<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599588144033.png" alt="Forecast rainfall amounts for today through Thursday across the region, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Forecast rainfall amounts for today through Thursday across the region, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>

NWS: 1.75 to 2 inches of rain possible through Thursday

Salina Regional Health Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus quality achievement awards. 

The awards recognize the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines using the latest scientific evidence.

Salina Regional earned the awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at set levels for the past year. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-todate, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients also should receive education on managing their health, get follow-up visits scheduled as well as other care transition interventions.

Salina Regional additionally received Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award for its efforts to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

“Salina Regional is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Rachelle Giroux, director of Trauma, Stroke and Chest Pain Accreditation at Salina Regional. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidence-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

In 2019 Salina Regional treated 191 stroke patients – 86 percent of whom had suffered an ischemic stroke.

“We are pleased to recognize Salina Regional Health Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiatives can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599583306541.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Salina Regional Health Center" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Salina Regional Health Center</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Regional Health Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus quality achievement awards. The awards recognize the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines using the latest scientific evidence.Salina Regional earned the awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at set levels for the past year. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-todate, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients also should receive education on managing their health, get follow-up visits scheduled as well as other care transition interventions.Salina Regional additionally received Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award for its efforts to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.“Salina Regional is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Rachelle Giroux, director of Trauma, Stroke and Chest Pain Accreditation at Salina Regional. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidence-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”In 2019 Salina Regional treated 191 stroke patients – 86 percent of whom had suffered an ischemic stroke.“We are pleased to recognize Salina Regional Health Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiatives can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Salina Regional receives awards for stroke patient care

Police are investigating the theft of motorcycles from two location in Salina.

The first theft occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday in the 200 block of North Chicago Street, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. 

A 26-year-old Salina man told police that his 2020 X-Pro VADER, JIANGSU BAODIAO BD125-8 motorcycle was stolen during that time period, Forrester noted. 

The motorcycle is white with red bars and has a license plate of KS 32EXC, he explained. The motorcycle is valued at $1,000, Forrester added.

The second incident occurred between 3 p.m. on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to Forrester, a 64-year-old Salina man reported that during that time period his 1981 Honda CX500 motorcycle was stolen from the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 600 block of South Second Street.

The motorcycle, which had been covered by a cloth, is black and has a Kansas Antique license plate of 52133, Forrester reported. The motorcycle is valued at $3,000, he added. 

Police are investigating the theft of motorcycles from two location in Salina.The first theft occurred sometime between 9 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday in the 200 block of North Chicago Street, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. A 26-year-old Salina man told police that his 2020 X-Pro VADER, JIANGSU BAODIAO BD125-8 motorcycle was stolen during that time period, Forrester noted. The motorcycle is white with red bars and has a license plate of KS 32EXC, he explained. The motorcycle is valued at $1,000, Forrester added.The second incident occurred between 3 p.m. on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to Forrester, a 64-year-old Salina man reported that during that time period his 1981 Honda CX500 motorcycle was stolen from the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 600 block of South Second Street.The motorcycle, which had been covered by a cloth, is black and has a Kansas Antique license plate of 52133, Forrester reported. The motorcycle is valued at $3,000, he added.

Police investigating motorcycle thefts

A pickup being jump-started caught fire on South Simpson Road Sunday morning.

Jacob Thelander, 28, of rural Saline County, was attempting to jump-start a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup for James Miller when a fire started in the engine compartment, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The fire occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday on Thelander's property in the 2900 block of South Simpson Road, he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599580920396.jpeg" alt="A Rural Fire District No. 5 firefighter extinguishes a fire in the Dodge Dakota Sunday. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>A Rural Fire District No. 5 firefighter extinguishes a fire in the Dodge Dakota Sunday. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A pickup being jump-started caught fire on South Simpson Road Sunday morning.Jacob Thelander, 28, of rural Saline County, was attempting to jump-start a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup for James Miller when a fire started in the engine compartment, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The fire occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday on Thelander's property in the 2900 block of South Simpson Road, he added.The pickup was destroyed, Soldan said.

Jump-start leads to vehicle fire Sunday morning

A Salina man was injured early Saturday morning in a vehicle-pedestrian accident just west of Salina.

Alberto Garcia, 23, of Salina, was standing in the middle of the eastbound lane in the 1500 block of State Street when he was struck by a gray 2007 Nissan Xterra driven by Tyler Elmore, 32, of Salina, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The accident occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. Saturday, he said.

Garcia suffered an injury to his leg and some scrapes, and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, Soldan explained. Elmore was not injured, he added.

The Xterra had to be towed from the scene due to damage from the accident, Soldan said. 

A Salina man was injured early Saturday morning in a vehicle-pedestrian accident just west of Salina.Alberto Garcia, 23, of Salina, was standing in the middle of the eastbound lane in the 1500 block of State Street when he was struck by a gray 2007 Nissan Xterra driven by Tyler Elmore, 32, of Salina, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The accident occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. Saturday, he said.Garcia suffered an injury to his leg and some scrapes, and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, Soldan explained. Elmore was not injured, he added.The Xterra had to be towed from the scene due to damage from the accident, Soldan said.

Salina man injured in accident Saturday

A 1982 Chevrolet El Camino was destroyed after it caught fire early Friday afternoon northeast of Salina.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that Michael Monroe, 64, was tuning up the El Camino in the 1600 block of East Stimmel Road when the fire started. Soldan explained that the electric fuel pump kept pumping fuel when vehicle backfired, causing the fire. 

Monroe and a friend were able to push the vehicle from the garage before much fire damage was done to the garage, Soldan said. The El Camino, however, was a total loss, he said.

Total damage to the garage and the vehicle was estimated at $15,000, Soldan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599578496150.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy the Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy the Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A 1982 Chevrolet El Camino was destroyed after it caught fire early Friday afternoon northeast of Salina.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that Michael Monroe, 64, was tuning up the El Camino in the 1600 block of East Stimmel Road when the fire started. Soldan explained that the electric fuel pump kept pumping fuel when vehicle backfired, causing the fire. Monroe and a friend were able to push the vehicle from the garage before much fire damage was done to the garage, Soldan said. The El Camino, however, was a total loss, he said.Total damage to the garage and the vehicle was estimated at $15,000, Soldan said.

