WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program.

(Click below to watch the Vice President make the announcement)

The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-california-clean-air-act-vehicle-emissions-standards-eebb48c13e24835f2c5b9cb56796182a">the transition to zero-emission vehicles</a>&nbsp;and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-environmental-protection-agency">Environmental Protection Agency</a>&nbsp;Administrator Michael Regan announced the grant awards Wednesday in Seattle. The new, mostly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric</a>&nbsp;school buses will reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emissions-reduction">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, save money and better protect children’s health, they said.

As many as 25 million children ride yellow buses each school day, and they will have a healthier future with a cleaner fleet, Harris said.

“We are witnessing around our country and around the world the effects of extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy ... to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All with the goal of not only saving our children, but for them, saving our planet.''

Only about 1% of the nation’s 480,000 school buses were electric as of last year, but the push to abandon traditional diesel buses has gained momentum in recent years. Money for the new purchases is available under the federal Clean School Bus Program, which includes $5 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;President Joe Biden signed last year.

The clean bus program “is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” Regan said.

The EPA initially made $500 million available for clean buses in May but increased that to $965 million last month, responding to what officials called overwhelming demand for electric buses. An additional $1 billion is set to be awarded in the budget year that began Oct. 1.

The EPA said it received about 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for more than 12,000 buses, mostly electric. Some 389 applications worth $913 million were accepted to support purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric, the EPA said. The remaining buses will run on compressed natural gas or propane.

School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural or tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected, the White House said. More applications are under review, and the EPA plans to select more winners to reach the full $965 million in coming weeks.

Districts set to receive money range from Wrangell, Alaska, to Anniston, Alabama, and Teton County, Wyoming, to Wirt County, West Virginia. Besides the District of Columbia, big cities that won grants for clean school buses include New York, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

White House adviser Mitch Landrieu said he expects many buses to be delivered by the start of the next school year, with the remainder likely to be in service by the end of 2023. The billion dollars being spent this year — along with an additional $4 billon expected over the next four years — should “supercharge” a domestic manufacturing boom for electric school buses, said Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor tapped by Biden to oversee spending in the massive infrastructure law.

“These buses will be made in America — real jobs with real wages,″ Landrieu said in an interview. “We are going to ramp up manufacturing in this country.″

Environmental and public health groups hailed the announcement, which comes after years of advocacy to replace diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.

“It doesn’t make sense to send our kids to school on buses that create brain-harming, lung-harming, cancer-causing, climate-harming pollution,'' said Molly Rauch, public health policy director for Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group. "Our kids, our bus drivers and our communities deserve better.''

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program.(Click below to watch the Vice President make the announcement)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oGxhYrsrmMs?start=192" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-california-clean-air-act-vehicle-emissions-standards-eebb48c13e24835f2c5b9cb56796182a">the transition to zero-emission vehicles</a>&nbsp;and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-environmental-protection-agency">Environmental Protection Agency</a>&nbsp;Administrator Michael Regan announced the grant awards Wednesday in Seattle. The new, mostly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/electric-vehicles">electric</a>&nbsp;school buses will reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emissions-reduction">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, save money and better protect children’s health, they said.As many as 25 million children ride yellow buses each school day, and they will have a healthier future with a cleaner fleet, Harris said.“We are witnessing around our country and around the world the effects of extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy ... to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All with the goal of not only saving our children, but for them, saving our planet.''Only about 1% of the nation’s 480,000 school buses were electric as of last year, but the push to abandon traditional diesel buses has gained momentum in recent years. Money for the new purchases is available under the federal Clean School Bus Program, which includes $5 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;President Joe Biden signed last year.The clean bus program “is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” Regan said.The EPA initially made $500 million available for clean buses in May but increased that to $965 million last month, responding to what officials called overwhelming demand for electric buses. An additional $1 billion is set to be awarded in the budget year that began Oct. 1.The EPA said it received about 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for more than 12,000 buses, mostly electric. Some 389 applications worth $913 million were accepted to support purchase of 2,463 buses, 95% of which will be electric, the EPA said. The remaining buses will run on compressed natural gas or propane.School districts identified as priority areas serving low-income, rural or tribal students make up 99% of the projects that were selected, the White House said. More applications are under review, and the EPA plans to select more winners to reach the full $965 million in coming weeks.Districts set to receive money range from Wrangell, Alaska, to Anniston, Alabama, and Teton County, Wyoming, to Wirt County, West Virginia. Besides the District of Columbia, big cities that won grants for clean school buses include New York, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Los Angeles.White House adviser Mitch Landrieu said he expects many buses to be delivered by the start of the next school year, with the remainder likely to be in service by the end of 2023. The billion dollars being spent this year — along with an additional $4 billon expected over the next four years — should “supercharge” a domestic manufacturing boom for electric school buses, said Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor tapped by Biden to oversee spending in the massive infrastructure law.“These buses will be made in America — real jobs with real wages,″ Landrieu said in an interview. “We are going to ramp up manufacturing in this country.″Environmental and public health groups hailed the announcement, which comes after years of advocacy to replace diesel-powered buses with cleaner alternatives.“It doesn’t make sense to send our kids to school on buses that create brain-harming, lung-harming, cancer-causing, climate-harming pollution,'' said Molly Rauch, public health policy director for Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group. "Our kids, our bus drivers and our communities deserve better.''

