Kansas Day activities were held Saturday at the Geary County Historical Museum. Lisa Highsmith, Director of Programs and Education, said activities included coloring pages, magnet making and a pioneer challenge. "The challenge is to see if you can build a pioneer traveling trunk and if it can withstand the weight of all the things you have to pack for your journey as a pioneer. "

There was a sizeable turnout for the event, with the age range of those participating going from three to adult.

Geary County Historical Society hosted Kansas Day activities

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Sunday in Riley County.

A 2015 Ford Mustang driven by Tyler Williams, 24, of Manhattan was westbound on Fort Riley Blvd. near South Seth Child Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. 

The car struck a guardrail. The driver overcorrected and struck the opposite guardrail.

EMS transported Williams to Irwin Army Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries, according to the RCPD.

Manhattan man hospitalized after car strikes guardrail

Pilot Club of Junction City presented a grant check to Pawnee Mental Health. The club of&nbsp; has been awarded a matching grant from the Pilot International Founders Foundation Fund for Pawnee Mental Health Services.&nbsp; &nbsp;The grant will be used to add to the play therapy systems.

Pilot International's mission is to influence positive changes in communities throughout the world. To do this we come together in friendship and service, focusing on encouraging brain health and safety and support those who care for others.

Junction City Pilot Club grant will help fund play therapy systems

Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the 11700 block&nbsp; of Burley Hill Road for a single vehicle non-injury accident at 9:50 a.m. Saturday.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Rodrick Atkins, Ogden, was traveling westbound when he lost control of his 2006 Ford Ranger due to ice on the roadway. The vehicle rolled over and was later removed from the scene by Buds Wrecker Service.

Sheriff's Deputies respond to rollover accident

Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie&nbsp;County farmer and rancher This past weekend was my favorite Kansas Farm Bureau event, the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&amp;R) Conference. I am going to let you in on a secret, I am over 35. I know you are all shocked, and I am a bit surprised they still let me through the doors. I guess they either take pity on me or they let me in because I am on the state board of directors. Either way I am always happy to sneak in and get my batteries recharged. I think I have figured out the fountain of youth, and it is to spend time around this outstanding group of young farmers, ranchers, agribusiness people and students. Their enthusiasm and energy is contagious, even for an old guy several years past the YF&amp;R expiration date. The conference itself is outstanding. The keynote speakers and information shared is some of the best and most timely for those of us in agriculture. Then there are the breakout sessions and workshops, again some of the leading experts in their fields and cutting edge information. Include that with contests showcasing our industry’s best and brightest along with social events and you have a great weekend. The best part is it is planned, coordinated and put on by the Young Farmer and Rancher committee, the best and brightest members 35 and younger in Kansas Farm Bureau. Does it sound like I am bragging? I hope so because I am. We hear all the time about the aging agriculture industry and often pundits wonder where we are headed. Will our producers age out? Will we be able to feed a growing, hungry population? Spend a weekend at the Young Farmer and Rancher Conference and you know we will be in good hands. Spending time with this group will renew your faith in the future. I love listening to the conversations and hearing the new ideas and enthusiasm. This conference was crucial for Jennifer and I as we started our journey in agriculture. So many times you feel alone and it seems like no one understands what you are going through. Then you come to your first YF&amp;R Conference and find out there are many others going through the same trials and tribulations. The networking in the hallways and the friendships you make over the weekend are truly the most valuable part of the conference. We still have friendships that were forged during this conference. That is why each year I look forward to this weekend. I must admit I am being a little selfish because I know I get more out of it than I give to the participants I meet. This old guy is transformed back into a time when anything was possible and my career was ahead of me. I wish I could bottle the excitement and energy up for all of you, it is something we all need these days. I can’t do that, but I can go forth knowing agriculture is in good hands.

Faith in the Future of Agriculture

Recent obituaries and service times

Geary County Food Pantry hosted the first Annual Pickleball Clinic on Saturday at the 12th Street Community Center.  Thirty five participants signed up for the clinic. 

Beth Fischer gave an introduction and overview of the clinic to the participants. This was followed by stretching warm up exercises before breaking the participants into six groups. There were six stations where the instructors taught different Pickleball game techniques. The groups were at each station for 15 minutes each.

 Once the basic instruction session was completed, the participants put their new skills together in some friendly games of Pickleball tournament play. 100% of fees and donations go to support the Geary County Food Pantry.

Thank you participants, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. including the Exchange Bank, R2B4 Bramlage Family Foundation, Society of the  First Infantry Division and K-State Bank for donations to the Food pantry.&nbsp;

Pickleball Clinic supports the Food Pantry

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent altercation and have made an arrest.

