By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Police found another skimmer on a gas pump in Salina.

On Monday, shortly before an alarm went off on a pump at Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, something similar happened at Pilot Travel Center, 1944 N. Ninth Street.

Employees at Pilot reported to police on Tuesday morning that at 11:20 p.m. Monday, an alarm on one of Pilot's pumps went off. That was approximately 10 minutes before a pump alarm went off at Flying J.

Forrester said that when the alarm activated at Pilot, employees saw a male subject walking from the pump and leaving in a gray tractor pulling a while trailer with a blue stripe down the side. When they went out to the pump, they found the same style skimmer as the two found at Flying J.

Just under $1,000 worth of damage was done to the pump, Forrester said.

Two skimmers have been located on pumps at a north Salina travel center.

Officers were first sent to Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, on Friday for the report of a skimmer on a pump, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported Tuesday. Flying J had received an alarm on a pump, which also shut off the pump.

At approximately 1:40 p.m. on Friday, a white male with gray hair and a gray goatee, and wearing a black t-shirt went into Flying J and asked for the pump to be turned on. An employee told him that maintenance was looking at the pump to make sure no skimmers had been put on the pump, Forrester said. The man left without purchasing any fuel.

Maintenance did find a skimmer on that pump.

On Monday night, officers returned to Flying J for the report of another skimmer possibly being placed on another pump. An employee told officers, that an alarm from the pump went off at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, Forrester said.

A gray tractor-trailor rig was at the pumps. When the employee went out to check the pump that had an alarm sounding, a Hispanic male hurried away and got into the tractor-trailer rig and left, despite requests from the employee to stop, Forrester said. When the pump was opened, officers located a skimmer inside.

Forrester said it is believed that there were no victims from the two skimmer attempts.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice found another skimmer on a gas pump in Salina.On Monday, shortly before an alarm went off on a pump at Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, something similar happened at Pilot Travel Center, 1944 N. Ninth Street.Employees at Pilot reported to police on Tuesday morning that at 11:20 p.m. Monday, an alarm on one of Pilot's pumps went off. That was approximately 10 minutes before a pump alarm went off at Flying J.Forrester said that when the alarm activated at Pilot, employees saw a male subject walking from the pump and leaving in a gray tractor pulling a while trailer with a blue stripe down the side. When they went out to the pump, they found the same style skimmer as the two found at Flying J.Just under $1,000 worth of damage was done to the pump, Forrester said.----------By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTwo skimmers have been located on pumps at a north Salina travel center.Officers were first sent to Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, on Friday for the report of a skimmer on a pump, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported Tuesday. Flying J had received an alarm on a pump, which also shut off the pump.At approximately 1:40 p.m. on Friday, a white male with gray hair and a gray goatee, and wearing a black t-shirt went into Flying J and asked for the pump to be turned on. An employee told him that maintenance was looking at the pump to make sure no skimmers had been put on the pump, Forrester said. The man left without purchasing any fuel.Maintenance did find a skimmer on that pump.On Monday night, officers returned to Flying J for the report of another skimmer possibly being placed on another pump. An employee told officers, that an alarm from the pump went off at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, Forrester said.A gray tractor-trailor rig was at the pumps. When the employee went out to check the pump that had an alarm sounding, a Hispanic male hurried away and got into the tractor-trailer rig and left, despite requests from the employee to stop, Forrester said. When the pump was opened, officers located a skimmer inside.Forrester said it is believed that there were no victims from the two skimmer attempts.

Police find more skimmers on gas pumps in Salina

WASHINGTON (AP) —Kia is telling owners of nearly 72,000 older Sportage small SUVs in the U.S. to park them outdoors and away from structures after getting reports of more engine fires.

It's the second time that Sportages from the 2008 and 2009 model years have been recalled due to fire risks that apparently can start near a hydraulic engine control device.

Documents posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say fires can start while the engines are running or when they're turned off.

The SUVs were recalled in 2016 due to corrosion in a wiring harness near the engine control unit.

The Korean automaker says it has reports of eight fires and 15 cases of melting or damage since April of 2017. No injuries were reported.

The company says owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until it figures out the cause of the fires and develops a remedy.

Owners will be notified by letter starting Dec. 22.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Kia is telling owners of nearly 72,000 older Sportage small SUVs in the U.S. to park them outdoors and away from structures after getting reports of more engine fires.It's the second time that Sportages from the 2008 and 2009 model years have been recalled due to fire risks that apparently can start near a hydraulic engine control device.Documents posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say fires can start while the engines are running or when they're turned off.The SUVs were recalled in 2016 due to corrosion in a wiring harness near the engine control unit.The Korean automaker says it has reports of eight fires and 15 cases of melting or damage since April of 2017. No injuries were reported.The company says owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until it figures out the cause of the fires and develops a remedy.Owners will be notified by letter starting Dec. 22.

Park outside: Kia recalls SUVs again for risk of engine fire

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an incident that led to a brief lockdown of schools in Garden City.

Just after 9:30a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to East Garden Village Mobile Home Park,&nbsp; 4101 E US Highway 50,  for an aggravated assault that just occurred, according to a media release.

Officers learned that a woman had been in a physical altercation with a man known to her.

The investigation revealed that the woman and the man, identified as Antonio Hodge-Dominguez, 22, Garden City,&nbsp; got into an argument when Hodge-Dominguez allegedly became upset and slammed a refrigerator door and hit the woman’s hand. 

Hodge-Dominguez allegedly threatened the woman with kitchen knives and a chair. During the altercation, the woman was able to leave the residence and call police. 

Officers arrived on scene and attempted to call Hodge-Dominguez out of the residence for approximately one hour, but attempts were unsuccessful. Officers searched the surrounding area, and the Kansas Highway Patrol and Finney County EMS responded to assist. Officers later made voice contact with Hodge-Dominguez inside the residence. After Officers entered the residence, Hodge-Dominguez was taken into custody without further incident.

Victor Ornelas Elementary School and Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center were placed on lockdown as a precaution until Hodge-Dominguez was located by law enforcement. The schools were in lockdown for approximately 30 minutes. 

Hodge-Dominguez is being held in the Finney County jail on requested charges&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Disorderly Conduct.

FINNEY COUNTY— USD 457 officials have released two school from lockdown after law enforcement took a suspect nearby into custody on Tuesday.

Just after 10:30a.m. there was a large law enforcement presence at East Garden Village Mobile Home Park,&nbsp;4101 E US Highway 50, in Garden City, according to a media release.&nbsp;

As a precaution, Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center and Victor Ornelas Elementary School were placed into lockdown.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666790548747.png" alt="&nbsp;Hodge-Dominguez-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Hodge-Dominguez-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an incident that led to a brief lockdown of schools in Garden City.Just after 9:30a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to East Garden Village Mobile Home Park,&nbsp; 4101 E US Highway 50, for an aggravated assault that just occurred, according to a media release.Officers learned that a woman had been in a physical altercation with a man known to her.The investigation revealed that the woman and the man, identified as Antonio Hodge-Dominguez, 22, Garden City,&nbsp; got into an argument when Hodge-Dominguez allegedly became upset and slammed a refrigerator door and hit the woman’s hand. Hodge-Dominguez allegedly threatened the woman with kitchen knives and a chair. During the altercation, the woman was able to leave the residence and call police. Officers arrived on scene and attempted to call Hodge-Dominguez out of the residence for approximately one hour, but attempts were unsuccessful. Officers searched the surrounding area, and the Kansas Highway Patrol and Finney County EMS responded to assist. Officers later made voice contact with Hodge-Dominguez inside the residence. After Officers entered the residence, Hodge-Dominguez was taken into custody without further incident.Victor Ornelas Elementary School and Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center were placed on lockdown as a precaution until Hodge-Dominguez was located by law enforcement. The schools were in lockdown for approximately 30 minutes. Hodge-Dominguez is being held in the Finney County jail on requested charges&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat and Disorderly Conduct.----------FINNEY COUNTY— USD 457 officials have released two school from lockdown after law enforcement took a suspect nearby into custody on Tuesday.Just after 10:30a.m. there was a large law enforcement presence at East Garden Village Mobile Home Park,&nbsp;4101 E US Highway 50, in Garden City, according to a media release.&nbsp;As a precaution, Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center and Victor Ornelas Elementary School were placed into lockdown.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Domestic assault arrest prompted SW Kan. school lockdown

