TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 115 to a total of 769,333 the state health department reported Monday.

The state reported 4 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,150 and 45 new hospitalizations since Friday.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 115 to a total of 769,333 the state health department reported Monday.The state reported 4 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 8,150 and 45 new hospitalizations since Friday.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> 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.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A third teen has been arrested in connection to the case in which a landscaper was shot with a gel gun in downtown Salina on March 15 Three other cases of such shootings were reported on Saturday, March 19

On Friday, police arrested Kaleb A. Arthurs, 18, Salina, on requested charges of battery and aggravated assault, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.

The arrest is in connection to a case in which a 26-year -old Salina woman was shot in the chest with a pellet from a gel gun while she was doing some landscaping work in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue.

On Friday, police announced that two teens, a 17-year-old Salina boy and Lucas E. Burleson, 18, of Salina, had been apprehended in the case.

Police believe the incident is part of a TikTok "Orbeez Challenge" that encourages participants to use airsoft-type guns that shoot gel or water beads at pedestrians. The nationwide phenomenon has resulted in multiple injuries, including in Salina.

Hanus said that between 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, three additional instances of people being shot with gel guns were reported. Two of the instances resulted in injury. Those instances include the following.

●A woman was struck in the face, resulting in a slight injury. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive in Salina.

●A 22-year-old runner was shot near the intersection of S. Ohio Street and E. Crawford Street in Salina. She reported no injury.

●A 50-year-old veteran was struck in the face while sitting in a vehicle in the Sunset Plaza parking lot on W. Crawford Street in Salina. He was slightly injured.

Hanus said that people need to be aware that the TikTok challenge is dangerous and that there will be consequences for people who shoot others with gel guns. Parents particularly need to be aware of what their children are doing with gel guns, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647879082593.png" alt="Kaleb A. Arthurs -photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Kaleb A. Arthurs -photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA third teen has been arrested in connection to the case in which a landscaper was shot with a gel gun in downtown Salina on March 15 Three other cases of such shootings were reported on Saturday, March 19On Friday, police arrested Kaleb A. Arthurs, 18, Salina, on requested charges of battery and aggravated assault, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.The arrest is in connection to a case in which a 26-year -old Salina woman was shot in the chest with a pellet from a gel gun while she was doing some landscaping work in the 200 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue.On Friday, police announced that two teens, a 17-year-old Salina boy and Lucas E. Burleson, 18, of Salina, had been apprehended in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647624264575.jpeg" alt="Crimestoppers asked for tips about this white Dodge Ram in connection with the incident in which a worker&nbsp; was shot with a BB gun" />
 <figcaption>Crimestoppers asked for tips about this white Dodge Ram in connection with the incident in which a worker&nbsp; was shot with a BB gun</figcaption>
 </figure>Police believe the incident is part of a TikTok "Orbeez Challenge" that encourages participants to use airsoft-type guns that shoot gel or water beads at pedestrians. The nationwide phenomenon has resulted in multiple injuries, including in Salina.Hanus said that between 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, three additional instances of people being shot with gel guns were reported. Two of the instances resulted in injury. Those instances include the following.●A woman was struck in the face, resulting in a slight injury. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive in Salina.●A 22-year-old runner was shot near the intersection of S. Ohio Street and E. Crawford Street in Salina. She reported no injury.●A 50-year-old veteran was struck in the face while sitting in a vehicle in the Sunset Plaza parking lot on W. Crawford Street in Salina. He was slightly injured.Hanus said that people need to be aware that the TikTok challenge is dangerous and that there will be consequences for people who shoot others with gel guns. Parents particularly need to be aware of what their children are doing with gel guns, he said.

Police arrest third Kan. teen in connection with TikTok challenge

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Police in Overland Park are investigating the shooting death of a woman over the weekend. 

Police say the shooting was reported around 6 a.m. Sunday at a house in Overland Park. Police say that officers arrived at the home to find that the woman had been taken by family members to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. 

Police later identified the woman killed as Cheryl Holloman, of Wichita. Television station WDAF reports that the shooting happened during a party at a house that neighbors say was often rented out to guests. Police say a person of interest in the shooting was taken into custody for questioning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647878750609.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Police in Overland Park are investigating the shooting death of a woman over the weekend. Police say the shooting was reported around 6 a.m. Sunday at a house in Overland Park. Police say that officers arrived at the home to find that the woman had been taken by family members to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police later identified the woman killed as Cheryl Holloman, of Wichita. Television station WDAF reports that the shooting happened during a party at a house that neighbors say was often rented out to guests. Police say a person of interest in the shooting was taken into custody for questioning.

Police ID Kansas woman who died during house party

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to begin its historic confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. The 51-year-old federal judge would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/the-nomination-of-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-be-an-associate-justice-of-the-supreme-court-of-the-united-states">CLICK here to watch&nbsp;</a>day one of the confirmation hearing 10 a.m. CDT

Barring a significant misstep by Jackson, Democrats who control the Senate by the slimmest of margins intend to wrap up her confirmation before Easter. 

Jackson is expected to present an opening statement Monday afternoon, then answer questions from the committee’s 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans over the next two days. It’s not yet clear how aggressively Republicans will go after Jackson, given that her confirmation would not alter the court’s 6-3 conservative majority

Several Republicans who met with Jackson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-congress-josh-hawley-3fe43e01c9d9664c3b5ee18a04f5feb9">praised her&nbsp;</a>legal acumen, broad experience and engaging, empathetic demeanor. But some Republicans on the committee, especially those who might run for president in 2024, are expected to aggressively criticize her record. Jackson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-stephen-breyer-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-thurgood-marshall-0b73ca8ac79cb133dd84570b389301d7">was a public defender</a>, a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and a federal district court judge before she was confirmed as an appellate judge last year.

Jackson was nominated to replace Justice Stephen Breyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retirement-2f9c1f5da824e3b1ef25964205131fff">who announced in January</a>&nbsp;that he will retire at the end of the high court’s session this summer.

What to watch as Jackson’s hearings start Monday:

Similar to past practice, the committee will examine Jackson’s record over four days. She will give an opening statement on Monday, and members of the committee will give their opening remarks. She won’t face questioning until Tuesday and Wednesday, when the 22 committee members will each have 30 minutes to question her. If there is a second round of questioning, they will have 20 minutes each.

Jackson won’t be in the hearing room on Thursday, when legal experts and representatives of the American Bar Association testify on her legal record.

After the hearings conclude, the committee will vote on sending her nomination to the full Senate. Democrats hope to confirm Jackson by April 8, when they leave Washington for a two-week spring recess.

The court was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries. Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Thurgood Marshall are the only two Black men who have been justices — confirmed in 1991 and 1967, respectively. There has never been a Black woman on the court.

Biden pledged during his 2020 campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the court if he had the chance. Some Republicans criticized that pledge, saying it was “offensive” or akin to affirmative action.

But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he doesn’t have a problem with Biden’s pledge. He has signaled to his conference to focus on topics other than Jackson’s race.

Democrats can confirm Jackson without any Republican support because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote in the 50-50 Senate. Democrats are still lobbying Republicans they think are open to voting for Jackson in hopes that she will be able to be seated on the court with some bipartisan backing.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins is the most likely Republican to support her, suggesting after a 90-minute meeting this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-j-michelle-childs-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-susan-collins-09b8d396185a1c44bbfb068c59a574cd">she was inclined&nbsp;</a>to vote yes on confirmation. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Collins in voting to confirm Jackson to the appeals court last year, but both have indicated that they may not vote for her this time.

