KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.

Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.

“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”

Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>

Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.

The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.

Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.

Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.

“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.

Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”

“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.

The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.

The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.

Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.

“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.

He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”

“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.

Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.

The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.

Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.

Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.

“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”

Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.

Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.

“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”

Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."

“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.

Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.

“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606851264919.png" alt="Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

Nursing schools see applications rise, despite COVID burnout

Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls.  As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. 

In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before.  Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts.  Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.

“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”

If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages</h2>FCCWASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls. As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before. Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts. Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging.

FCC chair proposes new rule to fight robotexts

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on multiple charges after a Kansas traffic stop.

Just before 3p.m. Oct. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car south of Mayetta for an alleged registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle.  Deputies arrested the driver, Elizabeth Marie Willis, 32, of Lawrence on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

A passenger, Dustin Michael Voelker, 33, of Tonganoxie was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.

Passenger, Charity Lynn Schultz, 42, of Ottawa is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A third passenger, Natasha Rena Popp, 49, of Salina is custody on requested charges that incoude possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243368498.png" alt="Willis-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Willis-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on multiple charges after a Kansas traffic stop.Just before 3p.m. Oct. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car south of Mayetta for an alleged registration violation, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle. Deputies arrested the driver, Elizabeth Marie Willis, 32, of Lawrence on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243484515.png" alt="Voelker-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Voelker-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger, Dustin Michael Voelker, 33, of Tonganoxie was jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243552256.png" alt="Schultz-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schultz-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Passenger, Charity Lynn Schultz, 42, of Ottawa is in custody on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634243611428.png" alt="Popp-photo Jacson Co." />
 <figcaption>Popp-photo Jacson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A third passenger, Natasha Rena Popp, 49, of Salina is custody on requested charges that incoude possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

4 jailed after Kan. sheriff's K9 alerts to drugs during traffic stop

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of two Kansas men accused in a 2019 double shooting in a Lawrence park that injured two brothers will get prison time after pleading no contest last month to attempted first-degree murder. 

Sahavione Caraway, 19, Topeka also pleaded no contest to aggravated robbery on Sept. 13. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional counts of each charge. 

The minimum sentence for the attempted murder charge is about 12 years in prison. Caraway is set to be sentenced next Wednesday. Prosecutors say Caraway and another man, Benson Edwards Jr., were 17 when they shot two brothers, ages 18 and 16, in Holcom Park on March 19, 2019, seriously injuring both. Edwards has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634233266238.png" alt="Caraway is being held in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Caraway is being held in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of two Kansas men accused in a 2019 double shooting in a Lawrence park that injured two brothers will get prison time after pleading no contest last month to attempted first-degree murder. Sahavione Caraway, 19, Topeka also pleaded no contest to aggravated robbery on Sept. 13. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional counts of each charge. The minimum sentence for the attempted murder charge is about 12 years in prison. Caraway is set to be sentenced next Wednesday. Prosecutors say Caraway and another man, Benson Edwards Jr., were 17 when they shot two brothers, ages 18 and 16, in Holcom Park on March 19, 2019, seriously injuring both. Edwards has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in January.

Teen charged in shooting of 2 Kansas brothers enters plea

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has filed a complaint against a city police officer who allegedly used a criminal justice database to search for information about the mayor.

Lucas filed the complaint Friday with the Office of Community Complaints, which investigates allegations of misconduct against police officers.

The search occurred in May but Lucas said in his complaint that he became aware of it only after a Jackson County prosecutor informed him in September. The prosecutor did not say what information the officer was seeking.

Police department policy prohibits using the Criminal Justice Information Center database for personal use.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the officer’s actions for potential criminal charges.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said last week that another officer reported the search to the department in May. He said the incident was investigated but he was prohibited by state law from saying if the officer was disciplined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634421249315.png" alt="Mayor Lucas during a visit with students this week in Kansas City-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Mayor Lucas during a visit with students this week in Kansas City-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has filed a complaint against a city police officer who allegedly used a criminal justice database to search for information about the mayor.Lucas filed the complaint Friday with the Office of Community Complaints, which investigates allegations of misconduct against police officers.The search occurred in May but Lucas said in his complaint that he became aware of it only after a Jackson County prosecutor informed him in September. The prosecutor did not say what information the officer was seeking.Police department policy prohibits using the Criminal Justice Information Center database for personal use.The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the officer’s actions for potential criminal charges.Police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said last week that another officer reported the search to the department in May. He said the incident was investigated but he was prohibited by state law from saying if the officer was disciplined.

