COWLEY COUNTY — The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department responded to four separate fires in the past three days, with multiple buildings and at least one vehicle declared as losses, according to a media release.

In the first incident, ACFD was dispatched at 12:10 p.m. Sunday to 7196 252nd Road for a report of a grass fire. Crews found approximately 10 acres of grass on fire and, due to high winds, a metal outbuilding and two trailers also were ignited. One southbound lane of U.S. 77 was shut down temporarily due to the smoky conditions. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30 minutes.

The monetary loss of the structure, contents and both trailers was estimated at $9,000. The fire was determined to have been caused by an ember from a previously controlled fire the night before. The Winfield Fire-EMS Department assisted ACFD and Udall Fire Department responded, but disregarded.

In the second incident, ACFD was dispatched at 6:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of 282nd Road in Arkansas City for a report of a vehicle fire. Crews found an abandoned Saturn-type passenger car that was fully involved. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

In the third incident, ACFD was dispatched at 10:12 p.m. Monday to the area of 252nd and 111th roads, northeast of Arkansas City, for a fire investigation. Crews arrived on scene to find an abandoned house on fire and burned almost to the ground. The structure was allowed to continue to burn. The cause of fire remains unknown. Once ACFD arrived on scene and assessed the situation, responding crews from the Udall and Winfield fire departments were asked to disregard the call.

In the fourth and final incident, ACFD was dispatched at 9 a.m. Tuesday to 1227 South L St. in Sleeth Addition for a report of a house fire. Crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions when they arrived. No one was inside at the home at the time, but two dogs perished in the fire. It took crews almost an hour and a half to bring the structure fire under control. A monetary loss of the structure and its contents is estimated at $20,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Both the Winfield Fire-EMS Department and the Udall Fire Department assisted ACFD in bringing the fire under control.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617752786654.png" alt="Photo Arkansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Arkansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY — The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department responded to four separate fires in the past three days, with multiple buildings and at least one vehicle declared as losses, according to a media release.In the first incident, ACFD was dispatched at 12:10 p.m. Sunday to 7196 252nd Road for a report of a grass fire. Crews found approximately 10 acres of grass on fire and, due to high winds, a metal outbuilding and two trailers also were ignited. One southbound lane of U.S. 77 was shut down temporarily due to the smoky conditions. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30 minutes.The monetary loss of the structure, contents and both trailers was estimated at $9,000. The fire was determined to have been caused by an ember from a previously controlled fire the night before. The Winfield Fire-EMS Department assisted ACFD and Udall Fire Department responded, but disregarded.In the second incident, ACFD was dispatched at 6:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of 282nd Road in Arkansas City for a report of a vehicle fire. Crews found an abandoned Saturn-type passenger car that was fully involved. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.In the third incident, ACFD was dispatched at 10:12 p.m. Monday to the area of 252nd and 111th roads, northeast of Arkansas City, for a fire investigation. Crews arrived on scene to find an abandoned house on fire and burned almost to the ground. The structure was allowed to continue to burn. The cause of fire remains unknown. Once ACFD arrived on scene and assessed the situation, responding crews from the Udall and Winfield fire departments were asked to disregard the call.In the fourth and final incident, ACFD was dispatched at 9 a.m. Tuesday to 1227 South L St. in Sleeth Addition for a report of a house fire. Crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions when they arrived. No one was inside at the home at the time, but two dogs perished in the fire. It took crews almost an hour and a half to bring the structure fire under control. A monetary loss of the structure and its contents is estimated at $20,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Both the Winfield Fire-EMS Department and the Udall Fire Department assisted ACFD in bringing the fire under control.

Four fires since Sunday in Kansas community

<a href="https://jcpost.com/posts/9a74477c-8260-46c5-b5f7-70a803b2e21b">RELATED: Check the status of your stimulus payment.</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/036636b7-73f2-49de-9694-a4779096f505">RELATED: Portion of unemployment compensation tax-exempt</a>

WASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing more than 25 million payments in the fourth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today’s announcement brings the total disbursed so far to more than 
156 million payments, with a total value of approximately $372 billion, 
since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.&nbsp;

The fourth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 2, 
with an official payment date of April 7, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional&nbsp; information is available on the first three batches 
of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a>, and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments. People can check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled.

Payments to non-filer VA beneficiaries will be disbursed on April 14

The IRS continues to review data received from Veterans Affairs (VA),
 which covers veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation 
and Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments who don’t normally file a tax 
return.

If no additional issues arise, the IRS expects to begin processing 
these VA payment files at the end of this week. Because the majority of 
these payments will be disbursed electronically, they would be received 
on the official payment date of April 14. The IRS projects VA 
beneficiary payment information would be available in the Get My Payment
 tool this weekend, April 10-11.

Payments continue to be made rapidly and effectively

The IRS and Treasury are disbursing Economic Impact Payments 
authorized by the American Rescue Plan quickly and successfully, while 
improving on previous rounds of payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020 tax return, 
even if they don't usually file, to provide information the IRS needs to
 send payments for a qualified dependent. Eligible individuals in this 
group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional 
payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they’ll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://jcpost.com/posts/9a74477c-8260-46c5-b5f7-70a803b2e21b">RELATED: Check the status of your stimulus payment.</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/036636b7-73f2-49de-9694-a4779096f505">RELATED: Portion of unemployment compensation tax-exempt</a>IRSWASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing more than 25 million payments in the fourth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today’s announcement brings the total disbursed so far to more than 
156 million payments, with a total value of approximately $372 billion, 
since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.&nbsp;The fourth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 2, 
with an official payment date of April 7, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes more than 25 million payments, with a total value of more than $36 billion.</li><li>The largest block of these payments went to Social Security 
beneficiaries who didn’t file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didn’t use 
the Non-Filers tool last year. More than 19 million payments, with a 
total value of more than $26 billion, went to these beneficiaries, which
 include Social Security retirement, survivor or disability (SSDI) 
beneficiaries.</li><li>More than 3 million payments, with a total value of nearly $5 billion, went to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.</li><li>Nearly 85,000 payments, with a total value of more than $119 million, went to Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries.</li><li>This batch includes additional ongoing supplemental payments for 
people who earlier in March received payments based on their 2019 tax 
returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included more than 1 
million of these “plus-up” payments, with a total value of more than $2 
billion.</li><li>More than 1 million payments, with a total value of nearly $3 
billion, went to people for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue a payment but who recently filed a tax return and 
qualified for an Economic Impact Payment.&nbsp; Payments to this group -- and
 the “plus-up” payments noted above -- will continue on a weekly basis 
going forward as the IRS continues processing tax returns from 2020 and 
2019.</li><li>Overall, this fourth batch of payments contains nearly 24 million 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of over $33 billion) and 
more than 1 million paper check payments (with a total value of nearly 
$3 billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional&nbsp; information is available on the first three batches 
of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a>, and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments. People can check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled.<h2>Payments to non-filer VA beneficiaries will be disbursed on April 14</h2>The IRS continues to review data received from Veterans Affairs (VA),
 which covers veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation 
and Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments who don’t normally file a tax 
return.If no additional issues arise, the IRS expects to begin processing 
these VA payment files at the end of this week. Because the majority of 
these payments will be disbursed electronically, they would be received 
on the official payment date of April 14. The IRS projects VA 
beneficiary payment information would be available in the Get My Payment
 tool this weekend, April 10-11.<h2>Payments continue to be made rapidly and effectively</h2>The IRS and Treasury are disbursing Economic Impact Payments 
authorized by the American Rescue Plan quickly and successfully, while 
improving on previous rounds of payments.<ul>
 <li>Within two weeks of the American Rescue Plan becoming law, the 
IRS and Treasury had started disbursing 127 million payments, including 
107 million completed direct deposits. At a similar point during the 
first round of Economic Impact Payments authorized a year ago, the first
 payments had yet to be completed.</li><li>Payments to Social Security and other federal beneficiaries are 
being issued faster than they were during the first round of payments a 
year ago.</li><li>Approximately 85% of the current round of payments have been made 
by direct deposit, up from 74% in the first round of payments and 77% in
 the second round.&nbsp; This helps to expedite payments for millions of 
American families.&nbsp;</li><li>Direct deposits are also more likely to be successfully delivered 
than mailed payments, and the return rate of direct deposits is also 
lower than in previous rounds of payments.</li><li>Over 3.1 million Direct Express cardholders have received payment 
electronically, more than a half-million more than in previous rounds.&nbsp; 
Making most of these payments to Direct Express cards enables 
cardholders, many of whom are unbanked, to receive their Economic Impact
 Payment the same way they typically receive their federal benefits.</li>
 </ul><h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020 tax return, 
even if they don't usually file, to provide information the IRS needs to
 send payments for a qualified dependent. Eligible individuals in this 
group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional 
payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they’ll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: Fourth batch of COVID stimulus checks hitting bank accounts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for trying to buy a chemical weapon on the dark web as part of a plot to kill a woman who had broken up with him, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jason William Siesser, 46, of Columbia was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson City’s federal court, prosecutors said in a news release. Last year, Siesser pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to acquire a chemical weapon and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Investigators said Siesser tried twice in 2018 to buy chemical dimethylmercury using bitcoin. He is accused of placing the order in the name of a juvenile, but authorities said he was the person who accepted the package he thought contained the chemical when it was delivered. Authorities said the amount Siesser sought would have been enough to kill hundreds of people.