It’s unlikely that any other Republicans will vote for Jackson, though most say they are waiting until after the hearings to decide.

Republicans who have met with Jackson have given varied reasons that they might not vote for her. They have cited her representation of Guantanamo Bay detainees as a public defender more than a decade ago, the liberal advocacy groups that support her and broad arguments that she may be “soft on crime” because of her record as a public defender.

The most pointed criticism so far has come from Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who posted a lengthy Twitter thread Wednesday evening that charged her with being soft on pedophiles in her time at the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Democrats and the White House pushed back strongly on his arguments, claiming they were cherry-picked and void of context.

Many Republicans have been muted in their criticism of Jackson, preferring to focus on other election-year issues like inflation. But Hawley and GOP Sens, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, all committee members, are considering runs for the presidency in 2024 and may try and burnish their conservative credentials by attacking Jackson’s record.

Like Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate hearings in October 2020, some health precautions will be taken in the committee room. Senators will be spaced out from each other and the general public will not be allowed in.

While the safety measures are to prevent the spread of COVID-19 amid a spate of recent cases in the Capitol, they will also serve the purpose of keeping protesters out. Angry protesters flooded the Senate hallways during the 2017 and 2018 confirmations of Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, but the public is just beginning to return to the Capitol for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic and the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647875179503.png" alt="Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson listens to opening statements from Senators on Monday-photo courtesy Senate Judiciary Committee" />
 <figcaption>Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson listens to opening statements from Senators on Monday-photo courtesy Senate Judiciary Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to begin its historic confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. The 51-year-old federal judge would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/the-nomination-of-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-be-an-associate-justice-of-the-supreme-court-of-the-united-states">CLICK here to watch&nbsp;</a>day one of the confirmation hearing 10 a.m. CDTBarring a significant misstep by Jackson, Democrats who control the Senate by the slimmest of margins intend to wrap up her confirmation before Easter. Jackson is expected to present an opening statement Monday afternoon, then answer questions from the committee’s 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans over the next two days. It’s not yet clear how aggressively Republicans will go after Jackson, given that her confirmation would not alter the court’s 6-3 conservative majoritySeveral Republicans who met with Jackson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-congress-josh-hawley-3fe43e01c9d9664c3b5ee18a04f5feb9">praised her&nbsp;</a>legal acumen, broad experience and engaging, empathetic demeanor. But some Republicans on the committee, especially those who might run for president in 2024, are expected to aggressively criticize her record. Jackson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-stephen-breyer-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-thurgood-marshall-0b73ca8ac79cb133dd84570b389301d7">was a public defender</a>, a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and a federal district court judge before she was confirmed as an appellate judge last year.Jackson was nominated to replace Justice Stephen Breyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-breyer-supreme-court-retirement-2f9c1f5da824e3b1ef25964205131fff">who announced in January</a>&nbsp;that he will retire at the end of the high court’s session this summer.What to watch as Jackson’s hearings start Monday:FOUR DAYS OF HEARINGSSimilar to past practice, the committee will examine Jackson’s record over four days. She will give an opening statement on Monday, and members of the committee will give their opening remarks. She won’t face questioning until Tuesday and Wednesday, when the 22 committee members will each have 30 minutes to question her. If there is a second round of questioning, they will have 20 minutes each.Jackson won’t be in the hearing room on Thursday, when legal experts and representatives of the American Bar Association testify on her legal record.After the hearings conclude, the committee will vote on sending her nomination to the full Senate. Democrats hope to confirm Jackson by April 8, when they leave Washington for a two-week spring recess.___FIRST BLACK WOMANThe court was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries. Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Thurgood Marshall are the only two Black men who have been justices — confirmed in 1991 and 1967, respectively. There has never been a Black woman on the court.Biden pledged during his 2020 campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the court if he had the chance. Some Republicans criticized that pledge, saying it was “offensive” or akin to affirmative action.But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he doesn’t have a problem with Biden’s pledge. He has signaled to his conference to focus on topics other than Jackson’s race.___REPUBLICAN BREAKTHROUGH?Democrats can confirm Jackson without any Republican support because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote in the 50-50 Senate. Democrats are still lobbying Republicans they think are open to voting for Jackson in hopes that she will be able to be seated on the court with some bipartisan backing.Maine Sen. Susan Collins is the most likely Republican to support her, suggesting after a 90-minute meeting this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-j-michelle-childs-stephen-breyer-us-supreme-court-susan-collins-09b8d396185a1c44bbfb068c59a574cd">she was inclined&nbsp;</a>to vote yes on confirmation. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Collins in voting to confirm Jackson to the appeals court last year, but both have indicated that they may not vote for her this time.It’s unlikely that any other Republicans will vote for Jackson, though most say they are waiting until after the hearings to decide.___GOP LINES OF ATTACKRepublicans who have met with Jackson have given varied reasons that they might not vote for her. They have cited her representation of Guantanamo Bay detainees as a public defender more than a decade ago, the liberal advocacy groups that support her and broad arguments that she may be “soft on crime” because of her record as a public defender.The most pointed criticism so far has come from Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who posted a lengthy Twitter thread Wednesday evening that charged her with being soft on pedophiles in her time at the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Democrats and the White House pushed back strongly on his arguments, claiming they were cherry-picked and void of context.Many Republicans have been muted in their criticism of Jackson, preferring to focus on other election-year issues like inflation. But Hawley and GOP Sens, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, all committee members, are considering runs for the presidency in 2024 and may try and burnish their conservative credentials by attacking Jackson’s record.___PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONSLike Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate hearings in October 2020, some health precautions will be taken in the committee room. Senators will be spaced out from each other and the general public will not be allowed in.While the safety measures are to prevent the spread of COVID-19 amid a spate of recent cases in the Capitol, they will also serve the purpose of keeping protesters out. Angry protesters flooded the Senate hallways during the 2017 and 2018 confirmations of Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, but the public is just beginning to return to the Capitol for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic and the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.___

🎥 Historic Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin

DICKINSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during a police chase just after 7:30p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County is now in jail.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;was Herington Police were in pursuit of a 1999 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Matthew R. Mell, 34, Herington southbound from Herington to U.S. 56 Business Highway.

The driver lost control as he attempted to make a right turn onto 400 Avenue and the pickup rolled.

EMS transported Mall to the hospital in Herington. After treatment he was booked into the Dickinson County jail on requested charges that include assault on a law enforcement officer, battery of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, DUI and flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, according to online jail records.

DICKINSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during a police chase just after 7:30p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County.

EMS transported Mall to the hospital in Herington. The KHP did not report seat belt usage details or what prompted the chase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647870354271.png" alt="Mell-photo Dickinson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mell-photo Dickinson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during a police chase just after 7:30p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County is now in jail. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;was Herington Police were in pursuit of a 1999 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Matthew R. Mell, 34, Herington southbound from Herington to U.S. 56 Business Highway.The driver lost control as he attempted to make a right turn onto 400 Avenue and the pickup rolled.EMS transported Mall to the hospital in Herington. After treatment he was booked into the Dickinson County jail on requested charges that include assault on a law enforcement officer, battery of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, DUI and flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, according to online jail records.The KHP did not report seat belt usage.---------DICKINSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during a police chase just after 7:30p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;was Herington Police were in pursuit of a 1999 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Matthew R. Mell, 34, Herington southbound from Herington to U.S. 56 Business Highway.The driver lost control as he attempted to make a right turn onto 400 Avenue and the pickup rolled.EMS transported Mall to the hospital in Herington. The KHP did not report seat belt usage details or what prompted the chase.

