TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are close to authorizing more than $1 billion in state incentives in hopes of attracting an undisclosed, $4 billion project from an unnamed company.

The Republican-controlled House&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220208153724_561436/" target="_blank">voted 80-41</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to approve&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb347_04_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would set up a new program within the state Department of Commerce to offer such a big package of incentives to a single company this year and another firm again in 2023. The GOP-controlled Senate expects to vote on the measure Wednesday, and its approval would send it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

The bill also would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-topeka-15b9bbc969b7a90b3191bcab9a337dc5">cut the state’s corporate income tax</a>&nbsp;by a half-percentage point with each deal.

Kelly pushed for a new incentives program in hopes of luring the $4 billion project to Kansas. Officials have said Kansas is competing with another state and that the company expects to make a decision on the site for its project within three weeks.

Lawmakers in both parties remained frustrated that details about the company or its proposed project haven’t been disclosed publicly.

Kelly’s version of the measure would have allowed more incentives over a shorter period of time. Republicans rewrote the bill to make it less generous, spread out the incentives over a longer time and require legislative leaders to sign off on a deal.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are close to authorizing more than $1 billion in state incentives in hopes of attracting an undisclosed, $4 billion project from an unnamed company.The Republican-controlled House&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20220208153724_561436/" target="_blank">voted 80-41</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to approve&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/supp_note_sb347_04_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would set up a new program within the state Department of Commerce to offer such a big package of incentives to a single company this year and another firm again in 2023. The GOP-controlled Senate expects to vote on the measure Wednesday, and its approval would send it to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.The bill also would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-topeka-15b9bbc969b7a90b3191bcab9a337dc5">cut the state’s corporate income tax</a>&nbsp;by a half-percentage point with each deal.Kelly pushed for a new incentives program in hopes of luring the $4 billion project to Kansas. Officials have said Kansas is competing with another state and that the company expects to make a decision on the site for its project within three weeks.Lawmakers in both parties remained frustrated that details about the company or its proposed project haven’t been disclosed publicly.Kelly’s version of the measure would have allowed more incentives over a shorter period of time. Republicans rewrote the bill to make it less generous, spread out the incentives over a longer time and require legislative leaders to sign off on a deal.

Kansas plan for $1B-plus in breaks for project nears passage

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force became the second military service to approve religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, granting requests from nine airmen to avoid the shots, officials said Tuesday.

The nine approved so far represent just a tiny fraction of the more than 6,400 requested by Air Force troops, and they come as other service members are challenging the lack of religious exemptions in court cases. The Marine Corps is the only other military service to grant any religious accommodations, allowing three so far. The Army and Navy have not approved any.

The services have come under criticism for their failure to grant religious exemptions, with members of Congress, the military and the public questioning if the review processes have been fair. All together, the services have received more than 14,000 requests for religious exemptions.

Military leaders have argued that religious exemptions to any of the many vaccines troops are required to get have been very rare over the years. Service members are required to get as many as 17 different vaccines, depending on where they deploy.

A federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction last month, stopping the Navy from acting against 35 sailors for refusing on religious grounds to comply with an order to get the COVID vaccine.

Eight of the Air Force approvals came during the initial review process, and one was granted on appeal to senior Air Force leaders. So far, religious exemption requests from more than 3,200 airmen were denied, and another 3,200 are pending.

“The Department of the Air Force determined the service members’ accommodations could be supported with no impact to mission readiness,” the statement Tuesday said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and military leaders have argued that the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. And all of the services have now either discharged personnel for refusing the vaccine, or put a system in place to do so.

The Marine Corps has discharged 469, the Air Force has discharged 179 and the Navy has discharged 118, according to data released in the last week. The number include active-duty personnel and entry-level recruits who were still in boot camp. The Army has issued more than 3,000 formal letters of reprimand, and fired six soldiers, but has not discharged anyone yet.

All the military services have said the exemption decisions are based not only on the individual request, but also on its impact on the unit, its mission and readiness, and the health and safety of other troops.

Those who get an exemption and are allowed to stay in the service may, however, see an impact on their jobs.

The Navy and the Marine Corps have said unvaccinated service members are not allowed to deploy out to sea on ships, where infections can more easily spread. Those who have approved exemptions — either medical, administrative or religious — are assigned to shore duties.

At least 97% of the troops in each service have gotten at least one shot.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force became the second military service to approve religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, granting requests from nine airmen to avoid the shots, officials said Tuesday.The nine approved so far represent just a tiny fraction of the more than 6,400 requested by Air Force troops, and they come as other service members are challenging the lack of religious exemptions in court cases. The Marine Corps is the only other military service to grant any religious accommodations, allowing three so far. The Army and Navy have not approved any.The services have come under criticism for their failure to grant religious exemptions, with members of Congress, the military and the public questioning if the review processes have been fair. All together, the services have received more than 14,000 requests for religious exemptions.Military leaders have argued that religious exemptions to any of the many vaccines troops are required to get have been very rare over the years. Service members are required to get as many as 17 different vaccines, depending on where they deploy.A federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction last month, stopping the Navy from acting against 35 sailors for refusing on religious grounds to comply with an order to get the COVID vaccine.Eight of the Air Force approvals came during the initial review process, and one was granted on appeal to senior Air Force leaders. So far, religious exemption requests from more than 3,200 airmen were denied, and another 3,200 are pending.“The Department of the Air Force determined the service members’ accommodations could be supported with no impact to mission readiness,” the statement Tuesday said.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and military leaders have argued that the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. And all of the services have now either discharged personnel for refusing the vaccine, or put a system in place to do so.The Marine Corps has discharged 469, the Air Force has discharged 179 and the Navy has discharged 118, according to data released in the last week. The number include active-duty personnel and entry-level recruits who were still in boot camp. The Army has issued more than 3,000 formal letters of reprimand, and fired six soldiers, but has not discharged anyone yet.All the military services have said the exemption decisions are based not only on the individual request, but also on its impact on the unit, its mission and readiness, and the health and safety of other troops.Those who get an exemption and are allowed to stay in the service may, however, see an impact on their jobs.The Navy and the Marine Corps have said unvaccinated service members are not allowed to deploy out to sea on ships, where infections can more easily spread. Those who have approved exemptions — either medical, administrative or religious — are assigned to shore duties.At least 97% of the troops in each service have gotten at least one shot.

Air Force approves religious exemptions for COVID vaccine

RUSH COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Rush County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a Black 2006 GMC Envoy in connection with the homicide of 61-year-old Leslie Randa of La Crosse on January 21.

 The vehicle has Kansas tag 463HAE&nbsp; and front grill guard is chrome. 

 The SUV was observed in Wichita after Randa was killed, and may still be in the Wichita area. 

If anyone saw this SUV on January 11, or after, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME, or the Rush County Sheriff’s Office at 785-222-2578.

Leslie Randa, 61, was discovered in his home, located at 205 E 5th St in LaCrosse, Kan. Randa was found by a family member who then contacted 911 at 1:39 p.m. on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643198011225.png" alt="Photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSH COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Rush County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a Black 2006 GMC Envoy in connection with the homicide of 61-year-old Leslie Randa of La Crosse on January 21. The vehicle has Kansas tag 463HAE&nbsp; and front grill guard is chrome. The SUV was observed in Wichita after Randa was killed, and may still be in the Wichita area. If anyone saw this SUV on January 11, or after, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME, or the Rush County Sheriff’s Office at 785-222-2578.Leslie Randa, 61, was discovered in his home, located at 205 E 5th St in LaCrosse, Kan. Randa was found by a family member who then contacted 911 at 1:39 p.m. on Friday.

