By NATE KING Salina Post

Following multiple ceremonial bill signing events held in Leavenworth and Holton, Governor Laura Kelly called Salina Post to discuss the present and long-term impacts of tax reform, the possibility of Medicaid expansion in 2025, her reflections on the state's current financial standing, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ potential move across state lines.

After three years of debate on how best to provide tax relief to the Sunflower State, Kansas lawmakers and Gov. Kelly reached a bipartisan deal during a special session of the Kansas Legislature this summer.&nbsp;

Although the process of delivering tax reform to Kansas took years to achieve, it has been something Gov. Kelly's administration has sought since she became governor in 2019. The bill, Senate Bill One, provides a $2 billion reduction in state income and property taxes over the next five years.

“I've been wanting to provide tax relief for that amount of time. It took multiple legislative sessions to come to a consensus," Gov. Kelly said. "There was a lot of push to provide much more on the income tax side, which tends to benefit people with more means. I wanted a tax bill that would really target our middle-class, working-class families across the state of Kansas."

House and Senate Republicans' attempts to pass a flat income tax were dashed by Gov. Kelly's veto, which was followed by subsequent failed veto override votes.

According to The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a flat tax structure would have cost the state $650 million annually once phased in, and from Gov. Kelly's view, its enactment would have sent the state back to the Brownback years.

“It [flat tax] would start to take us back to the Brownback days and I just could not let that happen," Gov. Kelly said. "At that point, we had a three-tier tax system. I still believe we should have maintained a three-tier tax system. It's fair, but it's also nimble. By having that, when bad economic times come — and they do come; you don't see the kind of decrease in state revenues that you do if you have fewer tax brackets, particularly a single tax bracket.”

Lawmakers passed Senate Bill One on June 18. The Senate's final vote was 34-4 and 121-2 in the Kansas House of Representatives.

Senate Bill One establishes a two-bracket income tax system for married individuals filing jointly. Income up to $46,000 will be taxed at 5.2%, and income above that will be taxed at 5.58%.&nbsp;

Gov Kelly noted one of the crucial changes brought by Senate Bill One is the increase in the personal exemption, which goes from $2,250 to $9,160 for individuals.

Taxpayers will receive an additional $2,320 exemption for each dependent listed on their return. The bill accounts for a slight increase in the standard deduction, with single filers' deductions rising from $3,500 to $3,605 and married filers' rising from $8,000 to $8,240. Heads of household will see an additional $180 in exemptions going from $6,000 to $6,180.

"It [SB 1] will impact everybody to at least some degree. I think our seniors are going to see the most obvious relief because we will be eliminating all state taxes on Social Security," Gov. Kelly said.

Additionally, with this bill, Kansas joined more than thirty other states in eliminating state social security taxes.

Income taxes and social security aren't the only ways Kansans will see savings. The bill also reduces property taxes by raising the exemption on school general fund property tax mill levies.

"Kansans who own property will see a reduction in their property tax bill from the state. We levy right now, 20 Mills on residential property that is to help fund our schools. To date, we exempt the first $42,000 or so property value from that tax, we're lifting that exemption to $75,000," Gov. Kelly said.

Gov. Kelly said Kansans looking to start or grow their family also benefit from Senate Bill One.

"Our families will enjoy a doubling of the Childcare Dependent Care Tax Credit to $6 million, which will make a huge difference, I think, particularly for families with a lot of kids," Kelly said.

From her days as a Senator representing Kansas' 18th Senate District to serving as governor, Kelly has been a strong advocate for the expansion of Medicaid, the federal government program providing care to some 80 million Americans living on low incomes.&nbsp;

"There's no good logical reason for not having expanded Medicaid," Gov. Kelly said. "Originally, when Medicaid expansion was available to states in 2014 I think there were some legitimate questions about what it would do to the state budget."

Gov. Kelly emphasized the social and economic benefits of Medicaid expansion, which would cover an estimated 50,000 more Kansans.

"There were very legitimate concerns. What would happen if the federal government, you know, pulled the plug after you've done expansion. But over time, all of the concerns have been answered," Gov. Kelly said.

Kansas' decision not to expand Medicaid has forfeited over $7 billion in taxpayer money since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2014.

"That just makes absolutely no sense and has really done some serious harm to our economy," Gov. Kelly said.

Gov. Kelly cited the ten hospitals that have closed in Kansas since the federal government made Medicaid expansion available as one reason why Medicaid should be expanded in Kansas.

"I'm not going to say that Medicaid expansion is the complete and total answer to our issues with rural health care, but it certainly is a tool that needs to be in the toolbox in order for us to resolve those issues,"&nbsp; Gov. Kelly said. "The other thing that's very subtle, and only people in those communities notice it, but because all of the other states around us have expanded Medicaid, we are bleeding healthcare workers across our borders."

Expanding Medicaid continues to be a point of contention in Topeka. Gov. Kelly said leaders in the statehouse are out of touch with their constituents in their thinking on Medicaid.

"It has really come down to having legislative leaders who are stuck in the past, who are still concerned about the passage of the Affordable Care Act more than 10 years ago, and they just can't give up on the idea," Gov. Kelly said. "They said, then it was a bad idea, and they sort of painted themselves into a corner, and have not figured out a way to come out of that corner and let their let their caucuses in the House and in the Senate, take a vote of Medicaid expansion.”

One of the popular arguments used by Kansans against the expansion of Medicaid is that it will raise taxes on middle and low-income Kansans. According to Gov. Kelly, states that have expanded Medicaid haven't seen a negative impact on their tax structures.

"In fact, what they have seen is that premiums for people who get their health insurance through the private sector actually have stabilized," Gov. Kelly said. "Because of Medicaid expansion, our hospitals would get reimbursed for the care that they provide to these people who are eligible for Medicaid."

Gov. Kelly explained that when hospitals provide uncompensated care in emergency rooms, the most expensive place for healthcare, they have to charge other patients more to cover those costs.

"They provided in the emergency room, the most expensive place to get health care, and so hospitals then have to charge other patients more money to cover the costs of that uncompensated care that they have to provide in the emergency rooms and when they charge other patients more money, the insurance companies raise the cost of the premium, and premium costs go up for every Kansan with private healthcare."

In 2023 a survey released by the<a href="https://sunflowerfoundation.org/statewide-poll-on-medicaid-expansion/">&nbsp;Sunflower Foundation</a>&nbsp;found 68% of Kansas voters supported Medicaid expansion.

"There's no good reason. We just need to continue to push and hope that the pressure on legislative leadership gets to the point that their caucus members demand the opportunity to vote on Medicaid expansion," Gov. Kelly said.

Tax reform wasn't the only item on the agenda for the special session this summer. Lawmakers also modified existing economic incentive rules to enable the state to potentially attract professional sports teams — like the Kansas City Chiefs. Gov. Kelly had little to share on the topic, but said she appreciates the legislature expanding the economic tool box.

"I think as we look to the future in Kansas, if an opportunity should should come our way, it's nice that we now have a tool in place to make that work,”she said.

Gov. Kelly said the Kansas City Chiefs have made it clear they will make a decision regarding their location no later than the end of the year.

"We're here, and we've got the tools in place," Gov. Kelly said.

