SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a residence in the 1400 block of S. St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.

A homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to a vacant home that they owned, and they believed someone might be inside.

Upon arrival, Officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries. 

The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released. Two remained in the hospital on Sunday morning – one with minor injuries and another in serious but stable condition.

The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.

The WPD investigative division, alongside ATF and FBI investigators continue working to gather the facts of the situation and resolve the incident.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a vacant home in the 1400 block of South St. Francis, according to officer Paul Cruz.

After making entry into the residence, three officers sustained injuries from a possible explosion from an unknown device. 

EMS transported three officers to an area hospital for treatment. One officer has since been released, while the other two remain - one with minor injuries and one in serious but stable condition.

The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were on scene. The situation is contained and negotiators assisting.&nbsp;

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay reported, "Visited the two injured officers who are still undergoing care and treatment at area hospitals.  Their spirits are good and appreciate the support they are receiving. We are praying for a speedy recovery."

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614480576675.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation on Saturday photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation on Saturday photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a residence in the 1400 block of S. St. Francis in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.A homeowner had called 911 to report that they had discovered damage to a vacant home that they owned, and they believed someone might be inside.Upon arrival, Officers obtained keys from the homeowner and attempted to check the residence to ensure no one was inside. After entering the front door of the residence, officers reported hearing an explosion and three officers sustained injuries. The injured officers were removed from the residence and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the officers was treated and released. Two remained in the hospital on Sunday morning – one with minor injuries and another in serious but stable condition.The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were activated and secured the house. The investigation revealed that no one was inside the home, but someone had left a modified, loaded shotgun in the residence which discharged as the officers made entry.The WPD investigative division, alongside ATF and FBI investigators continue working to gather the facts of the situation and resolve the incident.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Three police officers were injured during an investigation Saturday in Wichita.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check a vacant home in the 1400 block of South St. Francis, according to officer Paul Cruz.After making entry into the residence, three officers sustained injuries from a possible explosion from an unknown device. EMS transported three officers to an area hospital for treatment. One officer has since been released, while the other two remain - one with minor injuries and one in serious but stable condition.The WPD SWAT team and Bomb Squad were on scene. The situation is contained and negotiators assisting.&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. Saturday, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay reported, "Visited the two injured officers who are still undergoing care and treatment at area hospitals. Their spirits are good and appreciate the support they are receiving. We are praying for a speedy recovery."Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: Kan. officers injured by shotgun blast in vacant home

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A foul-mouthed Kansas judge accused of bigotry who cursed at courthouse employees so often that a trial clerk kept a “swear journal” documenting his obscene outbursts was on Friday suspended from the bench for one year.

(Click below to listen to the Kansas Supreme Court hearing on the matter of Hon. F. William Cullins)

The Kansas Supreme Court called Montgomery County Judge F. William Cullins’ behavior “quite troubling” while meting out a punishment that was harsher than the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/894102b113cb812dfa3d904d3c342f37">censure and coaching</a>&nbsp;that a disciplinary panel recommended last year.

“He has intimidated and publicly humiliated court employees. He has shown bias and the appearance of bias by his insulting and careless remarks, even while on the bench and presiding over hearings. By his coarse language in the courthouse, he has sullied the dignity and propriety of the judiciary,” the court said in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kscourts.org/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Opinions/122565.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">decision</a>.

The ruling is effective immediately, but the court said it would consider waiving the remaining suspension after 60 days if Cullins enters into an approved plan for training and counseling. It also ordered Cullins to pay all the costs of his disciplinary proceeding.

His attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The court agreed with the disciplinary panel that Cullins’ conduct violated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/417c50987595c0e4faf7f18cf825f330">judicial canons of decorum, integrity and impartiality.&nbsp;</a>The panel also found he harmed public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and that his conduct exhibited unfairness and unsound character.

Cullins acknowledged during his December 2019 disciplinary hearing that he frequently cursed in his conversations with employees and attorneys, and was sometimes unprofessional in his conduct, but he insisted he didn’t abuse court staff or direct vulgar and sexist terms at female workers. He called his profanity a lifelong habit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/492e61efcb4965cc81680a57b3248533">saying he has a “salty” personality</a>&nbsp;that some people see as “down to earth.”

The high court affirmed the disciplinary panel’s finding that Cullins’ use of foul, derogatory words directed at women manifested a clear gender bias.

It also addressed an instance in which Cullins was recorded in court referring to an out-of-state Black athlete as “not even a Kansas boy” and telling a Black male resident, “you’re a Kansas boy” — language that could be considered demeaning to an African American man.

Although the panel found credible Cullins’ testimony that he was referring to geographic origin and didn’t intend racial derision, it said the term could be interpreted as bias and therefore violated judicial rules. The high court agreed.

“Regardless of inflection, tone, or local custom, this court has little trouble finding there was clear and convincing evidence to support the panel’s conclusion that the statements made by (Cullins) during these bond hearings created a reasonable perception of racial bias,” according to the ruling.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614519264372.png" alt="Judge Cullins and members of the Kansas Supreme Court during a hearing on his behavior." />
 <figcaption>Judge Cullins and members of the Kansas Supreme Court during a hearing on his behavior.</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A foul-mouthed Kansas judge accused of bigotry who cursed at courthouse employees so often that a trial clerk kept a “swear journal” documenting his obscene outbursts was on Friday suspended from the bench for one year.(Click below to listen to the Kansas Supreme Court hearing on the matter of Hon. F. William Cullins)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fy4ZZGAiWkA?start=108" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Kansas Supreme Court called Montgomery County Judge F. William Cullins’ behavior “quite troubling” while meting out a punishment that was harsher than the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/894102b113cb812dfa3d904d3c342f37">censure and coaching</a>&nbsp;that a disciplinary panel recommended last year.“He has intimidated and publicly humiliated court employees. He has shown bias and the appearance of bias by his insulting and careless remarks, even while on the bench and presiding over hearings. By his coarse language in the courthouse, he has sullied the dignity and propriety of the judiciary,” the court said in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kscourts.org/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Opinions/122565.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">decision</a>.The ruling is effective immediately, but the court said it would consider waiving the remaining suspension after 60 days if Cullins enters into an approved plan for training and counseling. It also ordered Cullins to pay all the costs of his disciplinary proceeding.His attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.The court agreed with the disciplinary panel that Cullins’ conduct violated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/417c50987595c0e4faf7f18cf825f330">judicial canons of decorum, integrity and impartiality.&nbsp;</a>The panel also found he harmed public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and that his conduct exhibited unfairness and unsound character.Cullins acknowledged during his December 2019 disciplinary hearing that he frequently cursed in his conversations with employees and attorneys, and was sometimes unprofessional in his conduct, but he insisted he didn’t abuse court staff or direct vulgar and sexist terms at female workers. He called his profanity a lifelong habit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/492e61efcb4965cc81680a57b3248533">saying he has a “salty” personality</a>&nbsp;that some people see as “down to earth.”The high court affirmed the disciplinary panel’s finding that Cullins’ use of foul, derogatory words directed at women manifested a clear gender bias.It also addressed an instance in which Cullins was recorded in court referring to an out-of-state Black athlete as “not even a Kansas boy” and telling a Black male resident, “you’re a Kansas boy” — language that could be considered demeaning to an African American man.Although the panel found credible Cullins’ testimony that he was referring to geographic origin and didn’t intend racial derision, it said the term could be interpreted as bias and therefore violated judicial rules. The high court agreed.“Regardless of inflection, tone, or local custom, this court has little trouble finding there was clear and convincing evidence to support the panel’s conclusion that the statements made by (Cullins) during these bond hearings created a reasonable perception of racial bias,” according to the ruling.