Search continues for vehicle connected to  Kan. homicide investigation

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Federally funded family planning clinics can continue to make abortion referrals for now, a federal court ruled Tuesday, in a setback for a dozen Republican attorneys general who have sued to restore a Trump-era ban on the practice.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati denied a request by the 12 states to pause rules for the federal government’s family planning program while their case is heard. The states were eager to stop implementation before the next round of federal grants starts rolling out in March.

At issue are new rules from President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services that returned the federal family planning program, called Title X, to how it ran under the Obama administration, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.

Rules that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who brought the lawsuit, wants permanently reinstated were put into place in 2019 under former President Donald Trump. One required federally funded family planning clinics to be physically and financially independent of abortion clinics. The other required them to refrain from referring patients for abortions.

He argues the rules were intended as firewalls between family planning clinics, which can receive taxpayer funding, and their abortion services, which cannot.

U.S District Judge Timothy Black rejected that argument in a ruling last month, denying a preliminary injunction that would have temporarily paused the rules. The 12 states appealed his decision to the 6th Circuit. which said they failed to prove they’d be irreparably harmed by the rules going into effect.

States joining the challenge are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia. Not all states participate in Title X.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Federally funded family planning clinics can continue to make abortion referrals for now, a federal court ruled Tuesday, in a setback for a dozen Republican attorneys general who have sued to restore a Trump-era ban on the practice.The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati denied a request by the 12 states to pause rules for the federal government’s family planning program while their case is heard. The states were eager to stop implementation before the next round of federal grants starts rolling out in March.At issue are new rules from President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services that returned the federal family planning program, called Title X, to how it ran under the Obama administration, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.Rules that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who brought the lawsuit, wants permanently reinstated were put into place in 2019 under former President Donald Trump. One required federally funded family planning clinics to be physically and financially independent of abortion clinics. The other required them to refrain from referring patients for abortions.He argues the rules were intended as firewalls between family planning clinics, which can receive taxpayer funding, and their abortion services, which cannot.U.S District Judge Timothy Black rejected that argument in a ruling last month, denying a preliminary injunction that would have temporarily paused the rules. The 12 states appealed his decision to the 6th Circuit. which said they failed to prove they’d be irreparably harmed by the rules going into effect.States joining the challenge are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia. Not all states participate in Title X.

Appeals court rules in Biden’s favor on abortion referrals

SEDGWICK COUNTU-&nbsp;A former Kansas high school teacher who admitted being sexually attracted to children was sentenced Friday for sexual exploitation of a child.

Shawn Winfield, 49, was sentenced to 36 months probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In November he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Wingfield resigned in July from teaching gifted English and debate at Wichita Northwest High School. 

The investigation began after a woman Wingfield dated turned over what she considered worrisome text messages to police. A court affidavit said Winfield admitted to being sexually attracted to 11- to 14-year-old children.&nbsp;

At the time of his surprise resignation, Wingfield wrote on social media, "This morning, for reasons involving personal health and well being, I resigned from Wichita Public Schools. Without going into details, I have come to believe that this is not only the best decision for myself, but also for the district and my students. And while I do regret the timing of this decision so close to the start of the new school year, I believe that to stay any longer would prove to be a greater inconvenience to everyone in the end."

He then added, "Time for me to check out for a while.  A little earlier than I had hoped.  See everyone, I hope, on the other side."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627295318183.png" alt="Wingfield-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Wingfield-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTU-&nbsp;A former Kansas high school teacher who admitted being sexually attracted to children was sentenced Friday for sexual exploitation of a child.Shawn Winfield, 49, was sentenced to 36 months probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In November he pleaded guilty to the charges.Wingfield resigned in July from teaching gifted English and debate at Wichita Northwest High School. The investigation began after a woman Wingfield dated turned over what she considered worrisome text messages to police. A court affidavit said Winfield admitted to being sexually attracted to 11- to 14-year-old children.&nbsp;At the time of his surprise resignation, Wingfield wrote on social media, "This morning, for reasons involving personal health and well being, I resigned from Wichita Public Schools. Without going into details, I have come to believe that this is not only the best decision for myself, but also for the district and my students. And while I do regret the timing of this decision so close to the start of the new school year, I believe that to stay any longer would prove to be a greater inconvenience to everyone in the end."He then added, "Time for me to check out for a while. A little earlier than I had hoped. See everyone, I hope, on the other side."------------

Kan. man sentenced after date turned him in for child porn on phone

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans on Tuesday revived a redistricting plan that would make it harder for the only&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Democrat in Congress to win reelection, engineering a second-chance override of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of the measure in the state Senate.

The Senate vote Tuesday was 27-11 and gave Republican leaders exactly the two-thirds majority they needed, with two GOP senators abstaining. The measure goes next to the House, which has a month to decide whether to override Kelly's veto and make the new district lines law. It wasn't clear whether Republicans yet have the necessary two-thirds majority there, but they are close.

Republican senators faced questions from their colleagues and reporters about how much legislative horse-trading led up to Tuesday's vote. The first veto override attempt on Monday failed, 24-15, because four GOP senators broke with their leaders. The Republican-controlled Legislature's rules allow lawmakers to reconsider any action by the next day.

“I hope whoever got them to change their mind will get what it is they bargained for,” said Democratic state Sen. David Haley, of Kansas City, which is split under the map. “It lends discredit to this process.”

Even if the House overrides Kelly's veto, the GOP plan is expected to face challenges in federal and possibly state courts. Republicans are seeking to recapture a U.S. House majority, and both parties are watching redistricting closely.

Kansas Republicans' plan would split the state’s portion of the Kansas City area into two congressional districts, costing Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids some of the territory in her 3rd District where she performs best. The map also would move the liberal northeast Kansas community of Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, from the 2nd District of eastern Kansas into the 1st District of central and western Kansas with conservative communities six or more hours away by car.

Top Republicans said all of the changes resulted from the need to balance the population in each of the state's four congressional districts after a decade of shifts. States are required to redraw lines at least once a decade to make their districts as equal in population as possible. The GOP plan gives every Kansas district the ideal population of 734,470.

Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, argued that even with the new lines district, Davids would have won reelection in 2020, based on that year's results.

“It's a fair map,” he told reporters after the vote.

Masterson joined the four GOP dissenters in voting against an override Monday, but only so that he would be able to ask senators to reconsider Tuesday. A person on the winning side has to do it.

Both conservative Republicans who switched from no Monday to yes Tuesday are from communities an hour or more northwest of Wichita, Sens. Mark Steffen and Alicia Straub.

Straub explained her yes vote Tuesday by saying she's never supported anything Kelly has, adding, “This is standing for freedom.”

Steffen didn't sound much like a supporter of GOP leaders' map in his explanation of his yes vote Tuesday, deriding the plan for moving Lawrence into the district long known as the “Big First” because it sprawls over much of the state.

“Now they are dumping the Lawrence liberals in our lap,” he said. “Just like illegal hunting killed off our buffalo in the 1800s, insidious redistricting will kill off the true conservative character of my beloved Big First.”

Both senators are COVID-19 vaccine skeptics. On Tuesday morning, a Senate committee approved a bill containing proposals from Steffen aimed at protecting doctors who prescribe the anti-worm medication ivermectin to treat COVID-19 and at making it easier for parents to enroll their children in school or day care without getting them vaccinated.

Masterson said he had conversations with the senators about multiple issues, but when asked why they switched their votes, he told reporters: “You're going to have to talk to them."

