By JIM MCLEAN & MADELINE FOX 

Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids hoped to spend her first day in Congress helping to end a partial shutdown of the federal government.

Instead, she got a first-hand look at the gridlock that has characterized the nation’s politics and frustrated voters in recent years.

Shortly after being sworn in as one of the first two Native American women to ever serve in Congress, Davids voted for a compromise funding package to end the budget stalemate.

“This package has previously received bipartisan support and I’m hopeful it is the path forward to ending this shutdown,” Davids said on Twitter.

President Donald Trump initially supported a similar package when it passed the Senate two weeks ago. But he changed his mind when conservative pundits criticized him for backing away from his demands for $5 billion for a southern border wall.

All three House Republicans from Kansas — Roger Marshall, Ron Estes and Steve Watkins — voted against the funding package. They also opposed Nancy Pelosi’s election as speaker.

“As I crisscrossed Kansas’ Second Congressional District over the past year, there was a reoccurring theme among both Republicans and Democrats: they did not want to see Nancy Pelosi serving as Speaker of the House again,” Watkins said in a statement.

A political newcomer from Topeka, Watkins emerged from a crowded primary to narrowly defeat Democrat Paul Davis in the 2nd District, which covers roughly the eastern third of the state.

In an interview with Topeka television station KSNT, Watkins said he wants a quick resolution to the budget fight but is committed to making “the government more efficient.”

He has also asked to have his congressional salary withheld until federal workers are back on the payroll. 

The shutdown — now approaching its third week — affects thousands of federal workers across Kansas, from Coast Guard payroll clerks in Topeka to more than 400 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Lenexa.

“We’re all kind of in a standstill,” said Sara Watterson, president of the American Federation of Government Employees chapter that represents some of the furloughed EPA workers.

Furloughs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs have leaders of some Kansas tribes concerned about programs that provide important services.

Joseph Rupnick, chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, fears the shutdown will halt the delivery of food to about 100 low-income families on the reservation.

“The neediest population is the one that’s affected the most,” Rupnick said.

Furloughs have also forced the closure of one of Kansas’ most famous landmarks: The Brown v. Board of Education historic site in Topeka.

Rob Varnum of Oklahoma City hoped to tour the site established to commemorate the desegregation of the nation’s schools with his wife earlier this week while passing through on his way home from Kansas City.

“Here we are, but the sign says we can’t visit today because of the government shutdown,” Varnum said while peering in through a locked door. “That’s unfortunate.”

Reporter Brian Grimmett contributed to this story.

Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks. 

Madeline Fox is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @maddycfox.

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 32-year-old former massage therapist who is on the Kansas Sex Offender registry has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for secretly recording a woman while she undressed.

Daniel Justin Gorski was sentenced Friday in Johnson County for the incident at a chiropractic clinic in Gardner. He pleaded guilty in November to breach of privacy.

Gorski was at one time charged with recording several women. All but one charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Police began investigating Gorski in 2016 after his girlfriend reported finding a flash drive containing images of women undressing or nude.

Gorski had previously pleaded guilty in Jefferson County, Kansas, to possession of child pornography.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson’s administration is reviewing strong opposition expressed in public comments about a proposal to allow weapons in the Missouri Capitol.

The administration received 50 public comments between mid-November and mid-December that opposed the plan to allow firearms in the Capitol. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports none of the comments supported the idea, even if owners had concealed carry permits.

Brittany Ruess, spokeswoman of the Office of Administration, says the agency is reviewing the comments and working to complete its review.

Former Gov. Eric Greitens temporarily banned guns in the building two years ago but reversed the decision after strong opposition.

The administration has until mid-February to submit the rule to a legislative committee, which would then have 30 days to change, reject or withdraw the rule.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the death of 19-year-old Jacob Bouck.

The Wamego resident and 2017 graduate of Wamego High School was last seen in the Wamego area on December 21st, 2018, according to Sheriff Greg Riat. He was missing until his body was located on December 24, approximately mile west of Wamego on the Kansas River.

Bouck was reported to be wearing a dark colored jacket, black shirt, gray thermal longjohns, (long underwear) and black shoes.

A forensic autopsy was conducted on Bouck and the medical examiner has determined that the death of Jacob Bouck is believed to be a homicide.

Authorities are urging anyone with information on the case to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff at 785-457-3353, www.ptsheriff.com, or 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can be anonymous. An unspecified cash reward is being offered at this time for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

JEFFERSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Todd William Dunstan, 29, Beloit, was at Hamm’s landfill 609 Perry Place, dumping trash.

The driver was backing the semi onto the Tipper.

The Tipper operator Mark J. Wilson, 59, Lawrence, was between the truck and the dock

He was pinned against the dock and died at the scene of his injuries, according to the KHP.

Authorities released no additional details Friday afternoon as an investigation of the accident continues. There were no other injuries reported.

MANHATTAN — Republican Senator Pat Roberts will not run for re-election in 2020.

Roberts made the announcement Friday morning at the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s headquarters in Manhattan.

Roberts, 82, is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and made the announcement weeks after Congress approved a massive farm bill

Roberts is serving his fourth term in the Senate. He began his career on Capitol Hill as an aide in 1967.

His longevity became a political liability during tough primary and general election races in 2014.

“Senator Pat Roberts has had an impressive tenure as a leader in both the House and the Senate, and has served Kansans honorably as chairman of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee,” said fellow U.S> Sen. Jerry Moran. “Pat’s leadership, wit and ability to bring individuals on both sides of the aisle together, skills he honed in service to our nation as a U.S. Marine, will be missed in Congress. It’s been an honor to work with the senior senator from Kansas on behalf of our state. Thank you, Pat, for your friendship and many years of service.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities say a 6-year-old girl who was struck by a car along a Kansas City highway had run from a state foster home at least twice.

The child remains in critical condition after she was hit Dec. 21 running across U.S. 40 toward the Tool Shed Lounge biker bar.

Ten days earlier, bar patrons called police to come get the girl after finding her wandering in the dark along the four-lane highway. Kansas City Police spokesman Capt. Lionel Colón says officers returned the child to her foster home. He says police also alerted “a state-appointed social service worker.”

A Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman says no records can be released until it’s determined that doing so won’t harm the child or siblings.

CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) — A 23-year-old southwest Missouri man pleaded guilty in the death of his former girlfriend’s young daughter in a deal that included a 22-year prison sentence.

Jalen Deshawn Vaden pleaded guilty Thursday to child abuse resulting in death in the 2017 death of 3-year-old Jayda Kyle, of Carl Junction. In exchange, a second-degree murder charge was dropped.

A probable cause affidavit says Vaden told investigators he became angry with Jayda in November 2017 when she wouldn’t put on pajamas he told her to wear.

Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Kenney said in December that Vaden confessed to repeatedly throwing Jayda down, causing injuries that led to the girl’s death.