FORT RILEY, Kan. (AP) — Fort Riley has not released any additional information after a guard shot and wounded a motorist during an altercation at a gate at the Army base.

The base said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley/posts/pfbid02p3JBkz7VTQv5wGsCTKNa6P7eEk9iqamBT2VPRwZZuieEzZcjoXETneENkgcTsh95l">news release</a>&nbsp;that the motorist's injuries weren't life threatening.

The altercation happened Monday after the motorist drove through the gate and was stopped by an automatic vehicle barrier. The release said the the “situation escalated” when the motorist got out of the vehicle, and the guard opened fire.

The base has not released the the name of the wounded driver or what else led up to the shooting.

The release said that no additional information will be released while military police conduct an investigation. A phone message that The Associated Press left with the base wasn't immediately returned.

FORT RILEY, Kan. (AP) — Fort Riley has not released any additional information after a guard shot and wounded a motorist during an altercation at a gate at the Army base.The base said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley/posts/pfbid02p3JBkz7VTQv5wGsCTKNa6P7eEk9iqamBT2VPRwZZuieEzZcjoXETneENkgcTsh95l">news release</a>&nbsp;that the motorist's injuries weren't life threatening.The altercation happened Monday after the motorist drove through the gate and was stopped by an automatic vehicle barrier. The release said the the “situation escalated” when the motorist got out of the vehicle, and the guard opened fire.The base has not released the the name of the wounded driver or what else led up to the shooting.The release said that no additional information will be released while military police conduct an investigation. A phone message that The Associated Press left with the base wasn't immediately returned.

No update from Fort Riley after guard wounds motorist at gate

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police officer for alleged child sex crimes.

On Monday, Wichita Police Department Command Staff learned that officer <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">Brock England</a> was arrested by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department and <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12-years-old and lewd molestation stemming from an investigation in Garfield County, Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The county booking details list him <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">as a fugitive from justice.</a>

England, 32, has been employed with the Wichita Police for 7-years and was assigned to the field services division. England will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679400244875.png" alt="England photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>England photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police officer for alleged child sex crimes.On Monday, Wichita Police Department Command Staff learned that officer <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">Brock England</a> was arrested by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department and <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">booked into the Sedgwick County Jail </a>on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12-years-old and lewd molestation stemming from an investigation in Garfield County, Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;The county booking details list him <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20081631">as a fugitive from justice.</a>England, 32, has been employed with the Wichita Police for 7-years and was assigned to the field services division. England will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigation.

Fugitive from justice: Kan. police officer accused of sex crimes

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita say the child's condition is improving.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment from single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. 

The victim underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition. according to Rebolledo. On Monday, Rebolledo said her outcome now is very promising.

The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita say the child's condition is improving.Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment from single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. The victim underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition. according to Rebolledo. On Monday, Rebolledo said her outcome now is very promising.The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

Police: Condition of 1-year-old with gunshot wound is improving

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday joined the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Kansas Department of Administration, and representatives of McCownGordon Construction to celebrate the beginning of construction of the new State of Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory (KHEL), according to a media release from the governor's office.

“From stopping viruses in their tracks to keeping our drinking water clean, this new lab will be on the frontlines of keeping Kansans safe and healthy. But what excites me the most is that it will attract new talent to the area and address our public health worker shortage,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“KDHE is already hearing from job applicants that this new lab is part of the reason they want to come to Kansas.&nbsp;They want to be part of building the future of public health, and there’s no better place to do it than in a modern lab.”

The construction of a new KHEL was approved by Governor Kelly and the State Finance Council in December 2021. American Rescue Plan Act dollars and state general funds will each fund half of the total cost. The State is paying cash for this project, saving potentially millions of dollars in interest, because of the Governor’s fiscal responsibility.

“KHEL is a full-service lab, providing approximately 1 million clinical and environment tests per year that assist in protecting the citizens of Kansas,”&nbsp;KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said.&nbsp;“This new facility could not have come at a better time so that lab staff can continue to excel at what they do and also administer and expand their statewide laboratory improvement programs across nearly 2,000 medical, environmental, and law enforcement agencies.”

The lab will be built on a 3.61-acre section of the Capitol Complex between Topeka Boulevard and Harrison Street (State Parking Lot 4). Plans call for a three-story building of approximately 100,000 square feet. The KHEL will consist of high-tech biology, chemistry, and diagnostic laboratories; offices; and training rooms.

“This has been in development for a long time, and I’m thrilled that we get to begin construction and to see the fruits of our labor,”&nbsp;Acting Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt said.&nbsp;“This project and the Docking building project will have an enormous impact on the community of Topeka, downtown businesses, and all Kansans, who will be better served by this state-of-the-art biomedical lab.”

The more than 100 employees at the current lab will transfer to the lab once operational. The lab is expected to be complete by Spring 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679334610329.png" alt="The construction of a new KHEL was approved by Governor Kelly and the State Finance Council in December 2021.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The construction of a new KHEL was approved by Governor Kelly and the State Finance Council in December 2021.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Monday joined the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Kansas Department of Administration, and representatives of McCownGordon Construction to celebrate the beginning of construction of the new State of Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory (KHEL), according to a media release from the governor's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679334385546.png" alt="The new facility is anticipated to be a p proximately 100,000 + square feet-Photo courtesy McCownGordon Construction" />
 <figcaption>The new facility is anticipated to be a p proximately 100,000 + square feet-Photo courtesy McCownGordon Construction</figcaption>
 </figure>“From stopping viruses in their tracks to keeping our drinking water clean, this new lab will be on the frontlines of keeping Kansans safe and healthy. But what excites me the most is that it will attract new talent to the area and address our public health worker shortage,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“KDHE is already hearing from job applicants that this new lab is part of the reason they want to come to Kansas.&nbsp;They want to be part of building the future of public health, and there’s no better place to do it than in a modern lab.”The construction of a new KHEL was approved by Governor Kelly and the State Finance Council in December 2021. American Rescue Plan Act dollars and state general funds will each fund half of the total cost. The State is paying cash for this project, saving potentially millions of dollars in interest, because of the Governor’s fiscal responsibility.“KHEL is a full-service lab, providing approximately 1 million clinical and environment tests per year that assist in protecting the citizens of Kansas,”&nbsp;KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said.&nbsp;“This new facility could not have come at a better time so that lab staff can continue to excel at what they do and also administer and expand their statewide laboratory improvement programs across nearly 2,000 medical, environmental, and law enforcement agencies.”The lab will be built on a 3.61-acre section of the Capitol Complex between Topeka Boulevard and Harrison Street (State Parking Lot 4). Plans call for a three-story building of approximately 100,000 square feet. The KHEL will consist of high-tech biology, chemistry, and diagnostic laboratories; offices; and training rooms.“This has been in development for a long time, and I’m thrilled that we get to begin construction and to see the fruits of our labor,”&nbsp;Acting Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt said.&nbsp;“This project and the Docking building project will have an enormous impact on the community of Topeka, downtown businesses, and all Kansans, who will be better served by this state-of-the-art biomedical lab.”The more than 100 employees at the current lab will transfer to the lab once operational. The lab is expected to be complete by Spring 2025.