Kan. man moved from hospital to jail after police chase, crash

DETROIT (AP) — Canadian Teamsters and CP Rail blamed each other for a work stoppage Sunday that brought trains to a halt across Canada and interrupted fertilizer and other shipments to and from the U.S.

More than 3,000 Canadian Pacific Rail conductors, engineers, train and yard workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are off the job after both sides couldn't reach a deal by a midnight deadline.

Both sides say they are still talking with federal mediators.

Canadian Pacific covers much of the U.S. Midwest and is a large shipper of potash and fertilizer for agriculture. It also carries grain from the U.S. to its northern neighbor for domestic use and exports. The railroad serves the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and other states, according to a map on its investor website. CP also operates in New England and upstate New York, spokesman Patrick Waldron said.

CP says it's the leading carrier of potash, a plant nutrient used in the production of multiple crops. The company says in investor documents that it carries 70% of the potash produced in North America, all from mines in Saskatchewan.

The railroad says it also carries fertilizers, including phosphate, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. About half its fertilizer shipments originate from processing plants in Alberta.

CP got 29% of its 2020 freight revenue from cross-border shipments between the U.S. and Canada, its investor website said.

A lengthy interruption of fertilizer shipments could hurt U.S. farmers, who are nearing the spring planting season. The work stoppage could also exacerbate existing supply chain bottlenecks in the U.S. and Canada that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. trains were not affected by the work stoppage, but the railroad cannot make shipments between the two nations, Waldron said.

On Saturday, the Teamsters said in a statement that the company had locked the workers out, but later issued another statement saying the workers were also on strike.

The original statement posted to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference website late Saturday said the union wanted to continue bargaining but the company "chose to put the Canadian supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs at risk.″

"As Canadians grapple with a never-ending pandemic, exploding commodity prices and the war in Ukraine, the rail carrier is adding an unnecessary layer of insecurity, especially for those who depend on the rail network,″ the statement said.

CP Rail, Canada’s second-largest railroad operator, said it was the company that wanted to keep talking, and the union that pulled its employees off the job.

CP President Keith Creel said in a news release the union "failed to respond″ to a new offer presented by mediators before the midnight deadline.

“Instead, the TCRC opted to withdraw their services before the deadline for a strike or lockout could legally take place,″ he said. "The TCRC is well aware of the damage this reckless action will cause to the Canadian supply chain.″

Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan urged the two sides to keep bargaining.

The Canadian and U.S. supply chains also were hit by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-detroit-canada-20f273b32bfa8ef695fdabcc7e11321e">trucker convoy protests&nbsp;</a>blocking border crossings in February, and now are dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-europe-b20d71c150712fe2e6dc3d44af8d1268">the effects, particularly on global fuel supplies, of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.</a>

All the disruptions pushed inflation to its highest level since the early 1980s, with essentials such as food and fuel facing some of the sharpest price hikes.

CP and the union have been negotiating since September, with wages and pensions a sticking point. A clause on where employees take their federally mandated break periods is also an issue.

CP Rail says this is the fifth work stoppage since 1993.

DETROIT (AP) — Canadian Teamsters and CP Rail blamed each other for a work stoppage Sunday that brought trains to a halt across Canada and interrupted fertilizer and other shipments to and from the U.S.More than 3,000 Canadian Pacific Rail conductors, engineers, train and yard workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are off the job after both sides couldn't reach a deal by a midnight deadline.Both sides say they are still talking with federal mediators.Canadian Pacific covers much of the U.S. Midwest and is a large shipper of potash and fertilizer for agriculture. It also carries grain from the U.S. to its northern neighbor for domestic use and exports. The railroad serves the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and other states, according to a map on its investor website. CP also operates in New England and upstate New York, spokesman Patrick Waldron said.CP says it's the leading carrier of potash, a plant nutrient used in the production of multiple crops. The company says in investor documents that it carries 70% of the potash produced in North America, all from mines in Saskatchewan.The railroad says it also carries fertilizers, including phosphate, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. About half its fertilizer shipments originate from processing plants in Alberta.CP got 29% of its 2020 freight revenue from cross-border shipments between the U.S. and Canada, its investor website said.A lengthy interruption of fertilizer shipments could hurt U.S. farmers, who are nearing the spring planting season. The work stoppage could also exacerbate existing supply chain bottlenecks in the U.S. and Canada that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic.U.S. trains were not affected by the work stoppage, but the railroad cannot make shipments between the two nations, Waldron said.On Saturday, the Teamsters said in a statement that the company had locked the workers out, but later issued another statement saying the workers were also on strike.The original statement posted to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference website late Saturday said the union wanted to continue bargaining but the company "chose to put the Canadian supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs at risk.″"As Canadians grapple with a never-ending pandemic, exploding commodity prices and the war in Ukraine, the rail carrier is adding an unnecessary layer of insecurity, especially for those who depend on the rail network,″ the statement said.CP Rail, Canada’s second-largest railroad operator, said it was the company that wanted to keep talking, and the union that pulled its employees off the job.CP President Keith Creel said in a news release the union "failed to respond″ to a new offer presented by mediators before the midnight deadline.“Instead, the TCRC opted to withdraw their services before the deadline for a strike or lockout could legally take place,″ he said. "The TCRC is well aware of the damage this reckless action will cause to the Canadian supply chain.″Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan urged the two sides to keep bargaining.The Canadian and U.S. supply chains also were hit by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-detroit-canada-20f273b32bfa8ef695fdabcc7e11321e">trucker convoy protests&nbsp;</a>blocking border crossings in February, and now are dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-europe-b20d71c150712fe2e6dc3d44af8d1268">the effects, particularly on global fuel supplies, of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.</a>All the disruptions pushed inflation to its highest level since the early 1980s, with essentials such as food and fuel facing some of the sharpest price hikes.CP and the union have been negotiating since September, with wages and pensions a sticking point. A clause on where employees take their federally mandated break periods is also an issue.CP Rail says this is the fifth work stoppage since 1993.

Canadian Pacific rail work stoppage could hit U.S. agriculture

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrants in the 1300 Block NW Van Buren, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell

While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, officers arrested 37-year-old Rolanda Shopteese and 42-year-old Crystal Wakolee both of Topeka.&nbsp; They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Crystal Wakolee is jailed on requested charges of  Distribute controlled substance, Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernaliam  Making False Information, Forgery, Theft by deception, Perjury and Identity theft.

Rolanda Shopteese is being held on&nbsp;on requested charges of Distribution of opiate/opium/narc, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution and Possession of marijuana

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647739661548.png" alt="Shopteese-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Shopteese-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrants in the 1300 Block NW Van Buren, according to Lt. Ronnie ConnellWhile conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.As a result, officers arrested 37-year-old Rolanda Shopteese and 42-year-old Crystal Wakolee both of Topeka.&nbsp; They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647739712780.png" alt="Wakolee-photo Shawee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wakolee-photo Shawee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Crystal Wakolee is jailed on requested charges of Distribute controlled substance, Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernaliam Making False Information, Forgery, Theft by deception, Perjury and Identity theft.Rolanda Shopteese is being held on&nbsp;on requested charges of Distribution of opiate/opium/narc, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution and Possession of marijuana

Police accuse two Kan. women of ID theft, drug possession

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The family of a man who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-crime-shootings-missouri-c0f9c4bf729c2f3e96bbc8def6ca9264">shot and killed while riding an Amtrak train</a>&nbsp;in Missouri is suing the railroad company and the alleged shooter for at least $100 million.

