TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday reversed the first-degree murder conviction of a Wichita man. 

Mark Holley III was convicted in the 2017 death of 18-year-old D’Shaun Smith during a botched drug deal. The court said the Sedgwick County District Court should have presented a self-defense argument during jury instructions. Holley argued that he shot Smith after Smith tried to rob him and pointed a gun at him. 

The court upheld Holley's convictions on child endangerment charges, arising from a separate incident in which Holley robbed a man while the victim's young children were sitting in the backseat of his car. The murder case now goes back to the district court for further proceedings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619199960232.png" alt="Holley photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Holley photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday reversed the first-degree murder conviction of a Wichita man. Mark Holley III was convicted in the 2017 death of 18-year-old D’Shaun Smith during a botched drug deal. The court said the Sedgwick County District Court should have presented a self-defense argument during jury instructions. Holley argued that he shot Smith after Smith tried to rob him and pointed a gun at him. The court upheld Holley's convictions on child endangerment charges, arising from a separate incident in which Holley robbed a man while the victim's young children were sitting in the backseat of his car. The murder case now goes back to the district court for further proceedings.

Supreme Court reverses murder conviction in Kan. death

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 6 suspects on a variety of drug charges in Pawnee County.

Patrick Jones, 43, Jeanette Moore, 43, Sara Pivonka, 32, Nathanael Harris, 32, Faith Dinning, 26, and Jamil Shoemaker, 25, all of Larned, appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell Friday afternoon via Zoom in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff for Felony First Appearance, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

On Thursday The Pawnee County Sheriff's Department arrested all six Larned area residents were arrested without incident during the execution of three separate search warrants. Also arrested at one of the residences was Kenneth Patterson, Jr, 26 of Larned, for a parole violation. No additional charges have been filed against Patterson at this time.

At the First Appearance each defendant was advised of their charges, the possible penalties if convicted and their constitutional rights, including their right to counsel.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220758523.png" alt="Faith Dinning is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) No Kansas Drug Stamp; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) Possession of Marijuana; and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Faith Dinning is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) No Kansas Drug Stamp; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) Possession of Marijuana; and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating 6 suspects on a variety of drug charges in Pawnee County.Patrick Jones, 43, Jeanette Moore, 43, Sara Pivonka, 32, Nathanael Harris, 32, Faith Dinning, 26, and Jamil Shoemaker, 25, all of Larned, appeared before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell Friday afternoon via Zoom in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff for Felony First Appearance, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.On Thursday The Pawnee County Sheriff's Department arrested all six Larned area residents were arrested without incident during the execution of three separate search warrants. Also arrested at one of the residences was Kenneth Patterson, Jr, 26 of Larned, for a parole violation. No additional charges have been filed against Patterson at this time.At the First Appearance each defendant was advised of their charges, the possible penalties if convicted and their constitutional rights, including their right to counsel.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220417812.png" alt="Patrick&nbsp;Jones is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of at least 450 grams, but less than 30 kilograms of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) No Kansas Drug Stamp and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Patrick&nbsp;Jones is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of at least 450 grams, but less than 30 kilograms of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) No Kansas Drug Stamp and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220466273.png" alt="Jeanette Moore was charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of at least 450 grams, but less than 30 kilograms of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) No Kansas Drug Stamp and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jeanette Moore was charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of at least 450 grams, but less than 30 kilograms of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; (4) No Kansas Drug Stamp and (5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220597549.png" alt="Sara&nbsp;Pivokna is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Conspiracy to Distribute at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; and (4) Possession of Marijuana. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sara&nbsp;Pivokna is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Conspiracy to Distribute at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance; and (4) Possession of Marijuana. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220672108.png" alt="Nathanael&nbsp;Harris is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Conspiracy to Distribute at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine; and (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Nathanael&nbsp;Harris is charged with (1) Possession of at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Conspiracy to Distribute at least 3.5 grams, but less than 100 grams of Methamphetamine; and (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a Controlled Substance. Bond is set at $90,000 cash or surety-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619220835260.png" alt="Shoemaker – (1) Possession of less than 1.00 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of less than 25 grams of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug" />
 <figcaption>Shoemaker – (1) Possession of less than 1.00 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; (2) Possession of less than 25 grams of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; (3) Possession of Drug</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619221048022.png" alt="&nbsp;No additional charges have been filed against Patterson, according to the Pawnee County Attorney." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;No additional charges have been filed against Patterson, according to the Pawnee County Attorney.</figcaption>
 </figure>

County Attorney: 6 Kansas drug suspects make court appearance 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill Friday that would have allowed people as young as 18 to carry concealed weapons, after legislators approved the bill by margins that weren’t large enough to override a veto.

The legislation would have created a provisional license for those 18 to 21, issued by the state attorney general. Permit holders would have had to complete a background check and undergo gun safety training, which is currently required for those 21 and older seeking a permit.

The bill would have significantly increased the number of students eligible to carry concealed weapons on university campuses which, until 2017, were exempt from a 2013 law allowing them in public buildings. But education groups such as the Kansas Association of School Boards say the measure wouldn’t have changed current laws that allow high schools to prohibit guns on school grounds.

“Throughout my time in public office, I have been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and of Kansans’ right to own firearms,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “But we can respect and defend the rights of Kansas gun owners while also taking effective steps to keep our children and families safe. Legislation that allows more guns on campus is neither safe nor effective, and it will drive prospective students away from our schools.”

The bill gained the two-thirds majority necessary in the Senate in a vote this month, but supporters were four votes short of the required supermajority in the House after five Republicans voted against the bill.

State Rep. Charles Smith, a Pittsburg Republican who voted against the proposal, told The Associated Press that there’s “no hurry” for 18, 19-, and 20-year-olds to carry a concealed firearm.

“When you’re 18 years old, 19, you do silly stuff. And gosh, I’d hate for some kid to make a mistake and be in jail for 10 years, or the rest of their life,” Smith said.

Eleven states allow those who are 18 to carry a concealed firearm, according to the United States Concealed Carry Association, one of the largest firearm-owner groups in the country.

Supporters say 18-year-old Kansans can already carry firearms in the open and those as young as 18 are allowed to serve in the military. Some Republican legislators say the bill would allow young people to protect themselves from threats.

Democratic lawmakers argued that those under 21 are less mature and more prone to risk-taking. Opponents have also said that federal law requires someone to be at least 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer.

“We are allowing 18 year olds who are high school seniors to have guns concealed at parties, where there may or may not be alcohol,” Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said in a legislative debate this month.

In March, the measure was amended into legislation to expand Kansas’ recognition of other states’ concealed carry permits after another bill to lower the legal age to carry concealed firearms in Kansas from 21 to 18 stalled in a House committee.

Supporters of the reciprocity measure include Kansas Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who said that the bill would have helped the state maintain reciprocity agreements with other states so that Kansans can carry concealed firearms elsewhere.

