KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two more homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the weekend and a deadly officer involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched on reports of a disturbance involving a weapon in the area of 12th and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, according to&nbsp; according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The call was then updated to a shooting. First responders contacted a person at a nearby business who stated their friend had been shot.

Officers located a man inside of a vehicle later identified as&nbsp;27-year-old Zachary H. Trivitt unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared him deceased.

Just after 9a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street on a reported sound of shots call, according Gonzalez.

Officers arrived on scene and were summoned into a nearby apartment within the complex stating someone had been shot. Officers located a man unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Medical aid was rendered until EMS arrived and could take over. The victim was declared deceased on scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals this incident started over an argument. Police have identified a man as a possible subject of interest and detectives are working to locate him.

In addition to these two homicides, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas

A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.

Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify him. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715430909928.png" alt="Police investigate at 12th and Benton Boulevard Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police investigate at 12th and Benton Boulevard Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two more homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the weekend and a deadly officer involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched on reports of a disturbance involving a weapon in the area of 12th and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, according to&nbsp; according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The call was then updated to a shooting. First responders contacted a person at a nearby business who stated their friend had been shot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715430886482.png" alt="Police at 12th and Benton Boulevard early Saturday-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at 12th and Benton Boulevard early Saturday-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers located a man inside of a vehicle later identified as&nbsp;27-year-old Zachary H. Trivitt unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared him deceased.Just after 9a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street on a reported sound of shots call, according Gonzalez.Officers arrived on scene and were summoned into a nearby apartment within the complex stating someone had been shot. Officers located a man unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Medical aid was rendered until EMS arrived and could take over. The victim was declared deceased on scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715467871896.png" alt="Police at the apartment shooting in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at the apartment shooting in the 2600 block of E. 29th Street-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>The preliminary investigation reveals this incident started over an argument. Police have identified a man as a possible subject of interest and detectives are working to locate him.In addition to these two homicides, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, KansasA silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify him. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

Police: Deadly weekend of violence in Kansas City

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On May 7, Sheriff's Deputies on patrol in Independence, Kansas, spotted a suspect's&nbsp; black Jeep parked near the Main Street overpass, close to the railroad tracks, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

The vehicle was connected to a drug investigation.&nbsp; Deputies approached the occupants, identified as 19-year-old Quayland Johnson and 18-year-old Trinity Schlegel. Both had outstanding warrants in Montgomery County, leading deputies to take them into custody.

During the initial encounter with Johnson, deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle, which appeared to be used for smoking fentanyl pills, also knows as "Dirty 30s."

 Johnson was also being sought in connection with a narcotics-related search warrant that had been served at 633 W. Beech Street in Independence, Kansas.

After their arrest, Johnson and Schlegel were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on their respective warrants. The Jeep was impounded and transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for further examination. Following a search warrant, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia and more fentanyl pills inside the vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250249863.png" alt="Johnson-Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On May 7, Sheriff's Deputies on patrol in Independence, Kansas, spotted a suspect's&nbsp; black Jeep parked near the Main Street overpass, close to the railroad tracks, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250229157.png" alt="Schlegel-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Schlegel-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle was connected to a drug investigation.&nbsp; Deputies approached the occupants, identified as 19-year-old Quayland Johnson and 18-year-old Trinity Schlegel. Both had outstanding warrants in Montgomery County, leading deputies to take them into custody.During the initial encounter with Johnson, deputies observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle, which appeared to be used for smoking fentanyl pills, also knows as "Dirty 30s." Johnson was also being sought in connection with a narcotics-related search warrant that had been served at 633 W. Beech Street in Independence, Kansas.After their arrest, Johnson and Schlegel were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on their respective warrants. The Jeep was impounded and transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for further examination. Following a search warrant, deputies found additional drug paraphernalia and more fentanyl pills inside the vehicle.

Sheriff: Kansas couple caught transporting fentanyl pills

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly incident that left a teen dead.

This week,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=233056"> Fabian Griffin</a>, 49, Wichita, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for an&nbsp;incident that involved the unsafe handing of a weapon that resulted in the death of a teen in 2017, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2022 Griffin pled guilty to second-degree murder in the case.

