KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly weekend shooting in Kansas City.

Early Sunday, police responded to the area of 8th and Pennsylvania, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte'

First responders found an&nbsp;unresponsive man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds located in a park. EMS transported him to hospital where he succumbed to injuries.&nbsp;

Police released no additional details or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693791510421.png" alt="Photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly weekend shooting in Kansas City.Early Sunday, police responded to the area of 8th and Pennsylvania, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte'First responders found an&nbsp;unresponsive man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds located in a park. EMS transported him to hospital where he succumbed to injuries.&nbsp;Police released no additional details or suspect information.

Homicide: Man found with multiple gunshot wounds in KC park

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, U.S. Dept. of Defense&nbsp;&nbsp;

An artificial intelligence-powered airspace ​monitoring ​system is set ​to ​be installed to enhance protection of the nation's capital​ with the potential to scale across other Defense Department and U.S. government installations​​ and systems​.

The upgraded visual recognition​, ​identification ​and warning ​system delivers a tenfold increase in performance capability compared to the 9/11-era system it replaces, said Air Force Lt. Col. Kurtis Engelson, the materiel leader for Battle Control Systems, which oversees the ​National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System ​program​ that partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit to utilize its commercial ​​solutions opening solicitation process​ to rapidly prototype a solution and create a path for the Air Force to procure successful prototypes.

"It's a cutting-edge surveillance, identification and tracking system that monitors and defends the controlled airspace around Washington, D.C., part of the National Capital Region​-​Integrated Air Defense System," Engelson said.

After an 18-month prototype demonstration concluded in April, it was announced that Teleidoscope, a first-time, non-traditional Defense Department vendor, was awarded a $100 million ceiling production contract. Orders for the system are already in progress and fielding is to begin this year, Engelson said.&nbsp;

​​Initial prototype​​ and procurement funding​​ was provided by the U.S. Air Force, and additional ​​p​​rocurement ​funding was ​provided by the ​​Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies&nbsp; program as part of its mission to ​accelerate the procurement and fielding of innovative technologies​ and help successful prototypes cross the proverbial "valley of death" for prototypes and move technology into production faster.​

The new system leverages "market advancements in machine learning and augmented reality features in surveillance cameras that assist air battle managers with their ability to identify flying objects within NCR airspace", Engelson said.

The production effort focuses on upgrading the cameras and eye-safe lasers used for tracking and visually warning aircraft in violation of the special flight rules within ​the​​​&nbsp;​​​​region. The updates significantly improve air defense operators' ability to positively identify aircraft and aim warning lasers at much further ranges, Engelson said. Laser Visual Warning System provides those involved with securing the air space over the national capital region, a rapid means of contacting pilots when radio attempts have failed.

The auto-tracking capabilities of the system are applicable to full-motion video feeds, irrespective of the domain, opening the door to augment remotely piloted aircraft video feed tracking capabilities. The software from this prototype has the potential to run on any edge device or cloud-provided, full-motion video feed. The technology has broad national defense applicability across the services for defense against asymmetric and near-peer threats like unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles, ​Nick Ksiazek, the DIU program manager for the effort said​.

Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said success and speed in fielding this technology in such a condensed timeframe exemplifies the improvements her office is driving. "We are able to rapidly identify operational needs and materialize them into usable national defense solutions. This saves time and money, but more importantly, the decision advantage gained by technologies like this will save lives," she said.

The Washington, D.C., area is home to over 6 million people, key military bases, intelligence agencies, and federal, state and local governments.

The skies over the metro area are filled with commercial and military air traffic and an increasing number of privately owned drones.

Protecting this metro area from air threats by terrorists and adversaries is the National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System, a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command​.​

Should an aerial threat materialize, an integrated air defense system is activated by DOD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693262242573.png" alt="A team from Teleidoscope demonstrates upgraded electro-optical/infrared cameras with enhanced capabilities to improve airspace awareness in California. The company was awarded a contract for an artificial intelligence-powered detection system to monitor the airspace around Washington, D.C.&nbsp;Photo&nbsp;Courtesy of Defense Innovation Unit" />
 <figcaption>A team from Teleidoscope demonstrates upgraded electro-optical/infrared cameras with enhanced capabilities to improve airspace awareness in California. The company was awarded a contract for an artificial intelligence-powered detection system to monitor the airspace around Washington, D.C.&nbsp;Photo&nbsp;Courtesy of Defense Innovation Unit</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, U.S. Dept. of Defense&nbsp;&nbsp;An artificial intelligence-powered airspace ​monitoring ​system is set ​to ​be installed to enhance protection of the nation's capital​ with the potential to scale across other Defense Department and U.S. government installations​​ and systems​.The upgraded visual recognition​, ​identification ​and warning ​system delivers a tenfold increase in performance capability compared to the 9/11-era system it replaces, said Air Force Lt. Col. Kurtis Engelson, the materiel leader for Battle Control Systems, which oversees the ​National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System ​program​ that partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit to utilize its commercial ​​solutions opening solicitation process​ to rapidly prototype a solution and create a path for the Air Force to procure successful prototypes."It's a cutting-edge surveillance, identification and tracking system that monitors and defends the controlled airspace around Washington, D.C., part of the National Capital Region​-​Integrated Air Defense System," Engelson said.After an 18-month prototype demonstration concluded in April, it was announced that Teleidoscope, a first-time, non-traditional Defense Department vendor, was awarded a $100 million ceiling production contract. Orders for the system are already in progress and fielding is to begin this year, Engelson said.&nbsp;​​Initial prototype​​ and procurement funding​​ was provided by the U.S. Air Force, and additional ​​p​​rocurement ​funding was ​provided by the ​​Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies&nbsp; program as part of its mission to ​accelerate the procurement and fielding of innovative technologies​ and help successful prototypes cross the proverbial "valley of death" for prototypes and move technology into production faster.​The new system leverages "market advancements in machine learning and augmented reality features in surveillance cameras that assist air battle managers with their ability to identify flying objects within NCR airspace", Engelson said.The production effort focuses on upgrading the cameras and eye-safe lasers used for tracking and visually warning aircraft in violation of the special flight rules within ​the​​​&nbsp;​​​​region. The updates significantly improve air defense operators' ability to positively identify aircraft and aim warning lasers at much further ranges, Engelson said. Laser Visual Warning System provides those involved with securing the air space over the national capital region, a rapid means of contacting pilots when radio attempts have failed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693262354509.png" alt="An artificial intelligence-powered detection system will soon monitor the airspace around metropolitan Washington, D.C.&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Perry Aston" />
 <figcaption>An artificial intelligence-powered detection system will soon monitor the airspace around metropolitan Washington, D.C.&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Perry Aston</figcaption>
 </figure>The auto-tracking capabilities of the system are applicable to full-motion video feeds, irrespective of the domain, opening the door to augment remotely piloted aircraft video feed tracking capabilities. The software from this prototype has the potential to run on any edge device or cloud-provided, full-motion video feed. The technology has broad national defense applicability across the services for defense against asymmetric and near-peer threats like unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles, ​Nick Ksiazek, the DIU program manager for the effort said​.Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, said success and speed in fielding this technology in such a condensed timeframe exemplifies the improvements her office is driving. "We are able to rapidly identify operational needs and materialize them into usable national defense solutions. This saves time and money, but more importantly, the decision advantage gained by technologies like this will save lives," she said.The Washington, D.C., area is home to over 6 million people, key military bases, intelligence agencies, and federal, state and local governments.The skies over the metro area are filled with commercial and military air traffic and an increasing number of privately owned drones.Protecting this metro area from air threats by terrorists and adversaries is the National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System, a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command​.​Should an aerial threat materialize, an integrated air defense system is activated by DOD.

AI-enabled detection system will monitor D.C. airspace

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man identified on security cameras as involved in a fatal shooting is headed to prison.