This month, the bill was amended by Kansas legislators to allow people who have been convicted of some crimes that include aggravated battery and misdemeanor domestic battery to possess firearms if those records are expunged.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619210947266.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly during her back to school, back to work tour stop in Great Bend." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly during her back to school, back to work tour stop in Great Bend.</figcaption>
 </figure>By ANDY TSUBASA FIELDTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill Friday that would have allowed people as young as 18 to carry concealed weapons, after legislators approved the bill by margins that weren’t large enough to override a veto.The legislation would have created a provisional license for those 18 to 21, issued by the state attorney general. Permit holders would have had to complete a background check and undergo gun safety training, which is currently required for those 21 and older seeking a permit.The bill would have significantly increased the number of students eligible to carry concealed weapons on university campuses which, until 2017, were exempt from a 2013 law allowing them in public buildings. But education groups such as the Kansas Association of School Boards say the measure wouldn’t have changed current laws that allow high schools to prohibit guns on school grounds.“Throughout my time in public office, I have been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and of Kansans’ right to own firearms,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “But we can respect and defend the rights of Kansas gun owners while also taking effective steps to keep our children and families safe. Legislation that allows more guns on campus is neither safe nor effective, and it will drive prospective students away from our schools.”The bill gained the two-thirds majority necessary in the Senate in a vote this month, but supporters were four votes short of the required supermajority in the House after five Republicans voted against the bill.State Rep. Charles Smith, a Pittsburg Republican who voted against the proposal, told The Associated Press that there’s “no hurry” for 18, 19-, and 20-year-olds to carry a concealed firearm.“When you’re 18 years old, 19, you do silly stuff. And gosh, I’d hate for some kid to make a mistake and be in jail for 10 years, or the rest of their life,” Smith said.Eleven states allow those who are 18 to carry a concealed firearm, according to the United States Concealed Carry Association, one of the largest firearm-owner groups in the country.Supporters say 18-year-old Kansans can already carry firearms in the open and those as young as 18 are allowed to serve in the military. Some Republican legislators say the bill would allow young people to protect themselves from threats.Democratic lawmakers argued that those under 21 are less mature and more prone to risk-taking. Opponents have also said that federal law requires someone to be at least 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer.“We are allowing 18 year olds who are high school seniors to have guns concealed at parties, where there may or may not be alcohol,” Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said in a legislative debate this month.In March, the measure was amended into legislation to expand Kansas’ recognition of other states’ concealed carry permits after another bill to lower the legal age to carry concealed firearms in Kansas from 21 to 18 stalled in a House committee.Supporters of the reciprocity measure include Kansas Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who said that the bill would have helped the state maintain reciprocity agreements with other states so that Kansans can carry concealed firearms elsewhere.This month, the bill was amended by Kansas legislators to allow people who have been convicted of some crimes that include aggravated battery and misdemeanor domestic battery to possess firearms if those records are expunged.___

Kan. governor vetoes bill to lower concealed carry age

WASHINGTON (AP) –U.S. health officials have lifted an 11-day pause on Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccinations following a recommendation by an expert panel. 

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the benefits of the single-dose COVID-19 shot outweigh a rare risk of blood clots. Panel members said it’s critical that younger women be told about that risk so they can decide if they’d rather choose another vaccine. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration agreed. 

European regulators earlier this week made a similar decision, deciding the clot risk was small enough to allow the rollout of J&amp;J’s shot.

WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. health panel says it’s time to resume use of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, despite a very rare risk of blood clots.

Out of nearly 8 million people vaccinated before the U.S. suspended J&amp;J’s shot, health officials uncovered 15 cases of a highly unusual kind of blood clot, three of them fatal.

All were women, most younger than 50. But advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the vaccine’s benefits outweigh that serious but small risk — especially against a virus that’s still infecting tens of thousands of Americans every day.

The government will rapidly weigh that recommendation in deciding next steps.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) –U.S. health officials have lifted an 11-day pause on Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccinations following a recommendation by an expert panel. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the benefits of the single-dose COVID-19 shot outweigh a rare risk of blood clots. Panel members said it’s critical that younger women be told about that risk so they can decide if they’d rather choose another vaccine. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration agreed. European regulators earlier this week made a similar decision, deciding the clot risk was small enough to allow the rollout of J&amp;J’s shot.------WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. health panel says it’s time to resume use of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, despite a very rare risk of blood clots.Out of nearly 8 million people vaccinated before the U.S. suspended J&amp;J’s shot, health officials uncovered 15 cases of a highly unusual kind of blood clot, three of them fatal.All were women, most younger than 50. But advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the vaccine’s benefits outweigh that serious but small risk — especially against a virus that’s still infecting tens of thousands of Americans every day.The government will rapidly weigh that recommendation in deciding next steps.

US to resume J&J COVID vaccinations despite rare clot risk

PHILLIPS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug charges after an arrest in Northwest Kansas.

On April 21, a traffic complaint about an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed resulted in Phillips County Sheriff 's deputies asisting the Kansas Highway Patrol in the recovery of a significant amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to a media release.

Four New York state residents were returning from the Colorado 420 festivities and thought it was a good idea to travel home with some souvenirs.  This resulted in them spending some time in taxpayer provided lodging at the Phillips County courthouse. 

Charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia are pending. The sheriff's office released no additional details Friday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619210242546.png" alt="Photos courtesy Phillips County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Phillips County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug charges after an arrest in Northwest Kansas.On April 21, a traffic complaint about an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed resulted in Phillips County Sheriff 's deputies asisting the Kansas Highway Patrol in the recovery of a significant amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to a media release.Four New York state residents were returning from the Colorado 420 festivities and thought it was a good idea to travel home with some souvenirs. This resulted in them spending some time in taxpayer provided lodging at the Phillips County courthouse. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619210416221.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia are pending. The sheriff's office released no additional details Friday afternoon.

Souvenirs from marijuana holiday land 4 in Kan. jail

The business relationship between the University of Kansas Health System and Hays Med will soon end, but with the decision, no impact to services are expected.

The decision was announced to employees Thursday and was confirmed by the University of Kansas Health System media relations director Jill Chadwick on Friday.

She described the situation as amicable and will not change in any way the medical staff or services that currently work at Hays Med.

"In terms of patients and the public, nothing is going to change," Chadwick said. "Everybody still has access to health care. We are still going to be in Hays, and people will still have the opportunity to get access to any specialist that they might need."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4d8e11e3-2e85-4a41-8404-561202ba7a9c">RELATED: HaysMed's complete statement on the changes.</a>

The system operates in 66 counties as part of its mission to help provide rural areas access to specialized health care and she said they look forward to continuing to do so.

"We will still be working with them (HaysMed)," Chadwick said. "We will still be getting referrals, we will still be treating patients, just like we do in 66 other counties."

The decision to end the relationship was mutual, she said, and reflects only a difference in business administration between the two parties.

