SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.

On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3600 Block of SW 9th Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

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

As a result, officers arrested Jamie Cook, 33, of Topeka on requested charges that include&nbsp;Aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation, Possession of methamphetamine with the intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652881131069.png" alt="Cook-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cook-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after an arrest.On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3600 Block of SW 9th Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernaliaAs a result, officers arrested Jamie Cook, 33, of Topeka on requested charges that include&nbsp;Aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation, Possession of methamphetamine with the intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution.

Police: Mother was selling meth near kids in her Kan. home

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Police say a former University of Kansas soccer goalie has been killed and her husband has been charged with first-degree murder in her death. Police say officers found 25-year-old Regan Noelle Gibbs Marek fatally wounded Monday night at her apartment in Lawrence. 

Police say her husband, 26-year-old Chad Joseph Marek, was arrested at the scene. Investigators believe Gibbs death was likely the result of domestic violence, but police have not said how she was killed.

Gibbs was a goalkeeper for the Jayhawks’ soccer program from 2015 to 2018. The Kansas City Star reports that Marek appeared in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday. His bond is set at $1 million.

Friends of the family <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/regan-noelle-gibbs-and-family-memorial-fund?qid=9b67de1a21d85765ce555670556381f5">established a fundraiser </a>to assist them following the murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652810277064.png" alt="Marek-photo Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>Marek-photo Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Police say a former University of Kansas soccer goalie has been killed and her husband has been charged with first-degree murder in her death. Police say officers found 25-year-old Regan Noelle Gibbs Marek fatally wounded Monday night at her apartment in Lawrence. Police say her husband, 26-year-old Chad Joseph Marek, was arrested at the scene. Investigators believe Gibbs death was likely the result of domestic violence, but police have not said how she was killed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652907922881.png" alt="Gibbs photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Gibbs photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Gibbs was a goalkeeper for the Jayhawks’ soccer program from 2015 to 2018. The Kansas City Star reports that Marek appeared in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday. His bond is set at $1 million.Friends of the family <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/regan-noelle-gibbs-and-family-memorial-fund?qid=9b67de1a21d85765ce555670556381f5">established a fundraiser </a>to assist them following the murder.

Husband held on $1M bond for murder of former KU soccer goalie 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas, as he faces mounting political pressure over a domestic shortage caused by the safety-related closure of the country's largest formula manufacturing plant.

The Defense Production Act order requires suppliers of formula manufacturers to fulfill those orders before other customers. Biden is also authorizing the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly overseas formula supplies that meet federal standards to the U.S., in what the White House is calling “Operation Fly Formula.”

Supplies of baby formula across the country have been severely curtailed in recent weeks after a February recall by Abbott Nutrition exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on store shelves and increasingly anxious parents struggling to find nutrition for their children.

The announcement comes two days after the Food and Drug Administration said it was streamlining its review process to make it easier for foreign manufacturers to begin shipping more formula into the U.S. Regulators also said Monday that they’d reached a deal to allow Abbott Nutrition to restart its Sturgis, Michigan, plant, the nation's largest formula plant, which has been closed since February due to contamination issues. The company must overhaul its safety protocols and procedures before resuming production.

After getting the FDA’s OK, Abbott said it will take eight to ten weeks before new products begin arriving in stores. The company didn’t set a timeline to restart manufacturing.

By ZEKE MILLER, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas, as he faces mounting political pressure over a domestic shortage caused by the safety-related closure of the country's largest formula manufacturing plant.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m taking two new steps to increase baby formula supply: - Invoking the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production - Launching Operation Fly Formula to use federal planes to fly formula in from abroad We&#39;re making sure safe formula gets to all who need it. <a href="https://t.co/lnkxsaCY6T">pic.twitter.com/lnkxsaCY6T</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1527047326476410880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Defense Production Act order requires suppliers of formula manufacturers to fulfill those orders before other customers. Biden is also authorizing the Defense Department to use commercial aircraft to fly overseas formula supplies that meet federal standards to the U.S., in what the White House is calling “Operation Fly Formula.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Just now, President Biden announced two additional actions – invoking the Defense Production Act and launching Operation Fly Formula – to speed up the import of infant formula and get more formula to stores as soon as possible. <a href="https://t.co/4Ss9H2T7BO">pic.twitter.com/4Ss9H2T7BO</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1527047301537079301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Supplies of baby formula across the country have been severely curtailed in recent weeks after a February recall by Abbott Nutrition exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on store shelves and increasingly anxious parents struggling to find nutrition for their children.The announcement comes two days after the Food and Drug Administration said it was streamlining its review process to make it easier for foreign manufacturers to begin shipping more formula into the U.S. Regulators also said Monday that they’d reached a deal to allow Abbott Nutrition to restart its Sturgis, Michigan, plant, the nation's largest formula plant, which has been closed since February due to contamination issues. The company must overhaul its safety protocols and procedures before resuming production.After getting the FDA’s OK, Abbott said it will take eight to ten weeks before new products begin arriving in stores. The company didn’t set a timeline to restart manufacturing.

🎥Biden invokes Defense Production Act for baby formula shortage

&nbsp;TOPEKA —Kansas Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Republican redistricting law that improves the GOP's chances of flipping the state's only congressional seat held by a Democrat. 

&nbsp;Democrats argued that the map was drawn to help Republicans unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the 3rd District in the Kansas City area, while Republicans called it a fair map.

In a statement from her office Davids said,&nbsp;“From rushed hearings to backroom deals for votes, the redistricting process did not instill a sense of transparency or confidence in the people of Kansas. I hope that although many feel their voice was not heard, they do not feel as though their voice does not matter.

I look forward to introducing myself to the new voters in the Third District, continuing my work to find common ground and tackle the everyday issues facing our community, and showing all Kansans that to me, their voice matters."

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt who is also running for governor,&nbsp; praised the court for quick action on the case. "I am grateful for the expeditious manner in which the court announced the outcome of the cases, and this year’s candidate filings and election preparations can now proceed.”

 “The decisions confirm that the legislative and congressional reapportionments of Kansas enacted by the Legislature this year are constitutionally sound. We have successfully defended every Kansan’s right to equal protection of the law in exercising their right to vote, as well as the public’s right to establish new districts through their elected representatives. 

"It is regrettable that Kansas taxpayers have had to bear the unnecessary cost of successfully defending the duly enacted congressional reapportionment against multiple lawsuits backed by out-of-state activists."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602270876929.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;TOPEKA —Kansas Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Republican redistricting law that improves the GOP's chances of flipping the state's only congressional seat held by a Democrat. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">RELEASE: House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer on Kansas Supreme Court Redistricting Decisions <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0a2zyRuiR">pic.twitter.com/G0a2zyRuiR</a>&mdash; Kansas House Democrats (@KSHouseDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSHouseDems/status/1526957614000644098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Democrats argued that the map was drawn to help Republicans unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the 3rd District in the Kansas City area, while Republicans called it a fair map.In a statement from her office Davids said,&nbsp;“From rushed hearings to backroom deals for votes, the redistricting process did not instill a sense of transparency or confidence in the people of Kansas. I hope that although many feel their voice was not heard, they do not feel as though their voice does not matter.I look forward to introducing myself to the new voters in the Third District, continuing my work to find common ground and tackle the everyday issues facing our community, and showing all Kansans that to me, their voice matters."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652719984286.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argued the case before the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp; -photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argued the case before the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp; -photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt who is also running for governor,&nbsp; praised the court for quick action on the case. "I am grateful for the expeditious manner in which the court announced the outcome of the cases, and this year’s candidate filings and election preparations can now proceed.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> “The decisions confirm that the legislative and congressional reapportionments of Kansas enacted by the Legislature this year are constitutionally sound. We have successfully defended every Kansan’s right to equal protection of the law in exercising their right to vote, as well as the public’s right to establish new districts through their elected representatives. "It is regrettable that Kansas taxpayers have had to bear the unnecessary cost of successfully defending the duly enacted congressional reapportionment against multiple lawsuits backed by out-of-state activists."

Leaders respond to Kan. court decision to uphold congressional map

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating the fatal gunfight in a store parking lot in Lawrence have identified the men who died as 22-year-old Zachary Michael Sutton and 53-year-old Monty Ray Amick, both of Lawrence, according to police department spokesperson&nbsp;Kim L. Murphree.