1982 El Camino destroyed in Friday fire

The best ways to use UAS in fire and emergency response activities will be taught in a new four-day&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu-uas.com/fire/" target="_blank">UAS training course for firefighters and HAZMAT</a>&nbsp;response personnel offered by&nbsp;<a href="https://polytechnic.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus</a>. The flight training course will utilize K-State's industry-leading UAS technology. The first course will be Oct. 5-8 at Crisis City Training Center southwest of Salina. Qualified individuals can view details and register online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu.uas.com/fire/" target="_blank">ksu-uas.com/fire</a>. "Working with Salina area firefighters and our partners at Crisis City Training Center, we have created a course that offers a one-of-a-kind UAS training in which we can train students on fire, hazmat, and search and research scenarios," said Kenton Dreiling, assistant UAS flight operations manager at K-State Polytechnic. "Students who take this course will understand how to best use an unmanned aircraft in a fire or hazmat situation with the overall mission to protect and save lives." Training will focus on search and rescue scenarios, night operations and structure fire reconnaissance. A highway accident scenario will be used to identify hazardous materials and practice coordination between multiple aircraft and crew. Also, a train derailment will demonstrate how to locate primary and secondary hazards while providing overwatch. The new course offering allows Kansas State Polytechnic to contribute to communities in meaningful ways and develop greater partnerships with fire departments, said Kurt Carraway, K-State Polytechnic UAS department head. Since 2016, K-State's Polytechnic Campus has trained nearly 1,000 UAS students through noncredit courses, with 35% of those students from the public safety sector. The initial first responder-specific program was launched in 2018 with a UAS Law Enforcement Training course. Additionally, first responder scholarships were introduced in 2019 to support students enrolled in the sUAS Commercial Remote Pilot Training course. For more information about UAS Fire and HAZMAT response training, contact K-State Polytechnic Professional Education and Outreach at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:profed@k-state.edu" target="_blank">profed@k-state.edu</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599568975271.jpeg" alt="K-State Polytechnic is launching a new four-day UAS training course for firefighters and HAZMAT response personnel. Photo courtesy K-State Polytechnic" />
 <figcaption>K-State Polytechnic is launching a new four-day UAS training course for firefighters and HAZMAT response personnel. Photo courtesy K-State Polytechnic</figcaption>
 </figure>The best ways to use UAS in fire and emergency response activities will be taught in a new four-day&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu-uas.com/fire/" target="_blank">UAS training course for firefighters and HAZMAT</a>&nbsp;response personnel offered by&nbsp;<a href="https://polytechnic.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus</a>. The flight training course will utilize K-State's industry-leading UAS technology. The first course will be Oct. 5-8 at Crisis City Training Center southwest of Salina. Qualified individuals can view details and register online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu.uas.com/fire/" target="_blank">ksu-uas.com/fire</a>. "Working with Salina area firefighters and our partners at Crisis City Training Center, we have created a course that offers a one-of-a-kind UAS training in which we can train students on fire, hazmat, and search and research scenarios," said Kenton Dreiling, assistant UAS flight operations manager at K-State Polytechnic. "Students who take this course will understand how to best use an unmanned aircraft in a fire or hazmat situation with the overall mission to protect and save lives." Training will focus on search and rescue scenarios, night operations and structure fire reconnaissance. A highway accident scenario will be used to identify hazardous materials and practice coordination between multiple aircraft and crew. Also, a train derailment will demonstrate how to locate primary and secondary hazards while providing overwatch. The new course offering allows Kansas State Polytechnic to contribute to communities in meaningful ways and develop greater partnerships with fire departments, said Kurt Carraway, K-State Polytechnic UAS department head. Since 2016, K-State's Polytechnic Campus has trained nearly 1,000 UAS students through noncredit courses, with 35% of those students from the public safety sector. The initial first responder-specific program was launched in 2018 with a UAS Law Enforcement Training course. Additionally, first responder scholarships were introduced in 2019 to support students enrolled in the sUAS Commercial Remote Pilot Training course. For more information about UAS Fire and HAZMAT response training, contact K-State Polytechnic Professional Education and Outreach at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:profed@k-state.edu" target="_blank">profed@k-state.edu</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

K-State Polytechnic launches UAS Fire, HAZMAT response training

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent obituaries

Looking for a fun place to work, with a flexible schedule and competitive pay? Then come live the Merry Maids life!

Merry Maids is seeking residential home cleaners in Salina and Abilene. Professionally clean customer homes using Merry Maids’ unique cleaning procedures and products, giving the home a fresh start that our customers can see and feel.

As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and no night, weekend or holiday hours. Merry Maids offers paid training, excellent work/life balance, and opportunities for advancement.

Call 785-825-8636 or apply in person at 750 Duvall Ave., Salina, KS or 419 NE 14th St., Abilene, KS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597940863797.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>in Salina and Abilene!Looking for a fun place to work, with a flexible schedule and competitive pay? Then come live the Merry Maids life!Merry Maids is seeking residential home cleaners in Salina and Abilene. Professionally clean customer homes using Merry Maids’ unique cleaning procedures and products, giving the home a fresh start that our customers can see and feel.As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and no night, weekend or holiday hours. Merry Maids offers paid training, excellent work/life balance, and opportunities for advancement.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rHsFpt55x8g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Bright Futures Begin at Merry Maids!Call 785-825-8636 or apply in person at 750 Duvall Ave., Salina, KS or 419 NE 14th St., Abilene, KS.

📹SPONSORED: Merry Maids hiring in Salina and Abilene

While most Kansans were looking forward to the three-day Labor Day weekend, a small group of legislators last week in a quiet committee room on the 5th&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse moved forward with a plan to spend $5 million to bring nearly 2,500 new jobs to Kansas.

Those new jobs, and new buildings and such – and the taxes that will be paid by those businesses and their workers – are what fuel the Kansas economy that makes us all more prosperous.

That meeting? It was the Legislative Budget Committee, and it approved and will now urge the Legislative Coordinating Council to send $5 million in coronavirus recovery funds to the Kansas Department of Commerce to close deals that will bring $243 million of investment and construction and those jobs which are expected to pay an average of $48,000 a year to the state.

Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland told the panel that his agency is about out of money in its Job Creation Fund, which it uses to lure businesses and their positive effect on the Kansas economy to the state.

Most of us don’t think about the Department of Commerce much, and there are no support groups or GoFundMe accounts that provide the agency with the last few bucks, the little incidental costs to locating a business in Kansas, that close deals for new development and jobs.

That $5 million will help the state close those deals and provide jobs across the state. Mostly in central and eastern Kansas, though one deal that is in the air is in western Kansas. Nope, Toland isn’t naming those close-to-done deals for fear of competition from other states which also want new jobs and businesses, but they are getting close.

And, Toland said, Commerce access to that closing-the-deal money adds to the near sudden increase in interest by many companies to move facilities to Kansas, partly for its center-of-the-nation location and highway system which make the state a convenient and economic place to put down a plant or warehouse for national marketing.

Oh, and there are also those smart, reliable, and dedicated workers – that would be Kansans – who populate the state.

Now, the Legislature has been a little protective of the money it has appropriated to itself for response to wide ranges of COVID-19 effects, such as assistance to existing businesses struck by the pandemic, job losses, and the need to generate more jobs for Kansans.

Seem like a good use for the legislature’s rebuild-the-economy and protect Kansans money, doesn’t it?

Toland said that Kansas now has eco-devo prospectors on both coasts to urge businesses to relocate here. The nature of American commerce has changed through the pandemic with more on-line shopping that can be served from relatively low-cost mid-continent facilities. It’s the change from being a “fly over” state to one that has economic advantages for a wide range of companies for which Kansas can be a money-saver and profit-boosting place to put a business.

It’s just that little Job Creation Fund that can provide the services or few additional bucks to close those deals, which is where Toland and most Kansans want us to be.

Look for the Legislature to OK the money, and&nbsp; then we’ll see just what new businesses are coming to the state…and whether it means the kids can find work close to home instead of moving to the coast…

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTIN HAWVERWhile most Kansans were looking forward to the three-day Labor Day weekend, a small group of legislators last week in a quiet committee room on the 5th&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse moved forward with a plan to spend $5 million to bring nearly 2,500 new jobs to Kansas.Those new jobs, and new buildings and such – and the taxes that will be paid by those businesses and their workers – are what fuel the Kansas economy that makes us all more prosperous.That meeting? It was the Legislative Budget Committee, and it approved and will now urge the Legislative Coordinating Council to send $5 million in coronavirus recovery funds to the Kansas Department of Commerce to close deals that will bring $243 million of investment and construction and those jobs which are expected to pay an average of $48,000 a year to the state.Not a bad investment, is it?Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland told the panel that his agency is about out of money in its Job Creation Fund, which it uses to lure businesses and their positive effect on the Kansas economy to the state.Most of us don’t think about the Department of Commerce much, and there are no support groups or GoFundMe accounts that provide the agency with the last few bucks, the little incidental costs to locating a business in Kansas, that close deals for new development and jobs.That $5 million will help the state close those deals and provide jobs across the state. Mostly in central and eastern Kansas, though one deal that is in the air is in western Kansas. Nope, Toland isn’t naming those close-to-done deals for fear of competition from other states which also want new jobs and businesses, but they are getting close.And, Toland said, Commerce access to that closing-the-deal money adds to the near sudden increase in interest by many companies to move facilities to Kansas, partly for its center-of-the-nation location and highway system which make the state a convenient and economic place to put down a plant or warehouse for national marketing.Oh, and there are also those smart, reliable, and dedicated workers – that would be Kansans – who populate the state.Now, the Legislature has been a little protective of the money it has appropriated to itself for response to wide ranges of COVID-19 effects, such as assistance to existing businesses struck by the pandemic, job losses, and the need to generate more jobs for Kansans.Seem like a good use for the legislature’s rebuild-the-economy and protect Kansans money, doesn’t it?Toland said that Kansas now has eco-devo prospectors on both coasts to urge businesses to relocate here. The nature of American commerce has changed through the pandemic with more on-line shopping that can be served from relatively low-cost mid-continent facilities. It’s the change from being a “fly over” state to one that has economic advantages for a wide range of companies for which Kansas can be a money-saver and profit-boosting place to put a business.It’s just that little Job Creation Fund that can provide the services or few additional bucks to close those deals, which is where Toland and most Kansans want us to be.Look for the Legislature to OK the money, and&nbsp; then we’ll see just what new businesses are coming to the state…and whether it means the kids can find work close to home instead of moving to the coast…Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

AT THE RAIL: Bringing new jobs to Kansas

The September Emergency Food Assistance Program distribution is set for next week.