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/10/poll-72-of-kansans-back-medicaid-reform-stalled-by-gop-legislators-since-2017/">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/10/poll-72-of-kansans-back-medicaid-reform-stalled-by-gop-legislators-since-2017/"></a>TOPEKA — A statewide opinion survey by Fort Hays State University reported Tuesday a narrow majority of Kansans were satisfied with the performance of Gov. Laura Kelly and two-thirds of respondents felt the state’s economy was on the right track.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2022-kansas-speaks-report-v5.pdf">survey conducted Sept. 19 to Oct. 2</a>&nbsp;and involving 520 adult residents didn’t reveal how participants might have assessed the work of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is challenging Kelly on Nov. 8 in the campaign for governor. The Docking Institute of Public Affairs did pose dozens of public policy questions in the latest edition of “Kansas Speaks.”

In the survey, 50.4% said they were satisfied with Kelly’s performance as governor, while 36.1% said they were dissatisfied with the Democrat. Thirty-one percent endorsed actions of the Kansas Legislature, but a higher portion — 33.5% — expressed displeasure with the Republican-led House and Senate. President Joe Biden, who defeated former President Donald Trump in 2020 but lost in Kansas, was lauded by 32.6% of respondents with 57.2% sharing dissatisfaction with the current president.

Sixty-six percent of Kansans taking part in the survey said the state was on the “right track” in terms of the economy and 34% said they believed the opposite.

However, 46.1% said elements of the Kansas economy were under greater stress, an increase from 33% last year. Thirty-five percent were of the opinion the state’s economy hit a plateau and 18.4% felt it was getting stronger.

“With continuing inflation and persistent declines in the stock market since December, the positive rating of the Kansas economy has slipped somewhat in comparison to the 2021 Kansas Speaks survey,” said survey co-author Jian Sun.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Schmidt, Kelly and a bipartisan collection of Kansas politicians have argued the state’s elections were fair and accurate. Others, including former Secretary of State Kris Kobach, raised alarms about security of the voting process.

Just under seven in 10 people surveyed by the Docking Institute said they were confident the system accurately documented winners and losers of political races across the state. Less than 8% said they lacked confidence in accuracy of a Kansas election system that relied on computer technology and paper ballots to record voters’ preferences.

The survey showed 30.5% of respondents concluded ballot drop boxes ought to be banned by the Legislature, but 45.4% said such reform would be a mistake. The opinion gap was wider when people were asked about abolishing mail-in balloting. Twenty-six percent favored a ban on mail voting, while 53.8% said there was no reason to end the practice.

Fourteen percent of people sharing their views in the survey said illegal immigrants were voting in Kansas elections. Twelve percent said they felt government had made voting too difficult.

In addition, 11.6% said “state or local election officials in Kansas committed election fraud to alter election outcomes.”

Two-thirds said K-12 schools in their communities were safe. Forty-eight percent said parents had the “right amount of influence in public education,” while 27.5% said parents didn’t have the correct level of input.

More than 81% said it was important for schools to provide instruction in social and emotional development. Seventy-eight percent favored teaching racial and ethnic history at the high school level, with support for such instruction fell to 70.6% for middle school students and to 55.1% for elementary students.

A mere 16.1% said they would welcome a prohibition on shelving “certain types” of books in high school libraries, but support for that expanded to 28.3% for middle school libraries and 37.1% for elementary school libraries. In Kansas, there has been a surge in public challenges to use in schools of books about sexual development and race relations.

The statewide survey said 66.7% of Kansans believed high school athletes should compete in sports on basis of their gender at birth. Only 16.1% disagreed with that view.

The issue has been extensively debated in the Legislature. Kelly vetoed a bill blocking transgender women and girls from taking part in organized sports. Schmidt said he would sign legislation banning transgender girls or women from competing against individuals declared female at birth.

More than 57% of adults surveyed by the Docking Institute agreed state government shouldn’t place any regulations on “the circumstances under which women can get abortions.” The opposite view was held by 28.6% of those surveyed.

In the August primary, Kansas voters decisively rejected a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would nullify a Kansas Supreme Court decision that found the state’s Bill of Rights guaranteed women bodily autonomy and access to abortion. The constitutional amendment failed in blue-state Kansas by 172,000 votes, with 59.1% opposed and 40.8% supportive.

Among the survey’s participants, 44.9% voted against the abortion amendment, 22% voted for it and 33.2% didn’t cast a primary ballot.

Seven of 10 responding to the survey said women were in a better position than politicians to make choices about whether a person received an abortion. Only 14.8% said politicians had the best vantage point to decide who could get an abortion.

Sixty percent said the Legislature shouldn’t follow a ban on abortion with a law forbidding women to travel to other states for the procedure. Three-fourths said if Kansas banned abortions they wouldn’t contact authorities to report a woman suspected of having an illegal procedure or to report that person’s medical provider. The same number said state government, not local government, ought to pay the cost of prosecuting anyone accused of violating an abortion ban.

Meanwhile, more than half of respondents said the question of expanding eligibility for Medicaid was highly or extremely important to their decisions when voting for representation in the Legislature. The Legislature approved a bill to broaden eligibility for KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, but that was vetoed in 2017 by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Since then, the House and Senate haven’t agreed on an expansion bill due to opposition by some Republicans.

Kelly has urged the Legislature to approve a Medicaid reform measure and vowed to introduce a fifth expansion proposal in January. Schmidt, her GOP rival, stands as a “skeptic” of Medicaid changes under the federal Affordable Care Act. The law requires the federal government to cover 90% of the cost of expanded services. So far, 38 states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid.

The Docking Institute survey said 71.9% supported expanding Medicaid, which was consistent with previous polling in Kansas. Three-fourths said expansion would strengthen financial foundations of rural Kansas hospitals.

