ABILENE --&nbsp;Hospice of Dickinson County is looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the community.&nbsp;

Volunteer training for those interested in becoming a hospice volunteer has been scheduled. Anyone in Dickinson County is welcome to attend.

The class will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday and Feb. 14 at Home Health and Hospice, 1111 N. Brady, Abilene. The training is for individuals who would like to help support hospice patients and their families, and will include how the program works and how volunteers are an important part of the hospice program.

There are many types of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can choose to be involved with the patient and family or assist with mailings, fundraisers, correspondence, and general office support.

Volunteers are a very important part of the care Hospice of Dickinson County provides. To register or request more information, contact Hospice of Dickinson County Volunteer Coordinator Teri Kohman at (785) 263-6630 or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tkohman@mhsks.org" target="_blank">tkohman@mhsks.org</a>.

ABILENE --&nbsp;Hospice of Dickinson County is looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the community.&nbsp;Volunteer training for those interested in becoming a hospice volunteer has been scheduled. Anyone in Dickinson County is welcome to attend.The class will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday and Feb. 14 at Home Health and Hospice, 1111 N. Brady, Abilene. The training is for individuals who would like to help support hospice patients and their families, and will include how the program works and how volunteers are an important part of the hospice program.There are many types of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can choose to be involved with the patient and family or assist with mailings, fundraisers, correspondence, and general office support.Volunteers are a very important part of the care Hospice of Dickinson County provides. To register or request more information, contact Hospice of Dickinson County Volunteer Coordinator Teri Kohman at (785) 263-6630 or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tkohman@mhsks.org" target="_blank">tkohman@mhsks.org</a>.

Hospice of Dickinson County offering volunteer training

Kansas Republicans made it clear last weekend that they are making a real push to get those suburban “soccer moms” on their side, at least at the general election, while Congressional District 3 primary contestants are wondering whether they can reclaim that congressional seat from a Democrat.

It’s all in the under-the-sheets politics, a convention of Kansans who are actively involved in the party and winning elections and trying to find that issue or candidate who can make sure Republicans continue to run the state and possibly the nation.

The Olathe convention—the annual state GOP gathering rotates among the four congressional districts—drew hundreds from border to border and some who were obviously worried they might not make it home in time to watch the Super Bowl.

But the key is electing Republicans for this crowd. It’s that simple.

Everyone is after those women voters, whom Republicans have lost to Democrats in the 3rd&nbsp;District especially, but across the state. And that focus is on finding the issue or two which will have those women stop off to vote a Republican ticket after dropping the kids at school.

That District 3? The prosperous, high-density Kansas Johnson/Wyandotte and a dab of Miami counties is now held by Native American/openly LGBT Democrat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., who beat white male four-term Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., in 2018 by 8 percent, or 46,000 votes.

Do Republicans go with former Kansas Republican Party Chair Amanda Adkins, who is on leave from Cerner Corp., or former Roeland Park Mayor Adrienne Foster, whose grandparents migrated – legally, she notes – from Mexico, or less politically involved former President/CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society Sara Hart Weir?

It’s a race among women in a district that has elected Republican women in the recent past, Jan Meyers from 1985-1997, then a male Democrat, Dennis Moore, from 1999-2011.

But is race an issue here? Foster says she can bring thousands of Mexican-American votes to the GOP, especially from Wyandotte County, to turn the seat back to Republican.

It’s a race to watch for the GOP nomination, and it’s also a monitor of whether GOP voters are willing to step outside the traditional voter bloc to win back a House seat.

Also at the convention, it was nearly all anti-abortion from the lips of candidates for their party’s nomination—support for that proposed constitutional amendment that if voted out of the Kansas House this week will put that measure on the same ballot as those primary election candidates.

Is anti-abortion the key here? Are those suburban women the GOP is scrambling to collect willing on the same ballot to reject their constitutional right to make their own decision on abortion that the Kansas Supreme Court has proclaimed belongs to them and them alone, and elect candidates who want to limit that decision?

It’s the female vote that Republicans are after in most districts, and while there are many general conservative government issues that those GOP primary candidates are going to be to hawking to men and women, the vote on that proposed constitutional amendment to strike the right guaranteed to women by that “non-elected court” and handing it to elected legislators is going to be decisive in many districts.

That citizen right through the “power of the vote” to elect anti-abortion or abortion-rights lawmakers who can make laws to restrict or even prohibit abortion is surely one of the keys to many of those suburban mom Republican votes, which may define the GOP primary winners.

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 HAWVERKansas Republicans made it clear last weekend that they are making a real push to get those suburban “soccer moms” on their side, at least at the general election, while Congressional District 3 primary contestants are wondering whether they can reclaim that congressional seat from a Democrat.It’s all in the under-the-sheets politics, a convention of Kansans who are actively involved in the party and winning elections and trying to find that issue or candidate who can make sure Republicans continue to run the state and possibly the nation.The Olathe convention—the annual state GOP gathering rotates among the four congressional districts—drew hundreds from border to border and some who were obviously worried they might not make it home in time to watch the Super Bowl.But the key is electing Republicans for this crowd. It’s that simple.Everyone is after those women voters, whom Republicans have lost to Democrats in the 3rd&nbsp;District especially, but across the state. And that focus is on finding the issue or two which will have those women stop off to vote a Republican ticket after dropping the kids at school.That District 3? The prosperous, high-density Kansas Johnson/Wyandotte and a dab of Miami counties is now held by Native American/openly LGBT Democrat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., who beat white male four-term Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., in 2018 by 8 percent, or 46,000 votes.Do Republicans go with former Kansas Republican Party Chair Amanda Adkins, who is on leave from Cerner Corp., or former Roeland Park Mayor Adrienne Foster, whose grandparents migrated – legally, she notes – from Mexico, or less politically involved former President/CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society Sara Hart Weir?It’s a race among women in a district that has elected Republican women in the recent past, Jan Meyers from 1985-1997, then a male Democrat, Dennis Moore, from 1999-2011.But is race an issue here? Foster says she can bring thousands of Mexican-American votes to the GOP, especially from Wyandotte County, to turn the seat back to Republican.It’s a race to watch for the GOP nomination, and it’s also a monitor of whether GOP voters are willing to step outside the traditional voter bloc to win back a House seat.***Also at the convention, it was nearly all anti-abortion from the lips of candidates for their party’s nomination—support for that proposed constitutional amendment that if voted out of the Kansas House this week will put that measure on the same ballot as those primary election candidates.Is anti-abortion the key here? Are those suburban women the GOP is scrambling to collect willing on the same ballot to reject their constitutional right to make their own decision on abortion that the Kansas Supreme Court has proclaimed belongs to them and them alone, and elect candidates who want to limit that decision?It’s the female vote that Republicans are after in most districts, and while there are many general conservative government issues that those GOP primary candidates are going to be to hawking to men and women, the vote on that proposed constitutional amendment to strike the right guaranteed to women by that “non-elected court” and handing it to elected legislators is going to be decisive in many districts.That citizen right through the “power of the vote” to elect anti-abortion or abortion-rights lawmakers who can make laws to restrict or even prohibit abortion is surely one of the keys to many of those suburban mom Republican votes, which may define the GOP primary winners.We’ll see how the strategy works…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: GOP pushing to pique interest of 'soccer moms'

