Conservatives Push Kris Kobach for Homeland Security Head
WASHINGTON (AP) — Outside allies of President Donald Trump have launched a public campaign urging him to nominate former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach as his next secretary of Homeland Security. That's despite the uphill battle Kobach would likely face getting confirmed by the Senate. NumbersUSA, a group that seeks to reduce immigration rates, released a statement Tuesday saying there is "no one more qualified" for the job and claiming Kobach has the support of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. They're also rallying to defend Lee Francis Cissna, the director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, whose job is said to be in danger. Kobach did not response to a request for comment Tuesday morning. The White House declined to comment on the push.
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Kansas Guard Brigade Captain Resigns over Suicide Concerns
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A captain in a Kansas National Guard brigade has resigned over what she says is a lack of concern from guard leadership over recent suicides. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Capt. Tara Fields is a behavioral health officer. She has served 12 years in military, eight on active duty. She said her resignation will be final by the end of April. Kansas Guard Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli said the guard has had nine suicides in the last five years, with three in the past 18 months. Fields says suicides of a civilian worker and a man who had just been discharged weren't included in the guard's official number. Tafanelli said the guard is concerned about every death and offers several programs to help struggling members.
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Mexican National Murder Suspect Found Hanged in Jail Cell
ST. LOUIS (AP) _ A Mexican national accused of killing four people in Kansas and one in Missouri in 2016 is dead after being found hanging from a light fixture in his St. Louis jail cell. Pablo Serrano-Vitorino was alone in his cell when he was found at 2:02 a.m. Tuesday. St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Serrano-Vitorino had hanged himself and left a note written in Spanish. A spokesman for the city confirmed the death but declined further comment. Serrano-Vitorino used a safety razor to try and kill himself in his Montgomery County, Missouri, jail cell soon after his arrest in March 2016. Serrano-Vitorino was accused of fatally shooting four men at a home in Kansas City, Kansas, on the night of March 7, 2016. He was arrested a day later in Montgomery County, Missouri, where he was accused of killing Randy Nordman of New Florence. Serrano-Vitorino was in the U.S. illegally. He was being held in St. Louis awaiting trial in the Missouri case on a change of venue.
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Wichita Suburb of Derby to Get a New Hospital
DERBY, Kan. (AP) — A new hospital will open soon in the Wichita suburb of Derby. The Wichita Eagle reports that the $40 million Rock Regional Hospital is part of a new 15-acre medical campus. Staff began occupying the 31-bed hospital in February. But Hospital CEO Jason Eitutis says it's awaiting state inspections and clearance by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to start accepting patients. A group of developers, local investors and private capital firms called Rock Medical Assets owns the for-profit hospital as well as an ambulatory center. Ascension Via Christi became a 25% owner in the hospital when it signed an agreement in late October with the group. Dallas-based Candor Healthcare is managing the hospital's daily operations.
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Kansas Woman Killed, Suspect Arrested in Missouri
NORTON, Kan. (AP) — State and county authorities say a man arrested in Missouri is suspected of killing his 38-year-old wife in northern Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says Lori Shields was found dead Sunday afternoon in her home in Norton. Her husband, 42-year-old Damien Shields, was arrested Monday in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after police responded to a hotel after receiving a call for help. The KBI says Damien Shields was hospitalized in Cape Girardeau for injuries that appeared to be self-inflicted. He was later booked into the Cape Girardeau County Jail. Lori Shields was a secretary at Eisenhower Elementary School in Norton. Classes in district were called off Monday in response to her death.
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Kansas Teen Dies in Farming Accident, Authorities Say
NORTON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Kansas teen has been killed in a farming accident. Norton County Sheriff Troy Thompson says his office received a call around 9:25 p.m. Monday from a concerned parent. KWCH-TV reports that the parent said the teen went missing while doing chores. Deputies arrived and found that the teen had involved in an accident involving farming equipment. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name wasn't immediately released.
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Third Person Charged in Fatal Shooting of Olathe Teenager
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A third person is charged in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old Olathe student. The Kansas City Star reports 18-year-old Matthew Lee Bibee Jr., is charged with first-degree murder in the March 29 death of 17-year-old Rowan Padgett of Overland Park. A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl also are charged with first-degree murder in Padgett's death. Prosecutors are seeking to try both teens as adults. Authorities say Padgett's killing in an Olathe neighborhood occurred during a drug deal. Bibee was arrested March 31 after he became a suspect in a robbery. Police say Bibee shot at a police officer and missed. The officer returned fire, hitting Bibee, whose injuries were not life threatening. Bibee faces an attempted capital murder charge and several other charges in that case. Bibee remains jailed on $1 million bond.
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1 Person Dies in Wreck with Cattle Truck in Kansas
POTWIN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say one person and around a dozen head of cattle have died in a head-on wreck in rural Kansas. KWCH-TV reports that the crash happened late Monday on Kansas 196 near the Butler County town of Potwin, which is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Wichita. The Butler County Sheriff's Office says it's unclear whether a tractor-trailer or passenger vehicle crossed the center line before the collision. The driver of the passenger vehicle was killed; the cattle truck's driver wasn't hurt. More than 30 cattle survived the wreck. They were either stuck inside the rig or wandering around a nearby wooded area. Deputies warned drivers in the area to be on the lookout.
