The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday announced it has its first ever detention K-9. The sheriff's office said Turbo began working at the detention facility on April 21. "After weeks of rigorous training, Turbo and his handler, detention deputy Rachel Wingfield, are prepared to assume their duties in side the detention facility," the sheriff's office said in a news release. Turbo's primary task is assisting with the reduction of contraband in the jail. Contraband is an issue troubling detention facilities throughout the country and a problem the sheriff's office strives to constantly address. Last month, a contract kitchen worker was arrested [...]

Lawrence will no longer allow licensed providers to practice conversion therapy on minors in the city. The city commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban the practice, which is designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Commissioners said research has shown the practice is harmful to children’s mental health and increases the risk of suicide, The Lawrence Journal-World reported. “The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” said Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban. Assistant City Attorney [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of the economy, but now that things are starting to get back to normal, there's another issue - businesses can't get the supplies they need. "That was a holy smokes moment to start the week," said Wichita restaurant worker John Webb. After getting to work, Webb realized his supplier didn't send him something vital to the business - fryer oil. We tried Sam's Club, they happened to be out that day. We wound up going to Costco, and they were able to get us through," said Webb. "I'm not sure what we would have [...]

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Tuesday it is extending waivers that provide free meals to students through June 2022. States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. The USDA answered the call to help America's schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their locals needs as children safely return to their regular routines," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. "Schools, food service workers, bus drivers, custodial staff, volunteers, Kansas Department of Education and so many others have stepped up amid the pandemic to see that our [...]