TOPEKA —The latest wave of school walkouts has sparked demonstrations against gun violence around the nation and in many communities in Kansas on Friday.

More than 2,700 walkouts were planned on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.

At the same time students were walking out, members of the Kansas State Rifle Association held a rally at the state capitol in Topeka in support of 2nd amendment rights

Are you watching the pro-gun rally in Topeka? #2A #NRA https://t.co/LnAmvMiexA pic.twitter.com/2lQAO0Bfiu

— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) April 20, 2018

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is asking the state Supreme Court for an extra 10 days to file part of his legal defense for a new public school funding law because of a flaw in it.

Schmidt filed a request Thursday to have until May 10 to report to the court on how legislators increased education funding.

The court ruled in October that the state’s current education funding of more than $4 billion a year is inadequate and gave Schmidt until April 30 to report on how lawmakers responded.

Lawmakers approved legislation that was supposed to phase in a $534 million increase in spending over five years. But officials later found a flaw that lowered funding by $80 million.

Lawmakers reconvene April 26 and could pass a follow-up bill.

Lee’s Summit, Mo. –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and looking for a suspect.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Friday, emergency crews were called to a reported shooting at Sola Salons in the 600 block of NW Murray Road in Lee’s Summitt, according to a media release.

While units were en route they received information that a woman was shot and not breathing.

When crews arrived on the scene they located a woman employee of the business in her 40’s.  She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have identified a suspect and continue to interview witnesses and investigate the scene.

CINCINNATI— The Kroger Company announced Friday it has completed the sale of its convenience store business unit to EG Group for $2.15 billion, according to a media release.

After tax proceeds total $1.7 billion. $1.2 billion of the proceeds will be used to fund an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program.

“Throughout the sales process, we have been impressed with EG Group’s professionalism, commitment to people, and understanding of the U.S. convenience retail market,” said Mike Schlotman, Kroger’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “I can’t stress enough how important to our success Kroger’s convenience store management and associates have been, and we want to thank them for all of their contributions to our customers and our company.”

Kroger announced in October 2017 its intention to explore strategic alternatives for its convenience store business, including a potential sale, in conjunction with Restock Kroger. In February, Kroger and EG Group announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Kroger’s convenience store business unit to EG Group.

Included in the sale were 762 convenience stores, including 66 franchise operations, operating in 18 states and employing 11,000 associates under the following banner names: Turkey Hill, Loaf ‘N Jug, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb and Quik Stop.

Kroger’s supermarket fuel centers and its Turkey Hill Dairy were not included in the sale. EG Group will establish their North American headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and continue to operate stores under their established banner names.

Fuel points can still be redeemed at formerly-owned Kwik Shop stores to save up to $1 per gallon of fuel. Customers will no longer be able to earn fuel points using a Shopper’s Card at those transitioning stores.

Food and beverage clubs for coffee or fountain drinks at Kwik Shop will expire on April 25. Accumulated rewards can be redeemed through the month of May.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County prosecutors say a Kansas City, Kansas, school resource officer is charged with fondling at least three teenagers.

District Attorney Mark Dupree said Thursday that 57-year-old Michael Eugene English Sr. was charged Thursday with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Dupree says a parent contacted police in March and three victims have come forward. The three alleged victims were between 14 and 16.

English has been employed with the school district since 2015. He has been on administrative leave since March 22.

Dupree said investigators are still trying to determine if the alleged crimes occurred on school property.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill to lower income taxes for some members of the military.

The proposal, approved Thursday, allows those in the National Guard and the armed forces reserves to deduct their military income from their state taxes.

The deduction would be phased in beginning in 2020. The bill also requires state buildings to display flags commemorating prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Proponents say the bill honors veterans.

Some lawmakers have expressed concern that a provision of the bill allowing businesses to give hiring preference to veterans could allow other qualified candidates to be unfairly overlooked.

The bill will require Gov. Eric Greitens’ signature to become law.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man has been acquitted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his best friend.

A Shawnee County jury on Thursday found 19-year-old Ernest Williams not guilty in Justice Mitchell’s death.

Mitchell died June 26 after being shot during an attempted robbery.

Investigators say Mitchell and Williams met 17-year-old Shayden Byrd and Lamero Dunstan at a Topeka fast-food restaurant for a drug deal.

Testimony indicated Dunstan pulled a gun and shot Mitchell twice. Williams also drew a gun but didn’t fire it.

Prosecutors contended Williams was guilty of murder because the death happened during a dangerous felony.

Byrd was sentenced to five years in a juvenile facility after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Dunstan faces trial in August on first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery charges.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas man who was a major heroin dealer in the Kansas City area has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

Dennis McLallen, 65, of Overland Park also was ordered to pay an $850,000 judgment, which was the estimated amount of money he made from drug sales.

He admitted that he distributed more than 10 kilograms of heroin.

Investigators say McLallen and his wife were among 18 people charged after an investigation by federal agents and Kansas City and St. Louis police.

The 18 suspects included sources in Mexico who supplied drugs to McLallen.

He pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to carry firearms during the commission of drug crime.