A judged sentenced 25-year-old Malcolm Ganther to just over 10-year in prison months for second degree murder and aggravated battery in the shooting death of 17-year-old Marcus Sain, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On the afternoon of May 21, 2020 police responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of South Webb Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, police located Sain in a parking lot with critical injuries.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and died, according to Davidson.

Several minutes later, officers responded to an area hospital regarding an 18-year-old male walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and released.

The investigation revealed Ganther, c0-defendant Nathanial Saunders, Sain, and an 18-year-old boy had arranged to meet in the apartment complex parking lot regarding a drug transaction.

A suspect arrived at the apartment complex parking lot driving a newer-model white mustang, and Ganther arrived at the same time driving a grey Buick.&nbsp; Sain and the 18-year-old walked up and got into the Buick, occupied by Ganther.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the transaction inside the Buick, a disturbance ensued, and the suspect seated in the Mustang exited the car and fired multiple shots at Sain and the 18-year-old, striking them and causing their injuries.&nbsp; Ganther then fled in the Buick, and the second suspect fled in the Mustang.

Through the community’s help and the investigation, Ganther was identified and arrested at his home in the 300 block of North Edgemoor in Wichita. Investigators also located the Buick vehicle involved.&nbsp;

Saunders scheduled sentencing last week was continued to Sept. 15, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590157799937.png" alt="Ganther-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ganther-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man identified on security cameras as involved in a fatal shooting is headed to prison.A judged sentenced 25-year-old Malcolm Ganther to just over 10-year in prison months for second degree murder and aggravated battery in the shooting death of 17-year-old Marcus Sain, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On the afternoon of May 21, 2020 police responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of South Webb Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;Upon arrival, police located Sain in a parking lot with critical injuries.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and died, according to Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693341440789.png" alt="Ganther-as seen on security camera -Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Ganther-as seen on security camera -Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Several minutes later, officers responded to an area hospital regarding an 18-year-old male walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and released.The investigation revealed Ganther, c0-defendant Nathanial Saunders, Sain, and an 18-year-old boy had arranged to meet in the apartment complex parking lot regarding a drug transaction.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693341117396.png" alt="Photo Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>A suspect arrived at the apartment complex parking lot driving a newer-model white mustang, and Ganther arrived at the same time driving a grey Buick.&nbsp; Sain and the 18-year-old walked up and got into the Buick, occupied by Ganther.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598393802179.png" alt="Saunders-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Saunders-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the transaction inside the Buick, a disturbance ensued, and the suspect seated in the Mustang exited the car and fired multiple shots at Sain and the 18-year-old, striking them and causing their injuries.&nbsp; Ganther then fled in the Buick, and the second suspect fled in the Mustang.Through the community’s help and the investigation, Ganther was identified and arrested at his home in the 300 block of North Edgemoor in Wichita. Investigators also located the Buick vehicle involved.&nbsp;Saunders scheduled sentencing last week was continued to Sept. 15, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Kan. man caught on camera sentenced for drug deal killing

KANSAS CITY&nbsp;(AP) — A death row inmate is suing Missouri Gov. Mike Parson over the governor's decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-murder-newspaper-dna-governor-innocence-5b068258172e1cd938498e9e8361f01b">dissolve a board of inquiry</a>&nbsp;that was convened to investigate the man's innocence claim.

The lawsuit on behalf of Marcellus Williams asks a state judge to invalidate Parson's June order that did away with the inquiry board. Parson also lifted a stay of execution. The next day, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey asked the state Supreme Court to set an execution date, though no date has been set. Bailey also is named in the lawsuit filed last month.

Williams, 54, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her home in the St. Louis suburb of University City. Gayle worked at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 1981 to 1992 before leaving to do social work.

Williams was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2fea0cfd4d73446c8475ccae31b1ea67">hours away from execution in 2017</a>&nbsp;when then-Gov. Eric Greitens halted the process and ordered an investigation. His decision followed the release of new DNA testing unavailable at the time of the killing. It showed that DNA found on the knife used to stab Gayle matched an unknown person, not Williams, attorneys for Williams said.

The former St. Louis County prosecutor said there was ample other evidence pointing to Williams as the killer.

A panel of five judges was appointed to investigate, but after six years, no conclusion was reached. Parson said in a statement in June that it was time to “move forward" on the case.

“We could stall and delay for another six years, deferring justice, leaving a victim’s family in limbo, and solving nothing," Parson said. "This administration won’t do that.”

The lawsuit states that Greitens' 2017 order required the inquiry board to provide a report and recommendation — but Parson received neither.

“The dissolution of the board of inquiry before a report or recommendation could be issued means that, to date, no judge has ruled on the full evidence of Mr. William’s innocence,” Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, said in a statement. “Knowing that, the state of Missouri still seeks to execute him. That is not justice.”

Parson's spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Bailey said in a statement that his office “will always unabashedly pursue justice for victims. In this case, that looks like carrying out the lawful sentence and judgment handed down by the Court.”

Prosecutors said Williams broke a window pane to get inside Gayle’s home on Aug. 11, 1998, heard water running in the shower, and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husband’s laptop were stolen.

Authorities said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams’ girlfriend asked him why he would wear a jacket on such a hot day. The girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later.

Prosecutors also cited testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a St. Louis cell with Williams in 1999 while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it.

Williams’ attorneys responded that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons out for a $10,000 reward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688086205294.png" alt="Williams-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp;(AP) — A death row inmate is suing Missouri Gov. Mike Parson over the governor's decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-murder-newspaper-dna-governor-innocence-5b068258172e1cd938498e9e8361f01b">dissolve a board of inquiry</a>&nbsp;that was convened to investigate the man's innocence claim.The lawsuit on behalf of Marcellus Williams asks a state judge to invalidate Parson's June order that did away with the inquiry board. Parson also lifted a stay of execution. The next day, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey asked the state Supreme Court to set an execution date, though no date has been set. Bailey also is named in the lawsuit filed last month.Williams, 54, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her home in the St. Louis suburb of University City. Gayle worked at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 1981 to 1992 before leaving to do social work.Williams was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2fea0cfd4d73446c8475ccae31b1ea67">hours away from execution in 2017</a>&nbsp;when then-Gov. Eric Greitens halted the process and ordered an investigation. His decision followed the release of new DNA testing unavailable at the time of the killing. It showed that DNA found on the knife used to stab Gayle matched an unknown person, not Williams, attorneys for Williams said.The former St. Louis County prosecutor said there was ample other evidence pointing to Williams as the killer.A panel of five judges was appointed to investigate, but after six years, no conclusion was reached. Parson said in a statement in June that it was time to “move forward" on the case.“We could stall and delay for another six years, deferring justice, leaving a victim’s family in limbo, and solving nothing," Parson said. "This administration won’t do that.”The lawsuit states that Greitens' 2017 order required the inquiry board to provide a report and recommendation — but Parson received neither.“The dissolution of the board of inquiry before a report or recommendation could be issued means that, to date, no judge has ruled on the full evidence of Mr. William’s innocence,” Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, said in a statement. “Knowing that, the state of Missouri still seeks to execute him. That is not justice.”Parson's spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Bailey said in a statement that his office “will always unabashedly pursue justice for victims. In this case, that looks like carrying out the lawful sentence and judgment handed down by the Court.”Prosecutors said Williams broke a window pane to get inside Gayle’s home on Aug. 11, 1998, heard water running in the shower, and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husband’s laptop were stolen.Authorities said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams’ girlfriend asked him why he would wear a jacket on such a hot day. The girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later.Prosecutors also cited testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a St. Louis cell with Williams in 1999 while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it.Williams’ attorneys responded that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons out for a $10,000 reward.