Law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant after delivery of the package, which contained a harmless, inert substance. Investigators found the package on a top of a shelf in Siesser’s garage, as well as earlier delivered packages containing the toxin cadmium arsenide, cadmium metal and hydrochloric acid.

Prosecutors had previously said that they did not believe a public attack was planned.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617737210737.png" alt="Siesser is being held in Phelps County" />
 <figcaption>Siesser is being held in Phelps County</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for trying to buy a chemical weapon on the dark web as part of a plot to kill a woman who had broken up with him, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.Jason William Siesser, 46, of Columbia was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson City’s federal court, prosecutors said in a news release. Last year, Siesser pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to acquire a chemical weapon and one count of aggravated identity theft.Investigators said Siesser tried twice in 2018 to buy chemical dimethylmercury using bitcoin. He is accused of placing the order in the name of a juvenile, but authorities said he was the person who accepted the package he thought contained the chemical when it was delivered. Authorities said the amount Siesser sought would have been enough to kill hundreds of people.Law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant after delivery of the package, which contained a harmless, inert substance. Investigators found the package on a top of a shelf in Siesser’s garage, as well as earlier delivered packages containing the toxin cadmium arsenide, cadmium metal and hydrochloric acid.Prosecutors had previously said that they did not believe a public attack was planned.

Man sentenced for trying to buy chemical weapon on dark web

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a weekend fire in Cowley County and have made an arrest.

On Sunday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Winfield Police Department, Fire and EMS and several rural fire departments responded to a fire at the Winfield City Lake, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald

The reporting party stated the individual who started the fire was still at the lake causing a physical disturbance and damaging property.

Deputies contacted several individuals at the Lake Permit Station. It was reported that Brandon Beyard, 26 of Winfield had started a fire around the Winfield City Lake. 

A physical disturbance resulted in this incident and Beyard was arrested on requested charges of Arson and Battery. 

Another subject identified as Micheal Terry, 27, of Wichita, Ks. was arrested on requested charges of Battery and Criminal Damage to Property. The victim was treated for injuries at the scene.

Beyard and Terry were transported to the Cowley County Jail and released on bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617733752483.png" alt="Terry photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Terry photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a weekend fire in Cowley County and have made an arrest.On Sunday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Winfield Police Department, Fire and EMS and several rural fire departments responded to a fire at the Winfield City Lake, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonaldThe reporting party stated the individual who started the fire was still at the lake causing a physical disturbance and damaging property.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617733700742.png" alt="Beyard photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Beyard photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies contacted several individuals at the Lake Permit Station. It was reported that Brandon Beyard, 26 of Winfield had started a fire around the Winfield City Lake. A physical disturbance resulted in this incident and Beyard was arrested on requested charges of Arson and Battery. Another subject identified as Micheal Terry, 27, of Wichita, Ks. was arrested on requested charges of Battery and Criminal Damage to Property. The victim was treated for injuries at the scene.Beyard and Terry were transported to the Cowley County Jail and released on bond.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of setting weekend fire

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly announced a major step forward in the effort to modernize the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system at the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). The agency issued its request for proposal (RFP) for modernizing the over 40-year-old computer system.&nbsp;

“When I learned that the previous Administration abandoned efforts to modernize the state’s unemployment computer system in 2011, I immediately tasked the agency with reviving its modernization plans,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and the antiquated technology was unable to keep up with the record volume of claims. Today, we are taking a major step in fixing our broken system. We will finish what other Administrations’ failed to do.”

Prior to the pandemic, at Governor Kelly’s direction, KDOL staff traveled to states that had modernized their unemployment systems to learn from them how Kansas could build a system that would more efficiently serve claimants and businesses. In the past year, the agency has dedicated a specialized team to complete and expedite the modernization plan, incorporating the findings and best practices from these states.

“The RFP process is the next major step in our effort to modernize,”&nbsp;said Secretary Amber Shultz.&nbsp;“We plan to expedite this process as much as possible, while taking care to engage the business community, workers, and legislators. Over the past year, we have been able to stabilize our underlying systems which were not equipped to handle the volume of pandemic-related claims or the complexity of the new federal programs. The stabilization efforts worked and will help to speed modernization implementation once a vendor is selected,”&nbsp;said Shultz.

When Governor Kelly took office in 2019, one of her top priorities for the Department of Labor was to modernize the agency’s archaic mainframe UI IT system. However, when the state faced record-high unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency was forced to temporarily suspend its modernization efforts in order to focus on stabilizing the decades old system.

Today, the system has largely been stabilized and is paying out legitimate claimants in the traditional state unemployment program and new federal benefit programs. Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 4.2 million weekly claims totaling over $2.8 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs.&nbsp;

The Kansas Legislature is considering Governor Kelly’s $37.5 million budget request to replace KDOL’s aging system.&nbsp;

“We are on target to modernize this antiquated system,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“While we navigate the procurement process, we also need the legislature to fund this critical upgrade. It will not be cheap—fixing a system that has been neglected for 40-plus years never is—but failing to act is not an option. I will continue working with the legislature to get this critical project done. We owe it to the people of Kansas.”