Steffen declined comment multiple times when reporters asked whether the committee action Tuesday influenced his change of vote. Straub ducked reporters immediately after the vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans on Tuesday revived a redistricting plan that would make it harder for the only&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Democrat in Congress to win reelection, engineering a second-chance override of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of the measure in the state Senate.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t3ioC4jdpjQ?start=906" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Senate vote Tuesday was 27-11 and gave Republican leaders exactly the two-thirds majority they needed, with two GOP senators abstaining. The measure goes next to the House, which has a month to decide whether to override Kelly's veto and make the new district lines law. It wasn't clear whether Republicans yet have the necessary two-thirds majority there, but they are close.Republican senators faced questions from their colleagues and reporters about how much legislative horse-trading led up to Tuesday's vote. The first veto override attempt on Monday failed, 24-15, because four GOP senators broke with their leaders. The Republican-controlled Legislature's rules allow lawmakers to reconsider any action by the next day.“I hope whoever got them to change their mind will get what it is they bargained for,” said Democratic state Sen. David Haley, of Kansas City, which is split under the map. “It lends discredit to this process.”Even if the House overrides Kelly's veto, the GOP plan is expected to face challenges in federal and possibly state courts. Republicans are seeking to recapture a U.S. House majority, and both parties are watching redistricting closely.Kansas Republicans' plan would split the state’s portion of the Kansas City area into two congressional districts, costing Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids some of the territory in her 3rd District where she performs best. The map also would move the liberal northeast Kansas community of Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, from the 2nd District of eastern Kansas into the 1st District of central and western Kansas with conservative communities six or more hours away by car.Top Republicans said all of the changes resulted from the need to balance the population in each of the state's four congressional districts after a decade of shifts. States are required to redraw lines at least once a decade to make their districts as equal in population as possible. The GOP plan gives every Kansas district the ideal population of 734,470.Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, argued that even with the new lines district, Davids would have won reelection in 2020, based on that year's results.“It's a fair map,” he told reporters after the vote.Masterson joined the four GOP dissenters in voting against an override Monday, but only so that he would be able to ask senators to reconsider Tuesday. A person on the winning side has to do it.Both conservative Republicans who switched from no Monday to yes Tuesday are from communities an hour or more northwest of Wichita, Sens. Mark Steffen and Alicia Straub.Straub explained her yes vote Tuesday by saying she's never supported anything Kelly has, adding, “This is standing for freedom.”Steffen didn't sound much like a supporter of GOP leaders' map in his explanation of his yes vote Tuesday, deriding the plan for moving Lawrence into the district long known as the “Big First” because it sprawls over much of the state.“Now they are dumping the Lawrence liberals in our lap,” he said. “Just like illegal hunting killed off our buffalo in the 1800s, insidious redistricting will kill off the true conservative character of my beloved Big First.”Both senators are COVID-19 vaccine skeptics. On Tuesday morning, a Senate committee approved a bill containing proposals from Steffen aimed at protecting doctors who prescribe the anti-worm medication ivermectin to treat COVID-19 and at making it easier for parents to enroll their children in school or day care without getting them vaccinated.Masterson said he had conversations with the senators about multiple issues, but when asked why they switched their votes, he told reporters: “You're going to have to talk to them."Steffen declined comment multiple times when reporters asked whether the committee action Tuesday influenced his change of vote. Straub ducked reporters immediately after the vote.

🎥2nd try to override veto saves Kan. GOP map targeting Democrat

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing two brothers from Wisconsin will not go to trial until March of next year, a judge has ruled.

Garland Nelson, of Braymer,&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b4800d822fdb6652b55bd5443d5dea69/9ec813dce6b49739ce4cefe408145fd3">faces two counts of first-degree murder</a>&nbsp;and other charges in the deaths of Justin and Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin, in 2019. He has pleaded not guilty.

If he is convicted, Nelson could face the death penalty.

Nelson's trial was scheduled to begin in June. But on Monday, Johnson County Circuit Judge Michael Wagner granted a motion from Nelson’s attorneys to delay the trial until March, The St. Joseph News-Press&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/courts/trial-for-accused-killer-pushed-to-next-year/article_a33f66ec-886c-11ec-bcd0-d310120333fd.html">reported.</a>

Nelson's attorneys filed a motion last week seeking the delay. They said Nelson had not had time to meet with his psychiatrist.

The Diemel brothers disappeared after visiting Nelson's farm on July 21, 2019, to discuss a $250,000 debt Nelson owed them. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="Nelson-photo Caldwell County" />
 <figcaption>Nelson-photo Caldwell County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man charged with killing two brothers from Wisconsin will not go to trial until March of next year, a judge has ruled.Garland Nelson, of Braymer,&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b4800d822fdb6652b55bd5443d5dea69/9ec813dce6b49739ce4cefe408145fd3">faces two counts of first-degree murder</a>&nbsp;and other charges in the deaths of Justin and Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin, in 2019. He has pleaded not guilty.If he is convicted, Nelson could face the death penalty.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson's trial was scheduled to begin in June. But on Monday, Johnson County Circuit Judge Michael Wagner granted a motion from Nelson’s attorneys to delay the trial until March, The St. Joseph News-Press&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/courts/trial-for-accused-killer-pushed-to-next-year/article_a33f66ec-886c-11ec-bcd0-d310120333fd.html">reported.</a>Nelson's attorneys filed a motion last week seeking the delay. They said Nelson had not had time to meet with his psychiatrist.The Diemel brothers disappeared after visiting Nelson's farm on July 21, 2019, to discuss a $250,000 debt Nelson owed them. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska.

Trial of KC-area man charged with killing 2 brothers delayed

By VICKIE MOSS <a href="https://www.iolaregister.com/news/local-news/iolan-dies-after-19-month-battle-with-covid">Iola Register</a>

Kansas man Roger Collins, Iola, has died following a 19-month battle with COVID-19.

Wife Billie announced her husband’s passing in a Facebook post Monday.

“I thought today I would be whooping and hollering about the strides 
we had made,” Billie wrote. “Well, sadly or happily, today was the day 
my plan did not come to pass but a much better, more amazing plan took 
place as God called Roger home.”

Collins tested positive for COVID-19 on July 13, 2020.

By that evening, he experienced trouble breathing and was taken via 
ambulance to the hospital, first to Allen County Regional Hospital, then
 to Kansas City, and finally to a long-term care facility in Dallas as 
his symptoms worsened.

“The last 19 months were tough but they were ours,” Billie wrote. “We
 shared the good, bad and the ugly. My heart is broken for our loss but 
it is soaring knowing Roger is no longer in pain. He can walk and talk …
 and if you know Roger he can talk and talk and talk.”

The Collins family shared their story with regular updates for 
Register readers, most recently about 18 months of hospitalization and 
rehabilitation efforts.&nbsp;

Billie praised her husband’s strength and determination. She said the
 family’s faith helped them through the difficult times, including at 
the end.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644368440755.png" alt="Roger Collins / courtesy the Iola Register" />
 <figcaption>Roger Collins / courtesy the Iola Register</figcaption>
 </figure>By VICKIE MOSS <a href="https://www.iolaregister.com/news/local-news/iolan-dies-after-19-month-battle-with-covid">Iola Register</a>Kansas man Roger Collins, Iola, has died following a 19-month battle with COVID-19.Wife Billie announced her husband’s passing in a Facebook post Monday.“I thought today I would be whooping and hollering about the strides 
we had made,” Billie wrote. “Well, sadly or happily, today was the day 
my plan did not come to pass but a much better, more amazing plan took 
place as God called Roger home.”Collins tested positive for COVID-19 on July 13, 2020.By that evening, he experienced trouble breathing and was taken via 
ambulance to the hospital, first to Allen County Regional Hospital, then
 to Kansas City, and finally to a long-term care facility in Dallas as 
his symptoms worsened.“The last 19 months were tough but they were ours,” Billie wrote. “We
 shared the good, bad and the ugly. My heart is broken for our loss but 
it is soaring knowing Roger is no longer in pain. He can walk and talk …
 and if you know Roger he can talk and talk and talk.”The Collins family shared their story with regular updates for 
Register readers, most recently about 18 months of hospitalization and 
rehabilitation efforts.&nbsp;Billie praised her husband’s strength and determination. She said the
 family’s faith helped them through the difficult times, including at 
the end.Republished with permission

Kansas man dies after 19-month battle with COVID-19

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/08/kansas-regulators-approve-natural-gas-utilitys-plan-to-recoup-366-million-from-customers/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Customers of Kansas’ <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/30/customers-of-kansas-largest-natural-gas-utility-could-pay-cold-snap-costs-for-10-years/">largest natural gas utility will see their bills go up</a> in the wake of <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/18/feds-ramp-up-emergency-help-for-kansas-other-states-hit-by-extreme-weather/">last winter’s deep freeze</a> — but it’s still unclear by how much and for how long.&nbsp;

Kansas regulators on Tuesday approved
 an agreement with the Kansas Gas Service to recoup $366 million in 
excess natural gas costs, incurred to keep residents’ heat on when 
temperatures last February plunged below freezing for days on end and 
natural gas prices rose by 200 times almost overnight.