🎥Supreme Court suspends foul-mouthed Kansas judge 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/25/senate-bill-would-punish-kansas-employers-for-requiring-covid-19-vaccinations/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Sen. Mark Steffen
 pushed colleagues Thursday to support his legislation banning employers
 from requiring workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying 
lawmakers should reject the idea that society is more important than the
 individual.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb213/">Senate Bill 213</a>
 would prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees 
who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and would impose a $1,000 fine for 
employers who violate the restriction. Steffen said this would&nbsp;preserve 
freedom of choice for individuals and relieve employers from the 
liability of imposing a medical procedure on an unwilling worker.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/31/kansas-senator-believes-political-propaganda-fearmongering-impairs-covid-19-response/">The mask-averse Republican from Hutchinson</a>
 is a board-certified anesthesiologist who specializes in interventional
 pain management, and he repeatedly reminded senators on the Commerce 
Committee that he is a medical doctor.

The debate pitted the 
doctor senator against a doctor representative, and featured conflicting
 insight from an herbal entrepreneur, the Kansas Chamber, business 
attorneys, a pediatrician and a bacterial meningitis survivor. The 
bill’s maskless proponents balked at the possibility of having an 
experimental drug injected into their body without their consent, while 
opponents who wore masks or testified by remote video relished the value
 of being protected from a deadly contagion.

The U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration granted emergency use authorization for Pfizer and 
Moderna vaccines late last year, after the drug companies showed they 
were safe and 95% effective. A third vaccine, from Johnson and Johnson, 
could get approval in the coming days.

Still, Steffen said, it is
 too soon to know what long-term safety risks might be associated with 
the vaccines, which also rely on new RNA technology never before used in
 humans.

“They call it a novel 
virus — it’s a novel vaccination,” Steffen said. “We need to be very 
very cognizant of that. Watch as the opponents come up and talk about 
taking care of a society and their willingness to sacrifice individuals 
in the process. That’s not their decision to make. It’s our decision as 
an individual.”

Rep. John Eplee, a Republican <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/18/white-house-task-force-assessment-of-covid-19-in-kansas-exponential-and-unyielding-spread/">physician from Atchison</a>,
 said Steffen’s argument pales in comparison to the 44 million doses of 
vaccines that have already been administered without serious 
complications.

Medical providers and 
other employers already mandate vaccinations for influenza and other 
illnesses, Eplee told the committee, and courts have upheld those 
mandates. He said if Steffen’s bill passes, the state will expend 
resources in a losing legal battle.

“I’m really questioning 
why would we do that. It really concerns me,” Eplee said. “And why would
 government in this case pre-empt business decisions?”

Connie Newcome said Senate
 Bill 213 is the employee-employer version of “value them both,” the 
name given to the anti-abortion constitutional amendment passed earlier 
this year.

“The employer is free to 
operate the business honoring employees as thinking, intelligent humans 
rather than an owner of their bodies,” Newcome said. “Employees are not 
slaves.”

Newcome, who owns Herb 
House Natural Medicine in Inman, is the founder of Kansans for Health 
Freedom. She said most employers are not qualified to recommend, let 
alone require, a medical procedure.

Doctors try to bully people into taking vaccines, Newcome said.

“Opponents of this bill do
 believe in coercion, bribery, discrimination and mandates,” she said, 
and they should have to answer some questions: “Why the employer has the
 right to own another person’s body, how this preserves personal liberty
 and bodily autonomy, how the employer even knows what is best for each 
person, and who they deem should be liable for vaccine injury and 
death.”

Michelle Suter, a Johnson 
County business attorney, said pharmaceutical companies have an 
obligation to shareholders — not the health of Kansans.

By passing this law, she said, businesses can avoid conflict about how the experimental drug will turn out.

“Employers are desperate 
for a bright line, a signal on what they can do and what they don’t have
 to do,” Suter said. “They are panicking, they’re fearful and they’re 
trying to stay alive.”

Steffen said a large part 
of the population has a small risk of “adverse outcome” from contracting
 COVID-19. He asserted it was more likely the vaccine would fail to 
provide immunity than it was to “have a problem from catching the 
virus.”

“Our country is based on 
individual rights, and we’re crossing the line with these vaccinations, 
particularly under these circumstances,” Steffen said.

Gretchen Homan, 
president-elect of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, said she opposes Steffen’s bill because she prioritizes the 
health and safety of children.

“Because of the pandemic, 
our children have and for many years to come will continue to pay the 
price for missing out on foundational life experiences because adults 
were seriously affected by COVID-19,” she said.

Homan said her strong 
opinion on the matter is shaped by being exposed to infectious disease 
through her day-to-day work. She wants her employer to have the 
authority to protect her from contracting a contagious disease.

She referenced the wisdom of TV personality Mister Rogers, who said in times of trouble, look for the helpers.

“Please, in this time of 
decision, look to those who are motivated to help, who offer facts, and 
who have dedicated their careers to help promote healthy lives for 
Kansas,” Homan said.

Eric Stafford, a lobbyist 
for the Kansas Chamber, said government should not have a role in 
business decisions about mandating vaccinations.

He said he wasn’t aware of
 any businesses currently mandating the COVID-19 vaccines, but some 
employers are offering incentives for workers who agree to be 
inoculated.

“We strongly believe in 
the ability for employers to make their determinations for what’s best 
for their company and their customers,” Stafford said.

Eplee referenced Newcome’s
 remarks about doctors bullying patients into taking vaccines as he 
talked about his work as a family physician at Amberwell Health hospital
 in Atchison.

“I learn new things about 
myself all the time,” he said. “Being called a bully is something new in
 my wheelhouse, but I’ll wear that for this moment, for this hearing.”

Andy Marso, who survived 
bacterial meningitis as a student at the University of Kansas in 2004, 
questioned the timing by lawmakers for considering Steffen’s bill.

More than a half-million 
Americans and nearly 5,000 Kansans have died from the contagious disease
 in the past 12 months. Multiple vaccines now reduce the risk of dying 
from COVID-19 to essentially 0%, Marso said.

“And yet this body’s 
reaction is, ‘Well, we better explore ways to make it harder for 
businesses to leverage these tools to protect their workforce and 
customers.’ That’s a strange reaction, practically speaking,” Marso 
said.

Marso’s views are shaped 
by his 2004 illness, which could have been prevented with a vaccine. He 
awoke from a three-week coma to learn an infection is his bloodstream 
had caused tissue damage equal to third-degree burns over 30% of his 
body. His toes and most of his fingers were amputated. His medical bills
 amounted to $1.5 million.

At the close of the 
90-minute hearing, Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, demanded to know what 
Marso does for a living. Marso indicated he wasn’t testifying on behalf 
of his employer, but Tyson persisted with her inquiry. Marso said he is 
an editor for a medical journal published by the American Academy of 
Family Physicians.

Tyson then delivered a question inspired by Marso’s testimony.

“We have a president who 
has just opened the borders, and these people are not necessarily 
vaccinated coming into the United States,” Tyson said. “And here we’re 
requiring employees, citizens of the United States, to be vaccinated 
while we’re not requiring others. Would you address that please?”

“I mean, I would love to vaccinate everybody that comes into the country,” Marso replied.

Tyson also questioned Marso’s logic of pointing out that employees at restaurants are required to wash their hands.

“Washing your hands and wearing a hairnet are not putting chemicals in your body,” Tyson said.

“You’re putting chemicals on your body,” Marso said.