The RFP, published on Thurs., April 1, has the event number EVT0007951. A graphic outlining the next steps of KDOL’s IT modernization project can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MDYuMzgzMjAyMDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDQvTW9kZXJuaXphdGlvbi1TbGlkZS1LRE9MLVVJLnBkZiJ9.uHkRGZQavCXKhazNABFCDWpY9_F5OCuwD-uoqwmNzOE/s/1303160919/br/101559709703-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp; Governor Laura Kelly announced a major step forward in the effort to modernize the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system at the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). The agency issued its request for proposal (RFP) for modernizing the over 40-year-old computer system.&nbsp;“When I learned that the previous Administration abandoned efforts to modernize the state’s unemployment computer system in 2011, I immediately tasked the agency with reviving its modernization plans,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and the antiquated technology was unable to keep up with the record volume of claims. Today, we are taking a major step in fixing our broken system. We will finish what other Administrations’ failed to do.”Prior to the pandemic, at Governor Kelly’s direction, KDOL staff traveled to states that had modernized their unemployment systems to learn from them how Kansas could build a system that would more efficiently serve claimants and businesses. In the past year, the agency has dedicated a specialized team to complete and expedite the modernization plan, incorporating the findings and best practices from these states.“The RFP process is the next major step in our effort to modernize,”&nbsp;said Secretary Amber Shultz.&nbsp;“We plan to expedite this process as much as possible, while taking care to engage the business community, workers, and legislators. Over the past year, we have been able to stabilize our underlying systems which were not equipped to handle the volume of pandemic-related claims or the complexity of the new federal programs. The stabilization efforts worked and will help to speed modernization implementation once a vendor is selected,”&nbsp;said Shultz.When Governor Kelly took office in 2019, one of her top priorities for the Department of Labor was to modernize the agency’s archaic mainframe UI IT system. However, when the state faced record-high unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency was forced to temporarily suspend its modernization efforts in order to focus on stabilizing the decades old system.Today, the system has largely been stabilized and is paying out legitimate claimants in the traditional state unemployment program and new federal benefit programs. Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 4.2 million weekly claims totaling over $2.8 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs.&nbsp;The Kansas Legislature is considering Governor Kelly’s $37.5 million budget request to replace KDOL’s aging system.&nbsp;“We are on target to modernize this antiquated system,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“While we navigate the procurement process, we also need the legislature to fund this critical upgrade. It will not be cheap—fixing a system that has been neglected for 40-plus years never is—but failing to act is not an option. I will continue working with the legislature to get this critical project done. We owe it to the people of Kansas.”The RFP, published on Thurs., April 1, has the event number EVT0007951. A graphic outlining the next steps of KDOL’s IT modernization project can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MDYuMzgzMjAyMDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDQvTW9kZXJuaXphdGlvbi1TbGlkZS1LRE9MLVVJLnBkZiJ9.uHkRGZQavCXKhazNABFCDWpY9_F5OCuwD-uoqwmNzOE/s/1303160919/br/101559709703-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

KDOL to replace decades-old unemployment system

FINNEY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10a.m. Tuesday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford F150 driven by Kevin J. Lavelle, 50, Garden City, was&nbsp; westbound in the outside lane of U.S. Highway 50 near Anderson Road.

The pickup collided with the trailer of a 1999 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Alma A&nbsp;Enriquez, 58, Turpin, Oklahoma.&nbsp;

The trailer separated from the cab and&nbsp; Vehicle 1 was disabled on the westbound shoulder and ditch area.

Lavelle was was transported to St. Catherine's where he died. Enriquez was not injured. Lavelle was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617742079154.png" alt="Traffic backed up near the accident scene Tuesday-photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>Traffic backed up near the accident scene Tuesday-photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10a.m. Tuesday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford F150 driven by Kevin J. Lavelle, 50, Garden City, was&nbsp; westbound in the outside lane of U.S. Highway 50 near Anderson Road.The pickup collided with the trailer of a 1999 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Alma A&nbsp;Enriquez, 58, Turpin, Oklahoma.&nbsp;The trailer separated from the cab and&nbsp; Vehicle 1 was disabled on the westbound shoulder and ditch area.Lavelle was was transported to St. Catherine's where he died. Enriquez was not injured. Lavelle was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup strikes semi's trailer

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home invasion that sent a man to the hospital.

Just after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an aggravated battery call at a home in the 400 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

At the residence, police officers contacted a 29-year-old male who was injured. EMS transported him to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that the victim woke up to a 50-year-old male acquaintance inside his home without permission. 

The victim encountered the suspect and the suspect fled out of the home. As the suspect drove away in his Honda Odyssey Van he struck the victim with his vehicle and drove away.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617739828590.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home invasion that sent a man to the hospital.Just after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an aggravated battery call at a home in the 400 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.At the residence, police officers contacted a 29-year-old male who was injured. EMS transported him to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed that the victim woke up to a 50-year-old male acquaintance inside his home without permission. The victim encountered the suspect and the suspect fled out of the home. As the suspect drove away in his Honda Odyssey Van he struck the victim with his vehicle and drove away.

Kan. home invasion suspect strikes victim with van

SALINA —Memorial Health System, in Abilene, and Salina Regional Health Center have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance in order to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities in north central Kansas.

The affiliation agreement has been formalized after more than a year of study, discussion, planning and negotiation. The Memorial Health System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the affiliation agreement at today’s board meeting.

On Jan. 1, 2022, Salina Regional Health Center will assume responsibility for the management and operations of Memorial Health System. Ownership of the hospital will not change. However, all Memorial Health System employees will become employees of Salina Regional Health Center.

The focus of the affiliation is to increase services and care available to the people of Abilene and Dickinson County. Nothing in the agreement inhibits or eliminates a patient’s ability to choose from whom or where they receive services.

“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center. “This will allow us to align and coordinate services to better fulfill our mission along with Memorial Health System.”

“As health care continues to evolve, it is clear that we must continue to find ways to provide care more efficiently, effectively, and with coordination instead of competition,” said Harold Courtois, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Health System. “This is vital to enable all of us to survive as providers and to improve the patient experience. We are committed to continue to provide and enhance care to those who seek our services.”

“The MHS Board of Trustees have been educating ourselves and discussing the idea of affiliation for years,” said Dr. Steven Schwarting, Memorial Health System board chair. “We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to our community and surrounding area.”

“This affiliation brings together two historically successful organizations,” Phelps said. “We look forward to working with Memorial Health System to provide more growth, stability and future opportunities.”