Just before midnight Sunday, police responded to the Super 8 motel, 2207 North Buckeye Avenue, Abilene for the report of an earlier disturbance, according to a media release.

 Officers learned that a physical confrontation had occurred in a hotel room between a man and woman.

As a result of the investigation, officers arrested 32-year-old Jonathan Munoz Mateo of Kansas City, Missouri on requested charges that include attempted 2nd degree murder and aggravated battery. He is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to online jail records.

EMS transported the woman to the hospital for treatment of her injuries and she was released.

Man jailed for violent attack on woman at Abilene motel

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of an alleged abduction and are asking the public for help to find three children.

According to Junction City Police, on December 21, Jeana Foley abducted her children identified as 6-year-old Rosie Peterson, 5-year-old Camden Peterson and 3-year-old Genevieve Peterson

On Jan. 5, a felony warrant was issued for Foley's arrest. On Wednesday, Junction City police asked the public to call 911 if you have any&nbsp; information to help bring these kids home. Police released no additional details in the case.

JCPD: Search continues for 3 children abducted by their mother

Junction City Lady Jays Basketball vs Blue Valley NW Huskies LIVE STREAM

&nbsp;MANHATTAN —According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/workforce_development/university_engineering_initiative" target="_blank">enrollment data released by the Kansas Board of Regents</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://engg.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Carl R. Ice College of Engineering</a>&nbsp;at Kansas State University remains the top choice in Kansas for engineering students, leading the list of state institutions with the largest number of engineering graduates and currently enrolled students of any engineering school in the state in 2022. The college finished the year with 635 graduates&nbsp;—&nbsp;24% higher than any other Kansas institution&nbsp;—&nbsp;and more than 2,700 enrolled students. Approximately 300 among the 2022 graduating class of engineers are living and working in Kansas, a percentage higher than other peer institutions in the state. Raising this percentage is one of the goals of the recently renewed University Engineering Initiative Act passed by the Kansas&nbsp;Legislature, which provides support to engineering schools in Kansas through additional state funding. The College of Engineering leads Kansas institutions with 14 undergraduate degree offerings, with a pair of degrees added in 2022 in agricultural technology management and cybersecurity. Additionally, K-State engineering graduates continue to be in extremely high demand, with a 97% career placement rate and a reported high salary of $115,000, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/careercenter/about/stats/kstatepostgradstats/" target="_blank">data from the K-State Career Center</a>. "Our graduates leave K-State prepared for successful careers in industry," said Matt O'Keefe, dean of engineering and LeRoy C. and Aileen H. Paslay chair in engineering at K-State. "We hear this whenever we meet with Kansas companies looking to hire more of our graduates. They see the value of bringing K-State engineers into their organizations, whether as student interns or as full-time employees."

Carl R. Ice College of Engineering remains top choice for Kansas engineering students  

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was forced to rely on his badly sprained right ankle rather than his strong right arm when the Kansas City Chiefs were desperately driving with a chance to win the AFC championship.

The All-Pro quarterback, missing three wide receivers to injuries and battered himself, took off on a third-down play near midfield in another gut-check game with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1619893298017046529?s=20&amp;t=rMO7et-wnRbd1SF1K_GtYQ">strained to reach the mark he needed</a>&nbsp;and was headed out of bounds when he felt the hands of Joseph Ossai send him sprawling into the bench.

The mad dash, coupled with the 15-yard penalty for a late hit, was all Kansas City needed.

Harrison Butker strode confidently onto the field, sent a 45-yard kick through cold, gusting wind over the crossbar with 3 seconds to go, and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1619893825748733954?s=20&amp;t=rMO7et-wnRbd1SF1K_GtYQ">put the Chiefs back in the Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;for the third time in four years with a 23-20 victory.

“I don’t think we have any cigars,” Mahomes said with a smile, "but we’ll be ready to go in the Super Bowl.”

It was vindication for the AFC West champions, who had lost three straight to their newfound nemeses, including a three-point overtime loss to Cincinnati in last year's conference title game. All of those defeats were by three points.

Now, the Chiefs are headed back to the big game.

Awaiting them is coach Andy Reid's old team, the Eagles, in the first matchup of Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl with Mahomes and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts. It will also feature a brother-against-brother showdown between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia center Jason Kelce.

“I’ve watched them all year," Mahomes said. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. But I’m going to celebrate this first.”

Mahomes, who hurt his ankle against Jacksonville in the divisional round, threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns, even though he was missing three of his wide receivers to injuries by the end. Marquez Valdes-Scantling led with 116 yards and a touchdown, while Travis Kelce — bad back and all — had seven catches for 78 yards and a score.

