HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards is embracing a new role with the agency in 2023.

"This is something I'm pretty excited about, after 40 years of lobbying, having a little bit of a different focus," Tallman said. "It's really to try to look more in depth at, what are the issues around trying to do improvement of our schools, meeting the goals of the Kansans can vision that the state board has set out, trying to do a little more deeper research into, what are our challenges, what things are working?"

Part of that research is already happening with visits to schools, including one here in central Kansas.

"One of the things that I did over the last month or so was visit our three Kansas Blue Ribbon schools," Tallman said. "That's a national designation of being a Blue Ribbon School in Kansas. I visited Cottonwood Elementary in Andover, R.L. Wright in Sedgwick, which is in southern Harvey County and then Morris Hill school, which is actually on the base at Fort Riley. I talked to school leaders there about what they think drove the fact that they were recognized for high achievement."

One emphasis for Tallman in his new role will be learning more about the needs of Kansas schools before kids enter kindergarten.

"One of the most important things that we can do to help kids succeed, particularly if they come from kind of disadvantaged backgrounds is stronger early childhood education programs," Tallman said. "Before the holiday break, the SPARK committee in state government, with some of the federal COVID dollars that they have to spend, has recommended millions of dollars to go into some efforts around early childhood education. I want to do a little more exploring about what that's going to mean, some of the work our state has done. We've had a federal grant to try to develop and expand early childhood programs. I want to look at some of the things that districts are doing in that area."

The main statehouse lobbying efforts for KASB will be led by Leah Fliter, a long-time lobbyist and former school board member.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582221969260.jpeg" alt="Mark Tallman Kansas Association of School Boards" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman Kansas Association of School Boards</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards is embracing a new role with the agency in 2023."This is something I'm pretty excited about, after 40 years of lobbying, having a little bit of a different focus," Tallman said. "It's really to try to look more in depth at, what are the issues around trying to do improvement of our schools, meeting the goals of the Kansans can vision that the state board has set out, trying to do a little more deeper research into, what are our challenges, what things are working?"Part of that research is already happening with visits to schools, including one here in central Kansas."One of the things that I did over the last month or so was visit our three Kansas Blue Ribbon schools," Tallman said. "That's a national designation of being a Blue Ribbon School in Kansas. I visited Cottonwood Elementary in Andover, R.L. Wright in Sedgwick, which is in southern Harvey County and then Morris Hill school, which is actually on the base at Fort Riley. I talked to school leaders there about what they think drove the fact that they were recognized for high achievement."One emphasis for Tallman in his new role will be learning more about the needs of Kansas schools before kids enter kindergarten."One of the most important things that we can do to help kids succeed, particularly if they come from kind of disadvantaged backgrounds is stronger early childhood education programs," Tallman said. "Before the holiday break, the SPARK committee in state government, with some of the federal COVID dollars that they have to spend, has recommended millions of dollars to go into some efforts around early childhood education. I want to do a little more exploring about what that's going to mean, some of the work our state has done. We've had a federal grant to try to develop and expand early childhood programs. I want to look at some of the things that districts are doing in that area."The main statehouse lobbying efforts for KASB will be led by Leah Fliter, a long-time lobbyist and former school board member.

Tallman begins new role with Kan. Association of School Boards

WASHINGTON (AP) — With security threats to Supreme Court justices still fresh memories, Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday praised programs that protect judges, saying that “we must support judges by ensuring their safety.”

Roberts and other conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices were the subject of protests, some at their homes, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-07439f9fc4542f1500ab78dfd34036b1">May leak</a>&nbsp;of the court's decision that ultimately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">stripped away constitutional protections for abortion</a>. Justice Samuel Alito has said that the leak made conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-elena-kagan-samuel-alito-government-and-politics-10bf92ae6830573054da5f756a029d1c">“targets for assassination."</a>&nbsp;And in June, a man carrying a gun, knife and zip ties was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-district-of-columbia-maryland-government-and-politics-179d18e7f933b3decbaddb542ceb0b29">arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house</a>&nbsp;after threatening to kill the justice, whose vote was key to overturning the court's Roe v. Wade decision.

Roberts, writing in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/year-end/2022year-endreport.pdf">annual year-end report</a>&nbsp;about the federal judiciary, did not specifically mention the abortion decision, but the case and the reaction to it seemed clearly on his mind.

“Judicial opinions speak for themselves, and there is no obligation in our free country to agree with them. Indeed, we judges frequently dissent — sometimes strongly — from our colleagues’ opinions, and we explain why in public writings about the cases before us," Roberts wrote.

Polls following the abortion decision show public trust in the court is at historic lows. And two of Roberts' liberal colleagues who dissented in the abortion case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-elena-kagan-government-and-politics-55227b14975d1c6266eab8712c0dd482">Justices Elena Kagan</a>&nbsp;and Sonia Sotomayor, have said the court needs to be concerned about overturning precedent and appearing political.

After the leak and threat to Kavanaugh, lawmakers passed legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-government-and-politics-d2507dd3b67efd64e52c2feab91b0eeb">increasing security protection</a>&nbsp;for the justices and their families. Separately, in December, lawmakers passed legislation protecting the personal information of federal judges including their addresses.

The law is named for the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, who was killed at the family's New Jersey home by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-new-jersey-4dad37bb3ff60bfbde5bf75d369d8f96">man who previously had a case before her</a>.

Roberts thanked members of Congress "who are attending to judicial security needs.” And he said programs that protect judges are “essential to run a system of courts.”

In writing about judicial security, Roberts told the story of Judge Ronald N. Davies, who in September 1957 ordered the integration of Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. Davies' decision followed the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional and rejected Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus' attempt to stop school integration.

Davies “was physically threatened for following the law," but the judge was “uncowed," Roberts said.

“A judicial system cannot and should not live in fear. The events of Little Rock teach about the importance of rule by law instead of by mob,” he wrote.

Roberts noted that officials are currently working to replicate the courtroom Davies presided over in 1957. Roberts said the judge's bench used by Davies and other artifacts from the courtroom have been preserved and will be installed in the re-created courtroom in a federal courthouse in Little Rock "so that these important artifacts will be used to hold court once again."

Before that happens, however, the judge's bench will be on display as part of an exhibit at the Supreme Court beginning in the fall and for the next several years, he said.

“The exhibit will introduce visitors to how the system of federal courts works, to the history of racial segregation and desegregation in our country, and to Thurgood Marshall’s towering contributions as an advocate," Roberts said. Marshall, who argued Brown v. Board of Education, became the Supreme Court's first Black justice in 1967.

The Supreme Court is still grappling with complicated issues involving race.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-college-admissions-affirmative-action-196ab930c799bcdc8b2a4a220641dd48">Two cases this term deal with affirmative action</a>, and the court's conservative majority is expected to use them to reverse decades of decisions that allow colleges to take account of race in admissions. In another case, the justices could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-race-and-ethnicity-f274ce05a19da4a3d48648f82df174e2">weaken the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965</a>, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement.