Just after 11:30p.m. March of 2017, police responded to the 1700 block of South Yale in Wichita and found three people including Griffin, a 25-year-old and a teen later identified as&nbsp; Casey Lawrukiewicz inside the home.

EMS transported Lawrukiewicz to a local hospital. He died on March 4, 2017.&nbsp;

The judge also ordered $5,000 in restitution to be reimbursed to the Kansas Crime Victims Fund, which paid for the cost of Lawrukiewicz's funeral, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715283719098.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly incident that left a teen dead.This week,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=233056"> Fabian Griffin</a>, 49, Wichita, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for an&nbsp;incident that involved the unsafe handing of a weapon that resulted in the death of a teen in 2017, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November of 2022 Griffin pled guilty to second-degree murder in the case.Just after 11:30p.m. March of 2017, police responded to the 1700 block of South Yale in Wichita and found three people including Griffin, a 25-year-old and a teen later identified as&nbsp; Casey Lawrukiewicz inside the home.EMS transported Lawrukiewicz to a local hospital. He died on March 4, 2017.&nbsp;The judge also ordered $5,000 in restitution to be reimbursed to the Kansas Crime Victims Fund, which paid for the cost of Lawrukiewicz's funeral, according to the district attorney's office.

Prison for Kansas man for deadly unsafe handing of a gun

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;

“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;

The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.

Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643994445130.jpg" alt="&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;School districts in Kansas are readjusting due to a 2022 school district law.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — School districts with shrinking student populations have been addressed with a bill setting out state aid guidelines for the next year.&nbsp;Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, estimated the state has 11 school districts with fewer than 100 students enrolled. As an emergency measure, the Legislature passed a bill addressing one district expected to have eight students total enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year.&nbsp;“In this situation of extreme declining enrollment, it’s not the intent of the Kansas legislature to fund anything but those students, and so when they are contracted to go to an outside district, that district should not be able to maintain their money locally for purposes other than for students,” Williams said during April 30 bill debate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/">Senate Bill 339</a>,&nbsp;sent to the governor after it passed 117-2 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, will prohibit state foundation aid from being allocated to a school district with no students attending school in the district in fiscal year 2025. Students who are residents of the district but enrolled elsewhere will have to be counted in the other school district, with state foundation aid sent there.&nbsp;The move comes at the same time as a 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li_2022/b2021_22/measures/hb2567/">statewide open enrollment law</a>&nbsp;goes into effect. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the law allows Kansas students to attend schools outside of their own school district as long as there’s space available.Rep. Jarrod Ousley, a Merriam Democrat, said the issue of extremely low district enrollment would be examined again during the next legislative session.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ll come back and give a better fix to this next year,” Ousley said.

Lawmakers pass bill responding to low Kansas school district enrollment

KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.

The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.

Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.

Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.

Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:

A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.

“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”

There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.

“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?

When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.

The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.

When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.

The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.

It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.

The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.

Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.

According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?

People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather.

"Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.