"We had a shared vision five years ago, but now we don't share the same vision," Chadwick said. "We decided that we still want to care for patients ... but it's this side of the business we want to change."

A timeline for the change has not been set, she said but as details are worked out visitors to the facility will see no changes.

"It has no public impact or patient impact," Chadwick said.

"While we have worked together over the past five years, we have mutually decided that stepping back and working independently best supports the long-term health and wellness of our communities," a statement from Hays Med said. "Taking this step allows both entities to actively pursue the unique approaches to serving their respective populations. This action also applies to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned, which is a managed partner of HaysMed."

The statement from Hays Med also noted providers are supportive of the decision.

“The medical staff at HaysMed supports this decision,” said Dr. Heather Harris, medical director and physician at Hays Family Medicine. &nbsp;

“In our opinion, administration and the board did what was in the best interest of staff and patients of Hays and western Kansas," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592338129889.jpeg" alt="The campus of Hays Medical Center" />
 <figcaption>The campus of Hays Medical Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThe business relationship between the University of Kansas Health System and Hays Med will soon end, but with the decision, no impact to services are expected.The decision was announced to employees Thursday and was confirmed by the University of Kansas Health System media relations director Jill Chadwick on Friday.She described the situation as amicable and will not change in any way the medical staff or services that currently work at Hays Med."In terms of patients and the public, nothing is going to change," Chadwick said. "Everybody still has access to health care. We are still going to be in Hays, and people will still have the opportunity to get access to any specialist that they might need."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4d8e11e3-2e85-4a41-8404-561202ba7a9c">RELATED: HaysMed's complete statement on the changes.</a>The system operates in 66 counties as part of its mission to help provide rural areas access to specialized health care and she said they look forward to continuing to do so."We will still be working with them (HaysMed)," Chadwick said. "We will still be getting referrals, we will still be treating patients, just like we do in 66 other counties."The decision to end the relationship was mutual, she said, and reflects only a difference in business administration between the two parties."We had a shared vision five years ago, but now we don't share the same vision," Chadwick said. "We decided that we still want to care for patients ... but it's this side of the business we want to change."A timeline for the change has not been set, she said but as details are worked out visitors to the facility will see no changes."It has no public impact or patient impact," Chadwick said."While we have worked together over the past five years, we have mutually decided that stepping back and working independently best supports the long-term health and wellness of our communities," a statement from Hays Med said. "Taking this step allows both entities to actively pursue the unique approaches to serving their respective populations. This action also applies to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned, which is a managed partner of HaysMed."The statement from Hays Med also noted providers are supportive of the decision.“The medical staff at HaysMed supports this decision,” said Dr. Heather Harris, medical director and physician at Hays Family Medicine. &nbsp;Dr. Roger Dietz, chief of staff, agreed.“In our opinion, administration and the board did what was in the best interest of staff and patients of Hays and western Kansas," he said.

KU health system, Hays Med end business relationship

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pedestrian accident that critically injured a man in Wichita.

Just before 7a.m. Friday., deputies responded to a vehicle/pedestrian collision on Spirit AeroSystems campus near Gate 13 at 4400 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 During the investigation deputies learned an eastbound GMC truck driven by a 39-year-old man struck a 48-year-old man walking northbound. The driver of the GMC stopped after the collision and remained at the scene.

EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the GMC was not injured. Authorities released no additional details early Friday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619201129342.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the accident on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the accident on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pedestrian accident that critically injured a man in Wichita.Just before 7a.m. Friday., deputies responded to a vehicle/pedestrian collision on Spirit AeroSystems campus near Gate 13 at 4400 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. During the investigation deputies learned an eastbound GMC truck driven by a 39-year-old man struck a 48-year-old man walking northbound. The driver of the GMC stopped after the collision and remained at the scene.EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the GMC was not injured. Authorities released no additional details early Friday afternoon.

Truck strikes man walking on campus of Kan. aircraft parts maker

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — The Kansas City police department has unveiled several new policies designed to improve community relationships after months of complaints arising from confrontations during last summer's racial injustice protests but some community activists immediately rejected the changes as insufficient and demanded stronger action.

The department's First Amendment policy emphasizes that officers should protect citizens' rights to gather and protest. It lays out the chain of command for determining how officers should respond to the gatherings, and encourages efforts to communicate with organizers of the demonstrations.

As part of the initiative, the department announced Thursday that about 900 of its patrol, tactical and traffic officers are now equipped with body cameras, which community groups have been demanding for years.

That announcement came after Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith met privately Wednesday with some community activists to discuss the new policies and how the city could respond if more protests are held.

The effort to improve relationships did not impress several of the civil rights organizations that had demanded changes, particularly that Smith either resign or be fired.

On Thursday, seven groups sent a letter to Lucas, Smith, and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker saying they would not attend the meetings, which they called “performative politics.” They said the police department remains a racist organization that disregards the humanity of Black people.

The letter from Black Rainbow, the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Council-Greater Kansas City, Urban League, National Black United Front, Operation Liberation, and Urban Summit said Lucas had not met one of their demands and had engaged in “political posturing” since May 2020.

“Furthermore, the recent reforms announced by KCPD are miniscule, ineffective, inadequate, and don’t produce structural change,” the letter said. “Moreover, they do nothing to dismantle systemic racism in the execution of policies, practices and procedures.”

Henry Service, an attorney and community activist who attended Wednesday’s meeting, said in an interview that any progress that has been made was only because of protests and other actions of activists.

He remains skeptical of city and police leaders’ determination to follow through with changes, although he will continue to attend the monthly gatherings.

“My complaint is that they are now saying they are doing things that they are required (by law) to do in the first place,” Service said. “I just don’t believe the police are going to change unless they are forced to. It’s going to take legislation, it’s going to take media exposure. They won’t do it because they want to.”

Lucas said Thursday he was optimistic the city is making progress in healing its divisions. He said those who attended the meeting talked openly about their concerns, with one participant frankly telling Smith why she wanted him fired. He noted the groups who sent the letter were invited to participate in the meeting but chose not to do so.

“I'm not going to stop meeting with people,” Lucas said.

The mayor said Kansas City compares favorably with any other city in positive changes, citing the decriminalization of most marijuana possession laws, which disproportionately affect Black citizens. He also said he agrees the city needs an independent office for citizen complaints in the police department and local control of its police force.

During a news conference Thursday announcing progress on the body cameras, Smith said the body cameras were a “win-win” for the public and police.

“The community wanted it, our officers wanted it. ... Everyone is trying to get to the truth and the camera will help provide that,” said Smith, who has said repeatedly that he does not intend to resign.

Private donations allowed the city to purchase the cameras, which will cost about $4 million annually. The department has received a federal grant to add cameras for about 400 more detectives.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd, who was on the committee setting policy for the cameras, said the cameras would help police and prosecutors secure justice. But he explained that under Missouri law, video evidence from the cameras will not be released for the public to see in a criminal case until the case is concluded, unless a judge orders the videos' release.