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Charges Dismissed in McPherson Homicide
MCPHERSON, Kan. (AP) — Charges have been dismissed against a 27-year-old man accused in an April 2017 death of a central Kansas man. The McPherson Sentinel reports first-degree murder and other charges against Travis Belt were dismissed Friday without prejudice, which means charges could be filed again. Belt, of Little River is charged in the death of 58-year-old Steven Carlson of McPherson. Carlson was found dead in his home in April 2017. The newspaper reports the dismissal will allow further testing of DNA found at the scene. Prosecutors said Belt used Carlson's truck to shoplift at a Walmart the day before Carlson's body was found. Belt remains incarcerated in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility on charges stemming from unrelated cases.
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Court: State Must Pay Legal Fees over "In Cold Blood" Case Notes
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A court has ordered Kansas to pay legal fees arising from its efforts to block publication of notebooks kept by the lead investigator into the murders chronicled in Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood." KCUR Radio reports the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled last week the state must pay more than $168,000 to attorneys who represented the investigator's son and a literary memorabilia dealer in Seattle. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt sued in 2012 to prevent the publication or selling of notes from Harold Nye, lead investigator into the killings of the Clutter family in 1959 in Holcomb, Kansas. A judge ruled in 2014 that Nye's son, Ronald, could use the notebooks as the basis for a book. He also ordered the state to pay legal fees.
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Missouri Man Sentenced for Police Chase That Ended in Kansas
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man who was driving during a police chase that started in Joplin and ended in Kansas has been sentenced to four years in prison. Twenty-year-old Marquis Sanders, of Carterville, was sentenced Monday for felony child endangerment and resisting arrest. The Joplin Globe reports that Joplin police pursued Sanders' vehicle in June after a passenger pointed an unknown object at officers in a patrol car. During the pursuit, Sanders ran several red lights and stop signs and made reckless turns. Speeds reached over 100 mph before the vehicle became disabled in Oswego, Kansas. Because his passengers included four juveniles, Saunders was charged with four counts of first-degree child endangerment and resisting arrest. Three of the endangerment charges were dropped as part of his plea agreement.
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Motorcyclist Dies After Crashing on Kansas Raceway
PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a motorcyclist has died after crashing on a Kansas raceway. The Wichita Eagle reports that the crash happened around 1 p.m. Sunday at the Jeeps Motorcycle Club raceway in Park City. Police Sgt. Richard Wolff says paramedics responded and performed CPR on the 30-year-old but he didn't survive. His name wasn't immediately released. Wolff says it's not yet known if the man crashed and died of a medical condition, or if he died of injuries related to the crash. The nonprofit, member owned club announced in a Facebook post that the decision was made to call the remainder of the races Sunday. The post says the club's "thoughts and prayers go out to the racers family and friends" Park City is located on the northern edge of the Wichita area.
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Dismembered Horse Found at Park Was Longtime Family Pet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A horse whose dismembered remains were found in a Missouri park was a family pet that was pregnant. Miguel Valdez told WDAF-TV that breaking the news to his children was difficult. But he said it was equally disturbing to go to animal control and identify the mare, named Senaida, which the family had owned for nine years. He says he's "upset and angry." The horse was at a friend's farm in Kansas City, Kansas, when it went missing. A man playing disc golf found the animal's remains a week ago in Kessler Park in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri. Police there say the horse appeared to have been prepared for consumption. After the meat was removed, the carcass was placed in a barrel and dumped in the park.
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Kansas Man Arrested for Killing Puppy, Fleeing from Police
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A Hutchinson man who is accused of killing a puppy has been arrested after a police chase. Police said in an arrest affidavit that an officer began pursuing 28-year-old Gabriel Sanchez Jr. on Sunday after spotting him in a stolen vehicle. The Hutchinson News reports that after about 10 minutes, he got out of the vehicle and bolted. Police found him hiding in a bathroom in a nearby home. Charges weren't immediately filed in the pursuit. But he's charged with residential burglary and animal cruelty in the dog's death. A police report says Sanchez forced his way into a home on March 30, grabbed the animal and threw it. Sanchez told a judge during a court appearance that the dog was his. Sanchez's bond is set at $60,000.
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Missouri Bill Would Bar Discrimination for Not Vaccinating
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are considering enacting a ban on discrimination against unvaccinated children. The Missouri bill reviewed Monday in a House committee would prohibit discrimination in daycares, doctors' offices and public schools if children have legal exemptions to immunizations. Missouri grants vaccine exemptions for religious and medical reasons. Some parents testified to lawmakers that their unvaccinated children were turned away from daycares or doctors. Pharmacist and bill sponsor Rep. Lynn Morris says parents are being bullied to vaccinate their children. A similar measure failed to make it to the House floor last year. The Missouri legislation comes as some other states are moving to limit vaccine exemptions amid disease outbreaks. Washington lawmakers in March passed a measure to strip exemptions for measles vaccinations. An outbreak in southwest Washington has sickened dozens.