“Support for Medicaid expansion in Kansas remains high, with again over 70% supporting it this year,” said Brett Zollinger, Docking Institute director and survey co-author.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/fort-hays-speaks-2-16x9-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="The new public opinion survey of Kansans released Tuesday by the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University examines attitudes about the the governor and Legislature, election security, education, abortion and more. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The new public opinion survey of Kansans released Tuesday by the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University examines attitudes about the the governor and Legislature, election security, education, abortion and more. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/10/poll-72-of-kansans-back-medicaid-reform-stalled-by-gop-legislators-since-2017/">Kansas Reflector</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/10/poll-72-of-kansans-back-medicaid-reform-stalled-by-gop-legislators-since-2017/"></a>TOPEKA — A statewide opinion survey by Fort Hays State University reported Tuesday a narrow majority of Kansans were satisfied with the performance of Gov. Laura Kelly and two-thirds of respondents felt the state’s economy was on the right track.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2022-kansas-speaks-report-v5.pdf">survey conducted Sept. 19 to Oct. 2</a>&nbsp;and involving 520 adult residents didn’t reveal how participants might have assessed the work of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is challenging Kelly on Nov. 8 in the campaign for governor. The Docking Institute of Public Affairs did pose dozens of public policy questions in the latest edition of “Kansas Speaks.”In the survey, 50.4% said they were satisfied with Kelly’s performance as governor, while 36.1% said they were dissatisfied with the Democrat. Thirty-one percent endorsed actions of the Kansas Legislature, but a higher portion — 33.5% — expressed displeasure with the Republican-led House and Senate. President Joe Biden, who defeated former President Donald Trump in 2020 but lost in Kansas, was lauded by 32.6% of respondents with 57.2% sharing dissatisfaction with the current president.Sixty-six percent of Kansans taking part in the survey said the state was on the “right track” in terms of the economy and 34% said they believed the opposite.However, 46.1% said elements of the Kansas economy were under greater stress, an increase from 33% last year. Thirty-five percent were of the opinion the state’s economy hit a plateau and 18.4% felt it was getting stronger.“With continuing inflation and persistent declines in the stock market since December, the positive rating of the Kansas economy has slipped somewhat in comparison to the 2021 Kansas Speaks survey,” said survey co-author Jian Sun.<h2>Election security</h2>Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Schmidt, Kelly and a bipartisan collection of Kansas politicians have argued the state’s elections were fair and accurate. Others, including former Secretary of State Kris Kobach, raised alarms about security of the voting process.Just under seven in 10 people surveyed by the Docking Institute said they were confident the system accurately documented winners and losers of political races across the state. Less than 8% said they lacked confidence in accuracy of a Kansas election system that relied on computer technology and paper ballots to record voters’ preferences.The survey showed 30.5% of respondents concluded ballot drop boxes ought to be banned by the Legislature, but 45.4% said such reform would be a mistake. The opinion gap was wider when people were asked about abolishing mail-in balloting. Twenty-six percent favored a ban on mail voting, while 53.8% said there was no reason to end the practice.Fourteen percent of people sharing their views in the survey said illegal immigrants were voting in Kansas elections. Twelve percent said they felt government had made voting too difficult.In addition, 11.6% said “state or local election officials in Kansas committed election fraud to alter election outcomes.”<h2>Schoolhouse issues</h2>Two-thirds said K-12 schools in their communities were safe. Forty-eight percent said parents had the “right amount of influence in public education,” while 27.5% said parents didn’t have the correct level of input.More than 81% said it was important for schools to provide instruction in social and emotional development. Seventy-eight percent favored teaching racial and ethnic history at the high school level, with support for such instruction fell to 70.6% for middle school students and to 55.1% for elementary students.A mere 16.1% said they would welcome a prohibition on shelving “certain types” of books in high school libraries, but support for that expanded to 28.3% for middle school libraries and 37.1% for elementary school libraries. In Kansas, there has been a surge in public challenges to use in schools of books about sexual development and race relations.The statewide survey said 66.7% of Kansans believed high school athletes should compete in sports on basis of their gender at birth. Only 16.1% disagreed with that view.The issue has been extensively debated in the Legislature. Kelly vetoed a bill blocking transgender women and girls from taking part in organized sports. Schmidt said he would sign legislation banning transgender girls or women from competing against individuals declared female at birth.<h2>Abortion regulations</h2>More than 57% of adults surveyed by the Docking Institute agreed state government shouldn’t place any regulations on “the circumstances under which women can get abortions.” The opposite view was held by 28.6% of those surveyed.In the August primary, Kansas voters decisively rejected a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would nullify a Kansas Supreme Court decision that found the state’s Bill of Rights guaranteed women bodily autonomy and access to abortion. The constitutional amendment failed in blue-state Kansas by 172,000 votes, with 59.1% opposed and 40.8% supportive.Among the survey’s participants, 44.9% voted against the abortion amendment, 22% voted for it and 33.2% didn’t cast a primary ballot.Seven of 10 responding to the survey said women were in a better position than politicians to make choices about whether a person received an abortion. Only 14.8% said politicians had the best vantage point to decide who could get an abortion.Sixty percent said the Legislature shouldn’t follow a ban on abortion with a law forbidding women to travel to other states for the procedure. Three-fourths said if Kansas banned abortions they wouldn’t contact authorities to report a woman suspected of having an illegal procedure or to report that person’s medical provider. The same number said state government, not local government, ought to pay the cost of prosecuting anyone accused of violating an abortion ban.<h2>Medicaid: No surprise</h2>Meanwhile, more than half of respondents said the question of expanding eligibility for Medicaid was highly or extremely important to their decisions when voting for representation in the Legislature. The Legislature approved a bill to broaden eligibility for KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, but that was vetoed in 2017 by Gov. Sam Brownback.Since then, the House and Senate haven’t agreed on an expansion bill due to opposition by some Republicans.Kelly has urged the Legislature to approve a Medicaid reform measure and vowed to introduce a fifth expansion proposal in January. Schmidt, her GOP rival, stands as a “skeptic” of Medicaid changes under the federal Affordable Care Act. The law requires the federal government to cover 90% of the cost of expanded services. So far, 38 states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid.The Docking Institute survey said 71.9% supported expanding Medicaid, which was consistent with previous polling in Kansas. Three-fourths said expansion would strengthen financial foundations of rural Kansas hospitals.“Support for Medicaid expansion in Kansas remains high, with again over 70% supporting it this year,” said Brett Zollinger, Docking Institute director and survey co-author.

Kansas survey sizes up Gov., digs into economy, education and election issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden rolled up his sleeve and got his updated COVID-19 booster shot Tuesday, as he urged millions of people who have yet to be boosted to do so by Halloween, if possible, so they can gather safely with family and friends this holiday season.

(Click below to watch the President's comments with his COVID team)

“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”

Biden also called on Congress to provide the billions of dollars the administration has requested to buy additional vaccines, tests and treatments. Some lawmakers have balked at the request for more than $20 billion in new coronavirus funding.

Biden, who was flanked by his COVID-19 response team, declared that the fight against the spread of virus is global in nature and the “funding we seek is critical” to that effort.

Over 20 million people, including nearly 1 in 5 older adults, have gotten the updated COVID-19 booster, the White House said. The vaccine has been reformulated to target the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, the most dominant strains in the United States.

Biden said more people need to get the vaccine as winter approaches and they will be spending more time indoors and potentially spreading sickness. He added that the vaccine is available free of charge within 5 miles of where most people live.

He urged people to get the coronavirus booster at the same time they get an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-flu-government-and-politics-64173cef2985d9f8951e04812477248d">annual flu shot</a>. He said a COVID-19 booster will become an annual event.

“For most Americans, one COVID shot each year will be all they need,” Biden said at the White House. “And if you get it, you'll be protected. And if you don't, you're putting yourself and other people at unnecessary risk.”

“I'm calling on All Americans ... all Americans to get their shot, just as soon as they can,” he said.

Click below to watch a member of the White House Medical Unit give the shot to Biden in his left arm. He had to delay getting his booster, in accordance with federal health guidance, because he was infected with COVID-19 over the summer.

