We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

CORRECTION: Police identify body found Sunday in St. Joseph

CORRECTION: St. Joseph police have identified the body found late Sunday in a shed as 50-year-old Lonza Eugene Distafino Cunningham.

As previously reported, police responded to the 100 block of Gideon Lane on Sunday and found the body.

Originally, police had released a different name Wednesday afternoon, but later made the correction.

Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department said there will be more information as to the cause of death after results come in from the toxicology report.

A previous version of this story stated the body was identified as 54-year-old Bobby Gene Cunningham Jr. Police later made the correction to the name.

UPDATE: 9-year-old NE Kan. girl dies, 5 hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

RILEY COUNTY— A Kansas girl has died from her injuries in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Riley County. Five others were injured.

One of the vehicles involved in the 3 vehicle Riley County crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder driven by  Lauren Renea VenMeter, 25, Manhattan, was stopped on eastbound U.S. 24 at the U.S. 77 Junction five miles north of Manhattan. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic.

A southbound 2016 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Darrell J.Thompson, 59, Wamego, struck the left side of the Nissan. The Ford then crossed the center line and struck the left side of a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Mason Edward Miller, 64, Manhattan.

A 9-year-old girl in the Nissan was transported to a Wichita hospital where she died Wednesday, according to the KHP.

VanMeter and other passengers in the Nissan including one juvenile girl and two juvenile boys were transported to Via Christi in Manhattan.

One other juvenile girl was airlifted to KU Medical Center.

Thompson and Miller were properly restrained at the time of the accident and not injured.  The KHP did not have complete seat belt usage details of the occupants in the Nissan.

The KHP no longer releases names of juveniles under the age of 14 involved in accidents.

————–

RILEY COUNTY— Six people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder driven by  Lauren Renea VenMeter, 25, Manhattan, was stopped on eastbound U.S. 24 at the U.S. 77 Junction. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic.

A southbound 2016 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Darrell J.Thompson, 59, Wamego, struck the left side of the Nissan. The Ford then crossed the center line and struck the left side of a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Mason Edward Miller, 64, Manhattan.

VanMeter and passengers in the Nissan including one juvenile girl and two juvenile boys were transported to Via Christi in Manhattan.

Two additional passengers in the Nissan, a juvenile girl was transported to Stormont Vail in Topeka and another juvenile girl was airlifted to KU Medical Center.

Thompson and Miller were properly restrained at the time of the accident and not injured.  The KHP did not have complete seat belt usage details of the occupants in the Nissan.

Food safety inspections for November

The City of St. Joseph has released its Food Safety Inspections for the month of November 2018.

 

WALMART SOUTH BELT

3022 S Belt Hwy

No observations.

 

WALMART SOUTH BELT, WALMART DELI

3202 S Belt Hwy

Observations:

Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils.

-All food contact surfaces and equipment that contacts food must clean, free of debris, and sanitized after each use

 

Repairing

-The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair at all times to insure they are cleanable and not a source of possible contamination

 

FIRST AND LAST CHANCE TAVERN

1817 Garfield

Observations:

Washing,Rinsing,Sanitizing Procedures*

-Proper order for washing wares in a 3 compartment sink is WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE

*According to the report, issues noted in this section were corrected.

 

TOPSY’S POPCORN

3702 Frederick #45

Observations:

Food Storage

-Popcorn containers stored on the floor

-At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor.

-Food must be stored off the floor

 

CABBAGE ROLL

2641 Lafayette

No observations.

 

THE DINER AT ROSECRANS

100 NW Rosecrans

No observations.

 

ARBYS ROAST BEEF – LEONARD

4601A S Leonard Rd

No observations.

 

LEAN KITCHEN COMPANY

1401 S Belt

No observations.

 

BRIOCHE

114 N 7th

Observations:

Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco*

-Employee drink cup has no lid or straw

-An employee shall not, eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; unwrapped single-service and single-use articles; or other items needing protection can not result. Drinks must have lids and straws to prevent hand to mouth contact.

*According to the report, issues noted in this section were corrected.

 

TACO BELL #24467

320 N Belt Hwy

No observations.