“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714172157352.png" alt="View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera" />
 <figcaption>View of the April 26 tornado as seen by theNebraska Dept. of Transportation camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — The first-ever tornado emergency in Michigan was issued Tuesday, one of many called across the country in recent weeks as severe weather tears through states in the Plains and Midwest. As massive storms barrel East, homes and property have been destroyed and thousands of people have gone without power.The National Weather Service&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-midwest-storms-michigan-tornadoes-1ac4133f09069997f926e434a28c75ac">called an emergency for areas of Michigan on Tuesday evening</a>&nbsp;amid forecasts of a damaging tornado and hail. At the time, other spots in Michigan and portions of Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri were also under a tornado watch. Tuesday's severe weather followed an ugly twister that battered a small Oklahoma town and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-weather-oklahoma-kansas-b8def43f7b0402d12911573ea5b4233b">killed at least one person a day earlier</a>.Tornado emergencies were also called in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">Nebraska and Iowa late last month.</a>&nbsp;During those storms, tornadoes flattened homes in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, and northeast, a small city of Minden, Iowa, also sustained damage.Tuesday marked the 6th emergency issued in the U.S. this year. There were 15 issued in 2023.Here’s what to know about a tornado emergency:WHAT IS A TORNADO EMERGENCY?A tornado emergency is the weather service’s highest alert level. One is issued when a few criteria are met during a rare weather situation.“Language like that gets people out of their chairs and into basements and storm shelters,” said Kevin Laws, a National Weather Service science and operations officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It spurs a different kind of reaction and action that you need to really save your life in those kind of events.”There has to be an imminent or ongoing severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage. A damaging tornado also has to be confirmed visually or with radar imagery.“You generally reserve that designation for the worst of the worst,” Laws said.HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A TORNADO WATCH OR WARNING?When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should be prepared to respond quickly if a warning gets issued. It's a “heads up,” Laws said, roughly up to 10 hours in advance of the storm.The watch area typically covers a lot of ground, such as several counties or even multiple states, the weather service said.When a tornado warning is issued by local forecast offices, the weather radar indicates a tornado is coming, or it’s been seen already. People in the area need to act because there is “imminent danger to life and property,” according to the NWS. This could mean moving to a substantial shelter on the lowest floor possible, and quickly avoiding windows.Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area, such as the size of a city or small county, that may be hit by a tornado.WHEN WAS THE FIRST EMERGENCY ISSUED?The tornado emergency designation first came about when a large and destructive tornado hit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1999, per the weather service.It was called because the storm was expected to be too severe for the tornado warning, already in effect, to be considered sufficient language to alert people.The “emergency” name was not yet formalized, but was used again during a storm impacting Greensburg, Kansas, on May 4, 2007.Five tornado emergencies were issued in Tennessee and Alabama during the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008, according to the weather service. When one wasn't issued in Arkansas during similarly dangerous weather, the designation was codified and became recognized officially.According to Laws, 296 emergencies have been called since 1999 (both before and after the designation was formalized).WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS ISSUED IN YOUR AREA?People should call friends and family to ensure loved ones are keeping watch on the weather."Don't ever try to get in the car and outrun it... You need to shelter in place," Laws said. “You've got to have a plan ahead of time.“Don’t wait until that last ten minutes, because you feel panicked and you don’t know where the tornado is and where it’s coming from."

The difference between a tornado emergency, watch and warning

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.

On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.

While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child Endangerment

Robert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent

Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715285045425.png" alt="Hayes-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hayes-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and additional allegations.On May 8, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3100 Block SE Dupont Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation.While conducting the search warrant, officer’s located fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms.As a result police arrested 48-year-old Rae Conley, 58-year-old Robert Hayes and 34-year-old and Gracie Preston, 34, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284991236.png" alt="Conley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Conley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Rae Conley is being held on requested charges of Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent and Aggravate Child EndangermentRobert Hayes is being held on requested charges of, Distribution of Certain Stimulants, Distribution of Certain Hallucinogenic, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction,&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Tax Violation and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715284725328.png" alt="Preston-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Preston-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Gracie Preston is held on an Arrest Warrant

Police found fentanyl and cocaine at Kansas home

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia (AP) —A Virginia school board voted Friday to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to a high school and an elementary school, four years after the names were removed amid nationwide protests calling for a reckoning over racial injustice.

In a reversal experts believe was the first of its kind, Shenandoah County's school board voted 5-1 to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary.

Friday's vote reversed a decision by the school board in 2020 when school systems across Virginia and the South were removing Confederate names from schools and other public locations in response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/black-lives-matter">Black Lives Matter</a>&nbsp;movement.

The Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, which maintains a database of more than 2,000 Confederate memorials nationwide, is not aware of another case of a school system restoring a Confederate name that was removed, said senior research analyst Rivka Maizlish.

Overall, the trend toward removal of Confederate names and memorials has continued, even if it has slowed somewhat since 2020, she said, noting that the Army renamed nine installations named for Confederate leaders, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arlington-national-cemetery-confederate-memorial-removal-88f1d672070c440a4da080da91bd57b7">removed a Confederate memorial</a>&nbsp;from Arlington National Cemetery.