Legal battle: Death row inmate claims he is innocent of murder

AUSTIN (AP) —A federal judge has struck down a Texas law requiring age verification and health warnings to view pornographic websites and blocked the state attorney general's office from enforcing it.

In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra agreed with claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB01181F.pdf#navpanes=0">House Bill 1181</a>, which was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June, violates free speech rights and is overbroad and vague.

The state attorney general's office, which is defending the law, immediately filed notice of appeal to the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The lawsuit was filed Aug. 4 by the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry and a person identified as Jane Doe and described as an adult entertainer on various adult sites, including Pornhub.

Judge Ezra also said the law, which was to take effect Friday, raises privacy concerns because a permissible age verification is using a traceable government-issued identification and the government has access to and is not required to delete the data.

“People will be particularly concerned about accessing controversial speech when the state government can log and track that access,” Ezra wrote. “By verifying information through government identification, the law will allow the government to peer into the most intimate and personal aspects of people’s lives.”

Ezra said Texas has a legitimate goal of protecting children from online sexual material, but noted other measures, including blocking and filtering software, exist.

“These methods are more effective and less restrictive in terms of protecting minors from adult content,” Ezra wrote.

The judge also found the law unconstitutionally compels speech by requiring adult sites to post health warnings they dispute — that pornography is addictive, impairs mental development and increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation and child sexual abuse images.

“The disclosures state scientific findings as a matter of fact, when in reality, they range from heavily contested to unsupported by the evidence,” Ezra wrote.

The Texas law is one of several similar laws&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/porn-age-verification-utah-8f8f4960ad1ec4afc5d59fd7d34c3b9d">passed in other states</a>, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana.

The Texas law carried fines of up to $10,000 per violation that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor.

AUSTIN (AP) —A federal judge has struck down a Texas law requiring age verification and health warnings to view pornographic websites and blocked the state attorney general's office from enforcing it.In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra agreed with claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB01181F.pdf#navpanes=0">House Bill 1181</a>, which was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June, violates free speech rights and is overbroad and vague.The state attorney general's office, which is defending the law, immediately filed notice of appeal to the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans.The lawsuit was filed Aug. 4 by the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry and a person identified as Jane Doe and described as an adult entertainer on various adult sites, including Pornhub.Judge Ezra also said the law, which was to take effect Friday, raises privacy concerns because a permissible age verification is using a traceable government-issued identification and the government has access to and is not required to delete the data.“People will be particularly concerned about accessing controversial speech when the state government can log and track that access,” Ezra wrote. “By verifying information through government identification, the law will allow the government to peer into the most intimate and personal aspects of people’s lives.”Ezra said Texas has a legitimate goal of protecting children from online sexual material, but noted other measures, including blocking and filtering software, exist.“These methods are more effective and less restrictive in terms of protecting minors from adult content,” Ezra wrote.The judge also found the law unconstitutionally compels speech by requiring adult sites to post health warnings they dispute — that pornography is addictive, impairs mental development and increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation and child sexual abuse images.“The disclosures state scientific findings as a matter of fact, when in reality, they range from heavily contested to unsupported by the evidence,” Ezra wrote.The Texas law is one of several similar laws&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/porn-age-verification-utah-8f8f4960ad1ec4afc5d59fd7d34c3b9d">passed in other states</a>, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana.The Texas law carried fines of up to $10,000 per violation that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor.

Judge strikes down law requiring age verification to view porn websites

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Children in many states are being wrongly cut off from Medicaid because of a “glitch” in the automated systems being used in a massive eligibility review for the government-run health care program, a top Medicaid official said Wednesday.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is asking all states to review their computer-automated processes to make sure that children are evaluated separately from their parents — and aren't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-health-care-coverage-77d715bdb520316820d3cccbfda9cff7">losing coverage</a>&nbsp;merely because of their parents' ineligibility or inaction.

Though federal officials remained vague about the scope of the problem, it likely involves at least half the states and potentially affects millions of children, said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.

“I think it’s a very significant problem,” said Alker, whose center is tracking the Medicaid renewal process in each state.

In most states, children can qualify for Medicaid at household incomes that are several times higher than allowed for adults.

Yet in many states, “eligible kids are not being successfully renewed, and that is a violation of federal requirements,” said Daniel Tsai, director of the CMS Center for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Services.

All states are in the midst of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/access-to-health-care-48d1f565c800139bb397bb886436968f">enormous eligibility review for Medicaid</a>. A pandemic-era prohibition on removing people from Medicaid ended in the spring, triggering the resumption of annual eligibility determinations. While the freeze was in effect, Medicaid enrollment swelled by nearly one-third, from 71 million people in February 2020 to 94 million in April 2023.

About 5 million people already have lost coverage as part of the eligibility reviews, according to an Associated Press tally from state reports.

States are encouraged to automatically renew people for Medicaid by using computer programs to review income and household information submitted for other social services, such as food aid or unemployment benefits. When that doesn't work, states are to send notices to homes asking people to verify their eligibility information. When people fail to respond, they are dropped from Medicaid — a move described as a “procedural termination” by Medicaid officials.

Tsai said a “systems glitch” in some states is flagging entire households for further information — and dropping all family members when there's no response — instead of reviewing each individual separately and automatically renewing children who remain eligible.

A top Medicaid official in Maryland confirmed it's one of the states with that problem.

"Maryland has responded immediately and is working closely with CMS to resolve this issue in a way that helps keep eligible individuals, particularly children, covered on Medicaid,” said Ryan Moran, the state's Medicaid director and deputy secretary of health care financing.

He said Maryland is pausing all procedural terminations in August, retroactively reinstating coverage for children who weren't renewed in the automated process and working to fix its system as quickly as possible.

Moran said the state has identified 3,153 children who were potentially affected — a little less than 5% of the state's total procedural terminations to date. Some of those children still could eventually be determined to be ineligible.

CMS sent letters Wednesday to states giving them until Sept. 13 to report whether their automated renewal systems have similar problems. Those that do are instructed to pause procedural terminations for affected individuals, reinstate coverage for those already dropped and devise a way to prevent further wrongful cutoffs until their automated systems can be fixed.

Some states already have taken steps to prevent such situations. Missouri's computer system cannot automatically renew coverage when a child is eligible but a parent's eligibility is in question. So staff are handling those cases manually, often causing the process to extend into another month, said Caitlin Whaley, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Children in many states are being wrongly cut off from Medicaid because of a “glitch” in the automated systems being used in a massive eligibility review for the government-run health care program, a top Medicaid official said Wednesday.The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is asking all states to review their computer-automated processes to make sure that children are evaluated separately from their parents — and aren't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-health-care-coverage-77d715bdb520316820d3cccbfda9cff7">losing coverage</a>&nbsp;merely because of their parents' ineligibility or inaction.Though federal officials remained vague about the scope of the problem, it likely involves at least half the states and potentially affects millions of children, said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.“I think it’s a very significant problem,” said Alker, whose center is tracking the Medicaid renewal process in each state.In most states, children can qualify for Medicaid at household incomes that are several times higher than allowed for adults.Yet in many states, “eligible kids are not being successfully renewed, and that is a violation of federal requirements,” said Daniel Tsai, director of the CMS Center for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Services.All states are in the midst of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/access-to-health-care-48d1f565c800139bb397bb886436968f">enormous eligibility review for Medicaid</a>. A pandemic-era prohibition on removing people from Medicaid ended in the spring, triggering the resumption of annual eligibility determinations. While the freeze was in effect, Medicaid enrollment swelled by nearly one-third, from 71 million people in February 2020 to 94 million in April 2023.About 5 million people already have lost coverage as part of the eligibility reviews, according to an Associated Press tally from state reports.States are encouraged to automatically renew people for Medicaid by using computer programs to review income and household information submitted for other social services, such as food aid or unemployment benefits. When that doesn't work, states are to send notices to homes asking people to verify their eligibility information. When people fail to respond, they are dropped from Medicaid — a move described as a “procedural termination” by Medicaid officials.Tsai said a “systems glitch” in some states is flagging entire households for further information — and dropping all family members when there's no response — instead of reviewing each individual separately and automatically renewing children who remain eligible.A top Medicaid official in Maryland confirmed it's one of the states with that problem."Maryland has responded immediately and is working closely with CMS to resolve this issue in a way that helps keep eligible individuals, particularly children, covered on Medicaid,” said Ryan Moran, the state's Medicaid director and deputy secretary of health care financing.He said Maryland is pausing all procedural terminations in August, retroactively reinstating coverage for children who weren't renewed in the automated process and working to fix its system as quickly as possible.Moran said the state has identified 3,153 children who were potentially affected — a little less than 5% of the state's total procedural terminations to date. Some of those children still could eventually be determined to be ineligible.CMS sent letters Wednesday to states giving them until Sept. 13 to report whether their automated renewal systems have similar problems. Those that do are instructed to pause procedural terminations for affected individuals, reinstate coverage for those already dropped and devise a way to prevent further wrongful cutoffs until their automated systems can be fixed.Some states already have taken steps to prevent such situations. Missouri's computer system cannot automatically renew coverage when a child is eligible but a parent's eligibility is in question. So staff are handling those cases manually, often causing the process to extend into another month, said Caitlin Whaley, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Children wrongly dropped from Medicaid because of automation `glitch'