Gov. Kelly comments on Minnesota Governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz

Gov. Kelly praised Vice President and Democratic candidate for president Kamala Harris' own vice president pick, citing the balance Walz brings to the ticket.

"She could not have picked a better partner. Somebody that balances the ticket," Gov. Kelly said. "She's coastal. He's Midwest."

Gov. Kelly said she has gotten to know Walz over the last few years, and according to her, Walz is "as good and kind as humble as they come."

“You could not ask for somebody with a better resume and a better personality to work side by side with,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722967941078.png" alt="Gov. Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, now a candidate for Vice President" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, now a candidate for Vice President</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostFollowing multiple ceremonial bill signing events held in Leavenworth and Holton, Governor Laura Kelly called Salina Post to discuss the present and long-term impacts of tax reform, the possibility of Medicaid expansion in 2025, her reflections on the state's current financial standing, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ potential move across state lines.After three years of debate on how best to provide tax relief to the Sunflower State, Kansas lawmakers and Gov. Kelly reached a bipartisan deal during a special session of the Kansas Legislature this summer.&nbsp;<h2>Senate Bill One</h2>Although the process of delivering tax reform to Kansas took years to achieve, it has been something Gov. Kelly's administration has sought since she became governor in 2019. The bill, Senate Bill One, provides a $2 billion reduction in state income and property taxes over the next five years.“I've been wanting to provide tax relief for that amount of time. It took multiple legislative sessions to come to a consensus," Gov. Kelly said. "There was a lot of push to provide much more on the income tax side, which tends to benefit people with more means. I wanted a tax bill that would really target our middle-class, working-class families across the state of Kansas."House and Senate Republicans' attempts to pass a flat income tax were dashed by Gov. Kelly's veto, which was followed by subsequent failed veto override votes.According to The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a flat tax structure would have cost the state $650 million annually once phased in, and from Gov. Kelly's view, its enactment would have sent the state back to the Brownback years.“It [flat tax] would start to take us back to the Brownback days and I just could not let that happen," Gov. Kelly said. "At that point, we had a three-tier tax system. I still believe we should have maintained a three-tier tax system. It's fair, but it's also nimble. By having that, when bad economic times come — and they do come; you don't see the kind of decrease in state revenues that you do if you have fewer tax brackets, particularly a single tax bracket.”Lawmakers passed Senate Bill One on June 18. The Senate's final vote was 34-4 and 121-2 in the Kansas House of Representatives.Senate Bill One establishes a two-bracket income tax system for married individuals filing jointly. Income up to $46,000 will be taxed at 5.2%, and income above that will be taxed at 5.58%.&nbsp;Gov Kelly noted one of the crucial changes brought by Senate Bill One is the increase in the personal exemption, which goes from $2,250 to $9,160 for individuals.Taxpayers will receive an additional $2,320 exemption for each dependent listed on their return. The bill accounts for a slight increase in the standard deduction, with single filers' deductions rising from $3,500 to $3,605 and married filers' rising from $8,000 to $8,240. Heads of household will see an additional $180 in exemptions going from $6,000 to $6,180."It [SB 1] will impact everybody to at least some degree. I think our seniors are going to see the most obvious relief because we will be eliminating all state taxes on Social Security," Gov. Kelly said.Additionally, with this bill, Kansas joined more than thirty other states in eliminating state social security taxes.Income taxes and social security aren't the only ways Kansans will see savings. The bill also reduces property taxes by raising the exemption on school general fund property tax mill levies."Kansans who own property will see a reduction in their property tax bill from the state. We levy right now, 20 Mills on residential property that is to help fund our schools. To date, we exempt the first $42,000 or so property value from that tax, we're lifting that exemption to $75,000," Gov. Kelly said.Gov. Kelly said Kansans looking to start or grow their family also benefit from Senate Bill One."Our families will enjoy a doubling of the Childcare Dependent Care Tax Credit to $6 million, which will make a huge difference, I think, particularly for families with a lot of kids," Kelly said.<h2>Medicaid expansion</h2>From her days as a Senator representing Kansas' 18th Senate District to serving as governor, Kelly has been a strong advocate for the expansion of Medicaid, the federal government program providing care to some 80 million Americans living on low incomes.&nbsp;"There's no good logical reason for not having expanded Medicaid," Gov. Kelly said. "Originally, when Medicaid expansion was available to states in 2014 I think there were some legitimate questions about what it would do to the state budget."Gov. Kelly emphasized the social and economic benefits of Medicaid expansion, which would cover an estimated 50,000 more Kansans."There were very legitimate concerns. What would happen if the federal government, you know, pulled the plug after you've done expansion. But over time, all of the concerns have been answered," Gov. Kelly said.Kansas' decision not to expand Medicaid has forfeited over $7 billion in taxpayer money since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2014."That just makes absolutely no sense and has really done some serious harm to our economy," Gov. Kelly said.Gov. Kelly cited the ten hospitals that have closed in Kansas since the federal government made Medicaid expansion available as one reason why Medicaid should be expanded in Kansas."I'm not going to say that Medicaid expansion is the complete and total answer to our issues with rural health care, but it certainly is a tool that needs to be in the toolbox in order for us to resolve those issues,"&nbsp; Gov. Kelly said. "The other thing that's very subtle, and only people in those communities notice it, but because all of the other states around us have expanded Medicaid, we are bleeding healthcare workers across our borders."Expanding Medicaid continues to be a point of contention in Topeka. Gov. Kelly said leaders in the statehouse are out of touch with their constituents in their thinking on Medicaid."It has really come down to having legislative leaders who are stuck in the past, who are still concerned about the passage of the Affordable Care Act more than 10 years ago, and they just can't give up on the idea," Gov. Kelly said. "They said, then it was a bad idea, and they sort of painted themselves into a corner, and have not figured out a way to come out of that corner and let their let their caucuses in the House and in the Senate, take a vote of Medicaid expansion.”One of the popular arguments used by Kansans against the expansion of Medicaid is that it will raise taxes on middle and low-income Kansans. According to Gov. Kelly, states that have expanded Medicaid haven't seen a negative impact on their tax structures."In fact, what they have seen is that premiums for people who get their health insurance through the private sector actually have stabilized," Gov. Kelly said. "Because of Medicaid expansion, our hospitals would get reimbursed for the care that they provide to these people who are eligible for Medicaid."Gov. Kelly explained that when hospitals provide uncompensated care in emergency rooms, the most expensive place for healthcare, they have to charge other patients more to cover those costs."They provided in the emergency room, the most expensive place to get health care, and so hospitals then have to charge other patients more money to cover the costs of that uncompensated care that they have to provide in the emergency rooms and when they charge other patients more money, the insurance companies raise the cost of the premium, and premium costs go up for every Kansan with private healthcare."In 2023 a survey released by the<a href="https://sunflowerfoundation.org/statewide-poll-on-medicaid-expansion/">&nbsp;Sunflower Foundation</a>&nbsp;found 68% of Kansas voters supported Medicaid expansion."There's no good reason. We just need to continue to push and hope that the pressure on legislative leadership gets to the point that their caucus members demand the opportunity to vote on Medicaid expansion," Gov. Kelly said.<h2>Kansas City Chiefs</h2>Tax reform wasn't the only item on the agenda for the special session this summer. Lawmakers also modified existing economic incentive rules to enable the state to potentially attract professional sports teams — like the Kansas City Chiefs. Gov. Kelly had little to share on the topic, but said she appreciates the legislature expanding the economic tool box."I think as we look to the future in Kansas, if an opportunity should should come our way, it's nice that we now have a tool in place to make that work,”she said.Gov. Kelly said the Kansas City Chiefs have made it clear they will make a decision regarding their location no later than the end of the year."We're here, and we've got the tools in place," Gov. Kelly said.<h2>Gov. Kelly comments on Minnesota Governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz</h2>Gov. Kelly praised Vice President and Democratic candidate for president Kamala Harris' own vice president pick, citing the balance Walz brings to the ticket."She could not have picked a better partner. Somebody that balances the ticket," Gov. Kelly said. "She's coastal. He's Midwest."Gov. Kelly said she has gotten to know Walz over the last few years, and according to her, Walz is "as good and kind as humble as they come."“You could not ask for somebody with a better resume and a better personality to work side by side with,” she said.