During the freeze, which resulted in 
deaths and dayslong outages in Texas, the Kansas Corporation Commission 
ordered utilities to do everything they could to keep providing gas and 
electric service and defer the costs.

“A lesser response could have 
resulted in catastrophic property damage and serious public safety 
implications, including potential loss of life,” the commission said in a
 news release. “When extraordinary costs are unavoidable and necessary 
to benefit the public, it is in the public interest to allow recovery of
 such costs.”

The agreement represented a 
settlement in which KGS agreed to trim some of its carrying costs on the
 sum from the storm. It brought the total Kansans will pay down from 
$390 million.

But KGS customers won’t know how much
 more they’ll pay —&nbsp;or for how long —&nbsp;until the gas utility files for 
securitization and issues bonds to be repaid over five to 10 years. The 
KCC estimated monthly bills would rise, on average, between $5 and $7.

A separate settlement between KGS’ 
large customers, like school districts and manufacturers, is still to 
come and could reduce the burden on residential customers by as much as 
$50 million, said David Nickel, executive director of the Citizens’ 
Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential and small 
business customers of Kansas utilities.&nbsp;

Nickel said CURB supported moving 
quickly to reach a deal for customers to repay the funds with the hopes 
of getting low interest rates. He acknowledged “it seems like a lot of 
money, and it is,” and said the board was concerned about potential 
manipulation or price-gouging in the natural gas market.

If ongoing investigations by Kansas 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt or federal regulators reveal 
manipulation, the settlement says any recouped funds need to go back to 
ratepayers, something Nickel emphasized is important to CURB.

Nickel said the negotiations also 
yielded a promise from KGS to develop a payment plan program for 
low-income customers by the end of this year.

Nickel said it’s significant that Kansans didn’t lose heat en masse or suffer deaths because of outages

“I can assure you that I would pay 
more than $600 over a period of 10 years to keep people that I know and I
 love safe and alive,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644349269179.png" alt="The Calista Compressor Station serves the Kansas Gas Service’s network in Kansas. The utility received approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission to recoup $366 million from customers. (Kansas Gas Service, courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Calista Compressor Station serves the Kansas Gas Service’s network in Kansas. The utility received approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission to recoup $366 million from customers. (Kansas Gas Service, courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/08/kansas-regulators-approve-natural-gas-utilitys-plan-to-recoup-366-million-from-customers/">Kansas Reflector</a>Customers of Kansas’ <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/30/customers-of-kansas-largest-natural-gas-utility-could-pay-cold-snap-costs-for-10-years/">largest natural gas utility will see their bills go up</a> in the wake of <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/18/feds-ramp-up-emergency-help-for-kansas-other-states-hit-by-extreme-weather/">last winter’s deep freeze</a> — but it’s still unclear by how much and for how long.&nbsp;Kansas regulators on Tuesday approved
 an agreement with the Kansas Gas Service to recoup $366 million in 
excess natural gas costs, incurred to keep residents’ heat on when 
temperatures last February plunged below freezing for days on end and 
natural gas prices rose by 200 times almost overnight.During the freeze, which resulted in 
deaths and dayslong outages in Texas, the Kansas Corporation Commission 
ordered utilities to do everything they could to keep providing gas and 
electric service and defer the costs.“A lesser response could have 
resulted in catastrophic property damage and serious public safety 
implications, including potential loss of life,” the commission said in a
 news release. “When extraordinary costs are unavoidable and necessary 
to benefit the public, it is in the public interest to allow recovery of
 such costs.”The agreement represented a 
settlement in which KGS agreed to trim some of its carrying costs on the
 sum from the storm. It brought the total Kansans will pay down from 
$390 million.But KGS customers won’t know how much
 more they’ll pay —&nbsp;or for how long —&nbsp;until the gas utility files for 
securitization and issues bonds to be repaid over five to 10 years. The 
KCC estimated monthly bills would rise, on average, between $5 and $7.A separate settlement between KGS’ 
large customers, like school districts and manufacturers, is still to 
come and could reduce the burden on residential customers by as much as 
$50 million, said David Nickel, executive director of the Citizens’ 
Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential and small 
business customers of Kansas utilities.&nbsp;Nickel said CURB supported moving 
quickly to reach a deal for customers to repay the funds with the hopes 
of getting low interest rates. He acknowledged “it seems like a lot of 
money, and it is,” and said the board was concerned about potential 
manipulation or price-gouging in the natural gas market.If ongoing investigations by Kansas 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt or federal regulators reveal 
manipulation, the settlement says any recouped funds need to go back to 
ratepayers, something Nickel emphasized is important to CURB.Nickel said the negotiations also 
yielded a promise from KGS to develop a payment plan program for 
low-income customers by the end of this year.Nickel said it’s significant that Kansans didn’t lose heat en masse or suffer deaths because of outages“I can assure you that I would pay 
more than $600 over a period of 10 years to keep people that I know and I
 love safe and alive,” he said.

Kan. regulators approve natural gas utility’s plan to recoup $366M from customers

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

In August of 2020, Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., announced a $53 million expansion project that would give the company another location, this time on the south side of Salina. It also would provide needed jobs in the Salina area.

The company's Construction Equipment facility in what was then the Signify/Philips Lighting plant on South Ninth Street is now operational and Great Plains is in need of workers.

"Our CE facility is now up and running, and we’re excited to bring more jobs to the Salina area. We’re looking for about 75 new hires to start operations in 2022. We estimate hiring an additional 200 team members in 2023 to support the future growth of our Construction Equipment Division within Great Plains," said Chris Montgomery, manager of operations for CE Production.

The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kubota North America Corporation, also is seeking qualified applicants to support recent company growth in its Great Plains Ag and Land Pride division.

Great Plains is hiring employees in welding, assembly, fabrication, paint, and forklift operators, the company noted in a news release issued this morning. The job fair will be at the new Construction Equipment facility, 3861 S. Ninth Street, and is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Friday and 9-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Participants are asked to follow the signage upon arriving at the facility.

Job seekers can apply online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.workforgpm.com/">www.WorkForGPM.com</a>&nbsp;or apply in person during the job fair events.

Human resources personnel from Great Plains will be on hand to accept applications and conduct on-site interviews. According to information from the company, sign-on bonuses are available. Positions may be filled on-site.

