occupants was southbound on Interstate 35 Near Tonkawa.

The vehicle left the road and struck 3 construction workers, employees of Wildcat Construction from Wichita, who were working on the bridge embankment, off the roadway.

 Two were injured and were flown to a hospital in Kansas. One identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old Jacob Matuszczak, a construction worker, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It appears the 17-year-old driver had fallen asleep. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the Patrol investigation. The driver and three passengers were not injured.

The Patrol Traffic Homicide unit is investigating and will present the facts to the Kay County D.A. when complete.

"This is yet another reminder to stay alert and watch for vehicles and/or workers on the side of the road" the Patrol reminded.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711414261349.png" alt="Photo Oklahoma Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Oklahoma Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>KAY COUNTY , OKla —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly crash that left one dead and two injured on Monday.&nbsp;The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Dodge Avenger with 4 occupants was southbound on Interstate 35 Near Tonkawa.The vehicle left the road and struck 3 construction workers, employees of Wildcat Construction from Wichita, who were working on the bridge embankment, off the roadway. Two were injured and were flown to a hospital in Kansas. One identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old Jacob Matuszczak, a construction worker, was pronounced dead at the scene.It appears the 17-year-old driver had fallen asleep. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the Patrol investigation. The driver and three passengers were not injured.The Patrol Traffic Homicide unit is investigating and will present the facts to the Kay County D.A. when complete."This is yet another reminder to stay alert and watch for vehicles and/or workers on the side of the road" the Patrol reminded.

Construction worker from Kan. killed, 2 hurt after struck by car

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a drug deal killing is going to prison.

On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251032">Tobias Love</a>, 21, Wichita, was sentenced to 109 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. July 1, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of North Glendale in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers arrived on the scene and located 17-year-old Jaron Reed unconscious and not breathing with several gunshot wounds to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.

While officers were processing the scene a 21-year-old male victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his hand. The 21-year-old victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The 21- year-old victim was treated by medical staff and dismissed from the hospital and transported to investigations for further questioning.

Detectives learned that Reed and Love met to conduct a drug transaction before multiple shots were fired. Detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

In July, Love was charged with first-degree murder and one count of distribution of marijuana. He later accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder and distribution of marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711207161145.png" alt="Love photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Love photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a drug deal killing is going to prison.On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251032">Tobias Love</a>, 21, Wichita, was sentenced to 109 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.At approximately 6:30 p.m. July 1, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of North Glendale in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688315722286.png" alt="-First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>-First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers arrived on the scene and located 17-year-old Jaron Reed unconscious and not breathing with several gunshot wounds to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.While officers were processing the scene a 21-year-old male victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his hand. The 21-year-old victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.The 21- year-old victim was treated by medical staff and dismissed from the hospital and transported to investigations for further questioning.Detectives learned that Reed and Love met to conduct a drug transaction before multiple shots were fired. Detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.In July, Love was charged with first-degree murder and one count of distribution of marijuana. He later accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder and distribution of marijuana.

Kansas man accepts plea deal for drug sale murder

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

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/"></a> TOPEKA — Legislation billed as a way to block underage Kansans from seeing porn could potentially stop teens from accessing classical works of art, books, LGBTQ material and other online content housed on websites, as well as potentially cost these websites thousands in legal fees, critics warn.

If implemented, the bill would also cost the state around $210,000 in fiscal year 2025 and at least $220,000 in fiscal year 2026 to create new positions to investigate websites, according to fiscal note estimates.&nbsp;

Though several Democratic lawmakers urged their colleagues in the House to more carefully consider the chilling effects of the bill, a Republican-dominated vote has moved the bill one step closer to passage.&nbsp;

Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican and carrier of the bill, warned her colleagues of the dangers of porn Monday.&nbsp;

