WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting on October 3, have released the name of the victim as 21-year-old Jai'Marion Miller of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 7a.m. October 3, police responded to report of a shooting in the 4900 Block of Dickinson Road in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found Miller on the road with apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting on October 3, have released the name of the victim as 21-year-old Jai'Marion Miller of Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 7a.m. October 3, police responded to report of a shooting in the 4900 Block of Dickinson Road in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found Miller on the road with apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

Homicide: Police ID Kan. man found with gunshot wound on the road

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/clarkkauffman/">CLARK KAUFFMAN</a>&nbsp;

The state of Iowa, where nursing homes have compiled one of the nation’s worst records for staffing-level violations, has joined 19 other states in suing the Biden administration to block the implementation of new staffing requirements.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, seeks to overturn the nursing home staffing requirements approved earlier this year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In their petition, the 20 states, including Kansas, and more than a dozen industry associations argue that the new staffing requirements pose “an existential threat to the nursing home industry as many nursing homes that are already struggling will have no choice but to go out of business. And the main victims will be the patients who will have nowhere else to go.”

The lawsuit is in response to CMS’ decision in April to finalize new minimum staffing standards that will require homes to conduct assessments of their residents’ needs and provide 3.48 hours of direct nursing care per resident, per day. The rule also requires the homes to have a registered nurse available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/16/iowa-nursing-homes-staffing-levels-are-among-the-nations-worst/" target="_blank">the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported</a>&nbsp;that Iowa nursing homes have the sixth-worst record in the nation for staffing-level violations. Data from CMS show that 14% of the state’s 422 nursing facilities were cited for insufficient staffing in fiscal year 2023. That was more than double the national average, which was 5.9%.

Only five other states — Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon — had a worse record of compliance with the sufficient-staffing requirement.

Des Moines’ Fleur Heights care facility compiled Iowa’s worst record of compliance.&nbsp; Over a nine-month period between May 2023 and February 2024, Fleur Heights was cited, but never fined, five times for insufficient staff — more than any other facility in the state.

Lawsuit: CMS pulls an elephant out of a mousehole

Federal data suggest many care facilities already meet the new standards, but industry officials allege nursing homes will need to hire an additional 27,000 full-time registered nurses and 78,000 full-time certified nurse aides, at a cost of more than $7 billion, to meet the requirements.

<a href="https://nursinghome411.org/alert-staffing-q4-2023/" target="_blank">A report from the Long-Term Care Community Coalition</a>&nbsp;earlier this year showed that 6 in 10 of all U.S. nursing homes would have met the new nurse-staffing standard of 3.48 hours in the fourth quarter of 2023. Iowa homes fell below the national average, with 56.5% of them meeting the new standard.

The fact that a majority of facilities already meet the new minimum standard while still facing quality-of-care issues has been an issue with many advocates who say&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/03/new-report-details-low-staffing-high-turnover-in-iowa-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">the new standards don’t go far enough.</a>&nbsp;They point to a federal study that shows each resident needs at least 4.1 hours of nursing care each day – which is a standard met by only 26% of all nursing homes nationally.

The lawsuit alleges the new requirements, which apply only to homes that accept taxpayer money through Medicaid and Medicare funding for resident care, are “not even close to lawful.”

That claim appears to be based on the plaintiffs’ argument that CMS lacks the broad authority needed to enact a rule that would “result in at least $43 billion of compliance costs for nursing homes nationwide over the next ten years” without first obtaining congressional approval. The lawsuit likens CMS’ action to pulling an elephant out of a mousehole.

The lawsuit also notes that the previous standards included a “flexible staffing standard” that dates back to 1972 and which required only that a nursing home “provide 24-hour licensed nursing services which are sufficient to meet the nursing needs of its residents.”

For at least 40 years, that standard came under fire from advocates for seniors who alleged it allowed corporate nursing home owners to define for themselves what constituted a “sufficient” level of staffing, even as federal studies showed inadequate staffing to be the single largest contributor to poor quality care in nursing homes.

Congress, the lawsuit points out, chose not to take action on complaints regarding the rule on “sufficient” staff.

“For decades, Congress, CMS, and its predecessors have considered — and rejected — proposals to replace the flexible staffing standards with a one-size-fits-all requirement,” the lawsuit argues, adding that the new mandate “threatens the health, safety, and well-being of millions of nursing home patients across the country.”

Although the new staffing requirements are to be phased in over two to three years, and include a waiver for homes in rural areas with labor-pool shortages, “the reality of a tight labor market requires nursing homes to hire immediately because the available supply of nurses will dwindle as the implementation date approaches,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit characterizes the new staffing mandate of having a nurse available on a 24/7 basis as “a one-size-fits-all approach,” but acknowledges other elements of the mandate would be based on a care facility’s own assessment of residents’ needs.

Although the new rule includes a financial-hardship waiver for homes that can’t afford to meet the new staffing level requirements, the plaintiffs argue that in order to get such a waiver, a home must prove there’s a significant local shortage of health care workers, show evidence of staff recruitment efforts and competitive wages, and document their spending on staffing in relation to their overall revenue.

Even then, the plaintiffs argue, a “hardship exemption” can still be denied if a nursing home is designated a “special focus facility” due to major, recurring violations of resident-care standards.

Another point of contention referenced in the lawsuit is the new rule’s lack of recognition for the use of licensed practical nurses. The plaintiffs argue that the rule creates an incentive for facilities to fire LPNs and replace them with less skilled certified nurse aides. The rule “pressures long-term care facilities to replace experienced LPNs” with less-qualified new hires, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit seeks a declaration by the court that CMS lacks the authority to impose the new requirements as well as orders vacating and setting aside specific requirements such as the 24/7 requirement for a registered nurse.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Co-plaintiffs include the LeadingAge lobbying and professional associations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Michigan.

The defendants, CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have yet to file a response to the lawsuit. In other, similar lawsuits, such as one filed in Texas by industry officials, the agencies have denied any wrongdoing.

