WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is seeking prayers for Arnold Schwarzenegger over ratings for “Celebrity Apprentice” — the show Trump once hosted.

Addressing the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday, Trump said ratings went “right down the tubes,” and the show has been a “total disaster” since the actor and former California governor debuted as host last month.

Trump told the audience, “I want to just pray for Arnold if we can.”

 

The National Prayer Breakfast? pic.twitter.com/KYUqEZbJIE

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 2, 2017

Schwarzenegger responded in a brief video on his Twitter account, captioned “The National Prayer Breakfast?” He suggests he and Trump switch jobs since Trump is “such an expert in ratings.”

That way, Schwarzenegger says, “people can finally sleep comfortably again.”

According to the Nielsen company, ratings for Schwarzenegger’s debut were down significantly compared to Trump’s debut in January 2004.

By Matt Ostrowski

KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA – Wichita resident Julie Breitenstein knows the consequences of using a cell phone while driving.

Her son, Austin, flipped his truck while texting and driving in December 2009. He now has aphasia, a communication disorder that affects the brain, rendering him non-verbal.

“I think the biggest thing that has happened to our family is that Austin’s life stopped. It stalled,” she said. “Austin went back to infancy stage.”

Through therapy during the past seven years, Austin was able to regain some of his cognition. Despite the difficulties, Breitenstein is happy to still have him with her today.

Breitenstein’s story, among others, was heard by the Kansas House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday afternoon. Breitenstein supported HB2010, a bill that would make it illegal in Kansas to hold an electronic device to the driver’s ear while operating a motor vehicle.

“What I’m trying to accomplish is the relinquishing of handheld devices while driving,” said Rep. Louis Ruiz (D-Kansas City), the sponsor of the bill.

Ruiz said this is a bill he’s previously tried to pass. Last year, it never received a hearing.

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) written testimony states that from 2009 to 2014 an average of 92 people died per year because of the use of an electronic device while driving. That’s about 25 percent of the total traffic-related deaths in Kansas.

The bill prohibits electronic devices from being held in your hand or up to your ear while driving. However, the use of hands-free devices would not be prohibited.

“Nothing is fool-proof, but we’re hoping there’s some way that the law enforcement can come up with a good way to monitor and enforce this law,” Ruiz said.

The fine for using a device while driving would be $60. Breitenstein said that isn’t nearly enough, citing Alaska’s penalty of $10,000 for texting and driving. Currently, talking on a hand-held device while driving is illegal in 14 states and Washington D.C., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“I think all handheld devices need to cease in the state of Kansas,” Breitenstein said.

Breitenstein speaks around the country about the dangers of using an electronic device while driving. She wants to stop the trend. Austin serves as a living example of the potential consequences.

When asked what message she would deliver to those who still use phones while driving, she quickly replied, “Come meet my son. Come and try to have a conversation with him.”

Matt Ostrowski is a University of Kansas senior journalism major from Roselle, Illinois.

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — The handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, say the furry rodent has “predicted” six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow.

Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s top hat-wearing inner circle revealed their “forecast” at sunrise Thursday.

The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.

In reality, Phil’s prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That’s about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Records dating to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 103 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times — including last year. There are no records for the remaining years

FORD COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Ford County are investigating two suspects following a chase through the Dodge City airport on Wednesday evening.

A Ford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on patrol in southeast Dodge City when he observed the driver of a vehicle with a Department of Corrections’ warrant, according to social media report.

The Deputy activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop and the driver fled.

A pursuit of the vehicle ensued, including a drive across through an airport fence, across a runway and lasted approximately 20 minutes, according to the sheriff’s department.

Two suspects were taken into custody without incident on Highway 50 east of Dodge City.

A passenger of the vehicle was also found to have a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant.

Airport property was damaged as a result of the pursuit.

The case has been turned over to the Ford County Attorney’s Office for charges. Names were not released.

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Wednesday released the results of a top-to-bottom review of the Kansas Amber Alert program.