Salina Regional Health Center also has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, and Lindsborg Community Hospital.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617742149724.jpeg" alt="Memorial Health System board members&nbsp;Mildred Fink and Dr. Steve Schwarting look on as Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center, signs the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Memorial Health System" />
 <figcaption>Memorial Health System board members&nbsp;Mildred Fink and Dr. Steve Schwarting look on as Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center, signs the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Memorial Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Memorial Health System, in Abilene, and Salina Regional Health Center have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance in order to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities in north central Kansas.The affiliation agreement has been formalized after more than a year of study, discussion, planning and negotiation. The Memorial Health System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the affiliation agreement at today’s board meeting.On Jan. 1, 2022, Salina Regional Health Center will assume responsibility for the management and operations of Memorial Health System. Ownership of the hospital will not change. However, all Memorial Health System employees will become employees of Salina Regional Health Center.The focus of the affiliation is to increase services and care available to the people of Abilene and Dickinson County. Nothing in the agreement inhibits or eliminates a patient’s ability to choose from whom or where they receive services.“Our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Joel Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Salina Regional Health Center. “This will allow us to align and coordinate services to better fulfill our mission along with Memorial Health System.”“As health care continues to evolve, it is clear that we must continue to find ways to provide care more efficiently, effectively, and with coordination instead of competition,” said Harold Courtois, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Health System. “This is vital to enable all of us to survive as providers and to improve the patient experience. We are committed to continue to provide and enhance care to those who seek our services.”“The MHS Board of Trustees have been educating ourselves and discussing the idea of affiliation for years,” said Dr. Steven Schwarting, Memorial Health System board chair. “We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to our community and surrounding area.”“This affiliation brings together two historically successful organizations,” Phelps said. “We look forward to working with Memorial Health System to provide more growth, stability and future opportunities.”Salina Regional Health Center also has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, and Lindsborg Community Hospital.

Abilene, Salina hospitals form alliance 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran killed in the line of duty is being remembered as a man with a sense of humor who loved baseball and golf and was most proud of one particular title: Dad.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-nancy-pelosi-42e4c9eee490dfd6056c10ea7a1c3c1a">William “Billy” Evans</a>, 41, was killed Friday when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol. The driver,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-politics-451c5c5154045d404d0db76270f78aac">Noah Green</a>, 25, came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police, officials said. Investigators believe Green had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Tuesday that Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 13, a tribute reserved for the nation’s most eminent private citizens.

The U.S. Capitol Police also released a statement from Evans family, saying: “His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled.”

Evans, a father of two, grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, a close-knit town of about 13,000 in the northwest part of the state.

Jason LaForest knew Evans for more than 30 years. He was a close friend of Evans’ older sister, Julie, and recalled Evans as a prankster who made sure the subjects of his jokes laughed as well.

“As a young kid, Billy, of course, was the annoying little brother of one of my best friends, a title which he held on to for most of his life,” said LaForest, a North Adams city councilman. “But it was a joy to watch him grow up and become a talented athlete and a dedicated police officer, and, of course, the role in life that he loved the most, which was a dad.”

Sports, particularly baseball, was another important part of Evans’ life.

“He came from a long line of family members that loved baseball and especially the Boston Red Sox,” LaForest said. “He excelled in baseball and enjoyed playing baseball most of his life. It’s a passion that he instilled in his children.”

Evans’ father, Howard, died about seven years ago. His mother, Janice, still lives in Massachusetts.

He attended Western New England University, graduating in 2002 as a criminal justice major. He joined the Capitol Police the next year.

Robert E. Johnson, the university’s president, said in a statement that Evans was a member of the school’s baseball and bowling teams and the campus activities board. He said that Evans’ friends at the university described him as “extremely welcoming and friendly, humble, and always willing to help others.”

John Claffey, a professor of criminal justice, said that when news of Evans’ death first aired, he had the sense that he knew that smile. “I immediately said that’s a face I recognize,” Claffey said.

He recalled Evans as a student who knew what he wanted to do — a “very focused kid.”

Over the weekend, Claffey received four calls from former students who just wanted to talk to him about Evans.

“This has shaken a lot of people’s worlds,” he said. “A lot of people from Western New England, who haven’t been here in 18 years, it’s still having an impact on them.”

Members of Evans family said in the statement through the U.S. Capitol Police that the most important thing in Evans’ life was his two children, Logan and Abigail.

“His most cherished moments were those spent with them -- building with Lego, having lightsaber duels, playing board games, doing arts and crafts, and recently finishing the Harry Potter series,” the family said. “He was always so eager to show how proud he was of everything they did. Any opportunity to spend time with his children brightened both their lives and his. Their dad was their hero long before the tragic events of last week.”

The family said Evans was proud of his job and that his friendship with colleagues near the “North Barricade” of the Capitol complex was one of the best parts of his job.

“We hold them in our hearts, as we know they acutely share our grief,” the family’s statement read.

The death of Evans came nearly three months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 rioting at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;that left five people dead, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-tanios-julian-khater-charged-capitol-riot-f28484b486155d911cab41c90a8bed8d">Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick</a>. He died a day after the insurrection.

Lawmakers issued a wave of statements offering their condolences and gratitude to Evans after the Good Friday attack. Capitol Hill aides and members of the press corps that cover Capitol Hill also weighed in, recalling him as friendly and professional.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, Schumer and Pelosi said they hoped next week’s tribute in the Capitol Rotunda would provide comfort to Evans’ family and express the nation’s gratitude to members of the U.S. Capitol Police.

“In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful,” Schumer and Pelosi said.

LaForest said Evans never considered himself to be a hero.