Gov. Kelly discusses $2B tax reform bill, Medicaid expansion, national politics

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter Marshall, the actor and singer turned game show host who played straight man to the stars for 16 years on “The Hollywood Squares,” has died. He was 98.

He died Thursday of kidney failure at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll said.

Marshall helped define the form of the smooth, professional, but never-too-serious modern game show host on more than 5,000 episodes of the series that ran on NBC from 1966 to 1981.

But he was often closer to a talk show host, and the tic-tac-toe game the contestants played, while real, was all an excuse for a good time. The questions Marshall posed to regulars like Paul Lynde, George Gobel and Joan Rivers were designed to be set-ups for joke answers before the real ones followed.

“It was the easiest thing I've ever done in show business,” Marshall said in a 2010 interview for the Archive of American Television. “I walked in, said ‘Hello stars,' I read questions and laughed. And it paid very well.”

“The Hollywood Squares” would become an American cultural institution and make Marshall a household name. It would win four Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show during his run and spawned dozens of international versions and several U.S. reboots. Not only was it a forum for such character actors as Charlie Weaver (the stage name of Cliff Arquette) and Wally Cox, but the show attracted a range of top stars as occasional guests, including Aretha Franklin, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ed Asner and Janet Leigh.

Marshall had a warm rapport with Weaver, Lynde and others, but said that Gobel, the wry comedian, actor and variety show host, held a special place, tweeting in 2021 that it’s “no secret he was my closest friend on Hollywood Squares and my absolute all-time favorite Square!”

Marshall had lived nearly an entire show business life before he took the “Squares” podium at age 40.

He had toured with big bands starting as a teenager, had been a part of two comedy teams that appeared in nightclubs and on television, appeared in movies as a contract player for Twentieth Century Fox, and had sung in several Broadway musicals when the opportunity came up after Bert Parks, who hosted the pilot, bowed out.

“I am a singer first I am not a game show host,” Marshall told his hometown paper, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, West Virginia in 2013, "that was just a freak opportunity. I had been on Broadway with Julie Harris and was going back to Broadway when I did the audition, and I thought it was a few weeks but that turned into 16 years.”

“The Hollywood Squares” was more strait-laced when it began, but early in its run a producer suggested they write jokes for Lynde, the ever-snarky comic actor who occupied the center square and would become as identified as Marshall with the show.

The first joke would set the template for the years that followed:

Marshall: “Paul, why do motorcyclists wear leather?”

“That changed the whole thing,” Marshall told the TV archive. “I had been a straight man. So working with comics was easy for me.”

Born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Marshall would move around the state as a child, living in Wheeling and Huntington.

His father died when Marshall was 10, and he would live with his grandparents as his mother and sister, the actress Joanne Dru, moved to New York to pursue her career in show business. Marshall would soon join them.

At 15, he toured as a singer with the Bob Chester Orchestra. He also worked as an NBC Radio page and an usher at the Paramount Theater. He was drafted during World War II and stationed in Italy, where he made his first forays onto the airways as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio. In 1949 he formed a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan, appearing in nightclubs, in theaters and on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

He became a movie contract player in the 1950s at Twentieth Century Fox, appearing in films including 1959's “The Rookie" and 1961's “Swingin’ Along."

Major starring roles eluded him in Hollywood, but he would find them in musical theater.

He starred opposite Chita Rivera in “Bye Bye Birdie” in London’s West End in 1962 — Lynde had played a major role in the Broadway version that he would reprise in the film — and played his first starring role on Broadway in “Skyscraper” with Julie Harris in 1965.

He would also appear in Broadway versions of “High Button Shoes,” “The Music Man” and “42nd Street.”

After “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall would host a few other short-lived game shows, but mostly resumed his career as a singing actor, starring in more than 800 performances of “La Cage Aux Folles” on Broadway and on tour, and singing in the 1983 film version of “Annie.”

He was married three times, the last to Laurie Stewart in 1989.

The couple survived a bout with COVID-19 early in 2021. He was hospitalized for several weeks.