The justices will hear their first arguments of 2023 on Jan. 9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With security threats to Supreme Court justices still fresh memories, Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday praised programs that protect judges, saying that “we must support judges by ensuring their safety.”Roberts and other conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices were the subject of protests, some at their homes, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-07439f9fc4542f1500ab78dfd34036b1">May leak</a>&nbsp;of the court's decision that ultimately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">stripped away constitutional protections for abortion</a>. Justice Samuel Alito has said that the leak made conservative justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-elena-kagan-samuel-alito-government-and-politics-10bf92ae6830573054da5f756a029d1c">“targets for assassination."</a>&nbsp;And in June, a man carrying a gun, knife and zip ties was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-district-of-columbia-maryland-government-and-politics-179d18e7f933b3decbaddb542ceb0b29">arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house</a>&nbsp;after threatening to kill the justice, whose vote was key to overturning the court's Roe v. Wade decision.Roberts, writing in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/year-end/2022year-endreport.pdf">annual year-end report</a>&nbsp;about the federal judiciary, did not specifically mention the abortion decision, but the case and the reaction to it seemed clearly on his mind.“Judicial opinions speak for themselves, and there is no obligation in our free country to agree with them. Indeed, we judges frequently dissent — sometimes strongly — from our colleagues’ opinions, and we explain why in public writings about the cases before us," Roberts wrote.Polls following the abortion decision show public trust in the court is at historic lows. And two of Roberts' liberal colleagues who dissented in the abortion case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-elena-kagan-government-and-politics-55227b14975d1c6266eab8712c0dd482">Justices Elena Kagan</a>&nbsp;and Sonia Sotomayor, have said the court needs to be concerned about overturning precedent and appearing political.After the leak and threat to Kavanaugh, lawmakers passed legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-government-and-politics-d2507dd3b67efd64e52c2feab91b0eeb">increasing security protection</a>&nbsp;for the justices and their families. Separately, in December, lawmakers passed legislation protecting the personal information of federal judges including their addresses.The law is named for the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, who was killed at the family's New Jersey home by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-new-jersey-4dad37bb3ff60bfbde5bf75d369d8f96">man who previously had a case before her</a>.Roberts thanked members of Congress "who are attending to judicial security needs.” And he said programs that protect judges are “essential to run a system of courts.”In writing about judicial security, Roberts told the story of Judge Ronald N. Davies, who in September 1957 ordered the integration of Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. Davies' decision followed the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional and rejected Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus' attempt to stop school integration.Davies “was physically threatened for following the law," but the judge was “uncowed," Roberts said.“A judicial system cannot and should not live in fear. The events of Little Rock teach about the importance of rule by law instead of by mob,” he wrote.Roberts noted that officials are currently working to replicate the courtroom Davies presided over in 1957. Roberts said the judge's bench used by Davies and other artifacts from the courtroom have been preserved and will be installed in the re-created courtroom in a federal courthouse in Little Rock "so that these important artifacts will be used to hold court once again."Before that happens, however, the judge's bench will be on display as part of an exhibit at the Supreme Court beginning in the fall and for the next several years, he said.“The exhibit will introduce visitors to how the system of federal courts works, to the history of racial segregation and desegregation in our country, and to Thurgood Marshall’s towering contributions as an advocate," Roberts said. Marshall, who argued Brown v. Board of Education, became the Supreme Court's first Black justice in 1967.The Supreme Court is still grappling with complicated issues involving race.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-college-admissions-affirmative-action-196ab930c799bcdc8b2a4a220641dd48">Two cases this term deal with affirmative action</a>, and the court's conservative majority is expected to use them to reverse decades of decisions that allow colleges to take account of race in admissions. In another case, the justices could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-race-and-ethnicity-f274ce05a19da4a3d48648f82df174e2">weaken the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965</a>, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement.The justices will hear their first arguments of 2023 on Jan. 9.

Chief justice: Judges' safety 'essential' to court system

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a robbery.

Just after t 11:30 a.m December 29, police responded to an aggravated robbery at 8th and Topeka, according Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

 The victim provided officers with information that lead them to the 1100 Block of SW Plass in Topeka, where a search warrant was served.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested Alanna M. Ramirez, 29, of Topeka. She remains jailed on a requested charge of&nbsp;Aggravated Robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672406555759.png" alt="Ramirez-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ramirez-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a robbery.Just after t 11:30 a.m December 29, police responded to an aggravated robbery at 8th and Topeka, according Police Lt. Donna Eubanks. The victim provided officers with information that lead them to the 1100 Block of SW Plass in Topeka, where a search warrant was served.As a result of the investigation, police arrested Alanna M. Ramirez, 29, of Topeka. She remains jailed on a requested charge of&nbsp;Aggravated Robbery.

Kansas woman jailed for alleged aggravated robbery

&nbsp;JOHNSON COUNTY —Just after 11a.m. on New Year's Day, firefighters responded to a call from a person who saw a deer treading water in Cedar Lake, on Lone Elm Road between 151st Street and 159th Street.&nbsp;

Firefighters broke some ice and made a path for deer. 

Once to shore, the buck rested and eventually trotted off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672673293972.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JOHNSON COUNTY —Just after 11a.m. on New Year's Day, firefighters responded to a call from a person who saw a deer treading water in Cedar Lake, on Lone Elm Road between 151st Street and 159th Street.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olathe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olathe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Firefighters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Firefighters</a> broke some <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ice</a> and made a path for a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/deer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#deer</a> that was stranded in Cedar Lake near 155th St &amp; Lone Elm Rd. The call came in around 11 am from a person who spotted the deer treading water in the lake. Once to shore, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/buck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#buck</a> rested and eventually trotted off. <a href="https://t.co/3Yg1Mlixex">pic.twitter.com/3Yg1Mlixex</a>&mdash; Olathe Fire Dept. (@OlatheFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlatheFire/status/1609637053947588609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Firefighters broke some ice and made a path for deer. Once to shore, the buck rested and eventually trotted off.

🎥 Firefighters rescue deer stranded in frozen Kansas lake

ATCHISON COUNTY— One person died and three&nbsp; were injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Monday in Atchison County.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, an&nbsp;officer on patrol observed a vehicle driving recklessly at 6th and U.S.59 Highway. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled north on 4th Street. 

The officer lost sight of the vehicle but subsequently located the vehicle which had left and road and landed on its top in a residential in 900 block North 4th Street.

One passenger identified as&nbsp; Jacey Paris, 20, Atchison, died in the accident, according to Wilson.

&nbsp;EMS transported the driver of the vehicle, Brandon Mann, 22, Atchison, and two passengers, age 15 and 16, to area hospitals.&nbsp; Mann and Paris were not wearing seat belts, according to the Kansas Kansas Highway.

ATCHISON COUNTY— One person died and three&nbsp; were injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Monday in Atchison County.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, an&nbsp;officer on patrol observed a vehicle driving recklessly at 6th and U.S.59 Highway. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled north on 4th Street. The officer lost sight of the vehicle but subsequently located the vehicle which had left and road and landed on its top in a residential in 900 block North 4th Street.One passenger identified as&nbsp; Jacey Paris, 20, Atchison, died in the accident, according to Wilson.&nbsp;EMS transported the driver of the vehicle, Brandon Mann, 22, Atchison, and two passengers, age 15 and 16, to area hospitals.&nbsp; Mann and Paris were not wearing seat belts, according to the Kansas Kansas Highway.

1 dead, 3 injured after crash while fleeing Kansas officer

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for a weekend shooting incident.

&nbsp;Just after 7p.m. Friday, a suspect identified a 20-year-old Junah Sisney allegedly&nbsp;fired multiple rounds from a handgun at an establishment called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BullpenBaldwinCity/">The Bullpen</a>, 811 Eighth Street in Baldwin City, according to a media release from police.

He then drove around the block and fired multiple rounds into an occupied vehicle parked in front of the Baldwin City Public Library, 700 Eighth Street Street. Sisney continued around the block and fired additional multiple rounds into the bar before fleeing.

Timely and accurate information submitted by victims who called the report in, combined with the actions of two Baldwin City Police Officers, culminated in Sisney's arrest at the intersection of High Street and Lawrence Street. Police do not believe the violent actions were directed to any one specific person or location. Police reported no injuries.

