By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/22/house-passes-kansas-bill-creating-method-of-anonymously-surrendering-an-infant/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Tim Johnson twice 
read aloud Psalm 82:3 to emphasize importance of a bill amending state 
law to allow relinquishment of an infant by anonymously placing a baby 
in a special container that could be located at health care facilities 
as well as police or fire stations.

Current Kansas law mandated people surrendering an infant to hand it 
off to a person to avoid threat of civil and criminal penalties. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2024/">House Bill 2024</a>
 would expand the statute so a person with lawful custody of an infant 
not more than 60 days old could leave it in a container located in a 
structural wall of a designated facility. It would automatically lock to
 restrict access from outside once an infant was placed inside. An alarm
 would notify people in the building to the child’s presence.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless,” the Bonner Springs Republican 
proselytized to his House brethren. “Uphold the cause of the poor and 
the oppressed.”

Johnson said the objective was to make it more likely a child 
transitioned to caregivers without risk of injury or death. Alarms 
linked to the temperature-controlled enclosures would alert staff 
members of the need to take custody of a child. The infant would be 
promptly examined by a health professional to search for evidence of 
“great bodily” harm in case a law enforcement investigation was 
warranted.

No community facility eligible for the program would be required to 
install one of these child-safety devices. The Kansas Department for 
Children and Families would be notified of each relinquishment. There 
would be a prohibition on certain disclosures of an infant surrendered 
under the new law.

“This is completely voluntary,” Johnson said. “Not one city, not one county, not one jurisdiction will be required to.”

Since 2017, he said, 18 children had been surrendered to officials 
under existing state statute by parents who said they were unable to 
care for the kids.

The House gave first-round approval to the bill on Tuesday, then 
passed it Wednesday by a 94-30 vote. The bill now goes to the Kansas 
Senate for consideration.

Rep. Emil Bergquist, R-Park City, said he had four grandchildren who 
were left at orphanages as infants or young children. The children were 
in their teens and 20s and doing well, he said.

“They had that opportunity for a pivot point of a desperate mother, 
who for whatever reason, she had to let go of that baby,” he said. “I 
believe in second chances.”

In early February, the House voted to send the bill back to the House
 Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee for amendments. The modified 
bill did run into opposition from Republican and Democratic 
representatives.

Rep. Michael Houser, R-Columbus, said he was disappointed the measure
 would allow a person relinquishing a baby up to 30 days to reverse that
 decision. Houser said he was anxious a parent could unilaterally 
surrender a child without endorsement of a spouse or partner.

“I’m not trying to belittle this at all. This may be a good bill. I 
just have a lot of concern about it. I’m not here to poo-poo it. I’m on a
 fact-finding mission,” Houser said.

Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichta Democrat, said it wasn’t clear how a 
parent who disagreed with relinquishment could figure out where the 
child went given the level of anonymity of donor parents outlined in the
 bill. He offered a hypothetical in which an Oregon mother traveling to 
Florida dropped off a baby at a Wichita fire station without informing 
anyone else of the decision.

If a person did step forward to assert parental rights, Carmichael 
said, the bill unreasonably mandated a DNA test to prove parentage 
rather than rely on a birth certificate or some other evidence.

“I believe this bill has serious problems with implementation,” said 
Carmichael, who indicated the concept contemplated babies being left in 
the equivalent of a kennel. “Is this legislation really necessary? I do 
believe it is well-meaning, but we already have a law that provides 
immunity from prosecution.”

In a rebuttal during House floor debate, Johnson bristled at the 
suggestion enclosures installed for this purpose were akin to a kennel.

“That offends me. These are children,” he said. ‘This is a child safety device. It is a tool. It will save lives.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677084763065.png" alt="Rep. Tim Johnson, a Bonner Springs Republican, urged his colleagues in the House to support a bill allowing installation at fire or police stations and other public spaces an enclosed, secure container where infants could be left anonymously when a parent was unable to care for the child. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Tim Johnson, a Bonner Springs Republican, urged his colleagues in the House to support a bill allowing installation at fire or police stations and other public spaces an enclosed, secure container where infants could be left anonymously when a parent was unable to care for the child. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/22/house-passes-kansas-bill-creating-method-of-anonymously-surrendering-an-infant/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Tim Johnson twice 
read aloud Psalm 82:3 to emphasize importance of a bill amending state 
law to allow relinquishment of an infant by anonymously placing a baby 
in a special container that could be located at health care facilities 
as well as police or fire stations.Current Kansas law mandated people surrendering an infant to hand it 
off to a person to avoid threat of civil and criminal penalties. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2024/">House Bill 2024</a>
 would expand the statute so a person with lawful custody of an infant 
not more than 60 days old could leave it in a container located in a 
structural wall of a designated facility. It would automatically lock to
 restrict access from outside once an infant was placed inside. An alarm
 would notify people in the building to the child’s presence.“Defend the weak and the fatherless,” the Bonner Springs Republican 
proselytized to his House brethren. “Uphold the cause of the poor and 
the oppressed.”Johnson said the objective was to make it more likely a child 
transitioned to caregivers without risk of injury or death. Alarms 
linked to the temperature-controlled enclosures would alert staff 
members of the need to take custody of a child. The infant would be 
promptly examined by a health professional to search for evidence of 
“great bodily” harm in case a law enforcement investigation was 
warranted.No community facility eligible for the program would be required to 
install one of these child-safety devices. The Kansas Department for 
Children and Families would be notified of each relinquishment. There 
would be a prohibition on certain disclosures of an infant surrendered 
under the new law.“This is completely voluntary,” Johnson said. “Not one city, not one county, not one jurisdiction will be required to.”Since 2017, he said, 18 children had been surrendered to officials 
under existing state statute by parents who said they were unable to 
care for the kids.The House gave first-round approval to the bill on Tuesday, then 
passed it Wednesday by a 94-30 vote. The bill now goes to the Kansas 
Senate for consideration.Rep. Emil Bergquist, R-Park City, said he had four grandchildren who 
were left at orphanages as infants or young children. The children were 
in their teens and 20s and doing well, he said.“They had that opportunity for a pivot point of a desperate mother, 
who for whatever reason, she had to let go of that baby,” he said. “I 
believe in second chances.”In early February, the House voted to send the bill back to the House
 Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee for amendments. The modified 
bill did run into opposition from Republican and Democratic 
representatives.Rep. Michael Houser, R-Columbus, said he was disappointed the measure
 would allow a person relinquishing a baby up to 30 days to reverse that
 decision. Houser said he was anxious a parent could unilaterally 
surrender a child without endorsement of a spouse or partner.“I’m not trying to belittle this at all. This may be a good bill. I 
just have a lot of concern about it. I’m not here to poo-poo it. I’m on a
 fact-finding mission,” Houser said.Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichta Democrat, said it wasn’t clear how a 
parent who disagreed with relinquishment could figure out where the 
child went given the level of anonymity of donor parents outlined in the
 bill. He offered a hypothetical in which an Oregon mother traveling to 
Florida dropped off a baby at a Wichita fire station without informing 
anyone else of the decision.If a person did step forward to assert parental rights, Carmichael 
said, the bill unreasonably mandated a DNA test to prove parentage 
rather than rely on a birth certificate or some other evidence.“I believe this bill has serious problems with implementation,” said 
Carmichael, who indicated the concept contemplated babies being left in 
the equivalent of a kennel. “Is this legislation really necessary? I do 
believe it is well-meaning, but we already have a law that provides 
immunity from prosecution.”In a rebuttal during House floor debate, Johnson bristled at the 
suggestion enclosures installed for this purpose were akin to a kennel.“That offends me. These are children,” he said. ‘This is a child safety device. It is a tool. It will save lives.”

Kan. House passes bill creating way to anonymously surrender infant

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 1,975&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22, for a total of 934,180 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,057 cases the previous week.

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;5&nbsp;additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Feb. 8, for a total of 10,034 since the state started reported COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 1,975&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22, for a total of 934,180 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,057 cases the previous week.On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;5&nbsp;additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Feb. 8, for a total of 10,034 since the state started reported COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports drop in COVID cases; 5 more deaths

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified a suspect identified as 43-year-old Larry Powell. He is described 5-foot 4, 217 pounds and is believed to be driving a dark colored van with 60-day tags.

Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a motel in the 5700 block of West Kellogg Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located a 50-year-old man unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. 

The victim, from Santa Cruz, California, was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

The investigation revealed that the victim had a verbal altercation with Powell. That argument turned physical at which point the Powell allegedly started shooting and striking the victim once.

Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the relationship between the victim and the Powell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677097918663.png" alt="Powell photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Powell photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified a suspect identified as 43-year-old Larry Powell. He is described 5-foot 4, 217 pounds and is believed to be driving a dark colored van with 60-day tags.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677098093011.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a motel in the 5700 block of West Kellogg Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders located a 50-year-old man unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677085113323.png" alt="photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The victim, from Santa Cruz, California, was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;The investigation revealed that the victim had a verbal altercation with Powell. That argument turned physical at which point the Powell allegedly started shooting and striking the victim once.Investigators are still working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the relationship between the victim and the Powell.

Police ask for help to locate suspect in Kansas motel killing

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City firefighter who in December 2021 killed three persons by driving a Kansas City Fire Department pumper truck into a Westport Road intersection against a red light without braking or ensuring it was safe -- has pleaded guilty to three manslaughter charges, one for each victim, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Dominic Biscari, 23,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to three counts of Involuntary Manslaughter 2nd Degree.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As part of a plea agreement, Biscari was placed on probation for three years and required to follow court-ordered rules, including refraining from carrying firearms, having no contact with the victims' families and completing community service. Questions regarding the defendant's employment status with the Kansas City Fire Department should be directed to the city or the fire department.&nbsp;

According to court records filed Tuesday, on Dec. 15, 2021, Kansas City police responded to Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard on an injury crash involving a fire truck. The defendant, who was driving the fire pumper, was in route to a house fire and had the vehicle’s emergency equipment activated. The pumper, headed north on Broadway, entered the intersection at Westport Road and struck a Honda CRV. The forced of the impact moved the Honda CRV to the left and struck three other vehicles, one hitting a pedestrian, Tami N. Knight, who died of her injuries. The driver of the Honda CRV, Jennifer L. San Nicolas and front seat passenger, Michael J. Elwood, died from injuries sustained in the crash. No firefighters were injured.&nbsp;

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued the following statement:&nbsp;

"My office has been in contact with the attorneys for the victims' families over the course of our review of this case. Our office and the community send these families our deepest condolences. Though this plea will not restore their lives or heal their grief, it demonstrates a level of accountability for the actions of the firefighter who carried a public duty. We also hope this motivates further review of the best and the safest practices for operating public vehicles. Our community requires more care."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639665850854.png" alt="-On Dec. 15 , 2021 when the fire pumper was responding to a call and hit another vehicle in the city's Westport entertainment district -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>-On Dec. 15 , 2021 when the fire pumper was responding to a call and hit another vehicle in the city's Westport entertainment district -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City firefighter who in December 2021 killed three persons by driving a Kansas City Fire Department pumper truck into a Westport Road intersection against a red light without braking or ensuring it was safe -- has pleaded guilty to three manslaughter charges, one for each victim, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Dominic Biscari, 23,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to three counts of Involuntary Manslaughter 2nd Degree.&nbsp;&nbsp;As part of a plea agreement, Biscari was placed on probation for three years and required to follow court-ordered rules, including refraining from carrying firearms, having no contact with the victims' families and completing community service. Questions regarding the defendant's employment status with the Kansas City Fire Department should be directed to the city or the fire department.&nbsp;According to court records filed Tuesday, on Dec. 15, 2021, Kansas City police responded to Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard on an injury crash involving a fire truck. The defendant, who was driving the fire pumper, was in route to a house fire and had the vehicle’s emergency equipment activated. The pumper, headed north on Broadway, entered the intersection at Westport Road and struck a Honda CRV. The forced of the impact moved the Honda CRV to the left and struck three other vehicles, one hitting a pedestrian, Tami N. Knight, who died of her injuries. The driver of the Honda CRV, Jennifer L. San Nicolas and front seat passenger, Michael J. Elwood, died from injuries sustained in the crash. No firefighters were injured.&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued the following statement:&nbsp;"My office has been in contact with the attorneys for the victims' families over the course of our review of this case. Our office and the community send these families our deepest condolences. Though this plea will not restore their lives or heal their grief, it demonstrates a level of accountability for the actions of the firefighter who carried a public duty. We also hope this motivates further review of the best and the safest practices for operating public vehicles. Our community requires more care."&nbsp;

KC firefighter pleads guilty to  charges in fatal Westport crash 

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/21/foster-care-legislation-would-cap-social-worker-caseloads-change-foster-parent-adoption-process/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Kansas’ foster care system has seen workers struggling under 
excessive caseloads, lackluster resources and foster children not 
getting the help they need. Legal limits to caseloads and changes to the
 state’s adoption system are being touted as potential solutions.

During a Monday House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee hearing, lawmakers discussed <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2371/">House Bill 2371</a>.
 The bill would limit caseloads, with case managers working with a 
maximum of 18 children in out-of-home placements. Exceptions would be 
granted in cases of temporary staffing shortages or when a case manager 
is working with a sibling group.&nbsp;

Under the bill, case managers would 
also need to complete required training before working independently on 
cases. Currently, state foster care case management grants stipulate 
that out-of-home case managers are not to exceed 30 cases.

To get down to an 18-case maximum, 
the Kansas Department for Children and Family Services would need to 
increase case management provider staffing by about 25%, according to 
the state budget director’s fiscal note. Adding the estimated 74 social 
workers would cost about $5,162,397, with the money coming from the 
state’s foster care budget.&nbsp;

Rachel Marsh, CEO of the Children’s 
Alliance of Kansas, said case managers dealt with extremely difficult 
situations, such as sexual abuse cases and familial suicides, and needed
 plenty of support to stay in the field.&nbsp;

“We want to make sure that with those
 challenging, heart-breaking and really soul-changing stories, that we 
give our case managers a sort of fighting chance of staying above water 
and being able to have a manageable workload so they can learn the job, 
learn the technical challenges and stay in the job,” Marsh said.&nbsp;

In June 2022, a watchdog group found that Kansas had one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/13/federal-watchdog-says-kansas-has-one-of-the-highest-rates-for-missing-foster-children/">highest rates of missing foster children</a>. An August 2022 DCF report showed that 66 of approximately 6,200 foster care children <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/23/governors-race-schmidt-denounces-kellys-approach-to-flaws-in-kansas-foster-care-system/">were unaccounted for</a>. With more case managers, advocates said they hoped for positive changes.

Rep. Paul Waggoner, a Hutchinson Republican, questioned whether the bill would ultimately fix foster care workforce shortages.&nbsp;

“Are the folks actually out there to 
be hired?” Waggoner asked. “My impression is that they’re having a hard 
time hiring people, they just can’t get anybody. How is this going to 
solve that problem?”&nbsp;

During the meeting, lawmakers also 
voted to advance a bill that would require DCF to apply new standards 
when deciding adoptions for foster children. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2299/">House Bill 2299 </a>would
 remove the current requirement that the court give relatives first 
preference in granting custody, with second preference given to people 
with whom the child has close emotional connections, such as a foster 
parent.&nbsp;