The department's other policies require police to refrain from deploying less-lethal weapons, munitions or chemical agents unless there is an immediate need to protect themselves or others from injury. Less-lethal weapons — such as rubber bullets — will not be used to disperse crowds, although chemical agents such as tear gas can be used for dispersal.

Other changes made by the department include having outside law enforcement agencies investigate police shootings, and requiring officers to intervene if another officer is using excessive force.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606271500828.png" alt="Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith met privately Wednesday with some community activists to discuss the new policies and how the city could respond if more protests are held-photo courtesy KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith met privately Wednesday with some community activists to discuss the new policies and how the city could respond if more protests are held-photo courtesy KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET STAFFORDKANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — The Kansas City police department has unveiled several new policies designed to improve community relationships after months of complaints arising from confrontations during last summer's racial injustice protests but some community activists immediately rejected the changes as insufficient and demanded stronger action.The department's First Amendment policy emphasizes that officers should protect citizens' rights to gather and protest. It lays out the chain of command for determining how officers should respond to the gatherings, and encourages efforts to communicate with organizers of the demonstrations.As part of the initiative, the department announced Thursday that about 900 of its patrol, tactical and traffic officers are now equipped with body cameras, which community groups have been demanding for years.That announcement came after Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith met privately Wednesday with some community activists to discuss the new policies and how the city could respond if more protests are held.The effort to improve relationships did not impress several of the civil rights organizations that had demanded changes, particularly that Smith either resign or be fired.On Thursday, seven groups sent a letter to Lucas, Smith, and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker saying they would not attend the meetings, which they called “performative politics.” They said the police department remains a racist organization that disregards the humanity of Black people.The letter from Black Rainbow, the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Council-Greater Kansas City, Urban League, National Black United Front, Operation Liberation, and Urban Summit said Lucas had not met one of their demands and had engaged in “political posturing” since May 2020.“Furthermore, the recent reforms announced by KCPD are miniscule, ineffective, inadequate, and don’t produce structural change,” the letter said. “Moreover, they do nothing to dismantle systemic racism in the execution of policies, practices and procedures.”Henry Service, an attorney and community activist who attended Wednesday’s meeting, said in an interview that any progress that has been made was only because of protests and other actions of activists.He remains skeptical of city and police leaders’ determination to follow through with changes, although he will continue to attend the monthly gatherings.“My complaint is that they are now saying they are doing things that they are required (by law) to do in the first place,” Service said. “I just don’t believe the police are going to change unless they are forced to. It’s going to take legislation, it’s going to take media exposure. They won’t do it because they want to.”Lucas said Thursday he was optimistic the city is making progress in healing its divisions. He said those who attended the meeting talked openly about their concerns, with one participant frankly telling Smith why she wanted him fired. He noted the groups who sent the letter were invited to participate in the meeting but chose not to do so.“I'm not going to stop meeting with people,” Lucas said.The mayor said Kansas City compares favorably with any other city in positive changes, citing the decriminalization of most marijuana possession laws, which disproportionately affect Black citizens. He also said he agrees the city needs an independent office for citizen complaints in the police department and local control of its police force.During a news conference Thursday announcing progress on the body cameras, Smith said the body cameras were a “win-win” for the public and police.“The community wanted it, our officers wanted it. ... Everyone is trying to get to the truth and the camera will help provide that,” said Smith, who has said repeatedly that he does not intend to resign.Private donations allowed the city to purchase the cameras, which will cost about $4 million annually. The department has received a federal grant to add cameras for about 400 more detectives.Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd, who was on the committee setting policy for the cameras, said the cameras would help police and prosecutors secure justice. But he explained that under Missouri law, video evidence from the cameras will not be released for the public to see in a criminal case until the case is concluded, unless a judge orders the videos' release.The department's other policies require police to refrain from deploying less-lethal weapons, munitions or chemical agents unless there is an immediate need to protect themselves or others from injury. Less-lethal weapons — such as rubber bullets — will not be used to disperse crowds, although chemical agents such as tear gas can be used for dispersal.Other changes made by the department include having outside law enforcement agencies investigate police shootings, and requiring officers to intervene if another officer is using excessive force.

Kansas City police set new policies to improve interactions

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 489&nbsp; to a total of 307,372, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 4968, an increase of 5.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 489&nbsp; to a total of 307,372, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 4968, an increase of 5.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619199530719.png" alt="Friday April 23, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday April 23, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a preliminary autopsy indicated a 35-year-old female inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility died of natural causes related to heart failure. Jessica Chapman died Monday after she collapsed at a scheduled appointment at the prison's medical clinic. 

The KBI says Chapman had received medical treatment the previous weekend for chest pains. A corrections department spokeswoman says Chapman's death is not believed to be related to COVID-19. 

The KBI investigates all deaths of inmates at prisons or jails, unless the person is under the care of a doctor. Chapman was serving time for a drug conviction in Barton County and forgery from Rice County.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials with Kansas’ state policing agency have begun an investigation into the death of an inmate at the women’s prison in Topeka, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation confirmed.

Jessica Chapman, 35, died Monday at the Kansas Department of Corrections’ TCF women’s prison.&nbsp; The death was initially confirmed through the KBI, because the Kansas prisons system did not send out a news release announcing the death — a departure from the agency’s normal procedure when an inmate dies in custody.

Officials have not released any details on how Chapman died. A spokeswoman for the prisons system did not immediately return email and phone messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619014791151.png" alt="Chapman had convictions that include forgery, criminal use of a financial card and for drug distribution, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Chapman had convictions that include forgery, criminal use of a financial card and for drug distribution, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a preliminary autopsy indicated a 35-year-old female inmate at the Topeka Correctional Facility died of natural causes related to heart failure. Jessica Chapman died Monday after she collapsed at a scheduled appointment at the prison's medical clinic. The KBI says Chapman had received medical treatment the previous weekend for chest pains. A corrections department spokeswoman says Chapman's death is not believed to be related to COVID-19. The KBI investigates all deaths of inmates at prisons or jails, unless the person is under the care of a doctor. Chapman was serving time for a drug conviction in Barton County and forgery from Rice County.-------------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials with Kansas’ state policing agency have begun an investigation into the death of an inmate at the women’s prison in Topeka, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation confirmed.Jessica Chapman, 35, died Monday at the Kansas Department of Corrections’ TCF women’s prison.&nbsp; The death was initially confirmed through the KBI, because the Kansas prisons system did not send out a news release announcing the death — a departure from the agency’s normal procedure when an inmate dies in custody.Officials have not released any details on how Chapman died. A spokeswoman for the prisons system did not immediately return email and phone messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press seeking comment.

Autopsy: Kansas inmate died from natural causes

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence will no longer allow licensed providers to practice conversion therapy on minors in the city.

The city commission voted unanimously this week to ban the practice, which is designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Commissioners said research has shown the practice is harmful to children’s mental health and increases the risk of suicide.