 

FROG HOP BAR & C-STORE

2001 Messanie

Observations:

Ready-to-Eat, Potentially Hazardous Food, Date Marking.

-Chicken in cold case not dated

-Must be dated with discard date and not just date made, can be kept for 7 days if held at 41F or 4 days if held at 45F

-Undated food must be discarded

 

Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils.

-Dirty ice machine

-All food contact surfaces and equipment that contacts food must clean, free of debris, and sanitized after each use

-Must be cleaned every week

 

Hand Drying Provision.

-No paper towels at restroom sink

-Each hand washing sink or group of adjacent sinks shall be provided with disposable hand towels, dryer, or other acceptable means to dry hands.

 

Good Repair and Proper Adjustment -Broken ice machine lid

-Equipment components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications

-Lid must be replaced

 

SONIC DRIVE IN

5810 Lake Ave

No observations.

 

SONIC DRIVE IN

4303 2A Commonwealth Ct

Observations:

Backflow Prevention Device, When Required

-Back flow preventer in mop sink is broken

-System/Equipment can not be used until it is repaired or replaced

-Replace back flow preventer

 

Repairing

-Damaged tiles in kitchen Floor; stagnant water on the floor

-The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair at all times to insure they are cleanable and not a source of possible contamination

-Replace damaged tiles

 

SIMPLE SIMONS PIZZA

5123 Lake Ave

No observations.

 

GREEN HILLS FIFTH AVE, GREEN HILLS DELI

1004 Fifth Ave

No observations.

 

GREEN HILLS FIFTH AVE

1004 Fifth Ave

No observations.

 

CHILI’S GRILL & BAR

5105 N Belt Hwy

Observations:

Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils

-Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

 

Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition

-Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials. If vented to the outside, ventilation systems may not create a public health hazard or nuisance or unlawful discharge

 

Repairing

-The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair at all times to insure they are cleanable and not a source of possible contamination

 

BARBOSAS – Food Production

4804A Frederick Ave

No observations.

 

BARBOSAS

4804 Frederick Ave

No observations.

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE

915 N Woodbine Rd

Observations:

Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions

-Clean walls, floors, ceiling on a regular basis.

-1. Need to clean under shelves in dry storage

 

LE PEEP

919 N Woodbine

Observations:

Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco

-A drink cup with no lid or straw in food prep area

-An employee shall not, eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; unwrapped single-service and single-use articles; or other items needing protection can not result. Drinks must have lids and straws to prevent hand to mouth contact.

-Drink Cup voluntarily discarded

*According to the report, issues noted in this section were corrected.

 

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness

-Dishwasher is not sanitizing -Chlorine 50-100ppm but not >200ppm Quaternary 200ppm but not >400ppm

-Repair dishwasher before use

 

Using a Handwashing Facility

-Sink used for dumping ice, storing fork and wiping cloths

-A handwashing facility may not be used for any purposes other than handwashing

 

SAKURA

2209 N Belt

Observations:

Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition

-Dirty air vents

-Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials. If vented to the outside, ventilation systems may not create a public health hazard or nuisance or unlawful discharge

 

CHINA SUPER BUFFET INC

617 N Belt Hwy

Observations:

Cooling*

-Cooked food stored in cooler before cooling down to 70 degrees

-It is very important to cool foods as rapidly as possible to prevent bacterial growth. You must cool hot foods to 70F in first 2 hours then to 41F over the next 4 Hours. You can do this by ice bathing, ice paddles, using shallow containers, blast chillers or freezer/cooling. Be careful not to overload a cooling unit. If after 2 hours you are not at 70F you must either rethermalize to 165F then recool or discard and denature product. You only rethermalize ONCE!! -Use ice always

*According to the report, issues noted in this section were corrected.

 

HOOF AND HORN

429 Illinois

No observations.

 

BIG BISCUIT

139 N Belt Hwy

No observations.

 

GROUND ROUND

123 S 6th St

Observations:

Repairing

-Damaged floor tiles in bar

-The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair at all times to insure they are cleanable and not a source of possible contamination

-Replace tiles within 60 days

 

SENIOR CENTER

100 S 10th St

No observations.

 

LUNAS FINE DINING INC

214 N 20th St

No observations.