His four kids include son Pete LaCock, a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. Marshall is also survived by daughters Suzanne and Jaime, son David, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723757023595.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter Marshall, the actor and singer turned game show host who played straight man to the stars for 16 years on “The Hollywood Squares,” has died. He was 98.He died Thursday of kidney failure at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll said.Marshall helped define the form of the smooth, professional, but never-too-serious modern game show host on more than 5,000 episodes of the series that ran on NBC from 1966 to 1981.But he was often closer to a talk show host, and the tic-tac-toe game the contestants played, while real, was all an excuse for a good time. The questions Marshall posed to regulars like Paul Lynde, George Gobel and Joan Rivers were designed to be set-ups for joke answers before the real ones followed.“It was the easiest thing I've ever done in show business,” Marshall said in a 2010 interview for the Archive of American Television. “I walked in, said ‘Hello stars,' I read questions and laughed. And it paid very well.”“The Hollywood Squares” would become an American cultural institution and make Marshall a household name. It would win four Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show during his run and spawned dozens of international versions and several U.S. reboots. Not only was it a forum for such character actors as Charlie Weaver (the stage name of Cliff Arquette) and Wally Cox, but the show attracted a range of top stars as occasional guests, including Aretha Franklin, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ed Asner and Janet Leigh.Marshall had a warm rapport with Weaver, Lynde and others, but said that Gobel, the wry comedian, actor and variety show host, held a special place, tweeting in 2021 that it’s “no secret he was my closest friend on Hollywood Squares and my absolute all-time favorite Square!”Marshall had lived nearly an entire show business life before he took the “Squares” podium at age 40.He had toured with big bands starting as a teenager, had been a part of two comedy teams that appeared in nightclubs and on television, appeared in movies as a contract player for Twentieth Century Fox, and had sung in several Broadway musicals when the opportunity came up after Bert Parks, who hosted the pilot, bowed out.“I am a singer first I am not a game show host,” Marshall told his hometown paper, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, West Virginia in 2013, "that was just a freak opportunity. I had been on Broadway with Julie Harris and was going back to Broadway when I did the audition, and I thought it was a few weeks but that turned into 16 years.”“The Hollywood Squares” was more strait-laced when it began, but early in its run a producer suggested they write jokes for Lynde, the ever-snarky comic actor who occupied the center square and would become as identified as Marshall with the show.The first joke would set the template for the years that followed:Marshall: “Paul, why do motorcyclists wear leather?”Lynde: “Because chiffon wrinkles.”“That changed the whole thing,” Marshall told the TV archive. “I had been a straight man. So working with comics was easy for me.”Born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Marshall would move around the state as a child, living in Wheeling and Huntington.His father died when Marshall was 10, and he would live with his grandparents as his mother and sister, the actress Joanne Dru, moved to New York to pursue her career in show business. Marshall would soon join them.At 15, he toured as a singer with the Bob Chester Orchestra. He also worked as an NBC Radio page and an usher at the Paramount Theater. He was drafted during World War II and stationed in Italy, where he made his first forays onto the airways as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio. In 1949 he formed a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan, appearing in nightclubs, in theaters and on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”He became a movie contract player in the 1950s at Twentieth Century Fox, appearing in films including 1959's “The Rookie" and 1961's “Swingin’ Along."Major starring roles eluded him in Hollywood, but he would find them in musical theater.He starred opposite Chita Rivera in “Bye Bye Birdie” in London’s West End in 1962 — Lynde had played a major role in the Broadway version that he would reprise in the film — and played his first starring role on Broadway in “Skyscraper” with Julie Harris in 1965.He would also appear in Broadway versions of “High Button Shoes,” “The Music Man” and “42nd Street.”After “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall would host a few other short-lived game shows, but mostly resumed his career as a singing actor, starring in more than 800 performances of “La Cage Aux Folles” on Broadway and on tour, and singing in the 1983 film version of “Annie.”He was married three times, the last to Laurie Stewart in 1989.The couple survived a bout with COVID-19 early in 2021. He was hospitalized for several weeks.His four kids include son Pete LaCock, a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. Marshall is also survived by daughters Suzanne and Jaime, son David, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

‘Hollywood Squares’ host and Broadway star Peter Marshall dies at 98

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person was injured and rescued after an accident during the severe weather Wednesday in Topeka.

Just before 11:30 p.m., crews from the Topeka Fire Department (TFD)&nbsp;to a report of an injured person in the Kansas River near 1115 NE Poplar Street, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

The Topeka Fire Department Technical Rescue team, consisting of both a truck and engine company, was dispatched to assist along with two additional engine companies, one truck company and one battalion chief.

Firefighters found an individual who had been injured and trapped under a fallen tree during a severe thunderstorm. Crews rescued the injured person, who was then transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723736034614.png" alt="Storm damage in the Topeka area photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage in the Topeka area photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person was injured and rescued after an accident during the severe weather Wednesday in Topeka.Just before 11:30 p.m., crews from the Topeka Fire Department (TFD)&nbsp;to a report of an injured person in the Kansas River near 1115 NE Poplar Street, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.The Topeka Fire Department Technical Rescue team, consisting of both a truck and engine company, was dispatched to assist along with two additional engine companies, one truck company and one battalion chief.Firefighters found an individual who had been injured and trapped under a fallen tree during a severe thunderstorm. Crews rescued the injured person, who was then transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Crews rescue victim trapped in the Kansas river during storm

NORTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford Explorer driven by&nbsp; Melanie A&nbsp;Cotton, 29, Lenora, was southbound on U.S. 283 two and one half miles south of Norton.

The SUV traveled off the roadway to the right, returned to the road, crossed the center line. When the driver overcorrected, the SUV rolled multiple times and came to rest in the northbound lane.

EMS transported a passenger identified as Senquay R&nbsp;Montes, 20, Lenora, to the Norton County Hospital where he died.

EMS also transported Melanie Cotton and a second passenger Betty L.&nbsp;Cotton, 75,&nbsp; Lenora, to the Norton County Hospital. Montes was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NORTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Norton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford Explorer driven by&nbsp; Melanie A&nbsp;Cotton, 29, Lenora, was southbound on U.S. 283 two and one half miles south of Norton.The SUV traveled off the roadway to the right, returned to the road, crossed the center line. When the driver overcorrected, the SUV rolled multiple times and came to rest in the northbound lane.EMS transported a passenger identified as Senquay R&nbsp;Montes, 20, Lenora, to the Norton County Hospital where he died.EMS also transported Melanie Cotton and a second passenger Betty L.&nbsp;Cotton, 75,&nbsp; Lenora, to the Norton County Hospital. Montes was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dead, 2 injured after SUV rollover accident

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

If you're sending your child off to college, there are so many things to remember, but Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas knows that there are some things you can be prepared for.

"A couple of things that people may not think about are insurance coverage, both homeowners, renters, and auto insurance," Steward said. "Also having a plan for vehicle maintenance or if something happens to the vehicle for a breakdown, for example. Those are two things that we urge college students and their parents to think about."

If you live on campus, your parents homeowners policy may help, but if you live off campus, you'll likely need renters insurance. Talk to your carrier about what is right for you. The best way to protect your valuables is, if you know you won't need them on campus, leave them at home.

"While some valuable items such as laptops are needed on campus, items such as expensive jewelry and things like that are best left at home," Steward said.&nbsp; "If you're not going to need them, it's going to be safer left at home rather than in a dorm or college apartment."

Whatever you have, you need to document that you have it and what condition it is in.

"It's good to create a detailed inventory of all the items in your dorm room or apartment in the event you need to file an insurance claim," Steward said. "Just make sure that you have everything updated in terms of what your possessions are in that room or apartment. And then it's also good to inventory the condition of your apartment or dorm room, because as we know, when you move out of those, sometimes you're charged for damage, and if it's not your fault, if it was already there, that's another thing to think about."

If you have other questions, contact your insurance agent for more information.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580240948974.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostIf you're sending your child off to college, there are so many things to remember, but Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas knows that there are some things you can be prepared for."A couple of things that people may not think about are insurance coverage, both homeowners, renters, and auto insurance," Steward said. "Also having a plan for vehicle maintenance or if something happens to the vehicle for a breakdown, for example. Those are two things that we urge college students and their parents to think about."If you live on campus, your parents homeowners policy may help, but if you live off campus, you'll likely need renters insurance. Talk to your carrier about what is right for you. The best way to protect your valuables is, if you know you won't need them on campus, leave them at home."While some valuable items such as laptops are needed on campus, items such as expensive jewelry and things like that are best left at home," Steward said.&nbsp; "If you're not going to need them, it's going to be safer left at home rather than in a dorm or college apartment."Whatever you have, you need to document that you have it and what condition it is in."It's good to create a detailed inventory of all the items in your dorm room or apartment in the event you need to file an insurance claim," Steward said. "Just make sure that you have everything updated in terms of what your possessions are in that room or apartment. And then it's also good to inventory the condition of your apartment or dorm room, because as we know, when you move out of those, sometimes you're charged for damage, and if it's not your fault, if it was already there, that's another thing to think about."If you have other questions, contact your insurance agent for more information.

AAA: College preparation should include insurance issues

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.