Sisney remains in the Douglas County Jail on requested felony charges of attempted capital murder, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, criminal use of a weapon, and 3 counts of aggravated assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672670839132.png" alt="Photo courtesy The Bullpen" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy The Bullpen</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for a weekend shooting incident.&nbsp;Just after 7p.m. Friday, a suspect identified a 20-year-old Junah Sisney allegedly&nbsp;fired multiple rounds from a handgun at an establishment called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BullpenBaldwinCity/">The Bullpen</a>, 811 Eighth Street in Baldwin City, according to a media release from police.He then drove around the block and fired multiple rounds into an occupied vehicle parked in front of the Baldwin City Public Library, 700 Eighth Street Street. Sisney continued around the block and fired additional multiple rounds into the bar before fleeing.Timely and accurate information submitted by victims who called the report in, combined with the actions of two Baldwin City Police Officers, culminated in Sisney's arrest at the intersection of High Street and Lawrence Street. Police do not believe the violent actions were directed to any one specific person or location. Police reported no injuries.Sisney remains in the Douglas County Jail on requested felony charges of attempted capital murder, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, criminal use of a weapon, and 3 counts of aggravated assault.

Kansas man faces felony charges for wild incident with a gun

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-benedict-xvi">Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;'s body, his head resting on a pair of crimson pillows, lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday as tens of thousands queued to pay tribute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring</a>&nbsp;a decade ago.

On the eve of the first of three days of viewing, Italian security officials had said at least 25,000-30,000 people would come on Monday. But by mid-afternoon, around six hours after the basilica's doors opened to the public, Vatican police estimated that about 40,000 had filed by the body, the Holy See said.

As daylight broke, 10 white-gloved Papal Gentlemen — lay assistants to pontiffs and papal households — carried the body on a cloth-covered wooden stretcher after its arrival at the basilica to its resting place in front of the main altar under Bernini's towering bronze canopy.

A Swiss Guard saluted as Benedict's body was brought in through a side door after it was transferred in a van from the chapel of the monastery grounds where the increasingly frail,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">95-year-old former pontiff died</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.

His longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, and a handful of consecrated laywomen who served in Benedict's household, followed the van by foot for a few hundred yards in a silent procession toward the basilica. Some of the women stretched out a hand to touch the body with respect.

Before the rank-and-file faithful were allowed into the basilica, prayers were recited and the basilica's archpriest, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, sprinkled holy water over the body, and a small cloud of incense was released near the bier. Benedict's hands were clasped, a rosary around his fingers.

Just after 9 a.m. (0800 GMT), the doors of the basilica were swung open so the public, some of whom had waited for hours in the pre-dawn damp, could pay their respects to the late pontiff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">who retired from the papacy in 2013 —</a>&nbsp;the first pope to do so in 600 years.

Faithful and curious, the public strode briskly up the center aisle to pass by the bier with its cloth draping after waiting in a line that by midmorning snaked around St. Peter's Square.

Benedict's body was dressed with a miter, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.

Filippo Tuccio, 35, said he came from Venice on an overnight train to view Benedict's body.

“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education,” Tuccio said.

“When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,'' he said, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs. Tuccio added that he had studied theology, and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years.”

“He was very important for me: for what I am, my way of thinking, my values," Tuccio continued.

Among those coming to the basilica viewing was Cardinal Walter Kasper, like Benedict, a German theologian. Kasper served as head of the Vatican’s Christian unity office during Benedict's papacy.

Benedict left an “important mark” on theology and spirituality, but also on the history of the papacy with his courage to step aside, Kasper told The Associated Press.

“This resignation wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, a greatness because he saw that he was no longer up to the challenges of being pope,” Kasper said.

Kasper, who was among the cardinals who elected Benedict to the papacy in 2005, added that the resignation gave "a more human vision to the papacy: that the pope is a man and is dependent on his physical and mental strengths.”

Public viewing was set for 10 hours on Monday, and 12 hours each on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis, at St. Peter’s Square.

As Benedict desired, the funeral will marked by simplicity, the Vatican said when announcing the death on Saturday.

Workers on Monday were setting up an altar in the square for the funeral Mass. Also being arranged were rows of chairs for the faithful who want to attend the funeral. Authorities said they expected about 60,000 to come for the Mass.

On Monday, the Vatican confirmed widely reported burial plans. In keeping with his wishes, Benedict’s tomb will be in the crypt of the grotto under the basilica that was last used by St. John Paul II, before the saint’s body was moved upstairs into the main basilica ahead of his 2011 beatification, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

At two sides of the piazza's colonnade, viewers went through the usual security measures required for tourists entering the basilica — passing through metal detectors and screening bags through an X-ray machine.

“I think his main legacy was teaching us how to be free,” she said. “He had a special intelligence in saying what was essential in his faith and that was contagious” for other faithful. “The thing I thought when he died was that I would like to be as free as he was.”

While venturing that the shy, bookworm German churchman and theologian and the current Argentine-born pontiff had different temperaments, Ferrante said: “I believe there’s a continuity between him and Pope Francis and whoever understands the real relationship between them and Christ can see that."

An American man who lives in Rome called the opportunity to view the body “an amazing experience.” Mountain Butorac, 47, who is originally from Atlanta, said he arrived 90 minutes before dawn.

"I loved Benedict, I loved him as a cardinal (Joseph Ratzinger), when he was elected pope and also after he retired,” Butorac said. “I think he was a sort of people’s grandfather living in the Vatican.”

With an organ and choir’s soft rendition of “Kyrie Eleison” ("Lord, have mercy" in ancient Greek) in the background, ushers moved well-wishers along at a steady clip down the basilica’s center aisle.. Someone left a red rose.

A few VIPs had a moment before the general public to pay their respects, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the far-right leader who in the past has professed admiration for the conservative leanings of Benedict.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella also came to view the body. The Vatican has said only two nations' official delegations — from Italy and from Benedict's native Germany — were invited formally to the funeral, since the pope emeritus was no longer head of state.

Sister Regina Brand was among the mourners who came to the square before dawn.

“He’s a German pope and I am from Germany," she said. "And I am here to express my gratitude and love, and I want to pray for him and to see him.”

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-benedict-xvi">Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;'s body, his head resting on a pair of crimson pillows, lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday as thousands of people filed by to pay tribute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring</a>&nbsp;a decade ago.

A Swiss Guard had saluted as the body was brought in via a side door after Benedict's remains, placed in a van, were transferred from the chapel of the monastery grounds where the increasingly frail,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">95-year-old former pontiff had passed away</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.

His longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, and a handful of consecrated laywomen who served in Benedict's household, followed the van by foot for a few hundred yards (meters) in a silent procession toward the basilica. Some of the women stretched out a hand to touch the body with respect.

Just after 9 a.m. (0800 GMT), the doors of the basilica were swung open so the public, some of whom had waited for hours in the dampness before dawn, could pay their respects to the late pontiff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">who retired from the papacy in 2013</a>&nbsp;to become the first pope to do so in 600 years.

“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education. I arrived here at around 7:30, after leaving Venice last night," Tuccio said.

“When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,'' said the pilgrim, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs. Tuccio added that he had studied theology, and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years.”

"He was very important for me: for what I am, my way of thinking, my values. This is why I wanted to say goodbye today.”

Kasper, who was among the cardinals who elected Benedict to the papacy in 2005, added that the resignation decision gave "a more human vision to the papacy: that the pope is a man and is dependent on his physical and mental strengths.”

Public viewing lasts for 10 hours on Monday in St. Peter’s Basilica. Twelve hours of viewing are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis, at St. Peter’s Square.

On Monday, the Vatican confirmed widely reported burial plans. In keeping with his wishes, Benedict’s tomb will be in the crypt of the grotto under the basilica that was last used by St. John Paul II, before the saint’s body was moved upstairs into the main basilica before his 2011 beatification, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Security officials expected at least 25,000 people to pass by the body on the first day of viewing. Italian state television said around 10,000 had viewed Benedict's body after about four hours.

Marina Ferrante, 62, was among them. The Roman arrived an hour before the doors were opened, and she grew emotional when she explained why she came.

