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Topeka domestic violence prevention shelter gets $100,000 from health insurance company – Kansas Reflector

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Topeka domestic violence prevention shelter gets 0,000 from health insurance company – Kansas Reflector


TOPEKA — An influx of cash means clothing, food and staff pay increases for a Topeka-based program that provides services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.

The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment received $100,000 from Aetna, a CVS Health company, to bolster operations. The money comes at a welcome time for the center, which has had to “scramble” for funding in the past.

“This is not uncommon for us to have to scramble,” said Kathleen Marker, CEO of YWCA Northeast Kansas. “This contribution and the ability to increase salaries for our folks in shelter will have a huge impact because it has been difficult for us to raise salaries when we are restricted by federal grants and community grants.”

The donation will be split into increased funding for essential supplies, such as toiletries and clothing, bolstering shelter management by increasing staff pay, and funding educational programs that teach survivors how to enroll in Medicaid, obtain food assistance, and other government programs.

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“We all have to come together to make a difference,” said Muna Enshiwat, chief medical officer for Aetna Better Health of Kansas.

The YWCA center, which has 19 beds, is also gearing up to add 30 beds by March. People typically stay for around 30 days, but they sometimes need months of additional support, said program director Becca Spielman. An estimated 350 people per year utilize the space, Spielman said.

“It gets a little chaotic sometimes,” Spielman said. “Our staff have to navigate and wear a lot of hats. Being able to compensate them in a way they deserve is really important in order to keep staff.”

Part of the center’s work stems around dismantling misconceptions of domestic and sexual violence. 

“A lot of times, people assume it looks a certain way,” Spielman said. “But the reality is that there’s lots of nuances, it’s a very complicated, complex sort of experience for folks.” 

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YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment program director Becca Spielman said hundreds of Shawnee County resident utilize program spaces over a year. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)

“The more we’re out there talking about the realities of sexual assault, sexual violence, the more people know we are a resource, the more people are starting to disclose because they feel safe to do so,” she added.

In 2022, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office reported 1,193 referrals for domestic violence cases and 778 domestic violence cases filed, with 192 of these cases reported as successfully prosecuted.

During the same time frame, the Topeka Police Department reported 1,764 domestic violence calls and 872 cases ending in domestic violence arrests by law enforcement agencies. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office reported 273 domestic violence calls and 117 domestic violence arrests in 2022.

The center reported helping 869 Shawnee County residents between January to June of 2022. During that time frame, the Kansas Department of Corrections had less than a quarter of the center’s service outreach, providing 108 domestic violence victims in the county with services.

“I think about situations where folks have been put in incredibly traumatic, isolating situations where they don’t have, or feel like they don’t have any other options,” Spielman said. “We encourage the community to respond sooner so that we don’t have situations where folks feel like they have no choice but to escape in any way that they see an out. Advocacy provides that support.”

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Kansas

Revisiting 5 Bills to watch vs. the Chiefs

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Revisiting 5 Bills to watch vs. the Chiefs


The Buffalo Bills pulled off a 30-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, ending Kansas City’s unbeaten streak to start the season and inching closer to the one seed in the AFC Playoffs. While Buffalo may still be behind the Chiefs, all it takes now is a tie between the two clubs to give the Bills the advantage.

The Bills weren’t perfect on Sunday, but what they were was good enough to come out with their ninth win of the season. It took a fantastic defensive effort, a consistent offensive attack, and contributions from everyone on special teams, as well (shoutouts specifically to punt returner Brandon Codrington and punter Sam Martin).

Those specialists weren’t among our five players to watch this week, but those players who were all contributed in pretty big fashion. Here’s how our five Bills to watch performed against the Chiefs.


RB James Cook

The Chiefs made a concerted effort to slow Cook down, and in terms of his efficiency numbers, they were successful. Cook carried nine times for just 20 yards, and while he made five catches, he gained only seven yards on those grabs. It was clear that Kansas City wanted to keep him contained and force the Bills into 3rd & Long situations. They did that, yet the Bills and superhuman quarterback Josh Allen were still able to put up a 30-spot — the first time that’s happened to the Chiefs since the 2022 season. Cook contributed quite a lot in this one, though, as he scored both of Buffalo’s first-half touchdowns. He punctuated the Bills’ first scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown on a stretch run, and then he scored Buffalo’s second touchdown on the day by bulling his way into the end zone from six yards away. Cook was RB2 in terms of snaps — Ty Johnson led the way this time around — but he remained RB1 in terms of quantity of touches. Credit Kansas City for doing a good job limiting him, but they couldn’t keep him out of the end zone.