According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.

In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.

Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly

While working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.

The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.

Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.

After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.

If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693343138410.png" alt="Harris-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew FennellyWhile working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

Kan. man cut off ankle monitor, skips sentencing for role in murder

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to embark on a year-long study beginning next month that will test samples for evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza from former dairy cattle moved into meat production.

Emilio Esteban, the under secretary for food safety at the USDA, told reporters on a call Tuesday the new testing program follows three studies undertaken during the spring and summer that all found beef in the nation’s food supply is safe to eat.

“However, we want to move forward with an additional step,” Esteban said. “And what this means is that when those carcasses are tested, they are held and are not going to go into commerce until we get the results back.”

The virus, also referred to as bird flu or H5N1, has been found in wild bird and domestic poultry flocks within the United States for years. But the ongoing outbreak in dairy cattle has forced animal and human health experts to establish testing for a new community of agriculture workers and livestock.

The news of additional testing for the country’s meat supply came alongside the results of a study from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that reinforced the safety of pasteurized dairy products.

Steve Grube, chief medical officer for the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai#secondtesting" target="_blank">most recent round of dairy product testing</a>&nbsp;included 167 foods that were processed in 27 states in June and July.

“None of the product samples contained viable H5N1, reaffirming that pasteurization is effective,” he said. “The second survey was intended to address geographic and product gaps from the initial sampling of the commercial milk and dairy product supply that the FDA conducted during April and May.”

Federal officials have also launched a voluntary program for farmers to test the milk in bulk tanks for H5N1, a step that’s intended to make it easier for them to move their cows between states without having to individually test each one.

Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, said the department’s Farm Service Agency has approved 23 of the 35 applications it has received so far to help ease the financial burden on dairy farmers who take their herds out of production after testing positive.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish/index" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;— known as Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish — has approved more than $1 million in payments.

The price paid to farmers is based on a formula that includes the price of milk from the preceding month as well as the number of dairy cattle that contract H5N1.

Deeble said on the call with reporters that of the approved applications, a dozen are from Colorado, which has seen a sharp increase in the number of positive H5N1 tests within its dairy industry.

Deeble argued the uptick is due to certain factors within the state and cautioned people against assuming that if testing was increased in other areas of the country, the number of positive H5N1 tests for dairy cattle would spike.

“I don’t think that it is accurate necessarily to extrapolate from the situation in Weld County, Colorado,” Deeble said. “Weld County and Colorado dairy in particular is rather unique in the degree to which the dairies are all closely associated with one another; both spatially and the way in which there is a lot of movement between the facilities.”

“It is a tightly integrated dairy community that’s isolated from much of the rest of the state, and there is a lot of connectivity between the premises in the way in which they use vehicles, support services, milk trucks,” Deeble added.

During the last 30 days, five states have had dairy cattle test positive for H5N1, including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas.

Colorado holds a disproportionate number of cases with 26 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">dairy herds to test positive</a>, while the other four states combined hold a total of six herds.

Other mammals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals" target="_blank">diagnosed</a>&nbsp;with H5N1 during the last six weeks are overwhelmingly in Colorado, which has found the virus in house mice, deer mice, domestic cats, a desert cottontail and a prairie vole.

Public health officials said during the call Tuesday they are beginning to look more closely at when and why cats are being affected by the spread of H5N1.

Barn cats as well as those that hunt outside, coming into regular contact with wild birds that hold a reservoir of H5N1, have tested positive for the virus before.

But a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.colovma.org/cvma-news/influenza-a-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-h5n1-in-domestic-cats/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association earlier this month noted that two of the six cats diagnosed with H5N1 in that state this year “were indoor only cats with no direct exposures to the virus.”

Public health officials on the call were unable to answer a question about how indoor-only cats would have come into contact with H5N1.

Experts on the call cautioned that as fall approaches, wild birds will begin migrating and dairy farmers will likely ship their cattle at higher rates, both of which could lead to an uptick in the number of positive cases of H5N1 being reported in dairy cattle as well as other animals.

Lia Chien contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722448527185.png" alt="Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association)." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to embark on a year-long study beginning next month that will test samples for evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza from former dairy cattle moved into meat production.Emilio Esteban, the under secretary for food safety at the USDA, told reporters on a call Tuesday the new testing program follows three studies undertaken during the spring and summer that all found beef in the nation’s food supply is safe to eat.“However, we want to move forward with an additional step,” Esteban said. “And what this means is that when those carcasses are tested, they are held and are not going to go into commerce until we get the results back.”The virus, also referred to as bird flu or H5N1, has been found in wild bird and domestic poultry flocks within the United States for years. But the ongoing outbreak in dairy cattle has forced animal and human health experts to establish testing for a new community of agriculture workers and livestock.The news of additional testing for the country’s meat supply came alongside the results of a study from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that reinforced the safety of pasteurized dairy products.Steve Grube, chief medical officer for the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai#secondtesting" target="_blank">most recent round of dairy product testing</a>&nbsp;included 167 foods that were processed in 27 states in June and July.“None of the product samples contained viable H5N1, reaffirming that pasteurization is effective,” he said. “The second survey was intended to address geographic and product gaps from the initial sampling of the commercial milk and dairy product supply that the FDA conducted during April and May.”<h2>Testing milk in bulk tanks</h2>Federal officials have also launched a voluntary program for farmers to test the milk in bulk tanks for H5N1, a step that’s intended to make it easier for them to move their cows between states without having to individually test each one.Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA, said the department’s Farm Service Agency has approved 23 of the 35 applications it has received so far to help ease the financial burden on dairy farmers who take their herds out of production after testing positive.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish/index" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;— known as Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish — has approved more than $1 million in payments.The price paid to farmers is based on a formula that includes the price of milk from the preceding month as well as the number of dairy cattle that contract H5N1.Deeble said on the call with reporters that of the approved applications, a dozen are from Colorado, which has seen a sharp increase in the number of positive H5N1 tests within its dairy industry.Deeble argued the uptick is due to certain factors within the state and cautioned people against assuming that if testing was increased in other areas of the country, the number of positive H5N1 tests for dairy cattle would spike.“I don’t think that it is accurate necessarily to extrapolate from the situation in Weld County, Colorado,” Deeble said. “Weld County and Colorado dairy in particular is rather unique in the degree to which the dairies are all closely associated with one another; both spatially and the way in which there is a lot of movement between the facilities.”“It is a tightly integrated dairy community that’s isolated from much of the rest of the state, and there is a lot of connectivity between the premises in the way in which they use vehicles, support services, milk trucks,” Deeble added.During the last 30 days, five states have had dairy cattle test positive for H5N1, including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas.Colorado holds a disproportionate number of cases with 26 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">dairy herds to test positive</a>, while the other four states combined hold a total of six herds.Other mammals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals" target="_blank">diagnosed</a>&nbsp;with H5N1 during the last six weeks are overwhelmingly in Colorado, which has found the virus in house mice, deer mice, domestic cats, a desert cottontail and a prairie vole.<h2>Effect on cats</h2>Public health officials said during the call Tuesday they are beginning to look more closely at when and why cats are being affected by the spread of H5N1.Barn cats as well as those that hunt outside, coming into regular contact with wild birds that hold a reservoir of H5N1, have tested positive for the virus before.But a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.colovma.org/cvma-news/influenza-a-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-h5n1-in-domestic-cats/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association earlier this month noted that two of the six cats diagnosed with H5N1 in that state this year “were indoor only cats with no direct exposures to the virus.”Public health officials on the call were unable to answer a question about how indoor-only cats would have come into contact with H5N1.Experts on the call cautioned that as fall approaches, wild birds will begin migrating and dairy farmers will likely ship their cattle at higher rates, both of which could lead to an uptick in the number of positive cases of H5N1 being reported in dairy cattle as well as other animals.Lia Chien contributed to this report.&nbsp;

USDA to take ‘additional step’ in testing beef from former dairy cattle for bird flu 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A prosecutor says five people have been charged in connection with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matthew-perry">Matthew Perry's</a>&nbsp;death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor's assistant and two doctors.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges Thursday, saying the doctors supplied Perry with a large amount of ketamine and even wondered in a text message how much the former “Friends” star would be willing to pay.