“It’s a tough bunch. My heart goes out to them, man, they’re tough guys,” Reid said. “They worked so hard this week. Pat and Kelce were both banged up a little bit. They pushed through and great things happened."

The Chiefs also managed to shut the mouths of the Bengals, some of whom had taken to calling their home “Burrowhead” for Joe Burrow, who had never lost to Kansas City. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AftabPureval/status/1618358368183418881?s=20&amp;t=UYEKHyWVeZk3GI5d83tiVg">Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval</a>&nbsp;started in on the trash talk.

“I’ve got some wise words for that Cincinnati mayor,” Kelce said. "Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni!”

Burrow, who was sacked five times and wobbly by the end, finished with 270 yards passing to go with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Bengals. Tee Higgins had six catches for 83 yards and the score.

“We’re not going to make it about one play. There was plenty of plays we left on the field today that could have put us in a better position,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “The character of this football team, that’s never going to change. We’ve got the right people in the locker room, the right men leading this team and this organization.

“I know that this is a team that our city and our fan base can be proud of,” Taylor added. "They represent themselves the right way, and we’re going to fight, scratch and claw to be back in this position next year.”

The Chiefs were able to do early what the Buffalo Bills could not in last week’s divisional round: They ran roughshod over an ailing Bengals offensive line missing two starters to injury with another bothered by a sore knee.

Burrow was sacked three times in the first quarter alone and the Bengals offense did not gain a single yard.

Mahomes looked just fine on his sore ankle in leading Kansas City to a field goal on its opening possession. When the Chiefs got the ball back, Mahomes did it again, but only after Kadarius Toney failed to pull in a nifty throw for a would-be touchdown — the incompletion was upheld upon review.

Cincinnati finally got moving in the second quarter, but it also had to settle for Evan McPherson’s chip-shot field goal.

So much for two of the league’s highest-scoring offenses.

The Chiefs finally reached the end zone late in the second quarter when Mahomes hit Kelce, loosely covered by Jessie Bates III, with a fourth-down throw for the touchdown. The Bengals drove 90 yards in the closing minutes, but only added a field goal to get within 13-6 at the break.

Turns out their offense was just hitting its stride. And another classic was brewing.

After the Chiefs went three-and-out to start the second half, Burrow led the Bengals downfield, bolting through a yawning hole in the defense for a third-down conversion before&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1619871975056236546?s=20&amp;t=rMO7et-wnRbd1SF1K_GtYQ">hitting Higgins from 27 yards out</a>&nbsp;to knot the game 13-all.

Mahomes, suddenly down three wide receivers to injuries and beginning to limp, gamely pressed on. He answered Burrow with a touchdown drive of his own, capped by a third-down throw to Valdes-Scantling to regain the lead.

The Chiefs had a chance to gain some breathing room later in the third quarter, but Mahomes somehow lost control of the ball before throwing a pass and the Bengals pounced on the fumble. Six players later — including an audacious fourth-down throw from Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase — Samaje Perine ran into the end zone to tie it at 20.

Burrow gave the Chiefs a chance when his deep throw to Higgins on third down was batted into the air and picked by rookie cornerback Josh Williams. Mahomes managed to move the Chiefs past midfield, but two runs went nowhere and his third-down throw to Jerick McKinnon was well short, forcing them to punt in Bengals territory.

Kansas City's defense held, though, got a crucial&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1619892142096240643?s=20&amp;t=rMO7et-wnRbd1SF1K_GtYQ">sack from Chris Jones</a>&nbsp;to force a punt with 39 seconds left, and shaky return man&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1619892575086809088?s=20&amp;t=rMO7et-wnRbd1SF1K_GtYQ">Skyy Moore broke free for 29 yards</a>&nbsp;on the return. That gave Mahomes and the offense one more try.

“It was a tough road to get here. To win 10 in a row, it was a pretty incredible feat,” Taylor said. "We came up short. We wanted to play longer than that, but really proud of these guys.”

Chiefs will go to the Super Bowl

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Keyontae Johnson had 13 points and 11 rebounds against his former team, and No. 5 Kansas State beat Florida 64-50 in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. Markquis Nowell finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Wildcats. They improved to 18-3 to equal the 1972-73 team for the best start through 21 games in school history. Colin Castleton scored 13 points and Myreon Jones had 11 for the Gators. They dropped to 0-3 against the Big 12 this season.

Wildcats defeat Florida

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Jalen Wilson scored 22 points, including one in a series of huge 3-pointers down the stretch, and No. 9 Kansas held off Kentucky 77-68 Saturday night in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The Jayhawks seized the lead for good midway through the first half before withstanding every Wildcats challenge in this tense marquee matchup of college basketball blue bloods. Gradey Dick and Wilson provided two of their biggest shots with consecutive 3-pointers. Kansas avoided its first four-game losing streak under coach Bill Self. Oscar Tshiebwe had 18 points and nine rebounds for Kentucky.