 

JAKES RESTAURANT

620 Edmond

Observations:

Repairing

-Follow up on kitchen floor- still chipped and not cleanable in several spots

-The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair at all times to insure they are cleanable and not a source of possible contamination

-Floor is set to be replaced and two walls moved. Submit architectural plans for review prior to embarking on any remodeling of the food prep area or any other areas

 

TACO BELL #24472

3301 N Belt Hwy

Observations:

Controlling Pests.*

-Pest control is a must, any sign of pest can signal a possible major problem as pest are known to harbor and spread bacteria and virus, and must be dealt with immediately

-1. Too many flies, use pest strips

 

Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils.

-Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

-1. Cart needs cleaning

*According to the report, issues noted in this section were corrected.

 

PANDA EXPRESS #1087

5301 N Belt Hwy, Suite 101

No observations.

Missouri laboratory to lay off 177 workers

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – A Columbia laboratory has announced plans to lay off 177 workers next year after being sold.

Boyce & Bynum Pathology Laboratories disclosed how many workers would lose their jobs in a notice filed with the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The notice says the layoffs will begin in February and continue through April.

Last week, New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Boyce & Bynum’s assets and clinical lab business. Boyce & Bynum said in a statement that it realizes the layoffs will be “painful” and only made the decision after reviewing its options in a “challenging healthcare landscape.”

The laid off workers will be able to apply for jobs with Quest, which has more than 45,000 employees nationwide.

Watch: The nation’s farewell for George H.W. Bush

WASHINGTON (AP) — George H. W. Bush was celebrated with high praise and loving humor Wednesday as the nation bade farewell to the man who was America’s 41st president and the last to fight for the U.S. in wartime. Three former presidents looked on at Washington National Cathedral and a fourth — George W. Bush — eulogized his dad.

Watch a replay of the service here 

The congregation, filled with foreign leaders and diplomats, Americans of high office and others touched by Bush’s life, rose for the arrival of the casket, accompanied by clergy of faiths from around the world. In their row together, President Donald Trump and former Presidents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton stood with their spouses and all placed their hands over their hearts.

Bush was “the last great-soldier statesman,” historian Jon Meacham said in his eulogy, “our shield” in dangerous times. On a light note, he added that Bush, campaigning in a crowd in a department store, once shook hands with a mannequin. Rather than flushing in embarrassment, he simply cracked, “Never know. Gotta ask.”

Meacham also praised Bush’s call to volunteerism — his “1,000 points of light” — placing it alongside Abraham Lincoln’s call to honor “the better angels of our nature” in the American rhetorical canon. Meacham called those lines “companion verses in America’s national hymn.”

Trump had mocked “1,000 points of light” last summer at a rally, saying “What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out? And it was put out by a Republican, wasn’t it?”

The national funeral service capped three days of remembrance in Washington before Bush’s remains return to Texas on Wednesday for burial Thursday.

A military band played “Hail to the Chief” as Bush’s casket was carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where he had lain in state. Family members looked on as servicemen fired off a cannon salute.

His hearse was then driven in a motorcade to the cathedral ceremony, slowing in front of the White House. Bush’s route was lined with people much of the way, bundled in winter hats and taking photos.

Waiting for his arrival inside, Trump shook hands with Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who greeted him by saying “Good morning.” Trump did not shake hands with Bill and Hillary Clinton, who looked straight ahead.

Bill Clinton and Mrs. Obama smiled and chatted as music played. Carter was seated silently next to Hillary Clinton in the cavernous cathedral. Obama cracked up laughing at someone’s quip. Vice President Mike Pence shook Carter’s hand.

Trump tweeted Wednesday that the day marked “a celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life.” Trump and his wife took their seats after the others, briefly greeting the Obamas seated next to them.

Also expected in the invitation-only crowd: Mike Lovejoy, a Kennebunkport electrician and fix-it man who has worked at Bush’s Maine summer estate since 1990 and says he was shocked and heartened to be asked to come.