“OK,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican and committee chairman. “We’re adjourned.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364391093.png" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, testifies in support of his bill to prohibit employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccination for their employees. (Lucas Lord for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, testifies in support of his bill to prohibit employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccination for their employees. (Lucas Lord for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/25/senate-bill-would-punish-kansas-employers-for-requiring-covid-19-vaccinations/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Sen. Mark Steffen
 pushed colleagues Thursday to support his legislation banning employers
 from requiring workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying 
lawmakers should reject the idea that society is more important than the
 individual.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb213/">Senate Bill 213</a>
 would prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees 
who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and would impose a $1,000 fine for 
employers who violate the restriction. Steffen said this would&nbsp;preserve 
freedom of choice for individuals and relieve employers from the 
liability of imposing a medical procedure on an unwilling worker.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/31/kansas-senator-believes-political-propaganda-fearmongering-impairs-covid-19-response/">The mask-averse Republican from Hutchinson</a>
 is a board-certified anesthesiologist who specializes in interventional
 pain management, and he repeatedly reminded senators on the Commerce 
Committee that he is a medical doctor.The debate pitted the 
doctor senator against a doctor representative, and featured conflicting
 insight from an herbal entrepreneur, the Kansas Chamber, business 
attorneys, a pediatrician and a bacterial meningitis survivor. The 
bill’s maskless proponents balked at the possibility of having an 
experimental drug injected into their body without their consent, while 
opponents who wore masks or testified by remote video relished the value
 of being protected from a deadly contagion.The U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration granted emergency use authorization for Pfizer and 
Moderna vaccines late last year, after the drug companies showed they 
were safe and 95% effective. A third vaccine, from Johnson and Johnson, 
could get approval in the coming days.Still, Steffen said, it is
 too soon to know what long-term safety risks might be associated with 
the vaccines, which also rely on new RNA technology never before used in
 humans.“They call it a novel 
virus — it’s a novel vaccination,” Steffen said. “We need to be very 
very cognizant of that. Watch as the opponents come up and talk about 
taking care of a society and their willingness to sacrifice individuals 
in the process. That’s not their decision to make. It’s our decision as 
an individual.”Rep. John Eplee, a Republican <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/18/white-house-task-force-assessment-of-covid-19-in-kansas-exponential-and-unyielding-spread/">physician from Atchison</a>,
 said Steffen’s argument pales in comparison to the 44 million doses of 
vaccines that have already been administered without serious 
complications.Medical providers and 
other employers already mandate vaccinations for influenza and other 
illnesses, Eplee told the committee, and courts have upheld those 
mandates. He said if Steffen’s bill passes, the state will expend 
resources in a losing legal battle.“I’m really questioning 
why would we do that. It really concerns me,” Eplee said. “And why would
 government in this case pre-empt business decisions?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364454352.png" alt="Connie Newcome, who owns Herb House Natural Medicine in Inman and a founder of Kansans for Health Freedom, says employees shouldn’t be treated as slaves. (Lucas Lord for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Connie Newcome, who owns Herb House Natural Medicine in Inman and a founder of Kansans for Health Freedom, says employees shouldn’t be treated as slaves. (Lucas Lord for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Anti-mandate supporters</h2>Connie Newcome said Senate
 Bill 213 is the employee-employer version of “value them both,” the 
name given to the anti-abortion constitutional amendment passed earlier 
this year.“The employer is free to 
operate the business honoring employees as thinking, intelligent humans 
rather than an owner of their bodies,” Newcome said. “Employees are not 
slaves.”Newcome, who owns Herb 
House Natural Medicine in Inman, is the founder of Kansans for Health 
Freedom. She said most employers are not qualified to recommend, let 
alone require, a medical procedure.Doctors try to bully people into taking vaccines, Newcome said.“Opponents of this bill do
 believe in coercion, bribery, discrimination and mandates,” she said, 
and they should have to answer some questions: “Why the employer has the
 right to own another person’s body, how this preserves personal liberty
 and bodily autonomy, how the employer even knows what is best for each 
person, and who they deem should be liable for vaccine injury and 
death.”Michelle Suter, a Johnson 
County business attorney, said pharmaceutical companies have an 
obligation to shareholders — not the health of Kansans.By passing this law, she said, businesses can avoid conflict about how the experimental drug will turn out.“Employers are desperate 
for a bright line, a signal on what they can do and what they don’t have
 to do,” Suter said. “They are panicking, they’re fearful and they’re 
trying to stay alive.”Steffen said a large part 
of the population has a small risk of “adverse outcome” from contracting
 COVID-19. He asserted it was more likely the vaccine would fail to 
provide immunity than it was to “have a problem from catching the 
virus.”“Our country is based on 
individual rights, and we’re crossing the line with these vaccinations, 
particularly under these circumstances,” Steffen said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364493014.png" alt="Gretchen Homan, whose strong opinion on the bill is shaped by her work as a pediatrician, calls on lawmakers to “look to those who are motivated to help, who offer facts, and who have dedicated their careers to help promote healthy lives for Kansas.” (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gretchen Homan, whose strong opinion on the bill is shaped by her work as a pediatrician, calls on lawmakers to “look to those who are motivated to help, who offer facts, and who have dedicated their careers to help promote healthy lives for Kansas.” (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Vaccine supporters</h2>Gretchen Homan, 
president-elect of the Kansas chapter of the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, said she opposes Steffen’s bill because she prioritizes the 
health and safety of children.“Because of the pandemic, 
our children have and for many years to come will continue to pay the 
price for missing out on foundational life experiences because adults 
were seriously affected by COVID-19,” she said.Homan said her strong 
opinion on the matter is shaped by being exposed to infectious disease 
through her day-to-day work. She wants her employer to have the 
authority to protect her from contracting a contagious disease.She referenced the wisdom of TV personality Mister Rogers, who said in times of trouble, look for the helpers.“Please, in this time of 
decision, look to those who are motivated to help, who offer facts, and 
who have dedicated their careers to help promote healthy lives for 
Kansas,” Homan said.Eric Stafford, a lobbyist 
for the Kansas Chamber, said government should not have a role in 
business decisions about mandating vaccinations.He said he wasn’t aware of
 any businesses currently mandating the COVID-19 vaccines, but some 
employers are offering incentives for workers who agree to be 
inoculated.“We strongly believe in 
the ability for employers to make their determinations for what’s best 
for their company and their customers,” Stafford said.Eplee referenced Newcome’s
 remarks about doctors bullying patients into taking vaccines as he 
talked about his work as a family physician at Amberwell Health hospital
 in Atchison.“I learn new things about 
myself all the time,” he said. “Being called a bully is something new in
 my wheelhouse, but I’ll wear that for this moment, for this hearing.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364524585.png" alt="Andy Marso, a survivor of bacterial meningitis, said the proposed legislation was a strange reaction to vaccines that effectively prevent death from a disease that has killed a half-million Americans and 5,000 Kansans. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Andy Marso, a survivor of bacterial meningitis, said the proposed legislation was a strange reaction to vaccines that effectively prevent death from a disease that has killed a half-million Americans and 5,000 Kansans. (Screen capture by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Strange timing</h2>Andy Marso, who survived 
bacterial meningitis as a student at the University of Kansas in 2004, 
questioned the timing by lawmakers for considering Steffen’s bill.More than a half-million 
Americans and nearly 5,000 Kansans have died from the contagious disease
 in the past 12 months. Multiple vaccines now reduce the risk of dying 
from COVID-19 to essentially 0%, Marso said.“And yet this body’s 
reaction is, ‘Well, we better explore ways to make it harder for 
businesses to leverage these tools to protect their workforce and 
customers.’ That’s a strange reaction, practically speaking,” Marso 
said.Marso’s views are shaped 
by his 2004 illness, which could have been prevented with a vaccine. He 
awoke from a three-week coma to learn an infection is his bloodstream 
had caused tissue damage equal to third-degree burns over 30% of his 
body. His toes and most of his fingers were amputated. His medical bills
 amounted to $1.5 million.At the close of the 
90-minute hearing, Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, demanded to know what 
Marso does for a living. Marso indicated he wasn’t testifying on behalf 
of his employer, but Tyson persisted with her inquiry. Marso said he is 
an editor for a medical journal published by the American Academy of 
Family Physicians.Tyson then delivered a question inspired by Marso’s testimony.“We have a president who 
has just opened the borders, and these people are not necessarily 
vaccinated coming into the United States,” Tyson said. “And here we’re 
requiring employees, citizens of the United States, to be vaccinated 
while we’re not requiring others. Would you address that please?”“I mean, I would love to vaccinate everybody that comes into the country,” Marso replied.Tyson also questioned Marso’s logic of pointing out that employees at restaurants are required to wash their hands.“Washing your hands and wearing a hairnet are not putting chemicals in your body,” Tyson said.“You’re putting chemicals on your body,” Marso said.“OK,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican and committee chairman. “We’re adjourned.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.