Schmidt requested the review, conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, on December 7, 2016. His request came in response to concerns about the execution of recent Amber Alerts.

“The Amber Alert program is a vitally important tool to help law enforcement recover abducted children in certain situations,” Schmidt said. “Ensuring ongoing public confidence in the system’s reliability must remain a top priority, and this review should be reassuring to all Kansans who expect the Amber Alert system to operate as intended. I am grateful to the KBI officials who conducted this careful review and also to officials of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who assisted and provided an important outside perspective on the Kansas system.”

KBI Director Kirk Thompson presented the report to Schmidt late in the day yesterday.

“The recommendations from this review are solid and specific,” Schmidt said. “I expect they will be implemented or at least seriously considered, and the Kansas Amber Alert system will be stronger as a result.”

The report makes eight recommendations in five areas:

Identified Delays

Recommendation 1: It is recommended that the KBI improve efforts to educate and train local law enforcement agencies. Training will continue to focus on the rapid and thorough response to suspected child abductions and on appropriate practices for Amber Alert issuance. Ongoing training of Kansas law enforcement should help minimize impactful delays when issuing an alert.
Recommendation 2: It is recommended that local law enforcement agencies establish procedures that shorten their Amber Alert request process during the initial response to an abduction. Local agencies are encouraged to give the authority to request an Amber alert to officers on the scene to avoid multiple levels of command approval.
Policies and Procedures

Recommendation: It is recommended that the procedural checklist be created and integrated into the operational procedure utilized when activating an Amber Alert.
Program Misperceptions

Recommendation: It is recommended that an opportunity be extended to Kansas media partners to meet directly with KBI personnel to review Amber Alert processes and seek their input on program improvements. This effort will help establish greater understanding of the program’s complexities and may help alleviate misperceptions held by the media and public.
Amber Alert Advisory Board

Recommendation: It is recommended that an Amber Alert advisory board be established consisting of seven members who meet annually to review all Amber alerts and to address programmatic concerns. This seven member board will consist of the Kansas Attorney General, the KBI Director, a designee appointed by the attorney general, a designee appointed by the KBI Director, two local law enforcement representatives, and a member of the broadcast media. The board would review the documents and circumstances associated with any issued alert or consultation. The board’s findings and recommendations would be documented and provided to the KBI for consideration.
Reliability of Systems

Recommendation 1: Efforts must be focused on continually addressing technological advances that affect the program.
Recommendation 2: It is recommended that the program seeks to implement the Technical Working Group (TWG) recommendations for currently available technological improvements to the Emergency Alert System.
Recommendation 3: It is recommended that the TWG continue to meet and collaborate in solving technological issues. A meeting of the group will be called at least annually.
The national Amber Alert program, begun in 1996, provides immediate, multi-media notice to the public when a child has been abducted and certain criteria are met in order to obtain timely information from the public that can help safely recover the child.

HUTCHINSON– A Kansas man with three drug cases pending was before a Reno County judge Wednesday to learn of additional charges against him involving burglary, theft and drugs.

Kelby Becker, 29, Hutchinson, faces the potential charges for cases from December of last year and January of this year that include breaking into storage units and a reported stolen vehicle.

Police arrested him again Tuesday for theft after police found his cellphone during investigation of the storage unit burglary.

In addition, Becker is charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana from April 2016.

On June 25, he was busted for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

In a case from August 2016, he is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, personal use paraphernalia and possession of metal knuckles.

The bond for his January arrest is set at $19,700.

He’ll be back in court next week for the formal reading of any charges.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) House Judiciary Committee members will wait for input from an advisory committee before making any new policy regarding a law that allows police officers to seize and forfeit citizens’ property.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Blaine Finch referred five bills for review to the Kansas Judicial Council, an advisory committee made up by the judiciary committees’ chairs and chief justice appointees. Finch said in a statement he expected the group to make recommendations and “possibly draft legislation.” He says it likely won’t have a proposal this year.