Jayhawks top Kentucky

Approximately 400 wrestlers, varsity and junior varsity, competed in an invitational at Junction City High School on Saturday.

For the boys varsity from Junction City, Ezekiel Witt finished first at 113 pounds, Rowan Carey third at 126 pounds, Patrick Foxworth first at 136, Kayden Blake third 144, Griffin Bohanan second 165 and Nathan Agudzi-Addo third 285.

For the Lady Jays Jaidyn Alvarado captured first at 100 pounds, Patience Okemba third at 105, Elaine Twitty second 125, Abigail Paskow third 130, Naomi Tanaka fifth 140,&nbsp; Aislynn Bailey fourth 170 and Kennedi Turner third at 235 pounds.

In the team competition the Blue Jays finished second and the Lady Jays fifth.

JCHS hosts large wrestling invitational

Junction City fell to the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies 47 to 27&nbsp; in girls basketball in Overland Park.&nbsp; Junction City fell to 3 - 11 with the loss, Amyah O'Neal led Junction City with 11 points.&nbsp; The Lady Jays host Topeka High next Friday on homecoming.

Lady Jays Fall to Blue Valley Northwest

Concordia 58, Lafayette (Wildwood), Mo. 48

Goddard-Eisenhower 53, Lawrence Free State 14

Little River 63, Hutchinson Central Christian 35

St. James Academy 64, Manhattan 31

Wichita Bishop Carroll 50, SM Northwest 47

Thursday night girls basketball results

St. Mary's Academy 55, Wichita Home School 51

St. Thomas Aquinas 55, Fort Osage, Mo. 36

Thursday night boys basketball results

Junction City finished first in girls varsity bowling competition at a quadrangular in Manhattan. The Lady Jays turned in a team score of 2233 while two members of the team placed in the top five. Alexis Wareman finished second with a score of 581 and Ava Oentrich fourth with a 575.&nbsp;

The Blue Jay boys finished second with a score of 2525. Logan Lindsley finished third with a 649.

JCHS bowling teams compete in a Manhattan quadrangular

Congratulations to Cindy Holecek of Ellsworth, the Week 20 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!

Cindy, who scored 16 of 16 points, wins $100.

Although the season is almost over, you still have time to win!

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Sign up today</a>&nbsp;to make your picks for a chance to win great weekly prizes, including cash,&nbsp;gift cards, concert tickets, and Chiefs tickets.&nbsp;

Don't miss out on the state's best pro football pick'em contest!&nbsp;

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Click here to register for Gridiron Glory</a>

Gridiron Glory: Congratulations Cindy Holecek!

SALINA—Kansas Wesleyan’s Pioneer Hall, 100 E. Claflin Avenue in Salina, was named to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this month, according to a media release from the school.

It becomes the 19th&nbsp;location in Saline County to earn the recognition, joining such places as the former post office building (now the Smoky Hill Museum), the Fox-Watson Theatre (now the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts), and the Masonic Temple (now The Temple) in Salina.

“We are proud to have been a consistent presence in Salina for 136 years,” said Matt Thompson, president of KWU. “This designation speaks to the resilience and staying power of Kansas Wesleyan in this community. Those who have passed through the doors of Pioneer Hall have often enhanced both Kansas Wesleyan and Salina. This university is indebted to the pioneers who came before us and invested in KWU. The Hall of the Pioneers remains a monument of appreciation to them.”

Excavation began for Pioneer Hall, KWU’s second administration building, in 1922. The project was finished in 1929 and given its formal name, The Hall of the Pioneers, to honor those in the city, state and region who gave of themselves to establish KWU. That included local professionals, who successfully executed a campaign to raise $50,000 toward the project’s completion. A donation of $25,000 by E.C. Sams, the then-president of JCPenney, helped finish the centerpiece of the building, Sams Chapel, which was named in honor of his parents.

“KWU has invested significantly in Pioneer Hall in the past several years to make sure it continues to be an excellent place to learn, work and serve students,” said Thompson. “This mindset will be enhanced by the $4.5 million renovation and expansion of Sams Chapel and the music department in the coming year. KWU continues to grow and change. The heart and soul of our campus, Sams Chapel and Pioneer Hall, remain vibrant and active.”

The building is recognized as being an outstanding example of collegiate gothic architecture and as a representative of the work of renowned Wichita architect Lorentz Schmidt

KWU's Pioneer Hall named to National Register of Historic Places

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of drive by shootings and have three in custody.