🎥Vice President: Who doesn’t love a yellow school bus, right?

NORTON COUNTY—A registered Kansas sex offender was injured in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Jeremiah D. Johnson, 37, New Almelo, was northbound on Norton County Road E3 five miles southeast of the city of Norton. 

Johnson lost control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The car traveled the east ditch, struck a stop sign, became airborne over Norton County Road Q, continued into a pasture, rolled and came to rest on its top facing south.

EMS transported Johnson to the Norton County Hospital. He was later transferred to&nbsp;Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Johnson has previous convictions for attempted Contraband; Non firearm, etc by non employee, Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Sexual Relations less than 16 and&nbsp;Aggravated violation of the Kansas offender registration act. He has been a registered sex offender since 2005, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

The KHP did not report what prompted the chase on Wednesday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666836119241.png" alt="Johnson-photo KBI Offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo KBI Offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTON COUNTY—A registered Kansas sex offender was injured in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Jeremiah D. Johnson, 37, New Almelo, was northbound on Norton County Road E3 five miles southeast of the city of Norton. Johnson lost control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The car traveled the east ditch, struck a stop sign, became airborne over Norton County Road Q, continued into a pasture, rolled and came to rest on its top facing south.EMS transported Johnson to the Norton County Hospital. He was later transferred to&nbsp;Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Johnson has previous convictions for attempted Contraband; Non firearm, etc by non employee, Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Sexual Relations less than 16 and&nbsp;Aggravated violation of the Kansas offender registration act. He has been a registered sex offender since 2005, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.The KHP did not report what prompted the chase on Wednesday morning.

Kan. sex offender hospitalized after crash during high-speed chase

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A second railroad union rejected its deal with the major U.S. freight railroads on Wednesday, reflecting workers’ increasing frustration with the lack of paid sick time and adding to concerns about the possibility of a strike next month that could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">cripple the economy</a>.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen said nearly 61% of the workers who voted opposed the five-year contract, even though it included 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. It is the second rail union to reject a deal this month.

Union President Michael Baldwin cited the “lack of good-faith bargaining” by the railroads, and said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed this summer denied workers the “basic right of paid time off for illness.”

The unions say the railroads, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/csx-corp-florida-business-earnings-99976c3154d2939f544c2bdfecc77330">a couple</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-economy-business-483f55c699a94c29f579883e6b87fa85">reported more</a>&nbsp;than $1 billion profit in the third quarter, can easily afford to offer paid sick time. The negotiations included CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF and Kansas City Southern railroads.

The railroads maintain that the unions have agreed during decades of negotiations to forego paid sick leave in favor of higher wages and more generous short-term disability benefits that kick in after four days of absences and continue up to a year. They have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">rejected all demands</a>&nbsp;for paid sick time although they did offer the unions that represent engineers and conductors three days of unpaid leave to tend to medical appointments as long as workers give 30 days notice.

The railroads have refused to offer workers much more than what the Presidential Emergency Board of arbitrators recommended. They say that board rejected unions' requests for paid sick time in favor of recommending the largest wage increases in more than four decades.