MANHATTAN – The 64th annual K-State rodeo, which is expected to draw more than 500 contestants and 10,000 spectators, is slated for Feb. 14-16 in Kansas State University’s Weber Arena.

The&nbsp;contestants will come from 19 colleges and universities in the Central Plains region.

“Our rodeo draws one of the biggest crowds of any National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association event across the country,” said K-State rodeo coach Casy Winn. “The great attendance highlights the hard work that current and past K-State rodeo club members and team leaders put in to make this a successful showing.”

Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door for adults; $8 in advance or $10 at the door for children, K-State students with ID, or military with ID; or&nbsp;$30 at the door for a&nbsp;weekend pass. Children 4 and under are free.

In Manhattan, advance tickets are available at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Call Hall dairy bar, Orscheln’s, Yeehaw, Outpost Western Store and K-State Union Bookstore. Tickets are also available at Orscheln’s in Junction City, R Bar B in Topeka&nbsp;and Vanderbilt’s in Wamego.

Advance tickets are available through Feb. 13.

7:30 p.m. — “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” Night

1 p.m. — Children 12 and under are free with a donation of one canned good for the Flint Hills Breadbasket with the purchase of an adult ticket&nbsp;

4-6 p.m. — Rodeo Alumni and Friends Social at the Stanley Stout Center

7 p.m.&nbsp;— Miss Rodeo K-State Coronation

7:30 p.m.&nbsp;— Pack Weber with Purple Night

1 p.m. — Military Appreciation Day and finals performance

For more information and ticket locations visit&nbsp;<a href="http://asi.ksu.edu/" target="_blank">asi.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;and select ‘K-State Rodeo’ under ‘Events.’

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580783140104.jpeg" alt="The K-State rodeo, set for Feb. 14-16, is expected to draw more than 500 contestants from 19 regional universities and colleges. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>The K-State rodeo, set for Feb. 14-16, is expected to draw more than 500 contestants from 19 regional universities and colleges. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – The 64th annual K-State rodeo, which is expected to draw more than 500 contestants and 10,000 spectators, is slated for Feb. 14-16 in Kansas State University’s Weber Arena.The&nbsp;contestants will come from 19 colleges and universities in the Central Plains region.“Our rodeo draws one of the biggest crowds of any National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association event across the country,” said K-State rodeo coach Casy Winn. “The great attendance highlights the hard work that current and past K-State rodeo club members and team leaders put in to make this a successful showing.”Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door for adults; $8 in advance or $10 at the door for children, K-State students with ID, or military with ID; or&nbsp;$30 at the door for a&nbsp;weekend pass. Children 4 and under are free.In Manhattan, advance tickets are available at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Call Hall dairy bar, Orscheln’s, Yeehaw, Outpost Western Store and K-State Union Bookstore. Tickets are also available at Orscheln’s in Junction City, R Bar B in Topeka&nbsp;and Vanderbilt’s in Wamego.Advance tickets are available through Feb. 13.The 2020&nbsp;rodeo schedule includes:Feb. 147:30 p.m. — “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” NightFeb. 151 p.m. — Children 12 and under are free with a donation of one canned good for the Flint Hills Breadbasket with the purchase of an adult ticket&nbsp;4-6 p.m. — Rodeo Alumni and Friends Social at the Stanley Stout Center7 p.m.&nbsp;— Miss Rodeo K-State Coronation7:30 p.m.&nbsp;— Pack Weber with Purple NightFeb. 1610 a.m. — Cowboy Church1 p.m. — Military Appreciation Day and finals performanceFor more information and ticket locations visit&nbsp;<a href="http://asi.ksu.edu/" target="_blank">asi.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;and select ‘K-State Rodeo’ under ‘Events.’

K-State to host college rodeo Feb. 14-16

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 4, the 35th day of 2020. There are 331 days left in the year.

On Feb. 4, 2004, the social networking website Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched "Thefacebook."

In 1783, Britain's King George III proclaimed a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.

In 1789, electors chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.

In 1861, delegates from six southern states that had recently seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America.

In 1938, the Thornton Wilder play "Our Town" opened on Broadway. Walt Disney's animated feature "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" opened in general U.S. release.

In 1944, the Bronze Star Medal, honoring "heroic or meritorious achievement or service," was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began a wartime conference at Yalta.

In 1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, California, by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.

In 1976, more than 23,000 people died when a severe earthquake struck Guatemala with a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1983, pop singer-musician Karen Carpenter died in Downey, California, at age 32.

In 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, California, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

In 2004, the Massachusetts high court declared that gay couples were entitled to nothing less than marriage, and that Vermont-style civil unions would not suffice.

In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, became NFL champs for the first time since 1960, beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 41-33 in the Super Bowl.

Ten years ago: Republican Scott Brown took over the seat of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy as he was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden at a Capitol Hill ceremony. The first National Tea Party Convention opened in Nashville.

Five years ago: As Boston continued to dig out from more than 3 feet of snow in the past week, the New England Patriots were finally honored with a parade celebrating their fourth Super Bowl win. Some fans defied police warnings and watched the parade from atop giant piles of snow.