“The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” said Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban.

Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia previously told the commission that 20 states and numerous municipalities, including Roeland Park in suburban Kansas City, have banned conversion therapy.

Barry Foster, senior pastor at First Christian Church,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawrence-gender-identity-e297a8ebc1d8cfea5ac3dbc5a3a532fa">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;in a letter that the ordinance violated religious and other freedoms.

Garcia said the ban applies only to licensed counselors, not clergy or religious figures who counsel children without a license.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Lawrence will no longer allow licensed providers to practice conversion therapy on minors in the city.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AYGVoci01bY?start=2739" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The city commission voted unanimously this week to ban the practice, which is designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.Commissioners said research has shown the practice is harmful to children’s mental health and increases the risk of suicide.“The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” said Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban.Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia previously told the commission that 20 states and numerous municipalities, including Roeland Park in suburban Kansas City, have banned conversion therapy.Barry Foster, senior pastor at First Christian Church,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawrence-gender-identity-e297a8ebc1d8cfea5ac3dbc5a3a532fa">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;in a letter that the ordinance violated religious and other freedoms.Garcia said the ban applies only to licensed counselors, not clergy or religious figures who counsel children without a license.

🎥  Kan. community approves ban on conversion therapy

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after executing a search warrant at a home in Great Bend.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, members of the Great Bend Police Department served an arrest warrant at a home at 2537 16th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Officers arrested 20-year-old Jericho Riddle on three felony no bond warrants.  During the arrest, illegal drugs were observed inside of the residence.

Officers secured the residence and obtained a narcotics search warrant. During a thorough search of the residence, detectives and officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, items of drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

In addition to the no bond warrants, Riddle and 20-year-old Sonia Candia, age 20, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

Officers also arrested Blake Stegman, age 19, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, and criminal use of a weapon.

Riddle, Candia and Stegman were all transported to the Barton County Detention Center and booked in lieu of bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619188943685.jpeg" alt="Riddle photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Riddle photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after executing a search warrant at a home in Great Bend.Just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, members of the Great Bend Police Department served an arrest warrant at a home at 2537 16th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.Officers arrested 20-year-old Jericho Riddle on three felony no bond warrants. During the arrest, illegal drugs were observed inside of the residence.Officers secured the residence and obtained a narcotics search warrant. During a thorough search of the residence, detectives and officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, items of drug paraphernalia and a firearm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619188962376.jpeg" alt="Candia photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Candia photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to the no bond warrants, Riddle and 20-year-old Sonia Candia, age 20, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.Officers also arrested Blake Stegman, age 19, on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, and criminal use of a weapon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619188982040.jpeg" alt="Stegman photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Stegman photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Riddle, Candia and Stegman were all transported to the Barton County Detention Center and booked in lieu of bond.

Police seize drugs, weapon after search of Kan. home

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas counties are increasingly allowing people to get a coronavirus vaccine without an appointment as interest wanes.

In the Lawrence area, mass vaccination clinics at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, which had been immunizing almost 700 people per hour at their peak, are coming to an end next week. They will be replaced next month with five-day-per-week drive-thru clinics that will deliver 200 to 300 vaccinations per day to people at Lawrence Memorial Hospital without being scheduled in advance, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.

“We’re seeing that supply is now outpacing demand in Douglas County,” said Brian Bradfield, associate vice president of ancillary services for LMH Health.

The health department in Johnson County, which is the state’s largest, also opened a mass vaccination clinic in Lenexa to walk-ins on Wednesday and Thursday, WDAF-TV reports.

“We understand that internet is a challenge for some,” said Johnson County Health Director Dr. Sanmi Areola. “We understand that some, their job just really doesn’t give as much flexibility. So it’s also opportunities for them to get vaccinated.”

He said the plan is to size down, but not ditch, the mass vaccination sites, while scaling up small community events they’re already doing, like going into businesses, churches and schools.

In the Wichita area, appointments will not be needed starting Monday to get a vaccination at the former downtown library. And Wyandotte County also has opened its three clinics to people who don’t have appointments.

The shift comes as newly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-health-c60d9f3070426e9964f1eaecb0fd3268">released state data shows</a>&nbsp;that counties are increasingly turning away new doses, even though just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated.

Phillips County, in rural northwest Kansas, is among six that have rejected allocations for four straight weeks.

Pete Rogers, the county’s public health officer, told The Associated Press that part of the challenge is that Moderna is shipped in 100-dose batches, while the minimum amount of vaccine a location can order of Pfizer is 1,170 doses.

“It makes it difficult in rural Kansas to be good stewards of the vaccine,” he wrote in a text. “As is typical of the state, the larger populous areas are how the rules are set and rural areas are left to figure it out. We have to collaborate with area counties to receive those types of shipments and that takes time no one has.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619185997511.png" alt="Volunteers wait for vehicles at a vaccination clinic Thursday in Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Volunteers wait for vehicles at a vaccination clinic Thursday in Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas counties are increasingly allowing people to get a coronavirus vaccine without an appointment as interest wanes.In the Lawrence area, mass vaccination clinics at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, which had been immunizing almost 700 people per hour at their peak, are coming to an end next week. They will be replaced next month with five-day-per-week drive-thru clinics that will deliver 200 to 300 vaccinations per day to people at Lawrence Memorial Hospital without being scheduled in advance, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.“We’re seeing that supply is now outpacing demand in Douglas County,” said Brian Bradfield, associate vice president of ancillary services for LMH Health.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618525698000.png" alt="Vaccination clinic photo courtesy Douglas Co. Health Department" />
 <figcaption>Vaccination clinic photo courtesy Douglas Co. Health Department</figcaption>
 </figure>The health department in Johnson County, which is the state’s largest, also opened a mass vaccination clinic in Lenexa to walk-ins on Wednesday and Thursday, WDAF-TV reports.“We understand that internet is a challenge for some,” said Johnson County Health Director Dr. Sanmi Areola. “We understand that some, their job just really doesn’t give as much flexibility. So it’s also opportunities for them to get vaccinated.”He said the plan is to size down, but not ditch, the mass vaccination sites, while scaling up small community events they’re already doing, like going into businesses, churches and schools.In the Wichita area, appointments will not be needed starting Monday to get a vaccination at the former downtown library. And Wyandotte County also has opened its three clinics to people who don’t have appointments.The shift comes as newly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-coronavirus-health-c60d9f3070426e9964f1eaecb0fd3268">released state data shows</a>&nbsp;that counties are increasingly turning away new doses, even though just 37% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated.Phillips County, in rural northwest Kansas, is among six that have rejected allocations for four straight weeks.Pete Rogers, the county’s public health officer, told The Associated Press that part of the challenge is that Moderna is shipped in 100-dose batches, while the minimum amount of vaccine a location can order of Pfizer is 1,170 doses.“It makes it difficult in rural Kansas to be good stewards of the vaccine,” he wrote in a text. “As is typical of the state, the larger populous areas are how the rules are set and rural areas are left to figure it out. We have to collaborate with area counties to receive those types of shipments and that takes time no one has.”