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas closed August with total tax collections at $640.1 million. That is $24.5 million, or 3.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 1.9% from August 2022, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYnVkZ2V0LmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzAyX0F1Z3VzdF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wOS0wMS0yMDIzX0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MDEuODIwMDU2MTEifQ.gb4ucRcW8FppCjuUpkilrtH_6SnKg0cw1hvA8wDwXVI/s/1303160919/br/225203997832-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the August 2023 revenue numbers.

Individual income tax collections were $299.3 million. That is $25.7 million, or 7.9% below the estimate, and down 2.6% from August 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $25.1 million, or 25.5%, higher than the estimate and up 62.3% from August 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.9%, below the estimate and down $10.5 million, or 3.5%, from August 2022.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas closed August with total tax collections at $640.1 million. That is $24.5 million, or 3.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 1.9% from August 2022, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYnVkZ2V0LmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzAyX0F1Z3VzdF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wOS0wMS0yMDIzX0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MDEuODIwMDU2MTEifQ.gb4ucRcW8FppCjuUpkilrtH_6SnKg0cw1hvA8wDwXVI/s/1303160919/br/225203997832-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the August 2023 revenue numbers.Individual income tax collections were $299.3 million. That is $25.7 million, or 7.9% below the estimate, and down 2.6% from August 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $25.1 million, or 25.5%, higher than the estimate and up 62.3% from August 2022.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.9%, below the estimate and down $10.5 million, or 3.5%, from August 2022.&nbsp;

August tax collection in Kansas $24.5 million below estimate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita and have made an arrest.

Just before 10 p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 11200 block of East Central Avenue, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers arrived on the scene and located 69-year-old Norma Williams of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to her upper body. 

Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Mrs. Williams was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

During the investigation, officers learned that Mrs. Williams was the front passenger of a 2021 Honda Ridgeline traveling northbound on Greenwich, approaching the eastbound lanes of Kellogg Drive. 

When they reached the intersection a group of motorcycles riding eastbound ran the red light and one of the motorcycles driven by 19-year-old Daryon Boone of Wichita struck their vehicle. Following the incident, Boone followed the vehicle, ultimately producing a handgun and shooting into the vehicle, which fatally injured Mrs. Williams.

Police arrested Boone&nbsp; on a requested charge of first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693697348233.png" alt="Boone-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Boone-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita and have made an arrest.Just before 10 p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 11200 block of East Central Avenue, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers arrived on the scene and located 69-year-old Norma Williams of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to her upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Mrs. Williams was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.During the investigation, officers learned that Mrs. Williams was the front passenger of a 2021 Honda Ridgeline traveling northbound on Greenwich, approaching the eastbound lanes of Kellogg Drive. When they reached the intersection a group of motorcycles riding eastbound ran the red light and one of the motorcycles driven by 19-year-old Daryon Boone of Wichita struck their vehicle. Following the incident, Boone followed the vehicle, ultimately producing a handgun and shooting into the vehicle, which fatally injured Mrs. Williams.Police arrested Boone&nbsp; on a requested charge of first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated assault.

Police: Teen followed pickup, fired shot that killed Kansas woman

By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

As of July 31, almost 80,000 Kansans deemed ineligible for Medicaid

TOPEKA — After describing long wait times, sluggish mail returns and unprecedented call center volumes, Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials announced —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/04/kansas-official-points-to-mistakes-improvements-in-processing-medicaid-eligibility-renewals/">two weeks after their initial update</a>&nbsp;— that they are trying to turn things around in the beleaguered department’s Medicaid renewal system.

“Over the last year or so, we’ve received a number of requests from various stakeholder groups to prioritize various constituencies, so for instance, we got a request to push all children to the end of the public health emergency and rewinding period,” said state Medicaid Director Sarah Fertig in a Aug. 22 presentation to lawmakers. “… We got a lot of requests from stakeholder groups to prioritize their constituency over everyone else. I think you can see how quickly that would become unmanageable.”&nbsp;

“We would literally be picking winners and losers, depending on what conditions they might have or their age,” Fertig added. “We decided that wasn’t fair. Really the only way we could proceed with this in a fair fashion is to just take them chronologically.”

Pandemic-era federal protections stipulated that KanCare, the Medicaid program in Kansas, couldn’t end health care eligibility unless the person in question moved away, died or asked to end coverage.&nbsp;Participation in KanCare went from 410,000 to 540,000 people during the pandemic.&nbsp;

When federal protections ended, the nationwide process of determining Medicaid eligibility began in April for the first time in three years. The process has to be completed by early 2024.&nbsp; KDHE has sent out notices to Kansans with renewal dates in April, May, June and July to allow members to stay eligible.

Fertig said the highest number of renewals happened in these first four months of unwinding&nbsp;— representing&nbsp;&nbsp;about 40% of the unwinding effort.&nbsp;

Critics of the process say thousands of Kansans have unnecessarily lost eligibility due to issues such as confusion over signatures, slow mail delivery, and a lack of clear communication from the state about what is needed for the renewal process.&nbsp;

“We realize that we probably could have done a better job entering the unwinding, just recapping what a renewal is, timelines, processes to the public to help them understand what to expect when we start these processes again,” said&nbsp;KDHE Director of Medicaid Eligibility LaTonya Palmer.&nbsp;

Preliminary data as of July 31 shows the state has sent out renewal notices to 283,709 people. Out of this category, 69,876 people have been approved for continuing Medicaid coverage and 78,850 people have been unenrolled.&nbsp;

The enrollment category includes almost 18,000 people who were determined to be ineligible, but about 61,000 of those enrolled were people who didn’t submit a review within the mandated time frame. State officials stressed these people have 90 days to submit a review to be re-determined for eligibility.&nbsp;

Child advocacy groups are concerned that Kansas children, who make up more than 62% of KanCare enrollees, will be disproportionately hurt.&nbsp;

Palmer and Fertig told lawmakers the department had taken some steps to fix early issues, such as increasing staff availability and shortening wait times for Kansans who were calling in to have questions about the process answered.