One year ago: Jury deliberations began in the New York trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. (Guzman was convicted of murder conspiracy and drug trafficking and was sentenced to life in prison.) More than a dozen European Union countries endorsed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president, increasing pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro to resign and clear the way for a new election. A British newspaper published an interview with actor Liam Neeson in which Neeson admitted that he'd had violent thoughts about killing a black person nearly 40 years earlier after learning that someone close to him had been raped.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Jerry Adler is 91. Former Argentinian President Isabel Peron is 89. Actor Gary Conway is 84. Actor John Schuck is 80. Rock musician John Steel (The Animals) is 79. Singer Florence LaRue (The Fifth Dimension) is 78. Former Vice President Dan Quayle is 73. Rock singer Alice Cooper is 72. Actor Michael Beck is 71. Actress Lisa Eichhorn is 68. Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is 61. Actress Pamelyn Ferdin is 61. Rock singer Tim Booth is 60. Rock musician Henry Bogdan is 59. Country singer Clint Black is 58. Rock musician Noodles (The Offspring) is 57. Country musician Dave Buchanan (Yankee Grey) is 54. Actress Gabrielle Anwar is 50. Actor Rob Corddry is 49. Singer David&nbsp; Garza is 49. Actor Michael Goorjian is 49. TV personality Nicolle Wallace is 48. Olympic gold medal boxer Oscar De La Hoya is 47. Rock musician Rick Burch (Jimmy Eat World) is 45. Singer Natalie Imbruglia is 45. Rapper Cam'ron is 44. Rock singer Gavin DeGraw is 43. Rock singer Zoe Manville is 36. Actor/musician Bashy, AKA Ashley Thomas, is 35. Actor Charlie Barnett is 32. Olympic gold medal gymnast-turned-singer Carly Patterson is 32. Actress Kyla Kenedy (TV: "Speechless") is 17.

Thought for Today: "Life is doubt, and faith without doubt is nothing but death." — Miguel de Unamuno, Spanish philosopher (1864-1936).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Tuesday, Feb. 4, the 35th day of 2020. There are 331 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 4, 2004, the social networking website Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched "Thefacebook."On this date:In 1783, Britain's King George III proclaimed a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.In 1789, electors chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.In 1861, delegates from six southern states that had recently seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America.In 1938, the Thornton Wilder play "Our Town" opened on Broadway. Walt Disney's animated feature "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" opened in general U.S. release.In 1944, the Bronze Star Medal, honoring "heroic or meritorious achievement or service," was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began a wartime conference at Yalta.In 1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, California, by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.In 1976, more than 23,000 people died when a severe earthquake struck Guatemala with a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.In 1983, pop singer-musician Karen Carpenter died in Downey, California, at age 32.In 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, California, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.In 2004, the Massachusetts high court declared that gay couples were entitled to nothing less than marriage, and that Vermont-style civil unions would not suffice.In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, became NFL champs for the first time since 1960, beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 41-33 in the Super Bowl.Ten years ago: Republican Scott Brown took over the seat of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy as he was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden at a Capitol Hill ceremony. The first National Tea Party Convention opened in Nashville.Five years ago: As Boston continued to dig out from more than 3 feet of snow in the past week, the New England Patriots were finally honored with a parade celebrating their fourth Super Bowl win. Some fans defied police warnings and watched the parade from atop giant piles of snow.One year ago: Jury deliberations began in the New York trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. (Guzman was convicted of murder conspiracy and drug trafficking and was sentenced to life in prison.) More than a dozen European Union countries endorsed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president, increasing pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro to resign and clear the way for a new election. A British newspaper published an interview with actor Liam Neeson in which Neeson admitted that he'd had violent thoughts about killing a black person nearly 40 years earlier after learning that someone close to him had been raped.Today's Birthdays: Actor Jerry Adler is 91. Former Argentinian President Isabel Peron is 89. Actor Gary Conway is 84. Actor John Schuck is 80. Rock musician John Steel (The Animals) is 79. Singer Florence LaRue (The Fifth Dimension) is 78. Former Vice President Dan Quayle is 73. Rock singer Alice Cooper is 72. Actor Michael Beck is 71. Actress Lisa Eichhorn is 68. Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is 61. Actress Pamelyn Ferdin is 61. Rock singer Tim Booth is 60. Rock musician Henry Bogdan is 59. Country singer Clint Black is 58. Rock musician Noodles (The Offspring) is 57. Country musician Dave Buchanan (Yankee Grey) is 54. Actress Gabrielle Anwar is 50. Actor Rob Corddry is 49. Singer David&nbsp; Garza is 49. Actor Michael Goorjian is 49. TV personality Nicolle Wallace is 48. Olympic gold medal boxer Oscar De La Hoya is 47. Rock musician Rick Burch (Jimmy Eat World) is 45. Singer Natalie Imbruglia is 45. Rapper Cam'ron is 44. Rock singer Gavin DeGraw is 43. Rock singer Zoe Manville is 36. Actor/musician Bashy, AKA Ashley Thomas, is 35. Actor Charlie Barnett is 32. Olympic gold medal gymnast-turned-singer Carly Patterson is 32. Actress Kyla Kenedy (TV: "Speechless") is 17.Thought for Today: "Life is doubt, and faith without doubt is nothing but death." — Miguel de Unamuno, Spanish philosopher (1864-1936).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 4

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.

In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.

Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”

But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;

“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;

Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.

Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;

“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;

Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;

The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.

Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.

“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”

Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;

The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”

Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”

Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.

“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”

That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”

Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;

Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;

While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;

Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”

While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;

“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”

GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.

Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740287114.jpeg" alt=" Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740336524.jpeg" alt=" Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740365629.jpeg" alt=" After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”<h2>Debate details</h2>Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740401021.jpeg" alt=" Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740432903.jpeg" alt=" The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

Kan. GOP Senate candidates vie for title of Trump’s top ally

The 2019 People's Choice Award winner was announced today. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sculpturetoursalina/">SculptureTour Salina</a> Facebook page:

The 2019 People's Choice Award winner was announced today. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sculpturetoursalina/">SculptureTour Salina</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsculpturetoursalina%2Fposts%2F3050874134936904&width=500" width="500" height="743" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

2019 People's Choice Award winner announced

A planning and zoning update, an executive session, and the initial 2021 budget discussion are among the items on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.

The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. A time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.

Commissioners are scheduled to hear a planning and zoning update from Tim Hamilton, planning and zoning administrator.

Additionally, commissioners are scheduled to discuss with Marilyn Leamer, human resources director, the following.