Kansas City mayor files complaint after police data search

GOVE COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 1a.m. Saturday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy Suburban driven by Christina&nbsp;Satana, 39, Pueblo, CO., was westbound in the eastbound lane on Interstate 70 just east of the Park exit. The SUV struck an eastbound 2012 Hyundai Sonota driven by Alexie&nbsp;Echo-Hawk,16, Mosca, CO, head-on. 

After impact, the Hyundai spun into the south ditch and the Suburban&nbsp; into the median.

Satana and Echo-Hawk were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter. 

EMS transported three passenger in the Suburban including a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy and&nbsp; a 4-year-old boy all from Pueblo, CO., to Gove County Medical Center. EMS also transported a passenger in the Hyundai identified as Walter Roy Echo-Hawk, 46, Pawnee, Oklahoma, to Gove County Medical Center.

The driver and children in the Suburban were not restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563361166533.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GOVE COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 1a.m. Saturday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy Suburban driven by Christina&nbsp;Satana, 39, Pueblo, CO., was westbound in the eastbound lane on Interstate 70 just east of the Park exit. The SUV struck an eastbound 2012 Hyundai Sonota driven by Alexie&nbsp;Echo-Hawk,16, Mosca, CO, head-on. After impact, the Hyundai spun into the south ditch and the Suburban&nbsp; into the median.Satana and Echo-Hawk were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter. EMS transported three passenger in the Suburban including a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy and&nbsp; a 4-year-old boy all from Pueblo, CO., to Gove County Medical Center. EMS also transported a passenger in the Hyundai identified as Walter Roy Echo-Hawk, 46, Pawnee, Oklahoma, to Gove County Medical Center.The driver and children in the Suburban were not restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman and teen dead, 4 injured after wrong-way crash on I-70

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.

On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.

&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634406705569.png" alt="Smith photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

Police ask for help to locate Kansas stabbing suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.

Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.

“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.

On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.

During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.

The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.

The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.

Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629894518244.png" alt="Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

US vows to pay relatives after 7 Afghan children killed in drone strike

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/brian-grimmett">Brian Grimmett</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service</a>

Your natural gas bill will increase this winter as supply issues drive up market prices.

WICHITA, Kansas&nbsp;— Your natural gas bill is going to go up this winter.

Natural gas prices run nearly double what they did a year ago and experts predict the increased prices to last at least through the winter.

Utility companies pass the cost of natural gas directly on to their customers. As the price of wholesale natural gas increases, so will the fee your utility charges every month.

For Kansas Gas Service customers, that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasgasservice.com//media/KGS/Tariffs/current_cog.pdf" target="_blank">fee this month</a>&nbsp;is $5.67 per thousand cubic feet of gas used. Last October it was only $3.76.

Other large gas utilities have made similar increases.

The Atmos Energy gas purchase fee this month is nearly $1.50 more than last year. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/ksg_pga.pdf" target="_blank">Black Hills Energy</a>&nbsp;it’s more than $3 more.

“Right now, what we see is a relatively tight market, and higher prices signalling that more (gas) supplies are needed on the market,” said Richard Meyer, vice-president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aga.org/" target="_blank">American Gas Association</a>&nbsp;that represents natural gas utilities.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency said a few things are<a href="https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/prices.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;causing strain on natural gas supply</a>&nbsp;that contribute to higher-than-normal natural gas prices.

First, the amount of gas in underground storage is lower than normal. That’s partly caused by February’s winter storm that set record cold temperatures for much of the central U.S. It’s also caused by increased usage by gas-fired power plants during a particularly hot August.

Hurricane Ida also&nbsp;cut natural gas production and supplies.

While the EIA expects many of those supply issues to get resolved, it said the price will likely remain high all winter.

If it does, the average Kansan could see a monthly bill increase as much as $100 higher than last year.

Kansas Gas Service spokeswoman Dawn Tripp said the company has several tools to help keep the cost of gas down even as market prices rise.