“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong," Estrada said.

Perry died in October due to a ketamine overdose and received several injections of the drug on the day he died from his live-in personal assistant. The assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is the one who found Perry dead later that day.

Two of the people, including one of the doctors charged, have been arrested, Estrada said. Two of the defendants, including Iwamasa, have pleaded guilty to charges already, and a third person has agreed to plead guilty.

Iwamasa's attorneys did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Among those arrested Thursday are Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and also two charges related to allegations he falsified records after Perry's death.

The other person arrested Thursday is Jasveen Sangha, who prosecutors described as a drug dealer known as the “ketamine queen.” Ketamine supplied by Sangha caused Perry's death, authorities said.

Messages to her attorneys were not immediately returned. Attempts to leave messages at Plasencia’s medical office were unsuccessful because its voicemail was full and an email was not immediately returned.

Sangha and Plasencia could make their first court appearances later Thursday.

Records show Plascencia's medical license has been in good standing with no records of complaints, though it is set to expire in October.

The prosecutor said the defendants exchanged messages soon after Perry's death referencing ketamine as the cause of death. Estrada said they tried to cover up their involvement in supplying Perry ketamine, a powerful anesthetic that is sometimes used to treat chronic pain and depression.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-investigation-290b5aa5a7c63ca67bfaa43e4f711f70">Los Angeles police said in May</a>&nbsp;that they were working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old had so much of the surgical anesthetic in his system.

Iwamasa found the actor face down in his hot tub on Oct. 28, and paramedics who were called immediately declared him dead.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in his blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery.

The decades-old drug has seen a huge surge in use in recent years as a treatment for depression, anxiety and pain. People close to Perry told coroner’s investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy</a>.

But the medical examiner said Perry’s last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn’t explain the levels of ketamine in his blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours. At least two doctors were treating Perry, a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist who served as his primary care physician, the medical examiner’s report said. No illicit drugs or paraphernalia were found at his house.

Ketamine was listed as the primary cause of death, which was ruled an accident with no foul play suspected, the report said. Drowning and other medical issues were contributing factors, the coroner said.

Perry had years of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-foundation-death-addiction-aa74b3e424c652a4325166231057ecd4">struggles with addiction</a>&nbsp;dating back to his time on “Friends,” when he became one of the biggest television stars of his generation as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s megahit sitcom</a>.

Drug-related celebrity deaths have in other cases led authorities to prosecute the people who supplied them.

After rapper&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mac-miller">Mac Miller</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/9e65656745a741cfbff6874df91ffa2d">died from an overdose</a>&nbsp;of cocaine, alcohol and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ad75f002ba304577ad1e1a09720d2a31">counterfeit oxycodone that contained fentanyl,</a>&nbsp;two of the men who provided him the fentanyl were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-health-arts-and-los-angeles-mac-miller-354df3dc8e8a7558236e5bd4a95b120e">convicted of distributing the drug</a>. One was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison, the other to 10 years.

And after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3e996992a2674d48afe544d87053583c">Michael Jackson</a>&nbsp;died in 2009 from a lethal dose of propofol, a drug intended for use only during surgery and other medical procedures, not for the insomnia the singer sought it for, his doctor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/conrad-murray">Conrad Murray</a>, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011. Murray has maintained his innocence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698541233773.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A prosecutor says five people have been charged in connection with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matthew-perry">Matthew Perry's</a>&nbsp;death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor's assistant and two doctors.U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges Thursday, saying the doctors supplied Perry with a large amount of ketamine and even wondered in a text message how much the former “Friends” star would be willing to pay.“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong," Estrada said.Perry died in October due to a ketamine overdose and received several injections of the drug on the day he died from his live-in personal assistant. The assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is the one who found Perry dead later that day.Two of the people, including one of the doctors charged, have been arrested, Estrada said. Two of the defendants, including Iwamasa, have pleaded guilty to charges already, and a third person has agreed to plead guilty.Iwamasa's attorneys did not immediately return a message seeking comment.Among those arrested Thursday are Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and also two charges related to allegations he falsified records after Perry's death.The other person arrested Thursday is Jasveen Sangha, who prosecutors described as a drug dealer known as the “ketamine queen.” Ketamine supplied by Sangha caused Perry's death, authorities said.Messages to her attorneys were not immediately returned. Attempts to leave messages at Plasencia’s medical office were unsuccessful because its voicemail was full and an email was not immediately returned.Sangha and Plasencia could make their first court appearances later Thursday.Records show Plascencia's medical license has been in good standing with no records of complaints, though it is set to expire in October.The prosecutor said the defendants exchanged messages soon after Perry's death referencing ketamine as the cause of death. Estrada said they tried to cover up their involvement in supplying Perry ketamine, a powerful anesthetic that is sometimes used to treat chronic pain and depression.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-investigation-290b5aa5a7c63ca67bfaa43e4f711f70">Los Angeles police said in May</a>&nbsp;that they were working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old had so much of the surgical anesthetic in his system.Iwamasa found the actor face down in his hot tub on Oct. 28, and paramedics who were called immediately declared him dead.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in his blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery.The decades-old drug has seen a huge surge in use in recent years as a treatment for depression, anxiety and pain. People close to Perry told coroner’s investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy</a>.But the medical examiner said Perry’s last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn’t explain the levels of ketamine in his blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours. At least two doctors were treating Perry, a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist who served as his primary care physician, the medical examiner’s report said. No illicit drugs or paraphernalia were found at his house.Ketamine was listed as the primary cause of death, which was ruled an accident with no foul play suspected, the report said. Drowning and other medical issues were contributing factors, the coroner said.Perry had years of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-foundation-death-addiction-aa74b3e424c652a4325166231057ecd4">struggles with addiction</a>&nbsp;dating back to his time on “Friends,” when he became one of the biggest television stars of his generation as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s megahit sitcom</a>.Drug-related celebrity deaths have in other cases led authorities to prosecute the people who supplied them.After rapper&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mac-miller">Mac Miller</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/9e65656745a741cfbff6874df91ffa2d">died from an overdose</a>&nbsp;of cocaine, alcohol and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ad75f002ba304577ad1e1a09720d2a31">counterfeit oxycodone that contained fentanyl,</a>&nbsp;two of the men who provided him the fentanyl were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-health-arts-and-los-angeles-mac-miller-354df3dc8e8a7558236e5bd4a95b120e">convicted of distributing the drug</a>. One was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison, the other to 10 years.And after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3e996992a2674d48afe544d87053583c">Michael Jackson</a>&nbsp;died in 2009 from a lethal dose of propofol, a drug intended for use only during surgery and other medical procedures, not for the insomnia the singer sought it for, his doctor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/conrad-murray">Conrad Murray</a>, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011. Murray has maintained his innocence.