Policy 40.15 Expense of Travel for County Business

Policy 40.27b Saline County Drug and Alcohol Testing

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes also will provide his update.

Immediately following the meeting, the commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session in room 107B of the City-County Building. The agenda for the study session is as follows.

Meet in executive session: Confidential data exception for 30 minutes with Mitch Robinson, executive director, Salina Community Economic Development Organization, Inc.

Have a 30-minute initial discussion concerning the 2021 budget.

To view the entire Saline County Commission meeting packet (a 28-page pdf, <a href="http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Commission-Documents">click here</a>.

A planning and zoning update, an executive session, and the initial 2021 budget discussion are among the items on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. A time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.Commissioners are scheduled to hear a planning and zoning update from Tim Hamilton, planning and zoning administrator.Additionally, commissioners are scheduled to discuss with Marilyn Leamer, human resources director, the following.Policy 40.15 Expense of Travel for County BusinessPolicy 40.27b Saline County Drug and Alcohol TestingCounty Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes also will provide his update.Immediately following the meeting, the commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session in room 107B of the City-County Building. The agenda for the study session is as follows.Meet in executive session: Confidential data exception for 30 minutes with Mitch Robinson, executive director, Salina Community Economic Development Organization, Inc.Have a 30-minute initial discussion concerning the 2021 budget.To view the entire Saline County Commission meeting packet (a 28-page pdf, <a href="http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Commission-Documents">click here</a>.

2021 budget, executive session among county agenda items

Are you looking for a new challenging career? Would you like to join a growing transit system with a commitment to high quality fixed route, para-transit, and regional transportation services?

OCCK, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Transportation Supervisor for our public transportation services.

This position is responsible for providing first line supervision in the daily operations of the transit system, including the maintenance of safe, efficient service.

Daily duties include managing driver schedules, training new drivers, providing supervision and coaching to drivers, being a back-up driver as needed, and ensuring quality services are provided.

This full-time position has a competitive salary and comes with a complete benefit package that includes:

Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurances;

The person selected for this position will be required to obtain a DOT Medical card upon hire and CDL with Passenger Endorsement within 30 days of hire.

Apply online at <a href="http://www.occk.com">www.occk.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576544829259.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Are you looking for a new challenging career? Would you like to join a growing transit system with a commitment to high quality fixed route, para-transit, and regional transportation services?OCCK, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Transportation Supervisor for our public transportation services.This position is responsible for providing first line supervision in the daily operations of the transit system, including the maintenance of safe, efficient service.Daily duties include managing driver schedules, training new drivers, providing supervision and coaching to drivers, being a back-up driver as needed, and ensuring quality services are provided.This full-time position has a competitive salary and comes with a complete benefit package that includes:Monthly cash benefit allowance;Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurances;KPERS;403(b) retirement planThe person selected for this position will be required to obtain a DOT Medical card upon hire and CDL with Passenger Endorsement within 30 days of hire.Apply online at <a href="http://www.occk.com">www.occk.com</a>.EOEDrug testing required

Corps of Engineers provides Wilson Lake work update

The Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank will be the site of the&nbsp;Mobile Produce Pantry on Friday. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafoodbank/">Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank </a>Facebook page:

The Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank will be the site of the&nbsp;Mobile Produce Pantry on Friday. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafoodbank/">Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank </a>Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalinafoodbank%2Fposts%2F3781636375187467&width=500" width="500" height="612" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>
</div>

Mobile Produce Pantry Friday at Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank

A stolen car has been returned to its owner, thanks to a traffic stop Friday night in north Salina.

According to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester, a patrol officer saw that a gray 2012 Ford Focus turning left onto North 12th Street from North Broadway Boulevard had tail lights that weren't working. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but it went north on North 12th Street, west on Pacific Avenue, and north on North 13th Street before pulling into the trailer park at 917 North 13th, Forrester said.

Once the car stopped, a Hispanic male exited the driver's seat and fled on foot, Forrester said. A female passenger in the vehicle, Angela Rowe, 36, of Salina, was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Sedgwick County and was arrested, he said. While she was being searched, a meth pipe was found, so she also was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia, Forrester said.

The Focus was registered to Ryan Forsberg, 43, of Salina, he said. When officers contacted Forsberg, he reported that his car had been missing for about an hour, since shortly after Rowe and the Hispanic male left his room at the Ambassy Motel, 217 South Broadway Boulevard, Forrester said. Forsberg's keys had been on the table, but he noticed they were gone after the two people had left his room, Forrester added.

According to Forrester, the car was not damaged and has been returned to Forsberg.

The search for the Hispanic male driver continues, he added.

A stolen car has been returned to its owner, thanks to a traffic stop Friday night in north Salina.According to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester, a patrol officer saw that a gray 2012 Ford Focus turning left onto North 12th Street from North Broadway Boulevard had tail lights that weren't working. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but it went north on North 12th Street, west on Pacific Avenue, and north on North 13th Street before pulling into the trailer park at 917 North 13th, Forrester said.Once the car stopped, a Hispanic male exited the driver's seat and fled on foot, Forrester said. A female passenger in the vehicle, Angela Rowe, 36, of Salina, was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Sedgwick County and was arrested, he said. While she was being searched, a meth pipe was found, so she also was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia, Forrester said.The Focus was registered to Ryan Forsberg, 43, of Salina, he said. When officers contacted Forsberg, he reported that his car had been missing for about an hour, since shortly after Rowe and the Hispanic male left his room at the Ambassy Motel, 217 South Broadway Boulevard, Forrester said. Forsberg's keys had been on the table, but he noticed they were gone after the two people had left his room, Forrester added.According to Forrester, the car was not damaged and has been returned to Forsberg.The search for the Hispanic male driver continues, he added.

Stolen car recovered, thanks to traffic stop Friday night

A Salina man was arrested on suspicion of arson and theft after an early Friday morning car fire in the Walmart parking lot.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that a Walmart employee arriving for work at 7:25 a.m. Friday observed a black male getting into and out of a blue 2007 Honda Accord. Shortly after the male walked away from the car, the employee saw flames coming from inside the car, he said.

According to Forrester, the Salina Fire Department determined that an accelerant was used to start the fire in the front seat of the car. Surveillance video showed the black male walking out of Walmart with the accelerant without paying for it and then walking to the car, he said.