The company has purchased and stored large amounts of gas this summer when prices were generally lower. It also will enter into long- and medium-term contracts to try to lock a price in and hedge against future increases.

“By doing that, we’re able to place a price cap on a portion of our winter supply,” Tripp said.

Increased natural gas prices will also greatly impact Kansas farmers. Natural gas is the main ingredient in nitrogen fertilizers. When the price of gas goes up, so does the price of fertilizer.

“Fertilizer is the largest direct cost (for farmers),” said Mark Nelson with the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Higher fertilizer prices will mean thinner profit margins, he said.

Last year the price to put fertilizer on no-till corn was $60 an acre. Nelson said many people are preparing for that cost to double.

“That’s a lot of money just for that one cost input,” Nelson said.

Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service.&nbsp;</a>

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmuw.org/people/brian-grimmett">Brian Grimmett</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service</a><h2>Your natural gas bill will increase this winter as supply issues drive up market prices.</h2>WICHITA, Kansas&nbsp;— Your natural gas bill is going to go up this winter.Natural gas prices run nearly double what they did a year ago and experts predict the increased prices to last at least through the winter.Utility companies pass the cost of natural gas directly on to their customers. As the price of wholesale natural gas increases, so will the fee your utility charges every month.For Kansas Gas Service customers, that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasgasservice.com//media/KGS/Tariffs/current_cog.pdf" target="_blank">fee this month</a>&nbsp;is $5.67 per thousand cubic feet of gas used. Last October it was only $3.76.Other large gas utilities have made similar increases.The Atmos Energy gas purchase fee this month is nearly $1.50 more than last year. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/ksg_pga.pdf" target="_blank">Black Hills Energy</a>&nbsp;it’s more than $3 more.“Right now, what we see is a relatively tight market, and higher prices signalling that more (gas) supplies are needed on the market,” said Richard Meyer, vice-president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aga.org/" target="_blank">American Gas Association</a>&nbsp;that represents natural gas utilities.The U.S. Energy Information Agency said a few things are<a href="https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/prices.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;causing strain on natural gas supply</a>&nbsp;that contribute to higher-than-normal natural gas prices.First, the amount of gas in underground storage is lower than normal. That’s partly caused by February’s winter storm that set record cold temperatures for much of the central U.S. It’s also caused by increased usage by gas-fired power plants during a particularly hot August.Hurricane Ida also&nbsp;cut natural gas production and supplies.While the EIA expects many of those supply issues to get resolved, it said the price will likely remain high all winter.If it does, the average Kansan could see a monthly bill increase as much as $100 higher than last year.Kansas Gas Service spokeswoman Dawn Tripp said the company has several tools to help keep the cost of gas down even as market prices rise.The company has purchased and stored large amounts of gas this summer when prices were generally lower. It also will enter into long- and medium-term contracts to try to lock a price in and hedge against future increases.“By doing that, we’re able to place a price cap on a portion of our winter supply,” Tripp said.Increased natural gas prices will also greatly impact Kansas farmers. Natural gas is the main ingredient in nitrogen fertilizers. When the price of gas goes up, so does the price of fertilizer.“Fertilizer is the largest direct cost (for farmers),” said Mark Nelson with the Kansas Farm Bureau.Higher fertilizer prices will mean thinner profit margins, he said.Last year the price to put fertilizer on no-till corn was $60 an acre. Nelson said many people are preparing for that cost to double.“That’s a lot of money just for that one cost input,” Nelson said.Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-13/kansans-will-pay-more-for-natural-gas-this-winter">Kansas News Service.&nbsp;</a>

Expect to pay much more for natural gas this winter in Kansas

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that although he expects his social safety net and climate spending package to shrink, “we’re going to come back and get the rest” after it’s passed, a seeming effort to assuage progressives worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations.

“We’re not going to get $3.5 trillion. We’ll get less than that, but we’re gonna get it. And we’re going to come back and get the rest,” he said during remarks at a child care center in Connecticut.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to dental, vision and hearing aid benefits for seniors and a number of significant provisions meant to combat climate change, all key items for progressives, but moderates have balked at the original $3.5 trillion price tag.