Richie Terell Aaron Jr., 30, of Independence, was shot as the Missouri River Runner train arrived at the Lee's Summit station on Jan. 14, where the alleged shooter got off.

The federal lawsuit says the train continued on to the Independence stop, despite pleas from passengers to wait and get help for Aaron, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article259564104.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

Aaron was pronounced dead when the train arrived in Independence about 35 minutes later, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday by lawyers representing Aaron's widow and three children.

The lawsuit accuses Amtrak of making “no effort” to get medical treatment for Aaron. It also alleges the company has lax security.

An Amtrak spokeswoman said Sunday the organization could not comment on the lawsuit.

Marquise Webb, 21, of Kansas City, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-arrests-kansas-city-independence-82241edc52a78997f855061e35baa9a4">charged&nbsp;</a>with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in Aaron’s killing.

Webb is also charged in Jackson County with carjacking a man after he got off the train. He was arrested two weeks later after a standoff with Kansas City police. He is being held in the Jackson County jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643803193805.png" alt="Webb-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Webb-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The family of a man who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-crime-shootings-missouri-c0f9c4bf729c2f3e96bbc8def6ca9264">shot and killed while riding an Amtrak train</a>&nbsp;in Missouri is suing the railroad company and the alleged shooter for at least $100 million.Richie Terell Aaron Jr., 30, of Independence, was shot as the Missouri River Runner train arrived at the Lee's Summit station on Jan. 14, where the alleged shooter got off.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642418758538.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Jan. 14 shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Jan. 14 shooting investigation -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The federal lawsuit says the train continued on to the Independence stop, despite pleas from passengers to wait and get help for Aaron, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article259564104.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.Aaron was pronounced dead when the train arrived in Independence about 35 minutes later, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday by lawyers representing Aaron's widow and three children.The lawsuit accuses Amtrak of making “no effort” to get medical treatment for Aaron. It also alleges the company has lax security.An Amtrak spokeswoman said Sunday the organization could not comment on the lawsuit.Marquise Webb, 21, of Kansas City, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-arrests-kansas-city-independence-82241edc52a78997f855061e35baa9a4">charged&nbsp;</a>with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in Aaron’s killing.Webb is also charged in Jackson County with carjacking a man after he got off the train. He was arrested two weeks later after a standoff with Kansas City police. He is being held in the Jackson County jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

Family of man fatally shot on train near Kansas City sues Amtrak

COWLEY COUNTY —A large grass fire burned hundreds of acres Sunday in Cowley County as&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency in response to a high fire danger in much of the state.&nbsp;

Late Sunday afternoon, fire crews responded to the fire north of Maple City, south of the County State Lake east of Arkansas City, according to Cowley County Emergency Management.

The Kansas Forest Service provided assistance with Tanker 95 and staff&nbsp; assisting with resource coordination and air to ground communication.

U.S. Highway 166 was temporarily closed in the area as fire approached the&nbsp; highway. There are no reports of injury and no word on what caused the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647857539932.png" alt="Kansas Forest Service Tanker assisting to fight the fire on Sunday -photo courtesy Cowley County Fire District 3" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Forest Service Tanker assisting to fight the fire on Sunday -photo courtesy Cowley County Fire District 3</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —A large grass fire burned hundreds of acres Sunday in Cowley County as&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency in response to a high fire danger in much of the state.&nbsp;Late Sunday afternoon, fire crews responded to the fire north of Maple City, south of the County State Lake east of Arkansas City, according to Cowley County Emergency Management.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647859088237.png" alt="Photo courtesy Cowley County Fire District IV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Cowley County Fire District IV</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Forest Service provided assistance with Tanker 95 and staff&nbsp; assisting with resource coordination and air to ground communication.U.S. Highway 166 was temporarily closed in the area as fire approached the&nbsp; highway. There are no reports of injury and no word on what caused the fire.

Fire burns hundreds of acres as Kan. governor issues disaster declaration

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted two Kansas men on charges related to an inmate-run drug trafficking ring headquartered from a prison cell in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

Following the presentation of court documents and evidence at trial, a jury found 58-year-old Kevin Lewis and 45-year-old Travis Vontress both of Wichita guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to distribute cocaine powder, maintaining drug involved premises, and unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking,

A jury also convicted Lewis of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Vontress was also found guilty of possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Both men are scheduled for sentencing June 22.&nbsp;

Twenty-one defendants pled guilty to charges related to this case. They include Travis Knighten, 49, and Armando Luna, 43, both inmates at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Knighten served as the brains of the operation and while in prison, used cell phones to direct co-conspirators in Wichita in the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs. Knighten is serving a 90-year sentence for killing a prison guard in 1993. The other defendants, all of Wichita, are Richard Adams, 29, David Bell, 48, Frederick Collins, 49, Byron Fitchpatrick, 47, Eric Goodwin, 55, Dorzee Hill, 42, Santoria Hill, 53, Orlando Hogan, 46, Derek Hubbard, 46, Mario Ponds, 41, Otis Ponds, 43, Robert Richmond, 50, Kimberly Schmidtberger, 40, Shamtus Smallwood, 48, Kevin Walker, 56, Tia Ward, 42, Eddie Washington, 62, Trevor Wells, 41, and Dallas Williams, 40.

“This sophisticated criminal organization went to great lengths to conceal their illegal activities from law enforcement such as using code words for various narcotics and street names instead of actual names. These court convictions show that as criminals work to evade the law, there are prosecutors and law enforcement agencies working just as hard to bring them to justice,” said Duston Slinkard, U.S. Attorney – District of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647636423838.png" alt="Lewis is being held in Harvey Co." />
 <figcaption>Lewis is being held in Harvey Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted two Kansas men on charges related to an inmate-run drug trafficking ring headquartered from a prison cell in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;Following the presentation of court documents and evidence at trial, a jury found 58-year-old Kevin Lewis and 45-year-old Travis Vontress both of Wichita guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to distribute cocaine powder, maintaining drug involved premises, and unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking,A jury also convicted Lewis of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Vontress was also found guilty of possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Both men are scheduled for sentencing June 22.&nbsp;Twenty-one defendants pled guilty to charges related to this case. They include Travis Knighten, 49, and Armando Luna, 43, both inmates at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Knighten served as the brains of the operation and while in prison, used cell phones to direct co-conspirators in Wichita in the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs. Knighten is serving a 90-year sentence for killing a prison guard in 1993. The other defendants, all of Wichita, are Richard Adams, 29, David Bell, 48, Frederick Collins, 49, Byron Fitchpatrick, 47, Eric Goodwin, 55, Dorzee Hill, 42, Santoria Hill, 53, Orlando Hogan, 46, Derek Hubbard, 46, Mario Ponds, 41, Otis Ponds, 43, Robert Richmond, 50, Kimberly Schmidtberger, 40, Shamtus Smallwood, 48, Kevin Walker, 56, Tia Ward, 42, Eddie Washington, 62, Trevor Wells, 41, and Dallas Williams, 40.“This sophisticated criminal organization went to great lengths to conceal their illegal activities from law enforcement such as using code words for various narcotics and street names instead of actual names. These court convictions show that as criminals work to evade the law, there are prosecutors and law enforcement agencies working just as hard to bring them to justice,” said Duston Slinkard, U.S. Attorney – District of Kansas.