On Tuesday, soldiers, citizens in wheelchairs and long lines of others on foot wound through the Capitol Rotunda to view Bush’s casket and honor a president whose legacy included World War military service and a landmark law affirming the rights of the disabled. Former Sen. Bob Dole, a compatriot in war, peace and political struggle, steadied himself out of his wheelchair and saluted his old friend and one-time rival.

After the national funeral service at the cathedral, Bush’s remains will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station. His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age 3.

Trump ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.

As at notable moments in his life, Bush brought together Republicans and Democrats in his death, and not only the VIPs.

Members of the public who never voted for the man waited in the same long lines as the rest, attesting that Bush possessed the dignity and grace that deserved to be remembered by their presence on a cold overcast day in the capital.

“I’m just here to pay my respects,” said Jane Hernandez, a retired physician in the heavily Democratic city and suburbs. “I wasn’t the biggest fan of his presidency, but all in all he was a good, sincere guy doing a really hard job as best he could.”

Bush’s service dog, Sully, was taken to the viewing, too — his main service these last months since Barbara Bush’s death in April being to rest his head on her husband’s lap. Service dogs are trained to do that.

The CIA also honored Bush, the only spy chief to become president, as three agency directors past and present joined the public in the viewing.

In the midst of the period of mourning, first lady Melania Trump gave Laura Bush, one of her predecessors, a tour of holiday decorations at the White House, a “sweet visit during this somber week,” as Mrs. Bush’s Instagram account put it. And the Trumps visited members of the Bush family at the Blair House presidential guesthouse, where they are staying. Former President George W. Bush and his wife greeted the Trumps outside before everyone went in for the private, 20-minute visit.

Although Trump will attend Bush’s service, he is not among the eulogists. They are, in addition to Bush’s eldest son, Alan Simpson, the former senator and acerbic wit from Wyoming; Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian prime minister who also gave a eulogy for Ronald Reagan; and presidential historian Jon Meacham.

People lined up before dawn to pay respects to the 41st president, a son and father of privilege now celebrated by everyday citizens for his common courtesies and depth of experience.

“He was so qualified, and I think he was just a decent man,” said Sharon Terry, touring Washington with friends from an Indianapolis garden club. Said her friend Sue Miller, also in line for the viewing: “I actually think I underestimated him when he was in office. My opinion of him went up seeing how he conducted himself as a statesman afterward.”

Fred Curry, one of the few African-Americans in line, is a registered Democrat from Hyattsville, Maryland, who voted for Bush in 1988, the election won by the one-term president. “Honestly I just liked him,” he said. “He seemed like a sincere and decent man and you couldn’t argue with his qualifications.”

Inside the Capitol, Sully, the 2-year-old Labrador retriever assigned to Bush, sat by the casket in the company of people who came to commemorate Bush’s signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 1990 law that, among its many provisions, required businesses that prohibit pets to give access to service dogs.

“After Mrs. Bush’s death, general companionship was a big part of Sully’s job,” John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, said in a phone interview. “One of the things that I think was important to the president was the rest command, where Sully would rest his head on the president’s lap.”

The law was just one point of intersection for Bush and Dole, now 95, who was one of its leading advocates in the Senate.

They were fellow World War II veterans, Republican Party leaders, fierce rivals for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination won by Bush (“Stop lying about my record,” Dole snapped at Bush) and skilled negotiators. Dole, an Army veteran hit by German machine gunfire in Italy, has gone through life with a disabled right arm. Bush, a Navy pilot, survived a bail-out from his stricken aircraft over the Pacific and an earlier crash landing.

On Tuesday, Dole was helped out of his wheelchair by an aide, slowly steadied himself and saluted Bush with his left hand, his chin quivering.

Dignitaries had come forward on Monday, too, to honor the Texan whose service to his country extended three quarters of a century, from World War II through his final years as an advocate for volunteerism and relief for people displaced by natural disaster. Bush, 94, died Friday.

Trump’s relationship with the Bush family has been tense. The current president mocked the elder Bush for his “thousand points of light” call to volunteerism, challenged his son’s legacy as president and trounced “low-energy” Jeb Bush in the Republican presidential primaries en route to office. The late President Bush called Trump a “blowhard.”