"Applicants are encouraged to follow social distancing and COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks, during the event," the company noted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629062606605.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostIn August of 2020, Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., announced a $53 million expansion project that would give the company another location, this time on the south side of Salina. It also would provide needed jobs in the Salina area.The company's Construction Equipment facility in what was then the Signify/Philips Lighting plant on South Ninth Street is now operational and Great Plains is in need of workers."Our CE facility is now up and running, and we’re excited to bring more jobs to the Salina area. We’re looking for about 75 new hires to start operations in 2022. We estimate hiring an additional 200 team members in 2023 to support the future growth of our Construction Equipment Division within Great Plains," said Chris Montgomery, manager of operations for CE Production.The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kubota North America Corporation, also is seeking qualified applicants to support recent company growth in its Great Plains Ag and Land Pride division.Great Plains is hiring employees in welding, assembly, fabrication, paint, and forklift operators, the company noted in a news release issued this morning. The job fair will be at the new Construction Equipment facility, 3861 S. Ninth Street, and is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Friday and 9-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Participants are asked to follow the signage upon arriving at the facility.Job seekers can apply online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.workforgpm.com/">www.WorkForGPM.com</a>&nbsp;or apply in person during the job fair events.Human resources personnel from Great Plains will be on hand to accept applications and conduct on-site interviews. According to information from the company, sign-on bonuses are available. Positions may be filled on-site."Applicants are encouraged to follow social distancing and COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks, during the event," the company noted.

Great Plains Manufacturing brings jobs to central Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — A year after winning a major court battle against the opening of so-called safe injection sites -- safe havens for people to use heroin and other narcotics with protections against fatal overdoses — the Justice Department is signaling it might be open to allowing them.

In response to questions from The Associated Press, the Justice Department said it is “evaluating” such facilities and talking to regulators about “appropriate guardrails.”

The position is a drastic change from its stance in the Trump administration, when prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/appellate-court-agrees-government-supervised-injection-sites-are-illegal-under-federal-law" target="_blank">fought vigorously against a plan to open a safe consumption site in Philadelphia</a>. The Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-public-health-philadelphia-coronavirus-pandemic-247fdc735c337cbb4b7ae0305da834f8">won a lawsuit last year,&nbsp;</a>when a federal appeals court in Pennsylvania ruled that opening such a facility would violate a 1980s-era drug law, aimed at “crackhouses,” which bans operating a place for taking illegal drugs. The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-pennsylvania-philadelphia-health-50da593c6e553da73a960fbc1a99c9b0">declined in October to take the case</a>.

About six weeks later, the first officially authorized safe injection sites&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-new-york-new-york-city-1f61d20529965ded7fef3fcee5f39d1e">opened in New York City in November</a>. The two facilities — which the city calls “overdose prevention centers” — provide a monitored place for drug users to partake, with staffers and supplies on hand to reverse overdoses. New York City is in a different appeals court jurisdiction that has not ruled on the centers.

Such sites exist in Canada, Australia and Europe and have been discussed for years in New York and some other U.S. cities and states. A few unofficial facilities have operated for some time.

Advocates have hailed them as a way to curb the scourge of overdose deaths. Drawing from the latest available death certificate data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/overdodse-deaths-fentanayl-health-f34b022d75a1eb9776e27903ab40670f">estimated that more than 100,000 Americans</a>&nbsp;died of drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021.

Critics, however, argue that safe injection sites encourage illegal drug use and burden neighborhoods.

For months after President Joe Biden took office last year, the Justice Department — under Attorney General Merrick Garland — had refused to take a public stance on safe consumption sites. Officials now say they are weighing their use.

“Although we cannot comment on pending litigation, the Department is evaluating supervised consumption sites, including discussions with state and local regulators about appropriate guardrails for such sites, as part of an overall approach to harm reduction and public safety,” the agency said in a statement Friday to the AP.

The New York City sites so far have intervened in more than 125 overdoses among more than 640 users, many of whom have made multiple visits, according to OnPoint NYC, the organization running them.

Executive Director Sam Rivera said he was excited and relieved by the Justice Department’s statement. The group is eager to tell the agency about its work, he said.

“I believe they’re going to land in the right place here and we’ll be able to, together, really expand on this health initiative that’s saving lives every day,” he said.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat whose administration allowed the centers to open, said the city’s attorneys believed that the federal statute is “aimed at drug trafficking, not at medical facilities,” as he characterized the consumption sites.

But U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a New York City Republican, has urged Garland to work to shut them down, citing the appeals court ruling against the Philadelphia proposal last year. She told Garland in November that it is “imperative that you enforce this legal precedent,” and she wasn’t pleased to hear about the new Justice Department statement.

“Instead of stopping the deadly drugs streaming over our border, putting drug dealers behind bars and helping people receive the long-term treatment they need to overcome addiction, Democrat leadership is enabling illegal drug use,” Malliotakis said in a statement.

The Philadelphia project, called Safehouse, is still fighting for court approval to open. Safehouse lawyers Ronda Goldfein and Ilana Eisenstein said they hoped the Justice Department’s new statement “signals the prospect of a positive resolution, not just for Philadelphia but for any place in America that seeks to provide overdose prevention services.”

Some other arms of the federal government also have signaled some willingness at least to explore safe injection facilities, if not yet embrace them. Asked about the New York sites, White House drug czar Dr. Rahul Gupta told CNN in December he was “interested in looking at the science and data behind all of the emerging harm reduction practices.”

Later that month, the National Institutes of Health issued a call for harm reduction research that mentioned safe consumption sites, among other approaches.

NEW YORK (AP) — A year after winning a major court battle against the opening of so-called safe injection sites -- safe havens for people to use heroin and other narcotics with protections against fatal overdoses — the Justice Department is signaling it might be open to allowing them.In response to questions from The Associated Press, the Justice Department said it is “evaluating” such facilities and talking to regulators about “appropriate guardrails.”The position is a drastic change from its stance in the Trump administration, when prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/appellate-court-agrees-government-supervised-injection-sites-are-illegal-under-federal-law" target="_blank">fought vigorously against a plan to open a safe consumption site in Philadelphia</a>. The Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-public-health-philadelphia-coronavirus-pandemic-247fdc735c337cbb4b7ae0305da834f8">won a lawsuit last year,&nbsp;</a>when a federal appeals court in Pennsylvania ruled that opening such a facility would violate a 1980s-era drug law, aimed at “crackhouses,” which bans operating a place for taking illegal drugs. The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-pennsylvania-philadelphia-health-50da593c6e553da73a960fbc1a99c9b0">declined in October to take the case</a>.About six weeks later, the first officially authorized safe injection sites&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-new-york-new-york-city-1f61d20529965ded7fef3fcee5f39d1e">opened in New York City in November</a>. The two facilities — which the city calls “overdose prevention centers” — provide a monitored place for drug users to partake, with staffers and supplies on hand to reverse overdoses. New York City is in a different appeals court jurisdiction that has not ruled on the centers.Such sites exist in Canada, Australia and Europe and have been discussed for years in New York and some other U.S. cities and states. A few unofficial facilities have operated for some time.Advocates have hailed them as a way to curb the scourge of overdose deaths. Drawing from the latest available death certificate data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/overdodse-deaths-fentanayl-health-f34b022d75a1eb9776e27903ab40670f">estimated that more than 100,000 Americans</a>&nbsp;died of drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021.Critics, however, argue that safe injection sites encourage illegal drug use and burden neighborhoods.For months after President Joe Biden took office last year, the Justice Department — under Attorney General Merrick Garland — had refused to take a public stance on safe consumption sites. Officials now say they are weighing their use.“Although we cannot comment on pending litigation, the Department is evaluating supervised consumption sites, including discussions with state and local regulators about appropriate guardrails for such sites, as part of an overall approach to harm reduction and public safety,” the agency said in a statement Friday to the AP.The New York City sites so far have intervened in more than 125 overdoses among more than 640 users, many of whom have made multiple visits, according to OnPoint NYC, the organization running them.Executive Director Sam Rivera said he was excited and relieved by the Justice Department’s statement. The group is eager to tell the agency about its work, he said.“I believe they’re going to land in the right place here and we’ll be able to, together, really expand on this health initiative that’s saving lives every day,” he said.Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat whose administration allowed the centers to open, said the city’s attorneys believed that the federal statute is “aimed at drug trafficking, not at medical facilities,” as he characterized the consumption sites.But U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a New York City Republican, has urged Garland to work to shut them down, citing the appeals court ruling against the Philadelphia proposal last year. She told Garland in November that it is “imperative that you enforce this legal precedent,” and she wasn’t pleased to hear about the new Justice Department statement.“Instead of stopping the deadly drugs streaming over our border, putting drug dealers behind bars and helping people receive the long-term treatment they need to overcome addiction, Democrat leadership is enabling illegal drug use,” Malliotakis said in a statement.The Philadelphia project, called Safehouse, is still fighting for court approval to open. Safehouse lawyers Ronda Goldfein and Ilana Eisenstein said they hoped the Justice Department’s new statement “signals the prospect of a positive resolution, not just for Philadelphia but for any place in America that seeks to provide overdose prevention services.”Some other arms of the federal government also have signaled some willingness at least to explore safe injection facilities, if not yet embrace them. Asked about the New York sites, White House drug czar Dr. Rahul Gupta told CNN in December he was “interested in looking at the science and data behind all of the emerging harm reduction practices.”Later that month, the National Institutes of Health issued a call for harm reduction research that mentioned safe consumption sites, among other approaches.