The drive-thru event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 16 at Kenwood Hall in Kenwood Park. 

Persons picking up food will need to have a Saline County photo ID and proof of income. Additionally, all persons participating in the event must wear face masks. 

Items to be distributed include spaghetti sauce, canned pork, fresh apples, tomato sauce, fresh oranges, split peas, frozen pork loin, cheddar cheese, instant milk, orange juice, whole frozen eggs, chicken strips, potato wedges frozen, and fish fillets, according to information from Sunrise Presbyterian Church, which is hosting the event.

Following are the monthly income guidelines for persons eligible to receive the food.

For each additional family member add $479. For more information, call the commodities phone line at 785-714-0918.

The September Emergency Food Assistance Program distribution is set for next week.The drive-thru event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 16 at Kenwood Hall in Kenwood Park. Persons picking up food will need to have a Saline County photo ID and proof of income. Additionally, all persons participating in the event must wear face masks. Items to be distributed include spaghetti sauce, canned pork, fresh apples, tomato sauce, fresh oranges, split peas, frozen pork loin, cheddar cheese, instant milk, orange juice, whole frozen eggs, chicken strips, potato wedges frozen, and fish fillets, according to information from Sunrise Presbyterian Church, which is hosting the event.Following are the monthly income guidelines for persons eligible to receive the food.HH size/Income1 $1,3542 $1,8323 $2,3114 $2,7905 $3,2696 $3,7487 $4,2278 $4,705For each additional family member add $479. For more information, call the commodities phone line at 785-714-0918.

Emergency Food Assistance Program distribution next week

By&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas City Chiefs fan Rob Olson raised his voice during a Kansas Senate debate to let colleagues know how frustrated he was with inability of politicians, lobbyists and gambling executives to hammer out deal that would have allowed him to legally place a bet on the 2020 Super Bowl.

Absent such reform, Olson could have driven 170 miles from his home in Olathe to Lakeside Hotel and Casino in Iowa, which is among the few Midwest states to legitimize sports gambling since the U.S. Supreme Court cast aside a federal statute forbidding sports books in most places. That would have enabled him to join the estimated nine million Americans who legally put down money on Super Bowl LIV pitting the Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers.

Olson’s favorite team won that game, but the Republican senator’s sense of jubilation soon faded as the 2020 Legislature proved itself unable to nail down a compromise bill to bring sports-book action to Kansas. Political and financial issues — not coronavirus — derailed attempts to deliver regulated and taxed sports gambling to Kansas.

Each Statehouse failure is cause for celebration among black-market bookies.

“I’m tired of people going to Iowa to gamble, to wager on the Super Bowl,” said Olson, who has urged political foes and allies to end bickering and make a deal. “We’re going to mess around here until we mess this bill up and then we won’t have another year’s opportunity of revenue.”

Indeed, the Legislature’s attempts to infiltrate the cash-saturated world of betting on professional and college sports have been a bust.

The Kansas Senate approved a bill granting new authority to operate sports books at the four state-owned casinos managed by private companies through contracts with the Kansas Lottery. That bill also would enable the Kansas Lottery to market lottery tickets online.

The Senate’s strategy was ignored by the contrarian House, which envisioned up to 1,200 lottery retailers dominating sports wagering in the state. The House’s alternative didn’t get out of committee before COVID-19 interrupted the legislative session. The threat of infection kept lawmakers away from Topeka and left no time to forge a deal among the state’s lottery and casino brass, the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.

Unlike a Super Bowl that cannot by rule end in a tie, competition between elected officials and special interests frequently ends without a clear victor.

The gap between the House and Senate was significant enough for Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican, to conclude a deal would have been unlikely even if the pandemic hadn’t slammed brakes on the session in March. There was a core disagreement on who would be the dominant force in the legal sports&nbsp;betting industry in Kansas. It was sort of&nbsp;an in-house feud between the four state-owned and privately operated casinos and the state-owned and state-operated Kansas Lottery.

“There were significant policy differences in the two bills,” Longbine said. “My guess is we were too far apart on major sticking points.”

There wasn’t consensus on how popular sports wagering could be in Kansas or on what the state’s cut of revenue should be. The Senate settled on a tax of 5.5% of revenue from in-person wagers and 8% for online bets, plus an extra 2% dedicated to a fund to care for gambling addicts. The House wanted the state to claim 14% of in-person and 20% of online revenue.

The Senate bill would ban sports betting at greyhound and horse racetracks, which would spike an economic development opportunity sought by the House. The Senate didn’t want to pay professional leagues for access to “official” statistics, but the House remained in favor of that giveaway.

Of philosophical significance was the Senate’s preference for a firewall between the state government and the kind of financial risk accepted by&nbsp;sports&nbsp;bookies. The House plan would place state taxpayers on the hook for losses.

The Senate was loathe to place the Kansas Lottery in the role of regulator and operator in competition with state-authorized casinos in Dodge City, Pittsburg, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kansas.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, said despite obvious challenges the tenor of Statehouse discussions on sports betting would have borne fruit.

“I think it would have gotten done if there hadn’t been a truncated session. Next year, I hope it does,” Hawkins said.

A Senate bill authorizing sports betting that surfaced in January followed extensive confidential negotiations that emphasized the economic interests of operators at the four state casinos — Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City and Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel in Pittsburg.

Under the blueprint, each casino would be able to run two sports books each. Folks could place in-person or online bets through the casino apps. An authorized business could play host to customers placing bets by cellular telephone through the casinos. Their idea was to forbid the Kansas Lottery from moving ahead with a sports betting platform accessible 24/7 with a cellphone or a computer.

The Kansas Lottery would be allowed to sell lottery tickets online for the&nbsp;first time. The bill would be tweaked so that if&nbsp;fewer than two casinos engaged in&nbsp;sports&nbsp;book betting by July 2022, the Kansas Lottery would get a shot at offering internet&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;on&nbsp;sports.

The four state licensed casinos deserve first crack at sports gaming after investing $1 billion in gambling facilities in Kansas and producing $110 million in annual revenue for the state, said Matthew Bergmann, who represented the Boot Hill Casino and Resort and Kansas Crossing Casino.

“Sports betting has become an effective new customer acquisition tool, particularly when we are able to offer mobile wagering,” said Jeff Morris, an executive with Penn National Gaming, which operates the Hollywood Casino.

Fans of the so-called casino model, with the blessing of some members of Senate and House GOP leadership, concluded their best shot was to secure Senate passage of a sports betting bill early in the 2020 session. After the Senate staked out a position, their objective was to undermine any House alternative offered by Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican who chairs the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Barker’s strategy was to put the Kansas Lottery in the lead on&nbsp;sports&nbsp;wagering and let casinos and racetracks compete for these new&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;dollars in the same manner as retailers. In addition, his House bill was structured to allow internet-based lottery games.

“You could be able to go down and buy a lottery ticket and bet on the K-State-KU game, hopefully buy a loaf of bread and 10 gallons of gas or whatever,” Barker said.