Investigators believe the initial interaction between the occupants of two vehicles occurred near 23rd and Harper. The vehicles then travelled west on 23rd street where a confrontation occurred near 23rd and Iowa Street. 

After the confrontation, the vehicles continued west on Clinton Parkway where the incident culminated in the shooting at the Hy-Vee parking lot, 3504 Clinton Parkway. 

&nbsp;Sutton was reportedly a passenger in a 2006 White Ford F-150 Pickup truck and Amick was the driver and sole occupant of a 2007 Blue Nissan XTerra SUV, according to Murphree.

 Police are asking anyone who observed the altercation at 23rd and Iowa Street or the shooting at the HyVee parking lot to call Lawrence Police Department Investigations at (785)830-7430.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating fatal shooting in a store parking lot in Lawrence.

Just after 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway in Lawrence, according to Police&nbsp;Lt. David Ernst.

 One man was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported a second man to an area hospital with critical injuries and he was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators were speaking with 4 individuals who were present at the scene.&nbsp; Police released no additional details including names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652870936372.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting - photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting - photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating the fatal gunfight in a store parking lot in Lawrence have identified the men who died as 22-year-old Zachary Michael Sutton and 53-year-old Monty Ray Amick, both of Lawrence, according to police department spokesperson&nbsp;Kim L. Murphree.Investigators believe the initial interaction between the occupants of two vehicles occurred near 23rd and Harper. The vehicles then travelled west on 23rd street where a confrontation occurred near 23rd and Iowa Street. After the confrontation, the vehicles continued west on Clinton Parkway where the incident culminated in the shooting at the Hy-Vee parking lot, 3504 Clinton Parkway. &nbsp;Sutton was reportedly a passenger in a 2006 White Ford F-150 Pickup truck and Amick was the driver and sole occupant of a 2007 Blue Nissan XTerra SUV, according to Murphree. Police are asking anyone who observed the altercation at 23rd and Iowa Street or the shooting at the HyVee parking lot to call Lawrence Police Department Investigations at (785)830-7430.---------DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating fatal shooting in a store parking lot in Lawrence.Just after 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway in Lawrence, according to Police&nbsp;Lt. David Ernst. One man was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported a second man to an area hospital with critical injuries and he was later pronounced deceased.Investigators were speaking with 4 individuals who were present at the scene.&nbsp; Police released no additional details including names of the victims.

Road rage led to fatal Kan. grocery store parking lot gunfight

Board member invokes Bible verse to seek ouster of ‘Hate U Give’

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/17/shawnee-heights-school-board-votes-against-banning-five-challenged-books/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Shawnee Heights 
school board voted to accept recommendations of a district review 
committee and continue making available to students five books targeted 
for removal by community members.

The books about racism, gender and personal relationships were 
brought into question because individuals outside the district, 
including a Republican state senator from Topeka, thought the content 
was inappropriate for students in the public school. Some of the books 
were on Shawnee Heights’ library shelves, while others were part of the 
district’s classroom curriculum.

Three of the five books challenged in Shawnee Heights were among the 
top 10 censored school books in the United States in 2021, according to 
the American Library Association’s office of intellectual freedom.

Shawnee Heights board member Christina Flaming took exception to “The
 Hate U Give,” the 2017 young adult novel by Angie Thomas inspired by 
the Black Lives Matter movement. The narrator is Starr Carter, a 
16-year-old Black girl from a poor neighborhood who attended a 
predominantly white private school. The story involved Carter’s reaction
 to shooting of her childhood friend by a white police officer.

During the school board meeting Tuesday night, Flaming questioned 
legitimacy of the book’s depiction of a white officer shooting a Black 
boy. She said statistics proved there was more Black-on-Black violence 
than white-on-Black violence in the United States.

She also registered opposition to the book because the central 
character’s father failed as a role model. She said he didn’t possess 
family leadership skills necessary to move his wife and children to a 
more affluent neighborhood.

“I’m a biblical person. There’s a verse that talks about the dog 
returns to its vomit,” Flaming said. “To me, the overall theme was that 
dad could not leave the negative culture that he had in that 
neighborhood to get his family off to a better culture.”

The school board voted 6-1 to retain “Hate U Give” on the high school
 library’s shelf and to keep it as a reading option in a ninth-grade 
class.

Board member Jason Schulz defended retention of the book despite his 
personal challenge with the subject matter and a writing style that he 
viewed as harsh.

“It’s meant to make you think,” he said. “It’s meant to challenge what you think you know.”

In other action, the school board accepted the review committee’s 
recommendation to continue use in the district of “Not My Idea: A Book 
About Whiteness.” The novel by Anastasia Higginbotham is about white 
supremacy in the United States.

The board unanimously agreed to keep on school shelves “Beyond the 
Gender Binary” written by Alok Vaid-Menon, a gender-nonconforming artist
 who defined gender as a malleable form of expression.

Board members likewise retained for student consumption “All Boys 
Aren’t Blue” by journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George Johnson. This 
young-adult memoir weaved together disappointments and triumphs faced by
 Black queer boys.

Rocky Busenitz, the school board’s president, said he was convinced 
the district ought to place “All Boys Aren’t Blue” beyond reach of 
Shawnee Heights students. He lost the vote 5-2.

Busenitz said the initial 200 pages of Johnson’s book was 
well-written, but subsequent sections undermined the book by 
inappropriately addressing explicit touching, oral sex and pornography 
He was particularly disturbed by an example of sexting.

“That’s not an activity or behavior we want to model or encourage,” Busenitz said. “We have an issue with that already.”

The school board voted 4-3 to continue making available the 
autobiography “Gender Queer: A Memoir.” It’s a 2019 book by Maia Kobabe.
 The district’s review committee split three ways, with two members 
voting to retain it, two urging it be restricted to students in 11th 
grade or higher and two members proposing it be removed.

Only four students in the district have checked out Kobabe’s book since it was acquired by the district in November 2019.

In April, Kansas state Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Topeka, insisted the 
Shawnee Heights superintendent unilaterally block access to “Gender 
Queer.” Kloos, who operates a Topeka thrift store and church known as 
God’s Storehouse, said he prayed the district would promptly withdraw 
the book chronicling a journey of self-identity, adolescent crushes, 
coming out to family and bonding with friends over erotic fiction.

Flaming, a board member opposed to retention of “Gender Queer,” said 
exploration of intercourse, sodomy, masturbation and other behaviors 
could be a violation of state law given Shawnee Heights’ community 
standards of what defined as patently offensive. Busenitz, the school 
board’s president, agreed with her, because he considered graphic 
illustrations in the book were obscene.

“It just seems to me this pushes even our Kansas state law. With that in mind, I will say remove the book,” Flaming said.

School board member Lauren Tice Miller, a graduate of Shawnee Heights
 High School, said she was convinced the book had educational merit and 
would offer valuable information to students interested in the subject. 
She said it would be wrong to restrict access to students in 11th or 
12th grades.

In the book, she said, the characters went to a library to seek 
answers to their questions. The Shawnee Heights library ought to be such
 a reservoir of insight, she said.