Senate bill would punish Kan. employers for requiring COVID vaccinations

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina and have identified a suspect as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.

He is wanted for the Tuesday shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for murder in the first degree.

Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."

Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.

Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614442513506.png" alt="Nelson Hull has two previous drug related conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo from an earlier arrest in Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson Hull has two previous drug related conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo from an earlier arrest in Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the murder of a woman in Salina and have identified a suspect as 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull.He is wanted for the Tuesday shooting death of 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman.&nbsp; The Saline County District Court issued an arrest warrant for murder in the first degree.Hull is described as a black male, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. A tattoo on the right side of his neck is "Mi Familia."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614348886825.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Salina. photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:30a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 700 block of North Fourth Street in Salina for a report of the sound of gunfire and someone screaming, according to a media release.Upon arrival, Salina Police Officers located a woman identified as Hoffman inside a vehicle at 731 N. 4th Street. She had a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by Salina Fire Department EMS personnel.Police say Hull should be considered armed and dangerous. They encourage anyone with information on Hull's current location to contact 911 immediately.

Police: Search continues for suspect wanted for Salina murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is telling California’s Santa Clara County that it can’t enforce a ban on indoor religious worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The high court issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/022621zr_1bo2.pdf" target="_blank">an order&nbsp;</a>Friday evening in a case brought by a handful of churches.

The justices, in early February,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-supreme-court-california-coronavirus-pandemic-ea77004949becf4b74f9b98930ddec18">told the state of California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the pandemic</a>. The justices said at the time that the state could cap indoor services at 25% of a building’s capacity and continue to bar singing and chanting.

But Santa Clara had argued that its temporary ban on indoor gatherings of any kind including worship services should be allowed to stand. The county, which includes San Jose, said that it was treating houses of worship no differently from other indoor spaces where it prohibits gatherings and caps attendance. The county said people could go into houses of worship to pray or go to confession, among other things, but couldn’t gather with groups of others. The county said the same was true of retail establishments, where shoppers can go but not gather for an event such as a book reading.

The justices’ unsigned order Friday said that their action was “clearly dictated” by their order from earlier this month. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.

Santa Clara had told the court in a letter Thursday that coronavirus cases in the county have recently continued to decline and that it was already close to lifting its ban on indoor gatherings. If the data continued the positive trend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20A138/170114/20210225220817920_2021.02.25%20Gateway%20Letter%20-%20To%20File.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>said, the county expected to allow all indoor gatherings, subject to restrictions, as soon as next Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is telling California’s Santa Clara County that it can’t enforce a ban on indoor religious worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.The high court issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/022621zr_1bo2.pdf" target="_blank">an order&nbsp;</a>Friday evening in a case brought by a handful of churches.The justices, in early February,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-supreme-court-california-coronavirus-pandemic-ea77004949becf4b74f9b98930ddec18">told the state of California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the pandemic</a>. The justices said at the time that the state could cap indoor services at 25% of a building’s capacity and continue to bar singing and chanting.But Santa Clara had argued that its temporary ban on indoor gatherings of any kind including worship services should be allowed to stand. The county, which includes San Jose, said that it was treating houses of worship no differently from other indoor spaces where it prohibits gatherings and caps attendance. The county said people could go into houses of worship to pray or go to confession, among other things, but couldn’t gather with groups of others. The county said the same was true of retail establishments, where shoppers can go but not gather for an event such as a book reading.The justices’ unsigned order Friday said that their action was “clearly dictated” by their order from earlier this month. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.Santa Clara had told the court in a letter Thursday that coronavirus cases in the county have recently continued to decline and that it was already close to lifting its ban on indoor gatherings. If the data continued the positive trend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20A138/170114/20210225220817920_2021.02.25%20Gateway%20Letter%20-%20To%20File.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>said, the county expected to allow all indoor gatherings, subject to restrictions, as soon as next Wednesday.

Supreme Court tells community it can't bar in-person worship

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured after an accident while ice fishing in northwest Kansas.

On Saturday, two ice fisherman were fishing together on Keith Sebelius Reservoir near Norton, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens.

 One man fell through the ice near a pressure ridge and could not get up. He stayed afloat by holding on to his sled while help arrived. His partner called 911 and friends for help. 

A Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism and two friends of the fisherman arrived on scene. Through their efforts and quick action, the man was safely rescued from poor ice conditions. 

EMS was on scene and transported the man to the Norton County Hospital. 

Wardens&nbsp; thanked those who responded, including Game Warden, Park Manager, and Park Ranger from KDWPT; Norton County EMS; Norton County Sheriff’s Department; and multiple friends and sportsman who dropped what they were doing and helped.

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured after an accident while ice fishing in northwest Kansas.On Saturday, two ice fisherman were fishing together on Keith Sebelius Reservoir near Norton, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens. One man fell through the ice near a pressure ridge and could not get up. He stayed afloat by holding on to his sled while help arrived. His partner called 911 and friends for help. A Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism and two friends of the fisherman arrived on scene. Through their efforts and quick action, the man was safely rescued from poor ice conditions. EMS was on scene and transported the man to the Norton County Hospital. Wardens&nbsp; thanked those who responded, including Game Warden, Park Manager, and Park Ranger from KDWPT; Norton County EMS; Norton County Sheriff’s Department; and multiple friends and sportsman who dropped what they were doing and helped.

Kansas game warden helps rescue ice fisherman 

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for two armed bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.

Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Thursday’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Watkins on Feb. 5, 2021.

The indictment charges Watkins with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Claycomo, Mo., on Feb. 1, 2021, and the armed robbery of Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty, Mo., on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaints, Watkins entered Central Bank at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, and approached a teller window. Watkins handed the teller a note that stated "HAND OVER ALL THE MONEY AND I WON'T SHOOT." She allegedly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at the teller. When the teller pulled the money out of the drawers and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says, Watkins took the money and ran out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $1,819.

Surveillance video footage from an exterior ATM of the bank captured video footage of a white Hyundai, four-door sedan. This vehicle appears to be the same vehicle that was involved in a bank robbery that occurred the next day, on Feb. 2, 2021.

According to the affidavit, Watkins entered Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021. Watkins took a note out of her bag and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says. The note stated: "HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT." While the teller was reading the note, Watkins allegedly stated: "All of it, hurry up, all of it!" The teller began opening her cash drawer, the affidavit says, when she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the counter. The teller saw that Watkins had a black semi-automatic handgun in her hand, resting on the counter and pointed at the teller. When the teller took money out of the drawer and placed it on the counter, Watkins allegedly took the money, put it in her bag, and left through the main door of the lobby. The bank reported a loss of $971.