Iowa Capital-Dispatch, a States Newsroom affiliate,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/10/09/iowa-19-other-states-sue-feds-to-block-staffing-mandates-for-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">produced this story</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608503689153.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/clarkkauffman/">CLARK KAUFFMAN</a>&nbsp;The state of Iowa, where nursing homes have compiled one of the nation’s worst records for staffing-level violations, has joined 19 other states in suing the Biden administration to block the implementation of new staffing requirements.The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, seeks to overturn the nursing home staffing requirements approved earlier this year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.In their petition, the 20 states, including Kansas, and more than a dozen industry associations argue that the new staffing requirements pose “an existential threat to the nursing home industry as many nursing homes that are already struggling will have no choice but to go out of business. And the main victims will be the patients who will have nowhere else to go.”The lawsuit is in response to CMS’ decision in April to finalize new minimum staffing standards that will require homes to conduct assessments of their residents’ needs and provide 3.48 hours of direct nursing care per resident, per day. The rule also requires the homes to have a registered nurse available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/16/iowa-nursing-homes-staffing-levels-are-among-the-nations-worst/" target="_blank">the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported</a>&nbsp;that Iowa nursing homes have the sixth-worst record in the nation for staffing-level violations. Data from CMS show that 14% of the state’s 422 nursing facilities were cited for insufficient staffing in fiscal year 2023. That was more than double the national average, which was 5.9%.Only five other states — Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon — had a worse record of compliance with the sufficient-staffing requirement.Des Moines’ Fleur Heights care facility compiled Iowa’s worst record of compliance.&nbsp; Over a nine-month period between May 2023 and February 2024, Fleur Heights was cited, but never fined, five times for insufficient staff — more than any other facility in the state.<h2>Lawsuit: CMS pulls an elephant out of a mousehole</h2>Federal data suggest many care facilities already meet the new standards, but industry officials allege nursing homes will need to hire an additional 27,000 full-time registered nurses and 78,000 full-time certified nurse aides, at a cost of more than $7 billion, to meet the requirements.<a href="https://nursinghome411.org/alert-staffing-q4-2023/" target="_blank">A report from the Long-Term Care Community Coalition</a>&nbsp;earlier this year showed that 6 in 10 of all U.S. nursing homes would have met the new nurse-staffing standard of 3.48 hours in the fourth quarter of 2023. Iowa homes fell below the national average, with 56.5% of them meeting the new standard.The fact that a majority of facilities already meet the new minimum standard while still facing quality-of-care issues has been an issue with many advocates who say&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/03/new-report-details-low-staffing-high-turnover-in-iowa-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">the new standards don’t go far enough.</a>&nbsp;They point to a federal study that shows each resident needs at least 4.1 hours of nursing care each day – which is a standard met by only 26% of all nursing homes nationally.The lawsuit alleges the new requirements, which apply only to homes that accept taxpayer money through Medicaid and Medicare funding for resident care, are “not even close to lawful.”That claim appears to be based on the plaintiffs’ argument that CMS lacks the broad authority needed to enact a rule that would “result in at least $43 billion of compliance costs for nursing homes nationwide over the next ten years” without first obtaining congressional approval. The lawsuit likens CMS’ action to pulling an elephant out of a mousehole.The lawsuit also notes that the previous standards included a “flexible staffing standard” that dates back to 1972 and which required only that a nursing home “provide 24-hour licensed nursing services which are sufficient to meet the nursing needs of its residents.”For at least 40 years, that standard came under fire from advocates for seniors who alleged it allowed corporate nursing home owners to define for themselves what constituted a “sufficient” level of staffing, even as federal studies showed inadequate staffing to be the single largest contributor to poor quality care in nursing homes.Congress, the lawsuit points out, chose not to take action on complaints regarding the rule on “sufficient” staff.“For decades, Congress, CMS, and its predecessors have considered — and rejected — proposals to replace the flexible staffing standards with a one-size-fits-all requirement,” the lawsuit argues, adding that the new mandate “threatens the health, safety, and well-being of millions of nursing home patients across the country.”<h2>Hardship exemptions are questioned</h2>Although the new staffing requirements are to be phased in over two to three years, and include a waiver for homes in rural areas with labor-pool shortages, “the reality of a tight labor market requires nursing homes to hire immediately because the available supply of nurses will dwindle as the implementation date approaches,” the lawsuit claims.The lawsuit characterizes the new staffing mandate of having a nurse available on a 24/7 basis as “a one-size-fits-all approach,” but acknowledges other elements of the mandate would be based on a care facility’s own assessment of residents’ needs.Although the new rule includes a financial-hardship waiver for homes that can’t afford to meet the new staffing level requirements, the plaintiffs argue that in order to get such a waiver, a home must prove there’s a significant local shortage of health care workers, show evidence of staff recruitment efforts and competitive wages, and document their spending on staffing in relation to their overall revenue.Even then, the plaintiffs argue, a “hardship exemption” can still be denied if a nursing home is designated a “special focus facility” due to major, recurring violations of resident-care standards.Another point of contention referenced in the lawsuit is the new rule’s lack of recognition for the use of licensed practical nurses. The plaintiffs argue that the rule creates an incentive for facilities to fire LPNs and replace them with less skilled certified nurse aides. The rule “pressures long-term care facilities to replace experienced LPNs” with less-qualified new hires, the lawsuit alleges.The lawsuit seeks a declaration by the court that CMS lacks the authority to impose the new requirements as well as orders vacating and setting aside specific requirements such as the 24/7 requirement for a registered nurse.Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.Co-plaintiffs include the LeadingAge lobbying and professional associations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Michigan.The defendants, CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have yet to file a response to the lawsuit. In other, similar lawsuits, such as one filed in Texas by industry officials, the agencies have denied any wrongdoing.Iowa Capital-Dispatch, a States Newsroom affiliate,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/10/09/iowa-19-other-states-sue-feds-to-block-staffing-mandates-for-nursing-homes/" target="_blank">produced this story</a>.

Missouri, Kansas sue feds to block staffing mandates for nursing homes

MANHATTAN—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting in Manhattan.

Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 900 block of Yuma Street, according to a media release.

Officers located a 23-year-old man from Manhattan who had been shot in the parking lot of the Douglass Activity Complex. The victim was transported by EMS to Ascension Via Christi Hospital, where he was air-lifted to Stormont Vail Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary information indicates the shooter, a 26-year-old man, acted in self-defense. There is believed to be little to no relationship between the individuals involved, and this appears to be an isolated incident with no threat to public safety.

This is an open and ongoing investigation. Additional details will be released as they become available.

RILEY COUNTY —Officers were on the scene of a shooting Wednesday evening in the 900 block of Yuma in Manhattan near the Douglas Recreation Center, according to the Riley County Police Department. 

One person has been shot and transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries.

Police asked drivers to find alternate routes&nbsp; to avoid the 900 blocks of Yuma and Fort Riley Boulevard so officers continue to work the scene.&nbsp;

if your child was participating in activities at the Douglas Center, please follow the cones on the 900 block of Fort Riley Boulevard for pick-up. Police believed the shooting was in isolated incident and there was no&nbsp; danger to the public.

Few details are available. Check the Post for more information as it is released from the RCPD.

MANHATTAN—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting in Manhattan.Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 900 block of Yuma Street, according to a media release.Officers located a 23-year-old man from Manhattan who had been shot in the parking lot of the Douglass Activity Complex. The victim was transported by EMS to Ascension Via Christi Hospital, where he was air-lifted to Stormont Vail Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.Preliminary information indicates the shooter, a 26-year-old man, acted in self-defense. There is believed to be little to no relationship between the individuals involved, and this appears to be an isolated incident with no threat to public safety.This is an open and ongoing investigation. Additional details will be released as they become available.----------------RILEY COUNTY —Officers were on the scene of a shooting Wednesday evening in the 900 block of Yuma in Manhattan near the Douglas Recreation Center, according to the Riley County Police Department. One person has been shot and transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries.Police asked drivers to find alternate routes&nbsp; to avoid the 900 blocks of Yuma and Fort Riley Boulevard so officers continue to work the scene.&nbsp;if your child was participating in activities at the Douglas Center, please follow the cones on the 900 block of Fort Riley Boulevard for pick-up. Police believed the shooting was in isolated incident and there was no&nbsp; danger to the public.Few details are available. Check the Post for more information as it is released from the RCPD.

Police: Shooter in Manhattan parking lot acted in self defense

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January, according to a media release from the agency.

Over the last decade the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6 percent. The COLA was 3.2 percent in 2024.

Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2025.  Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).

“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.

Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.

This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most. The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.

Individuals who have a personal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>&nbsp;account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>.

People will need to have a personal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>&nbsp;account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount">www.ssa.gov/myaccount</a>.

Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/">www.medicare.gov</a>. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount will be available via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security's</a>&nbsp;Message Center starting in late November. Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697549458437.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January, according to a media release from the agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728570541677.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Over the last decade the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6 percent. The COLA was 3.2 percent in 2024.Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2025.  Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728570588387.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most. The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.Individuals who have a personal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>&nbsp;account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>.People will need to have a personal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security</a>&nbsp;account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount">www.ssa.gov/myaccount</a>.Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/">www.medicare.gov</a>. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount will be available via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/">my Social Security's</a>&nbsp;Message Center starting in late November. Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social Security confirms 2025 cost of living increase

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have failed the people of North Carolina and have proven incompetent. Also their labeling any information they don’t like as “misinformation” is disingenuous and only meant to silence dissent. I joined ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/IngrahamAngle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IngrahamAngle</a>⁩ to talk about it. <a href="https://t.co/JPaYHCv11E">pic.twitter.com/JPaYHCv11E</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1844206697268572357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene...is now saying the federal government is literally controlling the weather. We&#39;re controlling the weather!?! It&#39;s beyond ridiculous. It&#39;s gotta stop.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3VSwSaKF5d">pic.twitter.com/3VSwSaKF5d</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1844058337014608071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Mo. U.S. Senator: Biden and Harris have failed the people of North Carolina 

Lawmakers question the contribution to campaign committee pushing Amendment 6, which would reinstate fees dedicated to pensions for sheriffs and prosecutors

By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

he Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System last month made a $30,000 investment, hoping for a big return if voters approve a ballot measure&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/04/amendment-would-use-court-fees-to-fund-retirement-for-missouri-sheriffs-prosecutors/">imposing a $3 fee on court cases</a>&nbsp;to fund the system’s pensions.

The $30,000 contribution to the Committee to Ensure a Future for Sheriffs &amp; Prosecutors, the committee promoting Amendment 6 on the Nov. 5 ballot, was approved at the system’s Board of Directors meeting in September, executive director Melissa Lorts said Tuesday.

