WASHINGTON (AP) -Travelers at some U.S. airports are being asked to place electronic devices bigger than a cellphone in separate bins so that they can be examined more closely.
The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it has been testing the procedure at 10 airports for more than a year, and it may be expanded nationwide.
The TSA says the approach is designed to “de-clutter” carry-on bags to make it easier for screeners to examine their contents.
A TSA spokesman says people enrolled in the Precheck program will still be able to leave their laptops in their bags during screening.
HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A judge says he will allow evidence that a Kansas man watched hours of violent pornography at his upcoming sexual assault trial.
Jacob Ewing is scheduled for trial in June on charges of rape and aggravated criminal sodomy against two women.
Jackson County District Judge Norbert Marek ruled Monday portions of seven video showing acts Ewing “is said to have replicated” will be used as evidence at the trial.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports special prosecutor Jacqie Spradling said in May that evidence showed Ewing viewed an average of four hours of violent pornography per day.
Ewing’s attorney, Kathleen Ambrosio, argued the porn would be highly prejudicial.
Ewing faces trials in August and October in other sexual assault cases. He was acquitted last month of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
PRATT COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspect on drug and weapons charges and have made an arrest.
On Tuesday,the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 722 S. Pine Street in Pratt, according to a media release.
The search warrant resulted in the collection of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia and firearms. One subject was arrested and has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
Just after 6:30a.m.Wednesday, Deputies booked 30-year-old Douglas Briggs Taylor on drug charges and is being held without bond, according to the sheriff’s office web site.
Kansas State Game Wardens and a Ford County Sheriff’s Deputy and K-9 partner assisted with the arrest.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has refused to debate a transgender “bathroom bill.”
Freshman Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott offered the proposal Wednesday as an amendment to an education funding bill. It would have mandated that transgender students use restrooms, locker rooms or other facilities according to the gender on their birth certificates. Under the measure, transgender and other students could ask to use separate, single-occupancy restrooms.
His measure was similar to a bill in committee that has not received a hearing.
The House Rules Committee declared Jacobs’ amendment out of order. The House upheld that ruling on a lopsided voice vote.
HARVEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County investigating a dramatic increase in burglaries.
Since March 1, police reported 33 instances of burglaries to homes, businesses, and vehicles, according to a social media report.
Police say the good news is most of these offenses could have been prevented if a little extra care had been taken to make sure doors were locked.
They urged residents to keep an eye out for your friends and neighbors and “If officers find property in a non-secure state, they will attempt to contact residents to provide the opportunity to secure it.”
The annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue is set to take place on Saturday, June 3, in Frontier Park. The event was started in 2015 by a Knights of Columbus council member in Hays as a way to show appreciation to emergency first responders.
“The Grand Knights for all the Knights of Columbus Councils in Ellis County at the time got together and came up with this, got it all put together and it has continued to grow every year. We just really enjoy doing it for the first responders, and hopefully it continues to grow and get bigger,” said Tim Dickman, member of the Schoenchen Knights of Columbus.
The idea for the appreciation barbecue spawned from a “Blue Mass” that the Catholic Church used to put on to honor emergency first responders. The Knights of Columbus wanted to find a way to include first responders of all religions and the idea of hosting an appreciation barbecue was born.
“By doing the barbecue, we could have an appreciation for all first responders, no matter what religion they were, and it was just a way to cover everyone. It was a way to keep honoring them and what they do for us,” Dickman said. “We come down and feed them, visit with them and thank them for their service.”
The event continues to grow and is open to police, firefighters, highway patrol, EMTs and any other emergency first responders and their families.
“The first year, we did not know what to expect, and it has continued to slowly grow, and we’re just hoping that more and more first responders can come down and have a meal and bring their families,” said Dickman. “We usually serve 20 to 30 more people than we did the year before, so it’s good growth.”
The First Responders Appreciation Barbecue will be on Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is for all active and retired responders and their families. The barbecue will be at Frontier Park at the east shelterhouse. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Activity Center.
RENO COUNTY –— A Kansas man arrested after he allegedly fired a gun at a man at his home in the 5300 block of North Old Kansas 61 failed to show up for a preliminary hearing in Reno County Wednesday.
Michael Sifuentes, 38, is charged with attempted aggravated battery, two counts of criminal threat and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.
Just after 11p.m. on January 29, Deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a rural area in 5300 Block of north Old Kansas 61 Highway north of Hutchinson for the report of a shooting, according to Captain Steve Lutz, with the Reno County Sheriff’s Department.
When deputies arrived a resident at the scene, Patrick Hill, told them he had noticed a truck out on the road in front of his house revving its engine.
Hill told deputies he recognized the truck and went outside of his residence to investigate.
When he exited his residence, someone from the truck began shooting. Hill returned fire with his own weapon and the truck sped away.