Biden again called on businesses, schools and civic leaders to help, including by holding on-site vaccination clinics and giving employees time off to get boosted. Most deaths from COVID-19 are now preventable, he said.

Three respiratory viruses are currently circulating in the U.S: the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, said Dr. Ashish Jha, leader of the White House response.

Jha said during morning TV appearances that the combination of a flu shot and updated COVID booster will help people avoid serious illness and stay out of the hospital as they get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays with friends and family.

RSV has been affecting children, and there is no shot available to treat it, though companies are working to develop one, he said.

“So if people went out and got their vaccines, we could really get through this without getting into a lot of trouble,” Jha said Tuesday on “CBS Mornings.”

“If you’re relying on your old vaccine from nine months ago or an infection from a year ago, that’s probably not going to be good enough and that’s one of the reasons we’re urging all Americans — but particularly older Americans, particularly seniors — to get the new updated COVID vaccine, because I do think it’s going to make a really big difference," Jha said on “Today” on NBC.

Biden had to wait a few months to get his updated COVID booster because he was infected, then reinfected, with COVID-19 over the summer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666730504896.png" alt="“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”" />
 <figcaption>“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden rolled up his sleeve and got his updated COVID-19 booster shot Tuesday, as he urged millions of people who have yet to be boosted to do so by Halloween, if possible, so they can gather safely with family and friends this holiday season.(Click below to watch the President's comments with his COVID team)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-ehCTw_oCc?start=3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it's free. “Not enough people are getting it.”Biden also called on Congress to provide the billions of dollars the administration has requested to buy additional vaccines, tests and treatments. Some lawmakers have balked at the request for more than $20 billion in new coronavirus funding.Biden, who was flanked by his COVID-19 response team, declared that the fight against the spread of virus is global in nature and the “funding we seek is critical” to that effort.Over 20 million people, including nearly 1 in 5 older adults, have gotten the updated COVID-19 booster, the White House said. The vaccine has been reformulated to target the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, the most dominant strains in the United States.Biden said more people need to get the vaccine as winter approaches and they will be spending more time indoors and potentially spreading sickness. He added that the vaccine is available free of charge within 5 miles of where most people live.He urged people to get the coronavirus booster at the same time they get an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-flu-government-and-politics-64173cef2985d9f8951e04812477248d">annual flu shot</a>. He said a COVID-19 booster will become an annual event.“For most Americans, one COVID shot each year will be all they need,” Biden said at the White House. “And if you get it, you'll be protected. And if you don't, you're putting yourself and other people at unnecessary risk.”“I'm calling on All Americans ... all Americans to get their shot, just as soon as they can,” he said.Click below to watch a member of the White House Medical Unit give the shot to Biden in his left arm. He had to delay getting his booster, in accordance with federal health guidance, because he was infected with COVID-19 over the summer.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-ehCTw_oCc?start=704" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Biden again called on businesses, schools and civic leaders to help, including by holding on-site vaccination clinics and giving employees time off to get boosted. Most deaths from COVID-19 are now preventable, he said.Three respiratory viruses are currently circulating in the U.S: the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, said Dr. Ashish Jha, leader of the White House response.Jha said during morning TV appearances that the combination of a flu shot and updated COVID booster will help people avoid serious illness and stay out of the hospital as they get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays with friends and family.RSV has been affecting children, and there is no shot available to treat it, though companies are working to develop one, he said.“So if people went out and got their vaccines, we could really get through this without getting into a lot of trouble,” Jha said Tuesday on “CBS Mornings.”“If you’re relying on your old vaccine from nine months ago or an infection from a year ago, that’s probably not going to be good enough and that’s one of the reasons we’re urging all Americans — but particularly older Americans, particularly seniors — to get the new updated COVID vaccine, because I do think it’s going to make a really big difference," Jha said on “Today” on NBC.Biden had to wait a few months to get his updated COVID booster because he was infected, then reinfected, with COVID-19 over the summer.

🎥Biden: Not enough people are getting updated COVID booster

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An environmental group is suing U.S. wildlife managers, saying they have failed to protect a rare grouse found in parts of the Midwest that include one of the country’s most prolific areas for oil and gas development.

A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Center for Biological Diversity says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is nearly five months late in releasing a final rule outlining protections for the lesser prairie chicken.

Once listed as a threatened species, the prarie chicken’s habitat spans parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin that straddles the New Mexico-Texas state line.

Environmentalists have been pushing to reinstate federal protections for years. They consider the species severely threatened, citing lost and fragmented habitat as the result of oil and gas development, livestock grazing, farming and the building of roads and power lines.

The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildlife-business-environment-and-nature-c027951dc698b311e5df46ec693e9b61">proposed</a>&nbsp;listing the southern population in New Mexico and the southern reaches of the Texas Panhandle as endangered and those birds in the northern part of the species’ range as threatened. The agency had a deadline of June 1.

“The oil and gas industry has fought for decades against safeguards for the lesser prairie chicken, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is late issuing its final rule," said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate with the environment group. "The agency has slow-walked every step, and these imperiled birds keep losing more habitat.”

The Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday cited its policy for not commenting on pending litigation.

The species was once thought to number in the millions. Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://wafwa.org/wpdm-package/range-wide-population-size-of-the-lesser-prairie-chicken-2012-to-2021/?wpdmdl=18495&amp;refresh=63584095d993e1666728085&amp;ind=1629920105054&amp;filename=FINAL%202021%20LEPC%20Range%20Wide%20Report%2020210825.pdf">surveys</a>&nbsp;show, the five-year average population across the entire range hovers around 30,000 individual birds.

Landowners and the oil and gas industry say they have had success with voluntary conservation programs aimed at protecting habitat and boosting the bird’s numbers. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which oversees the conservation effort, has yet to report the results of the 2022 survey done earlier this year.

With a listing under the Endangered Species Act, officials have said that landowners and oil companies already participating in the voluntary conservation programs wouldn’t be affected because they already are taking steps to protect habitat. However, a listing would prevent any activities that result in the loss or degradation of existing habitat.

The species’ regulatory history dates to an initial petition for protection in 1995.

A little smaller and lighter in color than the greater prairie chicken, the lesser prairie chicken is known for spring courtship rituals that include flamboyant dances by the males and a cacophony of clucking.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615523751530.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An environmental group is suing U.S. wildlife managers, saying they have failed to protect a rare grouse found in parts of the Midwest that include one of the country’s most prolific areas for oil and gas development.A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Center for Biological Diversity says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is nearly five months late in releasing a final rule outlining protections for the lesser prairie chicken.Once listed as a threatened species, the prarie chicken’s habitat spans parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin that straddles the New Mexico-Texas state line.Environmentalists have been pushing to reinstate federal protections for years. They consider the species severely threatened, citing lost and fragmented habitat as the result of oil and gas development, livestock grazing, farming and the building of roads and power lines.The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildlife-business-environment-and-nature-c027951dc698b311e5df46ec693e9b61">proposed</a>&nbsp;listing the southern population in New Mexico and the southern reaches of the Texas Panhandle as endangered and those birds in the northern part of the species’ range as threatened. The agency had a deadline of June 1.“The oil and gas industry has fought for decades against safeguards for the lesser prairie chicken, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is late issuing its final rule," said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate with the environment group. "The agency has slow-walked every step, and these imperiled birds keep losing more habitat.”The Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday cited its policy for not commenting on pending litigation.The species was once thought to number in the millions. Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://wafwa.org/wpdm-package/range-wide-population-size-of-the-lesser-prairie-chicken-2012-to-2021/?wpdmdl=18495&amp;refresh=63584095d993e1666728085&amp;ind=1629920105054&amp;filename=FINAL%202021%20LEPC%20Range%20Wide%20Report%2020210825.pdf">surveys</a>&nbsp;show, the five-year average population across the entire range hovers around 30,000 individual birds.Landowners and the oil and gas industry say they have had success with voluntary conservation programs aimed at protecting habitat and boosting the bird’s numbers. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which oversees the conservation effort, has yet to report the results of the 2022 survey done earlier this year.With a listing under the Endangered Species Act, officials have said that landowners and oil companies already participating in the voluntary conservation programs wouldn’t be affected because they already are taking steps to protect habitat. However, a listing would prevent any activities that result in the loss or degradation of existing habitat.The species’ regulatory history dates to an initial petition for protection in 1995.A little smaller and lighter in color than the greater prairie chicken, the lesser prairie chicken is known for spring courtship rituals that include flamboyant dances by the males and a cacophony of clucking.