The donation is drawing concern from critics of the proposed amendment — and even lawmakers in support — who question whether the pension board is using taxpayer dollars to support a political campaign.

The fee on court cases could generate about $2 million annually,&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/4005S.03T.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">according to a fiscal note</a>&nbsp;for the legislation putting the measure before voters.

Prosecutors, who would also benefit from Amendment 6, have contributed $50,000 from Missouri Prosecutors Association funds. Sheriffs are the biggest contributors, with $100,000 coming from the Missouri Sheriff’s Association in addition to the donation from the retirement fund.

Along with providing the third-largest single contribution to the campaign, the retirement system website is actively promoting passage of the proposal with a&nbsp;<a href="https://sherretmo.com/" target="_blank">box urging a “yes” vote</a>&nbsp;on Amendment 6 and a link to the campaign website.

Lorts is the treasurer of the campaign committee in addition to her duties, which she said are part-time, as fund executive director.

No law is being violated by making the donation, Lorts said.

“I have a legal opinion and these are not public dollars,” Lorts said. “I’m not a political subdivision and they’re not public dollars.”

The legal opinion was not provided in writing, Lorts said. She also said she called the Missouri Ethics Commission and was assured the contribution was legal.

That assurance was not formalized in writing, either, Lorts said.

“My attorney, and I’ve also called Missouri Ethics, says nowhere am I not allowed to do that,” Lorts said.&nbsp;

Stacy Heislen, acting executive director of the ethics commission, declined to comment on any specific conversations.

“Our practice is to provide an overview of what the statute allows,” Heislen said.

Leading members of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement weren’t as certain as Lorts that the contributions were unquestionably legal.

State Rep. Barry Hovis, a Cape Girardeau Republican and chairman of the committee, said he would have to know more about the precise source of funds. He said he would ask committee staff to research the question.

“If we think that it’s a Missouri ethics complaint, obviously that report should be made to Missouri ethics to see if they did spend money that’s not viable for a campaign or election,” Hovis said. “I don’t know, I’m just not good enough on the rules to say yes or no on those.”

Hovis, a retired police officer who sponsored the legislation in the Missouri House, said he thinks the fee is reasonable. Sheriffs are vital to the functioning of the courts by serving paperwork, providing security and operating jails, he said.

Another committee member, Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, said he was also uncertain about the legality of the donation and wanted to know more.

“This doesn’t look good, and that’s where I’m at right now,” Beck said. “I would have to talk to some other folks that are a little bit more knowledgeable about this. I personally don’t like the way it looks.”

The fee in question was added to criminal cases in 1983 and expanded to include municipal court cases in 2013. In 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=177738" target="_blank">ruled that it was an unconstitutiona</a>l bar to the courts, which are to be&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++14&amp;bid=31714&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">open to all</a>&nbsp;and where “justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay.”

Amendment 6 would overturn that decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/pdf-bill/tat/SJR71.pdf" target="_blank">by stating</a>&nbsp;that “costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for” sheriffs, former sheriffs, prosecutors and former prosecutors is part of ensuring “that all Missourians have access to the courts of justice…”

Before the Supreme Court decision, the fiscal note for the legislation states, the fee brought about $2 million annually to the pension fund.

The fund in 2023 paid $3.8 million in benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://sherretmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-Sheriffs-Retirement-Annual-Report.pdf" target="_blank">147 retired former sheriffs, one disabled former sheriff, and 52 spouses</a>. The administrative costs of $244,454.

There are 17 retired sheriffs eligible for a pension but not receiving it and 115 currently in office.

“My board voted to contribute because it is important to the 200 members that are currently receiving a benefit that will lose their benefit if we do not receive our $3 fee back,” Lorts said.

During calendar year 2023, without the fees, the fund received $89,502 in contributions, had $38.4 million in assets and had lost $15 million in value over the previous two years. A large portion of the loss in value was due to refunding the unconstitutional fee and other costs from litigation.

To shore up its finances, lawmakers this year appropriated $5 million in general revenue to the fund, $2.5 million in the supplemental spending bill for the year ending June 30 and another $2.5 million in the current year.

Since Jan. 1, sheriffs have been contributing 5% of their salaries toward the pension fund.

By making the contribution after receiving state tax dollars, the fund could have violated rules governing the use of state appropriations, said Sharon Jones, an attorney from Jefferson City who was a member of the legal team that forced changes in the ballot language for Amendment 6.

“I’m not surprised by it even a little bit,” Jones said of the contribution.

The legal question is a murky one, she said.&nbsp;

“Our campaign finance laws are pretty Wild West,” she said. “Certainly, there have been attempts over the last couple of years specifically aimed at school boards and county people trying to pass levies to say you can’t campaign for it.”

A state law dating to 1988, and strengthened in 2021, prohibits political subdivisions&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.646&amp;bid=49862&amp;hl=" target="_blank">from using public funds</a>&nbsp;to support or oppose any ballot measure or candidate. No one interviewed for this story could point to a specific state law applying that prohibition to state departments or entities created by state statute.

Federal law does prohibit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1661-protection-government-property-embezzlement-public-funds" target="_blank">conversion of public funds</a>&nbsp;to campaign purposes.

“If the sheriff’s pension goes under, the state of Missouri is on the hook for those dollars,” Jones said.

Regardless of the law, she said, it is an improper diversion of money away from its official purpose.

“It’s still public money, and it’s still money that is supposed to be used on the administration of the pension fund and to make sure that there is enough to pay out what’s owed when the time comes,” Jones said.

Frank Vatterott, an attorney, former municipal judge in St. Louis County and a critic of the fee, said the $3 fee has nothing to do with keeping the courts open.&nbsp;

Vatterott&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/messenger-ruling-against-3-surcharge-sends-message-to-missouri-legislature-on-court-costs/article_381981a0-8ab5-5a60-a55b-8368c6ec4c5f.html" target="_blank">refused to collect the fee</a>&nbsp;while he was a judge. The roots of the constitutional prohibition on the fee, he said, date back to the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that put protections for individual rights into a legally binding document for the first time in England.

“The administration of justice just means the cost to keep the court going, to pay the court clerk and pay the judge and do the paperwork,” Vatterott said. “This is not the administration of justice. These are retirement funds.”

Vatterott said he has no doubt that the system’s money is public funds. And he’s not in doubt about the law.

“You can’t use public money for advocacy, period,” he said. “I would imagine they’re not that dumb.”

