WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says getting non-profit and faith-based groups involved with criminal offenders can reduce the number returning to prison after being released.

KWCH-TV reports that Brownback spoke in Wichita on Monday at the “Out for Life” conference, which runs through Wednesday. The conference was organized by Prison Fellowship, a nationwide group that promotes ministry in prisons and church support for offenders after their release.

The Kansas Corrections Department says 43 percent of the offenders released from prisons will return for new crimes within three years.

Brownback told the conference that getting non-profit and faith-based groups engaged could reduce that figure.

Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts opened the conference by encouraging religious volunteers to increase their efforts to help offenders stay out of prison.

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Information from: KWCH-TV, https://www.kwch.com

            Three tornadoes were reported in Norton County Monday damaging homes and bringing down power lines. Only minor injuries have been reported. Two highways were closed briefly in Norton County to remove debris.

            Tornadoes also were reported in Graham, Gove and Wallace counties.

        At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S Marshals earlier this month seized elderberry juice products that have been distributed by Wyldewood Cellars Inc., based in Peck, Kan., because the products are unapproved and misbranded drugs.

         According to the FDA’s complaint, Wyldewood Cellars makes claims in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that its elderberry juice concentrate cures, treats, or prevents various disease conditions.

         After a previous warning from the FDA, the company promised to remove all such claims from its websites, but the FDA discovered the company continuing to make such claims.