Biden's Justice Dept. may allow safe havens for taking drugs

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged altercation with police.

Just after 10p.m Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of River Road and Commercial Street in Atchison to check on a suspicious person, according to police chief Mike Wilson.

At the scene, officers located 44-year-old Jason Seager who was wanted on District Court warrants for failure to appear in court. He threatened officers with a big stick and then fled on foot, according to Wilson.

Officers later apprehended him near 4th and Commercial and subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Seager is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.

In July, police arrested Seager after he threatened a man with a baseball bat&nbsp;outside an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644247927502.png" alt="Seager-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Seager-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged altercation with police.Just after 10p.m Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of River Road and Commercial Street in Atchison to check on a suspicious person, according to police chief Mike Wilson.At the scene, officers located 44-year-old Jason Seager who was wanted on District Court warrants for failure to appear in court. He threatened officers with a big stick and then fled on foot, according to Wilson.Officers later apprehended him near 4th and Commercial and subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.Seager is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.In July, police arrested Seager after he threatened a man with a baseball bat&nbsp;outside an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe in Atchison.

Police Chief: Kan. man threatened officers with large stick

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspicious death have identified the victim as&nbsp;47-year-old Angela Degraffenreid of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on the February 2, police responded to a check welfare call in the 600 block of N West Street. On arrival, they located an unknown later identified as Degraffenreid.

The investigation into her exact cause of death is ongoing. Foul play is not suspected, according to Macy.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspicious death have identified the victim as&nbsp;47-year-old Angela Degraffenreid of Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on the February 2, police responded to a check welfare call in the 600 block of N West Street. On arrival, they located an unknown later identified as Degraffenreid.The investigation into her exact cause of death is ongoing. Foul play is not suspected, according to Macy.

Police ID Kansas woman found dead behind a business

By JARED STRONG <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/07/usda-pledges-1b-for-climate-smart-ag-products/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

The U.S.
 Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $1 billion to foster the
 creation of climate-friendly agricultural and forestry products by 
offering grants to facilitate their production and the markets to sell 
them.

The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in those industries.

“Agriculture is such an exciting but 
challenging, critical but dynamic space. It’s easy to make the case to 
young people to get engaged in this,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom 
Vilsack said Monday in announcing the program at Missouri’s Lincoln 
University, a historically Black university with a robust agricultural 
program. “It’s at the heart of our fight against climate change.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
estimates that about 10% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions — 
which are key drivers of a warming climate — come from agriculture, 
especially livestock production. Cattle are agriculture’s primary 
emitters of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The USDA’s new Partnerships for 
Climate-Smart Commodities program will provide up to $100 million for 
individual pilot projects to plan and implement emission-reducing 
practices, create new markets to sell the products that result from 
those practices and quantify the effectiveness of the practices.

Measuring livestock emissions has long been a
 tricky proposition for federal regulators. An example: The U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency suspended its enforcement of the Clean 
Air Act as it might pertain to animal confinements about 16 years ago as
 it seeks to develop a reliable way to measure the buildings’ emissions.

Beef production is potentially a bigger 
quandary because the animals are often raised in open-air lots. However,
 researchers have been able to estimate the average annual methane 
production from cows and how much it can be reduced with <a href="https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2020/01/unh-scientists-expand-seaweed-research-benefit-regions-dairy-farmers" target="_blank">specialized diets</a>.

The <a href="https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities" target="_blank">new USDA grant program</a>
 is open to a wide variety of entities: businesses, nonprofit 
organizations, governments, Native American tribal governments and 
organizations, and colleges and universities.

The department has set an April 8 deadline 
for proposals that range from $5 million to $100 million and a May 27 
deadline for those that would cost less than $5 million, according to 
the department’s <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climate-smart-nfo-usda-nrcs-comm-22-nofo0001139-02062022-web-final.pdf" target="_blank">public Notice</a><a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climate-smart-nfo-usda-nrcs-comm-22-nofo0001139-02062022-web-final.pdf" target="_blank"> of Funding Opportunity.</a>
 Small and “historically underserved” agricultural producers and 
“minority-serving institutions” will get priority, the notice says.

“This might look, for example, like a group 
of small farmers working with a nonprofit to implement and quantify 
climate-smart practices in partnership with a retailer,” Vilsack said. 
“Or it could be a network of commodity organizations recruiting 
specialty crop farmers to quantify reduced emissions and market the 
resulting products. It may be a farmer-partner organization working with
 universities to test innovative approaches to monitor and verify 
climate benefits to aid in marketing. It could be all of that or any of 
it, along with a lot of other ideas and concepts.”

Vilsack did not say whether the products 
would bear a “climate smart” label that is subject to USDA 
certification, similar to organic foods.

This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom&nbsp;network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644333577889.png" alt="U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a $1 billion grant program to boost agricultural and forestry products that are made with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. (Screenshot from USDA video)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a $1 billion grant program to boost agricultural and forestry products that are made with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. (Screenshot from USDA video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JARED STRONG <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/07/usda-pledges-1b-for-climate-smart-ag-products/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>The U.S.
 Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $1 billion to foster the
 creation of climate-friendly agricultural and forestry products by 
offering grants to facilitate their production and the markets to sell 
them.The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in those industries.“Agriculture is such an exciting but 
challenging, critical but dynamic space. It’s easy to make the case to 
young people to get engaged in this,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom 
Vilsack said Monday in announcing the program at Missouri’s Lincoln 
University, a historically Black university with a robust agricultural 
program. “It’s at the heart of our fight against climate change.”The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
estimates that about 10% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions — 
which are key drivers of a warming climate — come from agriculture, 
especially livestock production. Cattle are agriculture’s primary 
emitters of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.The USDA’s new Partnerships for 
Climate-Smart Commodities program will provide up to $100 million for 
individual pilot projects to plan and implement emission-reducing 
practices, create new markets to sell the products that result from 
those practices and quantify the effectiveness of the practices.Measuring livestock emissions has long been a
 tricky proposition for federal regulators. An example: The U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency suspended its enforcement of the Clean 
Air Act as it might pertain to animal confinements about 16 years ago as
 it seeks to develop a reliable way to measure the buildings’ emissions.Beef production is potentially a bigger 
quandary because the animals are often raised in open-air lots. However,
 researchers have been able to estimate the average annual methane 
production from cows and how much it can be reduced with <a href="https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2020/01/unh-scientists-expand-seaweed-research-benefit-regions-dairy-farmers" target="_blank">specialized diets</a>.The <a href="https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities" target="_blank">new USDA grant program</a>
 is open to a wide variety of entities: businesses, nonprofit 
organizations, governments, Native American tribal governments and 
organizations, and colleges and universities.The department has set an April 8 deadline 
for proposals that range from $5 million to $100 million and a May 27 
deadline for those that would cost less than $5 million, according to 
the department’s <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climate-smart-nfo-usda-nrcs-comm-22-nofo0001139-02062022-web-final.pdf" target="_blank">public Notice</a><a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climate-smart-nfo-usda-nrcs-comm-22-nofo0001139-02062022-web-final.pdf" target="_blank"> of Funding Opportunity.</a>
 Small and “historically underserved” agricultural producers and 
“minority-serving institutions” will get priority, the notice says.“This might look, for example, like a group 
of small farmers working with a nonprofit to implement and quantify 
climate-smart practices in partnership with a retailer,” Vilsack said. 
“Or it could be a network of commodity organizations recruiting 
specialty crop farmers to quantify reduced emissions and market the 
resulting products. It may be a farmer-partner organization working with
 universities to test innovative approaches to monitor and verify 
climate benefits to aid in marketing. It could be all of that or any of 
it, along with a lot of other ideas and concepts.”Vilsack did not say whether the products 
would bear a “climate smart” label that is subject to USDA 
certification, similar to organic foods.This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom&nbsp;network.