The bill would require DCF to 
prioritize emotional attachments over familial connections. Under the 
bill, DCF would have to consider foster parents as prospective adoptive 
parents if the child has lived more than two years with the foster 
parent, more than half their life with the foster parent, or if it’s in 
the child’s best interest. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677007498027.png" alt="Rep. Susan Concannon, chair of the House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee, opens the hearing on foster care caseloads during a Feb. 20 hearing. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Susan Concannon, chair of the House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee, opens the hearing on foster care caseloads during a Feb. 20 hearing. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/21/foster-care-legislation-would-cap-social-worker-caseloads-change-foster-parent-adoption-process/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Kansas’ foster care system has seen workers struggling under 
excessive caseloads, lackluster resources and foster children not 
getting the help they need. Legal limits to caseloads and changes to the
 state’s adoption system are being touted as potential solutions.During a Monday House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee hearing, lawmakers discussed <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2371/">House Bill 2371</a>.
 The bill would limit caseloads, with case managers working with a 
maximum of 18 children in out-of-home placements. Exceptions would be 
granted in cases of temporary staffing shortages or when a case manager 
is working with a sibling group.&nbsp;Under the bill, case managers would 
also need to complete required training before working independently on 
cases. Currently, state foster care case management grants stipulate 
that out-of-home case managers are not to exceed 30 cases.To get down to an 18-case maximum, 
the Kansas Department for Children and Family Services would need to 
increase case management provider staffing by about 25%, according to 
the state budget director’s fiscal note. Adding the estimated 74 social 
workers would cost about $5,162,397, with the money coming from the 
state’s foster care budget.&nbsp;Rachel Marsh, CEO of the Children’s 
Alliance of Kansas, said case managers dealt with extremely difficult 
situations, such as sexual abuse cases and familial suicides, and needed
 plenty of support to stay in the field.&nbsp;“We want to make sure that with those
 challenging, heart-breaking and really soul-changing stories, that we 
give our case managers a sort of fighting chance of staying above water 
and being able to have a manageable workload so they can learn the job, 
learn the technical challenges and stay in the job,” Marsh said.&nbsp;In June 2022, a watchdog group found that Kansas had one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/13/federal-watchdog-says-kansas-has-one-of-the-highest-rates-for-missing-foster-children/">highest rates of missing foster children</a>. An August 2022 DCF report showed that 66 of approximately 6,200 foster care children <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/23/governors-race-schmidt-denounces-kellys-approach-to-flaws-in-kansas-foster-care-system/">were unaccounted for</a>. With more case managers, advocates said they hoped for positive changes.Rep. Paul Waggoner, a Hutchinson Republican, questioned whether the bill would ultimately fix foster care workforce shortages.&nbsp;“Are the folks actually out there to 
be hired?” Waggoner asked. “My impression is that they’re having a hard 
time hiring people, they just can’t get anybody. How is this going to 
solve that problem?”&nbsp;During the meeting, lawmakers also 
voted to advance a bill that would require DCF to apply new standards 
when deciding adoptions for foster children. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2299/">House Bill 2299 </a>would
 remove the current requirement that the court give relatives first 
preference in granting custody, with second preference given to people 
with whom the child has close emotional connections, such as a foster 
parent.&nbsp;The bill would require DCF to 
prioritize emotional attachments over familial connections. Under the 
bill, DCF would have to consider foster parents as prospective adoptive 
parents if the child has lived more than two years with the foster 
parent, more than half their life with the foster parent, or if it’s in 
the child’s best interest.

Kansas foster care bill would cap social worker caseloads

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is weighing Wednesday whether Facebook, Twitter and YouTube can be sued over a 2017 Islamic State group attack on a Turkish nightclub based on the argument the platforms assisted in fueling the growth of the terrorist organization.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/21-1333">Click here to </a>listen to arguments in&nbsp;Gonzalez v. Google LLC

What the justices decide to do in this case and a related one it heard Tuesday is important particularly because the companies have been shielded from liability on the internet, allowing them to grow into the giants they are today.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-florida-state-government-texas-business-lawsuits-27e9f2e06de0f75a6c2f6a6f8d294827?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_11">On the first day of arguments</a>, the justices suggested they had little appetite for a far-reaching ruling that would upend the internet. Wednesday’s case about the nightclub attack in which 39 people died could provide an off-ramp for the justices if they want to limit the impact of what they do.

At the heart of the cases before the justices are two federal laws. The first is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-technology-social-media-business-internet-eb89baf1fa30e245c030992b48a8a0ff">Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act</a>, which protects tech companies from being sued over material put on their sites by users. The second is the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allows Americans injured by a terrorist attack abroad to sue for money damages in federal court.

In Wednesday’s case, the family of a man killed in the Reina nightclub attack in Istanbul sued Twitter, Facebook and YouTube parent Google under the terrorism law. Nawras Alassaf’s family members, who are U.S. citizens, say the companies aided and abetted the attack because they assisted in the growth of the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack. A lower court let the lawsuit go forward.

The platforms argue that they can’t be sued because they did not knowingly or substantially assist in the Reina attack. If the justices agree, they don’t have to reach bigger questions about Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and whether it protects platforms when they recommend content.

The broader questions about Section 230 were at the center of the case the justices heard Tuesday. In that case, the family of an American college student who was one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-sports-middle-east-1a49e6f638784cd4811754558a375d1c">130 people</a>&nbsp;killed in the Paris attacks sued under the terrorism law.

The family of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-technology-oregon-government-california-paris-3a2122b3456bb232baa5643b70fe676a">Nohemi Gonzalez</a>&nbsp;argued that the Islamic State group used YouTube to spread its message and recruit people to its cause. They said YouTube’s algorithm, which recommends videos to users based on their viewing habits, was critical to the Islamic State group’s growth. Lower courts ruled Section 230 barred the lawsuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619124419728.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is weighing Wednesday whether Facebook, Twitter and YouTube can be sued over a 2017 Islamic State group attack on a Turkish nightclub based on the argument the platforms assisted in fueling the growth of the terrorist organization.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/21-1333">Click here to </a>listen to arguments in&nbsp;Gonzalez v. Google LLCWhat the justices decide to do in this case and a related one it heard Tuesday is important particularly because the companies have been shielded from liability on the internet, allowing them to grow into the giants they are today.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-florida-state-government-texas-business-lawsuits-27e9f2e06de0f75a6c2f6a6f8d294827?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_11">On the first day of arguments</a>, the justices suggested they had little appetite for a far-reaching ruling that would upend the internet. Wednesday’s case about the nightclub attack in which 39 people died could provide an off-ramp for the justices if they want to limit the impact of what they do.At the heart of the cases before the justices are two federal laws. The first is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-technology-social-media-business-internet-eb89baf1fa30e245c030992b48a8a0ff">Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act</a>, which protects tech companies from being sued over material put on their sites by users. The second is the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allows Americans injured by a terrorist attack abroad to sue for money damages in federal court.In Wednesday’s case, the family of a man killed in the Reina nightclub attack in Istanbul sued Twitter, Facebook and YouTube parent Google under the terrorism law. Nawras Alassaf’s family members, who are U.S. citizens, say the companies aided and abetted the attack because they assisted in the growth of the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack. A lower court let the lawsuit go forward.The platforms argue that they can’t be sued because they did not knowingly or substantially assist in the Reina attack. If the justices agree, they don’t have to reach bigger questions about Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and whether it protects platforms when they recommend content.The broader questions about Section 230 were at the center of the case the justices heard Tuesday. In that case, the family of an American college student who was one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-sports-middle-east-1a49e6f638784cd4811754558a375d1c">130 people</a>&nbsp;killed in the Paris attacks sued under the terrorism law.The family of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-technology-oregon-government-california-paris-3a2122b3456bb232baa5643b70fe676a">Nohemi Gonzalez</a>&nbsp;argued that the Islamic State group used YouTube to spread its message and recruit people to its cause. They said YouTube’s algorithm, which recommends videos to users based on their viewing habits, was critical to the Islamic State group’s growth. Lower courts ruled Section 230 barred the lawsuit.

🎤Supreme Court hears case that could reshape internet

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of&nbsp;a 48-year-old woman who died after being hit by a motorcycle at a Wichita intersection have made an arrest.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071435">Chase Faimon, 21, Valley Center</a> turned himself in after police released security camera images of the suspect on a motorcycle, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;

Just after 7 p.m. Monday, police responded to the intersection of 11th Street North and Broadway for an injury hit-and-run collision, according to Rebolledo.

First responders located the 48-year-old woman in the street unresponsive. EMS transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

During the investigation, officers learned the victim was struck by a black dirt bike while crossing the street. After the collision, the driver of the motorcycle left the scene northbound on Broadway.