According to their report, the average call center wait time was 43 minutes in April, 24 minutes in May and 19 minutes in June. By August, phone wait time was about 10 minutes. The two also said the department was increasing quality oversight and coaching, among other measures.&nbsp;

“We are taking steps to ensure that we are processing these applications as quickly as possible,” Palmer said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693322947694.png" alt=" Sarah Fertig, state Medicaid director, says the first few months of the unwinding process has been difficult. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sarah Fertig, state Medicaid director, says the first few months of the unwinding process has been difficult. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>As of July 31, almost 80,000 Kansans deemed ineligible for Medicaid</h2>TOPEKA — After describing long wait times, sluggish mail returns and unprecedented call center volumes, Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials announced —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/04/kansas-official-points-to-mistakes-improvements-in-processing-medicaid-eligibility-renewals/">two weeks after their initial update</a>&nbsp;— that they are trying to turn things around in the beleaguered department’s Medicaid renewal system.“Over the last year or so, we’ve received a number of requests from various stakeholder groups to prioritize various constituencies, so for instance, we got a request to push all children to the end of the public health emergency and rewinding period,” said state Medicaid Director Sarah Fertig in a Aug. 22 presentation to lawmakers. “… We got a lot of requests from stakeholder groups to prioritize their constituency over everyone else. I think you can see how quickly that would become unmanageable.”&nbsp;“We would literally be picking winners and losers, depending on what conditions they might have or their age,” Fertig added. “We decided that wasn’t fair. Really the only way we could proceed with this in a fair fashion is to just take them chronologically.”Pandemic-era federal protections stipulated that KanCare, the Medicaid program in Kansas, couldn’t end health care eligibility unless the person in question moved away, died or asked to end coverage.&nbsp;Participation in KanCare went from 410,000 to 540,000 people during the pandemic.&nbsp;When federal protections ended, the nationwide process of determining Medicaid eligibility began in April for the first time in three years. The process has to be completed by early 2024.&nbsp; KDHE has sent out notices to Kansans with renewal dates in April, May, June and July to allow members to stay eligible.Fertig said the highest number of renewals happened in these first four months of unwinding&nbsp;— representing&nbsp;&nbsp;about 40% of the unwinding effort.&nbsp;Critics of the process say thousands of Kansans have unnecessarily lost eligibility due to issues such as confusion over signatures, slow mail delivery, and a lack of clear communication from the state about what is needed for the renewal process.&nbsp;“We realize that we probably could have done a better job entering the unwinding, just recapping what a renewal is, timelines, processes to the public to help them understand what to expect when we start these processes again,” said&nbsp;KDHE Director of Medicaid Eligibility LaTonya Palmer.&nbsp;Preliminary data as of July 31 shows the state has sent out renewal notices to 283,709 people. Out of this category, 69,876 people have been approved for continuing Medicaid coverage and 78,850 people have been unenrolled.&nbsp;The enrollment category includes almost 18,000 people who were determined to be ineligible, but about 61,000 of those enrolled were people who didn’t submit a review within the mandated time frame. State officials stressed these people have 90 days to submit a review to be re-determined for eligibility.&nbsp;Child advocacy groups are concerned that Kansas children, who make up more than 62% of KanCare enrollees, will be disproportionately hurt.&nbsp;Palmer and Fertig told lawmakers the department had taken some steps to fix early issues, such as increasing staff availability and shortening wait times for Kansans who were calling in to have questions about the process answered.According to their report, the average call center wait time was 43 minutes in April, 24 minutes in May and 19 minutes in June. By August, phone wait time was about 10 minutes. The two also said the department was increasing quality oversight and coaching, among other measures.&nbsp;“We are taking steps to ensure that we are processing these applications as quickly as possible,” Palmer said.&nbsp;

State official on Kan. Medicaid unwinding: ‘We  could’ve done a better job’

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for her role in a fatal shooting&nbsp;of a 42-year-old man at a Wichita hotel in 2021.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Shae Marie Roberts, 37, was sentenced to nearly 8-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Earlier this year, Roberts pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and attempted distribution of meth.&nbsp;

In Sept. of 2021, police arrested Roberts&nbsp; in connection with the shooting death of Michael Martinez at the Extended State America,&nbsp;9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; &nbsp;Martinez of Wichita who had been shot was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Roberts was arrested a week after the crime and her accomplice 32-year-old Patricio Gomez was arrested at the Mexico border in El Paso, Texas in March 2022&nbsp;after the pickup truck he was driving got stuck on the Rio Grande.

&nbsp; In February, Gomez was sentenced to life in prison the fatal shooting, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633727826097.png" alt="Roberts photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for her role in a fatal shooting&nbsp;of a 42-year-old man at a Wichita hotel in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;Shae Marie Roberts, 37, was sentenced to nearly 8-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Earlier this year, Roberts pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and attempted distribution of meth.&nbsp;In Sept. of 2021, police arrested Roberts&nbsp; in connection with the shooting death of Michael Martinez at the Extended State America,&nbsp;9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; &nbsp;Martinez of Wichita who had been shot was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;Roberts was arrested a week after the crime and her accomplice 32-year-old Patricio Gomez was arrested at the Mexico border in El Paso, Texas in March 2022&nbsp;after the pickup truck he was driving got stuck on the Rio Grande.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648742338695.png" alt="Gomez-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Gomez-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; In February, Gomez was sentenced to life in prison the fatal shooting, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.--------

Kansas woman sentenced for role in drug-deal murder

JOHNSON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident and have identified the victim as 61-year-old Terre L. Gruetze of Belton, Missouri.

A westbound vehicle on W.135th Street attempted to initiate a left turn onto southbound Nieman Road, according to Overland Park Police.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield and struck an eastbound vehicle driven by Gruetze who was approaching Nieman Road and had a green light.

After impact, the eastbound vehicle rolled and partially ejected the driver.

 The driver and two occupants of of the westbound vehicle were not injured and the driver is cooperating with the investigation, according to police. The crash is under investigation by the Overland Park Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693697829107.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the crash -Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the crash -Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident and have identified the victim as 61-year-old Terre L. Gruetze of Belton, Missouri.A westbound vehicle on W.135th Street attempted to initiate a left turn onto southbound Nieman Road, according to Overland Park Police.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield and struck an eastbound vehicle driven by Gruetze who was approaching Nieman Road and had a green light.After impact, the eastbound vehicle rolled and partially ejected the driver. The driver and two occupants of of the westbound vehicle were not injured and the driver is cooperating with the investigation, according to police. The crash is under investigation by the Overland Park Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp;

Mo. woman dies after partially ejected in 2-vehicle crash

KANSAS CITY —New charges have been filed against a Kansas City security guard who sexually assaulted women this summer in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker this week.

Brandon Wells faces the unclassified felonies of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree and Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree, which are unclassified felonies that carry a prison term of up to life in prison. He also faces two counts of the Class B Felony of Kidnapping and a &nbsp;misdemeanor count of Assault 4th Degree.

According to court records, on August 1, 2023, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported sex offense. A victim told police that she walked past a vacant apartment building in the 900 block of Benton Boulevard, when she grabbed a recycling bin. She used it to carry her belongings. A security guard, later identified as the defendant, pulled his vehicle toward her. 

He had blond-tipped twists in his hair. He told her to put the bin back. She complied, and he soon placed her in handcuffs and lifted her shirt to see her breasts, then pulled at her pants. He forced her to perform oral sex on him and told her told her not to tell on him. The victim later identified the defendant as her attacker.&nbsp;

On Aug. 10, 2023, Kansas City police, according to court records, found calls for service that led them to a second victim. The calls had been logged from the defendant's phone. Body camera footage from KCPD officers who initially responded to the scene showed defendant had detained the second victim for trespassing near 10th Street and Benton Blvd. 