US sued over lack of protection plan for rare grouse found in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investsigating a suspect on drug allegations.

On Oct. 21, the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 200 Block of SW Tyler Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.

 While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and cocaine.

As a result, officers arrested 29-year-old Ana G. Acosta Salas and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine and&nbsp;Aggravated Endangering a Child, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666354479366.png" alt="Acosta-Salas-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Acosta-Salas-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investsigating a suspect on drug allegations.On Oct. 21, the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 200 Block of SW Tyler Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell. While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine and cocaine.As a result, officers arrested 29-year-old Ana G. Acosta Salas and transported her to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine and&nbsp;Aggravated Endangering a Child, according to Connell.

Police find cocaine, meth and children in Kansas drug bust

UPDATE: The Clay Center Police Department reported that Bobby Bulk, 84, of Clay Center, was located by law enforcement Tuesday night in Norton, Kansas. Bulk was being assessed and will soon be reunited with his family.

CLAY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issued a statewide Silver Alert Tuesday afternoon for a missing Clay Center man.

The whereabouts of 84-year-old Bobby Bulk are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Bulk is believed to have left his home in Clay Center around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25. He was traveling in a 1998 purple Dodge Dakota with Kansas tag 434AXK. The paint on the hood of the pickup truck is faded.

Bulk is a white male, around 5 ft. 7 in. tall, weighing 190 pounds. He has gray hair, a gray beard, and brown eyes. He is possibly wearing blue jeans, a blue coat, and a baseball cap. Bulk has recently experienced memory impairment, and his family is concerned for his safety.

If you see Bobby Bulk, or his vehicle, please immediately contact 911, or the Clay Center Police Department at (785) 632-2121.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666731728221.png" alt="Bobby Bulk-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Bobby Bulk-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: The Clay Center Police Department reported that Bobby Bulk, 84, of Clay Center, was located by law enforcement Tuesday night in Norton, Kansas. Bulk was being assessed and will soon be reunited with his family.--------CLAY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issued a statewide Silver Alert Tuesday afternoon for a missing Clay Center man.The whereabouts of 84-year-old Bobby Bulk are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Bulk is believed to have left his home in Clay Center around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25. He was traveling in a 1998 purple Dodge Dakota with Kansas tag 434AXK. The paint on the hood of the pickup truck is faded.Bulk is a white male, around 5 ft. 7 in. tall, weighing 190 pounds. He has gray hair, a gray beard, and brown eyes. He is possibly wearing blue jeans, a blue coat, and a baseball cap. Bulk has recently experienced memory impairment, and his family is concerned for his safety.If you see Bobby Bulk, or his vehicle, please immediately contact 911, or the Clay Center Police Department at (785) 632-2121.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kan. man found safe

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the Sept. 2021 drive-by shooting made his first court appearance last week.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20074026">Kayden Wilson,</a> 18 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, 5 counts of aggravated assault, and criminal use of weapons, a misdemeanor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2021 police responded to a disturbance with weapons shots fired at 15th and Kenmar near the Wichita State University State campus, according to Officer Charley Davidson. 

While officers were traveling to the location, 16-year-old <a href="https://www.heavenlygatesmortuary.com/obituary/azuri-jones-willis">Azuri Jones</a> who had been shot arrived at a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The investigation revealed the three boys were in a red Kia along with another 16-year-old girl.&nbsp; The girl got into a disturbance with a boy inside of the vehicle in a parking lot in the 1400 block of North Terrace. During the disturbance, four of her girl friends pulled up in a white Honda. Azuri Jones was in the Honda. The 16-year-old got out of the Kia and got into the Honda.

The disturbance continued so the driver of the Honda left with Jones and three other girls in the car.

The three boys got back into the red Kia and began chasing the girls in the Honda. In the area of 15th and Kenmar, one of the boys fired multiple shots at the Honda striking Jones who was sitting in the back seat. The driver of the Honda drove directly to the hospital.

The red Kia was located unoccupied in the area of Vesta and Fountain in Wichita and was later found to have been reported stolen, according to Davidson.

A short time later, officers observed the three suspects in the area of 17th and Harvard in Wichita. They were all arrested after a short foot pursuit. Investigators also recovered a handgun during the investigation.

Kayden Wilson's next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 31.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666383544575.png" alt="Wilson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Wilson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the Sept. 2021 drive-by shooting made his first court appearance last week.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20074026">Kayden Wilson,</a> 18 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, 5 counts of aggravated assault, and criminal use of weapons, a misdemeanor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2021 police responded to a disturbance with weapons shots fired at 15th and Kenmar near the Wichita State University State campus, according to Officer Charley Davidson. While officers were traveling to the location, 16-year-old <a href="https://www.heavenlygatesmortuary.com/obituary/azuri-jones-willis">Azuri Jones</a> who had been shot arrived at a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.The investigation revealed the three boys were in a red Kia along with another 16-year-old girl.&nbsp; The girl got into a disturbance with a boy inside of the vehicle in a parking lot in the 1400 block of North Terrace. During the disturbance, four of her girl friends pulled up in a white Honda. Azuri Jones was in the Honda. The 16-year-old got out of the Kia and got into the Honda.The disturbance continued so the driver of the Honda left with Jones and three other girls in the car.The three boys got back into the red Kia and began chasing the girls in the Honda. In the area of 15th and Kenmar, one of the boys fired multiple shots at the Honda striking Jones who was sitting in the back seat. The driver of the Honda drove directly to the hospital.The red Kia was located unoccupied in the area of Vesta and Fountain in Wichita and was later found to have been reported stolen, according to Davidson.A short time later, officers observed the three suspects in the area of 17th and Harvard in Wichita. They were all arrested after a short foot pursuit. Investigators also recovered a handgun during the investigation.Kayden Wilson's next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 31.

Teen charged in fatal car-chase shooting of Kansas girl 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 81-year-old Donald L. Woolridge of Arizona, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.

Just after 7:30 p.m., Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 3300 block of SE Fremont Street Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Eubanks.

&nbsp;Officers located&nbsp; Woolridge suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Police took one individual into custody for an interview. Police later&nbsp; released that person, according to Eubanks. All involved parties have been identified and interviewed. Police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666698800073.png" alt="Police took one individual into custody for an interview and released them, according Lt. Donna Eubanks. -photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>Police took one individual into custody for an interview and released them, according Lt. Donna Eubanks. -photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 81-year-old Donald L. Woolridge of Arizona, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.Just after 7:30 p.m., Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 3300 block of SE Fremont Street Topeka in reference to a shooting, according to Eubanks.&nbsp;Officers located&nbsp; Woolridge suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Police took one individual into custody for an interview. Police later&nbsp; released that person, according to Eubanks. All involved parties have been identified and interviewed. Police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.