2 Kan. men convicted in prison based drug trafficking ring 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas has been hospitalized because of an infection, the Supreme Court said Sunday.

Thomas, 73, has been at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., since Friday after experiencing “flu-like symptoms,” the court said in a statement. The court offered no explanation for why it waited two days to disclose that the justice was in the hospital.

It also provided no additional details about the infection, but said Thomas is being treated with antibiotics and his symptoms are abating. He could released in the next couple of days, the court said.

The Supreme Court is meeting this week to hear arguments in four cases. Thomas plans to participate in the cases even if he misses the arguments, the court said. Thomas has been on the court since 1991.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647819512741.png" alt="Thomas photo courtesy U.S. Supreme Court" />
 <figcaption>Thomas photo courtesy U.S. Supreme Court</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK SHERMAN, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas has been hospitalized because of an infection, the Supreme Court said Sunday.Thomas, 73, has been at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., since Friday after experiencing “flu-like symptoms,” the court said in a statement. The court offered no explanation for why it waited two days to disclose that the justice was in the hospital.It also provided no additional details about the infection, but said Thomas is being treated with antibiotics and his symptoms are abating. He could released in the next couple of days, the court said.The Supreme Court is meeting this week to hear arguments in four cases. Thomas plans to participate in the cases even if he misses the arguments, the court said. Thomas has been on the court since 1991.

Justice Thomas hospitalized with infection, high court says

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting during a dispute in August of 2020.&nbsp;

A judge sentenced 26-year-old Donovan Harrington, 26, to just over 20 years in prison&nbsp; for the murder of Miguel Tapia, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; 

A jury found Harrington guilty of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Just after 7:30 a.m. August 17, 2020, police responded to a shooting call in the 600 block of South Armour Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. Upon arrival, officers located 27-year-old Miguel Tapia outside of a Nissan Pathfinder with gunshot wounds. Tapia was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The investigation&nbsp; revealed that Tapia was driving the Pathfinder with a suspect later identified as Harrington  and a 19-year-old and 20-year-old females as passengers. 

An argument ensued between Harrington and Tapia, and Harrington shot him. Harrington and the passengers ran from the vehicle and flagged down an unknowing driver to get a ride.

Harrington was arrested the following day during a vehicle stop in the 600 block of South Woodlawn, according to Wheeler.

Harrington has previously been convicted on of theft, criminal threat, aggravated robbery, Flee or elude law enforcement with five or more moving violations and was on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections at the time of the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597846708906.png" alt="Harrington-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Harrington-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting during a dispute in August of 2020.&nbsp;A judge sentenced 26-year-old Donovan Harrington, 26, to just over 20 years in prison&nbsp; for the murder of Miguel Tapia, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; A jury found Harrington guilty of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.Just after 7:30 a.m. August 17, 2020, police responded to a shooting call in the 600 block of South Armour Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. Upon arrival, officers located 27-year-old Miguel Tapia outside of a Nissan Pathfinder with gunshot wounds. Tapia was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.The investigation&nbsp; revealed that Tapia was driving the Pathfinder with a suspect later identified as Harrington and a 19-year-old and 20-year-old females as passengers. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597783835983.png" alt="On Tuesday, police asked the public for help to locate this teal F150 pickup that gave Harrington and the women a ride from the crime scene, according to Wheeler." />
 <figcaption>On Tuesday, police asked the public for help to locate this teal F150 pickup that gave Harrington and the women a ride from the crime scene, according to Wheeler.</figcaption>
 </figure>An argument ensued between Harrington and Tapia, and Harrington shot him. Harrington and the passengers ran from the vehicle and flagged down an unknowing driver to get a ride.Harrington was arrested the following day during a vehicle stop in the 600 block of South Woodlawn, according to Wheeler.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597701535023.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Harrington has previously been convicted on of theft, criminal threat, aggravated robbery, Flee or elude law enforcement with five or more moving violations and was on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections at the time of the shooting.--------------

Kan. man sentenced for killing during SUV ride with 2 women

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County officials say a person has died in a fire. County sheriff's Sgt. Eric Slay says the person died Sunday after a car started on fire in a field. 

Slay says the driver apparently was “doing doughnuts” in the field when the car became stuck and started on fire. The driver's body was found in the fire. Authorities have not identified the victim.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County officials say a person has died in a fire. County sheriff's Sgt. Eric Slay says the person died Sunday after a car started on fire in a field. Slay says the driver apparently was “doing doughnuts” in the field when the car became stuck and started on fire. The driver's body was found in the fire. Authorities have not identified the victim.

Person reported dead in Kansas grass fire

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 2a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a spray painted 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in the 2400 block of SW Fillmore Street for driving with an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, Christopher L. Allen (39) of Topeka, had a suspended driver’s license and two warrants for his arrest out of Shawnee County. During the investigation, the deputy located illegal narcotics.

Allen was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his warrants and on requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended driver’s license, vehicle registration violations and no vehicle liability insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647609449425.png" alt="Allen-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Allen-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just before 2a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a spray painted 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in the 2400 block of SW Fillmore Street for driving with an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, Christopher L. Allen (39) of Topeka, had a suspended driver’s license and two warrants for his arrest out of Shawnee County. During the investigation, the deputy located illegal narcotics.Allen was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his warrants and on requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended driver’s license, vehicle registration violations and no vehicle liability insurance.

Wanted Kan. suspect was driving spray-painted truck with expired plates

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-03-18/more-and-more-kansas-libraries-are-fine-with-you-not-paying-overdue-fees">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — Kate Webb and her 2-year-old son, Teddy, sat
 in the children’s section of Wichita’s Advanced Learning Library 
watching an educational video about animal sounds on a brightly colored 
monitor.

“What’s that?” Teddy asked, pointing.

“That’s an owl,” his mother said. “Hoooo, hoooo!”

The
 pair sang along to a chorus of “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and then headed for 
the shelves of picture books, where Teddy collected a pile to check out.

“He’s my COVID baby, so this is our first time here,” Webb said. “His big sister loves this place.”

Kansas
 libraries are finally open for business as usual, and many are 
encouraging readers to revisit by eliminating overdue fines and clearing
 patrons of their debt. That could particularly increase use of 
libraries by people with the lowest incomes.

The State Library of 
Kansas tracks statistics for 320 library systems. Of those, about 
two-thirds don’t charge fines for late materials — and the number is 
growing.

“It’s definitely a trend that’s been building over time, 
and the pandemic has something to do with it,” said Cindy Roupe, the 
state’s acting librarian.

Most libraries that closed branches or 
reduced their operating hours during the pandemic decided to suspend 
overdue fines, Roupe said. “Then some libraries said, ‘Let’s just make 
this permanent.’”

The Wichita Public Library’s board of directors recently approved a plan to <a href="https://www.wichitalibrary.org/About/LibraryBoard/2022-02-15%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf" target="_blank">do away with late fees</a>. The Wichita City Council will have the final say on the plan during budget talks this summer.

“It’s
 really something that is based in the fundamentals of how libraries 
have always lived, which is about making sure that everybody has 
access,” said Jaime Prothro, the <a href="https://www.wichita.gov/News/Pages/2021-09-21a.aspx#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Wichita%20today,Library%20and%20six%20branch%20libraries." target="_blank">city’s library director</a>.
 “We’re looking at how we can re-engage members of the community who 
aren’t using us regularly — or haven’t over the course of many years.”