Surveillance video cameras captured footage of the white Hyundai four-door sedan (and license plate number) allegedly driven by Watkins when she arrived at the bank, and when she left the bank.

Law enforcement officers located the vehicle on Feb. 4, 2021. Kansas City police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Watkins, however, drove around the officers in an attempt to flee. A vehicle pursuit ensued, during which officers attempted to immobilize Watkins’ vehicle on three occasions, but she continued to drive around the officers and flee. The pursuit continued at high rates of speed, up to 70 miles per hour while going northbound on Grand Avenue. During the pursuit, traffic was congested at different points along Grand Avenue. The pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle in the area E. 21st Street and Walnut Street. Watkins attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by police officers. As she exited the vehicle, the affidavit says, Watkins reached into her waistband, then pointed at officers with her index finger extended forward, and her thumb extended upward, possibly attempting to imitate a handgun. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612996673889.png" alt="Sarah Watkins as seen in security camera images courtesy FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Watkins as seen in security camera images courtesy FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for two armed bank robberies, according to the United State's Attorney.Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Thursday’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Watkins on Feb. 5, 2021.The indictment charges Watkins with the armed robbery of Central Bank in Claycomo, Mo., on Feb. 1, 2021, and the armed robbery of Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty, Mo., on Feb. 2, 2021.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaints, Watkins entered Central Bank at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, and approached a teller window. Watkins handed the teller a note that stated "HAND OVER ALL THE MONEY AND I WON'T SHOOT." She allegedly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at the teller. When the teller pulled the money out of the drawers and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says, Watkins took the money and ran out of the bank. The bank reported a loss of $1,819.Surveillance video footage from an exterior ATM of the bank captured video footage of a white Hyundai, four-door sedan. This vehicle appears to be the same vehicle that was involved in a bank robbery that occurred the next day, on Feb. 2, 2021.According to the affidavit, Watkins entered Capitol Federal Savings in Liberty at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021. Watkins took a note out of her bag and placed it on the counter, the affidavit says. The note stated: "HAND ME ALL THE MONEY OR I WILL SHOOT." While the teller was reading the note, Watkins allegedly stated: "All of it, hurry up, all of it!" The teller began opening her cash drawer, the affidavit says, when she heard the noise of a heavy object hitting the counter. The teller saw that Watkins had a black semi-automatic handgun in her hand, resting on the counter and pointed at the teller. When the teller took money out of the drawer and placed it on the counter, Watkins allegedly took the money, put it in her bag, and left through the main door of the lobby. The bank reported a loss of $971.Surveillance video cameras captured footage of the white Hyundai four-door sedan (and license plate number) allegedly driven by Watkins when she arrived at the bank, and when she left the bank.Law enforcement officers located the vehicle on Feb. 4, 2021. Kansas City police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Watkins, however, drove around the officers in an attempt to flee. A vehicle pursuit ensued, during which officers attempted to immobilize Watkins’ vehicle on three occasions, but she continued to drive around the officers and flee. The pursuit continued at high rates of speed, up to 70 miles per hour while going northbound on Grand Avenue. During the pursuit, traffic was congested at different points along Grand Avenue. The pursuit ended when Watkins lost control of the vehicle in the area E. 21st Street and Walnut Street. Watkins attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by police officers. As she exited the vehicle, the affidavit says, Watkins reached into her waistband, then pointed at officers with her index finger extended forward, and her thumb extended upward, possibly attempting to imitate a handgun. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Indictment: KC woman told bank teller, "Hand me the money or I will shoot"

NEMAHA COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.

Just before 7p.m. Friday deputies responded to an animal call located on E Road approximately 200 yards north of 224th Road, according to a social media report from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca, Kansas.

Deputies found a dog that had been shot several times and left in the roadway.  It is believed that the shooting happened between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

The Sheriff's Department wanted anyone with information on the case to contact them.&nbsp; On Saturday, the sheriff's department did not provide an update on the dog breed or condition.

NEMAHA COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.Just before 7p.m. Friday deputies responded to an animal call located on E Road approximately 200 yards north of 224th Road, according to a social media report from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca, Kansas.Deputies found a dog that had been shot several times and left in the roadway. It is believed that the shooting happened between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Friday.The Sheriff's Department wanted anyone with information on the case to contact them.&nbsp; On Saturday, the sheriff's department did not provide an update on the dog breed or condition.

Sheriff: Deputies find dog shot, left on rural Kansas road

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEoZ-M4pEwk&amp;list=PLslqZ7OaczKEUNNDVq-u_OE31P2k7UwKc&amp;index=105" target="_blank">one-dose COVID-19 vaccine&nbsp;</a>from Johnson &amp; Johnson on Friday, putting the nation on the cusp of adding an easier-to-use option to fight the pandemic.

The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the agency will move quickly to follow the recommendation, which would make J&amp;J’s shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

After daylong discussions, the FDA panelists voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for adults. Once FDA issues a final decision, shipments of a few million doses could begin as early as Monday.

“There’s an urgency to get this done,” said Dr. Jay Portnoy of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City “We’re in a race between the virus mutating — and new variants coming out that can cause further disease — and stopping it.”

More than 47 million people in the U.S., or 14% of the population, have received at least one shot of the two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which FDA authorized in December. But the pace of vaccinations has been strained by limited supplies and delays due to winter storms.

While early J&amp;J supplies will be small, the company has said it can deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.

J&amp;J’s vaccine protects against the worst effects of COVID-19 after one shot, and it can be stored up to three months at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle than the previous vaccines, which must be frozen.

One challenge in rolling out the new vaccine will be explaining how protective the J&amp;J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.

“It’s important that people do not think that one vaccine is better than another,” said panelist Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University.

The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&amp;J’s study are not that high, but it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&amp;J vaccine was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66%.

Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&amp;J’s shot is a “second-tier vaccine.” But the difference in protection reflects when and where J&amp;J conducted its studies.

J&amp;J’s vaccine was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-many-coronavirus-variants-are-there-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">mutated versions</a>&nbsp;of the virus were spreading. That wasn’t the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and it’s not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.

Importantly, the FDA reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&amp;J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes, hospitalization and death.

While J&amp;J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.

Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.

“You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, ’Maybe I didn’t get what I needed,’” said Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It’s a messaging challenge.”

J&amp;J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.

Cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their January peak that followed the winter holidays. But public health officials warned that those gains may be stalling as more variants take root in the U.S.

“We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said during a White House briefing Friday. She noted that new COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few days.

While it’s too early to tell if the trend will last, Walensky said adding a third vaccine “will help protect more people faster.” More vaccines are in the pipeline.

On Sunday, a CDC panel is expected to meet to recommend how to best prioritize use of the J&amp;J vaccine.

Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Italy’s main teachers’ union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZeneca’s vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. AstraZeneca’s vaccine was deemed to be about 70% effective in testing. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEoZ-M4pEwk&amp;list=PLslqZ7OaczKEUNNDVq-u_OE31P2k7UwKc&amp;index=105" target="_blank">one-dose COVID-19 vaccine&nbsp;</a>from Johnson &amp; Johnson on Friday, putting the nation on the cusp of adding an easier-to-use option to fight the pandemic.The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the agency will move quickly to follow the recommendation, which would make J&amp;J’s shot the third vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S. Vaccinations are picking up speed, but new supplies are urgently needed to stay ahead of a mutating virus that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.After daylong discussions, the FDA panelists voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for adults. Once FDA issues a final decision, shipments of a few million doses could begin as early as Monday.“There’s an urgency to get this done,” said Dr. Jay Portnoy of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City “We’re in a race between the virus mutating — and new variants coming out that can cause further disease — and stopping it.”More than 47 million people in the U.S., or 14% of the population, have received at least one shot of the two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which FDA authorized in December. But the pace of vaccinations has been strained by limited supplies and delays due to winter storms.While early J&amp;J supplies will be small, the company has said it can deliver 20 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.J&amp;J’s vaccine protects against the worst effects of COVID-19 after one shot, and it can be stored up to three months at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to handle than the previous vaccines, which must be frozen.One challenge in rolling out the new vaccine will be explaining how protective the J&amp;J shot is after the astounding success of the first U.S. vaccines.“It’s important that people do not think that one vaccine is better than another,” said panelist Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University.The two-dose Pfizer and Moderna shots were found to be about 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. The numbers from J&amp;J’s study are not that high, but it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. One dose of the J&amp;J vaccine was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19. After adding in moderate cases, the total effectiveness dropped to about 66%.Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&amp;J’s shot is a “second-tier vaccine.” But the difference in protection reflects when and where J&amp;J conducted its studies.J&amp;J’s vaccine was tested in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa at a time when more contagious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-many-coronavirus-variants-are-there-12d1f000ed9601f99c1c7c08e020ba7b">mutated versions</a>&nbsp;of the virus were spreading. That wasn’t the case last fall, when Pfizer and Moderna were wrapping up testing, and it’s not clear if their numbers would hold against the most worrisome of those variants.Importantly, the FDA reported this week that, just like its predecessors, the J&amp;J shot offers strong protection against the worst outcomes, hospitalization and death.While J&amp;J is seeking FDA authorization for its single-dose version, the company is also studying whether a second dose boosts protection.Panel member Dr. Paul Offit warned that launching a two-dose version of the vaccine down the road might cause problems.“You can see where that would be confusing to people thinking, ’Maybe I didn’t get what I needed,’” said Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It’s a messaging challenge.”J&amp;J representatives said they chose to begin with the single shot because the World Health Organization and other experts agreed it would be a faster, more effective tool in an emergency.Cases and hospitalizations have fallen dramatically since their January peak that followed the winter holidays. But public health officials warned that those gains may be stalling as more variants take root in the U.S.“We may be done with the virus, but clearly the virus is not done with us,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said during a White House briefing Friday. She noted that new COVID-19 cases have increased over the past few days.While it’s too early to tell if the trend will last, Walensky said adding a third vaccine “will help protect more people faster.” More vaccines are in the pipeline.On Sunday, a CDC panel is expected to meet to recommend how to best prioritize use of the J&amp;J vaccine.Other parts of the world already are facing which-is-best challenges. Italy’s main teachers’ union recently protested when the government decided to reserve Pfizer and Moderna shots for the elderly and designate AstraZeneca’s vaccine for younger, at-risk workers. AstraZeneca’s vaccine was deemed to be about 70% effective in testing. Canada became the latest country Friday to allow use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.___

Third US vaccine now raises the question: Which shot is best?

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 3-year-old child died and two adults suffered minor injuries in a fire at a Blue Springs apartment complex on Friday.

The fire was reported Friday morning at the Apple Gate East apartment complex, said Fire Chief Jeff Grote, of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. A man and woman were able to escape the blaze. Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes but found the child dead inside, Grote said.

The two adults were treated at a hospital for minor injuries. Grote did not say how the child and adults were related. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Blue Springs is approximately 19 miles east of Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 3-year-old child died and two adults suffered minor injuries in a fire at a Blue Springs apartment complex on Friday.The fire was reported Friday morning at the Apple Gate East apartment complex, said Fire Chief Jeff Grote, of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. A man and woman were able to escape the blaze. Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes but found the child dead inside, Grote said.The two adults were treated at a hospital for minor injuries. Grote did not say how the child and adults were related. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Blue Springs is approximately 19 miles east of Kansas City.

3-year-old dies, 2 adults injured in KC-area apartment fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.

Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were
dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.

Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers
reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred
just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian. 

The caller also
reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the
disturbance with weapons.


Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a
white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln. 

Through their investigation, police learned
that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As
the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact
caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.

EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an
area hospital in critical condition. 

EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was
pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.

Authorities have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614428626845.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Friday evening- photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County.Just after 3p.m. Friday, police were
dispatched to an injury collision in the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235 in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macey.Several calls were made to 911 regarding the collision, and one of those callers
reported that there had been a disturbance with a weapon with shots fired that occurred
just prior to the collision, and just north near 31st Street South and Meridian. The caller also
reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was possibly involved in the
disturbance with weapons.
Upon arrival, Officers located an accident scene involving three vehicles – a
white Impala, a tan Buick and a black Lincoln. Through their investigation, police learned
that the Impala was&nbsp; southbound on Meridian at a high rate of speed. As
the Impala approached the intersection of South Meridian and Interstate 235, it collided with the Buick which was attempting to make a left turn onto Interstate 235, according to Macey. The force of the impact
caused the engine to be ejected from the Buick. The engine struck the Lincoln.EMS transported the single occupant of the Impala, a 26-year-old man, to an
area hospital in critical condition. EMS also transported the 72-year-old driver of the Buick to the hospital in critical condition. A passenger of the Buick was
pronounced deceased on scene. There were no injuries to the occupants of the Lincoln.Authorities have not released names of the victims.

Police: 1 dead in 3-vehicle crash after report of shots fired

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-2409cc7b60e46ee9f9721b787dd7c623">a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-minimum-wage-c543f26d45b39a8cf0113e11ed5f7aaf">a win for President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;even as top Democrats tried assuring agitated progressives that they’d revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage.

The new president’s vision for flushing cash to individuals, businesses, states and cities battered by COVID-19 passed on a near party-line 219-212 vote early Saturday. That ships the massive measure to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.

Democrats said the still-faltering economy and the half-million American lives lost demanded quick, decisive action. GOP lawmakers, they said, were out of step with a public that polling shows largely views the bill favorably.

“I am a happy camper tonight,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said Friday. “This is what America needs. Republicans, you ought to be a part of this. But if you’re not, we’re going without you.”

Republicans said the bill was too expensive and said too few education dollars would be spent quickly to immediately reopen schools. They said it was laden with gifts to Democratic constituencies like labor unions and funneled money to Democratic-run states they suggested didn’t need it because their budgets had bounced back.

“To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it’s bloated,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “To those who say it’s urgent, I say it’s unfocused. To those who say it’s popular, I say it is entirely partisan.”

Moderate Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only two lawmakers to cross party lines. That sharp partisan divide is making the fight a showdown over who voters will reward for heaping more federal spending to combat the coronavirus and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-consumer-rebound-boost-spending-75da4e4aae346edc86773127194b0a65">revive the economy</a>&nbsp;atop the $4 trillion approved last year.

The battle is also emerging as an early test of Biden’s ability to hold together his party’s fragile congressional majorities — just 10 votes in the House and an evenly divided 50-50 Senate.

At the same time, Democrats were trying to figure out how to assuage progressives who lost their top priority in a jarring Senate setback Thursday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gop-rally-against-democrat-virus-relief-225cea9a0247f6a0f01ca5f1d2216350">That chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough</a>, said Senate rules require that a federal minimum wage increase would have to be dropped from the COVID-19 bill, leaving the proposal on life support. The measure would gradually lift that minimum to $15 hourly by 2025, doubling the current $7.25 floor in effect since 2009.

Hoping to revive the effort in some form, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering adding a provision to the Senate version of the COVID-19 relief bill that would penalize large companies that don’t pay workers at least $15 an hour, said a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations.

That was in line with ideas floated Thursday night by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a chief sponsor of the $15 plan, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to boost taxes on corporations that don’t hit certain minimum wage targets.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered encouragement, too, calling a minimum wage increase “a financial necessity for our families, a great stimulus for our economy and a moral imperative for our country.” She said the House would “absolutely” approve a final version of the relief bill because of its widespread benefits, even if it lacked progressives’ treasured goal.