“Pornography normalizes violence and abuse against women and children,” Humphries said. “It impacts brain development and functioning and is potentially biologically addictive.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711404620270.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;In the House of Representatives, lawmakers on Monday voted to take action on several pieces of legislation . (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;In the House of Representatives, lawmakers on Monday voted to take action on several pieces of legislation . (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> Kansas Reflector<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/"></a> TOPEKA — Legislation billed as a way to block underage Kansans from seeing porn could potentially stop teens from accessing classical works of art, books, LGBTQ material and other online content housed on websites, as well as potentially cost these websites thousands in legal fees, critics warn.If implemented, the bill would also cost the state around $210,000 in fiscal year 2025 and at least $220,000 in fiscal year 2026 to create new positions to investigate websites, according to fiscal note estimates.&nbsp;Though several Democratic lawmakers urged their colleagues in the House to more carefully consider the chilling effects of the bill, a Republican-dominated vote has moved the bill one step closer to passage.&nbsp;Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican and carrier of the bill, warned her colleagues of the dangers of porn Monday.&nbsp;“Pornography normalizes violence and abuse against women and children,” Humphries said. “It impacts brain development and functioning and is potentially biologically addictive.”<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb394/">Senate Bill 394</a>&nbsp;would require age verification for websites that contain 25% or more content that is “harmful to minors,” as defined by state statute.&nbsp;Current state statute defines the description, exhibition, presentation, or representation of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse as harmful to minors. Since homosexuality is rolled into the definition of “sexual conduct” under statute, several lawmakers said this wording could lead to a ban on LGBTQ online materials for those under 18.&nbsp;The bill contains a caution that the work must be deemed to contain “prurient interest in sex to minors,” and that a reasonable person would find the material lacking in serious literary, scientific, educational, artistic or political value for minors. But bill critics warned of the dangers of leaving this standard up to subjective interpretation.&nbsp;Rep. Rui Xu, a Westwood Democrat, pressed Humphries on the bill’s full implications for LGBTQ content. Xu gave the example of a blog listing the most gay-friendly cities. A website dedicated to providing seminal books such as the “The Catcher in the Rye,” or even the Bible could also be subject to restrictions. An art blog depicting the statue of David could also be subjected to scrutiny.“With all these bills, think about the unintended consequences or intended consequences, I don’t know,” Xu said. “The definitions are much broader than we actually think.”Under the bill, the attorney general would be responsible for investigating public reports of noncompliance with the law. The attorney general would be allowed to seek civil penalties against websites ranging from $500 to $10,000 for each underage visit. The parent or guardian of a minor who gained access to age-restricted websites would be allowed to file a lawsuit and seek damages of $50,000 or more.Wichita Democrat Rep. John Carmichael, one of several other lawmakers to point out the bill’s shortcomings, said parents already had many ways to stop their children from watching porn.“We in America cherish our First Amendment rights,” Carmichael said. “I’m sure all of us know people who have given their lives in defense of that First Amendment. And the fact that some people find some material harmful to minors that other people find to be a part of a good education should not mean that we erase materials that some parents may disagree with from the internet, or for that matter school curriculum.”Others pointed to potential problems with the age verification system itself, since it would give third-party verification systems access to documents such as drivers’ licenses or passports.&nbsp;“Minors should not have access to porn and that is harmful to them. We can all agree to that,” said Rep. Dan Osman, an Overland Park Democrat. “…When we talk about what’s actually occurring with this bill, you’re going to put in your license or your passport into a third-party system, probably located outside of the United States, and you don’t know what’s going to happen with that information.“These companies are outside the United States. They’re not within the jurisdiction of the state of Kansas and if you as an individual are harmed by this, if you have your identity stolen because of this … you’re never getting restitution on that issue.”&nbsp;The bill already passed the Senate. Final House action on the bill is expected to occur in the next few days, after which the legislation will be sent to the governor’s desk.<h2>Civil assets</h2>House lawmakers also advanced a bill to change the state’s long-standing civil asset forfeiture practice, one widely characterized as in dire need of reform.&nbsp;Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agencies to seize cash and property they suspect was used in a crime. In Kansas, where police can take property they believe to be connected to crime before the property owner is charged or convicted, close to $25.3 million in cash and property has been seized by Kansas law enforcement agencies over the past three and a half years.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb458/">Senate Bill 458</a>&nbsp;would remove the crime of drug possession from the list of offenses subject to forfeiture, shorten the window of time for property to be returned to the owner, require a judge to approve a probable cause affidavit before a forfeiture case could proceed, and allow defendants who recovered more than half of their property to recoup attorney fees and litigation costs.Final House action on the bill is expected to occur in the next few days. The bill will then go to the governor.&nbsp;<h2>Cellphones</h2>House lawmakers also advanced a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb142/">&nbsp;traffic bill</a>&nbsp;that would ban minors under 18 from using a cellphone while driving, and ban all Kansas drivers from using cellphones in school zones when reduced speed warnings are in effect, or while driving in construction zones.&nbsp;The bill gained initial approval on the House floor, with final action on the bill expected tomorrow.&nbsp;&nbsp;Law enforcement would be authorized to issue warnings until July 1, 2025, and issue $60 fines after that date.&nbsp;Exceptions are allowed for law enforcement or emergency personnel while on the job, a motorist stopped in a safe spot as well as a person using a hands-free device or a device permanently affixed to the vehicle. Motorists who used a cellphone to report illegal activity, prevent imminent injury to a person or damage to property, make a call for emergency medical assistance or relay information to a transit dispatcher would also be exempt.&nbsp;Another provision requires drivers approaching a stopped vehicle using caution signals or other hazard warnings to change lanes if possible and to proceed with caution. Violations would carry a $75 fine.&nbsp;