“He wanted to serve his country as a Capitol police officer and looked forward to seeing lawmakers and visitors who came to the Capitol every day, many of whom became friends of Billy’s in large part because of his good-natured sense of humor,” LaForest said. “And, unfortunately, Billy paid the ultimate price defending his country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617402625752.png" alt="&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department's first responders unit." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department's first responders unit.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran killed in the line of duty is being remembered as a man with a sense of humor who loved baseball and golf and was most proud of one particular title: Dad.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-nancy-pelosi-42e4c9eee490dfd6056c10ea7a1c3c1a">William “Billy” Evans</a>, 41, was killed Friday when a vehicle rammed into Evans and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Capitol. The driver,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-politics-451c5c5154045d404d0db76270f78aac">Noah Green</a>, 25, came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police, officials said. Investigators believe Green had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Tuesday that Evans will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda on April 13, a tribute reserved for the nation’s most eminent private citizens.The U.S. Capitol Police also released a statement from Evans family, saying: “His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled.”Evans, a father of two, grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, a close-knit town of about 13,000 in the northwest part of the state.Jason LaForest knew Evans for more than 30 years. He was a close friend of Evans’ older sister, Julie, and recalled Evans as a prankster who made sure the subjects of his jokes laughed as well.“As a young kid, Billy, of course, was the annoying little brother of one of my best friends, a title which he held on to for most of his life,” said LaForest, a North Adams city councilman. “But it was a joy to watch him grow up and become a talented athlete and a dedicated police officer, and, of course, the role in life that he loved the most, which was a dad.”Sports, particularly baseball, was another important part of Evans’ life.“He came from a long line of family members that loved baseball and especially the Boston Red Sox,” LaForest said. “He excelled in baseball and enjoyed playing baseball most of his life. It’s a passion that he instilled in his children.”Evans’ father, Howard, died about seven years ago. His mother, Janice, still lives in Massachusetts.He attended Western New England University, graduating in 2002 as a criminal justice major. He joined the Capitol Police the next year.Robert E. Johnson, the university’s president, said in a statement that Evans was a member of the school’s baseball and bowling teams and the campus activities board. He said that Evans’ friends at the university described him as “extremely welcoming and friendly, humble, and always willing to help others.”John Claffey, a professor of criminal justice, said that when news of Evans’ death first aired, he had the sense that he knew that smile. “I immediately said that’s a face I recognize,” Claffey said.He recalled Evans as a student who knew what he wanted to do — a “very focused kid.”Over the weekend, Claffey received four calls from former students who just wanted to talk to him about Evans.“This has shaken a lot of people’s worlds,” he said. “A lot of people from Western New England, who haven’t been here in 18 years, it’s still having an impact on them.”Members of Evans family said in the statement through the U.S. Capitol Police that the most important thing in Evans’ life was his two children, Logan and Abigail.“His most cherished moments were those spent with them -- building with Lego, having lightsaber duels, playing board games, doing arts and crafts, and recently finishing the Harry Potter series,” the family said. “He was always so eager to show how proud he was of everything they did. Any opportunity to spend time with his children brightened both their lives and his. Their dad was their hero long before the tragic events of last week.”The family said Evans was proud of his job and that his friendship with colleagues near the “North Barricade” of the Capitol complex was one of the best parts of his job.“We hold them in our hearts, as we know they acutely share our grief,” the family’s statement read.The death of Evans came nearly three months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 rioting at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;that left five people dead, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-tanios-julian-khater-charged-capitol-riot-f28484b486155d911cab41c90a8bed8d">Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick</a>. He died a day after the insurrection.Lawmakers issued a wave of statements offering their condolences and gratitude to Evans after the Good Friday attack. Capitol Hill aides and members of the press corps that cover Capitol Hill also weighed in, recalling him as friendly and professional.In a joint statement released Tuesday, Schumer and Pelosi said they hoped next week’s tribute in the Capitol Rotunda would provide comfort to Evans’ family and express the nation’s gratitude to members of the U.S. Capitol Police.“In giving his life to protect our Capitol and our Country, Officer Evans became a martyr for our democracy. On behalf of the entire Congress, we are profoundly grateful,” Schumer and Pelosi said.LaForest said Evans never considered himself to be a hero.“He wanted to serve his country as a Capitol police officer and looked forward to seeing lawmakers and visitors who came to the Capitol every day, many of whom became friends of Billy’s in large part because of his good-natured sense of humor,” LaForest said. “And, unfortunately, Billy paid the ultimate price defending his country.”

Capitol police officer to lie in honor at rotunda 

JACKSON COUNTY—Four people including two children were seriously injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Infiniti G5 driven by Wayne A. Dunn, 83, Lyndon, was northbound on U.S. 75 at 158th Road. 

The car struck an eastbound 2003 Ford F150 driven by Rachael Louise McCoy, 29, Holton.&nbsp; She was ejected from the pickup, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

EMS transported McCoy, Dunn and two children in the pickup — a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, both from Holton — to Stormont Vail in Topeka.

The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617734931246.png" alt="Kansas Highway Patro investigating Tuesday's violent crash / photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Highway Patro investigating Tuesday's violent crash / photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Four people including two children were seriously injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Jackson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Infiniti G5 driven by Wayne A. Dunn, 83, Lyndon, was northbound on U.S. 75 at 158th Road. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617734844820.png" alt="View of the crash damage to the Infiniti G5 -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash damage to the Infiniti G5 -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The car struck an eastbound 2003 Ford F150 driven by Rachael Louise McCoy, 29, Holton.&nbsp; She was ejected from the pickup, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.EMS transported McCoy, Dunn and two children in the pickup — a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, both from Holton — to Stormont Vail in Topeka.The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Sheriff: 2 adults, 2 children injured in Kansas crash

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee&nbsp; announced Tuesday he will be hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in Kansas on Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, according to a media release from the Senator's office.

Secretary McDonough and Sen. Moran will be visiting VA health care centers across Kansas, meeting with VA leaders, medical staff, veterans and discussing the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act.

“Thousands of the men and women who served in our country’s military now call Kansas home and rely on the services provided through the exemplary VA health centers across the state,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate Secretary McDonough’s willingness to meet with VA staff and veterans, who can share their frontline experiences working for the VA and receiving care and benefits through the VA. Secretary McDonough will also get to see firsthand the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act, which is expanding health care options for veterans across the country, especially those in rural Kansas.”

Planned Visits Across Kansas include: Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth; Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Topeka; Lieutenant General Richard Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Junction City; Newman Regional Health Center, Emporia; Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the Hunter Health Clinic, Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617731535995.png" alt="VA Secretary Denis McDonough during testimony before the House Veteran's Affairs committee in March- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>VA Secretary Denis McDonough during testimony before the House Veteran's Affairs committee in March- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee&nbsp; announced Tuesday he will be hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough in Kansas on Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, according to a media release from the Senator's office.Secretary McDonough and Sen. Moran will be visiting VA health care centers across Kansas, meeting with VA leaders, medical staff, veterans and discussing the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act.“Thousands of the men and women who served in our country’s military now call Kansas home and rely on the services provided through the exemplary VA health centers across the state,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate Secretary McDonough’s willingness to meet with VA staff and veterans, who can share their frontline experiences working for the VA and receiving care and benefits through the VA. Secretary McDonough will also get to see firsthand the implementation of the&nbsp;VA MISSION Act, which is expanding health care options for veterans across the country, especially those in rural Kansas.” Planned Visits Across Kansas include: Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth; Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Topeka; Lieutenant General Richard Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Junction City; Newman Regional Health Center, Emporia; Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the Hunter Health Clinic, Wichita.

VA secretary will tour VA facilities in Kansas this week

BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.

The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.

Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.

A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.

The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.

Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.___

Study: Moderna vaccine lasts at least 6 months

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 19-year-old Quantin McIntosh, Jr., of Wichita.

Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, police were investigating a separate traffic stop at a business in the 1600 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old woman in a black Dodge Avenger screamed for help and flagged down the officers.&nbsp; McIntosh was also in the Avenger and had been shot, according to Stephens.

Police contacted EMS who transported McIntosh to a nearby hospital where he died.

Police investigators learned that McIntosh was driving the Avenger with his girlfriend passenger and they stopped at a drive-through Burger King at 4220 East Harry. While in the drive-through, McIntosh got into a verbal argument with individuals in a dark colored, 4-door sedan also in the drive-through.

As both vehicles left, McIntosh followed the sedan as the disagreement continued, according to Stephens. In the area of Harry and Roosevelt Street, both vehicles stopped in the street and a suspect fired multiple shots at the Avenger striking the vehicle and McIntosh.

The girlfriend then drove the Avenger to the 1600 Block of South Oliver where she was able to contact police. 