Gov. breaks ground on $62M Kan. Health and Environmental Lab

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities continue the investigation of a fatal incident at a refinery in Montgomery County, Kansas.

On Friday, an employee at the Coffeyville refinery,&nbsp;808 E New Street, Coffeyville,&nbsp; was transported from the refinery to an area hospital following an incident, according to a statement from Brandee Stephens, Director of Corporate Affairs at the refinery.&nbsp;The employee died.

The refinery was undergoing maintenance activities at the time. The company reported the incident to regulators.&nbsp; On Monday, officials said they would not release the victim's name and had no additional details available on what happened.

CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewable fuels, petroleum refining and marketing business through its interest in CVR Refining and the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners, LP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities continue the investigation of a fatal incident at a refinery in Montgomery County, Kansas.On Friday, an employee at the Coffeyville refinery,&nbsp;808 E New Street, Coffeyville,&nbsp; was transported from the refinery to an area hospital following an incident, according to a statement from Brandee Stephens, Director of Corporate Affairs at the refinery.&nbsp;The employee died.The refinery was undergoing maintenance activities at the time. The company reported the incident to regulators.&nbsp; On Monday, officials said they would not release the victim's name and had no additional details available on what happened.CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewable fuels, petroleum refining and marketing business through its interest in CVR Refining and the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners, LP.

Investigation of deadly Kansas refinery incident continues

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden issued the first veto of his presidency Monday in an early sign of shifting White House relations with the new Congress since Republicans took control of the House in January — a move that serves as a prelude to bigger battles with GOP lawmakers on government spending and the nation's debt limit.

Biden sought to kill a Republican-authored measure that would ban the government from considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-cultures-climate-and-environment-government-politics-37bd9e4894541275982a7ff99089cc7e">environmental impacts</a>&nbsp;or potential lawsuits when making investment decisions for people's retirement plans. In a video released by the White House, Biden said he vetoed the measure because it “put at risk the retirement savings of individuals across the country.”

His first veto represents a more confrontational approach at the midway of Biden's term in office, as he faces a GOP-controlled House that is eager to undo parts of his policy legacy and investigate his administration and his family. Complicating matters for Biden, several Democratic senators are up for re-election next year in conservative states, giving them political incentive to put some distance between them and the White House.

The measure vetoed by Biden would have effectively reinstated a Trump-era ban on federal managers of retirement plans considering factors such as climate change, social impacts or pending lawsuits when making investment choices.

The veto could also help calm some anger from environmentalists who have been upset with the Biden administration for its recent decision to greenlight the Willow oil project, a massive and contentious drilling project in Alaska.

“The president vetoed the bill because it jeopardizes the hard-earned life savings of cops, firefighters, teachers, and other workers," White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson said.

But critics say so-called environmental, social and governance investments allocate money based on political agendas, such as a drive against climate change, rather than on earning the best returns for savers. Republicans in Congress who pushed the measure said environmental or social considerations in investments by the government are just another example of being “woke.”

“In his first veto, Biden just sided with woke Wall Street over workers," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., tweeted on Monday. “Tells you exactly where his priorities lie.” He said "it’s clear Biden wants Wall Street to use your retirement savings to fund his far-left political causes.”

Biden's veto is likely to prevail. Just three Democrats in Congress — one in the House, and two in the Senate — supported Republicans in the matter, making it unlikely a two-thirds majority in both chambers could be assembled to overcome Biden's veto.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, was the sole Democrat to back the resolution in the House, while Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., supported it in the Senate. Golden is a perennial target of Republicans seeking to oust him from his conservative district, while Tester and Manchin are both up for re-election next year.

“This administration continues to prioritize their radical policy agenda over the economic, energy and national security needs of our country, and it is absolutely infuriating," Manchin said in a statement.

Though Biden swiftly vetoed the investment resolution, other measures coming from Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead could be a tougher call for the White House.

The administration initially signaled that Biden would reject a Republican-authored measure that would override a crime measure passed by the District of Columbia Council, but the president later said he would sign it and did so Monday. He also signed a bill directing the federal government to declassify intelligence related to the origins of COVID-19.

Biden's immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, vetoed 10 bills during his term in office, while Barack Obama vetoed 12, according to the the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Both had one of their vetoes overridden by Congress.