Advocates of sports gaming planned for the two bills to be placed in a House-Senate conference committee for wheeling and dealing necessary to place an agreement on the governor’s desk. That debate was expected to be complicated by the governor’s preference for a robust iLottery operated by the Kansas Lottery.

Sen. Tom Holland, a Democrat from Baldwin City, said he was supportive of legal sports&nbsp;gambling in Kansas, but was convinced casino lobbyists led the Senate to a proposal too financially generous to those brick-and-mortar businesses. He said the state was “leaving money on the table.”

In addition, Holland said, the legislation included obligations of casino operators that should be negotiated by contract rather than embedded in state law. It’s impossible to operate an effective private-public partnership without opportunity to respond nimbly to shifting market conditions, he said.

“This is not a static environment,” Holland said. “We’re not going to know everything at the beginning of this journey into&nbsp;sports&nbsp;wagering. We’re not going to think of everything up front.”

Rancher Jeff Rutland, of Independence, used the words “irony” and “oddity” to refer to what could better be described as hypocrisy of companies hired by the state of Kansas to operate the four casinos. He watched for a decade at rejection of proposals to revise the 2007 law that set the foundation for development of casinos and granted dog or horse racetracks to install slot machines. All of the tracks closed and Rutland believes the 40% tax on revenue at the racetracks should be lowered. The casinos pay a 22% tax on revenue.

“The only opposition you will have to this amendment will be the state-owned casino groups because they simply don’t want the competition,” Rutland said.

The Kansas League of Municipalities complained the sports wagering bills floated in Kansas earmarked revenue for the state government, but none for cities and counties. The Humane Society Legislative Fund of Kansas recommended the legislation ban wagering on greyhound races if tracks opened in Kansas or if races in other states were broadcast in Kansas venues. The National Council on Problem Gambling urged lawmakers to direct at least 1% of revenue to addiction prevention and treatment services.

Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, said the bill should require 2% of sports&nbsp;betting revenue to be devoted to treatment of individuals with&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;addiction. She got that measure added to the Senate bill.

“When you increase availability of gaming, you’ll have increased addicts,” Wagle said.

Sports&nbsp;betting has been legalized in the District of Columbia and 21 states, including Iowa, Colorado and Illinois,&nbsp;and that number might have grown had the pandemic not wiped out opportunity in Kansas to work through bill-writing conflicts during the 2020 session.

While COVID-19 damaged the economy by igniting unemployment and weakening city, county and state tax collections, including lottery revenue,&nbsp;a projected&nbsp;state treasury shortfall of more than $1 billion in Kansas could serve as incentive for the 2021 Legislature to move factions toward compromise.

“We’re going to need more revenue,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get it done. I’d like to see it move.”

While the Legislature took center stage on sports betting, the Kansas attorney general&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kansas-attorney-general-files-federal-lawsuit-to-thwart-proposed-tribal-casino/">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;to reverse a U.S. Department of Interior decision clearing obstacles for the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to build a casino on tribal land near Wichita.

Bill Friend, the tribe’s chief, said the suit brought by Attorney General Derek Schmidt was a waste of time. He said Kansas’ state-operated casinos and the tribal gaming facilities would soon have a competitor.

“They fought us for 14 years in Washington, D.C., to try to break what was our legal right,” Friend said. “We fought through the politics of it and all the money they spent on lobbying.”

The pressure for reform mounted just as Kansas fumbled the ball.

“This is a watershed moment for&nbsp;sports&nbsp;betting in the United States,” said Bill Miller, president of the American Gaming Association. “Roughly 100 million Americans will be able to legally wager on&nbsp;sports&nbsp;in their state by the end of the year.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International. He has been recognized for investigative reporting on Kansas government and politics. He won the Kansas Press Association's Victor Murdock Award six times. The William Allen White Foundation honored him four times with its Burton Marvin News Enterprise Award. The Kansas City Press Club twice presented him its Journalist of the Year Award and more recently its Lifetime Achievement Award. He earned an agriculture degree at Kansas State University and grew up on a small dairy and beef cattle farm in Missouri.