Critics of asset forfeiture say the practice violates property and due process rights by allowing officers to seize property from potentially innocent citizens and often keep the proceeds. Officers say it helps them stop profitable crime, like drug trafficking.

KDC

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced that four Kansas communities would share $1,200,000 in federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for Housing Rehabilitation/Demolition. These housing projects will rehabilitate approximately 53 properties and demolish two dilapidated units.

City of Lyons
The City of Lyons was awarded $300,000 in CDBG Funds and pledged $85,025 in matching funds. The City has a population of 3,729 and is located in Rice County. This grant will rehabilitate 15 homes for owned and rental units.

City of Mankato
Located in Jewell County, the City of Mankato has a population of 869. This $300,000 grant will rehabilitate nine homes for low-to-moderate income families and demolish two unoccupied dilapidated housing units. The CDBG funds will be match with $7,500 in local funds.

City of Wellington
The $300,000 grant will rehabilitate 14 homes for owner occupied and rental residents of Wellington. This grant is match with $82,250 in local funds. Located in Sumner County, the City has a population of 8,172.

City of Winfield
The City of Winfield is located in Cowley County and has a population of 12,333. This grant will rehabilitate 15 rental homes. The awarded funds are $300,000 and the City pledged $100.000 in matching funds.

Housing Rehabilitation grants are awarded through an annual competition. They support rehabilitation of owner and renter occupied residences with targeted areas to encourage neighborhood revitalization.

For more information on Housing Rehabilitation grants or the Community Development Block Grant program, contact the Business and Community Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce at (785) 296-3004, TTY (Hearing Impaired) at 711 or visit KansasCommerce.gov.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted Tuesday on federal charges of using stolen identities to applying for car loans, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Reu Charles Chamberlain, 30, Wichita, Kan., is charged with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges he used identification bearing his picture along with information from stolen identities to apply for the following car loans:

— $48,902 for a 2016 Dodge challenger at Eddy’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

— $44,746 for a 2015 Dodge Challenger at Midway Motors.

— $30,740 for a 2013 Cadillac CTS at Super Car Guys.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each wire fraud count, and a mandatory two years (consecutive) on each of the other counts. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas are divided over what proposed fixes from GOP Gov. Sam Brownback they will jettison in closing a shortfall in the state’s current budget.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday began sorting through Brownback’s proposals to close a gap of about $320 million in the budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

The governor’s proposals include scaling back contributions to public employee pensions and liquidating a state investment fund. The pension proposal drew heavy bipartisan criticism.

But majority Republicans acknowledged that the alternative to such moves include immediate cuts in aid to public schools.

The task did appear to get a little easier Wednesday when the Department of Revenue reported that Kansas collected $24 million more in taxes than anticipated in January.

MCPHERSON COUNTY -A woman is facing charges after a high-speed chase on Wednesday afternoon.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported troopers chased the driver through parts of McPherson County and into Saline County on Interstate 135, according to dispatch.

She was driving erratically, reached speeds over 100 miles-per-hour and would not yield to the troopers’ emergency lights.

The chase ended when the driver spun her car into the median just south of the East Mentor-Smolan Road exit.

She was taken to McPherson to face charges. The driver’s name was not released.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have indicted a Kansas hunting guide, two of his employees and a customer from Georgia on charges of violating federal hunting laws.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall announced Tuesday that 34-year-old Josh Hedges of Grenola, who owns Eagle Head Outfitters, was indicted on 12 counts of unlawful sale and transport of wildlife and one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

One of his employees, 32-year-old Allen Stroot of Park City, is accused of violating the Migratory Bird Act. Another employee, 25-year-old Jerad Stroot, of Colwich, faces six charges of unlawful sale or transport of wildlife.

And 61-year-old Steve Seagraves of Douglasville, Georgia, a customer of Hedges’ business, is charged with one count of violating the Migratory Bird Act.

It wasn’t immediately known if the men have attorneys.