With slim margins in the House and an evenly-divided Senate, Democrats have no votes to spare on the bill. The whittling process&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-3d3e926b5856b36f82818b8a2d916231">has sparked concern</a>&nbsp;from some progressives that their priorities could be left out of the bill.

But Biden has openly acknowledged the price tag will have to come down. On Friday, he visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.

At the center, Biden promoted his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families, and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. It’s part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.

“Too many folks in Washington still don’t realize it isn’t enough just to invest in our physical infrastructure. We also have to invest in our people,” he said.

Biden went on to outline how his plan would reduce child care costs for Connecticut residents, and noted the disparity between U.S. spending on early child care versus greater investments in other countries, to argue that the lack of investment is causing the U.S. to fall behind.

“How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can’t be part of the workforce because they can’t afford the cost of child care or eldercare?”

He briefly greeted some of the children at the center’s playground before speaking, at one point kneeling down to give a child a hug.

The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.

Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.

The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.

“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.

Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to highlight his plan to lower the cost of child care for most American families as he makes the case for his stalled social spending bill during a visit to Connecticut on Friday.

Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to promote his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. The proposal is part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634336393644.png" alt="On Friday, President Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>On Friday, President Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that although he expects his social safety net and climate spending package to shrink, “we’re going to come back and get the rest” after it’s passed, a seeming effort to assuage progressives worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations.“We’re not going to get $3.5 trillion. We’ll get less than that, but we’re gonna get it. And we’re going to come back and get the rest,” he said during remarks at a child care center in Connecticut.Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to dental, vision and hearing aid benefits for seniors and a number of significant provisions meant to combat climate change, all key items for progressives, but moderates have balked at the original $3.5 trillion price tag.With slim margins in the House and an evenly-divided Senate, Democrats have no votes to spare on the bill. The whittling process&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-3d3e926b5856b36f82818b8a2d916231">has sparked concern</a>&nbsp;from some progressives that their priorities could be left out of the bill.But Biden has openly acknowledged the price tag will have to come down. On Friday, he visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.At the center, Biden promoted his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families, and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. It’s part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.“Too many folks in Washington still don’t realize it isn’t enough just to invest in our physical infrastructure. We also have to invest in our people,” he said.Biden went on to outline how his plan would reduce child care costs for Connecticut residents, and noted the disparity between U.S. spending on early child care versus greater investments in other countries, to argue that the lack of investment is causing the U.S. to fall behind.“How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can’t be part of the workforce because they can’t afford the cost of child care or eldercare?”He briefly greeted some of the children at the center’s playground before speaking, at one point kneeling down to give a child a hug.The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.___HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to highlight his plan to lower the cost of child care for most American families as he makes the case for his stalled social spending bill during a visit to Connecticut on Friday.Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to promote his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. The proposal is part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.

Pres. Biden pushing child care provisions in stalled $3.5T bill

Your monthly phone bill can be confusing. Some 
less-than-scrupulous companies take advantage of this by “cramming.” 
Cramming is the illegal act of adding <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/mobile-technology/mobile-cramming" target="_blank">unauthorized service charges</a> to your account without your knowledge or approval.

Usually, crammers add small charges and describe them with generic 
terms, such as “service fee,” “voicemail,” or “other fees,” hoping a few
 dollars here and there will go unnoticed. Many times, they do. In fact,
 the Federal Communications Commission estimates that cramming has 
harmed <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill" target="_blank">tens of thousands of American households</a> and recently the Federal Trade Commission sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/09/ftc-sends-nearly-5-million-refunds-people-who-lost-money-cramming" target="_blank">$5 million in refunds</a> to people who lost money to cramming.

To protect yourself from cramming, BBB recommends the following tips.

To learn more ways to avoid falling victim to scams, visit <a href="http://www.BBB.org/AvoidScams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.