At 8 p.m Friday, officers were sent to the Salina Rescue Mission, 1716 Summers Road, where a person fitting the description of the subject in the car fire case was seen, Forrester said. Delanio Adams, 35, of Salina, was arrested on suspicion of arson and theft, Forrester said. 

Although Adams claimed the Accord was his, Forrester said it was registered to Poitr Zdanevich, 35, of Minnesota, and had not been reported stolen. The car was valued at $10,000, he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580567433663.jpeg" alt="Delanio Adams. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Delanio Adams. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A Salina man was arrested on suspicion of arson and theft after an early Friday morning car fire in the Walmart parking lot.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that a Walmart employee arriving for work at 7:25 a.m. Friday observed a black male getting into and out of a blue 2007 Honda Accord. Shortly after the male walked away from the car, the employee saw flames coming from inside the car, he said.According to Forrester, the Salina Fire Department determined that an accelerant was used to start the fire in the front seat of the car. Surveillance video showed the black male walking out of Walmart with the accelerant without paying for it and then walking to the car, he said.At 8 p.m Friday, officers were sent to the Salina Rescue Mission, 1716 Summers Road, where a person fitting the description of the subject in the car fire case was seen, Forrester said. Delanio Adams, 35, of Salina, was arrested on suspicion of arson and theft, Forrester said. Although Adams claimed the Accord was his, Forrester said it was registered to Poitr Zdanevich, 35, of Minnesota, and had not been reported stolen. The car was valued at $10,000, he added.

Salina man arrested in car arson case

Salina Police are looking for a man who is believed to be involved in thefts from multiple Walmarts.

Officers were called to the Salina Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street, at 5:50 a.m. Saturday after store personnel were notified by an out-of-state Walmart to check the store's cellular phone displays, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. When they did, they discovered the following were missing, Forrester said.

Apple iPhone XR 64 gigabyte, valued at $600

Additionally, $150 damage was done to the cellphone security holder, he said.

Video surveillance shows a heavy set black male in a black hoodie and gray sweatpants, and wearing a white ball cap taking the iPhones, Forrester said. The man was last seen on video getting into an unknown passenger car, he said.

Salina Police are looking for a man who is believed to be involved in thefts from multiple Walmarts.Officers were called to the Salina Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street, at 5:50 a.m. Saturday after store personnel were notified by an out-of-state Walmart to check the store's cellular phone displays, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. When they did, they discovered the following were missing, Forrester said.Apple iPhone 11 Pro, valued at $800Apple iPhone XR 64 gigabyte, valued at $600Apple iPhone 11 Pro M, valued $875Additionally, $150 damage was done to the cellphone security holder, he said.Video surveillance shows a heavy set black male in a black hoodie and gray sweatpants, and wearing a white ball cap taking the iPhones, Forrester said. The man was last seen on video getting into an unknown passenger car, he said.

Police looking for Walmart cellphone thief

School-sponsored prayer is not back, despite some media announcements in mid-January. The First Amendment enacted in 1791 clearly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” Thomas Jefferson stated this clause was to establish a “wall of separation between church and state.” In 1947, the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced that the government must remain neutral toward religion. That includes public schools as state agencies.

Case/Year/Court Decision &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Everson v. Board of Education&nbsp;1947&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Government cannot provide aid to one religion, or all religions, but must be neutral toward religion.

Engle v. Vitale&nbsp;&nbsp;1962&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;School-sponsored prayer or official recitation of prayers violated the Establishment Clause. Schools cannot write or choose a specific prayer and require all students to say it.

Abington v. Schempp&nbsp;&nbsp;1963&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;If the study of the Bible and religion is presented objectively in a non-religious program of study, it is not unconstitutional. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lemon v. Kurtzman&nbsp;1971&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Statutes regarding establishment of religion must have a legitimate secular purpose, neither advance or inhibit religion, and not foster excessive government entanglement.

Wisconsin v. Yoder&nbsp;1972&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Exempted Amish children from compulsory attendance past 8th grade, but made this exemption only for this unique group.

CPERL v. Nyquist&nbsp;1973&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The First Amendment does not forbid all mention of religion in public schools, just its purposeful promotion or inhibition.

Wilson v. Board of Ed.&nbsp;1975&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Use of religiously objectionable textbooks does not violate the establishment clause.

Breen v. Runkel&nbsp;1985&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Teachers cannot take actions that promote religion while performing their duties.

Mozert v. Hawkins Co.&nbsp;1987&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Use of religiously objectionable textbooks does not violate the free exercise clause.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Lee v. Weisman&nbsp;1992&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Graduation prayers are not permitted as long as public schools are involved insofar as this constitutes a “state action.”

The Equal Access Act of 1984 clarified that public secondary school students can meet as student prayer clubs during lunch or before and after school, as long as it is student-organized and does not involve teachers or outside organizers.

In 2003, the Bush administration clarified how these rulings affected school operations, explaining: “[T]eachers and other public school officials ... may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible, or other religious activities, nor may school officials use their authority to attempt to persuade or compel students to participate in prayer or other religious activities.”

In response to this January announcement, Daniel Mach, who directs the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, stated: “Despite the president’s hype, there’s very little that’s new in today’s ‘school prayer’ guidance. Importantly, both the Bush guidance and the copycat document released today affirm a core constitutional protection: School officials are prohibited from imposing their faith on students.”

Since it is solidly established that there will be no school-sponsored prayer, the other strategy is to divert federal and state monies to religious schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has just heard the&nbsp;Espinoza v. MontanaDepartment of Revenue&nbsp;case. The Montana legislature created a program in 2015 to provide a tax credit to those who donate to scholarships for students to attend private schools.&nbsp; But the Montana Department of Revenue ruled against using the scholarships for religious schools. That was just appealed to the Supreme Court. Their ruling, due next June, could open a crack in the separation of church and state, and begin the diversion of funds from public to religious schools.