Workers have been fighting in the negotiations to improve their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality of life</a>&nbsp;and are demanding railroads ease the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that keep some of them on call 24-7.

Six smaller unions have approved their deals with the railroads, but earlier this month the large Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that represents track maintenance workers also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;its proposed contract because workers were concerned about the lack of paid sick time. And the two biggest unions that represent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">conductors and engineers</a>, who are most affected by the railroads' demanding schedules, won't announce their votes until mid-November.

All 12 rail unions that together represent 115,000 workers nationwide have to approve contracts with the railroads to prevent a strike. But there is no immediate threat of a walkout because the unions that rejected their deals agreed to return to the bargaining table and continue talks at least through Nov. 19.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Wednesday that despite the opposition to the tentative agreements, the economy is “under no immediate threat.”

The administration is prepared to take the appropriate steps to ensure the rail system remains functioning, she said. But she declined to say whether Biden would personally get involved in the negotiations between the rail companies and unions like he did last month ahead of the initial strike deadline.

If both sides can't agree on new contracts, Congress may step in to block a strike and impose terms on workers.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sLdQgCJbvVo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A second railroad union rejected its deal with the major U.S. freight railroads on Wednesday, reflecting workers’ increasing frustration with the lack of paid sick time and adding to concerns about the possibility of a strike next month that could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">cripple the economy</a>.The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen said nearly 61% of the workers who voted opposed the five-year contract, even though it included 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. It is the second rail union to reject a deal this month.Union President Michael Baldwin cited the “lack of good-faith bargaining” by the railroads, and said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed this summer denied workers the “basic right of paid time off for illness.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666474833581.png" alt="Oil train rolls across Kansas in mid October" />
 <figcaption>Oil train rolls across Kansas in mid October</figcaption>
 </figure>The unions say the railroads, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/csx-corp-florida-business-earnings-99976c3154d2939f544c2bdfecc77330">a couple</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-omaha-economy-business-483f55c699a94c29f579883e6b87fa85">reported more</a>&nbsp;than $1 billion profit in the third quarter, can easily afford to offer paid sick time. The negotiations included CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF and Kansas City Southern railroads.The railroads maintain that the unions have agreed during decades of negotiations to forego paid sick leave in favor of higher wages and more generous short-term disability benefits that kick in after four days of absences and continue up to a year. They have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-business-strikes-940da8fc519f8c526ca614e201d01216">rejected all demands</a>&nbsp;for paid sick time although they did offer the unions that represent engineers and conductors three days of unpaid leave to tend to medical appointments as long as workers give 30 days notice.The railroads have refused to offer workers much more than what the Presidential Emergency Board of arbitrators recommended. They say that board rejected unions' requests for paid sick time in favor of recommending the largest wage increases in more than four decades.Workers have been fighting in the negotiations to improve their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality of life</a>&nbsp;and are demanding railroads ease the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that keep some of them on call 24-7.Six smaller unions have approved their deals with the railroads, but earlier this month the large Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that represents track maintenance workers also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;its proposed contract because workers were concerned about the lack of paid sick time. And the two biggest unions that represent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">conductors and engineers</a>, who are most affected by the railroads' demanding schedules, won't announce their votes until mid-November.All 12 rail unions that together represent 115,000 workers nationwide have to approve contracts with the railroads to prevent a strike. But there is no immediate threat of a walkout because the unions that rejected their deals agreed to return to the bargaining table and continue talks at least through Nov. 19.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Wednesday that despite the opposition to the tentative agreements, the economy is “under no immediate threat.”The administration is prepared to take the appropriate steps to ensure the rail system remains functioning, she said. But she declined to say whether Biden would personally get involved in the negotiations between the rail companies and unions like he did last month ahead of the initial strike deadline.If both sides can't agree on new contracts, Congress may step in to block a strike and impose terms on workers.___

Second railroad union rejects deal, adding to strike worries

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in the 3500 block of Bellefontaine in Kansas City, according to Captain Leslie Foreman.

Preliminary report indicates U.S. Marshals were looking for a suspect wanted for a federal escapee warrant. They located the suspect near&nbsp;a residence near the 3100 block of Bellefontaine in Kansas City.

