TONGANOXIE – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Gabrielle N. Borjon, 21, Lawrence, was eastbound on U.S. 24 just west of Loring Road.

The driver fell asleep. The vehicle left the roadway to the south and struck a tree.

Borjon was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
The KHP reported she was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The start of Missouri’s legislative session was interrupted by demonstrators protesting the fatal Ferguson police shooting of Michael Brown.

Dozens of protesters unveiled banners and led chants from the visitors’ gallery of the Missouri Senate shortly after it convened Wednesday.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said they were violating Senate decorum rules and ordered the chamber’s proceedings suspended while police cleared the protesters. The session resumed within 30 minutes.

Protesters chanted phrases such as “Hands up, don’t shoot,” ”No justice, no peace” and “Black lives matter” — several of the common rallying cries of demonstrators after a white Ferguson police officer fatally shot the back 18-year-old in August.

Two protest leaders said no one was arrested.

Missouri lawmakers are to consider numerous bills stemming from the Ferguson shooting this year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) New Kansas privacy laws have reduced the number of students participating in an annual survey that measures substance abuse.

Mental health officials say the data from the Kansas Communities That Care survey, which has been conducted for two decades, has been invaluable in forming programs to fight substance abuse.

The Kansas City Star reports  about 100,000 Kansas students filled out the survey in previous years but the number this year could be as low as 25,000.

The change came because an amendment to a data privacy bill passed last year. It requires parental permission before students answer any surveys with questions about issues such as sex, religion or family life. Several school district attorneys decided that the law applied to the survey because it contains questions about family life.

DINA CAPPIELLO, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is delaying for months a final rule to control carbon dioxide emissions at new coal-fired power plants.

A final rule was due by law on Jan. 8. But the EPA announced Wednesday it would wait until mid-summer.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has vowed to overturn the emissions rules. He tried in January 2014 when Democrats controlled the chamber. But Congress’ investigative arm said he would have to wait for a final rule.

That rule will lock in a transition to cleaner energy that’s already underway. The proposed rule was announced in September 2013, but not published until January 2014. Republicans charged the delay was political.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Dozens of Missouri lawmakers are beginning the first day of the 2015 legislative session with prayer.
Legislators joined Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday morning at the Capitol Plaza Hotel for the annual governor’s prayer breakfast.
The 2015 annual legislative session begins at noon.
Both House Speaker nominee John Diehl and Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey were among the more than 650 attendees.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes President and CEO Les Steckel described how his faith influenced his career as a coach in college football and the NFL. The former Minnesota Vikings head coach told an attentive crowd that “this country needs heroes” before attendees bowed their heads in prayer.

By DAN MARGOLIES, Heartland Health Monitor
Humana Insurance has agreed to pay a $161,800 fine for misleading policyholders, the Missouri Department of Insurance said Tuesday.

It’s the second time in less than a year that the department has slapped Humana with a penalty.

The latest fine stems from notices Humana sent to 1,618 policyholders, according to the department. The notices stated that, due to Missouri legislation, Humana was required to terminate their policies on Dec. 31, 2013, and replace them with new ones with 2014 benefits under the Affordable Care Act.

There is no such Missouri legislation.

The department also said Humana told policyholders that its rates were subject to insurance department approval.

In fact, health insurance rates are not subject to the department’s approval.

Humana representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

In a statement, department director John M. Huff said, “Residents in other states throughout the country have the benefit of rate transparency and regulatory protection from health insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate or discriminatory. Insurance companies may not mislead Missourians into believing they have the same regulatory protections that other states provide.”

Humana will pay its fine to the Missouri state school fund.

Earlier this year, Humana agreed to pay $1.8 million to 10 states, including Missouri, and to establish a $2.7 million consumer restitution pool. The insurance department said Humana had required some employers who purchased small group medical insurance to purchase a group life insurance product as well.

Missouri collaborated on that investigation with regulators in Mississippi and Wisconsin. Missouri received $390,886, which also was paid to the Missouri state school fund.

The investigation of the company began in 2012, based on a referral of a single complaint that was filed by a small employer with the department’s consumer affairs division, the department said.

Dan Margolies is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.

LEBANON, Mo. (AP) — The trial of a suburban Kansas City lawyer charged with killing her father and his girlfriend has been delayed and will now include members of the Missouri Attorney General’s office on the prosecution team.
The Lake Sun Leader reports a Circuit Court judge agreed Monday to continue the trial of Susan Van Note, which was scheduled to begin in February. No new trial date was set.
Van Note, of Lee’s Summit, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2010 shooting deaths of William Van Note and Sharon Dickson at the Lake of the Ozarks. Dickson died at the scene. William Van Note was hospitalized and prosecutors allege his daughter persuaded doctors to remove him from life support after she forged durable power of attorney documents.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police say a preliminary report indicates a tractor-trailer did not slow down before crashing into a car on Interstate 435, killing five people.

The report does not address whether police have determined why the car was stopped on the interstate before it was hit on Dec. 27. A final report that includes a reconstruction of the accident has not been completed.

The Kansas City Star reports  the 56-year-old truck driver had a clear view of the car and did not slow or try to swerve to avoid the car. Police have said the driver did not appear to be impaired and tested negative for alcohol.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) has introduced the “Hire More Heroes Act,” legislation aimed at encouraging companies to hire more American veterans, while providing relief from the burdensome ObamaCare employer mandate.

Blunt serves as a member of the bipartisan Congressional Veterans Job Caucus. Blunt originally filed the Hire More Heroes Act as a standalone bill and as an amendment to the unemployment insurance bill in April 2014 and as an amendment to S.2569 in July 2014. U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (Ill.) introduced the bill today in the House.

“Those that have selflessly served to protect America deserve every opportunity to find good-paying jobs when they return home,” Blunt said. “I’m pleased to introduce the Hire More Heroes Act in the Senate again, and I thank Congressman Davis for introducing this bill in the House today. I’ll keep fighting to push forward on this and other important bills that will help create more jobs and opportunity for veterans and all Americans.”

“I thank Senator Blunt and my colleagues in the Senate for their continued leadership and support of the Hire More Heroes Act,” said Davis. “It is my hope that with a new year and a new Congress both houses will act quickly on this bipartisan legislation to help businesses hire more of our nation’s veterans.”