The second victim told police that after the KCPD officers were called off to another scene, the defendant drove her to the Waffle House on Front Street and raped her by the dumpster in the parking lot. Surveillance video from the Waffle House showed the defendant's vehicle arriving with a detained woman shortly after the KCPD officers left the initial scene. Surveillance video showed the defendant talk to the woman in the back seat, drive her around back to the dumpster, and remove her from the back seat shortly before arguing and screaming is heard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668185579998.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —New charges have been filed against a Kansas City security guard who sexually assaulted women this summer in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker this week.Brandon Wells faces the unclassified felonies of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree and Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree, which are unclassified felonies that carry a prison term of up to life in prison. He also faces two counts of the Class B Felony of Kidnapping and a &nbsp;misdemeanor count of Assault 4th Degree.According to court records, on August 1, 2023, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported sex offense. A victim told police that she walked past a vacant apartment building in the 900 block of Benton Boulevard, when she grabbed a recycling bin. She used it to carry her belongings. A security guard, later identified as the defendant, pulled his vehicle toward her. He had blond-tipped twists in his hair. He told her to put the bin back. She complied, and he soon placed her in handcuffs and lifted her shirt to see her breasts, then pulled at her pants. He forced her to perform oral sex on him and told her told her not to tell on him. The victim later identified the defendant as her attacker.&nbsp;On Aug. 10, 2023, Kansas City police, according to court records, found calls for service that led them to a second victim. The calls had been logged from the defendant's phone. Body camera footage from KCPD officers who initially responded to the scene showed defendant had detained the second victim for trespassing near 10th Street and Benton Blvd. The second victim told police that after the KCPD officers were called off to another scene, the defendant drove her to the Waffle House on Front Street and raped her by the dumpster in the parking lot. Surveillance video from the Waffle House showed the defendant's vehicle arriving with a detained woman shortly after the KCPD officers left the initial scene. Surveillance video showed the defendant talk to the woman in the back seat, drive her around back to the dumpster, and remove her from the back seat shortly before arguing and screaming is heard.

Kansas City security guard faces new charges for sexual assault

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that not only includes updated COVID-19 boosters, but the annual flu shot and the newly approved RSV vaccine.

“We’re going to be encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their annual flu shot, as well as the immunizations for RSV for people who are over the age of 60 as well as for infants,” one official said. Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also be serious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

During a roughly 24-minute call, four officials from the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration spoke to reporters on background to discuss the plans for the fall’s vaccine campaign.

The officials declined to say how many Americans the Biden administration is targeting for updated COVID-19 shots heading into cold and flu season.

“We can’t speculate or predict where it will ultimately land. But our goal is for that number of uptake to be as high as possible,” the same official said.

The Biden administration, the official said, hopes to provide access for uninsured and underinsured people to get the booster once the updated COVID-19 vaccine is approved.

A second official said an updated COVID-19 vaccine from one pharmaceutical company shows some promise against the EG.5 variant that makes up an increasing number of new cases, though the official said there needs to be more data about the updated vaccines’ impact on the BA.2.86 variant.

“One of the manufacturers has already made it clear that when testing their vaccine against the EG.5 variant that it looks like the neutralization is robust,” the second official said. “So I think that’s a good harbinger.”

On the BA.2.86 variant, the second official said that “it’s too early to know for sure about BA.2.86 in terms of the exact data.”

“But I think we feel comfortable in saying that it’s likely that the vaccine will help protect against the severe outcomes that would occur,” the second official said. “So we’ll obviously have more data that will come in in the next few weeks. But for right now, I think we believe that the booster will be helpful against the severe outcomes that might occur.”

Once the FDA approves one or several updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall, the first official said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices plans to meet quickly to make its recommendations for clinicians.

“Our intention, certainly as we look into mid-September, is to have the ACIP meeting and as close as possible succession to FDA action,” the first official said, adding that CDC and FDA are “joined at the hip on this.”

The first official noted that ACIP recommendations help to “guide clinicians as to … who would best benefit from COVID-19 vaccines.”

Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine into nursing homes and long-term-care facilities will be a priority for the Biden administration, according to the first official.

“We are focused on getting older individuals their vaccines, partly because they have been a higher proportion of hospitalizations throughout the pandemic,” the first official said.

“CDC has been working very closely with the associations and the provider groups that provide vaccinations in facilities like long-term care and assisted living,” the first official said. “We’re also focusing a lot of our outreach on both the individuals who live there, the owners and operators, and the providers who work in those facilities to make sure they know when the vaccines are coming out, how to access them, how to administer them, etc.”

Once approved, the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 12 and older will be fully licensed this fall, though the vaccines for people 11 and younger will still be under the emergency use authorization, according to the second official.

The protein-based COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax will also remain under the emergency use authorization framework, according to the second official.

So some of the updated vaccines may come with a cost, unlike during the pandemic when all the COVID-19 vaccines were free.

Moderna, for example, announced earlier this year that it would increase the price of its COVID-19 vaccine from $30 to $130,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/moderna-plan-hike-covid-vaccine-price-130-dose-rebuked-us-senate-hearing">leading to a bipartisan condemnation of the decision at a U.S. Senate hearing.&nbsp;</a>

Testing and treatments will also remain available during the upcoming cold and flu season, the first official said.

“What we know about treatments is that they can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death,” the first official said. “CDCs goal is to protect against respiratory diseases this fall and winter.”

COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have begun to increase, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home">data</a>.

Between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 the number of hospital admissions increased by nearly 22% bringing the total weekly admissions to 12,600. That’s the highest it’s been since mid-April, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklyhospitaladmissions_select_00">data</a>.

The number of deaths increased by slightly more than 8% during the same time frame to about 251 a week, though that still remains much lower than during the pandemic, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00">data</a>.

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that not only includes updated COVID-19 boosters, but the annual flu shot and the newly approved RSV vaccine.“We’re going to be encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their annual flu shot, as well as the immunizations for RSV for people who are over the age of 60 as well as for infants,” one official said. Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also be serious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.During a roughly 24-minute call, four officials from the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration spoke to reporters on background to discuss the plans for the fall’s vaccine campaign.The officials declined to say how many Americans the Biden administration is targeting for updated COVID-19 shots heading into cold and flu season.“We can’t speculate or predict where it will ultimately land. But our goal is for that number of uptake to be as high as possible,” the same official said.The Biden administration, the official said, hopes to provide access for uninsured and underinsured people to get the booster once the updated COVID-19 vaccine is approved.A second official said an updated COVID-19 vaccine from one pharmaceutical company shows some promise against the EG.5 variant that makes up an increasing number of new cases, though the official said there needs to be more data about the updated vaccines’ impact on the BA.2.86 variant.“One of the manufacturers has already made it clear that when testing their vaccine against the EG.5 variant that it looks like the neutralization is robust,” the second official said. “So I think that’s a good harbinger.”On the BA.2.86 variant, the second official said that “it’s too early to know for sure about BA.2.86 in terms of the exact data.”“But I think we feel comfortable in saying that it’s likely that the vaccine will help protect against the severe outcomes that would occur,” the second official said. “So we’ll obviously have more data that will come in in the next few weeks. But for right now, I think we believe that the booster will be helpful against the severe outcomes that might occur.”Once the FDA approves one or several updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall, the first official said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices plans to meet quickly to make its recommendations for clinicians.“Our intention, certainly as we look into mid-September, is to have the ACIP meeting and as close as possible succession to FDA action,” the first official said, adding that CDC and FDA are “joined at the hip on this.”The first official noted that ACIP recommendations help to “guide clinicians as to … who would best benefit from COVID-19 vaccines.”Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine into nursing homes and long-term-care facilities will be a priority for the Biden administration, according to the first official.“We are focused on getting older individuals their vaccines, partly because they have been a higher proportion of hospitalizations throughout the pandemic,” the first official said.“CDC has been working very closely with the associations and the provider groups that provide vaccinations in facilities like long-term care and assisted living,” the first official said. “We’re also focusing a lot of our outreach on both the individuals who live there, the owners and operators, and the providers who work in those facilities to make sure they know when the vaccines are coming out, how to access them, how to administer them, etc.”Once approved, the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 12 and older will be fully licensed this fall, though the vaccines for people 11 and younger will still be under the emergency use authorization, according to the second official.The protein-based COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax will also remain under the emergency use authorization framework, according to the second official.So some of the updated vaccines may come with a cost, unlike during the pandemic when all the COVID-19 vaccines were free.Moderna, for example, announced earlier this year that it would increase the price of its COVID-19 vaccine from $30 to $130,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/moderna-plan-hike-covid-vaccine-price-130-dose-rebuked-us-senate-hearing">leading to a bipartisan condemnation of the decision at a U.S. Senate hearing.&nbsp;</a>Testing and treatments will also remain available during the upcoming cold and flu season, the first official said.“What we know about treatments is that they can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death,” the first official said. “CDCs goal is to protect against respiratory diseases this fall and winter.”COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have begun to increase, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home">data</a>.Between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 the number of hospital admissions increased by nearly 22% bringing the total weekly admissions to 12,600. That’s the highest it’s been since mid-April, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklyhospitaladmissions_select_00">data</a>.The number of deaths increased by slightly more than 8% during the same time frame to about 251 a week, though that still remains much lower than during the pandemic, according to CDC&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00">data</a>.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available this month