While Democratic leaders were eager to signal to rank-and-file progressives and liberal voters that they would not yield on the minimum wage fight, their pathway was unclear because of GOP opposition and questions over whether they had enough Democratic support.

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., sidestepped a question on taxing companies that don’t boost pay, saying of Senate Democrats, “I hesitate to say anything until they decide on a strategy.”

Progressives were demanding that the Senate press ahead anyway on the minimum wage increase, even if it meant changing that chamber’s rules and eliminating the filibuster, a tactic that requires 60 votes for a bill to move forward.

“We’re going to have to reform the filibuster because we have to be able to deliver,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a progressive leader.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another high-profile progressive, also said Senate rules must be changed, telling reporters that when Democrats meet with their constituents, “We can’t tell them that this didn’t get done because of an unelected parliamentarian.”

Traditionalists of both parties — including Biden, who served as a senator for 36 years — have opposed eliminating filibusters because they protect parties’ interests when they are in the Senate minority. Biden said weeks ago that he didn’t expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate’s rules.

Pelosi, too, seemed to shy away from dismantling Senate procedures, saying, “We will seek a solution consistent with Senate rules, and we will do so soon.”

The House COVID-19 bill includes the minimum wage increase, so the real battle over its fate will occur when the Senate debates its version over the next two weeks.

The overall relief bill would provide $1,400 payments to individuals, extend emergency unemployment benefits through August and increase tax credits for children and federal subsidies for health insurance.

It also provides billions for schools and colleges, state and local governments, COVID-19 vaccines and testing, renters, food producers and struggling industries like airlines, restaurants, bars and concert venues.

Democrats are pushing the relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate GOP filibuster, meaning that if they are united they won’t need any Republican votes.

It also lets the bill move faster, a top priority for Democrats who want the bill on Biden’s desk before the most recent emergency jobless benefits end on March 14.

But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough decided that the minimum wage provision failed that test.

Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614427934581.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrates the win for President Biden early Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrates the win for President Biden early Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-personal-taxes-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-2409cc7b60e46ee9f9721b787dd7c623">a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-bills-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-minimum-wage-c543f26d45b39a8cf0113e11ed5f7aaf">a win for President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;even as top Democrats tried assuring agitated progressives that they’d revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage.The new president’s vision for flushing cash to individuals, businesses, states and cities battered by COVID-19 passed on a near party-line 219-212 vote early Saturday. That ships the massive measure to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.Democrats said the still-faltering economy and the half-million American lives lost demanded quick, decisive action. GOP lawmakers, they said, were out of step with a public that polling shows largely views the bill favorably.“I am a happy camper tonight,” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said Friday. “This is what America needs. Republicans, you ought to be a part of this. But if you’re not, we’re going without you.”Republicans said the bill was too expensive and said too few education dollars would be spent quickly to immediately reopen schools. They said it was laden with gifts to Democratic constituencies like labor unions and funneled money to Democratic-run states they suggested didn’t need it because their budgets had bounced back.“To my colleagues who say this bill is bold, I say it’s bloated,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “To those who say it’s urgent, I say it’s unfocused. To those who say it’s popular, I say it is entirely partisan.”Moderate Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only two lawmakers to cross party lines. That sharp partisan divide is making the fight a showdown over who voters will reward for heaping more federal spending to combat the coronavirus and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-consumer-rebound-boost-spending-75da4e4aae346edc86773127194b0a65">revive the economy</a>&nbsp;atop the $4 trillion approved last year.The battle is also emerging as an early test of Biden’s ability to hold together his party’s fragile congressional majorities — just 10 votes in the House and an evenly divided 50-50 Senate.At the same time, Democrats were trying to figure out how to assuage progressives who lost their top priority in a jarring Senate setback Thursday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gop-rally-against-democrat-virus-relief-225cea9a0247f6a0f01ca5f1d2216350">That chamber’s nonpartisan parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough</a>, said Senate rules require that a federal minimum wage increase would have to be dropped from the COVID-19 bill, leaving the proposal on life support. The measure would gradually lift that minimum to $15 hourly by 2025, doubling the current $7.25 floor in effect since 2009.Hoping to revive the effort in some form, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is considering adding a provision to the Senate version of the COVID-19 relief bill that would penalize large companies that don’t pay workers at least $15 an hour, said a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations.That was in line with ideas floated Thursday night by Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a chief sponsor of the $15 plan, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to boost taxes on corporations that don’t hit certain minimum wage targets.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered encouragement, too, calling a minimum wage increase “a financial necessity for our families, a great stimulus for our economy and a moral imperative for our country.” She said the House would “absolutely” approve a final version of the relief bill because of its widespread benefits, even if it lacked progressives’ treasured goal.While Democratic leaders were eager to signal to rank-and-file progressives and liberal voters that they would not yield on the minimum wage fight, their pathway was unclear because of GOP opposition and questions over whether they had enough Democratic support.House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., sidestepped a question on taxing companies that don’t boost pay, saying of Senate Democrats, “I hesitate to say anything until they decide on a strategy.”Progressives were demanding that the Senate press ahead anyway on the minimum wage increase, even if it meant changing that chamber’s rules and eliminating the filibuster, a tactic that requires 60 votes for a bill to move forward.“We’re going to have to reform the filibuster because we have to be able to deliver,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a progressive leader.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another high-profile progressive, also said Senate rules must be changed, telling reporters that when Democrats meet with their constituents, “We can’t tell them that this didn’t get done because of an unelected parliamentarian.”Traditionalists of both parties — including Biden, who served as a senator for 36 years — have opposed eliminating filibusters because they protect parties’ interests when they are in the Senate minority. Biden said weeks ago that he didn’t expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate’s rules.Pelosi, too, seemed to shy away from dismantling Senate procedures, saying, “We will seek a solution consistent with Senate rules, and we will do so soon.”The House COVID-19 bill includes the minimum wage increase, so the real battle over its fate will occur when the Senate debates its version over the next two weeks.The overall relief bill would provide $1,400 payments to individuals, extend emergency unemployment benefits through August and increase tax credits for children and federal subsidies for health insurance.It also provides billions for schools and colleges, state and local governments, COVID-19 vaccines and testing, renters, food producers and struggling industries like airlines, restaurants, bars and concert venues.Democrats are pushing the relief measure through Congress under special rules that will let them avoid a Senate GOP filibuster, meaning that if they are united they won’t need any Republican votes.It also lets the bill move faster, a top priority for Democrats who want the bill on Biden’s desk before the most recent emergency jobless benefits end on March 14.But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough decided that the minimum wage provision failed that test.Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.___

House passes $1.9T pandemic bill including $1400 relief checks

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-26/medical-marijuana-for-kansas-proposed-with-tight-rules-in-hopes-of-winning-legalization">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kiley Klug, flanked by her 13-year-old son, 
Owen, in a wheelchair, stood before Kansas lawmakers Wednesday and 
pleaded to let her treat her son’s hundreds of daily seizures with legal
 medicinal marijuana.

At one point, she paused to tend to one of the boy’s seizures before resuming her testimony.

“He,
 as you can see, suffers from a rare, relentless seizure monster called 
Dravet Syndrome,” she said. “He, at his worst, has struggled through up 
to 200 to 300 seizures a day.”

Klug was speaking in favor of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2184/" target="_blank">a bill</a>
 that’s a new effort this year to legalize medicinal marijuana. She said
 her son has shown significant improvement using products containing 
limited THC, which falls in a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank"> gray area under Kansas law,</a> and they want the option to try other cannabis treatments.