Advocates for blurring this separation should keep in mind that such actions would also open up public funding of Muslim schools, Hindu schools, etc.&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 SCHROCKSchool-sponsored prayer is not back, despite some media announcements in mid-January. The First Amendment enacted in 1791 clearly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” Thomas Jefferson stated this clause was to establish a “wall of separation between church and state.” In 1947, the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced that the government must remain neutral toward religion. That includes public schools as state agencies.<h2>Summary of Significant Court Decisions</h2>Case/Year/Court Decision &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Everson v. Board of Education&nbsp;1947&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Government cannot provide aid to one religion, or all religions, but must be neutral toward religion.Engle v. Vitale&nbsp;&nbsp;1962&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;School-sponsored prayer or official recitation of prayers violated the Establishment Clause. Schools cannot write or choose a specific prayer and require all students to say it.Abington v. Schempp&nbsp;&nbsp;1963&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;If the study of the Bible and religion is presented objectively in a non-religious program of study, it is not unconstitutional. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lemon v. Kurtzman&nbsp;1971&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Statutes regarding establishment of religion must have a legitimate secular purpose, neither advance or inhibit religion, and not foster excessive government entanglement.Wisconsin v. Yoder&nbsp;1972&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Exempted Amish children from compulsory attendance past 8th grade, but made this exemption only for this unique group.CPERL v. Nyquist&nbsp;1973&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The First Amendment does not forbid all mention of religion in public schools, just its purposeful promotion or inhibition.Wilson v. Board of Ed.&nbsp;1975&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Use of religiously objectionable textbooks does not violate the establishment clause.Breen v. Runkel&nbsp;1985&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Teachers cannot take actions that promote religion while performing their duties.Mozert v. Hawkins Co.&nbsp;1987&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Use of religiously objectionable textbooks does not violate the free exercise clause.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Lee v. Weisman&nbsp;1992&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Graduation prayers are not permitted as long as public schools are involved insofar as this constitutes a “state action.”The Equal Access Act of 1984 clarified that public secondary school students can meet as student prayer clubs during lunch or before and after school, as long as it is student-organized and does not involve teachers or outside organizers.In 2003, the Bush administration clarified how these rulings affected school operations, explaining: “[T]eachers and other public school officials ... may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible, or other religious activities, nor may school officials use their authority to attempt to persuade or compel students to participate in prayer or other religious activities.”In response to this January announcement, Daniel Mach, who directs the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, stated: “Despite the president’s hype, there’s very little that’s new in today’s ‘school prayer’ guidance. Importantly, both the Bush guidance and the copycat document released today affirm a core constitutional protection: School officials are prohibited from imposing their faith on students.”Since it is solidly established that there will be no school-sponsored prayer, the other strategy is to divert federal and state monies to religious schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has just heard the&nbsp;Espinoza v. MontanaDepartment of Revenue&nbsp;case. The Montana legislature created a program in 2015 to provide a tax credit to those who donate to scholarships for students to attend private schools.&nbsp; But the Montana Department of Revenue ruled against using the scholarships for religious schools. That was just appealed to the Supreme Court. Their ruling, due next June, could open a crack in the separation of church and state, and begin the diversion of funds from public to religious schools.Advocates for blurring this separation should keep in mind that such actions would also open up public funding of Muslim schools, Hindu schools, etc.&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: In public schools, church, state separate

TOPEKA – A concerning number of Washington state drivers involved in fatal crashes are testing positive for recent use of marijuana, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The share of drivers who, after a fatal crash, tested positive for active THC – the drug’s main psychoactive ingredient – has doubled since the state legalized marijuana in December 2012. AAA believes the increase raises important traffic safety concerns for drivers across the country, because recreational marijuana use is now legal in 11 states and Washington, D.C.

The latest AAA Foundation research found that between 2008 and 2012 – the five-year period before the drug was legal – an estimated 8.8% of Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes were positive for THC. That rate rose to 18% between 2013 and 2017.

The average number of THC-positive drivers increased, too. In the five years before legalization, an average of 56 drivers involved in fatal crashes each year were THC-positive. In the five years after legalization, the average jumped to 130. The new numbers bolster the findings of a similar report the AAA Foundation released in 2016. The study did not attempt to determine if marijuana contributed to the crashes included in its latest research. It focused only on the prevalence of drivers who tested positive for active THC.

“This study enabled us to review a full 10-years’ worth of data about the potential impact of marijuana on driving safety – and it raises significant concerns,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Results from the analysis suggest that legalization of recreational use of marijuana may increase the rate of THC-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes.”

Marijuana use can inhibit concentration, slow reaction times and cloud judgment. Its effects vary by individual, but a number of studies have concluded that marijuana use impairs the ability to drive safely. Previous research suggests that users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash.

AAA opposes the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because of its inherent traffic safety risks and because of the difficulties in writing legislation that protects the public and treats drivers fairly.

Eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use. Another 22 states have legalized it for medical use only. State legislative sessions for 2020 are getting underway and recreational use is expected to be a popular topic. The legislative interest combined with likely November ballot measures could result in additional states taking a hard look the issue.

In an attempt to curtail drug-impaired driving, seven states have set legal non-zero, or “per se,” limits on the amount of THC drivers can have in their system. While well-intended, AAA believes imposing such limits is problematic because no data reliably shows what level of THC impairs driving, the chemical’s effects vary by user, and THC testing often cannot be done until hours after a crash.

AAA believes that states that have legalized the drug should not rely solely on an arbitrary legal limit to determine if a driver is impaired. They should adopt a two-pronged approach that requires:

behavioral and physiological evidence of driver impairment

Regardless of the drug’s legal status – and limits in any state – all motorists need to avoid driving while impaired.“Simply put, if you’ve used marijuana, don’t drive,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “And if you plan to drive, don’t use marijuana.”

Last year, a Foundation survey found that nearly 70% of Americans think it’s unlikely a driver will get caught by police for driving shortly after using marijuana. The survey also revealed that an estimated 14.8 million drivers report getting behind the wheel within one hour after using marijuana in the past 30 days.

AAA is committed to educating the public about the risks of substance-impaired driving. Through AAA Foundation research, AAA is working to improve understanding on the topic and is working collaboratively with safety stakeholders to reduce the impact of substance-impaired driving related crashes.