<h2>Lawmakers question the contribution to campaign committee pushing Amendment 6, which would reinstate fees dedicated to pensions for sheriffs and prosecutors</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>he Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System last month made a $30,000 investment, hoping for a big return if voters approve a ballot measure&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/04/amendment-would-use-court-fees-to-fund-retirement-for-missouri-sheriffs-prosecutors/">imposing a $3 fee on court cases</a>&nbsp;to fund the system’s pensions.The $30,000 contribution to the Committee to Ensure a Future for Sheriffs &amp; Prosecutors, the committee promoting Amendment 6 on the Nov. 5 ballot, was approved at the system’s Board of Directors meeting in September, executive director Melissa Lorts said Tuesday.The donation is drawing concern from critics of the proposed amendment — and even lawmakers in support — who question whether the pension board is using taxpayer dollars to support a political campaign.The fee on court cases could generate about $2 million annually,&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/4005S.03T.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">according to a fiscal note</a>&nbsp;for the legislation putting the measure before voters.Prosecutors, who would also benefit from Amendment 6, have contributed $50,000 from Missouri Prosecutors Association funds. Sheriffs are the biggest contributors, with $100,000 coming from the Missouri Sheriff’s Association in addition to the donation from the retirement fund.Along with providing the third-largest single contribution to the campaign, the retirement system website is actively promoting passage of the proposal with a&nbsp;<a href="https://sherretmo.com/" target="_blank">box urging a “yes” vote</a>&nbsp;on Amendment 6 and a link to the campaign website.Lorts is the treasurer of the campaign committee in addition to her duties, which she said are part-time, as fund executive director.No law is being violated by making the donation, Lorts said.“I have a legal opinion and these are not public dollars,” Lorts said. “I’m not a political subdivision and they’re not public dollars.”The legal opinion was not provided in writing, Lorts said. She also said she called the Missouri Ethics Commission and was assured the contribution was legal.That assurance was not formalized in writing, either, Lorts said.“My attorney, and I’ve also called Missouri Ethics, says nowhere am I not allowed to do that,” Lorts said.&nbsp;Stacy Heislen, acting executive director of the ethics commission, declined to comment on any specific conversations.“Our practice is to provide an overview of what the statute allows,” Heislen said.<h2>Questions from lawmakers</h2>Leading members of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement weren’t as certain as Lorts that the contributions were unquestionably legal.State Rep. Barry Hovis, a Cape Girardeau Republican and chairman of the committee, said he would have to know more about the precise source of funds. He said he would ask committee staff to research the question.“If we think that it’s a Missouri ethics complaint, obviously that report should be made to Missouri ethics to see if they did spend money that’s not viable for a campaign or election,” Hovis said. “I don’t know, I’m just not good enough on the rules to say yes or no on those.”Hovis, a retired police officer who sponsored the legislation in the Missouri House, said he thinks the fee is reasonable. Sheriffs are vital to the functioning of the courts by serving paperwork, providing security and operating jails, he said.Another committee member, Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, said he was also uncertain about the legality of the donation and wanted to know more.“This doesn’t look good, and that’s where I’m at right now,” Beck said. “I would have to talk to some other folks that are a little bit more knowledgeable about this. I personally don’t like the way it looks.”The fee in question was added to criminal cases in 1983 and expanded to include municipal court cases in 2013. In 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=177738" target="_blank">ruled that it was an unconstitutiona</a>l bar to the courts, which are to be&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++14&amp;bid=31714&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">open to all</a>&nbsp;and where “justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay.”Amendment 6 would overturn that decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/pdf-bill/tat/SJR71.pdf" target="_blank">by stating</a>&nbsp;that “costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for” sheriffs, former sheriffs, prosecutors and former prosecutors is part of ensuring “that all Missourians have access to the courts of justice…”Before the Supreme Court decision, the fiscal note for the legislation states, the fee brought about $2 million annually to the pension fund.The fund in 2023 paid $3.8 million in benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://sherretmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-Sheriffs-Retirement-Annual-Report.pdf" target="_blank">147 retired former sheriffs, one disabled former sheriff, and 52 spouses</a>. The administrative costs of $244,454.There are 17 retired sheriffs eligible for a pension but not receiving it and 115 currently in office.“My board voted to contribute because it is important to the 200 members that are currently receiving a benefit that will lose their benefit if we do not receive our $3 fee back,” Lorts said.<h2>Public money to shore up pension fund</h2>During calendar year 2023, without the fees, the fund received $89,502 in contributions, had $38.4 million in assets and had lost $15 million in value over the previous two years. A large portion of the loss in value was due to refunding the unconstitutional fee and other costs from litigation.To shore up its finances, lawmakers this year appropriated $5 million in general revenue to the fund, $2.5 million in the supplemental spending bill for the year ending June 30 and another $2.5 million in the current year.Since Jan. 1, sheriffs have been contributing 5% of their salaries toward the pension fund.By making the contribution after receiving state tax dollars, the fund could have violated rules governing the use of state appropriations, said Sharon Jones, an attorney from Jefferson City who was a member of the legal team that forced changes in the ballot language for Amendment 6.“I’m not surprised by it even a little bit,” Jones said of the contribution.The legal question is a murky one, she said.&nbsp;“Our campaign finance laws are pretty Wild West,” she said. “Certainly, there have been attempts over the last couple of years specifically aimed at school boards and county people trying to pass levies to say you can’t campaign for it.”A state law dating to 1988, and strengthened in 2021, prohibits political subdivisions&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.646&amp;bid=49862&amp;hl=" target="_blank">from using public funds</a>&nbsp;to support or oppose any ballot measure or candidate. No one interviewed for this story could point to a specific state law applying that prohibition to state departments or entities created by state statute.Federal law does prohibit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1661-protection-government-property-embezzlement-public-funds" target="_blank">conversion of public funds</a>&nbsp;to campaign purposes.“If the sheriff’s pension goes under, the state of Missouri is on the hook for those dollars,” Jones said.Regardless of the law, she said, it is an improper diversion of money away from its official purpose.“It’s still public money, and it’s still money that is supposed to be used on the administration of the pension fund and to make sure that there is enough to pay out what’s owed when the time comes,” Jones said.Frank Vatterott, an attorney, former municipal judge in St. Louis County and a critic of the fee, said the $3 fee has nothing to do with keeping the courts open.&nbsp;Vatterott&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/messenger-ruling-against-3-surcharge-sends-message-to-missouri-legislature-on-court-costs/article_381981a0-8ab5-5a60-a55b-8368c6ec4c5f.html" target="_blank">refused to collect the fee</a>&nbsp;while he was a judge. The roots of the constitutional prohibition on the fee, he said, date back to the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that put protections for individual rights into a legally binding document for the first time in England.“The administration of justice just means the cost to keep the court going, to pay the court clerk and pay the judge and do the paperwork,” Vatterott said. “This is not the administration of justice. These are retirement funds.”Vatterott said he has no doubt that the system’s money is public funds. And he’s not in doubt about the law.“You can’t use public money for advocacy, period,” he said. “I would imagine they’re not that dumb.”

Missouri sheriffs’ pension donates $30K to ballot campaign, sparking concerns

KANSAS CITY– A physical therapist who owns a clinic in California was sentenced in federal court this week for distributing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Esteban E. Manale, 47, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

Manale, the owner of a physical therapy clinic in Bellflower, Calif., pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024, to three counts of distributing child pornography. Manale admitted that on three separate occasions in August 2022 he sent images of child pornography to an undercover FBI task force officer whom he believed to be a Missouri woman he met online through a dating application.

Manale originally contacted a woman in Missouri on a dating application in August 2022. He told her that he worked at a physical therapy clinic primarily dealing with athletes, including minor females who were cheerleaders and volleyball players. He stated that he would get touchy with the athletes and liked to flirt with all of the girls who came to the clinic, and disclosed that he has had sex with patients at the clinic. He indicated that he liked children and had slept with a 13-year-old girl he met at the beach. He talked about his fascination with Ted Bundy, said he wanted to “use a rope to choke a young one,” use “knife play,” and “rape a young virgin girl while her mom watches me” while the mother is tied up.

The Missouri woman contacted law enforcement. An undercover officer assumed her identity and continued to communicate with Manale. In those conversations, Manale told the undercover officer that he had sexual contact with “preteens about 10 times,” defining them as being between 10 and 13 years old, and claimed to also have sexual contact “with older teens and about 20 plus.” In one communication, Manale claimed that he visited malls to “hunt” for young, cute girls over the weekend.

Manale discussed his desire to come to Kansas City to meet the undercover officer’s purported 8-year-old niece and have her record the encounter. He sent images of child pornography to the undercover officer via social media from Aug. 22, 2022, through Nov. 9, 2022.

On Dec. 14, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Manale’s residence and seized three cell phones. Two of the phones were hidden on top of the bathroom vanity, in a small space that was difficult to access. Investigators found 507 images and 154 videos of child pornography on those two cell phones.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Los Angeles, Calif., Sheriff’s Department.

KANSAS CITY– A physical therapist who owns a clinic in California was sentenced in federal court this week for distributing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.Esteban E. Manale, 47, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 12 years in federal prison without parole.Manale, the owner of a physical therapy clinic in Bellflower, Calif., pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024, to three counts of distributing child pornography. Manale admitted that on three separate occasions in August 2022 he sent images of child pornography to an undercover FBI task force officer whom he believed to be a Missouri woman he met online through a dating application.Manale originally contacted a woman in Missouri on a dating application in August 2022. He told her that he worked at a physical therapy clinic primarily dealing with athletes, including minor females who were cheerleaders and volleyball players. He stated that he would get touchy with the athletes and liked to flirt with all of the girls who came to the clinic, and disclosed that he has had sex with patients at the clinic. He indicated that he liked children and had slept with a 13-year-old girl he met at the beach. He talked about his fascination with Ted Bundy, said he wanted to “use a rope to choke a young one,” use “knife play,” and “rape a young virgin girl while her mom watches me” while the mother is tied up.The Missouri woman contacted law enforcement. An undercover officer assumed her identity and continued to communicate with Manale. In those conversations, Manale told the undercover officer that he had sexual contact with “preteens about 10 times,” defining them as being between 10 and 13 years old, and claimed to also have sexual contact “with older teens and about 20 plus.” In one communication, Manale claimed that he visited malls to “hunt” for young, cute girls over the weekend.Manale discussed his desire to come to Kansas City to meet the undercover officer’s purported 8-year-old niece and have her record the encounter. He sent images of child pornography to the undercover officer via social media from Aug. 22, 2022, through Nov. 9, 2022.On Dec. 14, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Manale’s residence and seized three cell phones. Two of the phones were hidden on top of the bathroom vanity, in a small space that was difficult to access. Investigators found 507 images and 154 videos of child pornography on those two cell phones.This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Los Angeles, Calif., Sheriff’s Department.