About
 half of Wichita’s residents have a library card, Prothro said. But 
right now about 44,000 of them are blocked from checking out materials 
because they owe more than $10 in fees.

When library officials 
mapped those fines by address, they learned that households in 
low-income areas of the city owed the most. That means late fees are 
driving away groups who stand to benefit the most from free resources, 
Prothro said.

“A lot of communities are looking at the financial and racial equity that this kind of change can have,” she said.

More
 than three-fourths of children in the Wichita school district qualify 
for free or reduced-price lunch, which is an indicator of poverty. 
Prothro said eliminating library fines could help early literacy 
efforts.

“When we did outreach to schools and talked with 
students, their parents were often preventing them from getting that 
card because of the worry about the financial overhead of borrowing,” 
she said.

The Urban Libraries Council says nearly every state in the country has at least one <a href="https://www.urbanlibraries.org/resources/fine-free-map" target="_blank">public library that has gone fine-free</a>.

The Kansas City, Missouri, Public Library dropped overdue charges in 2019 with a policy it calls <a href="https://kclibrary.org/finefree" target="_blank">“Freedom from Fines.”</a> That same year, the <a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/governance/council/council_documents/2019_ms_council_docs/ALA%20CD%2038%20RESOLUTION%20ON%20MONETARY%20LIBRARY%20FINES%20AS%20A%20FORM%20OF%20SOCIAL%20JUSTICE%20Revised%201_27_0.pdf" target="_blank">American Library Association issued a resolution</a> calling fines a form of “social inequity” and urged libraries to find ways to eliminate them.

The Lawrence Public Library <a href="https://lplks.org/the-library-is-now-fine-free/" target="_blank">went fine-free in January 2020</a>,
 saying that eliminating punitive overdue fines “removes an access 
barrier and ensures that everyone can learn, connect, create, and grow –
 equally.”

Lawrence borrowers are still charged for lost or 
damaged items, but charges are dropped for lost items returned in good 
condition.

Under Wichita’s current fee structure, the library 
charges 25 cents a day for books and most other items past their due 
date. Blu-rays and DVDs cost $1 a day.

That may not sound like 
much. But if you visit the library with several children and they each 
check out several books, late fees can pile up quickly.

“One of 
the … philosophies behind this is to really recognize that people have 
lives. People have busy lives, and the library's role is to eliminate as
 many barriers as possible so that people can freely and, without worry,
 be able to borrow,” Prothro said.

In October, the Wichita library system <a href="https://www.wichitalibrary.org/About/LibraryBoard/2021-10-19%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf" target="_blank">eliminated its 25-cent hold fee</a> to reserve a book or transfer it to a different branch. Prothro said more people are <a href="https://catalog.wichitalibrary.org/Polaris/" target="_blank">searching the online catalog</a> and placing more holds.

If
 late fees are eliminated, patrons would still have due dates for 
materials they check out. But they’d have a two-week grace period to 
return the item without penalty. After that, they’d be required to 
return the item or pay a replacement fee to check out more materials.

“It
 really does shift the worry away from our borrowers, as far as, ‘I'm 
gonna make a mistake in my life, and then owe money.’ I think that 
everybody hates that,” Prothro said.

A 2019 study showed that libraries that go fine-free see <a href="https://lplks.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/56/2019/12/Fines-1.pdf" target="_blank">no significant difference in return rates</a>. After a Colorado library system eliminated overdue fines in 2015, officials reported that 95% of materials were <a href="https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/removingbarrierstoaccess" target="_blank">returned within a week</a> of their due date.

Along
 the same lines, libraries with amnesty programs see large numbers of 
long-overdue or lost items returned after the fear of fines disappears.

Eliminating
 overdue charges would cut the Wichita library’s revenue by about 
$13,000 a year, she said — about 5% of its overall budget. But library 
officials say the benefits for both patrons and staff would outweigh the
 financial hit.

“I suspect that it costs more in staff time to try
 to get those fines than what they bring in,” said Roupe, the state 
librarian. “That is staff time that could be better spent doing other 
things.”

Amnesty from late fees might get Wichita residents to 
bring back nearly 30,000 unreturned items, which are valued at more than
 $570,000. But more importantly, said Prothro, the Wichita librarian, it
 might get them back in the doors.