On Friday, members of the Topeka Police Department Criminal investigations Bureau served multiple search warrants in reference to a drive by shooting, with property damage only, which occurred in the 600 block of SE Lawrence.

These search warrants were served in the 5600 block of SW 15th St; 1700 block of SW Amhurst Rd; 700 block of SW Fairmont Rd; 1600 block of SW Oakley Ave and the 2400 block of SW Burnett Rd, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.

As a result of the investigation Victor Fuentes, 18, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal threat, Criminal use of a weapon, aggravated assault, Criminal discharge of a firearm, Interference with a law enforcement officer, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and Duty of driver to report accident with unattended vehicle

Police also transported two juveniles to the Shawnee County Juvenile Department of Corrections on requested Charges Criminal discharge of a firearm, Criminal use of a weapon, Interference with a law enforcement officer, Criminal threat, aggravated assault, and Criminal Damage to property. 

Three in custody after Kan. drive-by shooting investigation

MIAMI COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hunting accident and asking the public for help with information.

Just after 2:30p.m. Saturday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area of 239th Street and Lookout Road for a subject in the wooded area with a gun shot wound, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office.

 The victim was hunting on State Park property and was shot.  Due to the unknown circumstances, multiple Sheriff's Office personnel, including the Special Operations Response Team, K9 Team and Shawnee Police Department K9 team responded to search the State Park area. 

 It was not known where the shot came from but authorities are confident, due to the location where the victim was shot, it was on the State Park property. 

 Personnel were able to make contact with hunters in the area during the investigation.  At no time was it believed there was a danger to the public. 

Through the investigation it is believed this is a hunting accident and is being investigated by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasWildlifeandParks?__cft__[0]=AZXqvbSaW0U23TKbTomT3iRLu0tBC65howuuXzvqVuhSnOCIeoVVlSurBmlb7KDuYGZLUG0U28hIBck2lnuqSho0KDps8DxukhMy2mDL3bJFkJkzH3pVDRGlRrjEHGuN9MIcrlH4egqUGdNRRl36xZ4HDJ10uAKIUzFeNMxOV2RqkABr79ufgJxwaS2d7Ytkfz0&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Department of Wildlife &amp; Parks</a> with the assistance of the Sheriff's Office Investigations Division.

An air ambulance transported the victim to a local area hospital for treatment. The Miami County Sheriff's office asked that anyone with trail camera in the area of Hillsdale Point Access at the Hillsdale Lake or anywhere to the west of Hillsdale Point Access, to review your video looking for anyone with a firearm walking through.

The park is located between Spring Hill and Paola, about 3 miles east of US-169/K-7and 255th Street interchange.

Hunter airlifted to hospital after incident at Kan. state park

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month, House Republicans have advanced a measure to restrict presidential use of the nation’s emergency oil stockpile — a proposal that has already drawn a White House veto threat.

A GOP bill approved Friday would require the government to offset any non-emergency withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with new drilling on public lands and oceans. Republicans accuse President Joe Biden of abusing the reserve for political reasons to keep gas prices low, while Biden says tapping the reserve was needed last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">in response to a ban on Russian oil imports following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.</a>

Biden withdrew 180 million barrels from the strategic reserve over several months, bringing the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The administration said last month it will start to replenish the reserve now that oil prices have gone down.

The bill was approved, 221-205, on a near party-line vote. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the sole Democrat to join unanimous Republicans in supporting the bill. The measure heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is expected to languish.

Even before the vote, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attacked the latest GOP proposal, which follows a bill approved two weeks ago that would prohibit the Energy Department from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-china-92863d8d03fe2cd9b1994e0f1f5579a6">selling oil from the strategic reserve to companies owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.</a>

“House Republicans will vote to raise gas prices on American families ... and help Putin's war aims by interfering with our ability to release oil,'' Jean-Pierre said Monday, referring to the current GOP bill.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, appearing with Jean-Pierre at the White House, said the bill would make it ”harder to offer Americans relief in the future" from oil disruptions that could raise prices.

Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and sponsored the GOP bill, accused Granholm and the White House of multiple misleading claims, including an erroneous assertion that the bill could affect use of the reserve during a presidentially declared emergency.

“At a time when gas prices are on the rise, Secretary Granholm and the Biden administration need to be transparent with the American people about their efforts to cover up how they’ve abused the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as an election-year gimmick,'' McMorris Rodgers said.

"Republicans want durable, long-lasting relief at the pump. The best way to do this is by unleashing American energy,'' which her legislation helps accomplish, added McMorris Rodgers, of Washington state.