In Virginia, local governments had been banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the law was changed in 2020, though the statute did not apply to school names.

On Friday, school board members who voted to restore the Confederate names said the previous board ignored popular sentiment and due process when the names were stripped.

Elections in 2023 significantly changed the school board's makeup, with one board member writing in an op-ed for the Northern Virginia Daily that the results gave Shenandoah County “the first 100% conservative board since anyone can remember.”

That board member, Gloria Carlineo, said during the six-hour meeting that began Thursday night that opponents of the Confederate names should “stop bringing racism and prejudice into everything” because it “detracts from true cases of racism.”

The lone board member to vote against restoring the Confederate names, Kyle Gutshall, said he respected both sides of the debate but believed a majority of residents in his district wanted to leave the Mountain View and Honey Run names in place.

“I don't judge anybody or look down on anybody for the decision they're making,” he said. “It's a complex issue.”

During several hours of public comment, county residents spoke up on both sides of the issue.

Beth Ogle, a longtime resident with children in the school system, said restoring the Confederate names is “a statement to the world that you do not value the dignity and respect of your minority students, faculty and staff.”

Kenny Wakeman, a lifelong county resident, said the Stonewall Jackson name “stood proudly for 60 years until 2020," when he said the “actions of a rogue police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” prompted a move to change the name, a reference to the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">Floyd</a>&nbsp;that propelled nationwide protests and debate over racial injustice.

Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson was a Confederate general from Virginia who gained fame at the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas in 1861 and died in 1863 after he was shot and had his arm amputated. Jackson's name&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88a3c977101353baf3fc76dc3084056b">was also removed from another high school in Virginia's Prince William County in 2020</a>&nbsp;that is now known as Unity Reed High School.

Ashby Lee is named for both Gen. Robert E. Lee, a Virginia native who commanded Confederate forces, and for Turner Ashby, a Confederate cavalry officer who was killed in battle in 1862 near Harrisonburg, Virginia. A high school near Harrisonburg is also named for Ashby.

The resolution approved by the school board states that private donations would be used to pay for the name changes.

Shenandoah County, a largely rural jurisdiction with a population of about 45,000, roughly 100 miles west of the nation's capital, has long been politically conservative. In 2020, Republican Donald Trump won 70% of the presidential vote in Shenandoah, even as Biden won Virginia by 10 points.

In Virginia, local governments were banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the 2020 law lifted those restrictions. Statues of Confederate leaders, including Lee, Jackson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were removed from Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue in 2020 and 2021 following protests and vandalizing of the statues.

Maizlish, from the Southern Poverty Law Center, said it's unusual, though not unprecedented, that conservative jurisdictions like Shenandoah removed Confederate names in the first place.