Physical therapist sent child porn to KCPD undercover officer

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;—&nbsp;"Missouri always stands ready to assist our fellow states in need, and as Governor Ron DeSantis and the people of Florida brace for one of the strongest and potentially most destructive hurricanes in recent memory, Missouri will be there to help them respond and recover," according to Governor Mike Parson in a media release from his office.

 "We will continue to assess how best Missouri can assist Florida in response to this hurricane and other states recently impacted by Hurricane Helene. In the meantime, Teresa and I are praying for Americans who have been displaced by Helene and the safety of the people of Florida as Milton approaches landfall."

Preparations are being made for Missouri personnel to arrive in Florida once the immediate threats of Hurricane Milton have passed. They will assist in Florida for five to 20 days, depending on response and recovery needs. Potential extensions and additional deployments may be assessed in coordination with Florida's emergency response agencies.

The cost of the combined deployment is estimated at $1.6 million and will be covered primarily by the Governor's Office's discretionary emergency response fund. The State could potentially be reimbursed by the federal government.

MONG assistance to Florida consists of transportation and logistics support. Vehicles from MONG's transportation Company are capable of traveling off road and over adverse terrain to deliver needed food, water, and other supplies and capabilities to the point of need. These assets were identified to fill critical capability gaps and meet anticipated needs on ground. Ongoing coordination with state and federal partners will define the full mission.

MSHP is rostering a team of 15 troopers and six civilians with the technical expertise, equipment, and supplies to support operations for a sustained period of time. MSHP is determined to assist Florida authorities and residents during this emergency without compromising the level of service it provides every day in Missouri. MO DMAT-1 team members will support any medical or logistical needs of the MSHP.

To date, the State of Missouri has not received any direct EMAC requests for states affected by Hurricane Helene but is prepared to consider any requests should they be received.

Individuals interested in helping are encouraged to direct donations to trusted disaster relief organizations such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:*2F*2Fwww.nvoad.org*2F/1/0100019273487c8f-17ce7c04-07f5-4938-af1c-268044ad1b9a-000000/J2Tpw2qKOHWjEp1jYM5PUilDOTFmT3i0Dn0hYcGGHnE=374__;JSUl!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HdEtmNVavUucqS9y7a_Bi3bNWFXr6NlPbMHpH0lGCmaWMjE5U7-mZThn4ciBWZycN_hASJFqQV_mVGgHrxgVnT2j9Q6wFOTqyjbaLVoj7IpMKbrC$" target="_blank">National Voluntary Organizations Active in&nbsp;Disaster</a>. Financial contributions are the fastest and most flexible method of donating as it allows these organizations to quickly address urgent or emerging needs. If you wish to donate supplies, first check to see what items have been identified as high need and where.&nbsp;&nbsp;

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;—&nbsp;"Missouri always stands ready to assist our fellow states in need, and as Governor Ron DeSantis and the people of Florida brace for one of the strongest and potentially most destructive hurricanes in recent memory, Missouri will be there to help them respond and recover," according to Governor Mike Parson in a media release from his office. "We will continue to assess how best Missouri can assist Florida in response to this hurricane and other states recently impacted by Hurricane Helene. In the meantime, Teresa and I are praying for Americans who have been displaced by Helene and the safety of the people of Florida as Milton approaches landfall."Preparations are being made for Missouri personnel to arrive in Florida once the immediate threats of Hurricane Milton have passed. They will assist in Florida for five to 20 days, depending on response and recovery needs. Potential extensions and additional deployments may be assessed in coordination with Florida's emergency response agencies.The cost of the combined deployment is estimated at $1.6 million and will be covered primarily by the Governor's Office's discretionary emergency response fund. The State could potentially be reimbursed by the federal government.MONG assistance to Florida consists of transportation and logistics support. Vehicles from MONG's transportation Company are capable of traveling off road and over adverse terrain to deliver needed food, water, and other supplies and capabilities to the point of need. These assets were identified to fill critical capability gaps and meet anticipated needs on ground. Ongoing coordination with state and federal partners will define the full mission.MSHP is rostering a team of 15 troopers and six civilians with the technical expertise, equipment, and supplies to support operations for a sustained period of time. MSHP is determined to assist Florida authorities and residents during this emergency without compromising the level of service it provides every day in Missouri. MO DMAT-1 team members will support any medical or logistical needs of the MSHP.To date, the State of Missouri has not received any direct EMAC requests for states affected by Hurricane Helene but is prepared to consider any requests should they be received.Individuals interested in helping are encouraged to direct donations to trusted disaster relief organizations such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:*2F*2Fwww.nvoad.org*2F/1/0100019273487c8f-17ce7c04-07f5-4938-af1c-268044ad1b9a-000000/J2Tpw2qKOHWjEp1jYM5PUilDOTFmT3i0Dn0hYcGGHnE=374__;JSUl!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HdEtmNVavUucqS9y7a_Bi3bNWFXr6NlPbMHpH0lGCmaWMjE5U7-mZThn4ciBWZycN_hASJFqQV_mVGgHrxgVnT2j9Q6wFOTqyjbaLVoj7IpMKbrC$" target="_blank">National Voluntary Organizations Active in&nbsp;Disaster</a>. Financial contributions are the fastest and most flexible method of donating as it allows these organizations to quickly address urgent or emerging needs. If you wish to donate supplies, first check to see what items have been identified as high need and where.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Governor orders Mo. National Guard to Florida to aid hurricane response

OSAGE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 1a.m. Wednesday in Osage County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Wrangler driven by Nathan L. Timpe, 20, Centralia was northbound near 474 County Road 807.

The Jeep traveled off the right side of the road, overturned, struck three trees and one occupant was ejected.

A passenger Riley M. Pipes, 19, Fulton, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger Braden M. Halter, 19, Cape Giradeau, was air-lifted to University Hospital.&nbsp; EMS transported Jacob Stoner, 20, Congerville, Illinois, to Capitol Regional Medical Center. Kyle R. Burris, 20, St. Peters, refused treatment or a minor injury.&nbsp; Timpe was not injured.&nbsp; Pipes was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

This article has been corrected since first posted.

OSAGE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 1a.m. Wednesday in Osage County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Wrangler driven by Nathan L. Timpe, 20, Centralia was northbound near 474 County Road 807.The Jeep traveled off the right side of the road, overturned, struck three trees and one occupant was ejected.A passenger Riley M. Pipes, 19, Fulton, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger Braden M. Halter, 19, Cape Giradeau, was air-lifted to University Hospital.&nbsp; EMS transported Jacob Stoner, 20, Congerville, Illinois, to Capitol Regional Medical Center. Kyle R. Burris, 20, St. Peters, refused treatment or a minor injury.&nbsp; Timpe was not injured.&nbsp; Pipes was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.This article has been corrected since first posted.

Mo. man dead, 3 others injured after Jeep rollover crash

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — A lecturer at the University of Kansas was placed on administrative leave Wednesday after a video surfaced showing him addressing students saying men who refuse to vote for a woman president because they don’t think women are smart enough to be president should be shot.&nbsp;

The lecturer’s comments were posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday morning and garnered more than 2 million views by afternoon. The video is a recording of a lecture from earlier this semester.&nbsp;

“There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president. We could line all those guys up and shoot ‘em. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”&nbsp;

He continued: “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”&nbsp;

KU’s student newspaper, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansan.com/news/video-of-ku-professor-making-inappropriate-remarks-goes-viral-on-x/article_7076e9c6-865f-11ef-af99-936139c18202.html" target="_blank">University Daily Kansan</a>, identified the lecturer based on online exchanges. A KU representative did not respond to a Kansas Reflector request to confirm the lecturer’s name.