While venturing that the shy, bookworm German churchman and theologian and the current Argentine-born pontiff had different temperaments, “I believe there’s a continuity between him and Pope Francis and whoever understands the real relationship between them and Christ can see that," Ferrante said.

An American man who lives in Rome called the opportunity to view the body “an amazing experience.” Mountain Butorac, 47, who is originally from Atlanta, said he arrived 90 minutes before the dawn opening and left the basilica a half-hour after it opened.

“I loved Benedict, I loved him as a cardinal (Joseph Ratzinger), when he was elected pope and also after he retired,” Butorac said. “I think he was a sort of people’s grandfather living in the Vatican.”

He came to the Vatican to pray for Benedict when he was ailing, “so I wanted to be here today to say goodbye. I think he and Francis were close, they cared for each other,” he said.

With an organ and choir’s soft rendition of “Kyrie Eleison” ("Lord, have mercy" in ancient Greek) in the background, ushers moved well-wishers along at a steady clip down the basilica’s center aisle and then nudged them gently forward, saying, in Italian, “avanti” (keep going) to keep the pace brisk. Someone left a red rose.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672667999600.png" alt="The body of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI laid out in state inside St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)" />
 <figcaption>The body of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI laid out in state inside St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-benedict-xvi">Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;'s body, his head resting on a pair of crimson pillows, lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday as tens of thousands queued to pay tribute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring</a>&nbsp;a decade ago.On the eve of the first of three days of viewing, Italian security officials had said at least 25,000-30,000 people would come on Monday. But by mid-afternoon, around six hours after the basilica's doors opened to the public, Vatican police estimated that about 40,000 had filed by the body, the Holy See said.As daylight broke, 10 white-gloved Papal Gentlemen — lay assistants to pontiffs and papal households — carried the body on a cloth-covered wooden stretcher after its arrival at the basilica to its resting place in front of the main altar under Bernini's towering bronze canopy.A Swiss Guard saluted as Benedict's body was brought in through a side door after it was transferred in a van from the chapel of the monastery grounds where the increasingly frail,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">95-year-old former pontiff died</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.His longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, and a handful of consecrated laywomen who served in Benedict's household, followed the van by foot for a few hundred yards in a silent procession toward the basilica. Some of the women stretched out a hand to touch the body with respect.Before the rank-and-file faithful were allowed into the basilica, prayers were recited and the basilica's archpriest, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, sprinkled holy water over the body, and a small cloud of incense was released near the bier. Benedict's hands were clasped, a rosary around his fingers.Just after 9 a.m. (0800 GMT), the doors of the basilica were swung open so the public, some of whom had waited for hours in the pre-dawn damp, could pay their respects to the late pontiff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">who retired from the papacy in 2013 —</a>&nbsp;the first pope to do so in 600 years.Faithful and curious, the public strode briskly up the center aisle to pass by the bier with its cloth draping after waiting in a line that by midmorning snaked around St. Peter's Square.Benedict's body was dressed with a miter, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.Filippo Tuccio, 35, said he came from Venice on an overnight train to view Benedict's body.“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education,” Tuccio said.“When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,'' he said, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs. Tuccio added that he had studied theology, and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years.”“He was very important for me: for what I am, my way of thinking, my values," Tuccio continued.Among those coming to the basilica viewing was Cardinal Walter Kasper, like Benedict, a German theologian. Kasper served as head of the Vatican’s Christian unity office during Benedict's papacy.Benedict left an “important mark” on theology and spirituality, but also on the history of the papacy with his courage to step aside, Kasper told The Associated Press.“This resignation wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, a greatness because he saw that he was no longer up to the challenges of being pope,” Kasper said.Kasper, who was among the cardinals who elected Benedict to the papacy in 2005, added that the resignation gave "a more human vision to the papacy: that the pope is a man and is dependent on his physical and mental strengths.”Public viewing was set for 10 hours on Monday, and 12 hours each on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis, at St. Peter’s Square.As Benedict desired, the funeral will marked by simplicity, the Vatican said when announcing the death on Saturday.Workers on Monday were setting up an altar in the square for the funeral Mass. Also being arranged were rows of chairs for the faithful who want to attend the funeral. Authorities said they expected about 60,000 to come for the Mass.On Monday, the Vatican confirmed widely reported burial plans. In keeping with his wishes, Benedict’s tomb will be in the crypt of the grotto under the basilica that was last used by St. John Paul II, before the saint’s body was moved upstairs into the main basilica ahead of his 2011 beatification, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.At two sides of the piazza's colonnade, viewers went through the usual security measures required for tourists entering the basilica — passing through metal detectors and screening bags through an X-ray machine.Marina Ferrante, 62, was among them.“I think his main legacy was teaching us how to be free,” she said. “He had a special intelligence in saying what was essential in his faith and that was contagious” for other faithful. “The thing I thought when he died was that I would like to be as free as he was.”While venturing that the shy, bookworm German churchman and theologian and the current Argentine-born pontiff had different temperaments, Ferrante said: “I believe there’s a continuity between him and Pope Francis and whoever understands the real relationship between them and Christ can see that."An American man who lives in Rome called the opportunity to view the body “an amazing experience.” Mountain Butorac, 47, who is originally from Atlanta, said he arrived 90 minutes before dawn."I loved Benedict, I loved him as a cardinal (Joseph Ratzinger), when he was elected pope and also after he retired,” Butorac said. “I think he was a sort of people’s grandfather living in the Vatican.”With an organ and choir’s soft rendition of “Kyrie Eleison” ("Lord, have mercy" in ancient Greek) in the background, ushers moved well-wishers along at a steady clip down the basilica’s center aisle.. Someone left a red rose.A few VIPs had a moment before the general public to pay their respects, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the far-right leader who in the past has professed admiration for the conservative leanings of Benedict.Italian President Sergio Mattarella also came to view the body. The Vatican has said only two nations' official delegations — from Italy and from Benedict's native Germany — were invited formally to the funeral, since the pope emeritus was no longer head of state.Sister Regina Brand was among the mourners who came to the square before dawn.“He’s a German pope and I am from Germany," she said. "And I am here to express my gratitude and love, and I want to pray for him and to see him.”-------------------VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-benedict-xvi">Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;'s body, his head resting on a pair of crimson pillows, lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday as thousands of people filed by to pay tribute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">the pontiff who shocked the world by retiring</a>&nbsp;a decade ago.As daylight broke, 10 white-gloved Papal Gentlemen — lay assistants to pontiffs and papal households — carried the body on a cloth-covered wooden stretcher after its arrival at the basilica to its resting place in front of the main altar under Bernini's towering bronze canopy.A Swiss Guard had saluted as the body was brought in via a side door after Benedict's remains, placed in a van, were transferred from the chapel of the monastery grounds where the increasingly frail,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">95-year-old former pontiff had passed away</a>&nbsp;on Saturday morning.His longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, and a handful of consecrated laywomen who served in Benedict's household, followed the van by foot for a few hundred yards (meters) in a silent procession toward the basilica. Some of the women stretched out a hand to touch the body with respect.Before the rank-and-file faithful were allowed into the basilica, prayers were recited and the basilica's archpriest, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, sprinkled holy water over the body, and a small cloud of incense was released near the bier. Benedict's hands were clasped, a rosary around his fingers.Just after 9 a.m. (0800 GMT), the doors of the basilica were swung open so the public, some of whom had waited for hours in the dampness before dawn, could pay their respects to the late pontiff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-vatican-city-language-99d97bf69b8d1b3b16e919183d0a551c">who retired from the papacy in 2013</a>&nbsp;to become the first pope to do so in 600 years.Faithful and curious, the public strode briskly up the center aisle to pass by the bier with its cloth draping after waiting in a line that by midmorning snaked around St. Peter's Square.Benedict's body was dressed with a miter, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.Filippo Tuccio, 35, said he came from Venice on an overnight train to view Benedict's body.“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education. I arrived here at around 7:30, after leaving Venice last night," Tuccio said.“When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,'' said the pilgrim, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs. Tuccio added that he had studied theology, and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years.”"He was very important for me: for what I am, my way of thinking, my values. This is why I wanted to say goodbye today.”Among those coming to the basilica viewing was Cardinal Walter Kasper, like Benedict, a German theologian. Kasper served as head of the Vatican’s Christian unity office during Benedict's papacy.Benedict left an “important mark” on theology and spirituality, but also on the history of the papacy with his courage to step aside, Kasper told The Associated Press.“This resignation wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, a greatness because he saw that he was no longer up to the challenges of being pope,” Kasper said.Kasper, who was among the cardinals who elected Benedict to the papacy in 2005, added that the resignation decision gave "a more human vision to the papacy: that the pope is a man and is dependent on his physical and mental strengths.”Public viewing lasts for 10 hours on Monday in St. Peter’s Basilica. Twelve hours of viewing are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis, at St. Peter’s Square.As Benedict desired, the funeral will marked by simplicity, the Vatican said when announcing the death on Saturday.On Monday, the Vatican confirmed widely reported burial plans. In keeping with his wishes, Benedict’s tomb will be in the crypt of the grotto under the basilica that was last used by St. John Paul II, before the saint’s body was moved upstairs into the main basilica before his 2011 beatification, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.Security officials expected at least 25,000 people to pass by the body on the first day of viewing. Italian state television said around 10,000 had viewed Benedict's body after about four hours.At two sides of the piazza's colonnade, viewers went through the usual security measures required for tourists entering the basilica — passing through metal detectors and screening bags through an X-ray machine.Marina Ferrante, 62, was among them. The Roman arrived an hour before the doors were opened, and she grew emotional when she explained why she came.“I think his main legacy was teaching us how to be free,” she said. “He had a special intelligence in saying what was essential in his faith and that was contagious” for other faithful. “The thing I thought when he died was that I would like to be as free as he was.”While venturing that the shy, bookworm German churchman and theologian and the current Argentine-born pontiff had different temperaments, “I believe there’s a continuity between him and Pope Francis and whoever understands the real relationship between them and Christ can see that," Ferrante said.An American man who lives in Rome called the opportunity to view the body “an amazing experience.” Mountain Butorac, 47, who is originally from Atlanta, said he arrived 90 minutes before the dawn opening and left the basilica a half-hour after it opened.“I loved Benedict, I loved him as a cardinal (Joseph Ratzinger), when he was elected pope and also after he retired,” Butorac said. “I think he was a sort of people’s grandfather living in the Vatican.”He came to the Vatican to pray for Benedict when he was ailing, “so I wanted to be here today to say goodbye. I think he and Francis were close, they cared for each other,” he said.With an organ and choir’s soft rendition of “Kyrie Eleison” ("Lord, have mercy" in ancient Greek) in the background, ushers moved well-wishers along at a steady clip down the basilica’s center aisle and then nudged them gently forward, saying, in Italian, “avanti” (keep going) to keep the pace brisk. Someone left a red rose.A few VIPs had a moment before the general public to pay their respects, including Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the far-right leader who in the past has professed admiration for the conservative leanings of Benedict.Italian President Sergio Mattarella also came to view the body. The Vatican has said only two nations' official delegations — from Italy and from Benedict's native Germany — were invited formally to the funeral, since the pope emeritus was no longer head of state.Sister Regina Brand was among the mourners who came to the square before dawn.“He’s a German pope and I am from Germany," she said. "And I am here to express my gratitude and love, and I want to pray for him and to see him.”