The president with the most vetoes was Franklin Delano Roosevelt — who was elected to four terms before a constitutional amendment limited all presidents to two — with 635 vetoes. Six U.S. presidents never vetoed any legislation in office.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden issued the first veto of his presidency Monday in an early sign of shifting White House relations with the new Congress since Republicans took control of the House in January — a move that serves as a prelude to bigger battles with GOP lawmakers on government spending and the nation's debt limit.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just vetoed my first bill. This bill would risk your retirement savings by making it illegal to consider risk factors MAGA House Republicans don&#39;t like. Your plan manager should be able to protect your hard-earned savings — whether Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene likes it or not. <a href="https://t.co/PxuoJBdEee">pic.twitter.com/PxuoJBdEee</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1637860509432045591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden sought to kill a Republican-authored measure that would ban the government from considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-cultures-climate-and-environment-government-politics-37bd9e4894541275982a7ff99089cc7e">environmental impacts</a>&nbsp;or potential lawsuits when making investment decisions for people's retirement plans. In a video released by the White House, Biden said he vetoed the measure because it “put at risk the retirement savings of individuals across the country.”His first veto represents a more confrontational approach at the midway of Biden's term in office, as he faces a GOP-controlled House that is eager to undo parts of his policy legacy and investigate his administration and his family. Complicating matters for Biden, several Democratic senators are up for re-election next year in conservative states, giving them political incentive to put some distance between them and the White House.The measure vetoed by Biden would have effectively reinstated a Trump-era ban on federal managers of retirement plans considering factors such as climate change, social impacts or pending lawsuits when making investment choices.The veto could also help calm some anger from environmentalists who have been upset with the Biden administration for its recent decision to greenlight the Willow oil project, a massive and contentious drilling project in Alaska.“The president vetoed the bill because it jeopardizes the hard-earned life savings of cops, firefighters, teachers, and other workers," White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson said.But critics say so-called environmental, social and governance investments allocate money based on political agendas, such as a drive against climate change, rather than on earning the best returns for savers. Republicans in Congress who pushed the measure said environmental or social considerations in investments by the government are just another example of being “woke.”“In his first veto, Biden just sided with woke Wall Street over workers," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., tweeted on Monday. “Tells you exactly where his priorities lie.” He said "it’s clear Biden wants Wall Street to use your retirement savings to fund his far-left political causes.”Biden's veto is likely to prevail. Just three Democrats in Congress — one in the House, and two in the Senate — supported Republicans in the matter, making it unlikely a two-thirds majority in both chambers could be assembled to overcome Biden's veto.Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, was the sole Democrat to back the resolution in the House, while Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., supported it in the Senate. Golden is a perennial target of Republicans seeking to oust him from his conservative district, while Tester and Manchin are both up for re-election next year.“This administration continues to prioritize their radical policy agenda over the economic, energy and national security needs of our country, and it is absolutely infuriating," Manchin said in a statement.Though Biden swiftly vetoed the investment resolution, other measures coming from Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead could be a tougher call for the White House.The administration initially signaled that Biden would reject a Republican-authored measure that would override a crime measure passed by the District of Columbia Council, but the president later said he would sign it and did so Monday. He also signed a bill directing the federal government to declassify intelligence related to the origins of COVID-19.Biden's immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, vetoed 10 bills during his term in office, while Barack Obama vetoed 12, according to the the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Both had one of their vetoes overridden by Congress.The president with the most vetoes was Franklin Delano Roosevelt — who was elected to four terms before a constitutional amendment limited all presidents to two — with 635 vetoes. Six U.S. presidents never vetoed any legislation in office.

🎥 Biden issues first veto, taking on new Republican House

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.&nbsp;

Just after 3p.m. Monday, a vehicle struck a woman who was attempting to cross the street at the traffic light at 10th and Central in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.

EMS transported her to a local hospital where she died. The vehicle left the scene but police did make contact with the driver who is cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.&nbsp;Just after 3p.m. Monday, a vehicle struck a woman who was attempting to cross the street at the traffic light at 10th and Central in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.EMS transported her to a local hospital where she died. The vehicle left the scene but police did make contact with the driver who is cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

Woman dies from injuries in Kansas pedestrian accident

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri’s Republican attorney general on Monday said he will limit access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-mental-ce8f5a9ee53768af03c3c65d5331045b">gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors, sidestepping the GOP-led Senate as it struggles to pass a law banning the practice for children completely.

As hundreds of activists rallied at the Capitol to pressure lawmakers to act on the bill, Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced plans to file an emergency rule.

The rule will require an 18-month waiting period, 15 hour-long therapy sessions and treatment of any mental illnesses before Missouri doctors can provide that kind of care to transgender children, according to Bailey's office.

“I am dedicated to using every legal tool at my disposal to stand in the gap and protect children from being subject to inhumane science experiments,” Bailey said.

The emergency rule also requires disclosure of information about puberty blocker drugs, including that they are experimental, not approved by the FDA and that the FDA has warned they can lead to brain swelling and blindness, Bailey said.

While puberty blockers and hormones often prescribed in transgender treatment are not FDA approved for transgender care, they are used in those cases “off-label,″ which is an accepted and permitted practice.

This is not the first time Bailey has weighed in on transgender health care since taking office in January.

In February, Bailey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/josh-hawley-jamie-reed-st-louis-missouri-health-83953afb898dff7caa2b542c91480069">announced an investigation</a>&nbsp;of a transgender youth clinic in St. Louis run by Washington University, following allegations of abuse by a former employee. He asked the university to shut down the clinic, but it refused.

Bailey's spokeswoman did not say when the new health care rule will be filed and did not provide a copy.

Maysa Akbar, chief diversity officer for the American Psychological Association, called the rule “a disturbing development for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth in Missouri.”

“This emergency order flies in the face of the scientific consensus, which is that, with appropriate psychological screening, treatment approaches should affirm an adolescent’s gender identity, not deny it," Akbar said. "Research shows that discrimination has adverse effects on the health and well-being of transgender people.”

The rule appears to be aimed at helping children who might regret transitioning, said Dr. Jack Drescher, section editor of the gender dysphoria chapter of the DSM-5, the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s mental illness manual.

“However it does so at the expense of those children who would indeed benefit from transition services,” Drescher said. “Sacrificing the well being of the latter for the presumed benefit to the former is an ethically troubling intervention by the state into clinical practice.”

Missouri LGBTQ-rights group PROMO called Bailey's rule an abuse of power and said his office “does not respect the professional guidelines of every major medical association in our country, who agrees gender-affirming healthcare is the standard of care for transgender Missourians.”

The rule comes amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">national push</a>&nbsp;to restrict transgender health care, drag shows, bathroom access and how LGBTQ topics are discussed in schools.

Erin Reed, a researcher who tracks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">transgender legislation</a>, said Bailey is among Republican elected officials in state executive offices across the nation who are finding ways to limit gender-affirming care when legislatures fail to act.

“An action like this taken to sidestep the legislature and sidestep the democratic process is in and of itself undemocratic and is going to harm trans youth in Missouri,” Reed said.

Florida state medical officials last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ron-desantis-health-business-florida-government-and-politics-78e417a184718de8b9e71ff32efbc77f">banned transgender children</a>&nbsp;from receiving hormones or undergoing surgeries to treat gender dysphoria at the urging of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely considered to be weighing a run for the Republican presidential nomination.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-child-abuse-child-welfare-greg-abbott-ken-paxton-65c054b6ccd9040e81ad1a4be11403b9">Texas went farther than any state</a>&nbsp;last year when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a first-of-its-kind order that instructed child welfare officials to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse.