Police continue to search for the sedan and suspects. This is 15th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2021. "We are on pace to match last year's numbers," said Stephens during a Tuesday news conference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617716412701.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KAKE&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KAKE&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as 19-year-old Quantin McIntosh, Jr., of Wichita.Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, police were investigating a separate traffic stop at a business in the 1600 Block of South Oliver in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old woman in a black Dodge Avenger screamed for help and flagged down the officers.&nbsp; McIntosh was also in the Avenger and had been shot, according to Stephens.Police contacted EMS who transported McIntosh to a nearby hospital where he died.Police investigators learned that McIntosh was driving the Avenger with his girlfriend passenger and they stopped at a drive-through Burger King at 4220 East Harry. While in the drive-through, McIntosh got into a verbal argument with individuals in a dark colored, 4-door sedan also in the drive-through.As both vehicles left, McIntosh followed the sedan as the disagreement continued, according to Stephens. In the area of Harry and Roosevelt Street, both vehicles stopped in the street and a suspect fired multiple shots at the Avenger striking the vehicle and McIntosh.The girlfriend then drove the Avenger to the 1600 Block of South Oliver where she was able to contact police. Police continue to search for the sedan and suspects. This is 15th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2021. "We are on pace to match last year's numbers," said Stephens during a Tuesday news conference.

Fast food drive-through fight leads to fatal Kan. shooting

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with alleged arson.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies responded to report of alleged arson and domestic battery at a residence in Northwest Barton County near Olmitz, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect identified as 33-year-old Dietre Stevenson 33 of rural Olmitz, had become involved in a domestic battery situation with another family member. 

At some point Stevenson allegedly brandished a handgun threatening to kill the victim. It was later determined Stevenson had poured a flammable liquid on the residence and set the occupied house on fire.

Stevenson was arrested and booked on requested charges of aggravated arson, aggravated assault and aggravated domestic battery, according to Bellendir. She’s being held on a $75,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617720836550.png" alt="Stevenson photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Stevenson photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with alleged arson.Just after 11p.m. Monday, sheriff’s deputies responded to report of alleged arson and domestic battery at a residence in Northwest Barton County near Olmitz, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect identified as 33-year-old Dietre Stevenson 33 of rural Olmitz, had become involved in a domestic battery situation with another family member. At some point Stevenson allegedly brandished a handgun threatening to kill the victim. It was later determined Stevenson had poured a flammable liquid on the residence and set the occupied house on fire.Stevenson was arrested and booked on requested charges of aggravated arson, aggravated assault and aggravated domestic battery, according to Bellendir. She’s being held on a $75,000 bond.

Sheriff: Kan. woman accused of setting house on fire

RAWLINS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a suspect who stole a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper's vehicle in Rawlins County.

Just after noon Saturday while transporting a suspect to a detention facility following a pursuit that involved a stolen vehicle, the transporting state trooper witnessed an injury motorcycle crash on Kansas 25 near Atwood, according to&nbsp; Trooper Tod Hileman.

The trooper stopped to render aid. While the Trooper assisted the crash victim, the suspect identified as 23-year-old Joshua Swartwout of Naples, FL, who was handcuffed behind the back gained control of the trooper's patrol vehicle and drove away southbound on Kansas 25 at a high rate of speed.

KHP and local law enforcement pursued the patrol vehicle to Interstate 70 where the suspect continued westbound.

At 12:40p.m., the stolen KHP vehicle came to a stop on Interstate near Esbon in Sherman County after the car ran out of fuel.

Swartwout, who was still handcuffed behind the back, fled the KHP vehicle on foot but was quickly apprehended.&nbsp; EMS at the scene check him and later he was transported to the jail in Sherman County without further incident.

Swartwout remains jailed on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Fleeing or attempting to elude, Interference with LEO, Criminal Damage to property,&nbsp; Reckless Driving, Speeding, Driving on left in a no passing zone and Improper Driving on laned roadway, according to online jail records.

There were no injuries to law enforcement and the KHP vehicle did not sustain any damage, according to Hileman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617640293345.png" alt="Swartwout photo Sherman County" />
 <figcaption>Swartwout photo Sherman County</figcaption>
 </figure>RAWLINS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a suspect who stole a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper's vehicle in Rawlins County.Just after noon Saturday while transporting a suspect to a detention facility following a pursuit that involved a stolen vehicle, the transporting state trooper witnessed an injury motorcycle crash on Kansas 25 near Atwood, according to&nbsp; Trooper Tod Hileman.The trooper stopped to render aid. While the Trooper assisted the crash victim, the suspect identified as 23-year-old Joshua Swartwout of Naples, FL, who was handcuffed behind the back gained control of the trooper's patrol vehicle and drove away southbound on Kansas 25 at a high rate of speed.KHP and local law enforcement pursued the patrol vehicle to Interstate 70 where the suspect continued westbound.At 12:40p.m., the stolen KHP vehicle came to a stop on Interstate near Esbon in Sherman County after the car ran out of fuel.Swartwout, who was still handcuffed behind the back, fled the KHP vehicle on foot but was quickly apprehended.&nbsp; EMS at the scene check him and later he was transported to the jail in Sherman County without further incident.Swartwout remains jailed on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Fleeing or attempting to elude, Interference with LEO, Criminal Damage to property,&nbsp; Reckless Driving, Speeding, Driving on left in a no passing zone and Improper Driving on laned roadway, according to online jail records.There were no injuries to law enforcement and the KHP vehicle did not sustain any damage, according to Hileman.

Suspect who stole KHP Trooper's vehicle remain in jail

Kelly faces big challenges, but Schmidt vs. Colyer may be very loud

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/05/political-wonks-offer-early-analysis-of-off-and-running-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Declarations by 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer in March 
about campaigning for governor against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly 
likely came too early for most voters.

They made their intentions
 known 20 months — ouch — before the general election in 2022. It was 
likely a maneuver to scare off other potential rivals, but their 
presence on the stage also marked beginning of a sustained assault on 
Kelly.

In 2018, she defeated 
Republican Kris Kobach, a staunch supporter of then-President Donald 
Trump. Kelly will leverage power of the office through election day in 
November 2022, but Republican candidates will eagerly point to her 
record as governor, including difficulties presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic and challenges of moving through an economic recovery.

“I’ve already heard some 
complaints that this governor’s race started too soon,” said Bob Beatty,
 a Washburn University political science professor. “In terms of major 
candidates, it’s the earliest campaign in Kansas history.”

Kansas will be the only 
state lost last year by President Joe Biden with a Democratic governor 
up for re-election in 2022. The state was easily carried again last year
 by Trump, who prevailed in Kansas twice by double-digit margins.

Kelly, a former state 
senator from Topeka, long ago made it clear she would seek re-election. 
The Kansas Republican Party has denounced her “abysmal performance” on 
the economy and on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, while the Kansas 
Democratic Party warned electing Schmidt or Colyer would “come with 
disastrous ramifications.”

Beatty
 said it would be interesting to discover how Colyer defined himself 
after serving seven years as lieutenant governor under Gov. Sam 
Brownback followed by about one year as governor. In 2018, Colyer 
offered himself as a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. It nearly 
worked, but he lost the GOP primary to Kobach by a thin margin.

“What kind of identity is he going to put out there?” Beatty said.

Colyer started by naming 
Mary Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, to 
serve as his campaign treasurer. Colyer said she was a “great example of
 principled, successful Republican leadership” and said too many jobs 
had been lost during the Kelly administration.

While making an economic appeal to voters, Colyer declared: “It’s time to get Kansas back to work.”