“I found it to be a very emotional read. This young woman went 
through a lot in trying to find herself,” Tice Miller said. “All I could
 think about was, I’m sure there’s at least one student who is having 
this struggle. If this becomes the first one that we move to the side 
and restrict to 11th and 12th graders only, where does it stop?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652892406788.png" alt="The Shawnee Heights school board voted against requests to block student access to “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and three other books subject to formal challenges on Tuesday. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Shawnee Heights school board voted against requests to block student access to “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and three other books subject to formal challenges on Tuesday. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Board member invokes Bible verse to seek ouster of ‘Hate U Give’</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/17/shawnee-heights-school-board-votes-against-banning-five-challenged-books/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Shawnee Heights 
school board voted to accept recommendations of a district review 
committee and continue making available to students five books targeted 
for removal by community members.The books about racism, gender and personal relationships were 
brought into question because individuals outside the district, 
including a Republican state senator from Topeka, thought the content 
was inappropriate for students in the public school. Some of the books 
were on Shawnee Heights’ library shelves, while others were part of the 
district’s classroom curriculum.Three of the five books challenged in Shawnee Heights were among the 
top 10 censored school books in the United States in 2021, according to 
the American Library Association’s office of intellectual freedom.Shawnee Heights board member Christina Flaming took exception to “The
 Hate U Give,” the 2017 young adult novel by Angie Thomas inspired by 
the Black Lives Matter movement. The narrator is Starr Carter, a 
16-year-old Black girl from a poor neighborhood who attended a 
predominantly white private school. The story involved Carter’s reaction
 to shooting of her childhood friend by a white police officer.During the school board meeting Tuesday night, Flaming questioned 
legitimacy of the book’s depiction of a white officer shooting a Black 
boy. She said statistics proved there was more Black-on-Black violence 
than white-on-Black violence in the United States.She also registered opposition to the book because the central 
character’s father failed as a role model. She said he didn’t possess 
family leadership skills necessary to move his wife and children to a 
more affluent neighborhood.“I’m a biblical person. There’s a verse that talks about the dog 
returns to its vomit,” Flaming said. “To me, the overall theme was that 
dad could not leave the negative culture that he had in that 
neighborhood to get his family off to a better culture.”The school board voted 6-1 to retain “Hate U Give” on the high school
 library’s shelf and to keep it as a reading option in a ninth-grade 
class.Board member Jason Schulz defended retention of the book despite his 
personal challenge with the subject matter and a writing style that he 
viewed as harsh.“It’s meant to make you think,” he said. “It’s meant to challenge what you think you know.”In other action, the school board accepted the review committee’s 
recommendation to continue use in the district of “Not My Idea: A Book 
About Whiteness.” The novel by Anastasia Higginbotham is about white 
supremacy in the United States.The board unanimously agreed to keep on school shelves “Beyond the 
Gender Binary” written by Alok Vaid-Menon, a gender-nonconforming artist
 who defined gender as a malleable form of expression.Board members likewise retained for student consumption “All Boys 
Aren’t Blue” by journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George Johnson. This 
young-adult memoir weaved together disappointments and triumphs faced by
 Black queer boys.Rocky Busenitz, the school board’s president, said he was convinced 
the district ought to place “All Boys Aren’t Blue” beyond reach of 
Shawnee Heights students. He lost the vote 5-2.Busenitz said the initial 200 pages of Johnson’s book was 
well-written, but subsequent sections undermined the book by 
inappropriately addressing explicit touching, oral sex and pornography 
He was particularly disturbed by an example of sexting.“That’s not an activity or behavior we want to model or encourage,” Busenitz said. “We have an issue with that already.”The school board voted 4-3 to continue making available the 
autobiography “Gender Queer: A Memoir.” It’s a 2019 book by Maia Kobabe.
 The district’s review committee split three ways, with two members 
voting to retain it, two urging it be restricted to students in 11th 
grade or higher and two members proposing it be removed.Only four students in the district have checked out Kobabe’s book since it was acquired by the district in November 2019.In April, Kansas state Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Topeka, insisted the 
Shawnee Heights superintendent unilaterally block access to “Gender 
Queer.” Kloos, who operates a Topeka thrift store and church known as 
God’s Storehouse, said he prayed the district would promptly withdraw 
the book chronicling a journey of self-identity, adolescent crushes, 
coming out to family and bonding with friends over erotic fiction.Flaming, a board member opposed to retention of “Gender Queer,” said 
exploration of intercourse, sodomy, masturbation and other behaviors 
could be a violation of state law given Shawnee Heights’ community 
standards of what defined as patently offensive. Busenitz, the school 
board’s president, agreed with her, because he considered graphic 
illustrations in the book were obscene.“It just seems to me this pushes even our Kansas state law. With that in mind, I will say remove the book,” Flaming said.School board member Lauren Tice Miller, a graduate of Shawnee Heights
 High School, said she was convinced the book had educational merit and 
would offer valuable information to students interested in the subject. 
She said it would be wrong to restrict access to students in 11th or 
12th grades.In the book, she said, the characters went to a library to seek 
answers to their questions. The Shawnee Heights library ought to be such
 a reservoir of insight, she said.“I found it to be a very emotional read. This young woman went 
through a lot in trying to find herself,” Tice Miller said. “All I could
 think about was, I’m sure there’s at least one student who is having 
this struggle. If this becomes the first one that we move to the side 
and restrict to 11th and 12th graders only, where does it stop?”

Kan. school board votes against banning five challenged books

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/18/consulting-company-sets-26-month-timeline-for-kansas-unemployment-insurance-modernization/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The company brought in 
to direct modernization of the beleaguered Kansas unemployment insurance
 system is plotting an ambitious course with a timeline of 26 months.

Tata Consultancy Services, an 
information technology consulting company, was brought on to address a 
mainframe relied upon by the Department of Labor since the 1980s. A 
flood of unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent
 fraudulent claims pushed the system to the limit, prompting legislators
 to seek immediate updates.

Jai Siani, the unemployment 
insurance program executive for TCS, laid out the timeline, a one-phase 
approach, to the Unemployment Compensation, Modernization and 
Improvement Council on Tuesday.

Some members of the panel were skeptical.

“I started doing this when you 
still had to mail and fax stuff and faxing was rare, so I’ve seen all 
these systems come up and I’ve yet to see one that comes up in 26 
months,” said Jeff Oswald, a member of the council. “Have you met that 
goal yet?”

“We have not done any of the 
previous implementations in 26 months, but based on what we have learned
 from those implementations and the specific understanding that we had 
for Kansas, we are confident 26 months is what it will take for us,” 
Siani responded.

The IT consultant and services 
company contracted has worked with several other states — Maine, 
Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mississippi, New York and Wyoming — to 
modernize systems.&nbsp;

John Griffin, director of Americas
 business development for TCS, noted Wyoming had a turnaround time of 31
 months. Griffin told the council its input would be key in representing
 not only what the state is looking for but what the people of Kansas 
may want.

“Big projects fail because of a 
lack of visibility and a lack of governance,” Griffin said. “This 
council is part of that governance process, so that there’s a regular 
routine, reporting on schedule on risks and on issues.”

TCS’s parent company and 
headquarters are in Mumbai, which raised questions from legislators like
 Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, about who would be working on the project. 
Griffin assured legislators the intent was to keep work on the project 
within the country.

Other legislators had questions about the specifics of the forthcoming system.

“I think one of the highest 
priorities is that this platform has job search capabilities and resumes
 and tracking individuals as far as job search requirements,” Tarwater 
said.

Tarwater’s desire falls in line with a recent legislative effort to push Kansans back into the workforce. The veto override of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2448/">House Bill 2448</a>
 will require people ages 18 to 49 without a disability to enroll in a 
job training program to qualify for federal food assistance.