Faimon is being held on requested charges of murder in the 2nd degree, unintentional but reckless, no valid drivers license and failure to stop and an injury accident, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677064202271.png" alt="Faimon-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Faimon-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of&nbsp;a 48-year-old woman who died after being hit by a motorcycle at a Wichita intersection have made an arrest.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071435">Chase Faimon, 21, Valley Center</a> turned himself in after police released security camera images of the suspect on a motorcycle, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676999156108.png" alt="photos Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>photos Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 7 p.m. Monday, police responded to the intersection of 11th Street North and Broadway for an injury hit-and-run collision, according to Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676999103693.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located the 48-year-old woman in the street unresponsive. EMS transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.During the investigation, officers learned the victim was struck by a black dirt bike while crossing the street. After the collision, the driver of the motorcycle left the scene northbound on Broadway.Faimon is being held on requested charges of murder in the 2nd degree, unintentional but reckless, no valid drivers license and failure to stop and an injury accident, according to online jail records.

Suspect in hit-and-run that killed Kan. woman turns himself in 

KANSAS CITY —The visitation and funeral service for Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ will be Wednesday, February 22nd at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City.

A public visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:30 a.m. after the service Full Honors will be presented on 13th St. in front of the auditorium. There will be an Honor Guard on 13th St. There will be no graveside services.

Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ were killed in the line of duty Feb. 15 when a vehicle crashed into them while they were on patrol.&nbsp;

Muhlbauer is 20-year veteran of the KCPD and had been assigned to the K-9 Unit for nearly 3-years. His K9 partner was an approximately 1-year veteran of the KCPD.    K-9 Champ lived with Muhlbauer and his family. Mulhbauer was married and a father. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676573009736.png" alt="Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ-photo courtesy KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ-photo courtesy KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The visitation and funeral service for Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ will be Wednesday, February 22nd at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In honor of Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer and his partner, K9 Officer Champ. <a href="https://t.co/PSH3pQ1syk">pic.twitter.com/PSH3pQ1syk</a>&mdash; Union Station KC (@UnionStationKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnionStationKC/status/1628205740199378945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A public visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:30 a.m. after the service Full Honors will be presented on 13th St. in front of the auditorium. There will be an Honor Guard on 13th St. There will be no graveside services.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676770053943.png" alt="There is a police vehicle serving as a memorial in front of police headquarters in honor of Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>There is a police vehicle serving as a memorial in front of police headquarters in honor of Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ were killed in the line of duty Feb. 15 when a vehicle crashed into them while they were on patrol.&nbsp;Muhlbauer is 20-year veteran of the KCPD and had been assigned to the K-9 Unit for nearly 3-years. His K9 partner was an approximately 1-year veteran of the KCPD. K-9 Champ lived with Muhlbauer and his family. Mulhbauer was married and a father.

Funeral Wednesday for fallen KCPD officer, K9 partner

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration are investigating a fatal work place incident at&nbsp;petroleum refiner Holly Frontier 1401 Douglas Road in El Dorado.

On February 18, a 31-year-old contract worker from Alvin, Texas&nbsp; was working in a confined space when other crew members lost contact with him, according to a statement from the Butler County Sheriff's office.

Emergency crews on site recovered the man and he was transported to a local hospital where he pronounced dead.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration are investigating a fatal work place incident at&nbsp;petroleum refiner Holly Frontier 1401 Douglas Road in El Dorado.On February 18, a 31-year-old contract worker from Alvin, Texas&nbsp; was working in a confined space when other crew members lost contact with him, according to a statement from the Butler County Sheriff's office.Emergency crews on site recovered the man and he was transported to a local hospital where he pronounced dead.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff: Man dies in accident at Kansas petroleum refiner

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is asking CVS to follow Walgreens’ lead. After receiving a letter from Kobach outlining Kansas law, Walgreens agreed not to dispense Mifepristone within the state of Kansas and not to mail the medical abortion pill into the state.

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/abortion-pill-letter.pdf?sfvrsn=ec26bd1a_2">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;Kobach's letter to Walgreens

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/dg-mifepristone-letter-to-ks-ag.pdf?sfvrsn=bc6bd1a_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>Walgreen's response

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/kobach-letter-to-cvs.pdf?sfvrsn=d1febd1a_2">Click here to read</a> Kobach's letter to CVS

CVS and Walgreens are among a handful of pharmaceutical retailers that recently announced they would provide abortifacients through their mail-order pharmacies.

“As the chief law enforcement officer in Kansas, I am writing to advise you that this plan is illegal, and Kansas will not hesitate to enforce the law,” Kobach wrote in a letter to Tom Moriarity, chief counsel for CVS Health.

Kansas law requires that a physician be present in the room when administering the medical abortion pill, and federal law makes it illegal to knowingly mail any drug intended to produce an abortion.

Kobach sent the letter to Walgreens and another one to CVS on the heels of a Biden administration opinion that attempts to rewrite federal law to allow the mail-order dispensing of medical abortions.

“I recognize that an ends-justify-the means administration in the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice has gone to great lengths to obscure the issue, but the law is straightforward,” Kobach’s letter to CVS reads.

After receiving a similar letter earlier this month, Walgreens announced it does not intend to dispense Mifepristone in Kansas stores nor does the pharmacy intend to mail the drug to Kansas.

“I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know if CVS will do the same,” Kobach wrote in the letter.

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is asking CVS to follow Walgreens’ lead. After receiving a letter from Kobach outlining Kansas law, Walgreens agreed not to dispense Mifepristone within the state of Kansas and not to mail the medical abortion pill into the state.<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/abortion-pill-letter.pdf?sfvrsn=ec26bd1a_2">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;Kobach's letter to Walgreens<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/dg-mifepristone-letter-to-ks-ag.pdf?sfvrsn=bc6bd1a_2">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>Walgreen's response<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/kobach-letter-to-cvs.pdf?sfvrsn=d1febd1a_2">Click here to read</a> Kobach's letter to CVSCVS and Walgreens are among a handful of pharmaceutical retailers that recently announced they would provide abortifacients through their mail-order pharmacies.“As the chief law enforcement officer in Kansas, I am writing to advise you that this plan is illegal, and Kansas will not hesitate to enforce the law,” Kobach wrote in a letter to Tom Moriarity, chief counsel for CVS Health.Kansas law requires that a physician be present in the room when administering the medical abortion pill, and federal law makes it illegal to knowingly mail any drug intended to produce an abortion.Kobach sent the letter to Walgreens and another one to CVS on the heels of a Biden administration opinion that attempts to rewrite federal law to allow the mail-order dispensing of medical abortions.“I recognize that an ends-justify-the means administration in the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice has gone to great lengths to obscure the issue, but the law is straightforward,” Kobach’s letter to CVS reads.After receiving a similar letter earlier this month, Walgreens announced it does not intend to dispense Mifepristone in Kansas stores nor does the pharmacy intend to mail the drug to Kansas.“I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know if CVS will do the same,” Kobach wrote in the letter.

Kan. AG asks CVS to follow Walgreens lead on abortion pills 

SALINE COUNTY —Sharks have arrived at the Rolling Hills Zoo. And while work continues on the new Bamboo Bay exhibit, you can visit a related exhibit in the Wildlife Museum's Earl Bane Gallery.

Bamboo Bay: Uncovering the Mysteries of the Deep will take visitors on a deep dive into prehistoric Kansas, 73 million years ago, when it was once covered by an ancient inland sea. The waters of the Western Interior Seaway that covered what is now Kansas, as well as much of the United States, "were warm, shallow, and inhabited by a plethora of marine animals, including bony fish like the monstrous Xiphactinus, sharks, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, pteranodon, mollusks (including ammonites), protophyraenas, and winged pterosaurs, which patrolled the skies overhead," the zoo explained in a news release issued late this afternoon.

"Fossils from these long extinct species are now on display courtesy of Ramo and Pam Decker and their three children, Kerstin, Kelsey, and Ray. Over the last 20 years, this family of avid paleontologists has been collecting fossils throughout Kansas, focusing much of their efforts on a specific layer of rock in north-central Kansas known as Codell Stone," the zoo noted.

Among the fossils found by the Deckers are 22 shark species, 13 fish, and three reptiles, including the plesiosaur and mosasaur.

"One of the shark species discovered was previously unknown, and the first of its kind to ever be found! This newly unearthed species of extinct shark would later be named Squalicorax deckeri in honor of the Deckers," the zoo reported.