Vaccine increasingly available in Kan. without appointments

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed two Republican-backed education bills on Thursday, including one that would have required high school students to pass a civics test to graduate and another that would have allowed districts to incorporate gun safety courses into their curriculums.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the bills this month, but not by large enough margins in either chamber for override attempts to succeed, falling 12 votes short in the House and two shy in the Senate on the civics bill and five votes short in the House and nine shy in the Senate on the gun safety course measure.

It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone who opposed either bill initially might back one or both in an override attempt, or even if attempts would be made. Some Republicans who opposed the bills said they agreed with state Board of Education members who argued that the measures would have infringed upon the board’s constitutional authority to set graduation requirements.

“The Kansas Constitution endows our state Board of Education with the authority to set the curriculum for our public schools,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “We should let the state Board of Education do that job, not the Legislature. This is legislative overreach. I encourage the Legislature to work with the State Board of Education to modify curriculum.”

The civics bill would have required public and private high school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The measure didn’t set a passing grade, leaving that to teachers. Students would have been able to take the test multiple times until they passed.

That bill also would have forced high schools to offer financial literacy courses beginning next year that students would have had to pass in order to graduate starting in the 2024-25 school year.

The legislation drew criticism from Democrats and the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Kansas National Education Association, which pointed out that students already learn about civics in their government classes. The Kansas Association of School Boards, the United School Administrators of Kansas and the Olathe School District told lawmakers that they would rather encourage students to work on civics projects instead of relying on tests.

Republicans supporting the bill argued that a test would require students to learn basic information needed to become engaged citizens. Some also said that passing a civics test should be easy for students who already study the subject in other classes. The bill would have required high schools to submit annual reports tracking how students performed on the test.

Nineteen states require high school students to have taken a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.

The other bill Kelly vetoed would have allowed school districts to offer gun-safety programs and directed the state Board of Education to develop curriculum guidelines, including requiring K-5 courses to be based on the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie the Eagle” program. Although the bill’s backers said the NRA program is well-established, some critics said it has proven to be ineffective in preventing accidental shootings among children.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed two Republican-backed education bills on Thursday, including one that would have required high school students to pass a civics test to graduate and another that would have allowed districts to incorporate gun safety courses into their curriculums.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the bills this month, but not by large enough margins in either chamber for override attempts to succeed, falling 12 votes short in the House and two shy in the Senate on the civics bill and five votes short in the House and nine shy in the Senate on the gun safety course measure.It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone who opposed either bill initially might back one or both in an override attempt, or even if attempts would be made. Some Republicans who opposed the bills said they agreed with state Board of Education members who argued that the measures would have infringed upon the board’s constitutional authority to set graduation requirements.“The Kansas Constitution endows our state Board of Education with the authority to set the curriculum for our public schools,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “We should let the state Board of Education do that job, not the Legislature. This is legislative overreach. I encourage the Legislature to work with the State Board of Education to modify curriculum.”The civics bill would have required public and private high school students to pass a test or series of tests consisting of 60 randomly selected questions from the U.S. citizenship test. The measure didn’t set a passing grade, leaving that to teachers. Students would have been able to take the test multiple times until they passed.That bill also would have forced high schools to offer financial literacy courses beginning next year that students would have had to pass in order to graduate starting in the 2024-25 school year.The legislation drew criticism from Democrats and the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Kansas National Education Association, which pointed out that students already learn about civics in their government classes. The Kansas Association of School Boards, the United School Administrators of Kansas and the Olathe School District told lawmakers that they would rather encourage students to work on civics projects instead of relying on tests.Republicans supporting the bill argued that a test would require students to learn basic information needed to become engaged citizens. Some also said that passing a civics test should be easy for students who already study the subject in other classes. The bill would have required high schools to submit annual reports tracking how students performed on the test.Nineteen states require high school students to have taken a civics test in order to graduate, according to the Legislature’s research staff.The other bill Kelly vetoed would have allowed school districts to offer gun-safety programs and directed the state Board of Education to develop curriculum guidelines, including requiring K-5 courses to be based on the National Rifle Association’s “Eddie the Eagle” program. Although the bill’s backers said the NRA program is well-established, some critics said it has proven to be ineffective in preventing accidental shootings among children.

Governor vetoes bill requiring Kan. students pass civics test

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at Wichita's Cow Town museum and asking the public for help to identify them.

Around midnight on April 16, several individuals were captured on surveillance video inside the museum causing damage to windows and buildings, according to a social media report from police.

They are also believed to be responsible for damages that occurred at Botanica on the same night.

If anyone has information about these individuals, or this case, please contact Detective Meier at 316-268-4254 or dmeier@wichita.gov

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619174296501.png" alt="Image of suspects captured on surveillance cameras from Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image of suspects captured on surveillance cameras from Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at Wichita's Cow Town museum and asking the public for help to identify them.Around midnight on April 16, several individuals were captured on surveillance video inside the museum causing damage to windows and buildings, according to a social media report from police.They are also believed to be responsible for damages that occurred at Botanica on the same night.If anyone has information about these individuals, or this case, please contact Detective Meier at 316-268-4254 or dmeier@wichita.gov

Police: Suspects vandalized Kansas museum

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by James B. Carney, 34, Peyton, Colo., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of SW Valencia Road.

The car left the roadway and overturned in a creek.

Carney was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619122648604.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal crash on Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal crash on Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by James B. Carney, 34, Peyton, Colo., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of SW Valencia Road.The car left the roadway and overturned in a creek.Carney was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

KHP IDs man who died after car lands in creek on I-70

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a December shooting have made an arrest.

Just after 7:30p.m. December 27, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in Dodge City after report of a shooting, according to a media release.

 Upon their arrival, they found a 19-year-old Dodge City man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The shooter later identified as 19-year-old Samuel Paz-Acosta fled the scene before police arrived.

After a 4-month investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for attempted 1st Degree Murder for Paz-Acosta and took him into custody.&nbsp; He is being held in the Ford County Jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619120111005.png" alt="Paz-Acosta -photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Paz-Acosta -photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a December shooting have made an arrest.Just after 7:30p.m. December 27, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in Dodge City after report of a shooting, according to a media release. Upon their arrival, they found a 19-year-old Dodge City man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The shooter later identified as 19-year-old Samuel Paz-Acosta fled the scene before police arrived.After a 4-month investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for attempted 1st Degree Murder for Paz-Acosta and took him into custody.&nbsp; He is being held in the Ford County Jail.&nbsp;

Police arrest teen for December shooting in SW Kansas

WICHITA – A Kansas woman was sentenced Wednesday for breaking into a Wichita home and killing her ex-boyfriend's dog&nbsp; with a baseball bat, reportedly in a jealous rage. 