KU issued a statement via&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1844066744018796645" target="_blank">X</a>&nbsp;calling the comments an “inappropriate reference to violence,” and confirmed the lecturer was placed on administrative leave.

“The instructor offers his sincerest apologies and deeply regrets the situation. His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so,” the statement said.&nbsp;

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall wrote Wednesday afternoon in a post on X, “This guy shouldn’t be within 100 yards of a university and I am calling for his swift termination.”&nbsp;

The senator also called for KU to fire the lecturer.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran called the video “disturbing and inappropriate” in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JerryMoran/status/1844086506744578265" target="_blank">a post on X</a>. He condemned calls for violence in classrooms and emphasized mitigating political rhetoric and valuing respect and civility.

A statement from the Kansas GOP chairman, Mike Brown, misidentified the lecturer in the video and condemned the rhetoric. “Every legislature should examine their funding of programs that allow extremism like this to persist, and every parent should seek institutions aligned with their core values,” Brown said.

Governor Laura Kelly said in a statement that violent rhetoric is unacceptable.

“We must strive to make our classrooms a place where diverse viewpoints are respectfully discussed, and politics is not weaponized to make our students feel unsafe or demonized for having differing opinions,” she said. “I appreciate the university’s swift action to address this matter.”

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach made&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KrisKobach1787/status/1844046414176977304" target="_blank">a post on X</a>&nbsp;criticizing the Kansas Board of Regents. He wrote:

“​​KS Regents: We educate leaders, build communities, and make discoveries that change the world.

KU prof: Some males in our society will refuse to vote for a female prez, because they don’t think females are smart enough to be Prez. We could line all those guys up and shoot them.”

Ned Ryun, a conservative pundit and activist and son of former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun of Kansas, initially posted the 32-second&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667" target="_blank">video on X</a>.&nbsp;

A similar incident occurred at KU more than a decade ago when a professor of journalism, David Guth, was placed on administrative leave after making comments critical of the National Rifle Association, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/sep/20/ku-journalism-professor-guth-placed-leave-school-r/" target="_blank">2013 reporting by the Lawrence Journal-World</a>. Guth was not terminated, but he retired in 2019, according to his KU website and his personal résumé.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728508235506.png" alt=" Strong Hall at the University of Kansas on August 22, 2020. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Strong Hall at the University of Kansas on August 22, 2020. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — A lecturer at the University of Kansas was placed on administrative leave Wednesday after a video surfaced showing him addressing students saying men who refuse to vote for a woman president because they don’t think women are smart enough to be president should be shot.&nbsp;The lecturer’s comments were posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday morning and garnered more than 2 million views by afternoon. The video is a recording of a lecture from earlier this semester.&nbsp;In it, the lecturer says the following:“There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president. We could line all those guys up and shoot ‘em. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”&nbsp;He continued: “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Seriously ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnivOfKansas</a>⁩? You’re letting this be said in your classrooms? That men who won’t vote for Kamala Harris for President should be lined up and shot?? ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerryMoran</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/7hHihxScEg">pic.twitter.com/7hHihxScEg</a>&mdash; Ned Ryun (@nedryun) <a href="https://twitter.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>KU’s student newspaper, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansan.com/news/video-of-ku-professor-making-inappropriate-remarks-goes-viral-on-x/article_7076e9c6-865f-11ef-af99-936139c18202.html" target="_blank">University Daily Kansan</a>, identified the lecturer based on online exchanges. A KU representative did not respond to a Kansas Reflector request to confirm the lecturer’s name.KU issued a statement via&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1844066744018796645" target="_blank">X</a>&nbsp;calling the comments an “inappropriate reference to violence,” and confirmed the lecturer was placed on administrative leave.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A statement from the university regarding a classroom video. <a href="https://t.co/SWnmhsNuPa">pic.twitter.com/SWnmhsNuPa</a>&mdash; University of Kansas (@UnivOfKansas) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1844066744018796645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The instructor offers his sincerest apologies and deeply regrets the situation. His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so,” the statement said.&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall wrote Wednesday afternoon in a post on X, “This guy shouldn’t be within 100 yards of a university and I am calling for his swift termination.”&nbsp;The senator also called for KU to fire the lecturer.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is disturbing and inappropriate. There should never be a call for violence anytime or anywhere in the classroom. We must cool down the political rhetoric and be respectful and civil to each other, &amp; that is especially true for someone charged with teaching our young people. <a href="https://t.co/SWVnmteC0k">https://t.co/SWVnmteC0k</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1844086506744578265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran called the video “disturbing and inappropriate” in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JerryMoran/status/1844086506744578265" target="_blank">a post on X</a>. He condemned calls for violence in classrooms and emphasized mitigating political rhetoric and valuing respect and civility.A statement from the Kansas GOP chairman, Mike Brown, misidentified the lecturer in the video and condemned the rhetoric. “Every legislature should examine their funding of programs that allow extremism like this to persist, and every parent should seek institutions aligned with their core values,” Brown said.Governor Laura Kelly said in a statement that violent rhetoric is unacceptable.“We must strive to make our classrooms a place where diverse viewpoints are respectfully discussed, and politics is not weaponized to make our students feel unsafe or demonized for having differing opinions,” she said. “I appreciate the university’s swift action to address this matter.”Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach made&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KrisKobach1787/status/1844046414176977304" target="_blank">a post on X</a>&nbsp;criticizing the Kansas Board of Regents. He wrote:“​​KS Regents: We educate leaders, build communities, and make discoveries that change the world.KU prof: Some males in our society will refuse to vote for a female prez, because they don’t think females are smart enough to be Prez. We could line all those guys up and shoot them.”Ned Ryun, a conservative pundit and activist and son of former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun of Kansas, initially posted the 32-second&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667" target="_blank">video on X</a>.&nbsp;A similar incident occurred at KU more than a decade ago when a professor of journalism, David Guth, was placed on administrative leave after making comments critical of the National Rifle Association, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/sep/20/ku-journalism-professor-guth-placed-leave-school-r/" target="_blank">2013 reporting by the Lawrence Journal-World</a>. Guth was not terminated, but he retired in 2019, according to his KU website and his personal résumé.

KU lecturer on leave after ‘inappropriate reference to violence’ during class

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Shawnee County judge rejected a lawsuit from Aetna Better Health of Kansas, which sued the state earlier this year after it was passed over as one of Kansas’ three Medicaid insurance providers.

In a 50-page decision, Shawnee County District Judge Thomas Luedke upheld the decision by Todd Herman, director of procurement and contracts in the Department of Administration, not to renew the contract for Medicaid services that Aetna has provided for the past five years.

The state announced in May that it selected three private companies, excluding Aetna, from seven bidders to provide coverage under KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas, beginning in January. In the state’s evaluation process, Aetna had tied for third with Healthy Blue. State officials destroyed documentation of scoring notes that were used by evaluators to inform their selection of Healthy Blue, a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, over Aetna.

In response, Aetna filed two lawsuits in Shawnee County District Court. One, filed in July and decided Oct. 1, challenged the decision itself. Another, filed in June, was an effort to challenge the state’s destruction of documents and awaits a ruling. The judge’s Oct. 1 decision came a day before the deadline for Aetna to notify its beneficiaries that it will no longer be a provider under KanCare.

Luedke wrote that the scoring process that evaluated each provider bidding for a multimillion dollar KanCare contract is “highly technical.”

“The Court is reluctant, and for the most part unable, to substitute its untutored judgment for that of the scoring officials,” Luedke wrote in his decision. “Nothing in Director Herman’s consideration of this issue was unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.”

At a Sept. 17 hearing, Luedke likened the scoring notes to jury notes, which are commonly destroyed after a verdict is issued.

Court documents show Aetna beat out Healthy Blue in two evaluation areas, integrated whole person care and quality assurance, but the two had even scores overall. However, Healthy Blue topped Aetna in the remaining five categories. Handwritten notes showed decision-makers had concerns about Aetna’s “unresolved issues” in Kansas and other Medicaid states. But concerns were noted about Healthy Blue, too, including one that said it was “discouraging to see lack of initiative” from Healthy Blue.