Police release suspect after 81-year-old died in Kan. shooting

By&nbsp;SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/20/national-faculty-group-to-investigate-layoffs-finances-and-academic-freedom-at-emporia-state/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans were so excited by a drag performance, they didn’t bother to question false reporting that said the state provided funding for the event.

Instead, they seized an opportunity provided by the U.K. Daily Mail to bash Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during the final stretch of a tightly contested race for governor.

The Daily Mail — a publication deemed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/08/wikipedia-bans-daily-mail-as-unreliable-source-for-website">too unreliable to be used as a Wikipedia source</a>&nbsp;— delivered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11348621/Republicans-tear-Kansas-Democratic-Governor-taxpayer-funded-ages-drag-show.html?ito=amp_twitter_share-top">an “exclusive” report</a>&nbsp;Monday that falsely claimed the Kansas Department of Commerce provided funding to an arts commission that gave a grant to the organizer of the October 22 DADA Ball in Wichita to help fund the drag show.

The article featured a photo of a performer wearing a spangled leotard, with thighs showing through stockings and legs spread, during a dance routine. A crowd of onlookers includes a couple of children.

Derek Schmidt, the GOP nominee for governor, led a chorus of Republican outrage over the story, saying government funding of such an event was “extreme,” “wrong,” demeaning to the “good name” of Kansas, and “must stop.”

Government funding wasn’t used for the event. The Kelly administration moved quickly to debunk the Daily Mail story, but Schmidt’s campaign continues to press the false narrative. Schmidt demanded an apology from the governor for promoting a drag show.

In a brief interview with reporters after voting Tuesday morning in Topeka, Kelly said “if anybody needs to apologize, it’s Derek Schmidt for deceiving the public.”

“I really don’t know what his motives are,” Kelly said. “I can’t get into his head. I just know that it wasn’t true.”

On Monday, Schmidt falsely said governor had been “caught sanctioning and condoning activities that may expose children to sexually suggestive or explicit programming.”

“My administration will put a stop to using your hard-earned money and our state’s good name to sponsor or promote sexually suggestive or explicit programming — especially to children,” Schmidt said. “It’s just common sense.”

It is the latest attempt by the Schmidt campaign to appeal to LGBTQ bigotry among Kansas voters as the governor’s race nears the Nov. 8 finish line. Polling released Tuesday by Fort Hays State University showed 50.4% of Kansas voters approve of Kelly’s performance of governor — but two-thirds of voters support a ban on transgender athletes.

“I’m appalled that Derek Schmidt would play to bigotry so openly just as a means to gain political power, and that he would target vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community for his own political goals,” said Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas. “It’s disgusting and appalling, and he should be ashamed of himself.”

Witt said he didn’t see why people would be upset about the drag show anyway:&nbsp;“It’s Halloween. People are going to wear costumes. Drag performers are people in costumes.”

The Schmidt campaign has refused to retreat from its attack, with a spokesman saying the Kelly administration’s explanation of funding “doesn’t pass the smell test.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce provides grant funding for initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism. The agency, though the Kansas Creative Arts Industries, provided a grant to Harvester Arts to support a residency by artist Aaron Asis. Harvester Arts didn’t use state money on the drag show in question.

The event promoter mistakenly referenced the Kansas Creative Arts Industries in an advertisement for the event.

An&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmuw.org/community-calendar/event/dada-ball-06-10-2022-13-03-59">event listing at KMUW.org</a>&nbsp;encouraged participants to “break out your weirdest and most fabulous outfit” for the all-ages evening of music, fashion, drag and dancing. The promotion said the event was inspired by avant-garde art movements.

Liz Hamor, chief empowerment officer of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://centerofdaring.com/about/">Center of Daring</a>, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said the GOP response to the drag show is “a thinly veiled attempt by subscribers of conservative religion to hide their homophobia and transphobia behind their equally problematic purity culture.”

“Exposing children to artistic self-expression and celebrations of diversity creates adults who show compassion and acceptance toward people with diverse identities and perspectives,” Hamor said. “If you don’t want your children to expand their understanding of the world and to grow their compassion for others, then don’t have them go.”

Schmidt’s campaign previously has focused on legislation that would ban transgender girls from participating in school sports. Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines wouldn’t say who was paying her to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/01/schmidt-college-swimmer-embrace-restrictions-on-participation-in-sports-by-transgender-athletes/">appear alongside Schmidt</a>&nbsp;as she recalled the pain of tying for fifth place with a transgender athlete.

Kelly has twice vetoed the transgender athlete bill, saying the Kansas State High Schools Activities Association already provides oversight of competitive fairness. Debate in the Legislature earlier this year revealed there was only one transgender student in all of Kansas who was participating in a KSHSAA activity, and the activity wasn’t a gender-specific sport.

Witt said LGBTQ teens are hurting themselves because they are under attack from adults who should be protecting them. He has had to speak at their funerals.

Schmidt, who oversees a suicide prevention program as the attorney general, “should be helping these kids, not shooting at them,” Witt said.