Michael Smith, who teaches
 political science at Emporia State University, said a key issue for 
voters would be Colyer’s affiliation with Brownback, who resigned as 
governor four years ago to become an ambassador of religious freedom 
under Trump.

Colyer, a Johnson County 
surgeon and former state senator, also could get hurt in a GOP primary 
by claims he was unelectable in a statewide race at the top of the 
ticket, he said.

“But will that actually work?” Smith said. “I mean, the Republican base is so fired up right now. They still love Trump. And I don’t know that strategic voting arguments are gonna work very well this time.”

Schmidt has won three 
consecutive statewide campaigns for attorney general. He’s a former 
Senate majority leader and has frequently shared insights with the 
GOP-led Legislature, including issues thrust into the limelight by 
lawmakers interested in damaging Kelly’s profile. He has personally 
battled with the governor on emergency orders that included her 
unsuccessful bid to restrict large gatherings at church services early 
in the pandemic.

In his campaign 
announcement, Schmidt said he would be a “common-sense, conservative 
voice” and vowed to “fight every day for your family and our way of 
life.”

Like Colyer, Schmidt has a record of opposition to Medicaid expansion, limits on gun ownership and abortion.

Schmidt has engaged in a 
series of national legal actions as attorney general, including the 
effort to promote allegations of voter fraud some believe led to Biden’s
 victory over Trump.

“He’s gotten involved in some other lawsuits that probably have no chance,” Smith said. “He will throw red meat to the right.”

Smith said Schmidt had 
sought to toggle between “really hard” Republicans not interested in 
leaving the Trump orbit and other Republicans closer to the middle of 
the political spectrum in Kansas.

Beatty said it would be 
useful for Kelly to be straightforward with voters during the campaign 
about shortcomings at the Kansas Department of Labor, which failed for 
months to adequately deal with the flood of jobless claims. He said she 
could hang her hopes on a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, 
while reminding voters of her commitment to public education, 
transportation and restoration of basic operations of state government.

“The idea is that the economy’s booming. Everyone’s vaccinated. The pandemic is over,” Beatty said. “And, then she comes out and says, ‘It was a rough two years. Thanks for sticking with me.'”

The 2021 Legislature’s 
calculations of taxation, education and emergency management bills 
include basic political math about influencing voters when Kelly stands 
for re-election.

Does it help GOP 
candidates when the Legislature sends Kelly bills offering massive tax 
breaks, shifts of public funding to private schools and an overhaul of 
gubernatorial authority in disasters?

Would it be better for the
 GOP cause if the Legislature responded this session to public support 
for a medical marijuana law so it couldn’t be used as a campaign 
rallying cry by Kelly?

Is there a clear 
Republican advantage to pressing harder on concealed-gun legislation and
 the constitutional amendment on abortion?

If the House and Senate 
were to reverse course and approve Medicaid expansion, would 2022 voters
 reward Kelly or the Legislature?

Beatty said expansion of 
Medicaid eligibility based on the law signed by President Barack Obama 
had long allowed Republicans to object on philosophical and financial 
grounds to broadening subsidized health care. Blocking delivery of 
preventative health care to more than 120,000 Kansans also cut off about
 $5 billion in federal funding that could be used to bolster the state’s
 hospitals and clinics. Now, Congress is offering hundreds of millions 
in bonus money to Medicaid holdout states like Kansas.

However, it appears House 
and Senate leadership again decided to stay on a course that avoided 
risks of Kelly prevailing on Medicaid expansion.

“It’s not an election year …&nbsp;but it’s election season,” Beatty said. “So, this would be a victory for Laura Kelly that could ride her all the way to re-election.”

Smith said another issue 
likely to come up in the campaign centered on problems at the Department
 of Labor in processing unemployment benefits. He said other governors 
and legislators ought to share responsibility for the debacle.

“There were a number of different threads that wove together to create this crisis. One was the absolutely decrepit computers that they had there that I believe dated from the 1970s. If you need a poster child for deferred maintenance, short of a bridge falling down, here you go — years of deferred maintenance,” Smith said.

The Kelly administration 
was saddled with antiquated computer technology that minimally got the 
job down when the jobless rate hovered between 3.1% and 3.3% from 
February 2019 to March 2020. The IT system broke when coronavirus surged
 unemployment to 12.6% in April 2020. It had receded to 3.2% in 
February.

Meanwhile, scammers ripped
 off Kansas for hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic unemployment
 assistance. Other states suffered comparable losses to fraud.