Additionally, as the zoo continues to renovate the former Reptile Building into its new Bamboo Bay, the zoo's new cat chain sharks can be seen in the Earl Bane Gallery’s saltwater aquarium along with a skate embryo (a developing baby cat shark), according to information from the zoo. The developing shark is still in a tough leathery pouch known as a mermaid’s purse, which is protecting the embryo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677028530962.jpeg" alt="The&nbsp;Bamboo Bay: Uncovering the Mysteries of the Deep exhibit in the Earl Bane Gallery. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>The&nbsp;Bamboo Bay: Uncovering the Mysteries of the Deep exhibit in the Earl Bane Gallery. Photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Sharks have arrived at the Rolling Hills Zoo. And while work continues on the new Bamboo Bay exhibit, you can visit a related exhibit in the Wildlife Museum's Earl Bane Gallery.Bamboo Bay: Uncovering the Mysteries of the Deep will take visitors on a deep dive into prehistoric Kansas, 73 million years ago, when it was once covered by an ancient inland sea. The waters of the Western Interior Seaway that covered what is now Kansas, as well as much of the United States, "were warm, shallow, and inhabited by a plethora of marine animals, including bony fish like the monstrous Xiphactinus, sharks, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, pteranodon, mollusks (including ammonites), protophyraenas, and winged pterosaurs, which patrolled the skies overhead," the zoo explained in a news release issued late this afternoon."Fossils from these long extinct species are now on display courtesy of Ramo and Pam Decker and their three children, Kerstin, Kelsey, and Ray. Over the last 20 years, this family of avid paleontologists has been collecting fossils throughout Kansas, focusing much of their efforts on a specific layer of rock in north-central Kansas known as Codell Stone," the zoo noted.Among the fossils found by the Deckers are 22 shark species, 13 fish, and three reptiles, including the plesiosaur and mosasaur."One of the shark species discovered was previously unknown, and the first of its kind to ever be found! This newly unearthed species of extinct shark would later be named Squalicorax deckeri in honor of the Deckers," the zoo reported.Additionally, as the zoo continues to renovate the former Reptile Building into its new Bamboo Bay, the zoo's new cat chain sharks can be seen in the Earl Bane Gallery’s saltwater aquarium along with a skate embryo (a developing baby cat shark), according to information from the zoo. The developing shark is still in a tough leathery pouch known as a mermaid’s purse, which is protecting the embryo.

New shark exhibit arrives at Rolling Hills Zoo

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office is investigating a fatal Kansas police officer-involved shooting.

Just before 10a.m. Monday, an officer with the Goddard Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Michael James Trask of the Lake Afton area, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. 

Trask refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The Officer disregarded the pursuit due to excessive speeds but continued to follow Trask. The Officer reinitiated the pursuit and during the interaction Trask brandished what appeared to be a handgun.

A short time later, the vehicle came to a stop in the area of 63rd Street South and 183rd Street West. Trask exited his vehicle and approached the Officer with the weapon in his hand. The Officer issued multiple commands to Trask who did not comply. The Officer discharged his duty weapon killing Trask.

The Goddard Police officer has been placed on administrative leave.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677020566486.png" alt="The weapon in Trask's hand.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>The weapon in Trask's hand.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office is investigating a fatal Kansas police officer-involved shooting.Just before 10a.m. Monday, an officer with the Goddard Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Michael James Trask of the Lake Afton area, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Trask refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The Officer disregarded the pursuit due to excessive speeds but continued to follow Trask. The Officer reinitiated the pursuit and during the interaction Trask brandished what appeared to be a handgun.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677020546119.png" alt="Police dash camera image- Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Police dash camera image- Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>A short time later, the vehicle came to a stop in the area of 63rd Street South and 183rd Street West. Trask exited his vehicle and approached the Officer with the weapon in his hand. The Officer issued multiple commands to Trask who did not comply. The Officer discharged his duty weapon killing Trask.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677020588118.png" alt="Police dash camera image- Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Police dash camera image- Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The Goddard Police officer has been placed on administrative leave.-----------

Sheriff: Man pulled gun, died in Kansas-officer shooting

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 4 adults on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a Kansas home.

Just before 5p.m. Feb. 17-2023 sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check at 337 S. 4th in Everest, Kansas, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

At the residence, a deputy recognized an individual in the yard of the residence who had active warrants.&nbsp; The deputy made contact and arrested 38-year-old Brent Rezabek of Hiawatha on 4 outstanding Brown County Warrants for Felony Probation Violation, three for Failure to Appear.&nbsp; Rezabek was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; 

After the arrest of Rezabek, deputies made contact at the residence and determined that probable cause existed for application of a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force served the search warrant&nbsp; and seized needles, syringes, meth, marijuana, grinders and&nbsp; pipes as evidence.&nbsp;

Upon conclusion of the search warrant, Crystal Duvall, 37, Everest was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana and 3 counts of Child Endangerment.

Laura Barnhart, 37, Everest was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 3 counts of Child Endangerment.

Michael Ballman 50 Horton was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 3 counts of&nbsp; Child Endangerment.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police also placed 3 juveniles into Protective custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677010394663.png" alt="Photo Brown Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Brown Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 4 adults on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a Kansas home.Just before 5p.m. Feb. 17-2023 sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check at 337 S. 4th in Everest, Kansas, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677009891315.png" alt="Rezabek-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Rezabek-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>At the residence, a deputy recognized an individual in the yard of the residence who had active warrants.&nbsp; The deputy made contact and arrested 38-year-old Brent Rezabek of Hiawatha on 4 outstanding Brown County Warrants for Felony Probation Violation, three for Failure to Appear.&nbsp; Rezabek was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; After the arrest of Rezabek, deputies made contact at the residence and determined that probable cause existed for application of a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force served the search warrant&nbsp; and seized needles, syringes, meth, marijuana, grinders and&nbsp; pipes as evidence.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677010905685.png" alt="Duvall-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Duvall-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon conclusion of the search warrant, Crystal Duvall, 37, Everest was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana and 3 counts of Child Endangerment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677010944866.png" alt="Barnhart-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Barnhart-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Laura Barnhart, 37, Everest was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 3 counts of Child Endangerment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677010987632.png" alt="Ballman-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Ballman-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Michael Ballman 50 Horton was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 3 counts of&nbsp; Child Endangerment.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police also placed 3 juveniles into Protective custody.

4 arrested, children in protective custody after Kansas drug bust

WARSAW, Poland (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday warned of “hard and bitter days ahead" as Russia's invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-russia-ukraine-a-year-of-war-ap-pkg-dc5ee4b342ce80742c471e19258a2046">nears the one-year mark</a>, but vowed that no matter what, the United States and allies “will not waver” in supporting the Ukrainians.

(Click below to watch President's Biden's address)

A day after his surprise visit to Kyiv, Biden used a strongly worded address in neighboring Poland to praise allies in Europe for stepping up over the past year and to send a clear message to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-arms-control-treaty-48e7bfc8ff41c46c1f7797a941129ab3">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;that "NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire.”

“One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv,” Biden said before a crowd of thousands outside Warsaw’s Royal Castle. “I can report: Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall and, most important, it stands free."

With Russia and Ukraine each preparing spring offensives, Biden insisted there will be no backing down from what he’s portrayed as a global struggle between democracy and autocracy — though polling suggests American support for ongoing military assistance appears to be softening.

“Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever," Biden declared. The U.S. and allies will “have Ukraine's back.”

Biden's speech came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-f00af220669457d5ba07127c7e57a27b?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_04">his unannounced trip to Kyiv</a>, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and walked the city streets as an air raid siren blared.

Last year, weeks after Russian forces began their attacks on Ukraine,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-world-war-ii-warsaw-652da1c2ab1c88de3032241089bfa516">Biden delivered a harsh condemnation</a>&nbsp;of Putin from the gardens of the castle. Speaking Tuesday to a crowd that included Polish citizens and Ukrainian refugees — and millions more following in Ukraine, Russia and around the world — he made his case that Putin's war has been a failure.

“When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, he thought we would roll over. He was wrong,” Biden said.

The president also declared “the democracies of the world have grown stronger" while the world's autocrats — including Putin — have become weaker.

“Autocrats only understand one word — no, no, no,” Biden said. “No, you will not take my country. No, you will not take my freedom. No, you will not take my future.”