“The average, everyday Kansan shouldn’t be an expert on transgender issues,” Witt said. “This is a situation almost wholly created by the right wing to try to gain political advantage. There have been trans kids going to the bathroom and playing kickball with their friends for years and years in this state, and nobody gave a damn one way or another. And now suddenly, queer kids are the big evil.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/derek-schmidt-kbi-16x9-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Derek Schmidt, GOP nominee for governor, attacked Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over a false report that state funding was used for a drag show in Wichita. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Derek Schmidt, GOP nominee for governor, attacked Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over a false report that state funding was used for a drag show in Wichita. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/20/national-faculty-group-to-investigate-layoffs-finances-and-academic-freedom-at-emporia-state/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans were so excited by a drag performance, they didn’t bother to question false reporting that said the state provided funding for the event.Instead, they seized an opportunity provided by the U.K. Daily Mail to bash Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during the final stretch of a tightly contested race for governor.The Daily Mail — a publication deemed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/08/wikipedia-bans-daily-mail-as-unreliable-source-for-website">too unreliable to be used as a Wikipedia source</a>&nbsp;— delivered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11348621/Republicans-tear-Kansas-Democratic-Governor-taxpayer-funded-ages-drag-show.html?ito=amp_twitter_share-top">an “exclusive” report</a>&nbsp;Monday that falsely claimed the Kansas Department of Commerce provided funding to an arts commission that gave a grant to the organizer of the October 22 DADA Ball in Wichita to help fund the drag show.The article featured a photo of a performer wearing a spangled leotard, with thighs showing through stockings and legs spread, during a dance routine. A crowd of onlookers includes a couple of children.Derek Schmidt, the GOP nominee for governor, led a chorus of Republican outrage over the story, saying government funding of such an event was “extreme,” “wrong,” demeaning to the “good name” of Kansas, and “must stop.”Government funding wasn’t used for the event. The Kelly administration moved quickly to debunk the Daily Mail story, but Schmidt’s campaign continues to press the false narrative. Schmidt demanded an apology from the governor for promoting a drag show.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PA251193-1024x576.jpg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions for reporters after voting Tuesday at the Shawnee County Election Office in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions for reporters after voting Tuesday at the Shawnee County Election Office in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In a brief interview with reporters after voting Tuesday morning in Topeka, Kelly said “if anybody needs to apologize, it’s Derek Schmidt for deceiving the public.”“I really don’t know what his motives are,” Kelly said. “I can’t get into his head. I just know that it wasn’t true.”On Monday, Schmidt falsely said governor had been “caught sanctioning and condoning activities that may expose children to sexually suggestive or explicit programming.”“My administration will put a stop to using your hard-earned money and our state’s good name to sponsor or promote sexually suggestive or explicit programming — especially to children,” Schmidt said. “It’s just common sense.”It is the latest attempt by the Schmidt campaign to appeal to LGBTQ bigotry among Kansas voters as the governor’s race nears the Nov. 8 finish line. Polling released Tuesday by Fort Hays State University showed 50.4% of Kansas voters approve of Kelly’s performance of governor — but two-thirds of voters support a ban on transgender athletes.“I’m appalled that Derek Schmidt would play to bigotry so openly just as a means to gain political power, and that he would target vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community for his own political goals,” said Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas. “It’s disgusting and appalling, and he should be ashamed of himself.”Witt said he didn’t see why people would be upset about the drag show anyway:&nbsp;“It’s Halloween. People are going to wear costumes. Drag performers are people in costumes.”The Schmidt campaign has refused to retreat from its attack, with a spokesman saying the Kelly administration’s explanation of funding “doesn’t pass the smell test.”The Kansas Department of Commerce provides grant funding for initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism. The agency, though the Kansas Creative Arts Industries, provided a grant to Harvester Arts to support a residency by artist Aaron Asis. Harvester Arts didn’t use state money on the drag show in question.The event promoter mistakenly referenced the Kansas Creative Arts Industries in an advertisement for the event.An&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kmuw.org/community-calendar/event/dada-ball-06-10-2022-13-03-59">event listing at KMUW.org</a>&nbsp;encouraged participants to “break out your weirdest and most fabulous outfit” for the all-ages evening of music, fashion, drag and dancing. The promotion said the event was inspired by avant-garde art movements.Liz Hamor, chief empowerment officer of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://centerofdaring.com/about/">Center of Daring</a>, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said the GOP response to the drag show is “a thinly veiled attempt by subscribers of conservative religion to hide their homophobia and transphobia behind their equally problematic purity culture.”“Exposing children to artistic self-expression and celebrations of diversity creates adults who show compassion and acceptance toward people with diverse identities and perspectives,” Hamor said. “If you don’t want your children to expand their understanding of the world and to grow their compassion for others, then don’t have them go.”Schmidt’s campaign previously has focused on legislation that would ban transgender girls from participating in school sports. Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines wouldn’t say who was paying her to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/01/schmidt-college-swimmer-embrace-restrictions-on-participation-in-sports-by-transgender-athletes/">appear alongside Schmidt</a>&nbsp;as she recalled the pain of tying for fifth place with a transgender athlete.Kelly has twice vetoed the transgender athlete bill, saying the Kansas State High Schools Activities Association already provides oversight of competitive fairness. Debate in the Legislature earlier this year revealed there was only one transgender student in all of Kansas who was participating in a KSHSAA activity, and the activity wasn’t a gender-specific sport.Witt said LGBTQ teens are hurting themselves because they are under attack from adults who should be protecting them. He has had to speak at their funerals.Schmidt, who oversees a suicide prevention program as the attorney general, “should be helping these kids, not shooting at them,” Witt said.“The average, everyday Kansan shouldn’t be an expert on transgender issues,” Witt said. “This is a situation almost wholly created by the right wing to try to gain political advantage. There have been trans kids going to the bathroom and playing kickball with their friends for years and years in this state, and nobody gave a damn one way or another. And now suddenly, queer kids are the big evil.”

Kan. GOP seize on false report about drag show to attack Governor

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The 19-year-old gunman who killed a teacher and a 15-year-old girl at a St. Louis high school was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and what appeared to be more than 600 rounds of ammunition, Police Commissioner Michael Sack said Tuesday.

Orlando Harris also left behind a hand-written note offering his explanation for the shooting Monday at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded before police killed Harris in an exchange of gunfire.

Sack read Harris' note in which the young man lamented that he had no friends, no family, no girlfriend and a life of isolation. In the note, Harris called it the “perfect storm for a mass shooter.”

Sack said Harris had some ammo strapped to his chest, some in a bag, and other magazines were found dumped in stairwells.

“This could have been much worse,” Sack said.

The attack forced students to barricade doors and huddle in classroom corners, jump from windows and run out of the building to seek safety. One terrorized girl said she was eye-to-eye with the shooter before his gun apparently jammed and she was able to run out. Several people inside the school said they heard Harris warn, “You are all going to die!”

Harris, 19, graduated from the school last year. The FBI was assisting police in the investigation. Sack, speaking at a news conference, urged people to come forward when someone who appears to suffer from mental illness or distress begins “speaking about purchasing firearms or causing harm to others.”

Relatives of those killed mourned their losses.

“Alexzandria was my everything," her father, Andre Bell, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/father-daughter-killed-shooting-st-louis-high-school-central-vpa/63-449286c9-f7ea-4db8-9445-a91a7f1dac25">KSDK-TV</a>. “She was joyful, wonderful and just a great person.”

Alexzandria was outgoing, loved to dance and was a member of the school's junior varsity dance team, her father said.

“She was the girl I loved to see and loved to hear from. No matter how I felt, I could always talk to her and it was alright. That was my baby,” Andre Bell said.

Abby Kuczka said her mother was killed when the gunman burst into her classroom and she moved between him and her students.

“My mom loved kids,” Abbey Kuczka told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “She loved her students. I know her students looked at her like she was their mom.”

The seven injured students are all 15 or 16 years old. All were listed in stable condition. Sack said four suffered gunshot or graze wounds, two had bruises and one had a broken ankle — apparently from jumping out of the three-story building.

The school in south St. Louis was locked, with seven security guards at the doors, St. Louis Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams said. A security guard initially became alarmed when he saw Harris trying to get in one of the doors. He was armed with a gun and “there was no mystery about what was going to happen. He had it out and entered in an aggressive, violent manner," Sack said.

That guard alerted school officials and made sure police were contacted.

Harris managed to get inside anyway — Sack declined to say how, saying he didn't want to “make it easy” for anyone else who wants to break into a school.

Police offered this timeline of events: A 911 call came in at 9:11 a.m. alerting police of an active shooter. Officers — some off-duty wearing street clothes — arrived at 9:15 a.m.

Police located Harris at 9:23 a.m. on the third floor of the school, where he had barricaded himself inside a classroom. Police said in a news release that when Harris shot at officers, they shot back and broke through the door.

At 9:25 a.m., when Harris pointed his rifle at police, they fired several shots. He was secured by police at 9:32 a.m.

Police said Alexzandria was found in a hallway and died at the scene. Kuczka was found in a classroom and died at a hospital.

Central Visual and Performing Arts shares a building with another magnet school, Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. Central has 383 students, Collegiate 336.

It was the 40th school shooting this year resulting in injuries or death, according to a tally by Education Week — the most in any year since it began tracking shootings in 2018. The deadly attacks include the killings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May, when 19 children and two teachers died. Monday’s St. Louis shooting came on the same day a Michigan teenager pleaded guilty to terrorism and first-degree murder in a school shooting that killed four students in December 2021.