She said that while there's no evidence other jurisdictions have restored Confederate names or monuments, she is “always concerned about people who work to continue to promote Lost Cause propaganda.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715377992875.png" alt="File photo Virginia removed the statue of Robert E. Lee from the U.S. Capitol in December 2020 -photo by Jack Mayer, Office of former Governor Ralph Northam" />
 <figcaption>File photo Virginia removed the statue of Robert E. Lee from the U.S. Capitol in December 2020 -photo by Jack Mayer, Office of former Governor Ralph Northam</figcaption>
 </figure>FALLS CHURCH, Virginia (AP) —A Virginia school board voted Friday to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to a high school and an elementary school, four years after the names were removed amid nationwide protests calling for a reckoning over racial injustice.In a reversal experts believe was the first of its kind, Shenandoah County's school board voted 5-1 to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary.Friday's vote reversed a decision by the school board in 2020 when school systems across Virginia and the South were removing Confederate names from schools and other public locations in response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/black-lives-matter">Black Lives Matter</a>&nbsp;movement.The Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, which maintains a database of more than 2,000 Confederate memorials nationwide, is not aware of another case of a school system restoring a Confederate name that was removed, said senior research analyst Rivka Maizlish.Overall, the trend toward removal of Confederate names and memorials has continued, even if it has slowed somewhat since 2020, she said, noting that the Army renamed nine installations named for Confederate leaders, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arlington-national-cemetery-confederate-memorial-removal-88f1d672070c440a4da080da91bd57b7">removed a Confederate memorial</a>&nbsp;from Arlington National Cemetery.In Virginia, local governments had been banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the law was changed in 2020, though the statute did not apply to school names.On Friday, school board members who voted to restore the Confederate names said the previous board ignored popular sentiment and due process when the names were stripped.Elections in 2023 significantly changed the school board's makeup, with one board member writing in an op-ed for the Northern Virginia Daily that the results gave Shenandoah County “the first 100% conservative board since anyone can remember.”That board member, Gloria Carlineo, said during the six-hour meeting that began Thursday night that opponents of the Confederate names should “stop bringing racism and prejudice into everything” because it “detracts from true cases of racism.”The lone board member to vote against restoring the Confederate names, Kyle Gutshall, said he respected both sides of the debate but believed a majority of residents in his district wanted to leave the Mountain View and Honey Run names in place.“I don't judge anybody or look down on anybody for the decision they're making,” he said. “It's a complex issue.”During several hours of public comment, county residents spoke up on both sides of the issue.Beth Ogle, a longtime resident with children in the school system, said restoring the Confederate names is “a statement to the world that you do not value the dignity and respect of your minority students, faculty and staff.”Kenny Wakeman, a lifelong county resident, said the Stonewall Jackson name “stood proudly for 60 years until 2020," when he said the “actions of a rogue police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” prompted a move to change the name, a reference to the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">Floyd</a>&nbsp;that propelled nationwide protests and debate over racial injustice.Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson was a Confederate general from Virginia who gained fame at the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas in 1861 and died in 1863 after he was shot and had his arm amputated. Jackson's name&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88a3c977101353baf3fc76dc3084056b">was also removed from another high school in Virginia's Prince William County in 2020</a>&nbsp;that is now known as Unity Reed High School.Ashby Lee is named for both Gen. Robert E. Lee, a Virginia native who commanded Confederate forces, and for Turner Ashby, a Confederate cavalry officer who was killed in battle in 1862 near Harrisonburg, Virginia. A high school near Harrisonburg is also named for Ashby.The resolution approved by the school board states that private donations would be used to pay for the name changes.Shenandoah County, a largely rural jurisdiction with a population of about 45,000, roughly 100 miles west of the nation's capital, has long been politically conservative. In 2020, Republican Donald Trump won 70% of the presidential vote in Shenandoah, even as Biden won Virginia by 10 points.In Virginia, local governments were banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the 2020 law lifted those restrictions. Statues of Confederate leaders, including Lee, Jackson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were removed from Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue in 2020 and 2021 following protests and vandalizing of the statues.Maizlish, from the Southern Poverty Law Center, said it's unusual, though not unprecedented, that conservative jurisdictions like Shenandoah removed Confederate names in the first place.She said that while there's no evidence other jurisdictions have restored Confederate names or monuments, she is “always concerned about people who work to continue to promote Lost Cause propaganda.”___

In reversal, school board votes to restore Confederate names to 2 schools

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.

Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.

For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.

But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.

It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.

Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.

Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.

Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.

Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.

State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.

“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”

Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?

A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.

Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.

Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.

Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.

“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”

A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.

“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.

Other states are considering what the impacts might be.

The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.

A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.

It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.

Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?

A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.

Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.

Most businesses can deduct their costs from their income and pay taxes on their net income. Marijuana businesses cannot take that deduction, known as 280E, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group.

Schedule I status also makes access to the U.S. banking system difficult.

Others complain that making marijuana legal in some states has not been fair to the communities of color that saw the most active enforcement.

Rescheduling would not fix those issues on its own, but advocates are hopeful it is a sign of momentum toward full legalization.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-launch-renewed-push-full-marijuana-legalization">reintroduced a bill</a>&nbsp;last week to de-schdule the drug altogether. The measure includes expanding the 280E tax break and several provisions meant to address social justice.

Q: Could Trump reverse this if he wins in November?

A: Probably, though there’s no indication that’s on his agenda.

It’s unclear what the status of the rescheduling will be when the next Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20.