“We
 need the flexibility to explore different strains and ratios,” Klug 
said, “in order to find the combination that’s most effective to combat 
these seizures.”

Kansas lawmakers are taking another run at 
medical marijuana legislation this session, but it could face long odds 
after other plans have stalled in recent years.

The state has taken only <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank">the smallest steps</a>
 to allow medical use of products made from cannabis, and the new bill 
includes significant restrictions aimed at making it palatable to 
lawmakers less interested in loosening marijuana laws.

Kansas remains one of only a few states without some kind of law legalizing the medical use of cannabis products. Around <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">three dozen states</a> have comprehensive medical marijuana laws.

Even with those restrictions, the legislation still faces opposition from law enforcement groups.

Republican
 Rep. Eric Smith, a sheriff’s deputy, said medicinal use would increase 
the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana. He said 
someone ignoring those kinds of impacts is sticking their “head in the 
sand.”

Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley, representing the Kansas
 Sheriffs’ Association, said the plan could put Kansas on a path to 
full-on recreational use of cannabis.

“Almost every state that 
we’ve seen go down this path, this is just one step closer to legalizing
 recreational marijuana,” Presley said.

Law enforcement opposing 
the bill also said that because marijuana remains illegal under federal 
law, legalizing it at the state level creates a conflict. Law 
enforcement officials said they’ll need an accessible database so they 
can verify medical marijuana ID cards are valid.

Yet the legalization for medical use is drawing some bipartisan support.

Willie
 Dove is a conservative Republican and former Kansas lawmaker who urged 
the House Federal and State Affairs committee to approve the bill. He 
said he’s heard from people who wanted to treat conditions such as 
seizures and chronic pain.

“We’re not talking about hippies from 
the sixties,” Dove told the committee. “We’re talking about individuals,
 law-abiding citizens, that really want to make something happen for 
their families.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614364202941.png" alt="A Colorado cannabis dispensary, the kind some people want to open in Kansas for medical marijuana. Scott Canon / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>A Colorado cannabis dispensary, the kind some people want to open in Kansas for medical marijuana. Scott Canon / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-02-26/medical-marijuana-for-kansas-proposed-with-tight-rules-in-hopes-of-winning-legalization">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Kiley Klug, flanked by her 13-year-old son, 
Owen, in a wheelchair, stood before Kansas lawmakers Wednesday and 
pleaded to let her treat her son’s hundreds of daily seizures with legal
 medicinal marijuana.At one point, she paused to tend to one of the boy’s seizures before resuming her testimony.“He,
 as you can see, suffers from a rare, relentless seizure monster called 
Dravet Syndrome,” she said. “He, at his worst, has struggled through up 
to 200 to 300 seizures a day.”Klug was speaking in favor of <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2184/" target="_blank">a bill</a>
 that’s a new effort this year to legalize medicinal marijuana. She said
 her son has shown significant improvement using products containing 
limited THC, which falls in a<a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank"> gray area under Kansas law,</a> and they want the option to try other cannabis treatments.“We
 need the flexibility to explore different strains and ratios,” Klug 
said, “in order to find the combination that’s most effective to combat 
these seizures.”Kansas lawmakers are taking another run at 
medical marijuana legislation this session, but it could face long odds 
after other plans have stalled in recent years.The state has taken only <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2019-07-11/a-doctors-note-might-get-you-off-the-hook-for-possessing-cbd-with-thc-in-kansas" target="_blank">the smallest steps</a>
 to allow medical use of products made from cannabis, and the new bill 
includes significant restrictions aimed at making it palatable to 
lawmakers less interested in loosening marijuana laws.Kansas remains one of only a few states without some kind of law legalizing the medical use of cannabis products. Around <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">three dozen states</a> have comprehensive medical marijuana laws.Even with those restrictions, the legislation still faces opposition from law enforcement groups.Republican
 Rep. Eric Smith, a sheriff’s deputy, said medicinal use would increase 
the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana. He said 
someone ignoring those kinds of impacts is sticking their “head in the 
sand.”Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley, representing the Kansas
 Sheriffs’ Association, said the plan could put Kansas on a path to 
full-on recreational use of cannabis.“Almost every state that 
we’ve seen go down this path, this is just one step closer to legalizing
 recreational marijuana,” Presley said.Law enforcement opposing 
the bill also said that because marijuana remains illegal under federal 
law, legalizing it at the state level creates a conflict. Law 
enforcement officials said they’ll need an accessible database so they 
can verify medical marijuana ID cards are valid.Yet the legalization for medical use is drawing some bipartisan support.Willie
 Dove is a conservative Republican and former Kansas lawmaker who urged 
the House Federal and State Affairs committee to approve the bill. He 
said he’s heard from people who wanted to treat conditions such as 
seizures and chronic pain.“We’re not talking about hippies from 
the sixties,” Dove told the committee. “We’re talking about individuals,
 law-abiding citizens, that really want to make something happen for 
their families.”The new Republican president of the Senate is 
also open to the idea, as long as it has restrictions so it can’t be 
exploited to allow recreational use under the guise of medical 
marijuana.“You don’t really believe we have that many 
18-year-olds with glaucoma that need to smoke weed for a medical 
benefit,” Senator Ty Masterson said in an interview. “Clearly, that’s 
recreational.”To attract people like Masterson, the House plan 
includes various restrictions and state oversight. For instance, only 
specially certified physicians could prescribe the drug, and only for <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2184_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a specific list</a>
 of 21 conditions ranging from cancer to severe chronic pain and brain 
injuries. There are provisions for the state to add more conditions to 
the list.A patient also couldn’t find a doctor and quickly get a 
recommendation to use marijuana. The bill says doctors can only 
recommend cannabis to patients they’ve been seeing for at least a year.Marijuana could not be smoked under the plan. Instead, it could be sold in other forms like edible products and oils.State
 agencies and an oversight panel would regulate the certificates for 
doctors and the system for growing and distributing marijuana. The bill 
would allow patients to only have up to a 90-day supply.Registered
 Nurse April Hatch said marijuana is a safer alternative for pain 
treatment. She told lawmakers about her grandmother’s painful withdrawal
 after using opiods.“A 90-year-old woman was forced into 
withdrawal that resulted in the worst days of her life,” Hatch said. 
“Cannabis does have the potential to prevent patients from suffering 
like she did.”Eric Voth, an internal medicine doctor representing
 the Kansas Medical Society, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
hasn’t fully weighed in on the safety of using medical marijuana and it 
needs more study. The agency <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process#research" target="_blank">has approved some limited related products</a>.Voth
 told lawmakers to trim back the limited list of conditions eligible for
 treatment with marijuana and ignore the fact that Kansas is one of only
 a small number of states that don’t allow some form of medicinal use.“It
 should not be allowed as a medicine,” Voth said. “You should continue 
to hold the line. Unlike many other states, we need to be proud of 
holding the line.”The House plan is one of several ideas in the Statehouse regarding marijuana policy. <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettParker4KS/status/1362057123064991752" target="_blank">Some Democrats</a> have introduced a bill to allow the recreational use of marijuana. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-medical-marijuana-kansas-marijuana-medicaid-a11663e4684db69315b71f1db5353013" target="_blank">a separate plan</a> to allow medical marijuana and use the revenue from it to pay for Medicaid expansion.Kelly
 says she would support a bill allowing medical cannabis because it’s a 
treatment option already available to many Americans.“I want 
Kansans to be able to get the treatment they need here in their home 
state, and not have to go someplace else,” Kelly said after the House 
hearing.Stephen Koranda is the Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/kprkoranda" target="_blank"> @kprkoranda</a>.