Kansas Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Mask Mandates
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill that would prohibit government mask mandates in Kansas and curb the power of state and local health officials during outbreaks of infectious diseases. The measure vetoed Friday was the Republican-controlled Legislature’s response to mask mandates and other restrictions that outraged many conservative constituents during the coronavirus pandemic. It would prevent state and local government officials from issuing mask mandates and prevent state and local health officials from ordering law enforcement agencies to help them enforce orders dealing with infectious diseases. But the measure passed with less than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto.
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Haskell Graduation Features Interior Secretary Haaland
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - The U.S. Secretary of Interior congratulated graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University at this year's commencement. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Secretary Deb Haaland called on Haskell graduates to work to preserve Native American languages and culture. This follows a report released this week by the Interior Department that details forced assimilation of Native American children in the late 1800s at government-run boarding schools, including Haskell. Haaland, who is Laguna Pueblo, is the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.
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Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-run Outside Arrowhead Stadium
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police say a Kansas City man has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash that happened last year outside of Arrowhead Stadium. Television station WDAF reports that 19-year-old Thomas Weyer is charged with one count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash in the October 10th death of 66-year-old Steven Hickle of Wichita. Investigators say Hickle had left the stadium during a rain delay of a Chiefs game and was crossing a street when he was hit by two vehicles that left the scene. Court documents say an anonymous tip led police to Weyer, who initially denied involvement, but later admitted hitting Hickle after being told police had learned his vehicle was at the scene of the fatality at the time of the hit-and-run crash.
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Overland Park Woman Charged with Murdering Patient 20 Years Ago
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) - Authorities say they've arrested a former respiratory therapist who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of a patient 20 years ago. The Livington County, Missouri, Sheriff's office says 41-year-old Jennifer Hall, also known as Jennifer Semaboye, of Overland Park was arrested Thursday evening. She was charged this month in the 2002 death of Fern Franco -- one of nine people who died at Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe over several months in 2002. Authorities say Hall worked as a respiratory therapist at the hospital when the patients all died from cardiac collapse. Hall has previously denied any involvement.