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RG O’Cyrus Torrence

The second-year man was tasked with blocking Chris Jones, perenially one of the best defensive tackles in the league. It wasn’t always pretty, and it didn’t work on every play, but Torrence was often trusted to block Jones solo. He and the rest of Buffalo’s offensive line, which included first-time starter Ryan Van Demark, kept Josh Allen on his feet all day. In fact, it was only the second time Kansas City’s defense hasn’t notched a sack in a game since the start of the 2022 season. The other time was also against Allen and the Bills. Torrence looked great in what was arguably the biggest test of his young career.

EDGE Von Miller

Buffalo’s defensive front showed up in a big way this week. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was under constant duress, as the Bills hit him seven times and sacked him twice. One of those two sacks went to Miller, who was consistently pressuring Mahomes on his 21 defensive snaps. Ed Oliver showed up, as did Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. Really, it was a total team effort on the defensive side of the ball. Miller looks spry and fully recovered from that ACL tear he suffered in 2022. He had two tackles and that big third-down sack.

LB Terrel Bernard

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that tight end Travis Kelce had his worst game against the Bills with Mahomes playing quarterback in the same game that Bernard was healthy and ready to go. Maybe it’s Father Time catching up to him. In any case, Bernard was a big factor in this one, as he expertly switched between playing zone and playing man, but also between playing blitzer and playing spy. The interplay between Bernard and Dorian Williams, who was caught in a bad spot on Xavier Worthy’s touchdown grab but was otherwise spectacular, was on full display Sunday. The next time these two teams meet, Bernard will likely be back with Matt Milano, as well. Bernard had a team-high eight tackles to go with a sack and a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.

CB Rasul Douglas

The big veteran had one drive where the Chiefs picked on him a bit, as they isolated him on Worthy a few times in the first quarter and used the rookie’s speed to their advantage. Otherwise, Douglas and the Bills’ corners were outstanding, forcing Mahomes to throw to players not named Kelce or DeAndre Hopkins, which was exactly the game plan for head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich. Douglas managed three tackles on the night, but he also had a funny moment when Mahomes was trying to draw the Bills offside. He started jawing at the Chiefs’ sideline, and then after Mahomes ran away from the formation when the delay of game penalty was called, Douglas chased after him and had a few words. He and Mahomes seemed to be having a good time jawing at each other. It’s that kind of attitude and ability that Buffalo missed in the playoffs, as Douglas was hampered by a knee issue in January. At full health, he showed exactly why the Bills brought him in last year.



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Thousands without power as wind whips through Kansas City metro

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Thousands without power as wind whips through Kansas City metro


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As excessive winds whipped through the metro Monday evening, thousands of people lost power.

According to an Evergy outage map, just over 6,000 customers in the Kansas City metro area were impacted by a loss of power as of 8:30 p.m. Monday.

The loss in power came as several counties on both sides of the state line dealt with high wind warnings.

Across Kansas, more than 10,000 total customers were impacted, according to Evergy’s outage map.

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This is a developing story and will be updated as it continues.



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BYU Football Gets Trolled By Kansas Player After Upset Loss

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BYU Football Gets Trolled By Kansas Player After Upset Loss


PROVO, Utah – BYU football suffered its first loss of the 2024 season over the weekend to the Kansas Jayhawks.

In their first visit to Provo, the Jayhawks won 17-13 to keep their bowl game hopes alive as they improved to a 4-6 record overall.

BYU football had four trips to the red zones, resulting in zero touchdowns and only six points.

Kansas CB Cobee Bryant trolled BYU football and their No. 6 ranking

After the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Kansas star cornerback Cobee Bryant turned to TikTok to share his thoughts on BYU with his 112,100 followers.

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He posted a dance video to the song “Clock Dat” by FendiDa Rappa with the caption, “No way they was #6 in da country.”

Note: The video contains song lyrics that may not be suitable for all audiences; watch at your own discretion. 

@cobeebryant2 theres no way bro😂 #fyp #viral #BTA #humbled ♬ Clock Dat (feat. Shamar Marco) – FendiDa Rappa & Shamar Marco

Bryant’s commentary was a common thread in the national narrative after BYU’s first trip up of the year.

Bryant finished the game with three tackles in the win. The senior cornerback is one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12.

Last year against BYU in Lawrence, Bryant had a forced fumble that he scooped and scored, plus an interception. He finishes his college career against BYU with a 2-0 record.

BYU will look to get back in the win column this week when it travels to Tempe to face nationally-ranked Arizona State. Bryant and Kansas welcome red-hot Colorado to Lawrence.

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Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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