“We want to be the busiest 
place in town,” she said. “It’s the only place in our city where you 
aren't expected to spend money. You can come in here, pluck a book off 
the shelf and just sit here and enjoy. You’re welcome here.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647622048592.png" alt="Wichita is one of the city's ditching library fines. Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Wichita is one of the city's ditching library fines. Suzanne Perez / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-03-18/more-and-more-kansas-libraries-are-fine-with-you-not-paying-overdue-fees">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — Kate Webb and her 2-year-old son, Teddy, sat
 in the children’s section of Wichita’s Advanced Learning Library 
watching an educational video about animal sounds on a brightly colored 
monitor.“What’s that?” Teddy asked, pointing.“That’s an owl,” his mother said. “Hoooo, hoooo!”The
 pair sang along to a chorus of “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and then headed for 
the shelves of picture books, where Teddy collected a pile to check out.“He’s my COVID baby, so this is our first time here,” Webb said. “His big sister loves this place.”Kansas
 libraries are finally open for business as usual, and many are 
encouraging readers to revisit by eliminating overdue fines and clearing
 patrons of their debt. That could particularly increase use of 
libraries by people with the lowest incomes.The State Library of 
Kansas tracks statistics for 320 library systems. Of those, about 
two-thirds don’t charge fines for late materials — and the number is 
growing.“It’s definitely a trend that’s been building over time, 
and the pandemic has something to do with it,” said Cindy Roupe, the 
state’s acting librarian.Most libraries that closed branches or 
reduced their operating hours during the pandemic decided to suspend 
overdue fines, Roupe said. “Then some libraries said, ‘Let’s just make 
this permanent.’”The Wichita Public Library’s board of directors recently approved a plan to <a href="https://www.wichitalibrary.org/About/LibraryBoard/2022-02-15%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf" target="_blank">do away with late fees</a>. The Wichita City Council will have the final say on the plan during budget talks this summer.“It’s
 really something that is based in the fundamentals of how libraries 
have always lived, which is about making sure that everybody has 
access,” said Jaime Prothro, the <a href="https://www.wichita.gov/News/Pages/2021-09-21a.aspx#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Wichita%20today,Library%20and%20six%20branch%20libraries." target="_blank">city’s library director</a>.
 “We’re looking at how we can re-engage members of the community who 
aren’t using us regularly — or haven’t over the course of many years.”About
 half of Wichita’s residents have a library card, Prothro said. But 
right now about 44,000 of them are blocked from checking out materials 
because they owe more than $10 in fees.When library officials 
mapped those fines by address, they learned that households in 
low-income areas of the city owed the most. That means late fees are 
driving away groups who stand to benefit the most from free resources, 
Prothro said.“A lot of communities are looking at the financial and racial equity that this kind of change can have,” she said.More
 than three-fourths of children in the Wichita school district qualify 
for free or reduced-price lunch, which is an indicator of poverty. 
Prothro said eliminating library fines could help early literacy 
efforts.“When we did outreach to schools and talked with 
students, their parents were often preventing them from getting that 
card because of the worry about the financial overhead of borrowing,” 
she said.The Urban Libraries Council says nearly every state in the country has at least one <a href="https://www.urbanlibraries.org/resources/fine-free-map" target="_blank">public library that has gone fine-free</a>.The Kansas City, Missouri, Public Library dropped overdue charges in 2019 with a policy it calls <a href="https://kclibrary.org/finefree" target="_blank">“Freedom from Fines.”</a> That same year, the <a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/governance/council/council_documents/2019_ms_council_docs/ALA%20CD%2038%20RESOLUTION%20ON%20MONETARY%20LIBRARY%20FINES%20AS%20A%20FORM%20OF%20SOCIAL%20JUSTICE%20Revised%201_27_0.pdf" target="_blank">American Library Association issued a resolution</a> calling fines a form of “social inequity” and urged libraries to find ways to eliminate them.The Lawrence Public Library <a href="https://lplks.org/the-library-is-now-fine-free/" target="_blank">went fine-free in January 2020</a>,
 saying that eliminating punitive overdue fines “removes an access 
barrier and ensures that everyone can learn, connect, create, and grow –
 equally.”Lawrence borrowers are still charged for lost or 
damaged items, but charges are dropped for lost items returned in good 
condition.Under Wichita’s current fee structure, the library 
charges 25 cents a day for books and most other items past their due 
date. Blu-rays and DVDs cost $1 a day.That may not sound like 
much. But if you visit the library with several children and they each 
check out several books, late fees can pile up quickly.“One of 
the … philosophies behind this is to really recognize that people have 
lives. People have busy lives, and the library's role is to eliminate as
 many barriers as possible so that people can freely and, without worry,
 be able to borrow,” Prothro said.In October, the Wichita library system <a href="https://www.wichitalibrary.org/About/LibraryBoard/2021-10-19%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf" target="_blank">eliminated its 25-cent hold fee</a> to reserve a book or transfer it to a different branch. Prothro said more people are <a href="https://catalog.wichitalibrary.org/Polaris/" target="_blank">searching the online catalog</a> and placing more holds.If
 late fees are eliminated, patrons would still have due dates for 
materials they check out. But they’d have a two-week grace period to 
return the item without penalty. After that, they’d be required to 
return the item or pay a replacement fee to check out more materials.“It
 really does shift the worry away from our borrowers, as far as, ‘I'm 
gonna make a mistake in my life, and then owe money.’ I think that 
everybody hates that,” Prothro said.A 2019 study showed that libraries that go fine-free see <a href="https://lplks.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/56/2019/12/Fines-1.pdf" target="_blank">no significant difference in return rates</a>. After a Colorado library system eliminated overdue fines in 2015, officials reported that 95% of materials were <a href="https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/removingbarrierstoaccess" target="_blank">returned within a week</a> of their due date.Along
 the same lines, libraries with amnesty programs see large numbers of 
long-overdue or lost items returned after the fear of fines disappears.Eliminating
 overdue charges would cut the Wichita library’s revenue by about 
$13,000 a year, she said — about 5% of its overall budget. But library 
officials say the benefits for both patrons and staff would outweigh the
 financial hit.“I suspect that it costs more in staff time to try
 to get those fines than what they bring in,” said Roupe, the state 
librarian. “That is staff time that could be better spent doing other 
things.”Amnesty from late fees might get Wichita residents to 
bring back nearly 30,000 unreturned items, which are valued at more than
 $570,000. But more importantly, said Prothro, the Wichita librarian, it
 might get them back in the doors.“We want to be the busiest 
place in town,” she said. “It’s the only place in our city where you 
aren't expected to spend money. You can come in here, pluck a book off 
the shelf and just sit here and enjoy. You’re welcome here.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

More and more Kansas libraries are fine with no overdue fees 

Nuremberg, Germany —&nbsp;U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran were in Germany Sunday visiting with Kansans deployed to the region including troops from Fort Riley.&nbsp;

The Senators from Kansas are in eastern Europe to gain more insight on needed security support for Ukraine and NATO readiness as Russia wages war.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647785693574.png" alt="Photos courtesy office of Senator Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy office of Senator Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>Nuremberg, Germany —&nbsp;U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran were in Germany Sunday visiting with Kansans deployed to the region including troops from Fort Riley.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/612KL2JflgI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Senators from Kansas are in eastern Europe to gain more insight on needed security support for Ukraine and NATO readiness as Russia wages war.

Moran, Marshall visit with Fort Riley troops, Kansans deployed to Germany

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has declared a state of emergency in response to a high fire danger in much of the state.

The governor's office said in a news release Sunday that fire dangers are high, with the western third of Kansas under extreme fire danger warnings. All outdoor burning should be avoided on Sunday. Kelly's verbal declaration will allow state resources to be used to help respond and recover from fire damage.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has declared a state of emergency in response to a high fire danger in much of the state.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Extreme grassland fire danger is expected to develop across the area this afternoon. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for all of Kansas. Avoid outdoor burning today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/g0deqmP0qi">pic.twitter.com/g0deqmP0qi</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1505475636667723778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The governor's office said in a news release Sunday that fire dangers are high, with the western third of Kansas under extreme fire danger warnings. All outdoor burning should be avoided on Sunday. Kelly's verbal declaration will allow state resources to be used to help respond and recover from fire damage.

Kan. governor issues disaster declaration as fire danger high

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government has provided more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-emergency-management-federal-emergency-management-agency-0b63f9fcbf4ea0c5948adddc53e6b1c7">$2 billion to help cover funeral costs</a>&nbsp;for more than 300,000 families of people who died from COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness about the aid to eligible families. More than 965,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance" target="_blank">COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program</a>&nbsp;provides up to $9,000 per funeral and covers COVID-19 related deaths since Jan. 20, 2020. The average amount awarded per death is $6,500, according to FEMA.

“FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program has helped provide over 300,000 people with critical financial relief during a time of such unexpected, unimaginable and widespread loss,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell in a statement.

The agency is launching a new paid ad campaign in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas targeted at areas with large rates of COVID-19 deaths but lower rates of reimbursement requests to help connect people to available assistance. The agency is also reaching out to community groups and local media outlets to help publicize the program.

“Our new outreach campaign is designed to reach families, especially across underserved communities, where the cost of a funeral can be a financial burden to a loved one,” said Criswell. “Our goal is to help families apply for assistance, as well as submit all required documents for existing applications.”

To be eligible for reimbursement, death certificates for those who died after May 16, 2020, must indicate that the death was attributed to COVID-19.

For deaths that occurred in the early months of the pandemic — from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020 — death certificates must be accompanied with a signed statement from a medical examiner, coroner or the certifying official listed on the certificate indicating that COVID-19 was the cause or a contributing cause of death.

Expenses covered under the FEMA program include funeral services, cremation and interment, as well as the costs for caskets or urns, burial plots or cremation niches, markers or headstones, transportation or transfer of remains, clergy or officiant services, and the use of funeral home equipment or staff.

The program was first signed into law in the waning days of President Donald Trump’s administration but began accepting applications weeks into President Joe Biden’s term. The initial bill provided $2 billion for the funeral assistance, which was exhausted in recent days. Funding going forward will come from Biden’s 2021 relief bill known as the “American Rescue Plan.”