The heated rhetoric is part of a larger fight over oil drilling and climate change. Republicans say restrictions on oil leasing imposed by the Biden administration hamper U.S. energy production and harm the economy, while Democrats tout&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">a sweeping climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;as a crucial step to wean the nation off fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. The measure authorizes billions in spending to boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power and includes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-business-climate-and-environment-f145b24414ff245f491fd68257b3db60">incentives for Americans to buy millions of electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and more efficient appliances.</a>

Biden, citing the dangers of climate change, canceled the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline in his first days in office and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-biden-halting-federal-oil-and-gas-sales-b8f03552c2c2fa7ec0dfc5debeb3f882">suspended new oil and gas leases on federal lands.</a>&nbsp;The moratorium has since been lifted, under court order, but Republicans complain that lease sales for new drilling rights are still limited.

Biden campaigned on pledges to end new drilling on public lands, and climate activists have pushed him to move faster to shut down oil leasing. Fossil fuels extracted from public lands account for about 20% of energy-related U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making them a prime target for emissions reductions intended to slow global warming.

“Whether on land or at sea, oil drilling poses an unacceptable risk for our wildlife, wild places and waterways,'' said Lisa Frank of Environment America, an advocacy group. “When we drill, we spill. At a time when we should be moving away from this destructive, dangerous practice this bill doubles down on the outmoded energy of the past.''

Conservative and industry groups support the bill.

“We can continue making the Strategic Petroleum Reserve the nation’s sole response to future disruptions, or we can also utilize more of the vast oil supplies sitting beneath the lands and offshore areas currently kept off limits by the president,'' the Competitive Enterprise Institute and other conservative groups said in a letter to Congress.

The Treasury Department estimates that release of oil from the emergency stockpile lowered prices at the pump by up to 40 cents per gallon. Gasoline prices averaged about $3.50 per gallon on Thursday, down from just over $5 per gallon at their peak in June, according to the AAA auto club.

Still, gas prices are up more than 30 cents from a month ago and are higher than when Biden took office in January 2021. "Millions of Americans are paying more at the pump as a result of the Biden administration’s radical ‘rush-to-green’ agenda that has shut down American energy,'' McMorris Rodgers said.

Granholm, citing thousands of unused leases by oil companies, said GOP claims of obstructionism on drilling were off-base. “There's nothing standing in the way of domestic oil and gas production,'' she said. McMorris Rodgers disputed that, citing “burdensome regulations” and discouragement of investment in domestic oil and gas industries.

The oil bill was one of the first to be considered under a more open rules process Republicans instituted since retaking the House majority. More than 60 amendments were considered on Thursday and Friday, with most from both parties rejected.

Among those approved were two amendments by New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a moderate Democrat. Both clarified that oil from the reserve should not be sold to China, Iran, North Korea or Russia; that addresses a complaint Democrats made earlier this month about a previous GOP bill that singled out China for a ban on buying U.S. reserves.

The China measure won significant Democratic support in the House and could advance in the Senate; lawmakers from both parties have signaled growing concerns about China's influence on the global economy.

GOP, Biden battle over use of the nation’s emergency oil stockpile

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; several shootings including two at Wichita night spots that occurred over the weekend.

Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, police patrolling the parking lot of Onyx Night Club, at 10001 E Kellogg Drive when several gunshots were fired inside the Night Club. 

Officers ran towards the entrance and were met by a large number of people exiting the business. Officers entered the Night Club and located the 36-year-old victim with several gunshot wounds to his body. Officers began performing life-saving measures and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. While officers were at the Night Club processing the scene a 35-year-old victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.

The investigation revealed nearly 900 people were inside the Night Club when a physical disturbance occurred between two different groups of people. During this disturbance, someone brandished a gun and fired several rounds striking the two victims. 

Just before 1a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were on patrol in the Old Town area of Wichita when they heard multiple gunshots coming from inside Rock Island Live at 101 N. Rock Island Ave, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

As officers arrived, they were met by a large crowd exiting the business.

 A 22-year-old woman ran out with a gunshot wound to her upper arm. Officers took her to safety, and she was transported to a local hospital for treatment. 

Other officers made entry to the business and located a 22-year-old man conscious and breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Officers began providing life-saving measures and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.&nbsp; Late Saturday morning, he was reported in stable condition, according to Ditch.&nbsp; 

While on scene at the hospital a 22- year-old woman arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her foot.

The investigation revealed that 22-year-old Tyra Adair was involved in a physical disturbance with several other women inside the business. Adair then brandished a gun and fire several rounds. 

At this point, police believed that the victims who were struck by gunfire were not the individuals involved in the physical altercation, but innocent bystanders, according to Ditch.

Police located Adair nearby and took her into custody without incident and she was in possession of a gun.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20055026">She is being held on</a> requested charges of aggravated battery.