If you’ve been the victim of cramming and neither your service 
provider nor the third-party company will resolve the issue, file a 
complaint with your <a href="https://www.naruc.org/">state public service commission</a> for telephone services and the <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">FTC</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauYour monthly phone bill can be confusing. Some 
less-than-scrupulous companies take advantage of this by “cramming.” 
Cramming is the illegal act of adding <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/mobile-technology/mobile-cramming" target="_blank">unauthorized service charges</a> to your account without your knowledge or approval.Usually, crammers add small charges and describe them with generic 
terms, such as “service fee,” “voicemail,” or “other fees,” hoping a few
 dollars here and there will go unnoticed. Many times, they do. In fact,
 the Federal Communications Commission estimates that cramming has 
harmed <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill" target="_blank">tens of thousands of American households</a> and recently the Federal Trade Commission sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/09/ftc-sends-nearly-5-million-refunds-people-who-lost-money-cramming" target="_blank">$5 million in refunds</a> to people who lost money to cramming.To protect yourself from cramming, BBB recommends the following tips.<h2>How to Avoid Getting Crammed</h2><ul>
 <li>Thoroughly review your phone bill each month. Make 
sure you know all the companies who added charges to the bill and double
 check that you personally authorized each charge. In addition, make 
sure you weren’t billed more than you were quoted for any service. </li><li>Reach out to your service provider if you notice any charges you are unsure about. Crammers love to add tiny <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/cramming_-_unauthorized_charges_on_your_phone_bill.pdf" target="_blank">mystery charges</a>
 for just few dollars to thousands of consumers’ bills at a time. These 
fees can recur and stay on your bill for years if you don’t follow up. 
If you notice a charge you don’t remember authorizing or the description
 is vague, call your service provider and ask them to explain the charge
 before you pay it. </li><li>Ask for a refund. If you do find bogus charges on 
your account, request a refund. Some service providers will ask you to 
reach out to the third-party first, but in most cases they will refund 
the money directly. </li><li>Request a block on third-party charges. If you 
don’t generally use add-on services in connection with your phone 
service, you can ask your provider to block all third-party charges. 
This will make it impossible for scammers to cram your bill. </li><li>Don’t be quick to give out your cell phone number. Sometimes, the only thing a scammer needs to cram your bill is your phone number. Be <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/technology/personaltech/i-shared-my-phone-number-i-learned-i-shouldnt-have.html" target="_blank">wary about entering your cell phone number</a>
 in order to enter contests, auctions, giveaways, and surveys. In 
addition, watch out for unfamiliar websites that ask you for your phone 
number in exchange for free tips, daily news, sports scores, horoscopes,
 and the like. </li><li>Pay for services with your credit card. If you do 
decide to purchase a third-party service, it’s best to pay directly with
 your credit card instead of authorizing charges through your service 
provider. It’s much easier to dispute fraudulent charges and get your 
money back from a credit card company.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>To learn more ways to avoid falling victim to scams, visit <a href="http://www.BBB.org/AvoidScams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.If you’ve been the victim of cramming and neither your service 
provider nor the third-party company will resolve the issue, file a 
complaint with your <a href="https://www.naruc.org/">state public service commission</a> for telephone services and the <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">FTC</a>.

Overcharged on your phone bill? Tips to avoid 'cramming'

BARBER COUNTY — A Kansas man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for a July 2020 murder, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Clinton Wayne Rogers, 35, of Medicine Lodge, was sentenced by Barber County District Court Judge Francis Meisenheimer. Rogers was sentenced to life in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility without the possibility of parole for 653 months on one count of first degree murder. Rogers pleaded guilty to the charge on October 1.

Rogers was convicted for the July 26, 2020, murder of Joyce A. Foulkrod in Medicine Lodge. A family member found Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane in Medicine Lodge.&nbsp;Deputies in Montana arrested Rogers on August 11, 2020, on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kansas, according to the KBI. Investigators believe Rogers stole a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro in Kingman County on August 2 on his way to Montana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597423172012.png" alt="Rogers after his arrest in Dawson County Montana" />
 <figcaption>Rogers after his arrest in Dawson County Montana</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY — A Kansas man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for a July 2020 murder, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.Clinton Wayne Rogers, 35, of Medicine Lodge, was sentenced by Barber County District Court Judge Francis Meisenheimer. Rogers was sentenced to life in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility without the possibility of parole for 653 months on one count of first degree murder. Rogers pleaded guilty to the charge on October 1.Rogers was convicted for the July 26, 2020, murder of Joyce A. Foulkrod in Medicine Lodge. A family member found Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane in Medicine Lodge.&nbsp;Deputies in Montana arrested Rogers on August 11, 2020, on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kansas, according to the KBI. Investigators believe Rogers stole a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro in Kingman County on August 2 on his way to Montana.