A couple hundred people rallied Monday at the Capitol in hopes of pushing lawmakers to pass a law to ban all gender-affirming treatment for children, while several came in opposition. The rally featured a diverse collection of speakers, including Republican state officials such as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Christian leaders and several gay and transgender activists who said that only adults should be able to access gender-affirming care.

Catherine Dreher, vice chair of the Missouri Libertarian Party, said her 18-year-old son has dealt with mental health issues, recently left home and wants to transition to a woman, which distresses her. She opposes allowing that for minors, calling it “child abuse.”

Debate on the Missouri bill stalled when the conservative sponsor, Republican Sen. Mike Moon, struggled to negotiate with Democrats on the legislation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sports-health-youth-missouri-14aaffe8553e5b4567cb179f7a96176b">GOP-led Senate</a>&nbsp;ultimately failed to pass any legislation dealing with the topic before lawmakers left for their annual spring break.

“Protecting Missouri's children is not up for negotiation,” Moon wrote in a public letter signed by seven other Republican senators, who vowed to take any action necessary to bring Moon's bill to a vote this week.

The issue threatens to derail the Senate. Several Republican senators on Monday spoke against another Republican lawmaker's attempt to combine Moon's bill with a ban on transgender girls competing on school girls' sports teams, fearing that merging the issues might make the legislation unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have indicated that they may filibuster to encourage compromise, a stall tactic that involves senators talking nonstop.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679362016015.png" alt="“I am dedicated to using every legal tool at my disposal to stand in the gap and protect children from being subject to inhumane science experiments,”&nbsp; Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said." />
 <figcaption>“I am dedicated to using every legal tool at my disposal to stand in the gap and protect children from being subject to inhumane science experiments,”&nbsp; Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri’s Republican attorney general on Monday said he will limit access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-mental-ce8f5a9ee53768af03c3c65d5331045b">gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors, sidestepping the GOP-led Senate as it struggles to pass a law banning the practice for children completely.As hundreds of activists rallied at the Capitol to pressure lawmakers to act on the bill, Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced plans to file an emergency rule.The rule will require an 18-month waiting period, 15 hour-long therapy sessions and treatment of any mental illnesses before Missouri doctors can provide that kind of care to transgender children, according to Bailey's office.“I am dedicated to using every legal tool at my disposal to stand in the gap and protect children from being subject to inhumane science experiments,” Bailey said.The emergency rule also requires disclosure of information about puberty blocker drugs, including that they are experimental, not approved by the FDA and that the FDA has warned they can lead to brain swelling and blindness, Bailey said.While puberty blockers and hormones often prescribed in transgender treatment are not FDA approved for transgender care, they are used in those cases “off-label,″ which is an accepted and permitted practice.This is not the first time Bailey has weighed in on transgender health care since taking office in January.In February, Bailey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/josh-hawley-jamie-reed-st-louis-missouri-health-83953afb898dff7caa2b542c91480069">announced an investigation</a>&nbsp;of a transgender youth clinic in St. Louis run by Washington University, following allegations of abuse by a former employee. He asked the university to shut down the clinic, but it refused.Bailey's spokeswoman did not say when the new health care rule will be filed and did not provide a copy.Maysa Akbar, chief diversity officer for the American Psychological Association, called the rule “a disturbing development for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth in Missouri.”“This emergency order flies in the face of the scientific consensus, which is that, with appropriate psychological screening, treatment approaches should affirm an adolescent’s gender identity, not deny it," Akbar said. "Research shows that discrimination has adverse effects on the health and well-being of transgender people.”The rule appears to be aimed at helping children who might regret transitioning, said Dr. Jack Drescher, section editor of the gender dysphoria chapter of the DSM-5, the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s mental illness manual.“However it does so at the expense of those children who would indeed benefit from transition services,” Drescher said. “Sacrificing the well being of the latter for the presumed benefit to the former is an ethically troubling intervention by the state into clinical practice.”Missouri LGBTQ-rights group PROMO called Bailey's rule an abuse of power and said his office “does not respect the professional guidelines of every major medical association in our country, who agrees gender-affirming healthcare is the standard of care for transgender Missourians.”The rule comes amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">national push</a>&nbsp;to restrict transgender health care, drag shows, bathroom access and how LGBTQ topics are discussed in schools.Erin Reed, a researcher who tracks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">transgender legislation</a>, said Bailey is among Republican elected officials in state executive offices across the nation who are finding ways to limit gender-affirming care when legislatures fail to act.“An action like this taken to sidestep the legislature and sidestep the democratic process is in and of itself undemocratic and is going to harm trans youth in Missouri,” Reed said.Florida state medical officials last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ron-desantis-health-business-florida-government-and-politics-78e417a184718de8b9e71ff32efbc77f">banned transgender children</a>&nbsp;from receiving hormones or undergoing surgeries to treat gender dysphoria at the urging of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely considered to be weighing a run for the Republican presidential nomination.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-child-abuse-child-welfare-greg-abbott-ken-paxton-65c054b6ccd9040e81ad1a4be11403b9">Texas went farther than any state</a>&nbsp;last year when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a first-of-its-kind order that instructed child welfare officials to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse.A couple hundred people rallied Monday at the Capitol in hopes of pushing lawmakers to pass a law to ban all gender-affirming treatment for children, while several came in opposition. The rally featured a diverse collection of speakers, including Republican state officials such as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Christian leaders and several gay and transgender activists who said that only adults should be able to access gender-affirming care.Catherine Dreher, vice chair of the Missouri Libertarian Party, said her 18-year-old son has dealt with mental health issues, recently left home and wants to transition to a woman, which distresses her. She opposes allowing that for minors, calling it “child abuse.”Debate on the Missouri bill stalled when the conservative sponsor, Republican Sen. Mike Moon, struggled to negotiate with Democrats on the legislation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sports-health-youth-missouri-14aaffe8553e5b4567cb179f7a96176b">GOP-led Senate</a>&nbsp;ultimately failed to pass any legislation dealing with the topic before lawmakers left for their annual spring break.“Protecting Missouri's children is not up for negotiation,” Moon wrote in a public letter signed by seven other Republican senators, who vowed to take any action necessary to bring Moon's bill to a vote this week.The issue threatens to derail the Senate. Several Republican senators on Monday spoke against another Republican lawmaker's attempt to combine Moon's bill with a ban on transgender girls competing on school girls' sports teams, fearing that merging the issues might make the legislation unconstitutional.Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have indicated that they may filibuster to encourage compromise, a stall tactic that involves senators talking nonstop.

