KANSAS CITY —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined auto workers local 31 at a solidarity rally in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday.

She followed President Joe Biden's lead. The President grabbed a bullhorn on the picket line in Michigan Tuesday and urged striking auto workers to “stick with it”&nbsp; in an unparalleled show of support for organized labor by a modern president.

On social media, the governor wrote, "Kansas Autoworkers and General Motors play a key role in our economy, contributing to the success and growth of our state."

On September 20, General Motors announced they were going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant. Workers at the Kansas plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.

The union says it will announce on Friday how it plans to expand its strike against Detroit's three automakers.&nbsp;Additional walkouts will take place at noon Friday without serious progress in contract talks, the union said.

Auto workers went on strike Sept. 14 when the union couldn't reach agreements on new contracts with Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850060526.png" alt="Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined auto workers local 31 at a solidarity rally in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday.She followed President Joe Biden's lead. The President grabbed a bullhorn on the picket line in Michigan Tuesday and urged striking auto workers to “stick with it”&nbsp; in an unparalleled show of support for organized labor by a modern president.On social media, the governor wrote, "Kansas Autoworkers and General Motors play a key role in our economy, contributing to the success and growth of our state."On September 20, General Motors announced they were going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant. Workers at the Kansas plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.The union says it will announce on Friday how it plans to expand its strike against Detroit's three automakers.&nbsp;Additional walkouts will take place at noon Friday without serious progress in contract talks, the union said.Auto workers went on strike Sept. 14 when the union couldn't reach agreements on new contracts with Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.

Gov. Kelly joins Kansas auto workers during union rally

KIOWA COUNTY, CO. — Human remains found in Kiowa County, Colorado on Sept. 20 were positively identified as two women from Kansas and a suspect is in custody.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported the Kiowa County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains belong to Linda Estrada, 44, and Amy Ford, 39, both of Emporia, Kansas, according to a media release.

An arrest warrant was issued for a suspect in this case identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Phillip Lieurence. He being held at a jail in Emporia on unrelated charges including Aggravated Assault; Use of Deadly Weapon• Agg Battery While DUI, Distribute Marijuana 25-450 grams, Reckless Driving, Flee or Attempt to Elude LEO; motor vehicle accident or damage property, Reckless Driving, Duty of Driver Dmg Unattnd Veh, DUI, Agg Battery;intent physical contact weap, Criminal Damage to Property.

The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the case September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.

Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.

Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's office is in charge of the homicide&nbsp; investigation in conjunction with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695896585153.png" alt="Lieurence -photo Lyon Co." />
 <figcaption>Lieurence -photo Lyon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KIOWA COUNTY, CO. — Human remains found in Kiowa County, Colorado on Sept. 20 were positively identified as two women from Kansas and a suspect is in custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695324168687.png" alt="Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police" />
 <figcaption>Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported the Kiowa County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains belong to Linda Estrada, 44, and Amy Ford, 39, both of Emporia, Kansas, according to a media release.An arrest warrant was issued for a suspect in this case identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Phillip Lieurence. He being held at a jail in Emporia on unrelated charges including Aggravated Assault; Use of Deadly Weapon• Agg Battery While DUI, Distribute Marijuana 25-450 grams, Reckless Driving, Flee or Attempt to Elude LEO; motor vehicle accident or damage property, Reckless Driving, Duty of Driver Dmg Unattnd Veh, DUI, Agg Battery;intent physical contact weap, Criminal Damage to Property.The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the case September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.The Kiowa County Sheriff's office is in charge of the homicide&nbsp; investigation in conjunction with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

Police ID suspect after bodies of 2 Kan. women found in Colorado 

KANSAS CITY —First Lady Jill Biden visited the Truman Library Wednesday afternoon to highlight their programming to support civic literacy and education in the local community, according to her press secretary.

She joined&nbsp;William Chrisman High School students who participated in a civics education simulation.&nbsp; Former President Harry Truman and wife Bess graduated from Chrisman High School.