Kansas man captured in Montana sentenced for woman's murder

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; pair of thefts involving jewelry in Manhattan.

Just before 2p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft in the 400 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Reed &amp; Elliott Jewelers reported an unknown suspect stole an Enchanted white gold bridal ring. The total estimated loss associated with this case is approximately $2,590. 

Just after 4:30p.m. Thursday, a 27-year-old man reported an unknown suspect stole a package containing 14k white gold diamond earrings from his front porch. The total estimated loss associated with this case is approximately $1,660.

 Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634309111071.png" alt="Reed and Elliot in Manhattan Google image" />
 <figcaption>Reed and Elliot in Manhattan Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; pair of thefts involving jewelry in Manhattan.Just before 2p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft in the 400 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Reed &amp; Elliott Jewelers reported an unknown suspect stole an Enchanted white gold bridal ring. The total estimated loss associated with this case is approximately $2,590. Just after 4:30p.m. Thursday, a 27-year-old man reported an unknown suspect stole a package containing 14k white gold diamond earrings from his front porch. The total estimated loss associated with this case is approximately $1,660. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Suspect stole bridal ring worth $2500 from Kan. jewelry store

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A task force formed three years ago to investigate clergy sexual abuse in Kansas Catholic dioceses has received 215 tips and opened 122 cases, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Robert Jacobs, executive officer of the KBI, reported on the work of the <a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/reportClergyAbuse.shtml">agency’s Catholic Clergy Taskforce</a> this week during a hearing of a state legislative committee. He said investigators set up a phone line and email address for people to report abuse.

The task force has been working with Catholic dioceses to review almost 40,000 diocesan records since its work began in 2019, Jacobs said.

Along with considering a specific allegation, investigators are working to determine if the allegation was made to the diocese or to law enforcement “and what the follow-through was on that claim when it was initially made.”

Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Democrat from Leavenworth, questioned why no prosecutions had arisen from the investigation.

“Why, with 40,000 different records, there doesn’t seem to be any action on this?” Pittman said. “Is the pursuit not revealing anything? I mean, it seems like there’s a lot in the news about this. What’s the story?”

Jacobs replied that one issue has been that some of the alleged acts took place years ago.

“Obviously, we run into time constraints with how far back these incidents occurred,” he said.

The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57cc36e6a1b8497b8011483585615f80">announced in early 2019</a>&nbsp;that it had set up the task force at the request of Attorney General Derek Schmidt. The task force consists of six agents who investigate abuse reports from the public and review church documents from the state’s Roman Catholic dioceses in Wichita, Salina, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas. It also investigates reports from the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway Catholic group known for its traditional Latin Mass with a large branch in St. Marys in northeast Kansas.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A task force formed three years ago to investigate clergy sexual abuse in Kansas Catholic dioceses has received 215 tips and opened 122 cases, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.Robert Jacobs, executive officer of the KBI, reported on the work of the <a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/reportClergyAbuse.shtml">agency’s Catholic Clergy Taskforce</a> this week during a hearing of a state legislative committee. He said investigators set up a phone line and email address for people to report abuse.The task force has been working with Catholic dioceses to review almost 40,000 diocesan records since its work began in 2019, Jacobs said.Along with considering a specific allegation, investigators are working to determine if the allegation was made to the diocese or to law enforcement “and what the follow-through was on that claim when it was initially made.”Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Democrat from Leavenworth, questioned why no prosecutions had arisen from the investigation.“Why, with 40,000 different records, there doesn’t seem to be any action on this?” Pittman said. “Is the pursuit not revealing anything? I mean, it seems like there’s a lot in the news about this. What’s the story?”Jacobs replied that one issue has been that some of the alleged acts took place years ago.“Obviously, we run into time constraints with how far back these incidents occurred,” he said.The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57cc36e6a1b8497b8011483585615f80">announced in early 2019</a>&nbsp;that it had set up the task force at the request of Attorney General Derek Schmidt. The task force consists of six agents who investigate abuse reports from the public and review church documents from the state’s Roman Catholic dioceses in Wichita, Salina, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas. It also investigates reports from the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway Catholic group known for its traditional Latin Mass with a large branch in St. Marys in northeast Kansas.