2 doctors among 5 charged in Matthew Perry’s overdose death

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a series of business burglaries have a suspect in custody.

On July 3rd, a burglary occurred at Whispers Video, 314 North Plum Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.

 Three additional burglaries at Whispers Video were committed since then. The last burglary occurred on August 12.&nbsp; Hutchinson Police Department Patrol Officers and Detectives were able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection to all four burglaries.

On Wednesday, 32-year-old Kaylin D. Darnell of Hutchinson, was taken into custody on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary (four counts), theft (four counts) and criminal damage to property (three counts).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723739278698.png" alt="Darnell-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Darnell-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a series of business burglaries have a suspect in custody.On July 3rd, a burglary occurred at Whispers Video, 314 North Plum Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police. Three additional burglaries at Whispers Video were committed since then. The last burglary occurred on August 12.&nbsp; Hutchinson Police Department Patrol Officers and Detectives were able to identify and arrest a suspect in connection to all four burglaries.On Wednesday, 32-year-old Kaylin D. Darnell of Hutchinson, was taken into custody on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary (four counts), theft (four counts) and criminal damage to property (three counts)..

Police arrest suspect for series of Kansas burglaries 

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Board of Public Utility crews are working to restore power following a storm that saw 70-80 mile per hour winds come to south central Kansas Wednesday night.

 All available utility crews were dispatched. Officials estimated approximately 600 outages as a result of the storm. There were no injuries reported, according to the McPherson County Sheriff's office.

Residents who live within city limits on the south side of McPherson had their power restored overnight. Rural customers that live southwest of the city limits can expect an extended outage. Some may see an outage of 12-24 hours.

The sheriff's office asked the public to avoid the area around 22nd Avenue between Eisenhower Road and Dakota Road as multiple power lines were down, there was damage to residential structures and emergency crews working in the area.

The Board of Public Utilities reported there are approximately 2 miles of power lines down on the circuit that feeds this section of the system. 

Also, do not assume the Board of Public Utilities knows about your outage. If you lose power call their 24 hour outage number 620-504-7300 to report the outage. Thank you for your patience.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723684445843.jpeg" alt="A semi on its side in the northbound lanes of I-135 near the McPherson exit. Photo newstips@salinapost.com" />
 <figcaption>A semi on its side in the northbound lanes of I-135 near the McPherson exit. Photo newstips@salinapost.com</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Board of Public Utility crews are working to restore power following a storm that saw 70-80 mile per hour winds come to south central Kansas Wednesday night. All available utility crews were dispatched. Officials estimated approximately 600 outages as a result of the storm. There were no injuries reported, according to the McPherson County Sheriff's office.Residents who live within city limits on the south side of McPherson had their power restored overnight. Rural customers that live southwest of the city limits can expect an extended outage. Some may see an outage of 12-24 hours.The sheriff's office asked the public to avoid the area around 22nd Avenue between Eisenhower Road and Dakota Road as multiple power lines were down, there was damage to residential structures and emergency crews working in the area.The Board of Public Utilities reported there are approximately 2 miles of power lines down on the circuit that feeds this section of the system. Also, do not assume the Board of Public Utilities knows about your outage. If you lose power call their 24 hour outage number 620-504-7300 to report the outage. Thank you for your patience.

Summer storm left widespread damage in McPherson Co.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Justice Planners, a jail consulting firm, told the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday that it predicts the county will need more jail beds in the next 25 years.

Depending on the scenario, the agency estimated anywhere from 90 to 174 beds would be needed by 2049, which could cost between $8 million and $32 million.

The commission made no decisions on the jail on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The average daily population of the jail year to date is 69 inmates. In 2023, it was 68.7. That rate has stayed relatively steady since 2017, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.

Various factors influence the number of inmates in the jail and the number of beds needed to safely and securely house those inmates.

The first of those factors is population. The population of Ellis County is estimated to grow by 11.4% between now and 2050, according to the&nbsp;Center for&nbsp;Economic Development and&nbsp;Business Research at Wichita State&nbsp;University.

The county's male population growth is estimated at 9.3%. Men account for 84% of the Ellis County Jail inmates.

The jail is booking about three inmates per day, which has stayed steady over the last three years. However, bookings are down 31% to 79% from the averages seen from 2017 through 2019 before the pandemic.

Patrick Jablonski, Justice Planners planner/statistician, attributed this to several factors. The jail is rapidly processing&nbsp;low-level offenders through the system.

These low-level offenders are being processed out of the jail in less than a day, whereas other communities the company has worked with see averages closer to two days, he said.

Although the average number of bookings has decreased from pre-pandemic levels, the average length of stay for inmates at the Ellis County Jail has more than doubled since 2017.

Jablonski said the jail is seeing more inmates being held for more serious crimes, and those inmates are being held for more days.

The length of stay during the pandemic was higher partly because the jail was releasing any inmates that it could because of the risk of the spread of COVID-19 infection. That means only the most severe offenders were being held,&nbsp;Jablonski said.

Jablonski presented a chart on the length of stay based on the type of charge.

Inmates with violent felony charges stayed about 26 days in jail in 2022. That increased to 53 days in 2023 and has almost tripled to 144 days year to date in 2024.&nbsp;

"That is the key to the kingdom in understanding the jail's population right there. These individuals have serious offenses. I think I am safe to say these individuals are a danger to the community. You want to keep them held,"&nbsp;Jablonski said.

"However, it is taking longer to get these individuals processed through the court system, and that is what is driving the jail's population."

As of early 2024, the number of cases filed in Ellis County courts was far outpacing the number of cases resolved. However, Jablonski said this could have been affected by the cybersecurity attack on the Kansas judicial system.

The consultant gave the county commission three possible scenarios to forecast how the jail's population might grow and the need for beds in 25 years.

The first scenario assumes that Ellis County's current trends will continue. It assumes that inmates' average length of stay will continue to increase, but the number of bookings stays stable. It also takes into account anticipated county population growth.

A lack of attorneys will likely continue to put pressure on the court system and result in delays in cases being processed,&nbsp;Jablonski said.

This scenario predicts an average daily population of 102 inmates requiring 131 beds.

The jail can't operate at full capacity for several reasons. Women can't be housed with men. Violent offenders are usually not housed with offenders who have lower-level crimes. Co-defendants also have to be separated.

The jail also needs to accommodate daily and seasonal fluctuations and peaks.

Based on a very rough estimate of $800 per square foot for the space that needs to be added to the current jail, renovations could cost about $18.9 million.