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's body lies in state at Vatican

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teens after a violent altercation with police.

Just before 7p.m. Saturday, officers working an off-duty job at a business in the 3200 block of S. Meridian were requested by the business to remove a disruptive guest from the facility, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Management reported a 15-year-old girl had become upset and threatened staff at the business. Officers asked the girl to collect her belongings and leave. Still, she continued yelling threats toward employees and officers and refused to leave as a crowd gathered inside the business. 

Officers repeatedly asked the girl to leave the business, and she attempted to strike an officer but missed. The officer then tried to take her into custody, and a physical altercation ensued.

During the altercation, as another officer assisted with attempting to take her into custody, a 16-year-old boy intervened by striking the second officer in the back of the head. 

That officer then attempted to take the 16-year-old into custody, which resulted in an additional physical altercation. Officers requested additional patrol units to respond.

The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were both taken into custody and transported to Juvenile intake and assessment center.

The 15-year-old was booked on a requested charge of assault and one count of battery of a law enforcement officer, and one ordinance violation for aggressive and harassing contact. The 16- year-old was booked on a requested charge of battery of a law enforcement officer and two counts of obstruction, according to Macy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672660262307.png" alt="Image of the altercation from a video posted online" />
 <figcaption>Image of the altercation from a video posted online</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teens after a violent altercation with police.Just before 7p.m. Saturday, officers working an off-duty job at a business in the 3200 block of S. Meridian were requested by the business to remove a disruptive guest from the facility, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Management reported a 15-year-old girl had become upset and threatened staff at the business. Officers asked the girl to collect her belongings and leave. Still, she continued yelling threats toward employees and officers and refused to leave as a crowd gathered inside the business. Officers repeatedly asked the girl to leave the business, and she attempted to strike an officer but missed. The officer then tried to take her into custody, and a physical altercation ensued.During the altercation, as another officer assisted with attempting to take her into custody, a 16-year-old boy intervened by striking the second officer in the back of the head. That officer then attempted to take the 16-year-old into custody, which resulted in an additional physical altercation. Officers requested additional patrol units to respond.The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were both taken into custody and transported to Juvenile intake and assessment center.The 15-year-old was booked on a requested charge of assault and one count of battery of a law enforcement officer, and one ordinance violation for aggressive and harassing contact. The 16- year-old was booked on a requested charge of battery of a law enforcement officer and two counts of obstruction, according to Macy.

Police: Kansas teens jailed after violent altercation with officers

KIOWA COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Kiowa County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Western Star semi driven by Omar A.&nbsp;Mohamoud, 38, Dodge City, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just west of 37th Avenue. 

The semi rear-ended a 2013 Kia Soul driven by&nbsp; Adrienne R.&nbsp;Deal, 40, Cheney, who was parked in the eastbound lane with lights off and possibly disabled at the time of the accident.

Deal and an infant passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Mohamoud was not injured. The drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

KIOWA COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Kiowa County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Western Star semi driven by Omar A.&nbsp;Mohamoud, 38, Dodge City, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just west of 37th Avenue. The semi rear-ended a 2013 Kia Soul driven by&nbsp; Adrienne R.&nbsp;Deal, 40, Cheney, who was parked in the eastbound lane with lights off and possibly disabled at the time of the accident.Deal and an infant passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Mohamoud was not injured. The drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman, baby dead after semi rear-ends disabled car

CASS COUNTY —The search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 12 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.

Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.

The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;

Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.

A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539649262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —The search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 12 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Search continues for inmate who escaped jail near Kansas City

WICHITA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman who<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073240"> is in custody in</a> Wichita in connection with a bank robbery, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.

Annali L. Vanarsdale, 19, of Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery.&nbsp; She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on December 13, according to online jail records.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671650994742.png" alt="VANARSDALE-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>VANARSDALE-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman who<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073240"> is in custody in</a> Wichita in connection with a bank robbery, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.Annali L. Vanarsdale, 19, of Wichita was indicted on one count of bank robbery.&nbsp; She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on December 13, according to online jail records.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.&nbsp;

Kansas woman under investigation for alleged bank robbery

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man has been charged with murder in the death of a Nebraska woman whose body was found last month in Kansas.