Just after 3:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1400 block of South George Washington Blvd in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

First responders arrived on the scene and located the 57-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to her upper body. EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment. She was reported in stable condition.

The investigation revealed several shots were fired at the residence from outside and one round struck the victim. There were three other people in the residence including a 4-year-old girl, a 10-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man. Police have not reported an arrest.

Six hospitalized after violent weekend of gunfire in Wichita

TEXAS COUNTY, Okla. — A Kansas man died in a small plane crash just after 9:30p.m. Saturday in Texas County, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported&nbsp; a fixed wing, single engine Cessna 172 piloted <a href="https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N6482B">by Victor Mendoza,</a> 46, Liberal, Kansas, crashed approximately ten miles northwest of Hooker, Oklahoma.

Mendoza was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no others on board the plane. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.&nbsp;

Kansas man dies after small plane crash

KANSAS CITY— Protesters and police unions around the country continue to condemn Memphis police after the public release <a href="https://vimeo.com/cityofmemphis">of video</a> showing five officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, who later died.

Kansas City Kansas Police Chief Karl Oakman released a statement late Saturday with "a sobering reminder to law enforcement that with great authority comes great responsibility."

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department also released statements condemning the violence.

Sullivan wrote, "By now I’m sure many of you have <a href="https://vimeo.com/cityofmemphis">seen the video </a>out of Memphis that shows the horrific beating of Mr. Tyre Nichols. I have seen it as well. Like many of you, I am shocked and sickened by the actions of those officers and I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Nichols family."

"I want to applaud Chief CJ Davis on her handling of this incident. I also want to ensure the citizens of Wichita that the Wichita Police Department stands by you in your anger, sadness, and frustration with this despicable act of violence committed by 5 human beings who disgraced the badge."&nbsp;

"I wish I could say in 40 years of Policing that this is the first time I have seen this type of case, but sadly it’s not. What I can say, is that the Wichita Police Department is not just here for you, we are here with you. We do not support nor defend officers who act like they are above the law and use excessive and unnecessary force against those they swore to protect and serve." The Sedgwick Sheriff’s office said in a statement they were "appalled by the atrocity that occurred to Tyre Nichols at the hands of the former Memphis Officers."

"This is an incredible violation of public trust and this office condemns their actions. The former Memphis Officers have tarnished the badge and betrayed their oath."

"It is the mission of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office to partner with the citizens of Sedgwick County providing effective public service to all in an impartial, ethical and professional manner. We continue to uphold these standards in trying times and fully support the prosecution of the former Memphis Officers."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — An unarmed Black man dies after a videotaped beating by police. The officers involved are fired. After a thorough review of the evidence, criminal charges are swiftly filed against the offending officers.

Investigation, accountability and charges.

This is often the most Black citizens can hope for as the deaths continue. Nationwide, police have killed roughly three people per day consistently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-columbus-shootings-police-trials-65a16498f72823a887476486e1f05633">since 2020</a>, according to academics and advocates for police reform who track such deaths.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tyre-nichols-profile-memphis-3104f3cdbaf568daf6647eca080d4001">Tyre Nichols'</a>&nbsp;fatal encounter with police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, recorded in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tyre-nichols-video-memphis-police-e3ee8e6698faae16df3f41d09234b09f?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">video made public Friday night</a>, is a glaring reminder that efforts to reform policing have failed to prevent more flashpoints in an intractable epidemic of brutality.

Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change. They’ve been repeated in a ceaseless rhythm ever since, punctuated by the deaths of Amadou Diallo in New York, Oscar Grant in Oakland, California, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and so many others.

George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis in 2020 was so agonizing to watch, it summoned a national reckoning that featured federal legislation proposed in his name and shows of solidarity by corporations and sports leagues. All fell short of the shift in law enforcement culture Black people in America have called for — a culture that promotes freedom from fear, trust in police and mutual respect.

“We need public safety, right? We need law enforcement to combat pervasive crime,” said Jason Turner, senior pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis. “Also, we don’t want the people who are sworn to protect and serve us brutalizing us for a simple traffic stop, or any offense.”

The five Black officers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tyre-nichols-police-officers-charged-48d48f2137a2f34482274edb1bd1bab2">now fired and charged</a>&nbsp;with murder and other crimes in the Jan. 10 death of Nichols, a 29-year-old skateboarder, FedEx worker and father to a 4-year-old boy.

From police brass and the district attorney’s office to the White House, officials said Nichols’ killing points to a need for bolder reforms that go beyond simply diversifying the ranks, changing use-of-force rules and encouraging citizens to file complaints.

“The world is watching us,” Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said. “If there is any silver lining to be drawn from this very dark cloud, it’s that perhaps this incident can open a broader conversation about the need for police reform.”