A Sedgwick County District Judge sentenced 32-year-old Hilda Noordhoek of Wichita, to 24 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

On April 22, 2018, a man who lives in southeast Wichita told police someone used a brick to smash a window and enter his house. The thief took a computer along with headphones and the suspect killed his bulldog.&nbsp;A witness told police that Noordhoek killed the pet because she was mad that the man — with whom she was romantically involved — was seeing another woman.

Wichita Police used a license plate reader program and found Noordhoek’s car matched security footage outside the victim’s house. The victim and Noordhoek knew each other.

Last month, Noordhoek pled no contest to burglary, theft, and cruelty to animals. As part of the sentence, the judge ordered Noordhoek to pay $3236.99 in restitution to the victim. The Judge also ordered her to serve a 30-day jail sanction immediately before she begins her probation, which the Judge is required to do under Kansas law as a condition of probation on the cruelty to animals. Noordhoek was ordered to obtain a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations of the psychological evaluation.

The judge also ordered Noordhoek to have no contact with any pets except those she already owns and no unsupervised contact with other people’s pets.

Noordhoek's lack of criminal history placed her most serious charge, burglary, in the "presumptive probation" category under Kansas law. The court ruled that if she violated her probation she would serve 13 months in prison for the burglary with an additional 12 months in jail for the cruelty to animals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619039450167.png" alt="Nordhoek photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Nordhoek photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A Kansas woman was sentenced Wednesday for breaking into a Wichita home and killing her ex-boyfriend's dog&nbsp; with a baseball bat, reportedly in a jealous rage. A Sedgwick County District Judge sentenced 32-year-old Hilda Noordhoek of Wichita, to 24 months of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.On April 22, 2018, a man who lives in southeast Wichita told police someone used a brick to smash a window and enter his house. The thief took a computer along with headphones and the suspect killed his bulldog.&nbsp;A witness told police that Noordhoek killed the pet because she was mad that the man — with whom she was romantically involved — was seeing another woman.Wichita Police used a license plate reader program and found Noordhoek’s car matched security footage outside the victim’s house. The victim and Noordhoek knew each other.Last month, Noordhoek pled no contest to burglary, theft, and cruelty to animals. As part of the sentence, the judge ordered Noordhoek to pay $3236.99 in restitution to the victim. The Judge also ordered her to serve a 30-day jail sanction immediately before she begins her probation, which the Judge is required to do under Kansas law as a condition of probation on the cruelty to animals. Noordhoek was ordered to obtain a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations of the psychological evaluation.The judge also ordered Noordhoek to have no contact with any pets except those she already owns and no unsupervised contact with other people’s pets.Noordhoek's lack of criminal history placed her most serious charge, burglary, in the "presumptive probation" category under Kansas law. The court ruled that if she violated her probation she would serve 13 months in prison for the burglary with an additional 12 months in jail for the cruelty to animals.

Kansas woman beat ex's dog to death with baseball bat

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Thursday that Navy Fireman 1st Class Harold E. Bates, 27, of Rush Center, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Feb. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Bates was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Bates. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries. In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Bates. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Bates’ remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Bates’ name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Bates will be buried on May 29, 2021, in Larned, Kansas. For family and funeral information, contact the Navy Service Casualty office at (800) 443-9298. <a href="https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeKFEA0">Click here</a> to read more about Harold Bates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619129671852.png" alt="Harold Bates -photo courtesy Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>Harold Bates -photo courtesy Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Thursday that Navy Fireman 1st Class Harold E. Bates, 27, of Rush Center, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Feb. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Bates was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Bates. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries. In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Bates. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Bates’ remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Bates’ name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Bates will be buried on May 29, 2021, in Larned, Kansas. For family and funeral information, contact the Navy Service Casualty office at (800) 443-9298. <a href="https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeKFEA0">Click here</a> to read more about Harold Bates.

Kansas sailor who died at Pearl Harbor identified

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was in Great Bend on Thursday to tour the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. The Governor is touring Kansas medical facilities this week while the state legislature is taking its April recess. Kelly told reporters after the tour what she saw.

"I've been very impressed with the facility here in Great Bend," Kelly said. "Honestly, I had not idea that this existed. The level of service, the comprehensiveness of the services and the clear dedication of the staff who are here shouts out at you as you're walking through the corridors."

The governor used some of her time in Great Bend to make her case for Medicaid expansion. She said her Medicaid proposals would provide more access to quality healthcare for people who do not have health insurance coverage. Kelly also said the expansion of Medicaid is important to rural hospitals like the one here in the Great Bend.

"Medicaid expansion will help this facility and every facility like it just because a lot of these facilities provide millions of dollars worth of uncompensated care," Kelly said. "Hospitals cannot turn somebody away if they show up at the emergency room. They've got to provide the service and care for them."

Kelly said it is important right now for the state legislature to take action on Medicaid. She said the federal government is offering to pay Kansas 350 to 450 million dollars in Rescue Plan money over the next two years if Medicaid is expanded.

The governor noted that she has offered to pair Medicaid expansion with the legalization of medical marijuana. She says the proceeds from medical marijuana could be used to offset the costs for additional Medicaid expenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619117170864.jpeg" alt="Gov. Kelly held a press conference after touring the hospital in Great Bend." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kelly held a press conference after touring the hospital in Great Bend.</figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was in Great Bend on Thursday to tour the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. The Governor is touring Kansas medical facilities this week while the state legislature is taking its April recess. Kelly told reporters after the tour what she saw."I've been very impressed with the facility here in Great Bend," Kelly said. "Honestly, I had not idea that this existed. The level of service, the comprehensiveness of the services and the clear dedication of the staff who are here shouts out at you as you're walking through the corridors."The governor used some of her time in Great Bend to make her case for Medicaid expansion. She said her Medicaid proposals would provide more access to quality healthcare for people who do not have health insurance coverage. Kelly also said the expansion of Medicaid is important to rural hospitals like the one here in the Great Bend."Medicaid expansion will help this facility and every facility like it just because a lot of these facilities provide millions of dollars worth of uncompensated care," Kelly said. "Hospitals cannot turn somebody away if they show up at the emergency room. They've got to provide the service and care for them."Kelly said it is important right now for the state legislature to take action on Medicaid. She said the federal government is offering to pay Kansas 350 to 450 million dollars in Rescue Plan money over the next two years if Medicaid is expanded.The governor noted that she has offered to pair Medicaid expansion with the legalization of medical marijuana. She says the proceeds from medical marijuana could be used to offset the costs for additional Medicaid expenses.

Kelly touts Medicaid expansion after touring Great Bend hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/victims-anti-asian-attacks-reflect-0632beaa1726f17dcabb672c224ad86a">hate crimes&nbsp;</a>against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden's agenda has stalled.

Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) were the original sponsors of the legislation,&nbsp;the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act&nbsp;(Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act), which was included as an amendment to the&nbsp;COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also voted for the measure and said  Moran's amendment was the a reason he supported the final version.

