Hutchinson Man Accused of Threatening Mass Violence
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH) - A Hutchinson man has been arrested on a domestic terrorism charge. Police accuse 24-year-old Andrew Patterson of making threats to commit an act of mass violence. According to KWCH TV, police say Patterson had detailed plans to attack his place of employment but police did not specify where Patterson worked. Hutchinson police say they were acting on a tip and took Patterson into custody following a traffic stop. He's being held in the Reno County Jail.
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Woman Shot by Kansas City Police Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Threatening Officers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSHB) - A woman who was shot by Kansas City police during a confrontation last Friday has now been charged. KSHB TV reports that 26-year-old Leonna Hale has been charged in Jackson County, Missouri, with unlawful possession of a firearm, threatening to use that weapon and resisting arrest. Kansas City police shot Hale near a Dollar General store in Kansas City, after responding to a reported armed robbery carjacking that took place in Kansas City, Kansas. Initial media reports quoted a witness who claimed Hale was unarmed when she was shot by police. Officers dispute that claim. Investigators say they reviewed video from police body cameras that shows Hale was armed with a handgun and threatening police. Officers fired multiple rounds and wounded Hale who was taken to an area hospital.
(–Additional reporting–)
Prosecutor: Woman Shot by Kansas City Police Was Armed
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas woman who was shot and wounded by Kansas City, Missouri, police last week has been charged with several counts. The Kansas City Star reports that Jackson County prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Leonna Hale, of Kansas City, Kansas, with unlawful firearm possession, exhibiting a firearm and resisting arrest. The prosecutor's office says police body camera video of the shooting showed Hale was holding a gun in her right hand Friday as police tried to arrest her in connection with a reported carjacking that had occurred in Kansas City, Kansas. Police have said both officers fired at Hale in the parking lot as she fled holding a gun.
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Kansas Tax Receipts in May Exceed $900 Million; $239 Million More than Expected
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansas tax collections for the month of May came in higher than expected. Total tax revenue exceeded $900 million last month. That's $239 million more than predicted. In announcing the new numbers, Governor Laura Kelly said the state remains on a solid financial footing. ( Read more in the Lawrence Journal-World.)
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Jury Sides with Topeka Officer in Lawsuit over 2018 Arrest
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury has found that a white Topeka police officer did not use excessive force when he arrested a Black man in 2018. Timothy Harris sued Officer Christopher Janes after his arrest during a traffic stop in Topeka. He alleged Janes violated his civil rights by taking him to the ground, hitting him and using pepper spray while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. A federal jury on Thursday ruled in Janes's favor. During closing arguments, Janes's attorney argued that Harris was resisting arrest during the confrontation and the officer's conduct was reasonable. Harris's attorney argued Harris was cooperating when he was thrown to the ground.
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Kansas Parents Turn to Social Media to Find Baby Formula
WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW/KNS) - A baby formula shortage has become a major problem for parents across the country. The Kansas News Service reports that some Kansas parents are now turning to social media for help. Erinn Moore stocked up on formula for her infant son, Oliver, just before a widespread shortage started leaving grocery store shelves bare. Now, the Wichita mom is helping other families find baby formula. She started a Facebook group where parents and others can post photos of what’s available at local stores. "There’s definitely a need out there to be coming together as a community in this world right now," she said. "I just saw a small way that I could help out, and so that’s what I’m trying to do.” The Wichita Formula Finders Facebook page is one of several in Kansas. On the page, parents can ask for help finding certain brands of baby formula. They can also post photos of what’s available on local store shelves. Moore says she wants to help families navigate the nationwide shortage. “There’s all the politics of it that people can get into in both directions, and I don’t care about any of that junk," Moore said. "Let’s just feed these babies.” Similar Facebook groups have launched in other Kansas communities. Retailers report that about 40% of baby formula is out of stock nationwide due to supply chain disruptions and a recall by one of the largest formula producers.
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Kansas Governor Signs COVID Relief Bill
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill Thursday aimed at helping small businesses hurt by government-ordered shutdowns during the pandemic. The bill authorizes $50 million in relief to businesses forced to comply with public-health restrictions at the start of the pandemic. Qualifying businesses will be eligible for up to $5,000 to offset taxes and rent they had to pay during the shutdowns. The bill got bipartisan support in Topeka, with only one lawmaker voting against it. The state will use federal COVID relief funds to pay for the program. The Kansas Department of Revenue will take applications and determine eligibility.
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Derek Schmidt Taps Senator Roger Marshall's Staffer as Kansas Gubernatorial Running Mate
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas Republican Derek Schmidt has picked a member of Kansas Senator Roger Marshall’s staff as his running mate for governor. Katie Sawyer will run for Lieutenant Governor alongside Schmidt this fall as they try to unseat Democrat Laura Kelly. The 38-year-old state director for Marshall makes the jump from political staffer to candidate. Sawyer would be first-in-line to become governor if Schmidt were elected and then left the job. Sawyer and her husband own a crop and cattle farm in McPherson County. She is also a former journalist. Schmidt filed paperwork Wednesday to get him and Sawyer on the GOP ballot for the August 2 primary. Schmidt faces no Republican opposition to his bid to unseat Governor Kelly. Sawyer worked on Marshall’s congressional staff before his election to the Senate in 2020. Schmidt said he expects Sawyer to be a key adviser if he’s elected. Kansas Democrats called Sawyer an unknown political operative.