President Joe Biden joined national civil rights leaders in similar calls to action.

“To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between law enforcement, the vast majority of whom wear the badge honorably, and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect,” the president said.

But Memphis, whose 628,000 residents celebrate barbecue and blues music and lament being the place where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, has seen this before. The city took steps advocates called for in a “Reimagine Policing” initiative in 2021, and mirrored a set of policy changes reformers want all departments to implement immediately, known as “8 Can’t Wait.”

De-escalation training is now required. Officers are told to limit uses of force, exhaust all alternatives before resorting to deadly force and report all uses of force. Tennessee also took action: State law now requires officers to intervene to stop abuse and report excessive force by their colleagues.

Showing unusual transparency for a police department, the MPD now publishes accountability reports that include the race of people subjected to use of force each year. They show Black men and women were overwhelmingly targeted for rougher treatment in 2019, 2020 and 2021. They were subject to nearly 86% of the recorded uses of guns, batons, pepper spray, physical beatings and other force in 2021, the total nearly doubling that year to 1,700 cases.

Seven uses of force by Memphis police ended in death during these three years.

“I don’t know how much more cumulative Black death our community should have to pay to convince elected officials that the policing system isn’t broken — it’s working exactly as it was designed to, at the expense of Black life,” said Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, co-executive director of the Highlander Research and Education Center, a Tennessee-based civil rights leadership training school.

The Nichols case — just one of the brutality cases to make national news this month — exposes an uncomfortable truth: More than two years since the deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks touched off protests, policing reforms have not significantly reduced such killings.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-amir-locke-richmond-minneapolis-86370ae1c735d44525e37eed80b293b2">States approved nearly 300 police reform bills after Floyd’s murder,</a>&nbsp;creating civilian oversight of police, more anti-bias training, stricter use-of-force limits and alternatives to arrests in cases involving people with mental illnesses, according to a recent analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland.

Despite calls to “defund the police,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-police-law-enforcement-agencies-local-governments-iowa-420d0714086f72bc255c676bfe214532">an Associated Press review of police funding nationwide</a>&nbsp;found only modest cuts, driven largely by shrinking revenue related to the coronavirus pandemic. Budgets increased and more officers were hired for some large departments, including New York City’s.

Still stuck in Congress is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-state-wire-george-floyd-death-of-george-floyd-police-police-reform-988260d4657103cd968bad7f039b0e19">the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act,</a>&nbsp;which would prohibit racial profiling, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, limit the transfer of military equipment to police departments, and make it easier to bring charges against offending officers. Biden said he told Nichols’ mother that he would be “making a case” to Congress to pass the Floyd Act “to get this under control.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton said his eulogy at Nichols’ funeral on Wednesday will include a call for new laws. NAACP President Derrick Johnson also took Congress to task.

“By failing to write a piece of legislation, you’re writing another obituary,” Johnson said. “Tell us what you’re going to do to honor Tyre Nichols. … We can name all the victims of police violence, but we can’t name a single law you have passed to address it.”

Advocates want state and federal legislation because local changes vary widely in scope and effect and can be undone by a single election after years of grassroots activism. But some say strict regulations are just the start — and the video of Nichols’ agony proves it.

“Changing a rule doesn’t change a behavior,” said Katie Ryan, chief of staff for Campaign Zero, a group of academics, policing experts and activists working to end police violence. “The culture of a police department has to shift into actually implementing the policies, not just saying there’s a rule in place.”

The five officers charged — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith — were part of the so-called Scorpion unit. Scorpion stands for Street Crimes Operations to Restore Peace in our Neighborhoods.

The Memphis police chief, Cerelyn “CJ” Davis,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-memphis-crime-law-enforcement-1b7e8fa4ed7120a897086250d5d6da35">disbanded the unit</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.

“It is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the Scorpion unit,” she said in a statement.

Prior to the move by Davis, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said it was clear that the officers involved in the attack on Nichols violated the department’s policies and training.

“I want to assure you we are doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again,” Strickland said in a statement. “We are initiating an outside, independent review of the training, policies and operations of our specialized units.”

The Memphis police union extended condolences to Nichols’ family, saying it “is committed to the administration of justice and NEVER condones the mistreatment of ANY citizen nor ANY abuse of power.” The statement also expressed faith that the justice system would reveal “the totality of circumstances” in the case.

Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, pushed back against the conclusion that policing must change. This was not “legitimate police work or a traffic stop gone wrong,” Yoes said. “This is a criminal assault under the pretext of law.”

Protesters turned out again Friday night after the city released the video footage. Turner, the Memphis pastor, called the images “further proof that our city’s and our nation’s criminal justice systems are in dire need of change.”

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