TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Washburn University’s board of regents has approved a campus concealed-carry policy. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the board unanimously approved the gun policy without discussion Thursday.

The policy requires campus housing residents to safely secure and conceal handguns from sight on themselves, in their dorm or in the trunk of their car. A student will be subject to criminal charges if the weapon is used improperly.

A Kansas law passed in 2013 allows for keeping concealed guns out of public college and university buildings as long as security is installed at entrances. Washburn officials say making those security enhancements is too costly.

A 2015 Docking Institute of Public Affairs survey shows that 53 percent of Washburn students don’t want concealed weapons on campus.

The policy is set to take effect July 1.

BELOIT, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol says a 6-year-old boy died in Mitchell County after he was hit by a vehicle.

Nolan D. Lewis, of Beloit, died after the accident on a rural road northeast of Beloit Thursday evening.

The patrol says the boy was running outside the vehicle when he was struck by the left rear tire.

He was pronounced dead at a Beloit hospital about an hour later.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — An Indiana pastor has been sentenced to 11½ years in federal prison for his role in a multi-state synthetic drug ring.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 46-year-old Robert Jaynes Jr. was sentenced this week in federal court in St. Louis.

He pleaded guilty last year to drug conspiracy charges, admitting making and dealing synthetic cannabinoid products sometimes known as K2, spice incense or potpourri.

Jaynes was pastor of Irvington Bible Baptist Church in the Indianapolis area in 2014 when he was among nearly 30 people indicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Delworth says some members of the small congregation were involved in the conspiracy.

Prosecutors say workers were paid up to $200 daily to fill bags with synthetic drugs, and filled up to 10,000 bags a day.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal investigators say they have determined that the fatal explosion at an ammunition plant in Missouri is non-criminal in nature while their probe continues to pinpoint the exact cause of the blast.

The National Response Team of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says in a news release Friday that they have now concluded the on-scene phase of the investigation at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence.

Investigators have spent the past three days examining the scene and interviewing first responders and plant personnel.

Tuesday’s blast killed Lawrence Bass, of Blue Springs, Missouri, and injured four other workers.

The explosion occurred in a building where chemicals are mixed.

Contractor Orbital ATK operates the plant where it makes and tests small-caliber ammunition for the military.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says the state had no legal responsibility to safeguard a 95-year-old woman who was raped by a violent sex offender placed in her nursing home after being released from state custody.

The court ruling Friday upholds a lower court’s decision to dismiss the state from a lawsuit filed by the women’s children.

The state received court approval in 2010 to release William Cubbage from a state-run sex offender program and place him in the Pomeroy Care Center, a northwest Iowa nursing home. Cubbage was 82 and had dementia.

But within months, he sexually assaulted the woman and was sent to prison.

The Supreme Court said that because a court approved Cubbage’s release, the state had no further responsibility to monitor him.

The children are pursuing a lawsuit against the nursing home.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A phone company is sponsoring a text-to-give campaign to support contributions to the Kansas State Firefighters Association.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the AT&T campaign is meant to give financial aid to rural fire departments struggling with resources and staffing after the wildfires in western Kansas.

Customers can make a $10 donation to the association by texting “WILDFIRES” to 80077. Those donations are added to customers’ monthly bills.

AT&T spokesman Chris Lester says it’s not uncommon for text-to-give campaigns to pop up when there’s a need for aid after major public safety issue.

AT&T Kansas President Mike Scott says it’s times like the wildfires “that test our resolve, resilience and strength as individuals and as a community. Kansans come through for each other in times of need.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says he’s reversing previous state policy and allowing the Department of Natural Resources to issue grants to religious organizations.

In a statement Thursday, Greitens said that religious organizations can now apply for grants for programs such as playground surfaces, school field trip transportation and recycling efforts.

The previous prohibition was based on a state constitutional amendment banning the use of state money by religious groups to enforce the separation of church and state.

Greitens’ decision comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether a Columbia, Missouri, religious preschool should be eligible to receive money for playground surfacing materials through a state program.

The decision has garnered praise from religious organizations including the Missouri Catholic Conference, Missouri Baptist Convention and the Epstein Hebrew Academy.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State senators have passed legislation to make Missouri the final state to adopt a prescription drug tracking program that’s aimed at addressing opioid addiction.

Senators voted 22-9 Thursday to create a database for addictive prescriptions that pharmacists and doctors can check to see if patients have recently filled or been prescribed similar medication.

Missouri has long been the only holdout in making such a program, which is intended to curtail doctor shopping and help physicians identify when patients need addiction treatment.

Senators on Thursday changed the House bill to make it mandatory in most cases for doctors to check the database before prescribing addictive drugs. Other changes made in the Senate include a requirement that data are purged after 180 days.

The bill heads back to the House for review.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have passed statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft, which could mean services expand throughout the state.

House members voted 144-7 Thursday to send the bill to Gov. Eric Greitens, who has called the measure a job creator.

The legislation would require that companies pay a licensing fee and adhere to a nondiscrimination policy. It would exempt companies from local and municipal taxes and require drivers to submit to background checks and purchase vehicle liability insurance.

Uber currently operates in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and Springfield. Lyft operates in Springfield.

Both companies have said statewide regulations would allow them to expand statewide.

The measure passed with little opposition after lawmakers last year voiced concerns about passenger safety and differences between state and city regulations.