Missouri rule to restrict gender-affirming care for minors

SCOTT COUNTY— For several months, law enforcement authorities in Scott City have been&nbsp;assisting the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation on an investigation in Oklahoma. They have a suspect in custody.

On March 16, police assisted Special Agents from the  Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation executing an arrest warrant. Officers too 22-year-old Kevin Adalberto Rodriguez-Ruiz, 22, of Scott City into custody at the Law Enforcement Center on an Oklahoma arrest warrant for alleged Rape and three counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16.

Rodriguez-Ruiz remains in the custody of the Scott County Jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679324669781.png" alt="Rodriguez-photo Scott County" />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-photo Scott County</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY— For several months, law enforcement authorities in Scott City have been&nbsp;assisting the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation on an investigation in Oklahoma. They have a suspect in custody.On March 16, police assisted Special Agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation executing an arrest warrant. Officers too 22-year-old Kevin Adalberto Rodriguez-Ruiz, 22, of Scott City into custody at the Law Enforcement Center on an Oklahoma arrest warrant for alleged Rape and three counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16.Rodriguez-Ruiz remains in the custody of the Scott County Jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.

Kansas man jailed for alleged sex crimes in Oklahoma

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just after 10:30a.m. Friday,&nbsp;the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force initiated search warrants at 605 Virginia Street and 610 Roxanna Street in Morrill, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Deputies Arrested 39-year-old Forrest Gaston II of Morill on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Distribution of Meth,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana and Possesion of Drug. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679341190812.png" alt="Gaston-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Gaston-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.Just after 10:30a.m. Friday,&nbsp;the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force initiated search warrants at 605 Virginia Street and 610 Roxanna Street in Morrill, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies Arrested 39-year-old Forrest Gaston II of Morill on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Distribution of Meth,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana and Possesion of Drug. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of selling meth

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Taurus driven by Kelly Lynn Bradshaw, 43, Walnut, Kansas, was eastbound on Kansas 47 two miles west of Girard.

The car traveled left of center and struck a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by Keener, Judith Elaine Keener, 69, Kayenta, Arizona, head-on.

Keener was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics in Kansas City. EMS transported Bradshaw to the hospital in Joplin. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Taurus driven by Kelly Lynn Bradshaw, 43, Walnut, Kansas, was eastbound on Kansas 47 two miles west of Girard.The car traveled left of center and struck a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by Keener, Judith Elaine Keener, 69, Kayenta, Arizona, head-on.Keener was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics in Kansas City. EMS transported Bradshaw to the hospital in Joplin. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Woman dead after head-on crash on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”

(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)

Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.

“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.

“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.

Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.

“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”

He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.

“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”

The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.

Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.

Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.

Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.

Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.

Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679344368794.png" alt="Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health." />
 <figcaption>Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F205886922057028%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=167" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/XPNAfqnzEj">pic.twitter.com/XPNAfqnzEj</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1637574673494933506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

🎥 Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso cast at White House to promote mental health

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Board of County Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency for Riley County on Monday afternoon.

This declaration activated disaster plans to fight fires along Deep Creek Road, due to the fires threatening more than 16 homes and having the potential to cause wide-spread damage.

As of 3:20 pm, according to Riley County Fire District #1 the fire is 95% contained with no evacuations and no injuries being reported.&nbsp;

Additional mutual aid has been supplied by Wabaunsee County Fire and Heinen Brother Agra Services. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Volunteer firefighters from Riley and Geary counties along with the Kansas Forest Service have responded to fight the growing wildfire.

Crews were called out to the report of a fire that started in the median of K177 and then jumped the northbound lanes and started burning the pasture to the east of the highway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679339531602.jpeg" alt="Fire south of MHK off K177" />
 <figcaption>Fire south of MHK off K177</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostRILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Board of County Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency for Riley County on Monday afternoon.This declaration activated disaster plans to fight fires along Deep Creek Road, due to the fires threatening more than 16 homes and having the potential to cause wide-spread damage.As of 3:20 pm, according to Riley County Fire District #1 the fire is 95% contained with no evacuations and no injuries being reported.&nbsp;Additional mutual aid has been supplied by Wabaunsee County Fire and Heinen Brother Agra Services. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.Volunteer firefighters from Riley and Geary counties along with the Kansas Forest Service have responded to fight the growing wildfire.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PpmbIyaD-60zMcgvZ.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="K177 Fire South Of Mhk" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Crews were called out to the report of a fire that started in the median of K177 and then jumped the northbound lanes and started burning the pasture to the east of the highway.

Hundreds of acres burn in wildfire south of Manhattan

BARTON COUNTY —The Brit Spaugh Zoo announced Monday their beloved Bald Eagle, Mrs. B has died.

According to a statement from the city, about two weeks ago, staff noticed she was not behaving herself, so she was moved inside, and diagnostic testing was run. Results showed some of her blood levels were elevated which could indicate infection, or something more serious, like cancer. Staff treated her through the weekend and tried to keep her eating, but her health continued to decline, so we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her Monday morning.

Visitors and any staff who’ve cared for her, can take solace in knowing that she was provided an extremely long and enriched life, as she’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest bald eagle. She lived here at the zoo for 44 years and it is believed she was an adult when she arrived, which would likely make her at least 49 years old.

Mrs. B came to the zoo through the Raptor Rehabilitation program in 1979. She had an injury to her left foot that made it difficult for her to be able to hunt properly, so she was given a permanent home here at the zoo. She has educated thousands in our community and visitors who’ve come from across the world about Bald Eagles. Those who’ve worked with her loved her spunky personality and she always had a greeting for you when you came down the sidewalk.