For now, the survivors are dealing with the trauma.

The gunman pointed his weapon at Raymond Parks, a dance teacher at the school, but did not shoot him, Parks said. The kids in his class escaped outside and Parks stopped traffic and get someone to call the police. They came quickly.

“You couldn’t have asked for better,” Parks said of the police response.

Ashley Rench said she was teaching advanced algebra to sophomores when she heard a loud bang. Then the school intercom announced, “Miles Davis is in the building.”

“That’s our code for intruder,” Rench said.

The gunman tried the door of the classroom but did not force his way in, she said. When police officers started banging, she wasn’t sure at first if it really was law enforcement until she was able to glance out and see officers.

Salter reported from O’Fallon, Missouri. Associated Press writers Margaret Stafford and Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666624221873.png" alt="Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded -photo courtesy KTVI" />
 <figcaption>Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded -photo courtesy KTVI</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — The 19-year-old gunman who killed a teacher and a 15-year-old girl at a St. Louis high school was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and what appeared to be more than 600 rounds of ammunition, Police Commissioner Michael Sack said Tuesday.Orlando Harris also left behind a hand-written note offering his explanation for the shooting Monday at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded before police killed Harris in an exchange of gunfire.Sack read Harris' note in which the young man lamented that he had no friends, no family, no girlfriend and a life of isolation. In the note, Harris called it the “perfect storm for a mass shooter.”Sack said Harris had some ammo strapped to his chest, some in a bag, and other magazines were found dumped in stairwells.“This could have been much worse,” Sack said.The attack forced students to barricade doors and huddle in classroom corners, jump from windows and run out of the building to seek safety. One terrorized girl said she was eye-to-eye with the shooter before his gun apparently jammed and she was able to run out. Several people inside the school said they heard Harris warn, “You are all going to die!”Harris, 19, graduated from the school last year. The FBI was assisting police in the investigation. Sack, speaking at a news conference, urged people to come forward when someone who appears to suffer from mental illness or distress begins “speaking about purchasing firearms or causing harm to others.”Relatives of those killed mourned their losses.“Alexzandria was my everything," her father, Andre Bell, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/father-daughter-killed-shooting-st-louis-high-school-central-vpa/63-449286c9-f7ea-4db8-9445-a91a7f1dac25">KSDK-TV</a>. “She was joyful, wonderful and just a great person.”Alexzandria was outgoing, loved to dance and was a member of the school's junior varsity dance team, her father said.“She was the girl I loved to see and loved to hear from. No matter how I felt, I could always talk to her and it was alright. That was my baby,” Andre Bell said.Abby Kuczka said her mother was killed when the gunman burst into her classroom and she moved between him and her students.“My mom loved kids,” Abbey Kuczka told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “She loved her students. I know her students looked at her like she was their mom.”The seven injured students are all 15 or 16 years old. All were listed in stable condition. Sack said four suffered gunshot or graze wounds, two had bruises and one had a broken ankle — apparently from jumping out of the three-story building.The school in south St. Louis was locked, with seven security guards at the doors, St. Louis Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams said. A security guard initially became alarmed when he saw Harris trying to get in one of the doors. He was armed with a gun and “there was no mystery about what was going to happen. He had it out and entered in an aggressive, violent manner," Sack said.That guard alerted school officials and made sure police were contacted.Harris managed to get inside anyway — Sack declined to say how, saying he didn't want to “make it easy” for anyone else who wants to break into a school.Police offered this timeline of events: A 911 call came in at 9:11 a.m. alerting police of an active shooter. Officers — some off-duty wearing street clothes — arrived at 9:15 a.m.Police located Harris at 9:23 a.m. on the third floor of the school, where he had barricaded himself inside a classroom. Police said in a news release that when Harris shot at officers, they shot back and broke through the door.At 9:25 a.m., when Harris pointed his rifle at police, they fired several shots. He was secured by police at 9:32 a.m.Police said Alexzandria was found in a hallway and died at the scene. Kuczka was found in a classroom and died at a hospital.Central Visual and Performing Arts shares a building with another magnet school, Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. Central has 383 students, Collegiate 336.It was the 40th school shooting this year resulting in injuries or death, according to a tally by Education Week — the most in any year since it began tracking shootings in 2018. The deadly attacks include the killings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May, when 19 children and two teachers died. Monday’s St. Louis shooting came on the same day a Michigan teenager pleaded guilty to terrorism and first-degree murder in a school shooting that killed four students in December 2021.For now, the survivors are dealing with the trauma.The gunman pointed his weapon at Raymond Parks, a dance teacher at the school, but did not shoot him, Parks said. The kids in his class escaped outside and Parks stopped traffic and get someone to call the police. They came quickly.“You couldn’t have asked for better,” Parks said of the police response.Ashley Rench said she was teaching advanced algebra to sophomores when she heard a loud bang. Then the school intercom announced, “Miles Davis is in the building.”“That’s our code for intruder,” Rench said.The gunman tried the door of the classroom but did not force his way in, she said. When police officers started banging, she wasn’t sure at first if it really was law enforcement until she was able to glance out and see officers.“Let's go!" she told the kids.___Salter reported from O’Fallon, Missouri. Associated Press writers Margaret Stafford and Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report.

School gunman had AR-15-style weapon, 600 rounds of ammo

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine if two dogs caused the death of an Amazon driver whose body was found in the yard of a home in rural northwest Missouri.

Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers said deputies went to a home in Excelsior Springs Monday evening after reports that an Amazon truck had been parked in the same spot for about two hours, with its lights on and motor running.

The driver's body was found in the yard in front of the home. His name has not been released.

Childers said the man had injuries consistent with an animal attack and two aggressive dogs — a German Shepherd and English Mastiff — were at the home. However, an autopsy will be conducted to determine if the dogs caused the driver's death, he said.

A deputy shot and injured the mastiff because it was aggressive toward sheriff's deputies and medical responders on the scene.

The dogs went back into the house but the deputies could hear them barking and saw blood on the doggie door.

Childers said he and deputies went into the home and shot and killed the dogs in order to protect deputies, medical personnel and detectives at the scene. The homeowners were out of town but the dogs were being cared for, the sheriff said.

Amazon said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the driver's death and is helping law enforcement with the investigation.

Excelsior Springs is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666717545152.png" alt="The homeowners were out of town but the dogs were being cared for, the sheriff said. -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>The homeowners were out of town but the dogs were being cared for, the sheriff said. -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine if two dogs caused the death of an Amazon driver whose body was found in the yard of a home in rural northwest Missouri.Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers said deputies went to a home in Excelsior Springs Monday evening after reports that an Amazon truck had been parked in the same spot for about two hours, with its lights on and motor running.The driver's body was found in the yard in front of the home. His name has not been released.Childers said the man had injuries consistent with an animal attack and two aggressive dogs — a German Shepherd and English Mastiff — were at the home. However, an autopsy will be conducted to determine if the dogs caused the driver's death, he said.A deputy shot and injured the mastiff because it was aggressive toward sheriff's deputies and medical responders on the scene.The dogs went back into the house but the deputies could hear them barking and saw blood on the doggie door.Childers said he and deputies went into the home and shot and killed the dogs in order to protect deputies, medical personnel and detectives at the scene. The homeowners were out of town but the dogs were being cared for, the sheriff said.Amazon said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the driver's death and is helping law enforcement with the investigation.Excelsior Springs is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.