--<a href="http://aaa.com">AAA</a>--

TOPEKA – A concerning number of Washington state drivers involved in fatal crashes are testing positive for recent use of marijuana, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.The share of drivers who, after a fatal crash, tested positive for active THC – the drug’s main psychoactive ingredient – has doubled since the state legalized marijuana in December 2012. AAA believes the increase raises important traffic safety concerns for drivers across the country, because recreational marijuana use is now legal in 11 states and Washington, D.C.The latest AAA Foundation research found that between 2008 and 2012 – the five-year period before the drug was legal – an estimated 8.8% of Washington drivers involved in fatal crashes were positive for THC. That rate rose to 18% between 2013 and 2017.<figure>
 <img src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/OsNHWxxBxFLkpjHaJCM0dLT6WgIpXr837kD_UYcTEM98CMRitnRVxGsYybFfZcZ5MouRS_PW5Mm0hEQdpk_9vf2yL8L18nNScil4WHnw1Fz5yoSk8hLfuKH8qpYzpTTQiSSnmjaOSgOS_HVJ-CkI-AkEgXVq_j9xkgJN=s0-d-e1-ft#https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/523962/vcsPRAsset_523962_98895_869ea5e3-611e-4969-9c23-0e53e330117d_0.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The average number of THC-positive drivers increased, too. In the five years before legalization, an average of 56 drivers involved in fatal crashes each year were THC-positive. In the five years after legalization, the average jumped to 130. The new numbers bolster the findings of a similar report the AAA Foundation released in 2016. The study did not attempt to determine if marijuana contributed to the crashes included in its latest research. It focused only on the prevalence of drivers who tested positive for active THC.“This study enabled us to review a full 10-years’ worth of data about the potential impact of marijuana on driving safety – and it raises significant concerns,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Results from the analysis suggest that legalization of recreational use of marijuana may increase the rate of THC-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes.”Marijuana use can inhibit concentration, slow reaction times and cloud judgment. Its effects vary by individual, but a number of studies have concluded that marijuana use impairs the ability to drive safely. Previous research suggests that users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash.AAA opposes the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because of its inherent traffic safety risks and because of the difficulties in writing legislation that protects the public and treats drivers fairly.<figure>
 <img src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/p7HUY6lg-VNi1Ng3M5y81-jwrb3y-Nl6TrvA7GHGkk2Aew6SqeVaNlhc83EvTdOyYH199-BQp0dKjlvNhzM-brYqrgTvZyJQJXDAWiZiqGfB1_9uG9rpG0DJQhAG5UUQWEkFnEQZvCE73EDeYq4ClZoPfw1OoPIGtXSJ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/523962/vcsPRAsset_523962_98894_62ced60a-1baa-4778-a4db-33bb5868eb7c_0.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use. Another 22 states have legalized it for medical use only. State legislative sessions for 2020 are getting underway and recreational use is expected to be a popular topic. The legislative interest combined with likely November ballot measures could result in additional states taking a hard look the issue.In an attempt to curtail drug-impaired driving, seven states have set legal non-zero, or “per se,” limits on the amount of THC drivers can have in their system. While well-intended, AAA believes imposing such limits is problematic because no data reliably shows what level of THC impairs driving, the chemical’s effects vary by user, and THC testing often cannot be done until hours after a crash.AAA believes that states that have legalized the drug should not rely solely on an arbitrary legal limit to determine if a driver is impaired. They should adopt a two-pronged approach that requires:a positive test for recent marijuana usebehavioral and physiological evidence of driver impairmentRegardless of the drug’s legal status – and limits in any state – all motorists need to avoid driving while impaired.“Simply put, if you’ve used marijuana, don’t drive,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “And if you plan to drive, don’t use marijuana.”Last year, a Foundation survey found that nearly 70% of Americans think it’s unlikely a driver will get caught by police for driving shortly after using marijuana. The survey also revealed that an estimated 14.8 million drivers report getting behind the wheel within one hour after using marijuana in the past 30 days.AAA is committed to educating the public about the risks of substance-impaired driving. Through AAA Foundation research, AAA is working to improve understanding on the topic and is working collaboratively with safety stakeholders to reduce the impact of substance-impaired driving related crashes.--<a href="http://aaa.com">AAA</a>--

AAA: Fatal crashes linked to weed up after legalization

By NOMIN UJIJEDIIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-medicaid-expansion-would-shift-cost-health-care-kansas-prisons-and-jails#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — The new Medicaid expansion bill, the product of a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-paves-medicaid-expansion-path-after-governor-and-top-republican-break-partisan-logjam" target="_blank">compromise</a>
 between Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and some Republican leaders, would 
change how state prisons and county jails fund health care for 
prisoners.

By expanding the types of people who can qualify for 
the program, the bill would extend Medicaid access to 80% to 90% of 
state prisoners if it passes, according to the Kansas Department of 
Corrections

Kansas is one of only <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/states-reporting-corrections-related-medicaid-enrollment-policies-in-place-for-prisons-or-jails/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">seven U.S. states</a>
 that kicks people off of Medicaid when they go to prison or jail. The 
one exception is when an inmate is hospitalized for more than 24 hours. 
The DOC or county jails can apply for Medicaid funding to cover part of 
the cost if the inmate is eligible for the government health care plan.

Right
 now, state prison officials say, less than 1% of Kansas state prisoners
 — fewer than 100 people — qualify for Medicaid based on the state’s <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/Medicaid/eligibility_guidelines.html" target="_blank">restrictions</a>
 on age, income, disability status and family status. The department 
doesn’t collect data on how many people in county jails qualify.

The
 new bill would allow the DOC to take advantage of Medicaid funding for 
more inmates. It also increases the share of state Medicaid costs that 
the federal government would pay.

“It revolves around those current income requirements,” DOC spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said. “They would be eligible.”

She said the department would save $2 million in 2022 if Medicaid expansion is passed.

County
 jails also would see savings, said Jeffrey Easter, Sedgwick County 
sheriff and legislative chair for the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association. 
Sedgwick County spent about $1 million in 2018 on hospitalized inmates.

He said if the bill passes, “that million dollars wouldn’t be coming out of my budget and local taxpayer money.”

Data
 collected by the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association shows most county jails —
 excluding Sedgwick, Wyandotte, Johnson and Shawnee counties — spent a 
total of $6 million in 2018 on outside hospitalizations for inmates.

That
 year, Shawnee County spent $770,000 on offsite medical treatment for 
jail inmates, but it didn’t have information on how much of that went to
 hospitalizations. A spokesman for the county Department of Corrections 
said the county does not apply for Medicaid coverage for any inmates.