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Ford Plans to Add Thousands of Jobs at Plants Including Claycomo
AVON LAKE, Ohio (AP) — Ford will add 6,200 factory jobs in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio as it prepares to build more electric vehicles and roll out two redesigned combustion-engine models. The company says it will invest $3.7 billion in the three states, and it will convert about 3,000 temporary workers to full-time status with benefits. A factory near Cleveland will be expanded so it can build an unidentified new electric commercial vehicle, with 1,800 new jobs. A plant in Claycomo, Missouri, near Kansas City, that makes big electric and combustion-engine vans will get a third shift of 1,100 workers. And in Michigan, the company will add 2,000 jobs at three assembly plants as well as another 1,200 at other facilities.
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Officer Who Fatally Shot Ex-Detective Will Not Be Charged
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors say a police officer in Kansas who fatally shot a former police detective during a scuffle will not be charged with a crime. The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that no charges will be filed against the Kansas City officer who shot Lionel Womack in November. The Kansas City Star reports that two officers confronted Womack following 911 calls about a man trying to jump in front of traffic. Investigators say that within seconds of confronting Womack, the former detective had disarmed one officer and pointed the weapon at him, leading the second officer to shoot Womack. Police have not named the officers involved.
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Man Found Guilty of Killing Woman He Was Accused of Stalking
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas City man has been convicted of killing an Olathe woman he had been accused of stalking. He now faces life in prison. The Kansas City Star reports that a Johnson County jury found 44-year-old Clyde James Barnes Jr. guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in the 2020 killing of 42-year-old Jessica Smith in her Olathe home. Barnes will be sentenced in October. Barnes was also found guilty of aggravated burglary, unlawful tampering with electronic monitoring, criminal threat and violation of a protection order. Olathe police who were responding to a burglary call at Smith's home found her body inside and arrested Barnes hours later. At the time, Barnes was out of jail on bond for a stalking charge involving Smith, but that charge was later dismissed. ( Read more.)
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Kansas City Woman Accused of Killing Son Found Mentally Unfit to Stand Trial
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Kansas City woman accused of decapitating her 6-year-old son has been found mentally unfit to stand trial. The Kansas City Star reports that a judge last week placed 35-year-old Tasha Haefs in the custody of the Missouri Department of Mental Health after finding her incompetent to stand trial. Haefs had been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Karvel Stevens. Officers in February found the boy and a family dog decapitated. Police went to the home after a woman believed to be Haefs called and said the devil was trying to attack her. Haefs' family members say she had struggled for years with drug addiction, depression, severe trauma and hallucinations.
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Kansas Rail Lines to Receive Federal Upgrade Money
WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) - Two Kansas rail lines will get major improvements with help from federal taxpayers. Nearly $20 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help fund upgrades to make it easier for Kansas farmers and manufacturers to get their products to market. The money will be matched with about $1 million from state taxpayers and more than $28 million from the rail companies. One project will replace about 23 miles of obsolete track between Beloit and Yuma Junction, Kansas. That will enable the line to support larger, faster rail cars and connect northern Kansas to the national rail network. Another grant will upgrade the Cimarron Valley Railroad in southwest Kansas, from Dodge City to Hugoton.
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Abandoned Puppy Rescued on Busy Kansas Highway Near Wamego
WAMEGO, Kan. (KSNT) - An abandoned puppy has a new home after being saved over the weekend on a highway near Wamego. KSNT reports that Coleman Electric employees were traveling to Manhattan when they noticed a puppy in the back of a car hauler. Matt Mcmillan and Steve McLean worked to flag down the double-decker car hauler with help from motorists. When they got the vehicle to stop, they rescued the puppy. After the rescue, Mcmillan took the puppy to their job site and took care of her. The puppy, now named Karmel, is a 4-month-old retriever lab mix. “Once we found her, she’s the sweetest dog, so she just lays there by your feet,” Mcmillan said. Mcmillan, who had recently lost a dog of his own, knew he could not live without her. On Tuesday, Mcmillan took the puppy to be scanned for a chip. When they reached out to the original owners, they said they did not want her back. The puppy was originally adopted from a Manhattan shelter. ( Read more.)
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'Some Weirdness' at Big 12 with Future and Soon-to-Be Former Teams
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby acknowledges the there is “some weirdness” with the conference's annual spring meetings. There are 14 schools taking part this week in North Texas. There are representatives from future members BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. There is also the lingering presence of Texas and Oklahoma. The league's only football national champions are still three years away from their scheduled departures to the SEC. Plus, Bowlsby announced his retirement earlier this year. He plays to stay on until is replacement is found, and figures he's down to having 30-90 days left on the job.
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Cleveland Shuts Out, Sweeps Series with Kansas City; Royals Now Have Worst Record in Majors
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-0 to complete a three-game sweep. Kansas City has dropped 11 of 13 and now, the Royals have the worst record in Major League Baseball at 16-33.
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These area headlines are curated by KPR news staffers, including J. Schafer, Laura Lorson, Kaye McIntyre, and Tom Parkinson. Our headlines are generally posted by 10 am weekdays, 11 am weekends. This news summary is made possible by KPR listener-members. Become one today.