Unfortunately, due to federal regulations we are unable to submit her for necropsy, so we won’t have definitive answers as to her decline. Per federal regulations, she will be submitted to the National Eagle Repository. The repository’s “main purpose is to receive, evaluate, store and distribute dead golden and bald eagles, parts and feathers to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.&nbsp; Also, to develop and provide educational programs regarding wildlife trade, wildlife laws, raptors and the Native American eagle feather program.”&nbsp; Mrs. B will be greatly missed in our community, and we encourage all to share any photos or memories you may have with zoo staff on the Zoo’s Facebook page ‘Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo’

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679337372196.jpeg" alt="Mrs B -Photo courtesy Brit Spaugh Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Mrs B -Photo courtesy Brit Spaugh Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —The Brit Spaugh Zoo announced Monday their beloved Bald Eagle, Mrs. B has died.According to a statement from the city, about two weeks ago, staff noticed she was not behaving herself, so she was moved inside, and diagnostic testing was run. Results showed some of her blood levels were elevated which could indicate infection, or something more serious, like cancer. Staff treated her through the weekend and tried to keep her eating, but her health continued to decline, so we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her Monday morning.Visitors and any staff who’ve cared for her, can take solace in knowing that she was provided an extremely long and enriched life, as she’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest bald eagle. She lived here at the zoo for 44 years and it is believed she was an adult when she arrived, which would likely make her at least 49 years old.Mrs. B came to the zoo through the Raptor Rehabilitation program in 1979. She had an injury to her left foot that made it difficult for her to be able to hunt properly, so she was given a permanent home here at the zoo. She has educated thousands in our community and visitors who’ve come from across the world about Bald Eagles. Those who’ve worked with her loved her spunky personality and she always had a greeting for you when you came down the sidewalk.Unfortunately, due to federal regulations we are unable to submit her for necropsy, so we won’t have definitive answers as to her decline. Per federal regulations, she will be submitted to the National Eagle Repository. The repository’s “main purpose is to receive, evaluate, store and distribute dead golden and bald eagles, parts and feathers to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.&nbsp; Also, to develop and provide educational programs regarding wildlife trade, wildlife laws, raptors and the Native American eagle feather program.”&nbsp; Mrs. B will be greatly missed in our community, and we encourage all to share any photos or memories you may have with zoo staff on the Zoo’s Facebook page ‘Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo’

Kansas zoo reports death of beloved bald eagle 

FORT RILEY —Authorities are investigating a shooting at Fort Riley.

Just before 7a.m. Monday, Fort Riley Military Police were called about an incident at Trooper Gate, the main entrance to the post.

 Initial information indicates that a suspect drove through the gate and was then stopped by the automatic vehicle barrier.&nbsp;

After the vehicle was stopped, the suspect exited the vehicle, and the situation then escalated, leading guards to shoot the suspect.

The driver of the vehicle received non-life-threatening injuries and is receiving medical attention.

Army CID and the Fort Riley Military Police are investigating the incident.

By BECKY GOFF JC PostFORT RILEY —Authorities are investigating a shooting at Fort Riley.Just before 7a.m. Monday, Fort Riley Military Police were called about an incident at Trooper Gate, the main entrance to the post. Initial information indicates that a suspect drove through the gate and was then stopped by the automatic vehicle barrier.&nbsp;After the vehicle was stopped, the suspect exited the vehicle, and the situation then escalated, leading guards to shoot the suspect.The driver of the vehicle received non-life-threatening injuries and is receiving medical attention.Army CID and the Fort Riley Military Police are investigating the incident.

Suspect shot at Fort Riley's Trooper Gate

ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after remains were found Saturday evening near Humboldt, Kansas.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a man who was searching for antler sheds called 911 when he discovered what he believed were human remains, according to a media release from the KBI.

 Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area, east of Humboldt, near Arizona Road and 1800th&nbsp;Street. Upon arrival they found human skeletal remains.

The person has not yet been identified.&nbsp; Positive identification may take longer than typical cases due to the condition of the remains.

Death investigations may be determined to be the result of homicide, suicide, natural causes, or an accident. No threat to the public exists related to this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679330982751.png" alt="Arizona Road and 1800th Street east of Humbolt, Kansas.-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Road and 1800th Street east of Humbolt, Kansas.-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after remains were found Saturday evening near Humboldt, Kansas.Just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a man who was searching for antler sheds called 911 when he discovered what he believed were human remains, according to a media release from the KBI. Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area, east of Humboldt, near Arizona Road and 1800th&nbsp;Street. Upon arrival they found human skeletal remains.The person has not yet been identified.&nbsp; Positive identification may take longer than typical cases due to the condition of the remains.Death investigations may be determined to be the result of homicide, suicide, natural causes, or an accident. No threat to the public exists related to this incident.An autopsy is scheduled.

KBI: Man hunting for deer antlers finds human remains

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon plans to eliminate 9,000 more jobs in the next few weeks, CEO Andy Jassy said in a memo to staff on Monday.

The job cuts would mark the second largest round of layoffs in the company's history, adding to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">18,000 employees</a>&nbsp;the tech giant said it would lay off in January. The company's workforce doubled during the pandemic, however, in the midst of a hiring surge across almost the entire tech sector.

Tech companies have announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-amazoncom-inc-business-d36a2afa35ff7f8e53a8b3164a581a30">tens of thousands of job cuts</a>&nbsp;this year.

In the memo, Jassy said the second phase of the company's annual planning process completed this month led to the additional job cuts. He said Amazon will still hire in some strategic areas.

“Some may ask why we didn’t announce these role reductions with the ones we announced a couple months ago. The short answer is that not all of the teams were done with their analyses in the late fall; and rather than rush through these assessments without the appropriate diligence, we chose to share these decisions as we’ve made them so people had the information as soon as possible,” Jassy said.

The job cuts announced Monday will hit profitable areas for the company including its cloud computing unit AWS and its burgeoning advertising business. Twitch, the gaming platform Amazon owns, will also see some layoffs as well as Amazon's PXT organizations, which handle human resources and other functions.

Prior layoffs had also hit PXT, the company's stores division, which encompasses its e-commerce business as well as company’s brick-and-mortar stores such as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, and other departments such as the one that runs the virtual assistant Alexa.

Earlier this month, the company said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-hq-headquarters-pause-virginia-91395dd669f011b547196575db7d5c18">pause construction on its headquarters</a>&nbsp;building in northern Virginia, though the first phase of that project will open this June with 8,000 employees.