FEMA is not accepting online applications for the reimbursement program. People eligible are directed to call the agency’s helpline 844-684-6333 where they will be prompted to submit the required documentation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government has provided more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-emergency-management-federal-emergency-management-agency-0b63f9fcbf4ea0c5948adddc53e6b1c7">$2 billion to help cover funeral costs</a>&nbsp;for more than 300,000 families of people who died from COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness about the aid to eligible families. More than 965,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance" target="_blank">COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program</a>&nbsp;provides up to $9,000 per funeral and covers COVID-19 related deaths since Jan. 20, 2020. The average amount awarded per death is $6,500, according to FEMA.“FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program has helped provide over 300,000 people with critical financial relief during a time of such unexpected, unimaginable and widespread loss,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell in a statement.The agency is launching a new paid ad campaign in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas targeted at areas with large rates of COVID-19 deaths but lower rates of reimbursement requests to help connect people to available assistance. The agency is also reaching out to community groups and local media outlets to help publicize the program.“Our new outreach campaign is designed to reach families, especially across underserved communities, where the cost of a funeral can be a financial burden to a loved one,” said Criswell. “Our goal is to help families apply for assistance, as well as submit all required documents for existing applications.”To be eligible for reimbursement, death certificates for those who died after May 16, 2020, must indicate that the death was attributed to COVID-19.For deaths that occurred in the early months of the pandemic — from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020 — death certificates must be accompanied with a signed statement from a medical examiner, coroner or the certifying official listed on the certificate indicating that COVID-19 was the cause or a contributing cause of death.Expenses covered under the FEMA program include funeral services, cremation and interment, as well as the costs for caskets or urns, burial plots or cremation niches, markers or headstones, transportation or transfer of remains, clergy or officiant services, and the use of funeral home equipment or staff.The program was first signed into law in the waning days of President Donald Trump’s administration but began accepting applications weeks into President Joe Biden’s term. The initial bill provided $2 billion for the funeral assistance, which was exhausted in recent days. Funding going forward will come from Biden’s 2021 relief bill known as the “American Rescue Plan.”FEMA is not accepting online applications for the reimbursement program. People eligible are directed to call the agency’s helpline 844-684-6333 where they will be prompted to submit the required documentation.___

US funeral assistance for COVID tops $2B, more eligible

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis released his long-awaited reform program of the Holy See bureaucracy on Saturday that envisages greater decision-making roles for the laity and gives new institutional weight to efforts to fight clerical sex abuse.

The 54-page text, titled “Praedicate Evanglium,” or “Proclaiming the Gospel,” replaces the founding constitution “Pastor Bonus” that was penned by St. John Paul II in 1988.

Francis was elected pope in 2013 in large part on his promise to reform the bulky and inefficient Vatican bureaucracy, which acts as the organ of central governance for the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church. He named a Cabinet of cardinal advisers who have met periodically since his election to help him draft the changes.

Much of the reform work has been rolled out piecemeal over the years, with offices consolidated and financial reforms issued. But the publication of the new document, for now only in Italian, finalizes the process and puts it into effect in June.

The document was released Saturday, the ninth anniversary of Francis’ installation as pope and the feast of St. Joseph, an important figure to Francis’ ministry.

The new reform emphasizes the missionary and charitable focus of the church as well as the need for the Vatican to be at service both to the pope and local dioceses. It envisages greater roles for laity, making explicitly clear that lay people — not just priests, bishops or cardinals — can head a major Vatican office, and that all staff should reflect the geographic universality of the church.

In one of the major changes, it brings the pope’s advisory commission on preventing sexual abuse into the Vatican’s powerful doctrine office which oversees the canonical investigations of abuse cases.

Previously, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors existed as an ad hoc commission that reported to the pope but had no real institutional weight or power. It often found itself at odds with the more powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which reviews all cases of abuse.

Now the advisory commission is part of the newly named Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where presumably its members who include abuse survivors can exert influence on the decisions taken by the prelates who weigh whether predator priests are sanctioned and how.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads the pontifical commission, welcomed the change and said it was evidence of Francis’ effort to promote a stronger culture of safeguarding within the Vatican and wider church.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635514031020.png" alt="President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican in Nov. 2020-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican in Nov. 2020-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Francis released his long-awaited reform program of the Holy See bureaucracy on Saturday that envisages greater decision-making roles for the laity and gives new institutional weight to efforts to fight clerical sex abuse.The 54-page text, titled “Praedicate Evanglium,” or “Proclaiming the Gospel,” replaces the founding constitution “Pastor Bonus” that was penned by St. John Paul II in 1988.Francis was elected pope in 2013 in large part on his promise to reform the bulky and inefficient Vatican bureaucracy, which acts as the organ of central governance for the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church. He named a Cabinet of cardinal advisers who have met periodically since his election to help him draft the changes.Much of the reform work has been rolled out piecemeal over the years, with offices consolidated and financial reforms issued. But the publication of the new document, for now only in Italian, finalizes the process and puts it into effect in June.The document was released Saturday, the ninth anniversary of Francis’ installation as pope and the feast of St. Joseph, an important figure to Francis’ ministry.The new reform emphasizes the missionary and charitable focus of the church as well as the need for the Vatican to be at service both to the pope and local dioceses. It envisages greater roles for laity, making explicitly clear that lay people — not just priests, bishops or cardinals — can head a major Vatican office, and that all staff should reflect the geographic universality of the church.In one of the major changes, it brings the pope’s advisory commission on preventing sexual abuse into the Vatican’s powerful doctrine office which oversees the canonical investigations of abuse cases.Previously, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors existed as an ad hoc commission that reported to the pope but had no real institutional weight or power. It often found itself at odds with the more powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which reviews all cases of abuse.Now the advisory commission is part of the newly named Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where presumably its members who include abuse survivors can exert influence on the decisions taken by the prelates who weigh whether predator priests are sanctioned and how.Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads the pontifical commission, welcomed the change and said it was evidence of Francis’ effort to promote a stronger culture of safeguarding within the Vatican and wider church.“For the first time, Pope Francis has made safeguarding and the protection of minors a fundamental part of the structure of the church’s central government: the Roman Curia,” O’Malley said in a statement. “Maintaining its status as a separate body within the dicastery that enjoys direct access to the Holy Father and with its own leadership and staffing, the renewed and re-affirmed Pontifical Commission will play an increasingly incisive role in ensuring the church is a safe place for children and vulnerable persons.”Other changes involve making the pope’s personal envoy for charity and alms into the head of a dicastery in its own right, making clear the importance that this service-oriented job has for Francis. The position is currently headed by Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who recently headed a humanitarian mission to Ukraine on behalf of the pope.In addition, two Vatican offices for evangelization are merging into one Dicastery for Evangelization. Previously the Vatican had an entire parallel bureaucracy dedicated to supporting the church in the developing world where Catholics are a minority, with another office dedicated to reviving the faith in countries where Catholicism is already heavily present. The new office combines them and is headed by the pope, assisted by two deputy prefects.Overall, the reform document calls for a “healthy decentralization” to give more decision-making authority to local bishops rather than have Rome continue to be the central clearing-house for governance decisions. But the text also makes clear that such authority cannot touch on matters of “doctrine, discipline and communion,” a warning that individual bishops conferences cannot stray from core tenets of church teaching.It seeks to break down the siloed nature of the bureaucracy, in which each congregation operated on its own fiefdom, by seeking to encourage greater communication and collaboration among offices. In a break with the past, it calls for the heads of Vatican offices to meet regularly as a group with the pope rather than just individually. In essence, it calls for the Vatican bureaucracy to function more like a Cabinet that meets regularly with the head of state.It makes clear that each “dicastery” as the departments are known, are considered equal to one another. Previously the Vatican secretariat of state had an outsized role of influence and importance, followed closely by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Now, all dicasteries are equal.