TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation released an update on the progress of their task force investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the Catholic clergy in Kansas.

The KBI initiated the investigation in February 2019, at the request of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. When announcing the start of the investigation, they asked Kansans to report to them any victimization by members of the clergy, church employees, church volunteers, or any others in positions of authority within the church.

Since the launch of the investigation, the KBI has received 119 reports from victims who have contacted them related to recent or past sexual abuse committed by clergy members. Following these reports, task force agents have initiated 74 investigations in 33 different Kansas counties.

The KBI continues to take reports of sexual abuse via phone at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or by email at [email protected]. Victims are asked to report all incidents of sexual abuse that involve a member of the clergy, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, and even if it was previously reported to law enforcement or the church.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11:55 p.m. Saturday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a call about a possible shooting in the 1200 block of SW Polk in Topeka, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.

At the scene, officers located a man with a gunshot wound to the head, and a second man with a head injury.

Initial information suggests there was a dispute between the two injured men just prior to the physical conflict. Both men were transported to a local hospital for treatment, and their injuries are considered non-life threatening.

On Monday, police reported 41-year-old John Douglas Logan, 41, of Topeka, was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges of aggravated battery and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon. The victim remains at a local hospital in stable condition.

Logan has previous convictions for aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Trump administration is expanding the authority of immigration officers to deport migrants without requiring them to appear before judges ahead of deportation.

The Homeland Security Department said Monday that fast-track deportations will apply to anyone in the country illegally less than two years.

Until now those deportations applied only to people caught crossing the U.S. border by land and not entering by boat or plane.

The department says the expansion “expedited removal” authority will allow it to more efficiently pursue large numbers of people in the country illegally and promptly remove them.

Omar Jawdat of the American Civil Liberties says his group and the American Immigration Council will challenge the measure in court.

The announcement came a week after the administration adopted a major policy shift to limit asylum.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police are investigating a shooting early Monday.

Just before 12:30a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 5800 Block of East Pine Street in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, police located a 43-year-old man who had been shot multiple times. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Cruz.

The victim told police he was sitting out on his porch when unknown suspects approached on foot and shot him. There were three teenagers and a 36-year-old woman at the home at the time of the shooting.

Cruz did not release the victim’s name. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

GREENWOOD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend boating accident in Greenwood County.

On Saturday evening, Kansas Game Wardens and a Park Ranger responded to a report of a boat striking a submerged bridge on Fall River Reservoir, according to a social media report from game wardens.

The boat was traveling at a high-rate of speed at the time of the crash, according to the Greenwood County Sheriff.

After using a drone to locate the accident scene, a warden rushed a paramedic and a COE Ranger by boat to the crash site. They provided aid to the operator and two other passengers and retrieved a female victim from the water.  She sustained hip, ankle and possibly a head injury, according to the sheriff’s department. The boat driver suffered a head laceration.

The woman was shuttled back across the reservoir for an airlift to the hospital and is recovering, according to wardens. Two others were ejected from the boat and uninjured, according to the Sheriff’s department. Authorities did not release names of those involved in the accident.

Kansas Game Wardens reminded everyone to be vigilant while using the still flooded but receding waters in Kansas. 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two police officers have been hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Kansas City, Kansas.

THe wreck happened shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday near the Kansas Speedway. Police say the driver of a truck struck the officers’ police cruiser as they sat inside completing reports from a previous crash. The driver didn’t stop.

Police described the officers’ injuries as minor.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and robbery and asking the public for help with information.

Just before 10:30p.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the 2100 Block of West Columbine in Wichita, according to Captain Brent Allred. At the residence, police found 55-year-old Charles Giles of Wichita, with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene, according to Allred.
Investigators determined Mr. Giles left his place of business, Neighbors Bar and Grill, arrived at the residence when the suspect or suspects approached him, fired several rounds from a handgun and took money from him, according to Allred.

Police do not believe the shooting was random. They believe that robbery was the motive, according to Allred.

Anyone with information on the crime that could help investigators is asked to contact police.

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — The zoo in Garden City says two of four red panda cubs born last week have died.

Officials with the Lee Richardson Zoo say one of the male cubs died of injuries “of an unknown origin” shortly after he was born. Another female cub died while being cared for by her mother.

The two cubs were among quadruplets born last Wednesday to Ember, a 9-year-old red panda.

The zoo said only 1% of red panda litters are quadruplets.

Ember and the cubs are expected to be on public display in late September or early October. Until then, footage of mom and cubs will be available on the zoo’s social media accounts.