“In (Mississippi, Maine, Missouri,
 and Wyoming) we do interface with the workforce system,” Griffin said. 
“We usually interface with the job search to be able to, so we can bring
 some of that data together to view it. But it’s not natively part of 
our system currently.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652892524623.png" alt="Jai Saini, left, and John Griffin of Tata Consultancy Services told members of the state panel overseeing unemployment modernization they expect the one-phase approach to modernization will take 26 months in Kansas. (Screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Jai Saini, left, and John Griffin of Tata Consultancy Services told members of the state panel overseeing unemployment modernization they expect the one-phase approach to modernization will take 26 months in Kansas. (Screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/18/consulting-company-sets-26-month-timeline-for-kansas-unemployment-insurance-modernization/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The company brought in 
to direct modernization of the beleaguered Kansas unemployment insurance
 system is plotting an ambitious course with a timeline of 26 months.Tata Consultancy Services, an 
information technology consulting company, was brought on to address a 
mainframe relied upon by the Department of Labor since the 1980s. A 
flood of unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent
 fraudulent claims pushed the system to the limit, prompting legislators
 to seek immediate updates.Jai Siani, the unemployment 
insurance program executive for TCS, laid out the timeline, a one-phase 
approach, to the Unemployment Compensation, Modernization and 
Improvement Council on Tuesday.Some members of the panel were skeptical.“I started doing this when you 
still had to mail and fax stuff and faxing was rare, so I’ve seen all 
these systems come up and I’ve yet to see one that comes up in 26 
months,” said Jeff Oswald, a member of the council. “Have you met that 
goal yet?”“We have not done any of the 
previous implementations in 26 months, but based on what we have learned
 from those implementations and the specific understanding that we had 
for Kansas, we are confident 26 months is what it will take for us,” 
Siani responded.The IT consultant and services 
company contracted has worked with several other states — Maine, 
Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mississippi, New York and Wyoming — to 
modernize systems.&nbsp;John Griffin, director of Americas
 business development for TCS, noted Wyoming had a turnaround time of 31
 months. Griffin told the council its input would be key in representing
 not only what the state is looking for but what the people of Kansas 
may want.“Big projects fail because of a 
lack of visibility and a lack of governance,” Griffin said. “This 
council is part of that governance process, so that there’s a regular 
routine, reporting on schedule on risks and on issues.”TCS’s parent company and 
headquarters are in Mumbai, which raised questions from legislators like
 Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, about who would be working on the project. 
Griffin assured legislators the intent was to keep work on the project 
within the country.Other legislators had questions about the specifics of the forthcoming system.“I think one of the highest 
priorities is that this platform has job search capabilities and resumes
 and tracking individuals as far as job search requirements,” Tarwater 
said.Tarwater’s desire falls in line with a recent legislative effort to push Kansans back into the workforce. The veto override of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2448/">House Bill 2448</a>
 will require people ages 18 to 49 without a disability to enroll in a 
job training program to qualify for federal food assistance.“In (Mississippi, Maine, Missouri,
 and Wyoming) we do interface with the workforce system,” Griffin said. 
“We usually interface with the job search to be able to, so we can bring
 some of that data together to view it. But it’s not natively part of 
our system currently.”

Consultant sets timeline for Kan. unemployment insurance upgrade

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats unveiled a $28 million emergency spending bill Tuesday to address the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">shortage of infant formula</a>&nbsp;in the United States.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the money would increase Food and Drug Administration staffing to boost inspections of domestic and international suppliers, prevent fraudulent products from getting onto store shelves and acquire better data on the marketplace.

(Click below to watch the press conference)

The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott Nutrition that exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. DeLauro has also been critical of the FDA for a failure to address “with any sense of urgency” the safety concerns at Abbott’s plant in Michigan that prompted the shortage.

The legislation gives Democrats a chance to show they are trying to address a frightening scenario for young families across the country scrambling to ensure they have an adequate supply of food for their babies. Some Republicans have placed responsibility for the shortage squarely on President Joe Biden’s administration while Democrats Tuesday blamed “corporate greed and consolidation.”

“Mothers across the country are looking to us for help and we will not force them to face this crisis on their own,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “We’re on their side. We’ll see who is on their side when we vote on this legislation.”

Abbott is one of only a handful of companies that produce the vast majority of the U.S. formula supply, so their recall wiped out a large segment of the market. Federal regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-53857b4ba1006a8bf85caad251517f4c">reached a deal</a>&nbsp;this week to allow the company to restart the Michigan plant, but Abbott said it will take eight to ten weeks before new products begin arriving in stores.

The House Appropriations Committee will hear from FDA Commissioner Robert Califf on Thursday to discuss the agency’s budget. Lawmakers are expected to focus much of the discussion on the formula shortage. A panel is also expected to have a second hearing featuring experts who will discuss the recall of infant formula produced at the Abbott facility and the FDA’s handling of the recall.

The House is expected to take up the emergency spending measure later this week before lawmakers head back to their congressional districts for the next two weeks. It’s unclear where Republicans stand on the bill. Rep. Kay Granger, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said they need more details.

“We want to do something,” Granger said. “We want to put more meat on the bone, more specifics on what needs to be done.”

“Too little too late,” added Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. “They should have seen this coming months ago.”

The bill would also need approval in an evenly divided Senate, where it will need support from at least 10 Republicans before it could be signed into law. GOP senators panned the effort but didn’t dismiss it outright.

“Obviously it’s a big problem. We need to help families solve it,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of GOP leadership.

Blunt said the administration should have months ago considered eliminating tariffs on baby formula made in Europe that meets U.S. standards.

“Whether it’s $28 million or $228 million, it won’t make any difference tomorrow. It probably won’t make any difference a week from tomorrow,” Blunt said.

DeLauro said much of the money would go to inspections of facilities making baby formula.

“FDA does not have the adequate inspection force to be able to do that, and to do it in a timely way,” she said.

She said speed was of the essence, and then lawmakers would focus on accountability for the shortage.

“And I’m talking about accountability at the FDA as well, because they dragged their feet for several months before there was a recall,” DeLauro said.

Democrats introduced a second bill Tuesday that the House is also expected to vote on this week. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., would in extenuating circumstances give participants in an assistance program commonly known as WIC the ability to use vouchers to purchase formula from any producer rather than be limited to one brand that may be unavailable.

Meanwhile, the FDA is looking to boost imports by streamlining its review process to make it easier for foreign manufacturers to begin shipping more formula into the U.S.

Swiss conglomerate Nestlé said Tuesday it had already increased production and moved up planned shipments to the U.S. to alleviate the shortages. Nestlé is also rushing the shipments via air.

Nestlé said it prioritized the shipment of two products that it was already importing — Gerber Good Start Extensive HA from the Netherlands and Alfamino from Switzerland — because they serve a critical need. The products are made for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk.

Nestlé said it is reviewing the new guidance from the FDA, which temporarily relaxes import restrictions on baby formula, and it might start importing more varieties.

“We are reviewing the guidance and assessing where we may be able to tap into the Nestlé global nutrition network to help,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652882702059.png" alt="Rep. Rosa DeLauro during Tuesday's news conference" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Rosa DeLauro during Tuesday's news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats unveiled a $28 million emergency spending bill Tuesday to address the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baby-formula-shortage-what-to-know-735cef06e68ed9c5a46233bdfcf0573d">shortage of infant formula</a>&nbsp;in the United States.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the money would increase Food and Drug Administration staffing to boost inspections of domestic and international suppliers, prevent fraudulent products from getting onto store shelves and acquire better data on the marketplace.(Click below to watch the press conference)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l6S4JjLl3mE?start=1213" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The shortage stems from a February recall by Abbott Nutrition that exacerbated ongoing supply chain disruptions among formula makers, leaving fewer options on stores shelves across much of the country. DeLauro has also been critical of the FDA for a failure to address “with any sense of urgency” the safety concerns at Abbott’s plant in Michigan that prompted the shortage.The legislation gives Democrats a chance to show they are trying to address a frightening scenario for young families across the country scrambling to ensure they have an adequate supply of food for their babies. Some Republicans have placed responsibility for the shortage squarely on President Joe Biden’s administration while Democrats Tuesday blamed “corporate greed and consolidation.”“Mothers across the country are looking to us for help and we will not force them to face this crisis on their own,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “We’re on their side. We’ll see who is on their side when we vote on this legislation.”Abbott is one of only a handful of companies that produce the vast majority of the U.S. formula supply, so their recall wiped out a large segment of the market. Federal regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-government-and-politics-53857b4ba1006a8bf85caad251517f4c">reached a deal</a>&nbsp;this week to allow the company to restart the Michigan plant, but Abbott said it will take eight to ten weeks before new products begin arriving in stores.The House Appropriations Committee will hear from FDA Commissioner Robert Califf on Thursday to discuss the agency’s budget. Lawmakers are expected to focus much of the discussion on the formula shortage. A panel is also expected to have a second hearing featuring experts who will discuss the recall of infant formula produced at the Abbott facility and the FDA’s handling of the recall.The House is expected to take up the emergency spending measure later this week before lawmakers head back to their congressional districts for the next two weeks. It’s unclear where Republicans stand on the bill. Rep. Kay Granger, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said they need more details.“We want to do something,” Granger said. “We want to put more meat on the bone, more specifics on what needs to be done.”“Too little too late,” added Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. “They should have seen this coming months ago.”The bill would also need approval in an evenly divided Senate, where it will need support from at least 10 Republicans before it could be signed into law. GOP senators panned the effort but didn’t dismiss it outright.“Obviously it’s a big problem. We need to help families solve it,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of GOP leadership.Blunt said the administration should have months ago considered eliminating tariffs on baby formula made in Europe that meets U.S. standards.“Whether it’s $28 million or $228 million, it won’t make any difference tomorrow. It probably won’t make any difference a week from tomorrow,” Blunt said.DeLauro said much of the money would go to inspections of facilities making baby formula.“FDA does not have the adequate inspection force to be able to do that, and to do it in a timely way,” she said.She said speed was of the essence, and then lawmakers would focus on accountability for the shortage.“And I’m talking about accountability at the FDA as well, because they dragged their feet for several months before there was a recall,” DeLauro said.Democrats introduced a second bill Tuesday that the House is also expected to vote on this week. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., would in extenuating circumstances give participants in an assistance program commonly known as WIC the ability to use vouchers to purchase formula from any producer rather than be limited to one brand that may be unavailable.Meanwhile, the FDA is looking to boost imports by streamlining its review process to make it easier for foreign manufacturers to begin shipping more formula into the U.S.Swiss conglomerate Nestlé said Tuesday it had already increased production and moved up planned shipments to the U.S. to alleviate the shortages. Nestlé is also rushing the shipments via air.Nestlé said it prioritized the shipment of two products that it was already importing — Gerber Good Start Extensive HA from the Netherlands and Alfamino from Switzerland — because they serve a critical need. The products are made for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk.Nestlé said it is reviewing the new guidance from the FDA, which temporarily relaxes import restrictions on baby formula, and it might start importing more varieties.“We are reviewing the guidance and assessing where we may be able to tap into the Nestlé global nutrition network to help,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