Biden was using the trip to prepare allies for an ever-more-complicated stage of the war and to reassure allies in the region that the U.S. was committed for the long haul. He met Tuesday with Moldovan President Maia Sandu — who last week claimed Moscow was behind a plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-politics-government-maia-sandu-152d2353f4c18bb84348f5d1656edb98">overthrow her country’s government</a>&nbsp;using external saboteurs — and with his host Polish President Andrzej Duda.

“We have to have security in Europe,” Biden said at the presidential palace. “It's that basic, that simple, that consequential.”

He described NATO as “maybe the most consequential alliance in history," and he said it's “stronger than it's ever been” despite the Russian leader's hopes that it would fracture over the war in Ukraine.

Duda praised the American president’s visit to Kyiv as “spectacular,” saying it “boosted morale of Ukraine’s defenders.”

He said the trip was “a sign that the free world, and its biggest leader, the president of the United States, stands by them.”

On Wednesday, Biden will meet again with Duda along with other leaders of the Bucharest Nine, the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance. Ukraine is not a member.

While Biden was in Poland, Putin announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-de0af48be7ea480ccb0175f55a065363?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=featuredcard&amp;utm_campaign=leadsubstory_01">Moscow would suspend its participation</a>&nbsp;in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States.

The New START Treaty caps the number of long-range nuclear warheads countries may deploy and limits the use of missiles that can carry atomic weapons.

Despite his criticisms of Putin, Biden did not mention the START suspension during his speech. And the Russian Foreign Ministry later said that, despite Putin's announcement, it would continue abiding by the treaty's caps.

The conflict in Ukraine — the most significant war in Europe since World War II — has already left tens of thousands of people dead, devastated Ukraine’s infrastructure system and damaged the global economy.

While Biden is looking to use his whirlwind trip to Europe as a moment of affirmation for Ukraine and allies, the White House has also acknowledged that there is no clear endgame to the war in the near term, and the situation on the ground has become increasingly complex.

The administration on Sunday said it has new intelligence suggesting that China, which has generally remained on the sidelines of the conflict,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-antony-blinken-xi-jinping-4501b49359d73b6efbac87b2af54f189">is now considering sending Moscow lethal aid.</a>&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it could become a “serious problem” if Beijing follows through.

Biden and Zelenskyy discussed capabilities that Ukraine needs “to be able to succeed on the battlefield” in the months ahead, said U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Zelenskyy has been pushing the U.S. and European allies to provide fighter jets and long-range missile systems known as ATACMS — which Biden has declined to provide so far. Sullivan declined to comment on whether there was any movement on that during the leaders' talk.

With no quick end in sight for the war,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-zelenskyy-biden-kyiv-15095c5e2fb8a9f9c0a235ffe0a161d0">the anniversary is a critical moment for Biden</a>&nbsp;to try to bolster European unity and reiterate the West's position that Putin's invasion was a frontal attack on the post-World War II international order. The White House hopes the president's visit to Kyiv and Warsaw will help bolster American and global resolve.

In the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-politics-poland-33095abf76875b60ebab3ddf4eede188">a poll published last week by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed</a>&nbsp;that support for providing Ukraine with weapons and direct economic assistance is softening. And earlier this month, 11 House Republicans introduced what they called the “Ukraine fatigue” resolution urging Biden to end military and financial aid to Ukraine, while pushing Ukraine and Russia to come to a peace agreement.

Biden dismissed the notion of waning American support during his visit to Kyiv.

“For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine,” he said. He described the conflict as "about freedom of democracy at large.”

Biden had high praise for Poland's efforts to assist Ukraine. More than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees have settled in Poland since the start of the war, and millions more have crossed through Poland on their way to other countries. Poland has also provided Ukraine with $3.8 billion in military and humanitarian aid, according to the White House.

The Biden administration announced last summer that it was establishing a permanent U.S. garrison in Poland, creating an enduring American foothold on NATO's eastern flank.

“The truth of the matter is the United States needs Poland and NATO as much as NATO needs the United States,” Biden told Duda on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677005040093.png" alt="White House photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>White House photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WARSAW, Poland (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday warned of “hard and bitter days ahead" as Russia's invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-russia-ukraine-a-year-of-war-ap-pkg-dc5ee4b342ce80742c471e19258a2046">nears the one-year mark</a>, but vowed that no matter what, the United States and allies “will not waver” in supporting the Ukrainians.(Click below to watch President's Biden's address)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F580215907487870%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1301" 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>A day after his surprise visit to Kyiv, Biden used a strongly worded address in neighboring Poland to praise allies in Europe for stepping up over the past year and to send a clear message to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-arms-control-treaty-48e7bfc8ff41c46c1f7797a941129ab3">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;that "NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire.”“One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv,” Biden said before a crowd of thousands outside Warsaw’s Royal Castle. “I can report: Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall and, most important, it stands free."With Russia and Ukraine each preparing spring offensives, Biden insisted there will be no backing down from what he’s portrayed as a global struggle between democracy and autocracy — though polling suggests American support for ongoing military assistance appears to be softening.“Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow and forever," Biden declared. The U.S. and allies will “have Ukraine's back.”Biden's speech came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-f00af220669457d5ba07127c7e57a27b?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_04">his unannounced trip to Kyiv</a>, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and walked the city streets as an air raid siren blared.Last year, weeks after Russian forces began their attacks on Ukraine,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-world-war-ii-warsaw-652da1c2ab1c88de3032241089bfa516">Biden delivered a harsh condemnation</a>&nbsp;of Putin from the gardens of the castle. Speaking Tuesday to a crowd that included Polish citizens and Ukrainian refugees — and millions more following in Ukraine, Russia and around the world — he made his case that Putin's war has been a failure.“When President Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, he thought we would roll over. He was wrong,” Biden said.The president also declared “the democracies of the world have grown stronger" while the world's autocrats — including Putin — have become weaker.“Autocrats only understand one word — no, no, no,” Biden said. “No, you will not take my country. No, you will not take my freedom. No, you will not take my future.”Biden was using the trip to prepare allies for an ever-more-complicated stage of the war and to reassure allies in the region that the U.S. was committed for the long haul. He met Tuesday with Moldovan President Maia Sandu — who last week claimed Moscow was behind a plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-politics-government-maia-sandu-152d2353f4c18bb84348f5d1656edb98">overthrow her country’s government</a>&nbsp;using external saboteurs — and with his host Polish President Andrzej Duda.“We have to have security in Europe,” Biden said at the presidential palace. “It's that basic, that simple, that consequential.”He described NATO as “maybe the most consequential alliance in history," and he said it's “stronger than it's ever been” despite the Russian leader's hopes that it would fracture over the war in Ukraine.Duda praised the American president’s visit to Kyiv as “spectacular,” saying it “boosted morale of Ukraine’s defenders.”He said the trip was “a sign that the free world, and its biggest leader, the president of the United States, stands by them.”On Wednesday, Biden will meet again with Duda along with other leaders of the Bucharest Nine, the easternmost members of the NATO military alliance. Ukraine is not a member.While Biden was in Poland, Putin announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-de0af48be7ea480ccb0175f55a065363?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=featuredcard&amp;utm_campaign=leadsubstory_01">Moscow would suspend its participation</a>&nbsp;in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States.The New START Treaty caps the number of long-range nuclear warheads countries may deploy and limits the use of missiles that can carry atomic weapons.Despite his criticisms of Putin, Biden did not mention the START suspension during his speech. And the Russian Foreign Ministry later said that, despite Putin's announcement, it would continue abiding by the treaty's caps.The conflict in Ukraine — the most significant war in Europe since World War II — has already left tens of thousands of people dead, devastated Ukraine’s infrastructure system and damaged the global economy.While Biden is looking to use his whirlwind trip to Europe as a moment of affirmation for Ukraine and allies, the White House has also acknowledged that there is no clear endgame to the war in the near term, and the situation on the ground has become increasingly complex.The administration on Sunday said it has new intelligence suggesting that China, which has generally remained on the sidelines of the conflict,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-antony-blinken-xi-jinping-4501b49359d73b6efbac87b2af54f189">is now considering sending Moscow lethal aid.</a>&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it could become a “serious problem” if Beijing follows through.Biden and Zelenskyy discussed capabilities that Ukraine needs “to be able to succeed on the battlefield” in the months ahead, said U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Zelenskyy has been pushing the U.S. and European allies to provide fighter jets and long-range missile systems known as ATACMS — which Biden has declined to provide so far. Sullivan declined to comment on whether there was any movement on that during the leaders' talk.With no quick end in sight for the war,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-zelenskyy-biden-kyiv-15095c5e2fb8a9f9c0a235ffe0a161d0">the anniversary is a critical moment for Biden</a>&nbsp;to try to bolster European unity and reiterate the West's position that Putin's invasion was a frontal attack on the post-World War II international order. The White House hopes the president's visit to Kyiv and Warsaw will help bolster American and global resolve.In the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-politics-poland-33095abf76875b60ebab3ddf4eede188">a poll published last week by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed</a>&nbsp;that support for providing Ukraine with weapons and direct economic assistance is softening. And earlier this month, 11 House Republicans introduced what they called the “Ukraine fatigue” resolution urging Biden to end military and financial aid to Ukraine, while pushing Ukraine and Russia to come to a peace agreement.Biden dismissed the notion of waning American support during his visit to Kyiv.“For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine,” he said. He described the conflict as "about freedom of democracy at large.”Biden had high praise for Poland's efforts to assist Ukraine. More than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees have settled in Poland since the start of the war, and millions more have crossed through Poland on their way to other countries. Poland has also provided Ukraine with $3.8 billion in military and humanitarian aid, according to the White House.The Biden administration announced last summer that it was establishing a permanent U.S. garrison in Poland, creating an enduring American foothold on NATO's eastern flank.“The truth of the matter is the United States needs Poland and NATO as much as NATO needs the United States,” Biden told Duda on Tuesday.___