Aldrick Scott, 47, has previously been charged with kidnapping Cari Allen, of Omaha, who disappeared in November.

Prosecutors said during a previous court hearing that Scott and Allen dated before she broke up with him about two weeks before she was reported missing on Nov. 20.

Officers searched Scott's home in Topeka Nov. 21. He was arrested Dec. 7 in Belize. Allen’s body was found in a shallow grave Dec. 21 near Topeka.

The Douglas County Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Scott was charged with murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony and tampering with evidence. He faces earlier charges of kidnapping and accessory to a felony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672613639392.png" alt="Scott-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Scott-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man has been charged with murder in the death of a Nebraska woman whose body was found last month in Kansas.Aldrick Scott, 47, has previously been charged with kidnapping Cari Allen, of Omaha, who disappeared in November.Prosecutors said during a previous court hearing that Scott and Allen dated before she broke up with him about two weeks before she was reported missing on Nov. 20.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671675092235.png" alt="Allen’s body was found in a shallow grave Dec. 21 near Topeka.-Photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Allen’s body was found in a shallow grave Dec. 21 near Topeka.-Photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers searched Scott's home in Topeka Nov. 21. He was arrested Dec. 7 in Belize. Allen’s body was found in a shallow grave Dec. 21 near Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669587276863.png" alt="Cari Allen-photo Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Cari Allen-photo Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Officials have not said how she died.The Douglas County Attorney’s Office announced Friday that Scott was charged with murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony and tampering with evidence. He faces earlier charges of kidnapping and accessory to a felony.

Murder: Boyfriend charged after body found in rural Kansas 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The number of U.S. deaths dropped this 2022, but there are still more than there were before the coronavirus hit.

Preliminary data — through the first 11 months of the year — indicates 2022 will see fewer deaths than the previous two COVID-19 pandemic years. Current reports suggest deaths may be down about 3% from 2020 and about 7% vs. 2021.

U.S. deaths usually rise year-to-year, in part because the nation's population has been growing. The pandemic accelerated that trend, making last year the deadliest in U.S. history, with more than 3.4 million dying. If current trends continue, this year will mark the first annual decline in deaths since 2009.

It will be months before health officials have a full tally. The October and November numbers are not yet complete and a late-December surge could change the final picture, said Farida Ahmad, who leads mortality surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If the decline does hold, it will still be a far cry from where the nation was before the coronavirus appeared. This year's count is likely to end up at least 13% higher than what it was in 2019.

"We're (still) definitely worse off than we were before the pandemic," said Amira Roess, a George Mason University professor of epidemiology and global health.

Once again, most of the annual change is due to the ebb and flow of COVID-19, which has killed more than 1,080,000 Americans since it first was recognized in the U.S. in early 2020.

This year started off horribly, with about 73,000 COVID deaths in January alone — the third deadliest month from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. For 2022, "the bulk of mortality was concentrated during that omicron wave at the beginning of the year," said Iliya Gutin, a University of Texas researcher tracking COVID-19 mortality.

Monthly COVID-19 deaths dropped below 4,000 in April and averaged about 16,000 per month through November. The monthly average for 2021 was more than double that.

COVID-19 will nevertheless end up as the nation's third leading cause of death this year, just as it was in 2020 and 2021 — behind the perennial leader, heart disease, and cancer.

Heart disease deaths, which have tended to surge in tandem with COVID-19 deaths, are on track to be down from 2021, Ahmad said. And it's not clear whether the number of cancer deaths will change, based on preliminary data.

There may be some relatively good news regarding drug overdose deaths, which hit an all-time high last year. Provisional overdose death data posted by the CDC on Wednesday — through the first seven months of this year — suggests overdose deaths stopped climbing early this year, around last winter's end.

Also, the CDC released its first report on deaths involving long COVID — long-term symptoms after a person has recovered from coronavirus infection. The CDC estimates that about 3,500 deaths from January 2020 through June 2022 involved long COVID. That's about 1% of deaths in which COVID was deemed the underlying or contributing cause.

Experts believe pharmaceutical weapons against the coronavirus have been making a difference. The Commonwealth Fund this week released a modeling study that concluded the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented more than 3.2 million deaths.

"We all really would expect that the number of deaths — and the number of severe cases — would decrease, due to a combination of immunity from natural infection and vaccination ... and treatment," Roess said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The number of U.S. deaths dropped this 2022, but there are still more than there were before the coronavirus hit.Preliminary data — through the first 11 months of the year — indicates 2022 will see fewer deaths than the previous two COVID-19 pandemic years. Current reports suggest deaths may be down about 3% from 2020 and about 7% vs. 2021.U.S. deaths usually rise year-to-year, in part because the nation's population has been growing. The pandemic accelerated that trend, making last year the deadliest in U.S. history, with more than 3.4 million dying. If current trends continue, this year will mark the first annual decline in deaths since 2009.It will be months before health officials have a full tally. The October and November numbers are not yet complete and a late-December surge could change the final picture, said Farida Ahmad, who leads mortality surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.If the decline does hold, it will still be a far cry from where the nation was before the coronavirus appeared. This year's count is likely to end up at least 13% higher than what it was in 2019."We're (still) definitely worse off than we were before the pandemic," said Amira Roess, a George Mason University professor of epidemiology and global health.Once again, most of the annual change is due to the ebb and flow of COVID-19, which has killed more than 1,080,000 Americans since it first was recognized in the U.S. in early 2020.This year started off horribly, with about 73,000 COVID deaths in January alone — the third deadliest month from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. For 2022, "the bulk of mortality was concentrated during that omicron wave at the beginning of the year," said Iliya Gutin, a University of Texas researcher tracking COVID-19 mortality.Monthly COVID-19 deaths dropped below 4,000 in April and averaged about 16,000 per month through November. The monthly average for 2021 was more than double that.COVID-19 will nevertheless end up as the nation's third leading cause of death this year, just as it was in 2020 and 2021 — behind the perennial leader, heart disease, and cancer.Heart disease deaths, which have tended to surge in tandem with COVID-19 deaths, are on track to be down from 2021, Ahmad said. And it's not clear whether the number of cancer deaths will change, based on preliminary data.There may be some relatively good news regarding drug overdose deaths, which hit an all-time high last year. Provisional overdose death data posted by the CDC on Wednesday — through the first seven months of this year — suggests overdose deaths stopped climbing early this year, around last winter's end.Also, the CDC released its first report on deaths involving long COVID — long-term symptoms after a person has recovered from coronavirus infection. The CDC estimates that about 3,500 deaths from January 2020 through June 2022 involved long COVID. That's about 1% of deaths in which COVID was deemed the underlying or contributing cause.Experts believe pharmaceutical weapons against the coronavirus have been making a difference. The Commonwealth Fund this week released a modeling study that concluded the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented more than 3.2 million deaths."We all really would expect that the number of deaths — and the number of severe cases — would decrease, due to a combination of immunity from natural infection and vaccination ... and treatment," Roess said.___

US deaths fell in 2022, but not to pre-COVID levels

By D. BRIAN BLANK and RODNEY RAMCHARAN <a href="https://theconversation.com/inflation-unemployment-the-housing-crisis-and-a-possible-recession-two-economists-forecast-whats-ahead-in-2023-195797">The Conversation</a>

With the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">current U.S. inflation rate at 7.1%</a>, <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/12/08/rising-interest-rates-and-inflation-have-upended-investing">interest rates rising</a> and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-09-08/why-did-housing-costs-explode-during-the-pandemic">housing costs up</a>, many Americans are wondering if a recession is looming.

Two economists discussed that and more in a recent wide-ranging and exclusive interview for The Conversation. 
Brian Blank is a <a href="https://www.business.msstate.edu/directory/dbb109">finance professor at Mississippi State University</a> who specializes in the study of corporations and how they respond to economic downturns. Rodney Ramcharan is an <a href="https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/rodney-ramcharan">economist at the University of Southern California</a> who previously held posts with the Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund.