🎥Congress divided on $28M to address baby formula shortage

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court on Wednesday upheld a Republican redistricting law that makes it harder for the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to win reelection in a big victory for the GOP.

The state Supreme Court declined to declare that overly partisan gerrymandering violates the Kansas Constitution. The ruling sets district boundaries less than a month before the state’s June 10 filing deadline for congressional candidates.

Lawsuits over new congressional district lines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-biden-us-supreme-court-legislature-redistricting-2dc22ffc8559f43401c9f116b4e7f8ad">have proliferated</a>&nbsp;across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections. Congressional maps in at least 17 states have inspired lawsuits, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

In the past, congressional district lines have been reviewed by federal judges and not the state Supreme Court. The conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-nc-state-wire-donald-trump-ap-top-news-courts-54daa625511445969fee66696f7979c2">ruled in a 5-4 decision in 2019</a>&nbsp;that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.

The state’s Republican-appointed solicitor general argued in defending the GOP-drawn map that because the state constitution doesn’t specifically mention gerrymandering or congressional redistricting, the Kansas Supreme Court should reject the legal challenges. He and other state officials said that the justices had no guidance on how to define improper political gerrymandering.

“It’s elected legislators who are best positioned to determine how to balance out the competing interests,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, told reporters after the state Supreme Court heard arguments Monday.

Democrats argued that the map was drawn to help Republicans unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the 3rd District, in the Kansas City area, and that it diluted the political clout of Black and Latino voters. Twenty voters and a voting rights group, Loud Light, filed three lawsuits that were consolidated into one, and a lower court sided with them.

“It’s about equal treatment,” Stephen McAllister, one of the attorneys representing the voters, argued before the state’s highest court. “You’re looking for targeting of groups that were in a position where they had a meaningful opportunity to participate, and that is being taken away.”

State courts have issued decisions favoring Democrats in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-kathy-hochul-legislature-primary-f2178f502490fa94d20800f76420bc21">New York’s highest court&nbsp;</a>recently declared that that state’s new districts were gerrymandered to favor Democrats.

The Kansas lawsuits argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">the state’s bill of rights</a>&nbsp;prohibits partisan gerrymandering by declaring that “free governments” are formed for the people’s “equal protection and benefits” and that the state’s residents have “equal and inalienable natural rights” including, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The state Supreme Court also cited that latter provision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">in 2019</a>&nbsp;in declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right in Kansas.

Republican legislative leaders argued that based on 2020 election results, Davids still could win her new district. They said their map was a fair way to rebalance the population in each of the state’s congressional districts to make them as equal as possible after 10 years of demographic shifts.

The map moves the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the few Democratic strongholds in the GOP-leaning state. Davids lost territory where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">she performs well,</a>&nbsp;while the new map added several rural, heavily Republican counties to her district.

The map also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;— a Democratic stronghold that is home to the main University of Kansas campus and is only about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Kansas City — out of the 2nd District. Instead, the city of 95,000 has been added to the already sprawling 1st District, which is dominated by small conservative communities in central and western Kansas.

The lower court’s ruling relied heavily on the testimony of a University of Michigan political scientist who used a computer algorithm to produce 1,000 alternative redistricting plans to conclude that the new districts “are extreme pro-Republican partisan outliers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652720087757.png" alt="Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles asks Attorney General Derek Schmidt a question during arguments on Monday morning. Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles asks Attorney General Derek Schmidt a question during arguments on Monday morning. Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court on Wednesday upheld a Republican redistricting law that makes it harder for the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to win reelection in a big victory for the GOP.The state Supreme Court declined to declare that overly partisan gerrymandering violates the Kansas Constitution. The ruling sets district boundaries less than a month before the state’s June 10 filing deadline for congressional candidates.Lawsuits over new congressional district lines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-biden-us-supreme-court-legislature-redistricting-2dc22ffc8559f43401c9f116b4e7f8ad">have proliferated</a>&nbsp;across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections. Congressional maps in at least 17 states have inspired lawsuits, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652719984286.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argues before the Kansas Supreme Court on Monday that the state House and Senate redistricting maps should be affirmed. -photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argues before the Kansas Supreme Court on Monday that the state House and Senate redistricting maps should be affirmed. -photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>In the past, congressional district lines have been reviewed by federal judges and not the state Supreme Court. The conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-nc-state-wire-donald-trump-ap-top-news-courts-54daa625511445969fee66696f7979c2">ruled in a 5-4 decision in 2019</a>&nbsp;that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.The state’s Republican-appointed solicitor general argued in defending the GOP-drawn map that because the state constitution doesn’t specifically mention gerrymandering or congressional redistricting, the Kansas Supreme Court should reject the legal challenges. He and other state officials said that the justices had no guidance on how to define improper political gerrymandering.“It’s elected legislators who are best positioned to determine how to balance out the competing interests,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, told reporters after the state Supreme Court heard arguments Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="The map moves the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner." />
 <figcaption>The map moves the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner.</figcaption>
 </figure>Democrats argued that the map was drawn to help Republicans unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the 3rd District, in the Kansas City area, and that it diluted the political clout of Black and Latino voters. Twenty voters and a voting rights group, Loud Light, filed three lawsuits that were consolidated into one, and a lower court sided with them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652888917975.png" alt="&nbsp;“It’s about equal treatment,” Stephen McAllister, one of the attorneys representing the voters, argued before the state’s highest court.- photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;“It’s about equal treatment,” Stephen McAllister, one of the attorneys representing the voters, argued before the state’s highest court.- photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s about equal treatment,” Stephen McAllister, one of the attorneys representing the voters, argued before the state’s highest court. “You’re looking for targeting of groups that were in a position where they had a meaningful opportunity to participate, and that is being taken away.”State courts have issued decisions favoring Democrats in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-kathy-hochul-legislature-primary-f2178f502490fa94d20800f76420bc21">New York’s highest court&nbsp;</a>recently declared that that state’s new districts were gerrymandered to favor Democrats.The Kansas lawsuits argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">the state’s bill of rights</a>&nbsp;prohibits partisan gerrymandering by declaring that “free governments” are formed for the people’s “equal protection and benefits” and that the state’s residents have “equal and inalienable natural rights” including, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The state Supreme Court also cited that latter provision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">in 2019</a>&nbsp;in declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right in Kansas.Republican legislative leaders argued that based on 2020 election results, Davids still could win her new district. They said their map was a fair way to rebalance the population in each of the state’s congressional districts to make them as equal as possible after 10 years of demographic shifts.The map moves the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the few Democratic strongholds in the GOP-leaning state. Davids lost territory where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">she performs well,</a>&nbsp;while the new map added several rural, heavily Republican counties to her district.The map also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;— a Democratic stronghold that is home to the main University of Kansas campus and is only about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Kansas City — out of the 2nd District. Instead, the city of 95,000 has been added to the already sprawling 1st District, which is dominated by small conservative communities in central and western Kansas.The lower court’s ruling relied heavily on the testimony of a University of Michigan political scientist who used a computer algorithm to produce 1,000 alternative redistricting plans to conclude that the new districts “are extreme pro-Republican partisan outliers.”