Republished courtesy Kansas Reflector.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599527771608.jpeg" alt="Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, left, says differences of opinion about legalizing sports gambling in Kansas would have likely blocked completion of a bill in the 2020 session. Here the Emporia Republican chats during a special legislative session in June. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, left, says differences of opinion about legalizing sports gambling in Kansas would have likely blocked completion of a bill in the 2020 session. Here the Emporia Republican chats during a special legislative session in June. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas City Chiefs fan Rob Olson raised his voice during a Kansas Senate debate to let colleagues know how frustrated he was with inability of politicians, lobbyists and gambling executives to hammer out deal that would have allowed him to legally place a bet on the 2020 Super Bowl.Absent such reform, Olson could have driven 170 miles from his home in Olathe to Lakeside Hotel and Casino in Iowa, which is among the few Midwest states to legitimize sports gambling since the U.S. Supreme Court cast aside a federal statute forbidding sports books in most places. That would have enabled him to join the estimated nine million Americans who legally put down money on Super Bowl LIV pitting the Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers.Olson’s favorite team won that game, but the Republican senator’s sense of jubilation soon faded as the 2020 Legislature proved itself unable to nail down a compromise bill to bring sports-book action to Kansas. Political and financial issues — not coronavirus — derailed attempts to deliver regulated and taxed sports gambling to Kansas.Each Statehouse failure is cause for celebration among black-market bookies.“I’m tired of people going to Iowa to gamble, to wager on the Super Bowl,” said Olson, who has urged political foes and allies to end bickering and make a deal. “We’re going to mess around here until we mess this bill up and then we won’t have another year’s opportunity of revenue.”Indeed, the Legislature’s attempts to infiltrate the cash-saturated world of betting on professional and college sports have been a bust.The Kansas Senate approved a bill granting new authority to operate sports books at the four state-owned casinos managed by private companies through contracts with the Kansas Lottery. That bill also would enable the Kansas Lottery to market lottery tickets online.The Senate’s strategy was ignored by the contrarian House, which envisioned up to 1,200 lottery retailers dominating sports wagering in the state. The House’s alternative didn’t get out of committee before COVID-19 interrupted the legislative session. The threat of infection kept lawmakers away from Topeka and left no time to forge a deal among the state’s lottery and casino brass, the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.Rich rivalryUnlike a Super Bowl that cannot by rule end in a tie, competition between elected officials and special interests frequently ends without a clear victor.The gap between the House and Senate was significant enough for Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican, to conclude a deal would have been unlikely even if the pandemic hadn’t slammed brakes on the session in March. There was a core disagreement on who would be the dominant force in the legal sports&nbsp;betting industry in Kansas. It was sort of&nbsp;an in-house feud between the four state-owned and privately operated casinos and the state-owned and state-operated Kansas Lottery.“There were significant policy differences in the two bills,” Longbine said. “My guess is we were too far apart on major sticking points.”There wasn’t consensus on how popular sports wagering could be in Kansas or on what the state’s cut of revenue should be. The Senate settled on a tax of 5.5% of revenue from in-person wagers and 8% for online bets, plus an extra 2% dedicated to a fund to care for gambling addicts. The House wanted the state to claim 14% of in-person and 20% of online revenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599526784759.jpeg" alt="Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, says any law allowing legal sports betting in Kansas should set aside 2% of revenue to help treat gambling addicts. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, says any law allowing legal sports betting in Kansas should set aside 2% of revenue to help treat gambling addicts. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>The Senate bill would ban sports betting at greyhound and horse racetracks, which would spike an economic development opportunity sought by the House. The Senate didn’t want to pay professional leagues for access to “official” statistics, but the House remained in favor of that giveaway.Of philosophical significance was the Senate’s preference for a firewall between the state government and the kind of financial risk accepted by&nbsp;sports&nbsp;bookies. The House plan would place state taxpayers on the hook for losses.The Senate was loathe to place the Kansas Lottery in the role of regulator and operator in competition with state-authorized casinos in Dodge City, Pittsburg, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kansas.House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, said despite obvious challenges the tenor of Statehouse discussions on sports betting would have borne fruit.“I think it would have gotten done if there hadn’t been a truncated session. Next year, I hope it does,” Hawkins said.Casino planA Senate bill authorizing sports betting that surfaced in January followed extensive confidential negotiations that emphasized the economic interests of operators at the four state casinos — Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City and Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel in Pittsburg.Under the blueprint, each casino would be able to run two sports books each. Folks could place in-person or online bets through the casino apps. An authorized business could play host to customers placing bets by cellular telephone through the casinos. Their idea was to forbid the Kansas Lottery from moving ahead with a sports betting platform accessible 24/7 with a cellphone or a computer.The Kansas Lottery would be allowed to sell lottery tickets online for the&nbsp;first time. The bill would be tweaked so that if&nbsp;fewer than two casinos engaged in&nbsp;sports&nbsp;book betting by July 2022, the Kansas Lottery would get a shot at offering internet&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;on&nbsp;sports.The four state licensed casinos deserve first crack at sports gaming after investing $1 billion in gambling facilities in Kansas and producing $110 million in annual revenue for the state, said Matthew Bergmann, who represented the Boot Hill Casino and Resort and Kansas Crossing Casino.“Sports betting has become an effective new customer acquisition tool, particularly when we are able to offer mobile wagering,” said Jeff Morris, an executive with Penn National Gaming, which operates the Hollywood Casino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599526970466.jpeg" alt="While other states move ahead with legal sports gambling, the House and Senate in Kansas have fought for two sessions without striking a deal on who controls and profits from cutting into black market bookmaking.&nbsp; Photo by Sherman Smith courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>While other states move ahead with legal sports gambling, the House and Senate in Kansas have fought for two sessions without striking a deal on who controls and profits from cutting into black market bookmaking.&nbsp; Photo by Sherman Smith courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>Fans of the so-called casino model, with the blessing of some members of Senate and House GOP leadership, concluded their best shot was to secure Senate passage of a sports betting bill early in the 2020 session. After the Senate staked out a position, their objective was to undermine any House alternative offered by Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican who chairs the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.Barker’s strategy was to put the Kansas Lottery in the lead on&nbsp;sports&nbsp;wagering and let casinos and racetracks compete for these new&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;dollars in the same manner as retailers. In addition, his House bill was structured to allow internet-based lottery games.“You could be able to go down and buy a lottery ticket and bet on the K-State-KU game, hopefully buy a loaf of bread and 10 gallons of gas or whatever,” Barker said.Advocates of sports gaming planned for the two bills to be placed in a House-Senate conference committee for wheeling and dealing necessary to place an agreement on the governor’s desk. That debate was expected to be complicated by the governor’s preference for a robust iLottery operated by the Kansas Lottery.The rebukesSen. Tom Holland, a Democrat from Baldwin City, said he was supportive of legal sports&nbsp;gambling in Kansas, but was convinced casino lobbyists led the Senate to a proposal too financially generous to those brick-and-mortar businesses. He said the state was “leaving money on the table.”In addition, Holland said, the legislation included obligations of casino operators that should be negotiated by contract rather than embedded in state law. It’s impossible to operate an effective private-public partnership without opportunity to respond nimbly to shifting market conditions, he said.“This is not a static environment,” Holland said. “We’re not going to know everything at the beginning of this journey into&nbsp;sports&nbsp;wagering. We’re not going to think of everything up front.”Rancher Jeff Rutland, of Independence, used the words “irony” and “oddity” to refer to what could better be described as hypocrisy of companies hired by the state of Kansas to operate the four casinos. He watched for a decade at rejection of proposals to revise the 2007 law that set the foundation for development of casinos and granted dog or horse racetracks to install slot machines. All of the tracks closed and Rutland believes the 40% tax on revenue at the racetracks should be lowered. The casinos pay a 22% tax on revenue.“The only opposition you will have to this amendment will be the state-owned casino groups because they simply don’t want the competition,” Rutland said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599527133524.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly says she prefers Kansas adopt a sports gambling bill that grants the Kansas Lottery the authority to operate for the first time internet lottery gaming. Photo by Sherman Smith courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly says she prefers Kansas adopt a sports gambling bill that grants the Kansas Lottery the authority to operate for the first time internet lottery gaming. Photo by Sherman Smith courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas League of Municipalities complained the sports wagering bills floated in Kansas earmarked revenue for the state government, but none for cities and counties. The Humane Society Legislative Fund of Kansas recommended the legislation ban wagering on greyhound races if tracks opened in Kansas or if races in other states were broadcast in Kansas venues. The National Council on Problem Gambling urged lawmakers to direct at least 1% of revenue to addiction prevention and treatment services.Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, said the bill should require 2% of sports&nbsp;betting revenue to be devoted to treatment of individuals with&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;addiction. She got that measure added to the Senate bill.“When you increase availability of gaming, you’ll have increased addicts,” Wagle said.Horizon lineSports&nbsp;betting has been legalized in the District of Columbia and 21 states, including Iowa, Colorado and Illinois,&nbsp;and that number might have grown had the pandemic not wiped out opportunity in Kansas to work through bill-writing conflicts during the 2020 session.While COVID-19 damaged the economy by igniting unemployment and weakening city, county and state tax collections, including lottery revenue,&nbsp;a projected&nbsp;state treasury shortfall of more than $1 billion in Kansas could serve as incentive for the 2021 Legislature to move factions toward compromise.“We’re going to need more revenue,” said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get it done. I’d like to see it move.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599527256879.jpeg" alt="House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, says the 2021 Legislature needs to work hard on a bill to legalize sports gambling because the state government needs the new revenue. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, says the 2021 Legislature needs to work hard on a bill to legalize sports gambling because the state government needs the new revenue. Photo by Nick Krug courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>While the Legislature took center stage on sports betting, the Kansas attorney general&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kansas-attorney-general-files-federal-lawsuit-to-thwart-proposed-tribal-casino/">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;to reverse a U.S. Department of Interior decision clearing obstacles for the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to build a casino on tribal land near Wichita.Bill Friend, the tribe’s chief, said the suit brought by Attorney General Derek Schmidt was a waste of time. He said Kansas’ state-operated casinos and the tribal gaming facilities would soon have a competitor.“They fought us for 14 years in Washington, D.C., to try to break what was our legal right,” Friend said. “We fought through the politics of it and all the money they spent on lobbying.”The pressure for reform mounted just as Kansas fumbled the ball.“This is a watershed moment for&nbsp;sports&nbsp;betting in the United States,” said Bill Miller, president of the American Gaming Association. “Roughly 100 million Americans will be able to legally wager on&nbsp;sports&nbsp;in their state by the end of the year.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International. He has been recognized for investigative reporting on Kansas government and politics. He won the Kansas Press Association's Victor Murdock Award six times. The William Allen White Foundation honored him four times with its Burton Marvin News Enterprise Award. The Kansas City Press Club twice presented him its Journalist of the Year Award and more recently its Lifetime Achievement Award. He earned an agriculture degree at Kansas State University and grew up on a small dairy and beef cattle farm in Missouri.Republished courtesy Kansas Reflector.

Feuding over who controls, profits from sports betting stalls legislation

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 8, the 252nd day of 2020. There are 114 days left in the year. 

On Sept. 8, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted a "full, free, and absolute pardon" to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office. 

In 1565, a Spanish expedition established the first permanent European settlement in North America at present-day St. Augustine, Fla. 

In 1664, the Dutch surrendered New Amsterdam to the British, who renamed it New York. 

In 1761, Britain's King George III married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz a few hours after meeting her for the first time.

In 1892, an early version of "The Pledge of Allegiance," written by Francis Bellamy, appeared in "The Youth's Companion." It went: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

In 1900, Galveston, Texas, was struck by a hurricane that killed an estimated 8,000 people. 

In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long, a Louisiana Democrat, was shot and mortally wounded inside the Louisiana State Capitol; he died two days later. (The assailant was identified as Dr. Carl Weiss, who was gunned down by Long's bodyguards.) 