The second scenario considered that inmates' average length of stay continues to grow, and the number of bookings returns to prepandemic levels.

Jablonski also said law enforcement agencies may be less likely to send inmates to the jail, knowing it is overcrowded. He said once law enforcement officers and community corrections know there is space in the jail, they might start sending more people to jail.

"The time-worn phrase, if you build it, they will come, there's a degree of that. When we talk to stakeholders, there's an awareness of the jail's capacity,"&nbsp;Jablonski said. "I do see a realistic scenario where our status quo may miss a little bit to the low side, and you have more people return to custody."

A change in the philosophy at the county attorney's office could also affect the number of bookings at the jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720646460774.png" alt="Ellis County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostJustice Planners, a jail consulting firm, told the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday that it predicts the county will need more jail beds in the next 25 years.Depending on the scenario, the agency estimated anywhere from 90 to 174 beds would be needed by 2049, which could cost between $8 million and $32 million.The commission made no decisions on the jail on Tuesday.&nbsp;The average daily population of the jail year to date is 69 inmates. In 2023, it was 68.7. That rate has stayed relatively steady since 2017, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723585023447.png" alt="Average daily population for the Ellis County Jail 2017-2024. Image courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>Average daily population for the Ellis County Jail 2017-2024. Image courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723585773074.png" alt="Average daily population for the Ellis County Jail 2017-2024. Image courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>Average daily population for the Ellis County Jail 2017-2024. Image courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure>Various factors influence the number of inmates in the jail and the number of beds needed to safely and securely house those inmates.The first of those factors is population. The population of Ellis County is estimated to grow by 11.4% between now and 2050, according to the&nbsp;Center for&nbsp;Economic Development and&nbsp;Business Research at Wichita State&nbsp;University.The county's male population growth is estimated at 9.3%. Men account for 84% of the Ellis County Jail inmates.The jail is booking about three inmates per day, which has stayed steady over the last three years. However, bookings are down 31% to 79% from the averages seen from 2017 through 2019 before the pandemic.Patrick Jablonski, Justice Planners planner/statistician, attributed this to several factors. The jail is rapidly processing&nbsp;low-level offenders through the system.These low-level offenders are being processed out of the jail in less than a day, whereas other communities the company has worked with see averages closer to two days, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723646253808.png" alt="Reasons for people being booked into the Ellis County Jail for 2022 through year to date 2024. The suspects were recorded based on the most severe charge for which they were booked. Courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>Reasons for people being booked into the Ellis County Jail for 2022 through year to date 2024. The suspects were recorded based on the most severe charge for which they were booked. Courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure>Although the average number of bookings has decreased from pre-pandemic levels, the average length of stay for inmates at the Ellis County Jail has more than doubled since 2017.Jablonski said the jail is seeing more inmates being held for more serious crimes, and those inmates are being held for more days.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723647955606.png" alt="The average length of stay for inmates in the Ellis County Jail for 2017 through the year to date for 2024. Courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>The average length of stay for inmates in the Ellis County Jail for 2017 through the year to date for 2024. Courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure>The length of stay during the pandemic was higher partly because the jail was releasing any inmates that it could because of the risk of the spread of COVID-19 infection. That means only the most severe offenders were being held,&nbsp;Jablonski said.Jablonski presented a chart on the length of stay based on the type of charge.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723648761836.png" alt="The average length of stay for Ellis County Jail. The number of days inmates facing violent felony charges are being held has significantly increased. Low-level offenders are averaging less than a day's stay in jail. Courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>The average length of stay for Ellis County Jail. The number of days inmates facing violent felony charges are being held has significantly increased. Low-level offenders are averaging less than a day's stay in jail. Courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure>Inmates with violent felony charges stayed about 26 days in jail in 2022. That increased to 53 days in 2023 and has almost tripled to 144 days year to date in 2024.&nbsp;"That is the key to the kingdom in understanding the jail's population right there. These individuals have serious offenses. I think I am safe to say these individuals are a danger to the community. You want to keep them held,"&nbsp;Jablonski said."However, it is taking longer to get these individuals processed through the court system, and that is what is driving the jail's population."As of early 2024, the number of cases filed in Ellis County courts was far outpacing the number of cases resolved. However, Jablonski said this could have been affected by the cybersecurity attack on the Kansas judicial system.The consultant gave the county commission three possible scenarios to forecast how the jail's population might grow and the need for beds in 25 years.The first scenario assumes that Ellis County's current trends will continue. It assumes that inmates' average length of stay will continue to increase, but the number of bookings stays stable. It also takes into account anticipated county population growth.A lack of attorneys will likely continue to put pressure on the court system and result in delays in cases being processed,&nbsp;Jablonski said.This scenario predicts an average daily population of 102 inmates requiring 131 beds.The jail can't operate at full capacity for several reasons. Women can't be housed with men. Violent offenders are usually not housed with offenders who have lower-level crimes. Co-defendants also have to be separated.The jail also needs to accommodate daily and seasonal fluctuations and peaks.Based on a very rough estimate of $800 per square foot for the space that needs to be added to the current jail, renovations could cost about $18.9 million.The second scenario considered that inmates' average length of stay continues to grow, and the number of bookings returns to prepandemic levels.Jablonski also said law enforcement agencies may be less likely to send inmates to the jail, knowing it is overcrowded. He said once law enforcement officers and community corrections know there is space in the jail, they might start sending more people to jail."The time-worn phrase, if you build it, they will come, there's a degree of that. When we talk to stakeholders, there's an awareness of the jail's capacity,"&nbsp;Jablonski said. "I do see a realistic scenario where our status quo may miss a little bit to the low side, and you have more people return to custody."A change in the philosophy at the county attorney's office could also affect the number of bookings at the jail.The second scenario would result in a need for 174 beds. A rough estimate, also based on the $800 square foot cost, would be about $32.9 million.The current facility also lacks program space and has an inadequate kitchen.&nbsp;The third scenario forecasts that inmates' bookings and the average length of stay will return to 2019 levels. This would require an addition of 18 more beds for a total of 90 beds.The jail would still need to address a lack of program and counseling spaces and an inadequate kitchen. New housing spaces are planned as single-occupancy cells.
The estimated cost of meeting these needs is about $8.1 million.Alan Richardson, president of Justice Planners, said when designing jail space, you also have to consider the staff."They spend more time in this facility than offenders and inmates ever will, and you have to have a good and safe working environment for them, and I think that is kind of borderline with what they have to work with right now."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723664676950.png" alt="Forecast scenarios with average daily population and estimated beds needed for the Ellis County Jail as of 2049. Courtesy of Justice Planners" />
 <figcaption>Forecast scenarios with average daily population and estimated beds needed for the Ellis County Jail as of 2049. Courtesy of Justice Planners</figcaption>
 </figure>Justice Planners offered several short-term expansion options to deal with the overcrowding.• Move the kitchen and laundry to the first floor — would add space for four to six inmates • Move storage in the exercise area to another location or building — would add space for three to four inmates • Continue to house inmates out of countyRichardson said the county is already housing inmates outside of the county, but transportation is costly, it limits inmates' access to the courts and their families and availability of future beds is uncertain unless the county enters long-term contracts.