Both were interviewed by Bryan Keogh, deputy managing editor and senior editor of economy and business for The Conversation.

Below are some highlights from the discussion. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Are we headed for a recession in 2023?

Brian Blank: The consensus view among most forecasters is that there is a recession coming at some point, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/goldman-ceo-says-reasonable-chance-us-recession-2023-2022-10-18/">maybe in the middle of next year</a>. I’m a little bit more optimistic than that consensus.

People have been calling for a recession for months now, and this 
seems to be the most anticipated recession on record. I think that it 
could still be a ways off. <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/z1/balance_sheet/chart/">Consumer balance sheets</a> are still relatively strong, stronger than we’ve seen them for most periods.

I think that the labor market is going to remain hotter than people 
have expected. Right now, over the last eight months, the labor market 
has added more jobs than anticipated, which is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/02/business/economy/jobs-report-november.html">one of the strongest streaks on record</a>.
 And I think that until consumer balance sheets weaken considerably, we 
can expect consumer spending, which is the largest part of the economy, 
to continue to grow quickly.

[But this] doesn’t mean that a recession is not coming. There’s always a recession somewhere down the road. 

Rodney Ramcharan: Indeed, yes, there’s a likelihood 
that the economy is going to contract in the next nine months. The 
president of the New York Fed expects the unemployment rate to go up 
from 3.5% currently to somewhere <a href="https://www.globest.com/2022/11/30/unemployment-could-hit-5-next-year-says-new-york-fed-president/?">between 4% to 5% in the next year</a>. And I think that will be consistent with a recession.

In terms of how much worse it can be beyond that, it’s going to 
depend on a number of things. It could depend on whether the Fed is 
going to accept a higher inflation rate over the medium term or whether 
it’s really committed to getting the inflation rate down to the 2% rate.
 So I think that’s the trade-off.

Blank: [Unemployment] hasn’t risen much, and maybe 
it’ll pick up to somewhere close to 4%. Many are expecting something 
like four and a half percent. And I think that’s certainly possible. And
 I think that we can see small upticks in the coming months. 

But I don’t think it’s going to rise as quickly as some people are 
expecting, in part because what we’ve seen so far is a lack of labor 
force participation. Until more people enter the labor market, I think 
there are going to be plenty of jobs to go around.

What is your outlook on interest rates?

Ramcharan: As people find it more and more difficult
 to find jobs, or to get jobs as they begin to lose jobs, I think that’s
 going to dampen spending. And we’re seeing that now as the cost of 
borrowing has gone up sharply, and the Fed is expecting that. 

The expectation is the federal funds rate will <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/02/fed-raises-borrowing-costs-with-another-jumbo-interest-rate-hike.html#:">go up to 5% by next year</a>.
 If you tack on another couple of points, because of the risk involved, 
then the cost to borrow to buy a home could potentially get up to 8% for
 some people. And that could be very expensive.

And the flip side of this for businesses is there’s potentially going
 to be a slowdown in cash flow. If consumers are not spending, then the 
revenues that businesses depend on to make investments might not be 
there.

The additional piece in this puzzle is what the banks will then do. I think banks are going to begin to <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditcrunch.asp">curtail the extension of credit</a>.
 So not only will interest rates go up for the typical consumer and the 
typical business, it’s also likely that they are more likely to 
experience denial of credit, and so that should together begin to slow 
spending quite a bit.

After massive increases in housing prices, what caused them to suddenly drop?

Ramcharan: As the Fed lowered interest rates, there 
was a massive shift among the population for various reasons. They 
decided that housing was the right investment or the right thing. And so
 when 50 million people all collectively decide to buy homes, the supply
 of homes is reasonably constrained in the short run. And so that led to
 this massive increase in house prices and in rents. 

In the last three months, the housing market <a href="https://slate.com/business/2022/10/housing-prices-real-estate-interest-rates-federal-reserve-california.html">has cooled sharply</a>.
 We’re now seeing house prices beginning to fall. I would imagine, going
 forward, the housing market cooling is going to be a major driver 
behind the slowdown in the inflation rate and in <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reit.asp">real estate investment trusts</a>. So that’s positive.

Our recent election just changed the composition of Congress. How will that affect the economy?

Blank: Certainly, when we have a divided Congress, 
we’re less likely to see decisions made that involve passing legislation
 that might support the economy. And I think it’s likely the Republican 
House is going to become a little bit <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/midterm-election-inflation-economy-what-it-means-rcna56473">more conservative with spending</a>.

And so if we do start to see a downturn, I think you’re less likely 
to see legislation that might help support an economy that could be in 
need of it. That is going to make the job of the Federal Reserve more 
important. 

How certain are these predictions?

Ramcharan: I just want to be careful here and let 
your viewers know that we’re making these statements based on theory, 
because the inflation that we’re experiencing now comes about from a 
pandemic, and there really is no evidence, there’s no data available, 
that people can look to to say, “What happens to an economy after a 
pandemic?” That data does not exist. 