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Teen Skateboarder Seriously Hurt While being Pulled by Car
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 15-year-old skateboarder was seriously injured while being pulled down a street by a car. The Wichita Eagle reports that the teen was holding onto an open car window Sunday when he lost control and hit his head on the ground as he fell. Bystanders called 911, and he was rushed to a hospital, where he remained in critical condition Monday. Wichita police Officer Charley Davidson says another 15-year-old also was being pulled by the car at the time. But that teen was able to let go and stopped safely. Davidson says the teen's 16-year-old friend was in the driver's seat. The case will be presented to prosecutors for possible criminal charges, while adding that speed and alcohol aren't believed to be a factor.
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Fans of "Queer Eye" Show Raise $90,000 for Kansas Woman
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A woman whose experience of being kicked out of her home as a 16-year-old because she's a lesbian was highlighted on the Netflix show "Queer Eye" has a fresh shot at college after fans raised enough to pay off her student loans. The show tells the story of 23-year-old Jess Guilbeaux attempting to put herself through college at the University of Kansas before dropping out due to debt. It led a supporter to set up a GoFundMe last month, with a goal of raising $100,000 to "Send Jess Back to College!" More than $90,000 has been raised so far. GoFundMe spokesperson Aja Shepherd told The Wichita Eagle reports that Guilbeaux managed to pay off her loans thanks to the generosity of people around the world. The university declined to comment.
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Medicaid Expansion Fight Delaying Work on Next Kansas Budget
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A legislative fight over expanding Medicaid in Kansas is delaying approval of the state's next annual budget as expansion supporters try to keep Republican opponents from blocking it for another year. Some top GOP lawmakers are conceding that an expansion plan could pass because expansion is a priority for Democratic Governor Laura Kelly and has bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled Legislature. However, opponents hope for time this summer and fall to develop a smaller program than Kelly wants with restrictions she opposes, such as a work requirement for participants. Expansion became a sticking point in budget negotiations between the House and Senate, causing lawmakers to put off votes until May on any part of the state's spending blueprint for the fiscal year beginning in July.
Potential expansion costs are hotly debated, but the disagreement in budget talks is over how much to tie Kelly's hands as she pursues expansion this year. "We have a Democrat governor," Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a conservative Kansas City-area Republican. "There will be a time when we won't be able to maneuver around it." Supporters argue that Medicaid expansion will benefit working-class families, help struggling rural hospitals and boost the economy with an influx of federal funds. Opponents predict expansion will prove far more expensive than advertised, even with the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act's promise that the federal government would cover 90 percent of the cost. Thirty-six states, including GOP-led ones, have expanded Medicaid or have seen voters approve ballot initiatives.
In Kansas, Republicans who oppose expansion still hold key positions in both chambers and prevented even a committee vote for weeks. However, supporters forced a debate in the House last month, and it passed a modified version of Kelly's expansion plan over GOP leaders' objections. The Senate didn't take up the measure before lawmakers began their annual spring break Saturday. However, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, notified colleagues that he will try to pull it out of committee May 1, when legislators reconvene to wrap up business for the year.
In arguing for further delay, GOP leaders note that Republican-led Utah is pursuing a scaled-back version of an expansion approved by voters last year to control the potential costs. Kelly's administration projects that her plan to extend Medicaid health coverage to as many as 150,000 more Kansas residents would come with a net cost of the state of $34 million in the program's first full year. Top Republicans are skeptical and believe the net cost easily could be twice as much. They also want Kansas to consider work requirements, though a federal judge blocked them in Arkansas and Kentucky. Republicans also have suggested drug testing for people receiving the expanded Medicaid coverage. Kelly opposes both ideas, but it's not clear what she would do if either was included in expansion legislation. GOP leaders announced plans last week to have a committee study possible alternatives to Kelly's plan this summer and fall. "We're going to do it on our own schedule," Denning said.
To help build pressure for Medicaid expansion, Kelly is having a town hall meeting Tuesday in Wichita, and Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers is touring western Kansas hospitals. "We've studied this for multiple years," Rogers said Monday. "When they (Republican leaders) say we need more discussion, it's on them. It's not on the Kansas people."
Legislators initially planned to pass a bill containing most of the next state budget before the spring break, to make finishing their work in May easier. However, the budget talks stalled last week. Medicaid expansion was among a few remaining issues in reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions of the spending blueprint. Neither chamber included funds to cover expansion costs, but Denning persuaded senators to add an amendment to their version to prevent the state from spending any dollars on expansion paperwork.
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Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Star Dedric Lawson Declares for NBA Draft
Kansas forward Dedric Lawson will skip his senior year and enter the NBA draft, the latest move in what should be a significant overhaul of the Jayhawks' roster for next season. Lawson transferred from Memphis and sat out last season, then led the Big 12 with 19.4 points and 10.3 rebounds this season. He was voted All-Big 12 and third-team All-American while finishing No. 2 nationally and third in school history with 22 double-doubles. The spring signing period for men's college basketball begins April 17.
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