Kan. Supreme Court approves controversial congressional map

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Police arrested a Salina man early Wednesday morning after a downtown Salina business was burglarized.

Just after 12:30a.m. police responded to Airgas, 300 N. Seventh Street in Salina for the report of an alarm going off, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. When they arrived, they found the southeast door to the business was shattered, with glass from the door inside. Damage to the door was estimated at $1,000.

Someone had spray painted a number of derogatory terms on the walls and floor, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage, he said. Additionally, a computer monitor and keyboard were damaged for an estimated $1,000 loss.

An employee arrived and said that a can of blue spray paint that had been sitting on a counter was missing.

Officers searched the area and located two people in the 200 block of N. Santa Fe Avenue. Forrester said the two had a shopping cart with two Powermax plasma welders (valued at $1,600), a number of batteries (valued at $50), a tool bag (valued at $100), and an Airgas jacket (valued at $100). Additionally, one of the people was wearing a welding hat valued at $50.

Forrester said an employee identified all of the items as belonging to Airgas.

One of the two people found with the shopping cart, Michael Gonzalez, 20, of Salina, who had blue spray paint on his hands, was arrested in connection to the burglary, Forrester said.

When Gonzalez was being taken from the police vehicle into the Saline County Jail, he allegedly head-butted an officer, causing a laceration on the officer's head. Gonzalez is being held on requested charges of Burglary, Felony damage to property, Felony theft and Battery of a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652891032973.png" alt="Michael Gonzalez&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Michael Gonzalez&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice arrested a Salina man early Wednesday morning after a downtown Salina business was burglarized.Just after 12:30a.m. police responded to Airgas, 300 N. Seventh Street in Salina for the report of an alarm going off, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. When they arrived, they found the southeast door to the business was shattered, with glass from the door inside. Damage to the door was estimated at $1,000.Someone had spray painted a number of derogatory terms on the walls and floor, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage, he said. Additionally, a computer monitor and keyboard were damaged for an estimated $1,000 loss.An employee arrived and said that a can of blue spray paint that had been sitting on a counter was missing.Officers searched the area and located two people in the 200 block of N. Santa Fe Avenue. Forrester said the two had a shopping cart with two Powermax plasma welders (valued at $1,600), a number of batteries (valued at $50), a tool bag (valued at $100), and an Airgas jacket (valued at $100). Additionally, one of the people was wearing a welding hat valued at $50.Forrester said an employee identified all of the items as belonging to Airgas.One of the two people found with the shopping cart, Michael Gonzalez, 20, of Salina, who had blue spray paint on his hands, was arrested in connection to the burglary, Forrester said.When Gonzalez was being taken from the police vehicle into the Saline County Jail, he allegedly head-butted an officer, causing a laceration on the officer's head. Gonzalez is being held on requested charges of Burglary, Felony damage to property, Felony theft and Battery of a law enforcement officer.

Police: Kan. man who stole spray paint had blue on his hands

GOODLAND, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service has confirmed a series of weak tornadoes across rural parts of northwestern Kansas and a county in southwestern Nebraska along the Kansas line. 

The tornadoes hit Tuesday afternoon as a line of storms moved across the Plains. National Weather Service meteorologist Ed Holicky out of Goodland, Kansas, says spotters and video confirmed separate tornadoes in Decatur, Norton and Gove counties in Kansas and an one in Red Willow County in Nebraska. 

Holicky says there were no reports of injuries or damage from the tornadoes. The system brought gusty winds, heavy rain and some hail, leading to downed tree limbs some roof damage across the region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652885436586.png" alt="National Weather Service Goodland" />
 <figcaption>National Weather Service Goodland</figcaption>
 </figure>GOODLAND, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service has confirmed a series of weak tornadoes across rural parts of northwestern Kansas and a county in southwestern Nebraska along the Kansas line. The tornadoes hit Tuesday afternoon as a line of storms moved across the Plains. National Weather Service meteorologist Ed Holicky out of Goodland, Kansas, says spotters and video confirmed separate tornadoes in Decatur, Norton and Gove counties in Kansas and an one in Red Willow County in Nebraska. Holicky says there were no reports of injuries or damage from the tornadoes. The system brought gusty winds, heavy rain and some hail, leading to downed tree limbs some roof damage across the region.

Weather service confirms weak tornadoes in Kansas, Nebraska

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and five Kansas Sheriffs will travel to the Southern Border on Thursday for briefings, tours, and meetings with border patrol officials, within DHS and the state of Texas, according to a statement from the Senator's office.

 The trip comes amid the pending expiration of Title 42 and the growing fentanyl crisis that is wreaking havoc in Kansas and across the nation.

In the past 14 months, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenMarshall&amp;crop=15814.13059524.5588806.7259168&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https*3a*2f*2fwww.cbp.gov*2fnewsroom*2fstats*2fdrug-seizure-statistics&amp;redir_log=968300232547417__;JSUlJSUl!!Ivohdkk!mJlC32iyj395PvzieNtmc0mhYKGWXyJlTL9HWHoTBsGvhZ1dGdRYXkGvioObEGet1oInRX_nLnlxHhGmLPZcupvIpk7k-g$">12,000lbs of fentanyl-related substances</a>&nbsp;were seized from criminals at the southern border – much more made it over the border undetected. Additionally, overdose deaths from&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/02/as-opioid-overdoses-spike-in-kansas-senators-block-fentanyl-test-strip-provision/">fentanyl-related substances topped</a>&nbsp;all other drug-related overdose deaths in Kansas in 2021. Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan, Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards, and Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse will travel with Senator Marshall.

“It is simply unacceptable – in fact, it’s a dereliction of duty – that Joe Biden continues to maintain his open borders policies that have in turn enabled criminals to bring fentanyl into our state and poison Kansans at record rates. I look forward to traveling down to the southern border with these heroic sheriffs so we can continue to bring awareness and solutions to the crisis that has turned Kansas into a border state,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “The crisis at our southern border is our biggest, most immediate national security threat. With fentanyl pouring across the border, this has turned into a public health crisis as well. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug our country has ever seen and is effecting Kansans at record rates. With just one teaspoon of fentanyl having the ability to kill thousands of people and a deadly amount being able to fit on the tip of a pencil, we must do everything in our power to stop this terrible scourge.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652819279525.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and five Kansas Sheriffs will travel to the Southern Border on Thursday for briefings, tours, and meetings with border patrol officials, within DHS and the state of Texas, according to a statement from the Senator's office. The trip comes amid the pending expiration of Title 42 and the growing fentanyl crisis that is wreaking havoc in Kansas and across the nation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617909066947.png" alt="Migrants attempting to cross the U.S., Mexico border-photo Senator Marshall's office." />
 <figcaption>Migrants attempting to cross the U.S., Mexico border-photo Senator Marshall's office.</figcaption>
 </figure>In the past 14 months, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenMarshall&amp;crop=15814.13059524.5588806.7259168&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https*3a*2f*2fwww.cbp.gov*2fnewsroom*2fstats*2fdrug-seizure-statistics&amp;redir_log=968300232547417__;JSUlJSUl!!Ivohdkk!mJlC32iyj395PvzieNtmc0mhYKGWXyJlTL9HWHoTBsGvhZ1dGdRYXkGvioObEGet1oInRX_nLnlxHhGmLPZcupvIpk7k-g$">12,000lbs of fentanyl-related substances</a>&nbsp;were seized from criminals at the southern border – much more made it over the border undetected. Additionally, overdose deaths from&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/02/as-opioid-overdoses-spike-in-kansas-senators-block-fentanyl-test-strip-provision/">fentanyl-related substances topped</a>&nbsp;all other drug-related overdose deaths in Kansas in 2021. Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan, Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards, and Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse will travel with Senator Marshall.“It is simply unacceptable – in fact, it’s a dereliction of duty – that Joe Biden continues to maintain his open borders policies that have in turn enabled criminals to bring fentanyl into our state and poison Kansans at record rates. I look forward to traveling down to the southern border with these heroic sheriffs so we can continue to bring awareness and solutions to the crisis that has turned Kansas into a border state,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “The crisis at our southern border is our biggest, most immediate national security threat. With fentanyl pouring across the border, this has turned into a public health crisis as well. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug our country has ever seen and is effecting Kansans at record rates. With just one teaspoon of fentanyl having the ability to kill thousands of people and a deadly amount being able to fit on the tip of a pencil, we must do everything in our power to stop this terrible scourge.”