In 1941, the 900-day Siege of Leningrad by German forces began during World War II. 

In 1943, during World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower announced Italy's surrender; Nazi Germany denounced Italy's decision as a cowardly act. 

In 1964, public schools in Prince Edward County, Virginia, reopened after being closed for five years by officials attempting to prevent court-ordered racial desegregation. 

In 1986, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" began the first of 25 seasons in national syndication. 

In 2005, Congress hastened to provide an additional $51.8 billion for relief and recovery from Hurricane Katrina; President George W. Bush pledged to make it "easy and simple as possible" for uncounted, uprooted storm victims to collect food stamps and other government benefits.

In 2014, Ray Rice was let go by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a video was released showing the running back striking his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer, in an elevator. (A neutral arbitrator vacated the suspension two months later, but Rice never played in the NFL again.) S. Truett Cathy, the billionaire founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, died in suburban Atlanta at age 93. 

Ten years ago: BP took some of the blame for the Gulf oil disaster in an internal report, acknowledging among other things that it had misinterpreted a key pressure test of the well, but also assigned responsibility to its partners on the doomed rig. Israel Tal, a decorated war hero and creator of Israel's renowned "Merkava" tank, died at age 86. Allen Dale June, one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers of World War II, died in Prescott, Arizona, at age 91.

Five years ago: After resisting apologizing for using a personal email account run on a private server to conduct government business as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton shifted course, telling ABC News, "That was a mistake. I'm sorry about that. I take responsibility." Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, was released after five days behind bars, emerging to a hero's welcome from thousands of supporters.

One year ago: Dorian, the storm that had walloped the Bahamas and North Carolina, lashed at far-eastern Canada with hurricane-force winds, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands before weakening and heading into the North Atlantic. Former South Carolina governor and congressman Mark Sanford joined the Republican race against President Donald Trump, saying that there needed to be "a conversation about what it means to be a Republican." (Sanford ended his bid two months later.) Rafael Nadal held off a strong comeback bid to win his 19th Grand Slam title in a five-set U.S. Open final against Daniil Medvedev.

Today's Birthdays: Ventriloquist Willie Tyler is 80. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is 79. Actor Alan Feinstein is 79. Pop singer Sal Valentino (The Beau Brummels) is 78. Author Ann Beattie is 73. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis is 70. Cajun singer Zachary Richard is 70. Musician Will Lee is 68. Actor Heather Thomas is 63. Singer Aimee Mann is 60. Pop musician David Steele (Fine Young Cannibals) is 60. Actor Thomas Kretschmann is 58. Rhythm-and-blues singer Marc Gordon (Levert) is 56. Gospel singer Darlene Zschech is 55. Alternative country singer Neko Case is 50. TV personality Brooke Burke-Charvet is 49. Actor Martin Freeman is 49. Actor David Arquette is 49. TV-radio personality Kennedy is 48. Rock musician Richard Hughes (Keane) is 45. Actor Larenz Tate is 45. Actor Nathan Corddry is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Pink is 41. Singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson is 40. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas is 39. Rapper Wiz Khalifa is 33. Actor Gaten Matarazzo (TV: "Stranger Things") is 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Tuesday, Sept. 8, the 252nd day of 2020. There are 114 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Sept. 8, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted a "full, free, and absolute pardon" to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office. On this date: In 1565, a Spanish expedition established the first permanent European settlement in North America at present-day St. Augustine, Fla. In 1664, the Dutch surrendered New Amsterdam to the British, who renamed it New York. In 1761, Britain's King George III married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz a few hours after meeting her for the first time.In 1892, an early version of "The Pledge of Allegiance," written by Francis Bellamy, appeared in "The Youth's Companion." It went: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In 1900, Galveston, Texas, was struck by a hurricane that killed an estimated 8,000 people. In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long, a Louisiana Democrat, was shot and mortally wounded inside the Louisiana State Capitol; he died two days later. (The assailant was identified as Dr. Carl Weiss, who was gunned down by Long's bodyguards.) In 1941, the 900-day Siege of Leningrad by German forces began during World War II. In 1943, during World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower announced Italy's surrender; Nazi Germany denounced Italy's decision as a cowardly act. In 1964, public schools in Prince Edward County, Virginia, reopened after being closed for five years by officials attempting to prevent court-ordered racial desegregation. In 1986, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" began the first of 25 seasons in national syndication. In 2005, Congress hastened to provide an additional $51.8 billion for relief and recovery from Hurricane Katrina; President George W. Bush pledged to make it "easy and simple as possible" for uncounted, uprooted storm victims to collect food stamps and other government benefits.In 2014, Ray Rice was let go by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a video was released showing the running back striking his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer, in an elevator. (A neutral arbitrator vacated the suspension two months later, but Rice never played in the NFL again.) S. Truett Cathy, the billionaire founder of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, died in suburban Atlanta at age 93. Ten years ago: BP took some of the blame for the Gulf oil disaster in an internal report, acknowledging among other things that it had misinterpreted a key pressure test of the well, but also assigned responsibility to its partners on the doomed rig. Israel Tal, a decorated war hero and creator of Israel's renowned "Merkava" tank, died at age 86. Allen Dale June, one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers of World War II, died in Prescott, Arizona, at age 91.Five years ago: After resisting apologizing for using a personal email account run on a private server to conduct government business as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton shifted course, telling ABC News, "That was a mistake. I'm sorry about that. I take responsibility." Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, was released after five days behind bars, emerging to a hero's welcome from thousands of supporters. One year ago: Dorian, the storm that had walloped the Bahamas and North Carolina, lashed at far-eastern Canada with hurricane-force winds, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands before weakening and heading into the North Atlantic. Former South Carolina governor and congressman Mark Sanford joined the Republican race against President Donald Trump, saying that there needed to be "a conversation about what it means to be a Republican." (Sanford ended his bid two months later.) Rafael Nadal held off a strong comeback bid to win his 19th Grand Slam title in a five-set U.S. Open final against Daniil Medvedev.Today's Birthdays: Ventriloquist Willie Tyler is 80. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is 79. Actor Alan Feinstein is 79. Pop singer Sal Valentino (The Beau Brummels) is 78. Author Ann Beattie is 73. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis is 70. Cajun singer Zachary Richard is 70. Musician Will Lee is 68. Actor Heather Thomas is 63. Singer Aimee Mann is 60. Pop musician David Steele (Fine Young Cannibals) is 60. Actor Thomas Kretschmann is 58. Rhythm-and-blues singer Marc Gordon (Levert) is 56. Gospel singer Darlene Zschech is 55. Alternative country singer Neko Case is 50. TV personality Brooke Burke-Charvet is 49. Actor Martin Freeman is 49. Actor David Arquette is 49. TV-radio personality Kennedy is 48. Rock musician Richard Hughes (Keane) is 45. Actor Larenz Tate is 45. Actor Nathan Corddry is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Pink is 41. Singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson is 40. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas is 39. Rapper Wiz Khalifa is 33. Actor Gaten Matarazzo (TV: "Stranger Things") is 18.

Today in History -- Sept. 8

ABILENE -- Home Health &amp; Hospice of Dickinson County will host a support group for caregivers on Tuesday.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m Tuesday in the conference room of the organization's office, 1111 North Brady in Abilene. Teri Kohman, Hospice volunteer coordinator, will be the facilitator.&nbsp;

The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, and there is no fee. Masks or face coverings are required and everyone will be asked to practice social distancing.

Everyone is welcome to attend. If you care for a spouse, parent, family member, or friend, you may be able to help others who are new to caregiving. If you have recently admitted your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may have questions or concerns that the group could help answer. The purpose of the group is to provide support for caregivers who are dealing with a variety of situations and benefit from the experience of others while we share questions, coping strategies, solutions, and community resources.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Home Health &amp; Hospice of Dickinson County at (785) 263-6630.