The state signed contracts May 10 with Healthy Blue, United Healthcare and Sunflower Health Plan. Aetna then protested the decision, alleging the state used unstated and objective evaluation criteria, cherry-picked the criteria to break the tie between Aetna and Healthy Blue and ignored Healthy Blue’s alleged&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/26/kansas-legislative-committee-jumps-into-battle-over-selection-of-medicaid-contractors/">conflicts of interest</a>.

“The State’s method of evaluating these scores was well within the scope of its expertise and discretion,” Luedke wrote. “The way the review was conducted should have been no surprised (sic) to any of the bidders.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728494523637.jpeg" alt=" Shawnee County District Judge Thomas Luedke upheld the state's decision to drop Aetna as a Medicaid services provider. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Shawnee County District Judge Thomas Luedke upheld the state's decision to drop Aetna as a Medicaid services provider. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Shawnee County judge rejected a lawsuit from Aetna Better Health of Kansas, which sued the state earlier this year after it was passed over as one of Kansas’ three Medicaid insurance providers.In a 50-page decision, Shawnee County District Judge Thomas Luedke upheld the decision by Todd Herman, director of procurement and contracts in the Department of Administration, not to renew the contract for Medicaid services that Aetna has provided for the past five years.The state announced in May that it selected three private companies, excluding Aetna, from seven bidders to provide coverage under KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas, beginning in January. In the state’s evaluation process, Aetna had tied for third with Healthy Blue. State officials destroyed documentation of scoring notes that were used by evaluators to inform their selection of Healthy Blue, a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, over Aetna.In response, Aetna filed two lawsuits in Shawnee County District Court. One, filed in July and decided Oct. 1, challenged the decision itself. Another, filed in June, was an effort to challenge the state’s destruction of documents and awaits a ruling. The judge’s Oct. 1 decision came a day before the deadline for Aetna to notify its beneficiaries that it will no longer be a provider under KanCare.Luedke wrote that the scoring process that evaluated each provider bidding for a multimillion dollar KanCare contract is “highly technical.”“The Court is reluctant, and for the most part unable, to substitute its untutored judgment for that of the scoring officials,” Luedke wrote in his decision. “Nothing in Director Herman’s consideration of this issue was unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.”At a Sept. 17 hearing, Luedke likened the scoring notes to jury notes, which are commonly destroyed after a verdict is issued.Court documents show Aetna beat out Healthy Blue in two evaluation areas, integrated whole person care and quality assurance, but the two had even scores overall. However, Healthy Blue topped Aetna in the remaining five categories. Handwritten notes showed decision-makers had concerns about Aetna’s “unresolved issues” in Kansas and other Medicaid states. But concerns were noted about Healthy Blue, too, including one that said it was “discouraging to see lack of initiative” from Healthy Blue.The state signed contracts May 10 with Healthy Blue, United Healthcare and Sunflower Health Plan. Aetna then protested the decision, alleging the state used unstated and objective evaluation criteria, cherry-picked the criteria to break the tie between Aetna and Healthy Blue and ignored Healthy Blue’s alleged&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/26/kansas-legislative-committee-jumps-into-battle-over-selection-of-medicaid-contractors/">conflicts of interest</a>.“The State’s method of evaluating these scores was well within the scope of its expertise and discretion,” Luedke wrote. “The way the review was conducted should have been no surprised (sic) to any of the bidders.”

Aetna loses challenge of Kansas Medicaid contract process

By ALVARO PUIG Consumer Education Specialist

<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/ftc-takes-action-against-marriott-starwood-over-multiple-data-breaches">Marriott settled charges related to a data breach</a>&nbsp;that exposed the information of millions of guests. The company will take steps to better protect customers’ personal information. And it will give customers more control over their information.

If you’re a Marriott customer, here’s what the settlement means for you:

To learn more about protecting yourself after a data breach, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen">IdentityTheft.gov</a>.

By ALVARO PUIG Consumer Education Specialist<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/ftc-takes-action-against-marriott-starwood-over-multiple-data-breaches">Marriott settled charges related to a data breach</a>&nbsp;that exposed the information of millions of guests. The company will take steps to better protect customers’ personal information. And it will give customers more control over their information.If you’re a Marriott customer, here’s what the settlement means for you:<ol>
 <li>You may ask Marriott to review your Bonvoy account for unauthorized, suspicious activity. If, after an investigation, Marriott determines your loyalty points were stolen through unauthorized access to your account, Marriott will restore your stolen points.</li><li>You may request through Marriott's website or mobile app the deletion of your personal information associated with your email address or Bonvoy account number.</li><li><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriott.com%2Fabout%2Fprivacy.mi&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Fconsumer-alerts%2F2024%2F10%2Fmarriott-data-breach-settlement-what-it-means-consumers%3Futm_source%3Dgovdelivery">Marriott’s privacy policy</a>&nbsp;must clearly state why it’s collecting your personal information and the business need for keeping it.</li><li>You can enable multi-factor authentication on your Bonvoy account to add an extra layer of security.</li>
 </ol>Additionally, Marriott will<ul>
 <li>put in place a comprehensive information security program that includes multi-factor authentication, encryption, and other safeguards</li><li>cooperate with third party audits of its information security program</li><li>only collect and keep personal information if it has a business need for it</li><li>only use the information it collects for the purpose for which it was collected</li><li>delete collected information when it no longer has a need for it</li><li>not use for marketing purposes information you asked Marriott to delete</li>
 </ul>To learn more about protecting yourself after a data breach, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen">IdentityTheft.gov</a>.

Marriott data breach settlement: What it means for consumers

SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police are investigating an alleged threat against Salina Central High School,&nbsp;650 E Crawford Street in Salina, after a threatening message was sent to the school's social media page on Tuesday night, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. The message was sent to the school's page at approximately 9 p.m.&nbsp;

"The threat, which was sent via Instagram, claimed that an individual would 'shoot up the school' on Wednesday around 10 a.m."

Feldman said USD 305 officials immediately contacted the school resource officer and Salina Police to investigate. Salina Police worked through the night with Instagram and Google's assistance to trace the origin of the threat.

The message was tracked to Ravenna, Ohio, a town south of Cleveland. 

On Wednesday morning, Ravenna Police Department officers were able to identify and take the suspect, who is a minor, into custody.

Feldman said the suspect is a high school student previously involved in a relationship with a Salina Central student. The suspect allegedly made the threat after the couple broke up.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, additional officers were deployed at Salina Central on Monday morning, according to Salina Police.&nbsp; Two patrol officers were stationed at the school along with the School Resource Officer, who normally provides security for both Central High and other schools in the district.

SPD continues to coordinate with Ravenna Police and charges are pending against the suspect.

SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police are investigating an alleged threat against Salina Central High School,&nbsp;650 E Crawford Street in Salina, after a threatening message was sent to the school's social media page on Tuesday night, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. The message was sent to the school's page at approximately 9 p.m.&nbsp;"The threat, which was sent via Instagram, claimed that an individual would 'shoot up the school' on Wednesday around 10 a.m."Feldman said USD 305 officials immediately contacted the school resource officer and Salina Police to investigate. Salina Police worked through the night with Instagram and Google's assistance to trace the origin of the threat.The message was tracked to Ravenna, Ohio, a town south of Cleveland. On Wednesday morning, Ravenna Police Department officers were able to identify and take the suspect, who is a minor, into custody.Feldman said the suspect is a high school student previously involved in a relationship with a Salina Central student. The suspect allegedly made the threat after the couple broke up.To ensure the safety of students and staff, additional officers were deployed at Salina Central on Monday morning, according to Salina Police.&nbsp; Two patrol officers were stationed at the school along with the School Resource Officer, who normally provides security for both Central High and other schools in the district.SPD continues to coordinate with Ravenna Police and charges are pending against the suspect.

Student in Ohio accused of threat to shoot up Kan. high school

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a plan Tuesday that would strengthen Medicare coverage to include long-term care for seniors in their homes, tackling one of the biggest challenges in U.S. health care.

The Democratic presidential nominee revealed the proposal while on “The View” — one of several high-profile media appearances this week as she and the GOP presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, sprint to the November finish line.

“There are so many people in our country who are right in the middle: They’re taking care of their kids and they’re taking care of their aging parents, and it’s just almost impossible to do it all, especially if they work,” Harris said during the live interview. “We’re finding that so many are then having to leave their job, which means losing a source of income, not to mention the emotional stress.”