Those insults have been set aside, but the list of funeral service speakers marked the first time since Lyndon Johnson’s death in 1973 that a sitting president was not tapped to eulogize a late president. (Clinton did so for Richard Nixon, and George W. Bush eulogized Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.)

Bush’s death reduces membership in the ex-presidents’ club to four: Jimmy Carter, Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

 

—————–

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s capital bids its final farewell to the late former President George H.W. Bush on Wednesday in a service of prayer and praise that is drawing together world envoys, Americans of high office and many others.

A viewing for the 41st president at the hushed Capitol Rotunda drew to a close on Wednesday morning. A ceremony at Washington National Cathedral, the nexus of state funerals, will cap three days of remembrance by dignitaries and ordinary citizens as they honored the Republican president who oversaw the post-Cold War transition and led a successful Gulf War, only to lose re-election in a generational shift to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.

The four living ex-presidents are attending — among them, George W. Bush will eulogize his father — and President Donald Trump will attend but is not scheduled to speak. Also attending: one king (Jordan), one queen (Jordan), two princes (Britain, Bahrain), Germany’s chancellor and Poland’s president, among representatives of more than a dozen countries.

After the national funeral service at the cathedral, Bush’s remains will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station. His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age 3.

Trump ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.

Police investigate shooting that killed boy in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say a boy has been shot and killed in Kansas City.

A person called 911 Tuesday morning to report hearing a disturbance and finding the victim in front of a residence. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he later died. He was identified only as a juvenile male. His name and age weren’t immediately released.

Police have not identified a suspect. Detectives were working to determine what led up to the shooting and where it occurred.

Sheriff: Juveniles in custody after gun battle on NE Kan. highway

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects in connection with a rolling gun battle.

A portion of the highway where Wednesday’s rolling gun battle occurred- google map

Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a motorist who was being chased and shot at by a white passenger car at SE 29th and SE Westedge Road, according to Sergeant Brad Jones.

The caller continued to SE 29th and SE California Avenue where the suspect fired several shots at them.

The caller drove north on SE California to SE 6th then drove east on Highway 40 to Lawrence while the suspect followed and shot at them several more times along the way.

Douglas County Sheriff and Lawrence Police located the vehicles at SE 6th and K10 Highway where they were able to get them stopped and into custody without further incident.

A gun was recovered from the white passenger car.  Bullet holes could be seen in the back of the caller’s vehicle.

Nobody was hurt in the incident and everyone involved were brought to the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.  Due to the parties involved being juveniles no names are being released at this time.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office at 785-251-2200.

Sunny skies today with temps in the 40s

The sun makes a return today. A cold front will sweep across the Plains States tonight, likely bringing an inch, or less, of snow to areas of west central and central Missouri Thursday morning. This snow might make the morning commute a bit tricky Thursday; especially in areas to the east and to the south of Kansas City. The front will take the snow east with it by Thursday afternoon, but cloud cover and cold temperatures will linger to start the weekend as a significant winter storm system moves across the southern Missouri. But, there is hope. The sun may poke it’s head out from behind the clouds late this weekend, which will help with a modest warm up as we start next work week. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 42. South southwest wind around 7 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.

Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 29. North wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. North wind 3 to 7 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 30.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 17.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 40.

Missouri man dies after car overturns

ATCHISON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero driven by Tommy D. Fisher, 51, Wasola, was southbound on Route N six miles southeast of Tarkio.

The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road, skidded off the west side of the road, hit several large pieces of concrete and overturned.

Atchison-Holt EMS transported Fisher to Fairfax Hospital where he died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

New Kan. governor wants to roll back work rules for cash assistance

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov.-elect Laura Kelly wants Kansas lawmakers to roll back a work requirement and other rules for cash assistance recipients.

But new House Majority Leader and Wichita Republican Dan Hawkins said Tuesday that the idea is going to be difficult to sell to the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Kelly has long been a critic of the tougher rules imposed during former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration. GOP lawmakers put Brownback’s policies into state law in 2015 to make them harder to undo and tightened them in 2016.

The rules include not only a work requirement for able-bodied adults but a lifetime limit on benefits of no more than 36 months.

Kelly argues that the rules hurt poor families. Hawkins argues that the state is encouraging cash assistance recipients to become self-sufficient.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File