 They lost sight of the suspect. However, a relative who was outside the house, confirmed the suspect was inside the house and lived there.

 As Marshals were attempting to make contact with the suspect, the front door opened and the suspect pointed a weapon towards officers. A U.S. Marshals officer fired his weapon striking the suspect who died at the scene. No officers were injured.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. They released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666817648251.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in the 3500 block of Bellefontaine in Kansas City, according to Captain Leslie Foreman.Preliminary report indicates U.S. Marshals were looking for a suspect wanted for a federal escapee warrant. They located the suspect near&nbsp;a residence near the 3100 block of Bellefontaine in Kansas City. They lost sight of the suspect. However, a relative who was outside the house, confirmed the suspect was inside the house and lived there. As Marshals were attempting to make contact with the suspect, the front door opened and the suspect pointed a weapon towards officers. A U.S. Marshals officer fired his weapon striking the suspect who died at the scene. No officers were injured.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. They released no additional details.

U.S. Marshals shoot, kill suspect in Kansas City neighborhood

GEARY COUNTY —A man died in an accident just before 7a.m. Wednesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Peterbilt started rolling forward in the 3200 Block of South U.S. 77 in Junction City.

The driver identified as 71-year-old Major Willie Washington of Kansas City, Missouri, was outside the vehicle. As he attempted to reenter the vehicle, he became pinned between the power unit and another semi trailer.&nbsp;

Washington was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Johnson Funeral Home.

GEARY COUNTY —A man died in an accident just before 7a.m. Wednesday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Peterbilt started rolling forward in the 3200 Block of South U.S. 77 in Junction City.The driver identified as 71-year-old Major Willie Washington of Kansas City, Missouri, was outside the vehicle. As he attempted to reenter the vehicle, he became pinned between the power unit and another semi trailer.&nbsp;Washington was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Johnson Funeral Home.

KHP: Driver dies after pinned between power unit, another semi

KEARNEY, Mo. (AP) — One construction worker died and two others were injured Wednesday when a bridge under construction in northwest Missouri collapsed, officials said.

Workers were pouring concrete for the deck of the bridge when it fell, Clay County officials said.

The bridge, which was replacing an older bridge, spanned Carroll Creek in a rural area near Kearney, about 27 miles (43.45 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.

The other two workers sustained minor injuries and were able to free themselves from the rubble, Clay County Sheriff's spokeswoman Sarah Boyd said.

Further details about what caused the collapse were not immediately available.

County transportation officials said the bridge is one of five closed and two under construction in the county

CLAY COUNTY, Missouri —Authorities are on the scene of a bridge collapse at NE 148th Street and Shady Grove Road in Clay County, Missouri, according to the Sheriff's Department.

 There is one confirmed fatality and several with minor injuries.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666817141095.png" alt="Photo Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KEARNEY, Mo. (AP) — One construction worker died and two others were injured Wednesday when a bridge under construction in northwest Missouri collapsed, officials said.Workers were pouring concrete for the deck of the bridge when it fell, Clay County officials said.The bridge, which was replacing an older bridge, spanned Carroll Creek in a rural area near Kearney, about 27 miles (43.45 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.The other two workers sustained minor injuries and were able to free themselves from the rubble, Clay County Sheriff's spokeswoman Sarah Boyd said.Further details about what caused the collapse were not immediately available.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666817257891.png" alt="The bridge is approximately 27 miles northeast of Kansas City-Google map" />
 <figcaption>The bridge is approximately 27 miles northeast of Kansas City-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>County transportation officials said the bridge is one of five closed and two under construction in the county-----------CLAY COUNTY, Missouri —Authorities are on the scene of a bridge collapse at NE 148th Street and Shady Grove Road in Clay County, Missouri, according to the Sheriff's Department. There is one confirmed fatality and several with minor injuries.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Sheriff: Worker dead after bridge collapse near Kansas City

WASHINGTON —The Pentagon announced Thursday they will provide travel funds and support for troops and their dependents who seek&nbsp;abortions&nbsp;but are based in states where they are now illegal.

Senator Roger Marshall is against the new policy. "I cannot believe the Department of Defense is even considering improperly using taxpayer money to fund abortion travel," he wrote on social media.