The measure would expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and provide support for local law enforcement in response to thousands of reported violent incidents in the past year. Police have seen a noted uptick in such crimes, including the February death of an 84-year-old man who was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco, a young family that was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year and the killing of six Asian women in shootings last month in Atlanta.

The names of the six women killed in Georgia are listed in the bill, which passed the Senate on a 94-1 vote. The House is expected to consider similar legislation in the coming weeks.

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, the legislation’s lead sponsor, said the measure is incredibly important to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, “who have often felt very invisible in our country, always seen as foreign, always seen as the other.” She said the message of the legislation is as important as its content and substance.

Hirono, the first Asian American woman in the Senate, said the attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable consequence” of racist and inflammatory language that has been used against Asians during the pandemic, including slurs used by former President Donald Trump.

Illinois. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs during a 2004 attack in Iraq, said she had been asked what country she was from while wearing her U.S. military uniform. Duckworth, the first member of Congress born in Thailand, said there is more work to be done, but the bill's passage tells the community that “we will stand with you and we will protect you.”

It’s unclear whether the bipartisan bill is a sign of things to come in the Senate, where Republicans and Democrats have fundamental differences and often struggle to work together. Under an agreement struck by Senate leaders at the start of the year, Republicans and Democrats pledged to at least try to debate bills and see if they could reach agreement through the legislative process. The hate crimes legislation is the first byproduct of that agreement. Some said it doesn't need to be the last.

Hirono said it is her “sincere hope that we can channel and sustain the bipartisan work done on this important piece of legislation” to a larger bill that would change policing laws, which Senate Republicans are negotiating with House Democrats. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said ahead of the vote that he hopes the bipartisan example of the hate crimes bill will extend to an infrastructure package that has so far divided the parties.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the legislation shows that the chamber can work in a bipartisan fashion, and he aims to make that happen as much as possible. “That doesn’t mean we forgo our principles. It doesn’t mean we cut back on the boldness that is needed," he said. "It means we try to work with our Republican colleagues wherever we can.”

But unlike many of the larger, more controversial policy issues Democrats hope to tackle in their new majority, efforts to combat the rising violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have almost universal backing. More than 3,000 incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based reporting center for such crimes, and its partner advocacy groups since mid-March 2020.

Republicans said last week that they agreed with the premise of the legislation and signaled they were willing to back it with minor changes, an unusual sign of comity amid frequent standstills in the polarized Senate. Hirono worked closely with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to incorporate some additional Republican and bipartisan provisions, including better reporting of hate crimes nationally and grant money for states to set up hate crime hotlines.

The revised bill would also replace language in the original legislation that called for “guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic.” The legislation would require the government to issue guidance aimed at “raising awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic” to address some GOP concerns about policing speech.

Republicans agreed to back the bill after the Senate also voted on and rejected a series of GOP amendments, including efforts to prevent discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions and reporting about restrictions on religious exercise during the pandemic.

Only one Republican, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, voted against the bill. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on why he opposed it.

Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced a similar bill in the House, which she says is expected to be considered in May.

“For more than a year, Asian Americans all across our nation have been screaming out for help," Meng said, and the Senate showed that “they heard our pleas.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619125459935.png" alt="The&nbsp;Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act&nbsp;would help combat the recent surge in hate crimes.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The&nbsp;Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act&nbsp;would help combat the recent surge in hate crimes.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/victims-anti-asian-attacks-reflect-0632beaa1726f17dcabb672c224ad86a">hate crimes&nbsp;</a>against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden's agenda has stalled. Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) were the original sponsors of the legislation,&nbsp;the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act&nbsp;(Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act), which was included as an amendment to the&nbsp;COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also voted for the measure and said Moran's amendment was the a reason he supported the final version.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ke1hUnakmIU?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The measure would expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and provide support for local law enforcement in response to thousands of reported violent incidents in the past year. Police have seen a noted uptick in such crimes, including the February death of an 84-year-old man who was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco, a young family that was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year and the killing of six Asian women in shootings last month in Atlanta.The names of the six women killed in Georgia are listed in the bill, which passed the Senate on a 94-1 vote. The House is expected to consider similar legislation in the coming weeks.Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, the legislation’s lead sponsor, said the measure is incredibly important to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, “who have often felt very invisible in our country, always seen as foreign, always seen as the other.” She said the message of the legislation is as important as its content and substance.Hirono, the first Asian American woman in the Senate, said the attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable consequence” of racist and inflammatory language that has been used against Asians during the pandemic, including slurs used by former President Donald Trump.Illinois. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs during a 2004 attack in Iraq, said she had been asked what country she was from while wearing her U.S. military uniform. Duckworth, the first member of Congress born in Thailand, said there is more work to be done, but the bill's passage tells the community that “we will stand with you and we will protect you.”It’s unclear whether the bipartisan bill is a sign of things to come in the Senate, where Republicans and Democrats have fundamental differences and often struggle to work together. Under an agreement struck by Senate leaders at the start of the year, Republicans and Democrats pledged to at least try to debate bills and see if they could reach agreement through the legislative process. The hate crimes legislation is the first byproduct of that agreement. Some said it doesn't need to be the last.Hirono said it is her “sincere hope that we can channel and sustain the bipartisan work done on this important piece of legislation” to a larger bill that would change policing laws, which Senate Republicans are negotiating with House Democrats. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said ahead of the vote that he hopes the bipartisan example of the hate crimes bill will extend to an infrastructure package that has so far divided the parties.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the legislation shows that the chamber can work in a bipartisan fashion, and he aims to make that happen as much as possible. “That doesn’t mean we forgo our principles. It doesn’t mean we cut back on the boldness that is needed," he said. "It means we try to work with our Republican colleagues wherever we can.”But unlike many of the larger, more controversial policy issues Democrats hope to tackle in their new majority, efforts to combat the rising violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have almost universal backing. More than 3,000 incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based reporting center for such crimes, and its partner advocacy groups since mid-March 2020.Republicans said last week that they agreed with the premise of the legislation and signaled they were willing to back it with minor changes, an unusual sign of comity amid frequent standstills in the polarized Senate. Hirono worked closely with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to incorporate some additional Republican and bipartisan provisions, including better reporting of hate crimes nationally and grant money for states to set up hate crime hotlines.The revised bill would also replace language in the original legislation that called for “guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic.” The legislation would require the government to issue guidance aimed at “raising awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic” to address some GOP concerns about policing speech.Republicans agreed to back the bill after the Senate also voted on and rejected a series of GOP amendments, including efforts to prevent discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions and reporting about restrictions on religious exercise during the pandemic.Only one Republican, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, voted against the bill. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on why he opposed it.Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced a similar bill in the House, which she says is expected to be considered in May.“For more than a year, Asian Americans all across our nation have been screaming out for help," Meng said, and the Senate showed that “they heard our pleas.”