Report: KBI has opened 122 clergy sex abuse cases in Kansas

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service in Dodge City confirmed Friday that seven tornadoes touched down in southwest Kansas during storms earlier this week.

<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/QLCSTornadoesOct122021\">Click here to read the</a> overview from the National Weather Service

The tornadoes that hit on Tuesday were rated EF-0 to EF-1 strength, with wind speeds mostly between 80 mph and 110 mph.

They touched down in rural areas and damage was generally confined to irrigation systems and outbuildings, the weather service said. No serious injuries were reported.

Two tornadoes were confirmed near Greensburg, while others were confirmed near Sublette, Howell, Spearville, Fellsburg and Trousdale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634166341781.png" alt="Storm damage from Tuesday night's tornadoes -photo courtesy Ford County Emergency management" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage from Tuesday night's tornadoes -photo courtesy Ford County Emergency management</figcaption>
 </figure>DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service in Dodge City confirmed Friday that seven tornadoes touched down in southwest Kansas during storms earlier this week.<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/QLCSTornadoesOct122021\">Click here to read the</a> overview from the National Weather ServiceThe tornadoes that hit on Tuesday were rated EF-0 to EF-1 strength, with wind speeds mostly between 80 mph and 110 mph.They touched down in rural areas and damage was generally confined to irrigation systems and outbuildings, the weather service said. No serious injuries were reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634149009998.png" alt="Storm damage in Wallace County -photo courtesy Sharon Springs golf course" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage in Wallace County -photo courtesy Sharon Springs golf course</figcaption>
 </figure>Two tornadoes were confirmed near Greensburg, while others were confirmed near Sublette, Howell, Spearville, Fellsburg and Trousdale.

Weather Service: 7 tornadoes in southwest Kansas Tuesday night

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.

The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.

Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.

Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.

J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.

On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.

“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”

The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.

“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.

The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.

All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.

J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.

But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.

FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.

The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.

The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-H40GrvWz4?start=11443" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.___

🎥 FDA panel endorses booster shot for J&J COVID-19 vaccine

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1820 to a total of 423,283, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 14 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6165

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1820 to a total of 423,283, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 14 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6165<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634318510162.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 1800 new cases, 14 more COVID deaths

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a drive-by shooting at a home in Wichita that injured an 11-year-old girl have made an arrest, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.

On Thursday, police arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">25-year-old Byron Monroe Purcell</a> on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">requested charges</a> of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and weapons, drug and parole violation charges.

He's accused of being the gunman in a shooting that happened early Tuesday in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood in which bullets hit a house.

Police say the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer"> 11-year-old girl </a>was in the house and asleep in her bed when she was hit by the gunfire. She was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634298594579.png" alt="Purcell photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Purcell photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a drive-by shooting at a home in Wichita that injured an 11-year-old girl have made an arrest, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.On Thursday, police arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">25-year-old Byron Monroe Purcell</a> on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">requested charges</a> of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and weapons, drug and parole violation charges. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634162750977.png" alt="Image of the suspect vehicle driving by the home early Tuesday-Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image of the suspect vehicle driving by the home early Tuesday-Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>He's accused of being the gunman in a shooting that happened early Tuesday in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood in which bullets hit a house.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634171148198.png" alt="A cousin established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer">GoFundMe page </a>to help the girl's family with medical expenses. She was in the ICU at a Wichita hospital late Wednesday, according to the fundraiser account." />
 <figcaption>A cousin established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer">GoFundMe page </a>to help the girl's family with medical expenses. She was in the ICU at a Wichita hospital late Wednesday, according to the fundraiser account.</figcaption>
 </figure> Police say the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer"> 11-year-old girl </a>was in the house and asleep in her bed when she was hit by the gunfire. She was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured.---------

Arrest made in shooting that injured Kan. girl asleep in her bed

CLOUD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Damon J. Beckman, 20, Concordia, was northbound on 210th Road five miles east of Concordia. The pickup left the roadway, entered the east ditch and rolled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592389654778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Cloud County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Damon J. Beckman, 20, Concordia, was northbound on 210th Road five miles east of Concordia. The pickup left the roadway, entered the east ditch and rolled.Beckman was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Bouy Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.