Like other tech companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">Facebook parent Meta</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-sundar-pichai-covid-pandemics-c85c45231712709582b1d3fe46be5ffe">Google parent Alphabet</a>, Amazon ramped up hiring during the pandemic to meet the demand from homebound Americans that were increasingly buying stuff online to keep themselves safe from the virus.

Amazon's workforce, in warehouses and offices, doubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years. But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic eased. The company began pausing or cancelling its warehouse expansion plans last year.

Amid growing anxiety over the potential for a recession, Amazon in the past few months shut down a subsidiary that’s been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years and shuttered its hybrid virtual, in-home care service Amazon Care among other cost-cutting moves.

Jassy said Monday given the uncertain economy and the “uncertainty that exists in the near future," the company has chosen to be more streamlined.

He said the teams that will be impacted by the latest round of layoffs are not done making final decisions on which roles will be eliminated. The company plans to finalize those decisions by mid to late April and notify those who will be laid off.

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon plans to eliminate 9,000 more jobs in the next few weeks, CEO Andy Jassy said in a memo to staff on Monday.The job cuts would mark the second largest round of layoffs in the company's history, adding to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">18,000 employees</a>&nbsp;the tech giant said it would lay off in January. The company's workforce doubled during the pandemic, however, in the midst of a hiring surge across almost the entire tech sector.Tech companies have announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-amazoncom-inc-business-d36a2afa35ff7f8e53a8b3164a581a30">tens of thousands of job cuts</a>&nbsp;this year.In the memo, Jassy said the second phase of the company's annual planning process completed this month led to the additional job cuts. He said Amazon will still hire in some strategic areas.“Some may ask why we didn’t announce these role reductions with the ones we announced a couple months ago. The short answer is that not all of the teams were done with their analyses in the late fall; and rather than rush through these assessments without the appropriate diligence, we chose to share these decisions as we’ve made them so people had the information as soon as possible,” Jassy said.The job cuts announced Monday will hit profitable areas for the company including its cloud computing unit AWS and its burgeoning advertising business. Twitch, the gaming platform Amazon owns, will also see some layoffs as well as Amazon's PXT organizations, which handle human resources and other functions.Prior layoffs had also hit PXT, the company's stores division, which encompasses its e-commerce business as well as company’s brick-and-mortar stores such as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, and other departments such as the one that runs the virtual assistant Alexa.Earlier this month, the company said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-hq-headquarters-pause-virginia-91395dd669f011b547196575db7d5c18">pause construction on its headquarters</a>&nbsp;building in northern Virginia, though the first phase of that project will open this June with 8,000 employees.Like other tech companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">Facebook parent Meta</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-sundar-pichai-covid-pandemics-c85c45231712709582b1d3fe46be5ffe">Google parent Alphabet</a>, Amazon ramped up hiring during the pandemic to meet the demand from homebound Americans that were increasingly buying stuff online to keep themselves safe from the virus.Amazon's workforce, in warehouses and offices, doubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years. But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic eased. The company began pausing or cancelling its warehouse expansion plans last year.Amid growing anxiety over the potential for a recession, Amazon in the past few months shut down a subsidiary that’s been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years and shuttered its hybrid virtual, in-home care service Amazon Care among other cost-cutting moves.Jassy said Monday given the uncertain economy and the “uncertainty that exists in the near future," the company has chosen to be more streamlined.He said the teams that will be impacted by the latest round of layoffs are not done making final decisions on which roles will be eliminated. The company plans to finalize those decisions by mid to late April and notify those who will be laid off.

Amazon to lay off more employees on top of 18,000 in January

SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man who who pled guilty to child abuse is going to prison for the&nbsp;death of his 1-year-old son.

A judge sentenced 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;

In February, Willingham's girlfriend, 25-year-old Xjohnna Hannah, pled guilty to aggravated child endangerment.

In July, Willingham was charged with first-degree murder and an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.

Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.

The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123355817.png" alt="Willingham-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Willingham-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man who who pled guilty to child abuse is going to prison for the&nbsp;death of his 1-year-old son.A judge sentenced 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;In February, Willingham's girlfriend, 25-year-old Xjohnna Hannah, pled guilty to aggravated child endangerment.In July, Willingham was charged with first-degree murder and an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123012533.png" alt="-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.Hannah will be sentenced on March 28.

Kansas man sentenced for death of 1-year-old son

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas bill banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for the third year in a row Friday, setting up a hotly contested fight in the Republican-controlled Legislature to override her.

Kelly's action was expected because of her two previous vetoes. Kansas Republicans made Kelly's vetoes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-education-legislature-gay-rights-kansas-e32307ef93c0c64056e34f2d8a51efe2">a major issue in multiple television attack ads</a>&nbsp;when she ran for reelection last year, winning narrowly.

The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses. Kelly also said lawmakers should leave the issue to the state association set up decades ago to run student activities in middle and high schools.

“Let's be clear what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly wrote. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help any teachers prepare our kids for the real world.”

Kelly's arguments Friday were similar to those she made in past veto messages and during her reelection campaign. Taryn Jones, lobbyist for the LGBTQ-rights group Equality Kansas, called the bill “really just unnecessary.”

“They’re OK discriminating against a marginalized community,” Jones said after the veto.

Republicans have more than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto, but in 2021 and 2022, a few GOP moderates voted against overriding Kelly. The House and Senate votes on this year's bill suggest supporters could have just enough votes to prevail.

“Despite her repeated pledges to meet us in the middle, the governor has decided to side yet again with the most radical elements of her party,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said in a statement Friday.

The measure would apply to girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. If supporters can override Kelly's veto, Kansas would join 18 other states with such a law, including Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas.

The measure is among dozens of Republican proposals pushing back against transgender rights in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas has bills aimed at banning gender-affirming care for minors and preventing transgender men and women from using bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities.

Kelly's veto came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-health-care-kentucky-legislature-848343fe842e714dfc2bb734745f3cd5">Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature approved</a>&nbsp;a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Iowa’s GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-schools-iowa-a66e255d9a3a8f539741ecc090cd2be0">approved a bill on school bathrooms</a>.

In defending the legislation, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, recently posted tweets endorsing a theory debunked by multiple studies that a “social contagion” has led to more people identifying as transgender.