"I’ve drafted an NDAA amendment to put a stop to this. With all of the challenges we face globally, Department of Defense needs to make our national security the top priority."

"Senator Schumer must allow for a robust amendment process when the Senate returns so we can vote to block this outrageous memorandum."

The&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/20/2003099747/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-ENSURING-ACCESS-TO-REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH-CARE.PDF">order</a>&nbsp;issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the rights and protections service members and their dependents will have regardless of where they are based, which was a key concern of troops after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660841461588.png" alt=""Department of Defense needs to make our national security the top priority," Marshall wrote." />
 <figcaption>"Department of Defense needs to make our national security the top priority," Marshall wrote.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The Pentagon announced Thursday they will provide travel funds and support for troops and their dependents who seek&nbsp;abortions&nbsp;but are based in states where they are now illegal.Senator Roger Marshall is against the new policy. "I cannot believe the Department of Defense is even considering improperly using taxpayer money to fund abortion travel," he wrote on social media."I’ve drafted an NDAA amendment to put a stop to this. With all of the challenges we face globally, Department of Defense needs to make our national security the top priority." "Senator Schumer must allow for a robust amendment process when the Senate returns so we can vote to block this outrageous memorandum."The&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/20/2003099747/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-ENSURING-ACCESS-TO-REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH-CARE.PDF">order</a>&nbsp;issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the rights and protections service members and their dependents will have regardless of where they are based, which was a key concern of troops after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.</a>

 Marshall wants to prevent new Pentagon abortion policy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Kansas City Mayor Charles Wheeler, who oversaw a period of rapid expansion in the 1970s and whose name adorns the city's downtown airport, has died at age 96.

Current Mayor Quinton Lucas praised Wheeler in a statement as a “statesman that all Kansas Citians, Missourians, and Americans could be proud of." Wheeler died Tuesday night, said Lucas' chief-of-staff, Morgan Said, who spoke to his daughter and grandson. She said they have asked Lucas to speak at the funeral.

Said had no details about how or where he died, but KCUR reported that he died at a nursing home in Overland Park, Kansas.

Wheeler was the Kansas City mayor for two terms, from 1971 to 1979, helping spearhead development of Kemper Arena, the Bartle Hall convention center and the University of Missouri-Kansas City medical school at Hospital Hill.

In a July 2019 interview with KCUR, Wheeler said the highlight of his mayoral career was bringing the 1976 Republican National Convention to Kansas City. The convention ended with Gerald Ford beating out Ronald Reagan.

“The Republican National Convention was definitely the moment that Kansas City was launched like it hadn’t been for years — well since Truman, that is the comparison,” Wheeler said, referencing former President Harry S. Truman, who is from the Kansas City suburb of Independence, Missouri. "The media loved it. We were the media center of America.”

Wheeler, a physician, spent much of his early career as a forensic pathologist, founded Wheeler Medical Laboratories in 1963 and was elected Jackson County coroner two years later. He then served as a judge before becoming mayor.

After leaving the mayor’s office, Wheeler devoted his time to running his pathology laboratory but remained active in politics. He was elected to the state Senate in 2002 to a four-year term.

Jolie Justus, who succeeded Wheeler when he didn't seek re-election, recalled that Wheeler was adamant that it was crucial to be the smartest person in the room. “And he, I think, always was the smartest person in the room," she said.

In Wheeler's later years, he mounted several unsuccessful bids for public office, most recently seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2016 at the age of 89.