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas home burglary and have suspects in custody.

Just after 2p.m. August 29, a sheriff's deputy responded to a burglary that occurred at a residence in the 7100 block of SW Montara Parkway in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

After a preliminary investigation, deputies went to a residence in the 100 block of SE Willow Way. While at the Willow Way address, deputies found property believed to be stolen during the Montara Parkway burglary.

Ethan S. Jennings, 32, and Jonathan E. McAvoy, 33, both of Topeka were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary to a residence, felony theft, and criminal damage to property. Jennings was also booked in on a bench warrant out of the City of Topeka and a felony warrant out of Shawnee County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693431452985.png" alt="McAvoy photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>McAvoy photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas home burglary and have suspects in custody.Just after 2p.m. August 29, a sheriff's deputy responded to a burglary that occurred at a residence in the 7100 block of SW Montara Parkway in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.After a preliminary investigation, deputies went to a residence in the 100 block of SE Willow Way. While at the Willow Way address, deputies found property believed to be stolen during the Montara Parkway burglary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693431397119.png" alt="Jennings-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jennings-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ethan S. Jennings, 32, and Jonathan E. McAvoy, 33, both of Topeka were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary to a residence, felony theft, and criminal damage to property. Jennings was also booked in on a bench warrant out of the City of Topeka and a felony warrant out of Shawnee County.

Deputies arrest 2 for Kansas home burglary 

MCPHERSON COUNTY— According to a social media post from the McPherson County Sheriff's office, Saturday morning, the Sheriff's Office responded to Maxwell State Lake for a report of a found body. The body is an adult white male and is a victim of apparent drowning.

Deputies are working to confirm the identity of the victim and notifying next of kin. Canton PD/Fire/EMS and Kansas Department of Wildlife &amp; Parks are assisting in the investigation.

The sheriff released no additional details.

MCPHERSON COUNTY— According to a social media post from the McPherson County Sheriff's office, Saturday morning, the Sheriff's Office responded to Maxwell State Lake for a report of a found body. The body is an adult white male and is a victim of apparent drowning.Deputies are working to confirm the identity of the victim and notifying next of kin. Canton PD/Fire/EMS and Kansas Department of Wildlife &amp; Parks are assisting in the investigation.The sheriff released no additional details.

Sheriff: Drowning at Kansas state lake

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation earmarked $42.3 million in federal funding to support $6.4 million in local government investment over the next two years to improve safety of nearly three dozen city or county&nbsp;bridges&nbsp;outside of the state highway system.

KDOT said a total of 15 projects were included in the 2024 map and blended $21.8 million funneled through the state and $4.7 million in local matching dollars. The plan would replace 16 bridges and permanently remove 12 bridges from local road systems.

The $7 million in federal aid and $2 million from Dodge City allowed work to proceed on a new bridge on 14th Avenue over the Arkansas River. In northeast Kansas, $750,000 from Congress and $86,000 tied to a 10% local match enabled work on a bridge east of Highland.

Next year, KDOT said, $20.5 million authorized by the state would be combined with $1.7 million in local funding for 20 projects. The 2025 roster included $990,000 in combined funding for a Crawford County bridge over a Little Walnut Creek tributary in southeast Kansas and $544,000 for the bridge east of Edson over the south fork of Sappa Creek in northwest Kansas.

Gov. Laura Kelly said nearly one-fourth of 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems were deficient, but those routes were vital to moving people and goods.

“Almost 5,000 of those&nbsp;bridges&nbsp;simply cannot meet our state’s needs in a modern world, which is why these investments are critical for making our state a better place to live and work,” Kelly said.

KDOT reshaped two local bridge programs to take advantage of the federal allocation. The agency received 176 applications for bridge repairs that would cost $162.4 million. Selection criteria took into account&nbsp;bridge&nbsp;condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads and past project history.

“We welcome opportunities to partner with Kansas cities and counties to replace or rehabilitate deteriorating&nbsp;bridges,” said KDOT secretary Calvin Reed. “The needs are high.”

In addition to local commitments, the state relied on the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law authorized $108 billion for public transportation in the United States.

The state’s congressional delegation divided along party lines on the 2021 federal spending bill. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, voted for the bill. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation voted against it, including U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran and U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693655045902.png" alt=" Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly visited Dodge City to outline a two-year plan to invest $48.7 million in improving safety of city or county bridges statewide. She was joined by Liberal Rep. Shannon Francis, left, the Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from submitted image)" />
 <figcaption> Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly visited Dodge City to outline a two-year plan to invest $48.7 million in improving safety of city or county bridges statewide. She was joined by Liberal Rep. Shannon Francis, left, the Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from submitted image)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY: TIM CARPENTER<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation earmarked $42.3 million in federal funding to support $6.4 million in local government investment over the next two years to improve safety of nearly three dozen city or county&nbsp;bridges&nbsp;outside of the state highway system.KDOT said a total of 15 projects were included in the 2024 map and blended $21.8 million funneled through the state and $4.7 million in local matching dollars. The plan would replace 16 bridges and permanently remove 12 bridges from local road systems.The $7 million in federal aid and $2 million from Dodge City allowed work to proceed on a new bridge on 14th Avenue over the Arkansas River. In northeast Kansas, $750,000 from Congress and $86,000 tied to a 10% local match enabled work on a bridge east of Highland.Next year, KDOT said, $20.5 million authorized by the state would be combined with $1.7 million in local funding for 20 projects. The 2025 roster included $990,000 in combined funding for a Crawford County bridge over a Little Walnut Creek tributary in southeast Kansas and $544,000 for the bridge east of Edson over the south fork of Sappa Creek in northwest Kansas.Gov. Laura Kelly said nearly one-fourth of 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems were deficient, but those routes were vital to moving people and goods.“Almost 5,000 of those&nbsp;bridges&nbsp;simply cannot meet our state’s needs in a modern world, which is why these investments are critical for making our state a better place to live and work,” Kelly said.KDOT reshaped two local bridge programs to take advantage of the federal allocation. The agency received 176 applications for bridge repairs that would cost $162.4 million. Selection criteria took into account&nbsp;bridge&nbsp;condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads and past project history.“We welcome opportunities to partner with Kansas cities and counties to replace or rehabilitate deteriorating&nbsp;bridges,” said KDOT secretary Calvin Reed. “The needs are high.”In addition to local commitments, the state relied on the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law authorized $108 billion for public transportation in the United States.The state’s congressional delegation divided along party lines on the 2021 federal spending bill. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, voted for the bill. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation voted against it, including U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran and U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann.