“The Department of Labor could have handled it better,” Smith said. “They weren’t very transparent. And, so, mistakes were made, as they say. But this did not start during the pandemic. This was decades in the making.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617655027877.png" alt="The 2022 Kansas governor's race will feature, from left, Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer. The footprint of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be a factor in Kelly's re-election campaign. (Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The 2022 Kansas governor's race will feature, from left, Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer. The footprint of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be a factor in Kelly's re-election campaign. (Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kelly faces big challenges, but Schmidt vs. Colyer may be very loud</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/05/political-wonks-offer-early-analysis-of-off-and-running-kansas-governors-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Declarations by 
Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer in March 
about campaigning for governor against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly 
likely came too early for most voters.They made their intentions
 known 20 months — ouch — before the general election in 2022. It was 
likely a maneuver to scare off other potential rivals, but their 
presence on the stage also marked beginning of a sustained assault on 
Kelly.In 2018, she defeated 
Republican Kris Kobach, a staunch supporter of then-President Donald 
Trump. Kelly will leverage power of the office through election day in 
November 2022, but Republican candidates will eagerly point to her 
record as governor, including difficulties presented by the COVID-19 
pandemic and challenges of moving through an economic recovery.“I’ve already heard some 
complaints that this governor’s race started too soon,” said Bob Beatty,
 a Washburn University political science professor. “In terms of major 
candidates, it’s the earliest campaign in Kansas history.”Kansas will be the only 
state lost last year by President Joe Biden with a Democratic governor 
up for re-election in 2022. The state was easily carried again last year
 by Trump, who prevailed in Kansas twice by double-digit margins.Kelly, a former state 
senator from Topeka, long ago made it clear she would seek re-election. 
The Kansas Republican Party has denounced her “abysmal performance” on 
the economy and on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, while the Kansas 
Democratic Party warned electing Schmidt or Colyer would “come with 
disastrous ramifications.”<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1022303635&color=%232b7fb4&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast" title="Reflector Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Reflector Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kansas-reflector-podcast/2021-04-05-podcast" title="Political scientists evaluate Legislature, governor&#x27;s race" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Political scientists evaluate Legislature, governor&#x27;s race</a></div></div><h2>Defining Colyer</h2>Beatty
 said it would be interesting to discover how Colyer defined himself 
after serving seven years as lieutenant governor under Gov. Sam 
Brownback followed by about one year as governor. In 2018, Colyer 
offered himself as a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. It nearly 
worked, but he lost the GOP primary to Kobach by a thin margin.“What kind of identity is he going to put out there?” Beatty said.Colyer started by naming 
Mary Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, to 
serve as his campaign treasurer. Colyer said she was a “great example of
 principled, successful Republican leadership” and said too many jobs 
had been lost during the Kelly administration.While making an economic appeal to voters, Colyer declared: “It’s time to get Kansas back to work.”Michael Smith, who teaches
 political science at Emporia State University, said a key issue for 
voters would be Colyer’s affiliation with Brownback, who resigned as 
governor four years ago to become an ambassador of religious freedom 
under Trump.Colyer, a Johnson County 
surgeon and former state senator, also could get hurt in a GOP primary 
by claims he was unelectable in a statewide race at the top of the 
ticket, he said.“But will that actually work?” Smith said. “I mean, the Republican base is so fired up right now. They still love Trump. And I don’t know that strategic voting arguments are gonna work very well this time.”<h2>Schmidt’s ‘red meat’</h2>Schmidt has won three 
consecutive statewide campaigns for attorney general. He’s a former 
Senate majority leader and has frequently shared insights with the 
GOP-led Legislature, including issues thrust into the limelight by 
lawmakers interested in damaging Kelly’s profile. He has personally 
battled with the governor on emergency orders that included her 
unsuccessful bid to restrict large gatherings at church services early 
in the pandemic.In his campaign 
announcement, Schmidt said he would be a “common-sense, conservative 
voice” and vowed to “fight every day for your family and our way of 
life.”Like Colyer, Schmidt has a record of opposition to Medicaid expansion, limits on gun ownership and abortion.Schmidt has engaged in a 
series of national legal actions as attorney general, including the 
effort to promote allegations of voter fraud some believe led to Biden’s
 victory over Trump.“He’s gotten involved in some other lawsuits that probably have no chance,” Smith said. “He will throw red meat to the right.”Smith said Schmidt had 
sought to toggle between “really hard” Republicans not interested in 
leaving the Trump orbit and other Republicans closer to the middle of 
the political spectrum in Kansas.<h2>Kelly’s challenges</h2>Beatty said it would be 
useful for Kelly to be straightforward with voters during the campaign 
about shortcomings at the Kansas Department of Labor, which failed for 
months to adequately deal with the flood of jobless claims. He said she 
could hang her hopes on a strong economic recovery from the pandemic, 
while reminding voters of her commitment to public education, 
transportation and restoration of basic operations of state government.“The idea is that the economy’s booming. Everyone’s vaccinated. The pandemic is over,” Beatty said. “And, then she comes out and says, ‘It was a rough two years. Thanks for sticking with me.'”The 2021 Legislature’s 
calculations of taxation, education and emergency management bills 
include basic political math about influencing voters when Kelly stands 
for re-election.Does it help GOP 
candidates when the Legislature sends Kelly bills offering massive tax 
breaks, shifts of public funding to private schools and an overhaul of 
gubernatorial authority in disasters?Would it be better for the
 GOP cause if the Legislature responded this session to public support 
for a medical marijuana law so it couldn’t be used as a campaign 
rallying cry by Kelly?Is there a clear 
Republican advantage to pressing harder on concealed-gun legislation and
 the constitutional amendment on abortion?If the House and Senate 
were to reverse course and approve Medicaid expansion, would 2022 voters
 reward Kelly or the Legislature?<h2>On Medicaid, labor</h2>Beatty said expansion of 
Medicaid eligibility based on the law signed by President Barack Obama 
had long allowed Republicans to object on philosophical and financial 
grounds to broadening subsidized health care. Blocking delivery of 
preventative health care to more than 120,000 Kansans also cut off about
 $5 billion in federal funding that could be used to bolster the state’s
 hospitals and clinics. Now, Congress is offering hundreds of millions 
in bonus money to Medicaid holdout states like Kansas.However, it appears House 
and Senate leadership again decided to stay on a course that avoided 
risks of Kelly prevailing on Medicaid expansion.“It’s not an election year …&nbsp;but it’s election season,” Beatty said. “So, this would be a victory for Laura Kelly that could ride her all the way to re-election.”Smith said another issue 
likely to come up in the campaign centered on problems at the Department
 of Labor in processing unemployment benefits. He said other governors 
and legislators ought to share responsibility for the debacle.“There were a number of different threads that wove together to create this crisis. One was the absolutely decrepit computers that they had there that I believe dated from the 1970s. If you need a poster child for deferred maintenance, short of a bridge falling down, here you go — years of deferred maintenance,” Smith said.The Kelly administration 
was saddled with antiquated computer technology that minimally got the 
job down when the jobless rate hovered between 3.1% and 3.3% from 
February 2019 to March 2020. The IT system broke when coronavirus surged
 unemployment to 12.6% in April 2020. It had receded to 3.2% in 
February.Meanwhile, scammers ripped
 off Kansas for hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic unemployment
 assistance. Other states suffered comparable losses to fraud.“The Department of Labor could have handled it better,” Smith said. “They weren’t very transparent. And, so, mistakes were made, as they say. But this did not start during the pandemic. This was decades in the making.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

Political wonks offer early analysis of off-and-running Kan. governor’s race

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Topeka man was charged in connection to a two-car traffic collision last week that killed an infant and injured three others, prosecutors said Monday.

Troy A. Vsetecka, 51, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, among other charges, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.

Investigators said Vsetecka was speeding and driving the wrong way on a Topeka street on March 30 when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection. Vsetecka attempted to flee the scene on foot but he was chased by officers and taken into custody after he tried to hide in a nearby residence, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617272054628.png" alt="Vsetecka photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Vsetecka photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Topeka man was charged in connection to a two-car traffic collision last week that killed an infant and injured three others, prosecutors said Monday.Troy A. Vsetecka, 51, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, among other charges, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617206593208.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators said Vsetecka was speeding and driving the wrong way on a Topeka street on March 30 when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection. Vsetecka attempted to flee the scene on foot but he was chased by officers and taken into custody after he tried to hide in a nearby residence, prosecutors said.

Kan. man charged in traffic crash that killed infant

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two men on numerous charges after a traffic stop.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617651616595.png" alt="Robert Lolar" />
 <figcaption>Robert Lolar</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two men on numerous charges after a traffic stop.Just before 3a.m. March 28, police conducted a&nbsp;traffic stop at involving a vehicle they observed driving down the wrong side of the road in the 900 block of South A Street in Arkansas City, according to&nbsp; Arkansas City Police in a media release issued April 5.The vehicle’s tag was found to have an expired registration with a current registration sticker on it. Police later determined the sticker and tag were not the same.The driver&nbsp;Robert Theophilus Lolar, 44, Winfield was found to have a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court. He was taken into custody without incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617651661331.png" alt="Albert Lolar" />
 <figcaption>Albert Lolar</figcaption>
 </figure>His passenger, Albert Lolar, 64, of Arkansas City, was found to be a suspect in an unrelated case being investigated by the Winfield Police Department. At Winfield’s request, he was placed under arrest on suspicion of battery-domestic violence and criminal damage property and transported to the county jail.The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the sceneRobert Lolar was booked on suspicion of one felony count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and no drug tax stamp, as well as one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence, driving with a suspended driver’s license (third offense), expired or illegal registration, no proof of insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia.He also was cited for failure to appear in Arkansas City Municipal Court and transporting an open container of alcohol.The vehicle was searched, and police found items suspected to be illegal substances and items associated with drug sales in the vehicle, which was later impounded and towed away from the scene.&nbsp; Both men have posted bail and are no longer in custody.