Although there were three other occupants at the residence in addition to Hill there were no injuries.
With the assistance of the Hutchinson Police Department, deputies arrested Sifuentes.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City is pulling out of the federal health care exchanges in Kansas and Missouri next year because of mounting financial losses.
The company’s announcement Wednesday makes it just the latest insurer to drop out of the government-backed marketplaces that were a pillar of the Obama-era federal health care overhaul law. The nation’s third-largest insurer, Aetna, announced earlier this month that it will completely leave the exchanges for 2018.
Blue KC President and CEO Danette Wilson said in a statement that the company had lost more than $100 million on the exchanges through 2016 and described the losses as “unsustainable.” The exchanges began operating in 2014.
The release says about 67,000 members in western Missouri and eastern Kansas would be affected.
RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a fatal shooting and searching for a suspect.
On Wednesday also filed a missing person report for Cora Brown, 37, Manhattan. Cora is approximately 5 foot 3inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, according to police.
She may be in danger, and may be with Steven Harris, who has a warrant for his arrest on murder and attempted murder charges, according to police.
photo RCPD
Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police received several 911 calls stating there had been a shooting on Nelson’s Landing in Manhattan.
When officers arrived on scene to the 2800 block of Nelson’s Landing, they found one male, identified as German Gonzalez-Garcia, 39, of Manhattan, dead from gunshot wounds.
A second man was found on scene, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was lifeflighted to Stormont Vail in Topeka in critical condition.
Officers developed a person of interest in the case, identified as Steven Harris, 38, Manhattan. Harris is approximately 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 145 pounds.
He has short brown hair, brown eyes, and has distinctive tattoos on his head and neck.
Harris-photo Riley Co. Police
On Monday, the Riley County Police Department conducted an operation in the 600 block of Frey Dr. in an attempt to locate Harris. Officers were unable to locate Harris at that time.
Officers are also looking for a gold 2004 Buick Rendezvous that may be connected with the case.
Harris is considered armed and dangerous. If you locate Harris, DO NOT APPROACH, call 911. If you have information on his whereabouts, you can contact dispatch at 785-537-2112 or you can remain anonymous by calling the Riley County Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or 1-800-222-8477.
In December 2015. 3-year-old Kaden Nagel died in an accidental shooting in Reno County- photo-From Gofundme page
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Although Kansas has recorded four accidental shooting deaths of young children between 2014 and 2016, legislators have shown little interest in laws that would punish adults who allow children access to guns.
Data compiled by The Associated Press and USA Network found at least 21 states and the District of Columbia have laws dealing with negligent storage of firearms. Researchers found the laws are enforced in widely varying ways.
Kansas’ law against child endangerment makes it a crime to “knowingly and unreasonably” cause or permit children to be situations in which the child is endangered. But the law doesn’t mention firearms.
Public health experts say child access laws could reduce unintentional shootings that kill and injure hundreds of children every year. Critics say the laws violate gun owners’ rights
DETROIT (AP) — Graco Children’s Products is recalling more than 25,000 car seats because the harness webbing can break in a crash and may not keep children restrained.
Graco says in documents that it will notify owners and dealers will provide a replacement harness free of charge. The recall is expected to start on July 17.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s first trip abroad (all times local):
3:16 p.m.
Thanks to the Pope and the U.S. first lady, a traditional Slovenian dish is hitting the headlines.
As Melania Trump approached and shook hands with Pope Francis on Wednesday, Pope asked in Spanish through his interpreter pointing toward Trump: “What do you give him to eat? Potica?”
She looked puzzled at first. “Potica, ah yes,” the Slovenian-born first lady smiled before stepping aside.
Potica (pronounced paw-tee’-tzah) is a typical highly nutritious Slovenian festive strudel with nut, poppy seed, cottage cheese, hazelnut, chocolate, tarragon, leek or honey fillings.
It also sounds a lot like “pizza,” which is what reporters originally thought the pope had said.
Honor of a lifetime to meet His Holiness Pope Francis. I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world. pic.twitter.com/JzJDy7pllI
The dish has been prepared for more than 200 years in earthenware baking-dishes or directly in ovens. Potica remains the pride of each Slovenian housewife.
Born Melanija Knavs, Melania Trump left Slovenia in her 20s to pursue an international modeling career.
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2:23 p.m.
President Donald Trump says meeting with Pope Francis was the “honor of a lifetime.”
Trump tweeted Wednesday that a private meeting with the pontiff at the Vatican leaves him “more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world.”
Trump met with Francis Wednesday for a half hour. The president and pope have a contentious history, but appeared on good terms after their conversation.
Trump will soon be leaving Rome, en route to Brussels for meetings with NATO leaders.
The president has spent the week traveling to holy Muslim, Jewish and Christian sites during his first official trip abroad.