Wyandotte
 and Johnson counties did not immediately respond to a request for 
information on how much their jails spent on hospitalizations in 2018.

The
 Medicaid expansion bill would also require the Department of 
Corrections to help counties get jail inmates back on Medicaid after 
their release.

Even people who go to jail for two weeks are 
kicked off the program and they don’t get back on Medicaid for three or 
four weeks after release, Easter said. For some people with mental 
illnesses, it can turn into a cycle.

“For them to get any type of
 plan or medications, they’ve got to be back on Medicaid,” Easter said. 
“You see them decline, rearrested, and we (start) the process over 
again.”

Currently, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which runs the state’s Medicaid program, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sites/kcur/files/202001/KDHEPDF.pdf" target="_blank">contracts</a>
 with a company called Appriss to collect a daily list of people 
entering and leaving county jails. The department checks the list 
against its Medicaid database and terminates coverage until a person is 
released.

On the state level, the DOC sends KDHE a monthly list 
of people in its prisons. The list is checked against the state Medicaid
 database and KASPER, the database of state prisoners, to determine 
whose Medicaid will be terminated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580497793171.jpeg" alt=" Currently, less than 1% of people in Kansas prisons are eligible for Medicaid. If the proposed expansion plan were to pass, 80% to 90% would be eligible. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Currently, less than 1% of people in Kansas prisons are eligible for Medicaid. If the proposed expansion plan were to pass, 80% to 90% would be eligible. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOMIN UJIJEDIIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/how-medicaid-expansion-would-shift-cost-health-care-kansas-prisons-and-jails#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — The new Medicaid expansion bill, the product of a <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-paves-medicaid-expansion-path-after-governor-and-top-republican-break-partisan-logjam" target="_blank">compromise</a>
 between Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and some Republican leaders, would 
change how state prisons and county jails fund health care for 
prisoners.By expanding the types of people who can qualify for 
the program, the bill would extend Medicaid access to 80% to 90% of 
state prisoners if it passes, according to the Kansas Department of 
CorrectionsKansas is one of only <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/states-reporting-corrections-related-medicaid-enrollment-policies-in-place-for-prisons-or-jails/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">seven U.S. states</a>
 that kicks people off of Medicaid when they go to prison or jail. The 
one exception is when an inmate is hospitalized for more than 24 hours. 
The DOC or county jails can apply for Medicaid funding to cover part of 
the cost if the inmate is eligible for the government health care plan.Right
 now, state prison officials say, less than 1% of Kansas state prisoners
 — fewer than 100 people — qualify for Medicaid based on the state’s <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/Medicaid/eligibility_guidelines.html" target="_blank">restrictions</a>
 on age, income, disability status and family status. The department 
doesn’t collect data on how many people in county jails qualify.The
 new bill would allow the DOC to take advantage of Medicaid funding for 
more inmates. It also increases the share of state Medicaid costs that 
the federal government would pay.“It revolves around those current income requirements,” DOC spokeswoman Rebecca Witte said. “They would be eligible.”She said the department would save $2 million in 2022 if Medicaid expansion is passed.County
 jails also would see savings, said Jeffrey Easter, Sedgwick County 
sheriff and legislative chair for the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association. 
Sedgwick County spent about $1 million in 2018 on hospitalized inmates.He said if the bill passes, “that million dollars wouldn’t be coming out of my budget and local taxpayer money.”Data
 collected by the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association shows most county jails —
 excluding Sedgwick, Wyandotte, Johnson and Shawnee counties — spent a 
total of $6 million in 2018 on outside hospitalizations for inmates.That
 year, Shawnee County spent $770,000 on offsite medical treatment for 
jail inmates, but it didn’t have information on how much of that went to
 hospitalizations. A spokesman for the county Department of Corrections 
said the county does not apply for Medicaid coverage for any inmates.Wyandotte
 and Johnson counties did not immediately respond to a request for 
information on how much their jails spent on hospitalizations in 2018.<h2>Impact on Re-entry</h2>The
 Medicaid expansion bill would also require the Department of 
Corrections to help counties get jail inmates back on Medicaid after 
their release.Even people who go to jail for two weeks are 
kicked off the program and they don’t get back on Medicaid for three or 
four weeks after release, Easter said. For some people with mental 
illnesses, it can turn into a cycle.“For them to get any type of
 plan or medications, they’ve got to be back on Medicaid,” Easter said. 
“You see them decline, rearrested, and we (start) the process over 
again.”Currently, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which runs the state’s Medicaid program, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sites/kcur/files/202001/KDHEPDF.pdf" target="_blank">contracts</a>
 with a company called Appriss to collect a daily list of people 
entering and leaving county jails. The department checks the list 
against its Medicaid database and terminates coverage until a person is 
released.On the state level, the DOC sends KDHE a monthly list 
of people in its prisons. The list is checked against the state Medicaid
 database and KASPER, the database of state prisoners, to determine 
whose Medicaid will be terminated.Before people are released, a 
special unit in the DOC processes applications for people going back on 
Medicaid. The Medicaid expansion bill would require the DOC to assist 
county jails with this process.For county and state governments, the biggest effect of <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2016/08/how-and-when-medicaid-covers-people-under-correctional-supervision" target="_blank">terminating Medicaid coverage</a>
 for incarcerated people is the time and resources needed to take people
 on and off, said Maria Schiff, a criminal justice and health care 
researcher for the nonprofit Pew Charitable Trusts.“Generating a new application is more work,” she said, “than activating a suspended one.”But
 the most dramatic impact, Schiff said, is for the people who lose their
 coverage. Once they’re released, they can struggle with navigating the 
health care system, especially if they’ve been incarcerated for many 
years.Most states that have expanded Medicaid employ re-entry 
counselors in prisons and jails who help people reapply for Medicaid 
before they’re released, Schiff said.“A person in a state prison
 doesn’t have the tools and internet connection and information and 
access to legal forms that individuals on the outside have,” she said.Proponents
 of Medicaid expansion have argued the policy will reduce recidivism. 
But it’s too early for researchers to know, Schiff said. Rhode Island, 
however, has seen a drop in substance abuse-related fatalities among the
 recently released.“It’s not the coverage alone. Because you 
don’t want these people just showing up in emergency departments,” she 
said. “You really want them getting attached to a primary care system.”Nomin
 Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for KCUR and 
the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

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