🎥Biden in Poland: No higher aspiration than freedom

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall questioned witnesses last week during the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, &amp; Forestry's hearing on the nutrition programs funded by the Farm Bill. Senator Marshall used his time to point out the disparity between the national 20% inflation on food and the roughly 50% increase to the SNAP program.

(Click below to watch the Senator's comments)

Senator Marshall began his remarks by emphasizing that while he wants every person in need to be fed, the increases to SNAP are outpacing inflation, asking in part,

"… I don't want kids going hungry. Nutrition is so important… Food inflation since January 2021 is up 20%, but the SNAP benefits have gone up 50%... Why are SNAP benefits outpacing inflation? And where was the Congressional authority to increase spending beyond inflation?..."

Senator Marshall then pivoted to SNAP work requirements, saying in part,&nbsp;

"...Some of the states are not following… the working requirements to get SNAP. Eighteen states are currently using waivers despite their unemployment being below six percent. Ten percent of SNAP recipients are able-bodied adults without dependents. So why isn't the USDA enforcing the law?... Why are we letting these states get away with this waiver when they don’t qualify for it?..."

"I don't want anyone to go hungry, but when we have 7 million able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 45 that aren't working potentially qualifying for SNAP benefits, it just doesn't seem fair. There are many other people at the other end of the spectrum that truly need the help when there are so many open jobs in this nation. I think that it is time to get rid of the waivers."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1571410354379.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall questioned witnesses last week during the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, &amp; Forestry's hearing on the nutrition programs funded by the Farm Bill. Senator Marshall used his time to point out the disparity between the national 20% inflation on food and the roughly 50% increase to the SNAP program.(Click below to watch the Senator's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6kFXbHe8VN0?start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Senator Marshall began his remarks by emphasizing that while he wants every person in need to be fed, the increases to SNAP are outpacing inflation, asking in part,"… I don't want kids going hungry. Nutrition is so important… Food inflation since January 2021 is up 20%, but the SNAP benefits have gone up 50%... Why are SNAP benefits outpacing inflation? And where was the Congressional authority to increase spending beyond inflation?..."Senator Marshall then pivoted to SNAP work requirements, saying in part,&nbsp;"...Some of the states are not following… the working requirements to get SNAP. Eighteen states are currently using waivers despite their unemployment being below six percent. Ten percent of SNAP recipients are able-bodied adults without dependents. So why isn't the USDA enforcing the law?... Why are we letting these states get away with this waiver when they don’t qualify for it?..."Marshall concluded by saying,"I don't want anyone to go hungry, but when we have 7 million able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 45 that aren't working potentially qualifying for SNAP benefits, it just doesn't seem fair. There are many other people at the other end of the spectrum that truly need the help when there are so many open jobs in this nation. I think that it is time to get rid of the waivers."

🎥Marshall: SNAP program needs accountability

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - On Tuesday afternoon, three women entered G. Thomas Jewelers in the 400 block of Poyntz Avenue, posing as customers.

The three women allegedly stole $10,000 worth of merchandise before leaving the business in an unknown direction of travel.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gthomasjewelers">G. Thomas Jewelers</a> provided a quick cell phone video of the security camera footage of the three women entering the shop.

A report has been filed with the Riley County Police Department about the incident, more details will be added as they are released.

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - On Tuesday afternoon, three women entered G. Thomas Jewelers in the 400 block of Poyntz Avenue, posing as customers.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1125.856266444738!2d-96.56262812292496!3d39.17925067313303!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bdd26223b1a20b%3A0x54b4e216a15edbef!2sG.%20Thomas%20Jewelers!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1677021703496!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>The three women allegedly stole $10,000 worth of merchandise before leaving the business in an unknown direction of travel.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gthomasjewelers">G. Thomas Jewelers</a> provided a quick cell phone video of the security camera footage of the three women entering the shop.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/I0e37vbv-60zMcgvZ.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Gthomas022123" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>A report has been filed with the Riley County Police Department about the incident, more details will be added as they are released.

🎥: $10K in merchandise stolen from Kan. jewelry store

LOWRY CITY, Mo. (AP) — At Truman Lake Manor in rural Missouri, every day begins the same way for every employee entering the nursing home's doors — with a swab up the nose, a swirl of testing solution and a brief wait to see whether a thin red line appears indicating a positive COVID-19 case.

Only the healthy are allowed in to care for virus-free residents.

Despite those precautions, a coronavirus outbreak swept through the facility late last year. An inspector subsequently cited it for violating the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care facilities.

Truman Lake Manor is one of about 750 nursing homes and 110 hospitals nationwide written up for violating federal staff vaccination rules during the past year, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services. Most were given a bureaucratic nudge to do better — though some nursing homes also received fines, especially when they had multiple other problems.

One year after it began being enforced nationwide on Feb. 20, 2022, the vaccination requirement affecting an estimated 10 million health care workers is the last remaining major mandate from President Joe Biden's sweeping attempt to boost national vaccination rates. Similar requirements for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">large employers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-immunizations-lloyd-austin-covid-64752e91abbc3d707ee46373a3ce757e">military members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-georgia-860fa72a878c6d0cb24bfea66c9fcf59">federal contractors</a>&nbsp;all have been struck down, repealed or partially blocked.

The health care vaccination mandate is scheduled to run until November 2024. But some contend it’s time to stop now, citing fewer severe COVID-19 cases, health care staffing shortages and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-covid-public-health-2a80b547f6d55706a6986debc343b9fe">the impending May 11 expiration</a>&nbsp;of a national public health emergency that has been in place since January 2020.

“Their regulations are making it harder to give care – not easier," said Tim Corbin, the administrator of Truman Lake Manor who also doubles as a nurse, adding that "the mandates need to end.”

CMS said in a statement to the AP that “the requirement for staff to be fully vaccinated has been a critical step in responding to the pandemic” and “has saved Americans from countless infections, hospitalizations, and death.”

The policy requires workers, contractors and volunteers at facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid payments to have the full primary dosage of an original COVID-19 vaccine, with exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Though nursing homes can be fined for violations, CMS generally gave violating facilities additional time to update their policies and come into compliance.

The Republican-led U.S. House recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/497/actions">passed legislation</a>&nbsp;that would halt the mandate, but the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-led Senate.

Meanwhile, the requirement continues with mixed results and — in some cases — widespread exceptions.

When a state inspector visited Truman Lake Manor in December, a coronavirus outbreak had infected 26 of the 60 residents and about a quarter of the staff within the previous few weeks. Corbin said the outbreak originated from an unvaccinated employee with a religious exemption who tested negative for COVID-19 before working a shift and wore a mask. The employee didn't feel well and tested positive after arriving home.

