Kansas Supreme Court Rules for Governor on Church Services
BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Saturday that a Republican-dominated legislative panel exceeded its authority when it tried to overturn the Democratic governor’s executive order banning religious and funeral services of more than 10 people during the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came after the justices heard oral arguments one day before Easter, which is typically the busiest day on the Christian calendar in terms of church attendance. The Saturday hearing was the court’s first conducted completely via video conferencing. The court ruled that legislative action designed to give the legislative leadership panel the ability to overrule Governor Laura Kelly’s executive orders was flawed.
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Sedgwick County Asking Employees to Volunteer for Furlough
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County has told its 2,500 employees in an email that it is looking for people to voluntarily furlough amid the coronavirus pandemic. An email Friday from County Manager Tom Stolz says the furlough will span from April 19th to May 23rd. The Wichita Eagle reports employees could be called back before if “services are able to return to normal-functioning capacity.” The Sedgwick County Commission is expected to weigh in during its Wednesday meeting.
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Wichita Police Arrest Man for Double Homicide
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say they have arrested a Kansas man wanted on capital murder charges in the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her 8-year-old daughter. Authorities said that 25-year-old Daniel Lopez was arrested Friday evening without incident at a residence in Wichita after police followed up on a tip that he was at the home of family members. Sedgwick County authorities charged him earlier this month in the deaths of 24-year-old Mickayla Sorell and her daughter, Natalya Sorell.