So we’re trying to piece together the data we do have with the 
theories we do have, but there’s a huge band of uncertainty about what’s
 going to happen.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-UfSnXu3k8"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By D. BRIAN BLANK and RODNEY RAMCHARAN <a href="https://theconversation.com/inflation-unemployment-the-housing-crisis-and-a-possible-recession-two-economists-forecast-whats-ahead-in-2023-195797">The Conversation</a>With the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">current U.S. inflation rate at 7.1%</a>, <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/12/08/rising-interest-rates-and-inflation-have-upended-investing">interest rates rising</a> and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-09-08/why-did-housing-costs-explode-during-the-pandemic">housing costs up</a>, many Americans are wondering if a recession is looming.Two economists discussed that and more in a recent wide-ranging and exclusive interview for The Conversation. 
Brian Blank is a <a href="https://www.business.msstate.edu/directory/dbb109">finance professor at Mississippi State University</a> who specializes in the study of corporations and how they respond to economic downturns. Rodney Ramcharan is an <a href="https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/rodney-ramcharan">economist at the University of Southern California</a> who previously held posts with the Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund.Both were interviewed by Bryan Keogh, deputy managing editor and senior editor of economy and business for The Conversation.Below are some highlights from the discussion. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.Are we headed for a recession in 2023?Brian Blank: The consensus view among most forecasters is that there is a recession coming at some point, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/goldman-ceo-says-reasonable-chance-us-recession-2023-2022-10-18/">maybe in the middle of next year</a>. I’m a little bit more optimistic than that consensus. People have been calling for a recession for months now, and this 
seems to be the most anticipated recession on record. I think that it 
could still be a ways off. <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/z1/balance_sheet/chart/">Consumer balance sheets</a> are still relatively strong, stronger than we’ve seen them for most periods. I think that the labor market is going to remain hotter than people 
have expected. Right now, over the last eight months, the labor market 
has added more jobs than anticipated, which is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/02/business/economy/jobs-report-november.html">one of the strongest streaks on record</a>.
 And I think that until consumer balance sheets weaken considerably, we 
can expect consumer spending, which is the largest part of the economy, 
to continue to grow quickly.[But this] doesn’t mean that a recession is not coming. There’s always a recession somewhere down the road. Rodney Ramcharan: Indeed, yes, there’s a likelihood 
that the economy is going to contract in the next nine months. The 
president of the New York Fed expects the unemployment rate to go up 
from 3.5% currently to somewhere <a href="https://www.globest.com/2022/11/30/unemployment-could-hit-5-next-year-says-new-york-fed-president/?">between 4% to 5% in the next year</a>. And I think that will be consistent with a recession. In terms of how much worse it can be beyond that, it’s going to 
depend on a number of things. It could depend on whether the Fed is 
going to accept a higher inflation rate over the medium term or whether 
it’s really committed to getting the inflation rate down to the 2% rate.
 So I think that’s the trade-off.Will unemployment go up?Blank: [Unemployment] hasn’t risen much, and maybe 
it’ll pick up to somewhere close to 4%. Many are expecting something 
like four and a half percent. And I think that’s certainly possible. And
 I think that we can see small upticks in the coming months. But I don’t think it’s going to rise as quickly as some people are 
expecting, in part because what we’ve seen so far is a lack of labor 
force participation. Until more people enter the labor market, I think 
there are going to be plenty of jobs to go around.What is your outlook on interest rates?Ramcharan: As people find it more and more difficult
 to find jobs, or to get jobs as they begin to lose jobs, I think that’s
 going to dampen spending. And we’re seeing that now as the cost of 
borrowing has gone up sharply, and the Fed is expecting that. The expectation is the federal funds rate will <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/02/fed-raises-borrowing-costs-with-another-jumbo-interest-rate-hike.html#:">go up to 5% by next year</a>.
 If you tack on another couple of points, because of the risk involved, 
then the cost to borrow to buy a home could potentially get up to 8% for
 some people. And that could be very expensive. And the flip side of this for businesses is there’s potentially going
 to be a slowdown in cash flow. If consumers are not spending, then the 
revenues that businesses depend on to make investments might not be 
there.The additional piece in this puzzle is what the banks will then do. I think banks are going to begin to <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditcrunch.asp">curtail the extension of credit</a>.
 So not only will interest rates go up for the typical consumer and the 
typical business, it’s also likely that they are more likely to 
experience denial of credit, and so that should together begin to slow 
spending quite a bit. After massive increases in housing prices, what caused them to suddenly drop?Ramcharan: As the Fed lowered interest rates, there 
was a massive shift among the population for various reasons. They 
decided that housing was the right investment or the right thing. And so
 when 50 million people all collectively decide to buy homes, the supply
 of homes is reasonably constrained in the short run. And so that led to
 this massive increase in house prices and in rents. In the last three months, the housing market <a href="https://slate.com/business/2022/10/housing-prices-real-estate-interest-rates-federal-reserve-california.html">has cooled sharply</a>.
 We’re now seeing house prices beginning to fall. I would imagine, going
 forward, the housing market cooling is going to be a major driver 
behind the slowdown in the inflation rate and in <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reit.asp">real estate investment trusts</a>. So that’s positive. Our recent election just changed the composition of Congress. How will that affect the economy?Blank: Certainly, when we have a divided Congress, 
we’re less likely to see decisions made that involve passing legislation
 that might support the economy. And I think it’s likely the Republican 
House is going to become a little bit <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/midterm-election-inflation-economy-what-it-means-rcna56473">more conservative with spending</a>. And so if we do start to see a downturn, I think you’re less likely 
to see legislation that might help support an economy that could be in 
need of it. That is going to make the job of the Federal Reserve more 
important. How certain are these predictions?Ramcharan: I just want to be careful here and let 
your viewers know that we’re making these statements based on theory, 
because the inflation that we’re experiencing now comes about from a 
pandemic, and there really is no evidence, there’s no data available, 
that people can look to to say, “What happens to an economy after a 
pandemic?” That data does not exist. So we’re trying to piece together the data we do have with the 
theories we do have, but there’s a huge band of uncertainty about what’s
 going to happen.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/195797/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

🎥 Recession? Two economists forecast what’s ahead in 2023

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting.

Just after 11p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to to report of a physical disturbance in the 900 block of East Oakview Street in Olathe, according to a media release.

Officers arrived and contacted a 27-year-old white male inside the home.&nbsp; The man produced an edged weapon and advanced toward the officers. A taser was deployed with no effect. The man continued to advance on officers while armed with the edged weapon.&nbsp; One of the officers discharged their department issued handgun striking the man.&nbsp; 

The man received medical attention by responding officers as well as Johnson County Med-Act. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The officers were not injured.

The Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team (OISIT) was activated.&nbsp; Investigators from multiple agencies are leading the investigation of the incident.&nbsp; The Johnson County Crime Lab is processing the scene.

As a matter of standard procedure, the involved Officer(s) have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation by the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting.Just after 11p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to to report of a physical disturbance in the 900 block of East Oakview Street in Olathe, according to a media release.Officers arrived and contacted a 27-year-old white male inside the home.&nbsp; The man produced an edged weapon and advanced toward the officers. A taser was deployed with no effect. The man continued to advance on officers while armed with the edged weapon.&nbsp; One of the officers discharged their department issued handgun striking the man.&nbsp; The man received medical attention by responding officers as well as Johnson County Med-Act. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The officers were not injured.The Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team (OISIT) was activated.&nbsp; Investigators from multiple agencies are leading the investigation of the incident.&nbsp; The Johnson County Crime Lab is processing the scene.As a matter of standard procedure, the involved Officer(s) have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation by the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Man dies in officer-shooting at Kan. home on New Year's Eve

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska company on Friday expanded a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-nebraska-business-salmonella-infections-iowa-63b8ab2606f8cbbd7a1839203b4c4509">recall of alfalfa sprouts</a>&nbsp;after more than a dozen cases of salmonella were linked to the food.&nbsp; The sprouts are sold in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.

SunSprouts Enterprises doubled its recall that was first announced Thursday, Nebraska health officials said. The 1,406 pounds of raw sprouts were distributed in 4-ounce and 2.5-pound&nbsp; packages to food service and grocery customers in the Midwest between late November and mid-December.

The recalled sprouts have best-by dates between Dec. 10, 2022, and Jan. 7, 2023.

People who have the sprouts are advised to dispose of them.

Nebraska health officials said there have been 16 confirmed cases of people becoming ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted 15 confirmed cases of people getting sick, including two who were hospitalized. The CDC says eight cases were reported in Nebraska, six in South Dakota and one in Oklahoma. The differing number of cases provided by the two agencies could not immediately be reconciled

The CDC said there likely are many more cases among people who didn't seek medical care. SunSprouts is based in Fremont, Nebraska.

Salmonella bacteria causes sometimes bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. People with weakened immune systems, young children and older adults are especially susceptible to developing severe illnesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672341087626.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska company on Friday expanded a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-nebraska-business-salmonella-infections-iowa-63b8ab2606f8cbbd7a1839203b4c4509">recall of alfalfa sprouts</a>&nbsp;after more than a dozen cases of salmonella were linked to the food.&nbsp; The sprouts are sold in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.SunSprouts Enterprises doubled its recall that was first announced Thursday, Nebraska health officials said. The 1,406 pounds of raw sprouts were distributed in 4-ounce and 2.5-pound&nbsp; packages to food service and grocery customers in the Midwest between late November and mid-December.The recalled sprouts have best-by dates between Dec. 10, 2022, and Jan. 7, 2023.People who have the sprouts are advised to dispose of them.Nebraska health officials said there have been 16 confirmed cases of people becoming ill.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted 15 confirmed cases of people getting sick, including two who were hospitalized. The CDC says eight cases were reported in Nebraska, six in South Dakota and one in Oklahoma. The differing number of cases provided by the two agencies could not immediately be reconciledThe CDC said there likely are many more cases among people who didn't seek medical care. SunSprouts is based in Fremont, Nebraska.Salmonella bacteria causes sometimes bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. People with weakened immune systems, young children and older adults are especially susceptible to developing severe illnesses.Customers with product from this lot number in &nbsp;their possession should stop using it and dispose of it immediately. Consumers are also encouraged to follow all safe handling instructions and wash their hands and all preparation surfaces after handling any raw product. If consumers have any questions, they can contact SunSprout by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Admin@sunsprouts.com">Admin@sunsprouts.com</a>&nbsp;anytime, responses will be provided Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. CST.