Amid crisis, Sen. Marshall, Kan. sheriffs will visit southern border

&nbsp;WICHITA COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just before 5p.m. Tuesday in Wichita County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by Andrew Joseph Gomes, 23, Scott City, was eastbound on County Road H three miles east of Kansas 23.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and yield the right of way to a&nbsp; 2019 Dodge 3500 driven by Landon Lane Koehn, 43,&nbsp;Marienthal,&nbsp; who was northbound on County Road 15.

&nbsp;Both vehicles collided in the intersection. Gomes and Koehn were pronounced dead at St. Catherine's Hospital. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;WICHITA COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just before 5p.m. Tuesday in Wichita County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by Andrew Joseph Gomes, 23, Scott City, was eastbound on County Road H three miles east of Kansas 23.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and yield the right of way to a&nbsp; 2019 Dodge 3500 driven by Landon Lane Koehn, 43,&nbsp;Marienthal,&nbsp; who was northbound on County Road 15.&nbsp;Both vehicles collided in the intersection. Gomes and Koehn were pronounced dead at St. Catherine's Hospital. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

2 Kansas men dead after SUV, pickup collide

JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;celebrated&nbsp;the&nbsp;creation of&nbsp;8,800&nbsp;high-paying, quality&nbsp;jobs&nbsp;in Johnson County on Tuesday, according to a media release from her office.

 During&nbsp;visits to Overland Park and New Century, she&nbsp;highlighted&nbsp;the strides Kansas has made in attracting businesses to the state – and&nbsp;how her administration has&nbsp;made it easier for&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;to grow and succeed&nbsp;in Kansas.&nbsp;

"Private sector leaders&nbsp;across the U.S.&nbsp;are&nbsp;realizing&nbsp;what we have known for quite some time – Kansas&nbsp;is open for business,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"Thanks to Kansas’ central location, excellent infrastructure, and strong workforce, more and more job opportunities are coming to the state, including to Johnson County."

Governor Kelly visited New Century Commerce Center,&nbsp;one of the largest multi-tenant business parks in the&nbsp;Kansas City&nbsp;Metro Region, to break ground on a 9-million square-foot expansion. This project will bring an estimated 4,700 permanent jobs and 3,500 construction jobs&nbsp;over the next 16 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Her second stop&nbsp;celebrated the grand opening of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Spectrum&nbsp;Retention Center&nbsp;in Overland Park.&nbsp;Through&nbsp;Spectrum’s&nbsp;nearly $19 million investment,&nbsp;more than 600&nbsp;quality jobs&nbsp;will be&nbsp;created. The new customer retention center will&nbsp;serve 31 million people&nbsp;across&nbsp;41 states.

"The Kansas Third District is growing and thriving, with new jobs, businesses, and opportunity choosing to come here thanks to our strong pro-business environment,"&nbsp;Representative Sharice&nbsp;Davids&nbsp;said.&nbsp;"Both the new Spectrum facility and the New Century Commerce Center are going to boost our local economy for years to come, and I’m glad to welcome them to Johnson County."

For back-to-back years, Kansas has attracted the most capital investment by businesses in the history of the state. Since the start of the Kelly Administration, economic development projects have created and retained more than 42,000 jobs and have attracted nearly $9 billion dollars of investment into the Kansas economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652822072487.png" alt="New Century Commerce Center Groundbreaking-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>New Century Commerce Center Groundbreaking-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp;–Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;celebrated&nbsp;the&nbsp;creation of&nbsp;8,800&nbsp;high-paying, quality&nbsp;jobs&nbsp;in Johnson County on Tuesday, according to a media release from her office. During&nbsp;visits to Overland Park and New Century, she&nbsp;highlighted&nbsp;the strides Kansas has made in attracting businesses to the state – and&nbsp;how her administration has&nbsp;made it easier for&nbsp;businesses&nbsp;to grow and succeed&nbsp;in Kansas.&nbsp;"Private sector leaders&nbsp;across the U.S.&nbsp;are&nbsp;realizing&nbsp;what we have known for quite some time – Kansas&nbsp;is open for business,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"Thanks to Kansas’ central location, excellent infrastructure, and strong workforce, more and more job opportunities are coming to the state, including to Johnson County."Governor Kelly visited New Century Commerce Center,&nbsp;one of the largest multi-tenant business parks in the&nbsp;Kansas City&nbsp;Metro Region, to break ground on a 9-million square-foot expansion. This project will bring an estimated 4,700 permanent jobs and 3,500 construction jobs&nbsp;over the next 16 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her second stop&nbsp;celebrated the grand opening of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Spectrum&nbsp;Retention Center&nbsp;in Overland Park.&nbsp;Through&nbsp;Spectrum’s&nbsp;nearly $19 million investment,&nbsp;more than 600&nbsp;quality jobs&nbsp;will be&nbsp;created. The new customer retention center will&nbsp;serve 31 million people&nbsp;across&nbsp;41 states."The Kansas Third District is growing and thriving, with new jobs, businesses, and opportunity choosing to come here thanks to our strong pro-business environment,"&nbsp;Representative Sharice&nbsp;Davids&nbsp;said.&nbsp;"Both the new Spectrum facility and the New Century Commerce Center are going to boost our local economy for years to come, and I’m glad to welcome them to Johnson County."For back-to-back years, Kansas has attracted the most capital investment by businesses in the history of the state. Since the start of the Kelly Administration, economic development projects have created and retained more than 42,000 jobs and have attracted nearly $9 billion dollars of investment into the Kansas economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. Gov. celebrates creation of 8,800 jobs in Johnson County 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a murder in Lawrence have identified the victim as&nbsp; 25-year-old Regan Noelle Marek Gibbs of Lawrence, according to&nbsp; police spokesperson Kim L. Murphree.

Detectives with the Lawrence Police Department (LPD) worked through the night and continue to investigate the murder.

Just before 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a home in the 2500 Block of West 6th Street where the victim lived.

The suspect identified as 26-year old Chad Joseph Marek, of Lawrence also lived at the home and was the victim's husband, according to Police Chief Rich Lockhart. 

Police arrested him at the scene on a requested charge of murder, according to Murphree. Domestic violence is being investigated as a contributing factor. An Affidavit was prepared by police detectives and has been sent to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder in Lawrence.

Just before 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a north-central Lawrence home, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Kim L. Murphree.

Officers encountered a 26-year-old suspect and a woman with critical injuries. First responders pronounced her deceased at the scene. Police arrested the man on suspicion of murder, according to Murphree.

The man and victim were known to each other.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the suspect or victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652810277064.png" alt="Marek-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Marek-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a murder in Lawrence have identified the victim as&nbsp; 25-year-old Regan Noelle Marek Gibbs of Lawrence, according to&nbsp; police spokesperson Kim L. Murphree.Detectives with the Lawrence Police Department (LPD) worked through the night and continue to investigate the murder.Just before 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a home in the 2500 Block of West 6th Street where the victim lived.The suspect identified as 26-year old Chad Joseph Marek, of Lawrence also lived at the home and was the victim's husband, according to Police Chief Rich Lockhart. Police arrested him at the scene on a requested charge of murder, according to Murphree. Domestic violence is being investigated as a contributing factor. An Affidavit was prepared by police detectives and has been sent to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.----------DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a murder in Lawrence.Just before 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a north-central Lawrence home, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Kim L. Murphree.Officers encountered a 26-year-old suspect and a woman with critical injuries. First responders pronounced her deceased at the scene. Police arrested the man on suspicion of murder, according to Murphree.The man and victim were known to each other.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the suspect or victim.

Police: Kansas man accused of wife's murder 

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating six suspects in connection with a home-invasion violent attack.