ABILENE -- Home Health &amp; Hospice of Dickinson County will host a support group for caregivers on Tuesday.The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m Tuesday in the conference room of the organization's office, 1111 North Brady in Abilene. Teri Kohman, Hospice volunteer coordinator, will be the facilitator.&nbsp;The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, and there is no fee. Masks or face coverings are required and everyone will be asked to practice social distancing.Everyone is welcome to attend. If you care for a spouse, parent, family member, or friend, you may be able to help others who are new to caregiving. If you have recently admitted your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may have questions or concerns that the group could help answer. The purpose of the group is to provide support for caregivers who are dealing with a variety of situations and benefit from the experience of others while we share questions, coping strategies, solutions, and community resources.If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Home Health &amp; Hospice of Dickinson County at (785) 263-6630.

Caregiver support group meeting Tuesday evening in Abilene

Much colder temperatures will move southeast across the area on Tuesday, with widespread showers expected across central Kansas.&nbsp;A few severe storms will be possible over southeast Kansas, before the colder air arrives.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, we have chances of rain from Tuesday through Thursday morning. Widespread rain amounts of an inch or more are expected, with areas west of the Kansas Turnpike possibly seeing 1 to 2 inches, NWS noted.

Early morning highs on Tuesday are expected to be in the 60s, with temperatures falling into the 50s by the afternoon, according to NWS. The only exception will be over southeast Kansas, which will still climb into the middle 80s.&nbsp;

Unseasonably cool and rainy conditions are expected on Wednesday, NWS noted. Off and on rain showers are expected with windy conditions. Highs will struggle to make it out of the 60s for most locations, except southeast Kansas, NWS added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599520761029.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Colder and wet are on the way.Much colder temperatures will move southeast across the area on Tuesday, with widespread showers expected across central Kansas.&nbsp;A few severe storms will be possible over southeast Kansas, before the colder air arrives.According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, we have chances of rain from Tuesday through Thursday morning. Widespread rain amounts of an inch or more are expected, with areas west of the Kansas Turnpike possibly seeing 1 to 2 inches, NWS noted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599517496201.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Early morning highs on Tuesday are expected to be in the 60s, with temperatures falling into the 50s by the afternoon, according to NWS. The only exception will be over southeast Kansas, which will still climb into the middle 80s.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599521042529.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Unseasonably cool and rainy conditions are expected on Wednesday, NWS noted. Off and on rain showers are expected with windy conditions. Highs will struggle to make it out of the 60s for most locations, except southeast Kansas, NWS added.

NWS: Colder, wet weather is on the way for much of state

There will be no Saline County Commission meeting on Tuesday.

The regular weekly meeting has been canceled due to a lack of quorum, according to the county's Weekly Public Meeting Notice and Agenday for the week of Sept. 7-13.

The commissioners are, however, scheduled to meet with Salina City Commissioners at 10:30 a.m Tuesday concerning the city-county emergency radio project. 

During the meeting, the commissioners will hear from staff members who are scheduled to provide their recommended vendor for the project, according to information provided earlier by Saline County.

There will be no Saline County Commission meeting on Tuesday.The regular weekly meeting has been canceled due to a lack of quorum, according to the county's Weekly Public Meeting Notice and Agenday for the week of Sept. 7-13.The commissioners are, however, scheduled to meet with Salina City Commissioners at 10:30 a.m Tuesday concerning the city-county emergency radio project. During the meeting, the commissioners will hear from staff members who are scheduled to provide their recommended vendor for the project, according to information provided earlier by Saline County.

No regular county commission meeting on Tuesday

Police: Kan. bowling alley fire investigation an active crime scene

City and county commissioners are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the emergency radio communications project.

The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Visit Salina Annex, 120 West Ash Street.

During the meeting, the commissioners will hear from staff members who are scheduled to provide their recommended vendor for the project, according to information from Saline County.

City and county commissioners are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the emergency radio communications project.The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Visit Salina Annex, 120 West Ash Street.During the meeting, the commissioners will hear from staff members who are scheduled to provide their recommended vendor for the project, according to information from Saline County.

City, county to meet about emergency radio project

Teacher morale is at its lowest point since the pandemic began, according to data reported from the Education Week Research Center. It appears that about half of the nation’s schools have at least some students returning to classrooms and about 90 percent of districts are requiring teachers to wear face coverings. Reports indicate that elementary students are adapting well, wearing their masks without complaint and often with enthusiasm. They are eagerly washing their hands too.

But for teachers, speaking through a mask makes having a “teacher’s voice” particularly important.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Many elementary teachers are also using more gestures.&nbsp; Many teachers naturally use gestures and we often joke that they would go silent if they had to sit on their hands. But good teachers realize that we all converse with our hands and our eyes and our body posture. We have innate or unschooled gestures that are “homesigns” as described by University of Chicago Professor Susan Goldin-Meadow. She saw how a deaf child who had not learned sign language nevertheless used richly meaningful gestures that were natural and understandable.

Homesign gestures are nouns and verbs and possess the “universal properties of language.” Sometimes you see a person walking alone but speaking into a cell phone and gesturing to a listener who will never see it. This is “co-speech gesturing” that we naturally provide even if our listener cannot see it. When they can, it adds visual richness.

Teachers also realize “When we are excited, our students are excited.” And it comes as much from our visual expression as from our speech. This is the richness of face-to-face classroom communication. But you have to be in the presence of the speaker. Going through media dampens students’ perception.

Compare sitting at a ball game in the enthusiastic cheering crowd versus watching on ESPN where the view is actually better but the atmosphere is not as electric. It is the high resolution gestures that we can read by “being there” that provides greater understanding and empathy and exultation. Lack of resolution in co-speech gesturing is but one of many deficiencies of inferior online learning.

For some teachers whose “teacher’s voice” is too soft, some are using a headset microphone outside the mask. Teachers are discovering they need to have several masks in order to change out when one gets wet. Speaking through a mask can also cause dehydration; teachers learn to step out to drop the mask to take a drink.

For those students that must study from home, the fiasco of this last spring has clearly shown that anytime-anywhere asynchronous learning is abysmal. Those who taught during the 1970s experiment with the much hyped television education know it failed miserably. Today’s teachers know that only “live screen time” or being “together” online with the teacher in real time is a little more engaging. But it is nowhere as good as being physically present in class.

For those students watching a screen at home, “Zoom fatigue” has become a major limitation. Honest teachers clearly recognize that the attention span on a screen is limited and far less than engagement in a real classroom.

And it is the hugs that young elementary students miss. That is hard to simulate. Cardboard cut-out “fake hands” or waving to friends from a distance just isn’t the same.

But K-12 teachers are “in loco parentis” or function “in the place of the parent” and have a jurisdiction over students.

Universities have less jurisdiction over their students, especially off-campus. However, many college students are aware that their safety depends on their classmates not participating in high risk behaviors. Off-campus beer parties are becoming a source of asymptomatic transmission. While the risk of serious COVID-19 infection is less the younger the student, hospitalizations occur and in turn endanger healthcare workers both young and old. And non-traditional students coming back for advanced degrees are older and more at-risk.