If former President Donald Trump wins back the presidency and the rescheduling is still pending, he could direct the DEA and DOJ to scrap the change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-greatly-ease-marijuana-regulations-11">proposed loosening</a>&nbsp;the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug.Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to a less serious category was a clear signal that the federal government, at least under President Joe Biden’s administration, wants to ease restrictions on a drug that’s been legal in an increasing number of states for more than a decade.For years, the federal government has not pursued enforcement of state-legal marijuana operations, and the recent move appears to solidify that approach.But it didn’t solve the many thorny issues that have resulted from a split between what is legal in dozens of states and what the federal government allows.It’s unclear exactly what the rescheduling will mean. The Justice Department has not made public the text of Garland’s proposal — a DOJ spokesman declined States Newsroom’s request this week for a copy and state regulators say it has not been shared with them.Even if the proposal were public, it would be expected to go through changes over months of rulemaking.Here are some questions covering what is known at this early stage about what rescheduling would and would not do.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Q: Is weed legal now?</h2>A: No.Even in states that have legalized recreational use, the federal government would likely still consider the state system as illegal under federal law.Other Schedule III drugs, including Tylenol with codeine and anabolic steroids, are tightly regulated and available only by prescription at pharmacies.State-legal medicinal marijuana dispensaries do not fit that description and recreational-use dispensaries are even further from what the Food and Drug Administration requires of Schedule III drugs.“This does not make marijuana state operations legal,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Denver-based marijuana law firm Vicente LLP, said on a May 3 webinar. “They are not selling FDA-approved drugs and they are not licensed or meet the control requirements for Schedule III. So cannabis and state-legal dispensaries will remain in violation of federal law.”<h2>Q: What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III?</h2>A: Among the most significant is the recognition that the drug may have some medicinal value.Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, the Drug Enforcement Administration has five levels of drug classifications.Schedule I is the most restricted level, comprising the drugs most ripe for abuse that have no medicinal value. Other drugs on the list include heroin and LSD.Because the definition of Schedule I substances includes no medicinal use, it is illegal to even study substances on the list.Schedule III is the strictest level that acknowledges some medicinal value, making some hopeful that research on the drug could be improved.“Moving cannabis to Schedule III would be a big step for recognition of the medical uses of cannabis, what voters here recognized by a wide margin in 1998,” the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a May 1 statement. “And it would say very clearly that the federal government no longer considers cannabis among the most dangerous drugs.”<h2>Q: How are states preparing?</h2>A: Until they have more details, state regulators cannot do much, Amanda Borup, the senior policy analyst for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, said in an interview.“We really have to wait and see what they release,” she said, referring to the DEA’s rulemaking.Other states are considering what the impacts might be.The statement from Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board said rescheduling would “hopefully” ease restrictions on cannabis research, while it is “possible” the move would allow state-legal businesses to take advantage of tax deductions available to other industries.<h2>Q: Why does research matter?</h2>A: Marijuana advocates have had trouble providing evidence of any marijuana benefits because research has been restricted, which in turn made it more difficult to show that the restrictions should be lifted.It could also help establish industry guidelines for ancillary issues. For example, the restrictions on research contribute to a lack of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/">data on what pesticides are safe</a>&nbsp;for use in marijuana cultivation.<h2>Q: How does this affect policy on taxes, banking and criminal justice?</h2>A: On its own, rescheduling likely won’t address several complaints marijuana industry members and advocates have about federal prohibition.Some are hopeful, though, that the signal from the Biden administration will spur momentum toward other changes.Most businesses can deduct their costs from their income and pay taxes on their net income. Marijuana businesses cannot take that deduction, known as 280E, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group.Schedule I status also makes access to the U.S. banking system difficult.Others complain that making marijuana legal in some states has not been fair to the communities of color that saw the most active enforcement.Rescheduling would not fix those issues on its own, but advocates are hopeful it is a sign of momentum toward full legalization.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-launch-renewed-push-full-marijuana-legalization">reintroduced a bill</a>&nbsp;last week to de-schdule the drug altogether. The measure includes expanding the 280E tax break and several provisions meant to address social justice.<h2>Q: Could Trump reverse this if he wins in November?</h2>A: Probably, though there’s no indication that’s on his agenda.It’s unclear what the status of the rescheduling will be when the next Inauguration Day arrives on Jan. 20.If former President Donald Trump wins back the presidency and the rescheduling is still pending, he could direct the DEA and DOJ to scrap the change.Trump has not commented on the issue.

Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating another fatal shooting in Wichita have identified the victim as 29-year-old Nestor Rivera of Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Just before 12:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call in the 700 block of E. 57th Street South. First responders found Rivera with an upper body gunshot wound, according to Gupilan.

Sedgwick County EMS transported him to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Wichita Police investigators have identified all involved parties and are conducting interviews to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating another fatal shooting in Wichita have identified the victim as 29-year-old Nestor Rivera of Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.Just before 12:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call in the 700 block of E. 57th Street South. First responders found Rivera with an upper body gunshot wound, according to Gupilan.Sedgwick County EMS transported him to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.Wichita Police investigators have identified all involved parties and are conducting interviews to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.

Police ID victim in fatal Kansas shooting 

TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.

The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.

The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.

While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.

“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.

“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”

David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;

“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”

The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.

An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.

“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.

More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.

“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.

“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715354376809.png" alt=" More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

Kansas Office of Early Childhood concept fizzles out following legislative inaction

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900.

The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900. The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle struck a culvert

SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.

The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.

At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.

If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715480702597.png" alt="Location where the remains were found-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location where the remains were found-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI: Human remains found in rural Kansas; signs of foul play

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.

&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715283324756.png" alt="Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

Jury: Kan. man guilty of multiple sex crimes involving children

JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.

Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..

The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715350223098.png" alt="Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

Teen admits killing 15-year-old Kansas girl 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.

According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.

The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.

Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.

Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Officers seize $1 million worth of cocaine in I-70 taffic stop

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.

On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;

Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.

All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. 

Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673629872866.png" alt="Adame-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Adame-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

Prison for woman after 8-vehicle Kan. crash at near 100mph

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>

The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654525369104.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.Kelly said in her veto message that while Kansas needs stronger protections against foreign adversaries, the bill was so “overly broad” that it could disrupt “legitimate investment and business relationships.”“I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development,” Kelly said in her veto message.Kansas exported $14.1 billion worth of products in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets">International Trade Administration.</a>&nbsp;China was its fourth-largest trading partner, with $848 million worth of exports, behind Mexico, Canada and Japan.But Kansas already limits corporate ownership of agricultural land. More than 20 other states restrict foreign land ownership, according to the National Agricultural Law Center.Early in 2023, before being shot down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;floated across U.S. skies for several days, including over northeast Kansas, home to Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army's college for training commanders. That intensified interest in restrictions on foreign land ownership in Kansas, though concerns existed already because of the construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-bio-lab-manhattan-kansas-opening-5fb349d58192d6821d4efa5d5a80731b">national biosecurity lab</a>&nbsp;near Kansas State University.Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Kansas City-area Republican and retired Army officer who was among the most vocal supporters of the bill, said Kelly's veto leaves its military bases and other critical infrastructure “wide open for adversarial foreign governments.”“The assets of this state are too important for us to sit on our hands and wait until it’s too late,” Croft said in a statement after the veto.Some conservative Republicans, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, pushed for even stronger restrictions. Kobach backed a plan to ban all foreign ownership of more than 3 acres of land, with a new state board able to make exceptions.“Despite the governor’s apathy, we’ll continue to work to protect Kansas and its citizens from those foreign bad actors who wish to exploit land ownership loopholes,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican said.A few Republicans in the state Senate balked at the restrictions, and the bill appeared to be just short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The bill would have given affected foreign individuals and companies two years to divest themselves of their Kansas properties.Critics suggested attributed support for the bill to xenophobia. They suggested the main effect would be to force immigrants — including those fleeing repressive regimes — to sell their shops and restaurants.“To the extent that this bill affects anyone, it affects everyday people, those who are trying to live the American dream," Democratic state Rep. Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, said ahead of one vote on the bill.