On May 2, police responded to an apartment building in northeast Emporia after multiple 911 calls indicating people were running in the area and one person was reported yelling for help, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

At the scene, officers found an injured victim and leaned multiple suspects armed with guns and knives entered an apartment and beat and burned the victim. The suspects then fled.

Detectives in Lyon County conducted a lengthy investigation and arrested six suspects.&nbsp; Alfredo Perez, Jr., 21 and Lucas Aleman-Torres, 22, both of Emporia are being held on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

Christopher A. Diaz, 24, of Emporia is being held on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and additional drug allegations.

Amber N. Spencer, 18, Emporia is being held on requested charges of interference with law enforcement and aid and abet aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

Raul A. Diaz III, 20, of Emporia is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.

Jonathan Manzano, 21, Emporia is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, possesion of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

The Lyon County Attorney is reviewing the case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805300411.png" alt="Perez" />
 <figcaption>Perez</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating six suspects in connection with a home-invasion violent attack.On May 2, police responded to an apartment building in northeast Emporia after multiple 911 calls indicating people were running in the area and one person was reported yelling for help, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.At the scene, officers found an injured victim and leaned multiple suspects armed with guns and knives entered an apartment and beat and burned the victim. The suspects then fled.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805388823.png" alt="Aleman-Torres" />
 <figcaption>Aleman-Torres</figcaption>
 </figure>Detectives in Lyon County conducted a lengthy investigation and arrested six suspects.&nbsp; Alfredo Perez, Jr., 21 and Lucas Aleman-Torres, 22, both of Emporia are being held on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805264385.png" alt="Christopher Diaz&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Diaz&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Christopher A. Diaz, 24, of Emporia is being held on requested charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and additional drug allegations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805335748.png" alt="Spencer" />
 <figcaption>Spencer</figcaption>
 </figure>Amber N. Spencer, 18, Emporia is being held on requested charges of interference with law enforcement and aid and abet aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805211826.png" alt="Raul Diaz" />
 <figcaption>Raul Diaz</figcaption>
 </figure>Raul A. Diaz III, 20, of Emporia is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652805166077.png" alt="Manzano" />
 <figcaption>Manzano</figcaption>
 </figure>Jonathan Manzano, 21, Emporia is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, possesion of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;The Lyon County Attorney is reviewing the case.&nbsp;

Police: Suspects beat, burned victim during Kan. home robbery

KANSAS CITY —A&nbsp; Kansas City man has been charged in connection with the May 10, fatal shooting of Terylle Gorham in a parking lot near 49th and Bellefontaine in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Paul Wright, 61, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm charges.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 49th and Bellefontaine and found the victim Terylle Gorham in a parking lot, beneath a truck. 

He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and several spent .45 caliber shell casings were located in the area. 

Residents from the area told police that the defendant was the suspected shooter; he lived nearby. Witnesses told police the defendant was seen in the area with the victim; the suspect had a handgun in his waistband. 

Another witnesses told police that surveillance video from the residence showed the defendant go to the spot where the homicide occurs, then walk back later with what appears to be a gun in his hand. 

After obtaining a search warrant, police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the glove box of a vehicle that the defendant had earlier been stopped in while he was a passenger.&nbsp; Prosecutors requested a bond of $500,000 cash only.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652735051845.png" alt="Wright-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Wright-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A&nbsp; Kansas City man has been charged in connection with the May 10, fatal shooting of Terylle Gorham in a parking lot near 49th and Bellefontaine in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Paul Wright, 61, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm charges.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 49th and Bellefontaine and found the victim Terylle Gorham in a parking lot, beneath a truck. He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and several spent .45 caliber shell casings were located in the area. Residents from the area told police that the defendant was the suspected shooter; he lived nearby. Witnesses told police the defendant was seen in the area with the victim; the suspect had a handgun in his waistband. Another witnesses told police that surveillance video from the residence showed the defendant go to the spot where the homicide occurs, then walk back later with what appears to be a gun in his hand. After obtaining a search warrant, police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the glove box of a vehicle that the defendant had earlier been stopped in while he was a passenger.&nbsp; Prosecutors requested a bond of $500,000 cash only.

Police found murder weapon in glove box of KC man's vehicle

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress held its first hearing in half a century Tuesday on unidentified flying objects. And no, there is still no government confirmation of extraterrestrial life.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?520133-1/hearing-government-investigation-ufos">Click here to watch </a>a replay of the hearing

Testifying before a House Intelligence subcommittee, Pentagon officials did not disclose additional information from their ongoing investigation of hundreds of unexplained sightings in the sky. But they said they had picked a director for a new task force to coordinate data collection efforts on what the government has officially labeled “unidentified aerial phenomena.”

Ronald Moultrie, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said the Pentagon was also trying to destigmatize the issue and encourage pilots and other military personnel to report anything unusual they see.

“We want to know what’s out there as much as you want to know what’s out there,” Moultrie told lawmakers, adding that he was a fan of science fiction himself. “We get the questions not just from you. We get it from family and we get them night and day.”

Lawmakers from both parties say UFOs are a national security concern. Sightings of what appear to be aircraft flying without discernible means of propulsion have been reported near military bases and coastlines, raising the prospect that witnesses have spotted undiscovered or secret Chinese or Russian technology.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652802167906.png" alt="Scott Bray, deputy director of naval intelligence, stood next to a television to show a short video taken from an F-18 military plane. The video shows a blue sky with passing clouds. In a single frame — which it took several minutes for staff in the room to queue up — there is an image of one balloon-like shape-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Scott Bray, deputy director of naval intelligence, stood next to a television to show a short video taken from an F-18 military plane. The video shows a blue sky with passing clouds. In a single frame — which it took several minutes for staff in the room to queue up — there is an image of one balloon-like shape-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress held its first hearing in half a century Tuesday on unidentified flying objects. And no, there is still no government confirmation of extraterrestrial life.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?520133-1/hearing-government-investigation-ufos">Click here to watch </a>a replay of the hearingTestifying before a House Intelligence subcommittee, Pentagon officials did not disclose additional information from their ongoing investigation of hundreds of unexplained sightings in the sky. But they said they had picked a director for a new task force to coordinate data collection efforts on what the government has officially labeled “unidentified aerial phenomena.”Ronald Moultrie, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said the Pentagon was also trying to destigmatize the issue and encourage pilots and other military personnel to report anything unusual they see.“We want to know what’s out there as much as you want to know what’s out there,” Moultrie told lawmakers, adding that he was a fan of science fiction himself. “We get the questions not just from you. We get it from family and we get them night and day.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622822273014.png" alt="UFO image courtesy U.S. Department of Defense Naval Air System Command" />
 <figcaption>UFO image courtesy U.S. Department of Defense Naval Air System Command</figcaption>
 </figure>Lawmakers from both parties say UFOs are a national security concern. Sightings of what appear to be aircraft flying without discernible means of propulsion have been reported near military bases and coastlines, raising the prospect that witnesses have spotted undiscovered or secret Chinese or Russian technology.But the sightings are usually fleeting. Some appear for no more than an instant on camera — and then sometimes end up distorted by the camera lens. The U.S. government is believed to hold additional technical information on the sightings that it has not disclosed publicly.An interim report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-f5f24502d97072fd4bef34b6fe36c81d">released by intelligence officials last year</a>&nbsp;counted 144 sightings of aircraft or other devices apparently flying at mysterious speeds or trajectories. In all but one of the sightings investigated, there was too little information for investigators to even broadly characterize the nature of the incident.A top Pentagon official on Tuesday briefly demonstrated the challenge. Scott Bray, deputy director of naval intelligence, stood next to a television to show a short video taken from an F-18 military plane. The video shows a blue sky with passing clouds. In a single frame — which it took several minutes for staff in the room to queue up — there is an image of one balloon-like shape.“As you can see, finding UAP is harder than you may think,” Bray said, using the acronym for “unidentified aerial phenomena.”Rep. André Carson, an Indiana Democrat who chaired the hearing, called on investigators to show they “are willing to follow the facts where they lead.”Rep. Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican, noted that the investigations were not “about finding alien spacecraft but about delivering dominant intelligence.”“The inability to understand objects in our sensitive operating areas is tantamount to intelligence failure that we certainly want to avoid,” he said.