Kan. invests $48.7 million to deal with safety problems of 3 dozen decrepit local bridges

NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into an empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jimmybuffett.com/">Buffett's official website</a>&nbsp;and social media pages said late Friday. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.

“Margaritaville,” released on Feb. 14, 1977, quickly took on a life of its own, becoming a state of mind for those ”wastin’ away,” an excuse for a life of low-key fun and escapism for those “growing older, but not up.”

The song is the unhurried portrait of a loafer on his front porch, watching tourists sunbathe while a pot of shrimp is beginning to boil. The singer has a new tattoo, a likely hangover and regrets over a lost love. Somewhere there is a misplaced salt shaker.

“What seems like a simple ditty about getting blotto and mending a broken heart turns out to be a profound meditation on the often painful inertia of beach dwelling,” Spin magazine wrote in 2021. “The tourists come and go, one group indistinguishable from the other. Waves crest and break whether somebody is there to witness it or not. Everything that means anything has already happened and you’re not even sure when.”

The song — from the album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” — spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 8. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historic significance, became a karaoke standard and helped brand Key West, Florida, as a distinct sound of music and a destination known the world over.

“There was no such place as Margaritaville," Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach.”

The song soon inspired restaurants and resorts, turning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-buffett-dies-obituary-parrotheads-aab4f7edb4044ef5af874d4ea63e8e9c">Buffett’s alleged desire for the simplicity of island life into a multimillion brand</a>. He landed at No. 18 in Forbes’ list of the Richest Celebrities of All Time with a net worth of $1 billion.

Music critics were never very kind to Buffett or his catalogue, including the sandy beach-side snack bar songs like “Fins,” “Come Monday” and “Cheeseburgers in Paradise.” But his legions of fans, called “Parrotheads,” regularly turned up for his concerts wearing toy parrots, cheeseburgers, sharks and flamingos on their heads, leis around their necks and loud Hawaiian shirts.

“It’s pure escapism is all it is,” he told the Republic. “I’m not the first one to do it, nor shall I probably be the last. But I think it’s really a part of the human condition that you’ve got to have some fun. You’ve got to get away from whatever you do to make a living or other parts of life that stress you out. I try to make it at least 50/50 fun to work and so far it’s worked out.”

His special Gulf Coast mix of country, pop, folk and rock added instruments and tonalities more commonly found in the Caribbean, like steel drums. It was a stew of steelpans, trombones and pedal steel guitar. Buffett’s incredible ear for hooks and light grooves were often overshadowed by his lyrics about fish tacos and sunsets.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693656213190.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into an empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76.“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jimmybuffett.com/">Buffett's official website</a>&nbsp;and social media pages said late Friday. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.“Margaritaville,” released on Feb. 14, 1977, quickly took on a life of its own, becoming a state of mind for those ”wastin’ away,” an excuse for a life of low-key fun and escapism for those “growing older, but not up.”The song is the unhurried portrait of a loafer on his front porch, watching tourists sunbathe while a pot of shrimp is beginning to boil. The singer has a new tattoo, a likely hangover and regrets over a lost love. Somewhere there is a misplaced salt shaker.“What seems like a simple ditty about getting blotto and mending a broken heart turns out to be a profound meditation on the often painful inertia of beach dwelling,” Spin magazine wrote in 2021. “The tourists come and go, one group indistinguishable from the other. Waves crest and break whether somebody is there to witness it or not. Everything that means anything has already happened and you’re not even sure when.”The song — from the album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” — spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 8. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historic significance, became a karaoke standard and helped brand Key West, Florida, as a distinct sound of music and a destination known the world over.“There was no such place as Margaritaville," Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach.”The song soon inspired restaurants and resorts, turning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-buffett-dies-obituary-parrotheads-aab4f7edb4044ef5af874d4ea63e8e9c">Buffett’s alleged desire for the simplicity of island life into a multimillion brand</a>. He landed at No. 18 in Forbes’ list of the Richest Celebrities of All Time with a net worth of $1 billion.Music critics were never very kind to Buffett or his catalogue, including the sandy beach-side snack bar songs like “Fins,” “Come Monday” and “Cheeseburgers in Paradise.” But his legions of fans, called “Parrotheads,” regularly turned up for his concerts wearing toy parrots, cheeseburgers, sharks and flamingos on their heads, leis around their necks and loud Hawaiian shirts.“It’s pure escapism is all it is,” he told the Republic. “I’m not the first one to do it, nor shall I probably be the last. But I think it’s really a part of the human condition that you’ve got to have some fun. You’ve got to get away from whatever you do to make a living or other parts of life that stress you out. I try to make it at least 50/50 fun to work and so far it’s worked out.”His special Gulf Coast mix of country, pop, folk and rock added instruments and tonalities more commonly found in the Caribbean, like steel drums. It was a stew of steelpans, trombones and pedal steel guitar. Buffett’s incredible ear for hooks and light grooves were often overshadowed by his lyrics about fish tacos and sunsets.Rolling Stone, in a review of Buffett’s 2020 album “Life on the Flip Side,” gave grudging props. “He continues mapping out his surfy, sandy corner of pop music utopia with the chill, friendly warmth of a multi-millionaire you wouldn’t mind sharing a tropically-themed 3 p.m. IPA with, especially if his gold card was on the bar when the last round came.”Tributes on Saturday came from all walks of life, from Hollywood star Miles Teller posting photos of himself with Buffett to former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, who wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Buffett “lived life to the fullest and the world will miss him.” Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote: “Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett.”Buffett’s evolving brand began in 1985 with the opening of a string of Margaritaville-themed stores and restaurants in Key West, followed in 1987 with the first Margaritaville Café nearby. Over the course of the next two decades, several more of each opened throughout Florida, New Orleans and California.The brand has since expanded to dozens of categories, including resorts, apparel and footwear for men and women, a radio station, a beer brand, ice tea, tequila and rum, home décor, food items like salad dressing, Margaritaville Crunchy Pimento Cheese &amp; Shrimp Bites and Margaritaville Cantina Style Medium Chunky Salsa, the Margaritaville at Sea cruise line and restaurants, including Margaritaville Restaurant, JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar &amp; Grill and LandShark Bar &amp; Grill.There also was a Broadway-bound jukebox musical, “Escape to Margaritaville,” a romantic comedy in which a singer-bartender called Sully falls for the far more career-minded Rachel, who is vacationing with friends and hanging out at Margaritaville, the hotel bar where Sully works.James William Buffett was born on Christmas day 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and raised in the port town of Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and went from busking the streets of New Orleans to playing six nights a week at Bourbon Street clubs.He released his first record, “Down To Earth,” in 1970 and issued seven more on a regular yearly clip, with his 1974 song “Come Monday” from his fourth studio album “Living and Dying in ¾ Time,” peaking at No. 30. Then came “Margaritaville.”He performed on more than 50 studio and live albums, often accompanied by his Coral Reefer Band, and was constantly on tour. He earned two Grammy Award nominations, two Academy of Country Music Awards and a Country Music Association Award.Buffett was actually in Austin, Texas, when the inspiration struck for “Margaritaville.” He and a friend had stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant before she dropped him at the airport for a flight home to Key West, so they got to drinking margaritas.“And I kind of came up with that idea of this is just like Margarita-ville,” Buffett told the Republic. “She kind of laughed at that and put me on the plane. And I started working on it.”He wrote some on the plane and finished it while driving down the Keys. “There was a wreck on the bridge,” he said. "And we got stopped for about an hour so I finished the song on the Seven Mile Bridge, which I thought was apropos.”Buffett also was the author of numerous books including “Where Is Joe Merchant?” and “A Pirate Looks At Fifty” and added movies to his resume as co-producer and co-star of an adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s novel “Hoot.”Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane; daughters, Savannah and Sarah; and son, Cameron.