The inspector found that more than 40% of staff had been granted religious exemptions from getting vaccinated. But the federal Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services does not scrutinize the rationale for such exemptions. The reason the facility was cited for a vaccination deficiency was because three employees had failed to receive their second dose of the vaccine and had no exemption on record. After the citation, they each got the second shot, and regulators OK'd the corrections in January.

It's hard to find workers willing to be vaccinated, Corbin said, because many local residents remain opposed to the vaccine or doubt its effectiveness. Just 42% of adults in St. Clair County are vaccinated against COVID-19 — a rate barely half the national average.

Workforce shortages are causing more than half of nursing homes nationally to limit resident admissions, according to the American Health Care Association, which represents long-term care facilities. Though most other health care sectors have rebounded, nursing home employment was down 13% in 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/LTC-Jobs-Report-Jan2023.pdf">compared</a><a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/LTC-Jobs-Report-Jan2023.pdf">to pre-pandemic levels</a>&nbsp;and reached lows not seen since the 1990s.

LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit nursing homes and other aging service providers, originally supported the mandate and still encourages vaccinations. But it now says a federal requirement no longer is needed.

Though deaths are down significantly from their&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00">peak in January 2021</a>, older adults and people with underlying health problems remain more susceptible to serious cases of COVID-19. Because of that, some medical professionals believe the vaccine mandate should continue at nursing homes and hospitals.

“This is an important requirement,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “Not only does it protect the health care worker themself, but it also protects the patients.”

Nationwide, about 5% of the over 15,000 nursing homes caring for Medicare or Medicaid patients have been cited for violating the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and about 2% of the 4,900 hospitals, according to the AP's analysis. But those citations haven't been evenly spread among states and occurred less often during the latter half of 2022.

Twenty-four states cited no hospitals for COVID-19 vaccination violations.

Texas, which has the most nursing homes nationally participating in Medicare or Medicaid, had just one nursing home cited for violating the vaccination rule.

Kansas, Florida and Texas each declined to check for vaccination violations, instead leaving that process to CMS, which hired contractors. As a result, CMS said Texas was docked more than $2.5 million in federal funding, Florida more than $1.2 million and Kansas nearly $350,000.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who faced reelection in a Republican-leaning state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-kansas-topeka-1f8b0b327403adbef0dbff961b1bfe98">said last year that the vaccine mandate conflicted with state law</a>&nbsp;and could worsen workforce shortages.

Nationally, the number of nursing homes cited for vaccination violations declined noticeably after CMS last June stopped requiring state inspectors to check for compliance when responding to complaints about unrelated allegations, such as neglect of patients. CMS cited substantial compliance with the vaccination requirement while making the change.

Harjai reported from Los Angeles and is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658932277534.png" alt="A COVID-19 test kit shows a negative result-White House photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A COVID-19 test kit shows a negative result-White House photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LOWRY CITY, Mo. (AP) — At Truman Lake Manor in rural Missouri, every day begins the same way for every employee entering the nursing home's doors — with a swab up the nose, a swirl of testing solution and a brief wait to see whether a thin red line appears indicating a positive COVID-19 case.Only the healthy are allowed in to care for virus-free residents.Despite those precautions, a coronavirus outbreak swept through the facility late last year. An inspector subsequently cited it for violating the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care facilities.Truman Lake Manor is one of about 750 nursing homes and 110 hospitals nationwide written up for violating federal staff vaccination rules during the past year, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services. Most were given a bureaucratic nudge to do better — though some nursing homes also received fines, especially when they had multiple other problems.One year after it began being enforced nationwide on Feb. 20, 2022, the vaccination requirement affecting an estimated 10 million health care workers is the last remaining major mandate from President Joe Biden's sweeping attempt to boost national vaccination rates. Similar requirements for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">large employers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-immunizations-lloyd-austin-covid-64752e91abbc3d707ee46373a3ce757e">military members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-georgia-860fa72a878c6d0cb24bfea66c9fcf59">federal contractors</a>&nbsp;all have been struck down, repealed or partially blocked.The health care vaccination mandate is scheduled to run until November 2024. But some contend it’s time to stop now, citing fewer severe COVID-19 cases, health care staffing shortages and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-covid-public-health-2a80b547f6d55706a6986debc343b9fe">the impending May 11 expiration</a>&nbsp;of a national public health emergency that has been in place since January 2020.“Their regulations are making it harder to give care – not easier," said Tim Corbin, the administrator of Truman Lake Manor who also doubles as a nurse, adding that "the mandates need to end.”CMS said in a statement to the AP that “the requirement for staff to be fully vaccinated has been a critical step in responding to the pandemic” and “has saved Americans from countless infections, hospitalizations, and death.”The policy requires workers, contractors and volunteers at facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid payments to have the full primary dosage of an original COVID-19 vaccine, with exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Though nursing homes can be fined for violations, CMS generally gave violating facilities additional time to update their policies and come into compliance.The Republican-led U.S. House recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/497/actions">passed legislation</a>&nbsp;that would halt the mandate, but the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-led Senate.Meanwhile, the requirement continues with mixed results and — in some cases — widespread exceptions.When a state inspector visited Truman Lake Manor in December, a coronavirus outbreak had infected 26 of the 60 residents and about a quarter of the staff within the previous few weeks. Corbin said the outbreak originated from an unvaccinated employee with a religious exemption who tested negative for COVID-19 before working a shift and wore a mask. The employee didn't feel well and tested positive after arriving home.The inspector found that more than 40% of staff had been granted religious exemptions from getting vaccinated. But the federal Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services does not scrutinize the rationale for such exemptions. The reason the facility was cited for a vaccination deficiency was because three employees had failed to receive their second dose of the vaccine and had no exemption on record. After the citation, they each got the second shot, and regulators OK'd the corrections in January.It's hard to find workers willing to be vaccinated, Corbin said, because many local residents remain opposed to the vaccine or doubt its effectiveness. Just 42% of adults in St. Clair County are vaccinated against COVID-19 — a rate barely half the national average.Workforce shortages are causing more than half of nursing homes nationally to limit resident admissions, according to the American Health Care Association, which represents long-term care facilities. Though most other health care sectors have rebounded, nursing home employment was down 13% in 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/LTC-Jobs-Report-Jan2023.pdf">compared</a><a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/LTC-Jobs-Report-Jan2023.pdf">to pre-pandemic levels</a>&nbsp;and reached lows not seen since the 1990s.LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit nursing homes and other aging service providers, originally supported the mandate and still encourages vaccinations. But it now says a federal requirement no longer is needed.Though deaths are down significantly from their&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00">peak in January 2021</a>, older adults and people with underlying health problems remain more susceptible to serious cases of COVID-19. Because of that, some medical professionals believe the vaccine mandate should continue at nursing homes and hospitals.“This is an important requirement,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “Not only does it protect the health care worker themself, but it also protects the patients.”Nationwide, about 5% of the over 15,000 nursing homes caring for Medicare or Medicaid patients have been cited for violating the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and about 2% of the 4,900 hospitals, according to the AP's analysis. But those citations haven't been evenly spread among states and occurred less often during the latter half of 2022.Twenty-four states cited no hospitals for COVID-19 vaccination violations.Texas, which has the most nursing homes nationally participating in Medicare or Medicaid, had just one nursing home cited for violating the vaccination rule.Kansas, Florida and Texas each declined to check for vaccination violations, instead leaving that process to CMS, which hired contractors. As a result, CMS said Texas was docked more than $2.5 million in federal funding, Florida more than $1.2 million and Kansas nearly $350,000.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who faced reelection in a Republican-leaning state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-kansas-topeka-1f8b0b327403adbef0dbff961b1bfe98">said last year that the vaccine mandate conflicted with state law</a>&nbsp;and could worsen workforce shortages.Nationally, the number of nursing homes cited for vaccination violations declined noticeably after CMS last June stopped requiring state inspectors to check for compliance when responding to complaints about unrelated allegations, such as neglect of patients. CMS cited substantial compliance with the vaccination requirement while making the change.__Harjai reported from Los Angeles and is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.