USDA pledges $1B for ‘climate smart’ ag products

ROME (AP) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI asked forgiveness Tuesday for any “grievous faults” in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but denied any personal or specific wrongdoing after an independent report criticized his actions in four cases while he was archbishop of Munich, Germany.

“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church. All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” the retired pope said.

But Benedict’s lack of a personal apology or any admission of guilt was likely to rile survivors and further complicate efforts by German bishops re-establish credibility with the faithful. Demands for accountability have only increased as the church has come to terms with decades of sexual abuse by priests and cover-up by their bishops.

Benedict, 94, was responding to a Jan. 20 report from a German law firm that had been commissioned by the German Catholic Church to look into how cases of sexual abuse were handled in the Munich archdiocese between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, headed the archdiocese from 1977 to 1982.

The report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-pope-benedict-xvi-reinhard-marx-germany-europe-c75f721f469f969d05348703c093e53d">faulted Benedict’s handling of four cases</a>&nbsp;during his time as archbishop, accusing him of misconduct for having failed to restrict the ministry of the priests in the cases even after they had been convicted criminally. The report also faulted his predecessors and successors, estimating there had been at least 497 abuse victims over the decades and at least 235 suspected perpetrators.

The Vatican on Tuesday released a letter that Benedict wrote to respond to the allegations, alongside a more technical reply from his lawyers who had provided an initial 82-page response to the law firm about his nearly five-year tenure in Munich.

The conclusion of Benedict’s lawyers was resolute: “As an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse,” they wrote. They criticized the report’s authors for misinterpreting their submission, and asserted that they provided no evidence that Benedict was aware of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question.

Benedict’s response was far more nuanced and spiritual, though he went on at length to thank his legal team before even addressing the allegations or the victims of abuse.

In the letter, Benedict issued what he called a “confession,” recalling that daily Mass begins with believers confessing their sins and asking forgiveness for their faults and even their “grievous faults.” Benedict noted that in his meetings with abuse victims while he was pope, “I have seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.

“And I have come to understand that we ourselves are drawn into this grievous fault whenever we neglect it or fail to confront it with the necessary decisiveness and responsibility, as too often happened and continues to happen,” he wrote. “As in those meetings, once again I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness.”

The law firm report identified four cases in which Ratzinger was accused of misconduct in failing to act against abusers.

Two cases involved priests who offended while Ratzinger was archbishop and were punished by the German legal system but were kept in pastoral ministry without any limits on their ministry. A third case involved a cleric who was convicted by a court outside Germany but was put into service in Munich. The fourth case involved a convicted pedophile priest who was allowed to transfer to Munich in 1980, and was later put into ministry. In 1986, that priest received a suspended sentence for molesting a boy.

Benedict’s team had earlier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-germany-munich-pope-benedict-xvi-fb76c2f33bdb2ea08a0dcfb75f785dbf">clarified an initial “error”&nbsp;</a>in their submission to the law firm that had insisted Ratzinger was not present at the 1980 meeting in which the priest’s transfer to Munich was discussed. Ratzinger was there, but his return to ministry was not discussed, they said.

Benedict said he was deeply hurt that the “oversight” about his presence at the meeting had been used to “cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar.” But he said he had been heartened by the letters and gestures of support he had received, including from his successor.

“I am particularly grateful for the confidence, support and prayer that Pope Francis personally expressed to me,” he said.

The Vatican had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-crime-germany-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-a7926c80e9af1a6c7688e3529231de82">already strongly defended Benedict’s record</a>&nbsp;in the aftermath of the law firm report, recalling that Benedict was the first pope to meet with victims of abuse, that he had issued strong norms to punish priests who raped children and had directed the church to pursue a path of humility in seeking forgiveness for the crimes of its clerics.

The Vatican’s defense, however, focused primarily on Benedict’s tenure as head of the Holy See’s doctrine office, from 1982 until he was elected pope in 2005.

Benedict reflected on his legacy at the end of his letter, noting that he is at the end of his life and will soon be judged by God.

“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life,” he wrote. “Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer. For I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings.”

The head of the German bishops conference, Limburg Bishop Georg Baetzing, had previously said that Benedict needed to respond to the report by distancing himself from his lawyers and advisers.

“He must talk, and he must override his advisers and essentially say the simple sentence: ’I incurred guilt, I made mistakes and I apologize to those affected,” Baetzing said. ”It won’t work any other way.”