He and other Republicans also have argued that banning transgender athletes will preserve fair competition and opportunities for girls and young women.

“This is common sense,” Hawkins said in a statement Friday.

Kansas officials and LGBTQ-rights advocates say only a handful of young transgender people participate in high school activities — and possibly only one transgender Kansas girl is on a sports team. Backers of the bill argue that the state should act before transgender athletes become more prevalent.

During her reelection campaign, Kelly aired a television ad that featured her looking into the camera and saying, “Of course, men should not play girls’ sports. OK, we all agree there.”

LGBTQ-rights advocates understood the ad as saying men aren't playing women’s sports because transgender women are women. But Republicans said she was lying about her record, and they’ve repeatedly mentioned her statement since.

“Now that she no longer has to face the voters, the governor has done another about face,” Hawkins said.

The vote last week in the Senate was&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230309145721_430755/">28-11,</a>&nbsp;giving backers one more than the two-thirds needed in the 40-member chamber to override a veto.

However, the House would vote first, and the vote there last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223101523_668304/">was 82-40.</a>&nbsp;While supporters need 84 of 125 votes to override a veto, two Republicans who backed the bill were absent.

Last year, supporters were short of a two-thirds House majority, but in last year's elections, three Republicans who supported a ban replaced GOP lawmakers who'd voted against overriding Kelly's veto. Also, while no Democrats voted last year to override Kelly, freshman Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, voted for this year's bill.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas also have pursued&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223114039_760436/">a bill</a>&nbsp;to revoke the state medical licenses of doctors providing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgery for transgender minors. It passed the Senate last month, but the House hasn't had a committee hearing.

Another Senate-passed bill would define male and female in Kansas law based on a person's anatomy at birth and declare that cisgender women and girls have a right to private spaces separate from men, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.

LGBTQ-rights advocates have said the measure not only bars transgender people from facilities associated with their gender identities but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">also erases them legally,</a>&nbsp;along with gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674609407631.png" alt="The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses." />
 <figcaption>The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas bill banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for the third year in a row Friday, setting up a hotly contested fight in the Republican-controlled Legislature to override her.Kelly's action was expected because of her two previous vetoes. Kansas Republicans made Kelly's vetoes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-education-legislature-gay-rights-kansas-e32307ef93c0c64056e34f2d8a51efe2">a major issue in multiple television attack ads</a>&nbsp;when she ran for reelection last year, winning narrowly.The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses. Kelly also said lawmakers should leave the issue to the state association set up decades ago to run student activities in middle and high schools.“Let's be clear what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly wrote. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help any teachers prepare our kids for the real world.”Kelly's arguments Friday were similar to those she made in past veto messages and during her reelection campaign. Taryn Jones, lobbyist for the LGBTQ-rights group Equality Kansas, called the bill “really just unnecessary.”“They’re OK discriminating against a marginalized community,” Jones said after the veto.Republicans have more than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto, but in 2021 and 2022, a few GOP moderates voted against overriding Kelly. The House and Senate votes on this year's bill suggest supporters could have just enough votes to prevail.“Despite her repeated pledges to meet us in the middle, the governor has decided to side yet again with the most radical elements of her party,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said in a statement Friday.The measure would apply to girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. If supporters can override Kelly's veto, Kansas would join 18 other states with such a law, including Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas.The measure is among dozens of Republican proposals pushing back against transgender rights in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas has bills aimed at banning gender-affirming care for minors and preventing transgender men and women from using bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities.Kelly's veto came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-health-care-kentucky-legislature-848343fe842e714dfc2bb734745f3cd5">Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature approved</a>&nbsp;a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Iowa’s GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-schools-iowa-a66e255d9a3a8f539741ecc090cd2be0">approved a bill on school bathrooms</a>.In defending the legislation, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, recently posted tweets endorsing a theory debunked by multiple studies that a “social contagion” has led to more people identifying as transgender.He and other Republicans also have argued that banning transgender athletes will preserve fair competition and opportunities for girls and young women.“This is common sense,” Hawkins said in a statement Friday.Kansas officials and LGBTQ-rights advocates say only a handful of young transgender people participate in high school activities — and possibly only one transgender Kansas girl is on a sports team. Backers of the bill argue that the state should act before transgender athletes become more prevalent.During her reelection campaign, Kelly aired a television ad that featured her looking into the camera and saying, “Of course, men should not play girls’ sports. OK, we all agree there.”LGBTQ-rights advocates understood the ad as saying men aren't playing women’s sports because transgender women are women. But Republicans said she was lying about her record, and they’ve repeatedly mentioned her statement since.“Now that she no longer has to face the voters, the governor has done another about face,” Hawkins said.The vote last week in the Senate was&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230309145721_430755/">28-11,</a>&nbsp;giving backers one more than the two-thirds needed in the 40-member chamber to override a veto.However, the House would vote first, and the vote there last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223101523_668304/">was 82-40.</a>&nbsp;While supporters need 84 of 125 votes to override a veto, two Republicans who backed the bill were absent.Last year, supporters were short of a two-thirds House majority, but in last year's elections, three Republicans who supported a ban replaced GOP lawmakers who'd voted against overriding Kelly's veto. Also, while no Democrats voted last year to override Kelly, freshman Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, voted for this year's bill.Republican lawmakers in Kansas also have pursued&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223114039_760436/">a bill</a>&nbsp;to revoke the state medical licenses of doctors providing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgery for transgender minors. It passed the Senate last month, but the House hasn't had a committee hearing.Another Senate-passed bill would define male and female in Kansas law based on a person's anatomy at birth and declare that cisgender women and girls have a right to private spaces separate from men, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.LGBTQ-rights advocates have said the measure not only bars transgender people from facilities associated with their gender identities but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">also erases them legally,</a>&nbsp;along with gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people.The bill's language also would prevent transgender people from changing birth certificates and driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities, though Kansas is under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7409799fb2a144bca2fd90cd46b7ea6c">a 2019 federal court order</a>&nbsp;to allow birth certificate changes.The measure is before the House after one of its committees rewrote it this week to prevent it from applying to intersex people. Intersex describes people born with genitalia, chromosomes or reproductive organs not associated with typical definitions for males or females.“We don't want to marginalize them anymore,” said Republican state Rep. Ron Bryce, a southeast Kansas doctor.