“Anybody who dabbles in politics walks away most of the time because it’s such hard work,” Wheeler told KCUR. “I personally thrive on that and I loved it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666807936276.png" alt="Former Mayor Charles B. Wheeler with current Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas-photo courtesy Mayor's office" />
 <figcaption>Former Mayor Charles B. Wheeler with current Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas-photo courtesy Mayor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Kansas City Mayor Charles Wheeler, who oversaw a period of rapid expansion in the 1970s and whose name adorns the city's downtown airport, has died at age 96.Current Mayor Quinton Lucas praised Wheeler in a statement as a “statesman that all Kansas Citians, Missourians, and Americans could be proud of." Wheeler died Tuesday night, said Lucas' chief-of-staff, Morgan Said, who spoke to his daughter and grandson. She said they have asked Lucas to speak at the funeral.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My statement on the life of Mayor Wheeler (1926-2022) below. It was a blessing getting to know him and to receive his advice over these last several years on the bright days and challenging ones. My condolences to all those who knew and loved him. <a href="https://t.co/8gq9eV0NDo">https://t.co/8gq9eV0NDo</a> <a href="https://t.co/vW9MGBMn1e">pic.twitter.com/vW9MGBMn1e</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1585301954682449920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Said had no details about how or where he died, but KCUR reported that he died at a nursing home in Overland Park, Kansas.Wheeler was the Kansas City mayor for two terms, from 1971 to 1979, helping spearhead development of Kemper Arena, the Bartle Hall convention center and the University of Missouri-Kansas City medical school at Hospital Hill.In a July 2019 interview with KCUR, Wheeler said the highlight of his mayoral career was bringing the 1976 Republican National Convention to Kansas City. The convention ended with Gerald Ford beating out Ronald Reagan.“The Republican National Convention was definitely the moment that Kansas City was launched like it hadn’t been for years — well since Truman, that is the comparison,” Wheeler said, referencing former President Harry S. Truman, who is from the Kansas City suburb of Independence, Missouri. "The media loved it. We were the media center of America.”Wheeler, a physician, spent much of his early career as a forensic pathologist, founded Wheeler Medical Laboratories in 1963 and was elected Jackson County coroner two years later. He then served as a judge before becoming mayor.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rest In Peace, Mayor Wheeler. <a href="https://t.co/j7ZroW72Vy">pic.twitter.com/j7ZroW72Vy</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1585293591110295552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After leaving the mayor’s office, Wheeler devoted his time to running his pathology laboratory but remained active in politics. He was elected to the state Senate in 2002 to a four-year term.Jolie Justus, who succeeded Wheeler when he didn't seek re-election, recalled that Wheeler was adamant that it was crucial to be the smartest person in the room. “And he, I think, always was the smartest person in the room," she said.In Wheeler's later years, he mounted several unsuccessful bids for public office, most recently seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2016 at the age of 89.“Anybody who dabbles in politics walks away most of the time because it’s such hard work,” Wheeler told KCUR. “I personally thrive on that and I loved it.”

Former Kansas City Mayor Charles Wheeler dies at 96

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,107&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 19, to Wednesday October 26, for a total of 887,076 cases.&nbsp; The state reported less than 2000 new cases last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;5 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 19 for a total of 9,606.

<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/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>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 plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,107&nbsp; new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 19, to Wednesday October 26, for a total of 887,076 cases.&nbsp; The state reported less than 2000 new cases last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;5 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 19 for a total of 9,606.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666805078694.png" alt="Wednesday October 26- KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday October 26- KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><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/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>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 plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports increase in COVID cases; 5 more deaths

LABETTE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by Landon S. Myers, 42, Youngsville, Louisiana, was eastbound on U.S. 400 nine miles west of Parsons.

Max Myers, 32, Youngsville, Louisiana, was riding in the bed of the pickup holding down a canoe. 

A gust of wind caught the canoe. It threw Myers and the canoe off the vehicle. Myers landed on the south shoulder of the highway.

EMS transported him to Labette Health. The driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by Landon S. Myers, 42, Youngsville, Louisiana, was eastbound on U.S. 400 nine miles west of Parsons.Max Myers, 32, Youngsville, Louisiana, was riding in the bed of the pickup holding down a canoe. A gust of wind caught the canoe. It threw Myers and the canoe off the vehicle. Myers landed on the south shoulder of the highway.EMS transported him to Labette Health. The driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the KHP.

Man holding canoe thrown from pickup bed onto Kan. highway

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Police found another skimmer on a gas pump in Salina.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maintenance did find a skimmer on that pump.

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

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

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

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

Police find more skimmers on gas pumps in Salina

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

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

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

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

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

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

Owners will be notified by letter starting Dec. 22.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Domestic assault arrest prompted SW Kan. school lockdown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🎥Biden: Not enough people are getting updated COVID booster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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