Baetzing didn’t immediately comment Tuesday on Benedict’s response.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644330098529.png" alt="Pope Benedict on a 2008 trip to the United State-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope Benedict on a 2008 trip to the United State-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI asked forgiveness Tuesday for any “grievous faults” in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but denied any personal or specific wrongdoing after an independent report criticized his actions in four cases while he was archbishop of Munich, Germany.“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church. All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate,” the retired pope said.But Benedict’s lack of a personal apology or any admission of guilt was likely to rile survivors and further complicate efforts by German bishops re-establish credibility with the faithful. Demands for accountability have only increased as the church has come to terms with decades of sexual abuse by priests and cover-up by their bishops.Benedict, 94, was responding to a Jan. 20 report from a German law firm that had been commissioned by the German Catholic Church to look into how cases of sexual abuse were handled in the Munich archdiocese between 1945 and 2019. Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, headed the archdiocese from 1977 to 1982.The report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-pope-benedict-xvi-reinhard-marx-germany-europe-c75f721f469f969d05348703c093e53d">faulted Benedict’s handling of four cases</a>&nbsp;during his time as archbishop, accusing him of misconduct for having failed to restrict the ministry of the priests in the cases even after they had been convicted criminally. The report also faulted his predecessors and successors, estimating there had been at least 497 abuse victims over the decades and at least 235 suspected perpetrators.The Vatican on Tuesday released a letter that Benedict wrote to respond to the allegations, alongside a more technical reply from his lawyers who had provided an initial 82-page response to the law firm about his nearly five-year tenure in Munich.The conclusion of Benedict’s lawyers was resolute: “As an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse,” they wrote. They criticized the report’s authors for misinterpreting their submission, and asserted that they provided no evidence that Benedict was aware of the criminal history of any of the four priests in question.Benedict’s response was far more nuanced and spiritual, though he went on at length to thank his legal team before even addressing the allegations or the victims of abuse.In the letter, Benedict issued what he called a “confession,” recalling that daily Mass begins with believers confessing their sins and asking forgiveness for their faults and even their “grievous faults.” Benedict noted that in his meetings with abuse victims while he was pope, “I have seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault.“And I have come to understand that we ourselves are drawn into this grievous fault whenever we neglect it or fail to confront it with the necessary decisiveness and responsibility, as too often happened and continues to happen,” he wrote. “As in those meetings, once again I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness.”The law firm report identified four cases in which Ratzinger was accused of misconduct in failing to act against abusers.Two cases involved priests who offended while Ratzinger was archbishop and were punished by the German legal system but were kept in pastoral ministry without any limits on their ministry. A third case involved a cleric who was convicted by a court outside Germany but was put into service in Munich. The fourth case involved a convicted pedophile priest who was allowed to transfer to Munich in 1980, and was later put into ministry. In 1986, that priest received a suspended sentence for molesting a boy.Benedict’s team had earlier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-germany-munich-pope-benedict-xvi-fb76c2f33bdb2ea08a0dcfb75f785dbf">clarified an initial “error”&nbsp;</a>in their submission to the law firm that had insisted Ratzinger was not present at the 1980 meeting in which the priest’s transfer to Munich was discussed. Ratzinger was there, but his return to ministry was not discussed, they said.Benedict said he was deeply hurt that the “oversight” about his presence at the meeting had been used to “cast doubt on my truthfulness, and even to label me a liar.” But he said he had been heartened by the letters and gestures of support he had received, including from his successor.“I am particularly grateful for the confidence, support and prayer that Pope Francis personally expressed to me,” he said.The Vatican had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-crime-germany-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-a7926c80e9af1a6c7688e3529231de82">already strongly defended Benedict’s record</a>&nbsp;in the aftermath of the law firm report, recalling that Benedict was the first pope to meet with victims of abuse, that he had issued strong norms to punish priests who raped children and had directed the church to pursue a path of humility in seeking forgiveness for the crimes of its clerics.The Vatican’s defense, however, focused primarily on Benedict’s tenure as head of the Holy See’s doctrine office, from 1982 until he was elected pope in 2005.Benedict reflected on his legacy at the end of his letter, noting that he is at the end of his life and will soon be judged by God.“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life,” he wrote. “Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer. For I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings.”The head of the German bishops conference, Limburg Bishop Georg Baetzing, had previously said that Benedict needed to respond to the report by distancing himself from his lawyers and advisers.“He must talk, and he must override his advisers and essentially say the simple sentence: ’I incurred guilt, I made mistakes and I apologize to those affected,” Baetzing said. ”It won’t work any other way.”Baetzing didn’t immediately comment Tuesday on Benedict’s response.

Retired Pope apologizes for sex abuse scandal, denies responsibility

KANSAS CITY— Vice President Kamala Harris will make a virtual stop in Kansas City Tuesday.

According to a social media statement from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, he will discuss how Kansas City government is helping thousands of Kansas City families access federal support through the Child Tax Credit in a virtual meeting with the Vice President.

The event is part of the Biden administration's outreach campaign to get millions of families to file their taxes so they can receive the second half of payments from the expanded child tax credit. 

Vice President Kamala Harris, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and White House senior adviser Gene Sperling are hosting the virtual event to encourage people to send their tax forms to the IRS. Administration officials estimate $193 billion would go to 58 million eligible households that file taxes. 

This means families would receive credits on their taxes or refunds averaging $3,330 from this provision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644333822620.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— Vice President Kamala Harris will make a virtual stop in Kansas City Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Millions have used their monthly Child Tax Credit check to pay down debt, to cover expenses and put food on the table. For today&#39;s Day of Action, I want to encourage Americans to sign up for the Expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. <a href="https://t.co/h3toRe8Ccq">https://t.co/h3toRe8Ccq</a>&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1491061112795770883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>According to a social media statement from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, he will discuss how Kansas City government is helping thousands of Kansas City families access federal support through the Child Tax Credit in a virtual meeting with the Vice President.The event is part of the Biden administration's outreach campaign to get millions of families to file their taxes so they can receive the second half of payments from the expanded child tax credit. Vice President Kamala Harris, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and White House senior adviser Gene Sperling are hosting the virtual event to encourage people to send their tax forms to the IRS. Administration officials estimate $193 billion would go to 58 million eligible households that file taxes. This means families would receive credits on their taxes or refunds averaging $3,330 from this provision.

🎥KC Mayor joins VP Harris for virtual event on Child Tax Credits

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting have identified the suspect who died as 38-year-old&nbsp;Jason D. Ickler, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, uniformed deputies of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office went to a hotel in the 1200 block of SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka in an attempt to locate and arrest a Ickler on charges of felony fleeing or attempting to elude police, interference with law enforcement and reckless driving in connection with an incident that occurred in Topeka on&nbsp; February 4.

When deputies located Ickler's hotel room, he jumped from a window and entered a vehicle in the hotel parking lot. A deputy then located Ickler in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle. When the deputy approached the vehicle, the suspect engaged the vehicle and accelerated towards the deputy. The deputy then discharged his duty weapon while trying to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Ickler was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel. 

Officers seized suspected methamphetamine and unlawful drug paraphernalia from the scene.&nbsp;Investigators have confirmed that Ickler was also being sought on multiple outstanding warrants including Barton County, Kansas&nbsp; warrants for crimes of possession of stolen property, burglary, possession of narcotic drug, interference with law enforcement and fleeing or attempting to elude police, Johnson County, Kansas warrants for crimes of identity theft, forgery, tampering with electronic monitoring equipment and fleeing or attempting to elude police and Sedgwick County, Kansas warrants for crimes of possession of narcotic drug, fleeing or attempting to elude police and driving while being a habitual violator.

Ickler had previous convictions for theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections

The Northeast Kansas Sheriff’s Officer-Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team is investigating the officer shooting. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will then be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for review

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting.

The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. Sunday, as deputies were in the 1200 block of SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka attempting to make a felony arrest of a suspect involved in a vehicle pursuit that occurred in Shawnee County on Friday, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp; 

One male subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Northeast Kansas Sheriffs’ Officer-Involved Critical Incident Response Team is in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644273967421.png" alt="Ickler had previous convictions for theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Johnson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ickler had previous convictions for theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections- photo Johnson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting have identified the suspect who died as 38-year-old&nbsp;Jason D. Ickler, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644160820448.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of Sunday's fatal officer-involved shooting-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of Sunday's fatal officer-involved shooting-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, uniformed deputies of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office went to a hotel in the 1200 block of SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka in an attempt to locate and arrest a Ickler on charges of felony fleeing or attempting to elude police, interference with law enforcement and reckless driving in connection with an incident that occurred in Topeka on&nbsp; February 4.When deputies located Ickler's hotel room, he jumped from a window and entered a vehicle in the hotel parking lot. A deputy then located Ickler in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle. When the deputy approached the vehicle, the suspect engaged the vehicle and accelerated towards the deputy. The deputy then discharged his duty weapon while trying to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Ickler was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Officers seized suspected methamphetamine and unlawful drug paraphernalia from the scene.&nbsp;Investigators have confirmed that Ickler was also being sought on multiple outstanding warrants including Barton County, Kansas&nbsp; warrants for crimes of possession of stolen property, burglary, possession of narcotic drug, interference with law enforcement and fleeing or attempting to elude police, Johnson County, Kansas warrants for crimes of identity theft, forgery, tampering with electronic monitoring equipment and fleeing or attempting to elude police and Sedgwick County, Kansas warrants for crimes of possession of narcotic drug, fleeing or attempting to elude police and driving while being a habitual violator.Ickler had previous convictions for theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of CorrectionsThe Northeast Kansas Sheriff’s Officer-Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team is investigating the officer shooting. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will then be forwarded to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for review-----SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting.The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. Sunday, as deputies were in the 1200 block of SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka attempting to make a felony arrest of a suspect involved in a vehicle pursuit that occurred in Shawnee County on Friday, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp; One male subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.The Northeast Kansas Sheriffs’ Officer-Involved Critical Incident Response Team is in charge of the investigation.