Harris is focusing on the “sandwich generation,” which refers to Americans who are caring for their children while also caring for aging parents.

Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25196234-harrismedicareathomeplan" target="_blank">the plan</a>, Medicare — the nation’s health insurance program for people 65 and older and some under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions — would cover an at-home health benefit for those enrolled in the program, as well as hearing and vision benefits, according to her campaign in a Tuesday fact sheet.

Medicare for the most part now does not cover long-term care services like home health aides.

The benefits would be funded by “expanding Medicare drug price negotiations, increasing the discounts drug manufacturers cover for certain brand-name drugs in Medicare, and addressing Medicare fraud,” per her campaign.

Harris also plans to “crack down on pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) to increase transparency, disclose more information on costs, and regulate other practices that raise prices,” according to her campaign, which said she will also “implement international tax reform.”

The campaign did not cite a price tag but noted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-home-care-benefit-for-medicare/" target="_blank">similar plans</a>&nbsp;have been estimated to cost $40 billion annually, “before considering ​​savings from avoiding hospitalizations and more expensive institutional care, or the additional revenues that would generate from more unpaid family caregivers going back to work if they need to.”

The proposal comes along with the nominee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-pitches-opportunity-economy-debut-one-one-tv-interview" target="_blank">sweeping economic plan</a>, part of which involves cutting taxes for more than 100 million Americans, including $6,000 in tax relief for new parents in the first year of their child’s life.

In response to the proposal, the Trump campaign said the former president “will always fight for America’s senior citizens — who have been left behind by Kamala Harris,” per a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/3da13bf5-4a2d-47e9-bfaf-69cc77f14bbc" target="_blank">news release</a>.

The campaign also cited Medicare Advantage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-changes-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-provide-better-coverage-and" target="_blank">policies</a>&nbsp;extended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Trump’s first term.

The campaign reiterated the&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.nucleusfiles.com/be/beb1a388-1d88-4389-a67d-c1e2d7f8bedf/2024-gop-platform-july-7-final.pdf?_nlid=m5eUxFGPUe&amp;_nhids=RmedtdnxlK" target="_blank">2024 GOP platform</a>’s chapter on protecting seniors, saying Trump will “prioritize home care benefits by shifting resources back to at-home senior care, overturning disincentives that lead to care worker shortages, and supporting unpaid family caregivers through tax credits and reduced red tape.”

While appearing live on “The Howard Stern Show” on Tuesday shortly after “The View,” Harris dubbed Trump an “unserious man,” saying the consequences of him serving another term are “brutally serious.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623708723138.jpeg" alt="-&nbsp;The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, on Tuesday announced a proposal on long-term care under Medicare focused on the “sandwich generation,” which refers to Americans who are caring for their children while also caring for aging parents.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>-&nbsp;The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, on Tuesday announced a proposal on long-term care under Medicare focused on the “sandwich generation,” which refers to Americans who are caring for their children while also caring for aging parents.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a plan Tuesday that would strengthen Medicare coverage to include long-term care for seniors in their homes, tackling one of the biggest challenges in U.S. health care.The Democratic presidential nominee revealed the proposal while on “The View” — one of several high-profile media appearances this week as she and the GOP presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, sprint to the November finish line.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">I took care of my mother when she was sick with cancer—I know that caregiving is about dignity. My plan will allow Medicare to cover in-home health care, which will lower costs and reduce the financial and emotional stress for families across the country. <a href="https://t.co/NR5ROKCzfl">pic.twitter.com/NR5ROKCzfl</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1843716356069327005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“There are so many people in our country who are right in the middle: They’re taking care of their kids and they’re taking care of their aging parents, and it’s just almost impossible to do it all, especially if they work,” Harris said during the live interview. “We’re finding that so many are then having to leave their job, which means losing a source of income, not to mention the emotional stress.”Harris is focusing on the “sandwich generation,” which refers to Americans who are caring for their children while also caring for aging parents.Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25196234-harrismedicareathomeplan" target="_blank">the plan</a>, Medicare — the nation’s health insurance program for people 65 and older and some under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions — would cover an at-home health benefit for those enrolled in the program, as well as hearing and vision benefits, according to her campaign in a Tuesday fact sheet.Medicare for the most part now does not cover long-term care services like home health aides.The benefits would be funded by “expanding Medicare drug price negotiations, increasing the discounts drug manufacturers cover for certain brand-name drugs in Medicare, and addressing Medicare fraud,” per her campaign.Harris also plans to “crack down on pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) to increase transparency, disclose more information on costs, and regulate other practices that raise prices,” according to her campaign, which said she will also “implement international tax reform.”The campaign did not cite a price tag but noted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-home-care-benefit-for-medicare/" target="_blank">similar plans</a>&nbsp;have been estimated to cost $40 billion annually, “before considering ​​savings from avoiding hospitalizations and more expensive institutional care, or the additional revenues that would generate from more unpaid family caregivers going back to work if they need to.”The proposal comes along with the nominee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-pitches-opportunity-economy-debut-one-one-tv-interview" target="_blank">sweeping economic plan</a>, part of which involves cutting taxes for more than 100 million Americans, including $6,000 in tax relief for new parents in the first year of their child’s life.<h2>Trump responds</h2>In response to the proposal, the Trump campaign said the former president “will always fight for America’s senior citizens — who have been left behind by Kamala Harris,” per a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/3da13bf5-4a2d-47e9-bfaf-69cc77f14bbc" target="_blank">news release</a>.The campaign also cited Medicare Advantage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-changes-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-provide-better-coverage-and" target="_blank">policies</a>&nbsp;extended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Trump’s first term.The campaign reiterated the&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.nucleusfiles.com/be/beb1a388-1d88-4389-a67d-c1e2d7f8bedf/2024-gop-platform-july-7-final.pdf?_nlid=m5eUxFGPUe&amp;_nhids=RmedtdnxlK" target="_blank">2024 GOP platform</a>’s chapter on protecting seniors, saying Trump will “prioritize home care benefits by shifting resources back to at-home senior care, overturning disincentives that lead to care worker shortages, and supporting unpaid family caregivers through tax credits and reduced red tape.”<h2>Harris and Howard Stern</h2>While appearing live on “The Howard Stern Show” on Tuesday shortly after “The View,” Harris dubbed Trump an “unserious man,” saying the consequences of him serving another term are “brutally serious.”She also again criticized Trump for nominating three of the five members to the U.S. Supreme Court who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022 — a reversal that ended nearly half a century of the constitutional right to abortion.“And it’s not about abortion, you have basically now a system that says you as an individual do not have the right to make a decision about your own body. The government has the right to make that decision for you,” she said.Harris, who said she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected, was asked whether she would choose former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney.Cheney was the vice chair of the U.S. House Jan. 6 committee tasked with investigating the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.Harris did not disclose a preference, but said Cheney is “smart,” “remarkable” and a “dedicated public servant.”Cheney is among some prominent Republicans to endorse Harris. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-flaunt-republican-endorsements-harris-presidential-bid" target="_blank">campaigned with the veep in Ripon, Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;— the birthplace of the Republican Party — just last week.<h2>Trump talks with Ben Shapiro</h2>Meanwhile, Trump said Harris is “grossly incompetent” during an interview that aired Tuesday on “The Ben Shapiro Show.”“Biden was incompetent, she is equally incompetent and in a certain way, she’s more incompetent,” Trump told Shapiro, a conservative political commentator and co-founder of The Daily Wire, referring to President Joe Biden.Trump also criticized Harris’ Monday interview on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-60-minutes-says-congress-would-work-her-president-if-shes-elected" target="_blank">CBS News’ “60 Minutes,”</a>&nbsp;saying the veep “answers questions like a child.”“She’s answering questions in the most basic way and getting killed over it,” Trump added.<h2>Look ahead for Harris, Trump campaigns</h2>Harris was also set to also appear on CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Tuesday night. She will also appear at a Univision town hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, that airs Thursday.Trump was slated to participate in a roundtable with Latino leaders and a Univision town hall on Tuesday in Miami, but both events were postponed due to Hurricane Milton.Trump is set to give remarks Wednesday in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Later that day, he will continue campaigning in the Keystone State with a rally in Reading.