So some college students who are alert to these dangerous behaviors are “virus snitching” on their irresponsible classmates. And that is a good thing&nbsp;&nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCKTeacher morale is at its lowest point since the pandemic began, according to data reported from the Education Week Research Center. It appears that about half of the nation’s schools have at least some students returning to classrooms and about 90 percent of districts are requiring teachers to wear face coverings. Reports indicate that elementary students are adapting well, wearing their masks without complaint and often with enthusiasm. They are eagerly washing their hands too. But for teachers, speaking through a mask makes having a “teacher’s voice” particularly important.&nbsp; &nbsp; Many elementary teachers are also using more gestures.&nbsp; Many teachers naturally use gestures and we often joke that they would go silent if they had to sit on their hands. But good teachers realize that we all converse with our hands and our eyes and our body posture. We have innate or unschooled gestures that are “homesigns” as described by University of Chicago Professor Susan Goldin-Meadow. She saw how a deaf child who had not learned sign language nevertheless used richly meaningful gestures that were natural and understandable. Homesign gestures are nouns and verbs and possess the “universal properties of language.” Sometimes you see a person walking alone but speaking into a cell phone and gesturing to a listener who will never see it. This is “co-speech gesturing” that we naturally provide even if our listener cannot see it. When they can, it adds visual richness. Teachers also realize “When we are excited, our students are excited.” And it comes as much from our visual expression as from our speech. This is the richness of face-to-face classroom communication. But you have to be in the presence of the speaker. Going through media dampens students’ perception. Compare sitting at a ball game in the enthusiastic cheering crowd versus watching on ESPN where the view is actually better but the atmosphere is not as electric. It is the high resolution gestures that we can read by “being there” that provides greater understanding and empathy and exultation. Lack of resolution in co-speech gesturing is but one of many deficiencies of inferior online learning. For some teachers whose “teacher’s voice” is too soft, some are using a headset microphone outside the mask. Teachers are discovering they need to have several masks in order to change out when one gets wet. Speaking through a mask can also cause dehydration; teachers learn to step out to drop the mask to take a drink. For those students that must study from home, the fiasco of this last spring has clearly shown that anytime-anywhere asynchronous learning is abysmal. Those who taught during the 1970s experiment with the much hyped television education know it failed miserably. Today’s teachers know that only “live screen time” or being “together” online with the teacher in real time is a little more engaging. But it is nowhere as good as being physically present in class. For those students watching a screen at home, “Zoom fatigue” has become a major limitation. Honest teachers clearly recognize that the attention span on a screen is limited and far less than engagement in a real classroom. And it is the hugs that young elementary students miss. That is hard to simulate. Cardboard cut-out “fake hands” or waving to friends from a distance just isn’t the same. But K-12 teachers are “in loco parentis” or function “in the place of the parent” and have a jurisdiction over students. Universities have less jurisdiction over their students, especially off-campus. However, many college students are aware that their safety depends on their classmates not participating in high risk behaviors. Off-campus beer parties are becoming a source of asymptomatic transmission. While the risk of serious COVID-19 infection is less the younger the student, hospitalizations occur and in turn endanger healthcare workers both young and old. And non-traditional students coming back for advanced degrees are older and more at-risk. So some college students who are alert to these dangerous behaviors are “virus snitching” on their irresponsible classmates. And that is a good thing&nbsp;&nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

EDUCATION FRONTLINES:  Off to school?

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Is that runny nose and cough COVID or just your run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies?

Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System tried to give viewers tips on how to distinguish between the two during their daily news briefing Wednesday.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, and Dr.&nbsp;Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, were joined by&nbsp;Dr. Selina Gierer, specialist in&nbsp;allergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine, and&nbsp;ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr. Keith Sale.

Gierer said Kansas has reached its peak allergy season. Children are also returning to school and can be exposed to viral infections.

&nbsp;"It is always a challenge when we go back to school when kids get any viral infection on top of season allergies trying to pick a part what's an illness and what is an allergy symptom," she said.

Itchy and water eyes as well as sneezing are common symptoms of allergies, but not of COVID-19.

Then there is an overlap zone for both allergies and COVID,&nbsp;Gierer said.

These include cough, fatigue, headache, sore throat, shortness of breath and runny nose.&nbsp;

"Ultimately, if you are having fever, if your symptoms are not typical for your allergy symptoms,"&nbsp;Gierer said, "perhaps this is not a typical allergy season for you.

"If you are having cough, if you are having congestion and you are having change in your sense of smell, it's time for you to be thinking about contacting your doctor to get tested for coronavirus."

She suggested keeping control of your allergy symptoms and avoiding people who are sick.&nbsp;

Monitor your triggers, such as dust, mold, pollen or animals. Monitor the local pollen count. Stay on your allergy medications.

&nbsp;"If you know you are going to be doing yard work, and the next day you feel itchy and drippy and sneezy, you can probably attribute that to your allergies and not an acute onset of coronavirus,"&nbsp;Gierer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599169301607.png" alt="From left:&nbsp;: Dr. Dana Hawkinson, University of Kansas Health Center medical director of infection prevention and control; Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer; and Dr. Selina Gierer, specialist in allergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine. Image courtesy Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>From left:&nbsp;: Dr. Dana Hawkinson, University of Kansas Health Center medical director of infection prevention and control; Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer; and Dr. Selina Gierer, specialist in allergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine. Image courtesy Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostIs that runny nose and cough COVID or just your run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies?Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System tried to give viewers tips on how to distinguish between the two during their daily news briefing Wednesday.Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, and Dr.&nbsp;Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, were joined by&nbsp;Dr. Selina Gierer, specialist in&nbsp;allergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine, and&nbsp;ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr. Keith Sale.Gierer said Kansas has reached its peak allergy season. Children are also returning to school and can be exposed to viral infections.&nbsp;"It is always a challenge when we go back to school when kids get any viral infection on top of season allergies trying to pick a part what's an illness and what is an allergy symptom," she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599167247033.png" alt="COVID vs. allergies" />
 <figcaption>COVID vs. allergies</figcaption>
 </figure>Itchy and water eyes as well as sneezing are common symptoms of allergies, but not of COVID-19.Then there is an overlap zone for both allergies and COVID,&nbsp;Gierer said.These include cough, fatigue, headache, sore throat, shortness of breath and runny nose.&nbsp;"Ultimately, if you are having fever, if your symptoms are not typical for your allergy symptoms,"&nbsp;Gierer said, "perhaps this is not a typical allergy season for you."If you are having cough, if you are having congestion and you are having change in your sense of smell, it's time for you to be thinking about contacting your doctor to get tested for coronavirus."She suggested keeping control of your allergy symptoms and avoiding people who are sick.&nbsp;Monitor your triggers, such as dust, mold, pollen or animals. Monitor the local pollen count. Stay on your allergy medications.&nbsp;"If you know you are going to be doing yard work, and the next day you feel itchy and drippy and sneezy, you can probably attribute that to your allergies and not an acute onset of coronavirus,"&nbsp;Gierer said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599168039531.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Asthma is an underlying medical condition that increases the likelihood of complications from coronavirus. However, it is on the lower end of the range of complicating factors.Asthma is much less common to cause complications than obesity and hypertension,&nbsp;Gierer said.However, one of the biggest triggers of asthma is a viral infection. She said it is also important to keep your asthma under control by staying on medications, avoiding triggers and keeping a 30-day supply of medication on hand.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599169497852.png" alt="Dr. Keith Sale" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Keith Sale</figcaption>
 </figure>Sale saw a patient in his clinic who was having typical symptoms for allergies, such as a runny nose, but was not getting better on her normal medications.She thought she had a sinus infection or something else. A friend from out of town had visited the week before. She was tested for COVID and was surprised with a positive COVID test, Sale said.Sale said his office is taking COVID precautions, including using PPE, hand sanitizing between patients and patients wearing masks unless their nose or mouth is being examined.Gierer said allergy medication or a rescue inhaler will probably not help with COVID-19 symptoms.&nbsp;Sale said fatigue may be common to both allergies and COVID, but the persistence of the symptom may be a sign of the later.Gierer said, "If the allergy medications are not working, that might trigger you to think there is something else going on."Hawkinson said scientists are working to combine testing for flu and COVID-19. He said if a patient has a nasal swab for COVID-19, a lab could use that same sample to test for flu and RSV.RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults, according the Centers for Disease Control.The flu season is in full swing in South Africa and Australia and has been lighter this year there than in years past,&nbsp;Hawkinson said. He said that could be in part to mask use and increased hand washing.KU Med is working on mass flu vaccination at this time.Gierer urged members of the public to get flu vaccines. That is usually recommended starting in October.The doctors also gave tips on staying in good general health.You can naturally boost your immune system by getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet, as well as hand washing and staying away from people who are sick.Those tips can help with COVID-19, flu or RSV.Sale also said caring for your mental health can have an effect on maintaining physical health, which includes socializing in a safe way.

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