SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Police say a manager at a Springfield Walmart used his cellphone to secretly film a 12-year-old boy in the store’s bathroom.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the allegations are made in an application for a search warrant that was used to obtain access to the manager’s phone. No charges were immediately filed.

A Walmart spokesman says the assistant manager no longer works for Walmart.

Court documents say the boy told police he noticed a camera lens pointed at him while in a bathroom stall Jan. 18. A police officer reviewed security footage, and the manager was identified. The court documents say he told police he was only taking the video to “look and watch” and that he thought the 12-year-old boy was actually 16 to 18 years old.

By STEPHAN BISAHA

A booming stock market last year meant big gains for endowments at Kansas colleges and universities.

But declines in the long-term performance of endowments and changes to the tax code make many financial officers nervous.

A study, conducted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, found that endowments across the country saw a 12.2 percent return in fiscal year 2017. That’s a significant improvement over the loss of 1.9 percent the year before. Kansas schools saw similar returns.

However, analysts warn against counting on continued momentum in those markets.

“Bull markets end,” said Kenneth Redd, senior director of research and policy analysis for NACUBO. “If you’re an investor — especially of an endowment — you have to plan for that.”

Colleges and universities use endowments — invested assets valued in the billions for the largest universities — to create a stable financial base to draw upon over the long-term.

In good financial times, a portion of those returns pays for or student financial aid and a range of things from new buildings to research. In bad years, spending from endowments can minimize tuition hikes and maintain services that would otherwise face cuts. Years of declining state higher education spending in Kansas have caused a growing reliance on endowments at public universities.

Fort Hays State University saw the largest proportional increase of the ten Kansas institutions included in the study. The market value of its endowments increased by more than 30 percent to $91 million. Much of the increase was driven by large, one-time gifts.

“Our future is very bright,” said Jason Williby, president of the Fort Hays State University Foundation.

Long-term returns have not proven so encouraging. But Williby waves away those concerns.

“If the stock market stays strong I don’t think double digit growth is out of the norm for the next couple years,” said Williby.

The University of Kansas saw the market value of its endowment increase by 9.3 percent to 1.6 billion dollars, even after spending some of the returns rather than reinvesting that money. The first six months of the current fiscal year have seen a comparable performance, according to KU. But those in charge of the university’s endowment are bracing for a rockier future.

“A run of good performances raises everyone’s collective blood pressure,” said James Clarke, a senior vice president for the KU Endowment Association. “We’ve run pretty far, pretty fast. And markets tend to reserve at some point.”

There’s also concern about how new changes to federal tax law will affect endowments. The law adds a 1.4 percent excise tax on some private college endowments, though it would only affect a small number of institutions with large endowments compared to the size of their student body. There are also worries that a higher standard deduction will give taxpayers less of an incentive to donate to charities.

Clarke said the school will have to wait to see what impact the tax changes will have and that most donors to KU give because they want to support the university — not for a tax deduction. But others in charge of university endowments are nervously uncertain.

“With a heavy accent on the nervous,” said Kenneth Redd with NACUBO. “If there are fewer incentives for people to donate to charities that’s going to really affect all nonprofits but certainly university endowments.”

Stephan Bisaha  is an education reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio, KCUR and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter @SteveBisaha.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say three Kansas City, Kansas, firefighters were injured after the second floor of a burning building collapsed.

The early Sunday collapse caused four firefighters to fall to the first floor of the vacant building. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital immediately while a third was taken later.

Battalion Chief Morris Letcher described the injuries as minor. Fire officials estimate there’s about $35,000 worth of damage at the home. They’re working to determine an official cause.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Panera Bread Co. is voluntarily recalling some cream cheese sold in its U.S. stores because of possible bacterial contamination.

The St. Louis-based company released a statement Sunday saying the recall was initiated after testing from a single production day indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one variety of its 2 oz. cream cheese.

Tests on cream cheese samples manufactured before and after that production run have all come back negative.

Panera says there have been no reported illnesses. The company says the recall is pre-emptive.

The products included in the recall are all varieties of unexpired 2 oz. and 8 oz. cream cheese products with an expiration date on or before April 2. The recall doesn’t affect Panera Bread Canadian bakery cafes or any other products.

DREXEL, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say a western Missouri police chief was arrested last week because he pointed a loaded gun at his girlfriend’s son while he was drunk and off duty.

The Kansas City Star reports that 39-year-old Drexel Police Chief Jonathan R.G. Carpenter pulled the gun during an argument with his girlfriend’s son. Carpenter, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, was arrested around 3 a.m. Wednesday by Cass County deputies. He’s been charged with unlawful use of a weapon while intoxicated and resisting arrest.

Deputies reported that Carpenter resisted when they tried to handcuff him, and that a stun gun had to be used on Carpenter to subdue him.

Carpenter’s arraignment is March 8 in Cass County Circuit Court. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

——

DREXEL, Mo. (AP) – Deputies have arrested a western Missouri police chief who is accused of pulling a gun on another man during an off-duty argument.

Drexel Police Chief Jonathan R.G. Carpenter was charged Wednesday with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting or interfering with arrest. No attorney is listed for the 39-year-old in online court records.

Cass County sheriff’s deputies responded around 2 a.m. Wednesday to a disturbance at a home. The alleged victim told authorities that an intoxicated Carpenter started an argument, then pulled a gun and pointed it at his face. Drexel is about 45 miles south of Kansas City.

A sheriff’s office spokesman told The Kansas City Star that Carpenter wasn’t on duty at the time. It’s unclear how the men knew each other or what started the argument.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is touting an honor he has received by a group that promotes Kansas and its history.

The Kansas Republican was honored Friday night with a citation for distinguished statesmanship from the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas at the group’s annual banquet in Topeka.

Roberts said in a statement that he’s appreciated the group and “its celebration of our state since I was a little boy.”

The organization honored Roberts as Kansan of the Year in 1998 and as Distinguished Kansan of the Year in 1999. This year marks the group’s 100th anniversary.

Roberts is the longest serving member of Congress from Kansas and is the only member to ever serve as both chairman of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—  Law enforcement authorities are investigating two woman following an altercation at a Kansas restaurant.

Just after 2:30a.m. Saturday, Police responded to Denny’s at 1500 SW Wanamaker in Topeka regarding a fight inside the business involving several subjects, according to police Lt. Steve Roth.

On arrival, officers attempted to detain the involved parties.

In attempting to flee the scene, Chase Holford, Topeka, struck a police officer with her car.

She was arrested for Aggravated Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer.

The officer was not injured. Courtney Holford, Topeka, was also arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Battery.

Both were booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections for their respective charges. Two other subjects were cited for various misdemeanor charges and released at the scene.