&nbsp;Dr. Biden worked as a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1425810241678024714">classroom teacher</a>&nbsp;for over 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/51033293591/in/photolist-2kKCYdg-2kKCY7j-2kHSyvg-2kHSysf-2m3AXTd-2kE4cew-2m7qYtG-2kB64MB-2kyUa2D-2kyYmts-2kyU9ko-2kyXFLm-2kyXFa6-2m3BqbJ-2kUhrHZ-2kUhrJq-2kVAP2i-2m3totj-2mnGbh2-2mS2MfY-2mS3SA1-2mRYrFa-2mS3Syx-2mS3Sue-2mS2Mn1-2mS3Scq-2mRYrGc-2mS2Mm4-2mM8nsN-2mnDDne-2mnyvtc-2kUhaQb-2kUbUiy-2kUbUj5-2kUbAwD-2kUhi3N-2kyXGbQ-2kyXGa2-2kVv9So-2kUbW2D-2kRGw13-2kUcPe2-2kUcyjN-2kUbW2U-2kRHfxU-2kRHfu7-2kKzeEt-2kKCY8B-2kHSzoZ-2kHSyar">advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students</a>, of all ages, is close to her heart, according to her bio on the White House web site.&nbsp;

Dr. Biden attended a fundraiser for President Biden's 2024 campaign Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695848712457.png" alt="Kansas Mayor Quinton Lucas greets First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday afternoon- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Mayor Quinton Lucas greets First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday afternoon- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —First Lady Jill Biden visited the Truman Library Wednesday afternoon to highlight their programming to support civic literacy and education in the local community, according to her press secretary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695857780075.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>She joined&nbsp;William Chrisman High School students who participated in a civics education simulation.&nbsp; Former President Harry Truman and wife Bess graduated from Chrisman High School.&nbsp;Dr. Biden worked as a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1425810241678024714">classroom teacher</a>&nbsp;for over 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/51033293591/in/photolist-2kKCYdg-2kKCY7j-2kHSyvg-2kHSysf-2m3AXTd-2kE4cew-2m7qYtG-2kB64MB-2kyUa2D-2kyYmts-2kyU9ko-2kyXFLm-2kyXFa6-2m3BqbJ-2kUhrHZ-2kUhrJq-2kVAP2i-2m3totj-2mnGbh2-2mS2MfY-2mS3SA1-2mRYrFa-2mS3Syx-2mS3Sue-2mS2Mn1-2mS3Scq-2mRYrGc-2mS2Mm4-2mM8nsN-2mnDDne-2mnyvtc-2kUhaQb-2kUbUiy-2kUbUj5-2kUbAwD-2kUhi3N-2kyXGbQ-2kyXGa2-2kVv9So-2kUbW2D-2kRGw13-2kUcPe2-2kUcyjN-2kUbW2U-2kRHfxU-2kRHfu7-2kKzeEt-2kKCY8B-2kHSzoZ-2kHSyar">advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students</a>, of all ages, is close to her heart, according to her bio on the White House web site.&nbsp;Dr. Biden attended a fundraiser for President Biden's 2024 campaign Wednesday night.

First Lady Jill Biden visit with students in Kansas City

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion and&nbsp;asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of entering an apartment while the occupants slept Wednesday morning, according to Lawrence Police.

While in the residence, the suspect inappropriately touched a 21-year old woman in her bed. 

Just after 4a.m., police were called to the scene in the 2200 block of W. 26th Street, just west of the Dairy Queen at 26th and Iowa, after the victim awoke to a man in her bedroom. 

The man fled before police could be called, and while officers were unable to locate the man in the area, the residence was processed for forensic evidence to assist in identification of the suspect.

 Detectives are working to identify leads in the case, but are also asking residents in the area to help by checking security cameras and video doorbells for signs of a white man wearing khaki cargo shorts and no shirt between 3 and 4 a.m. 

Anyone who has footage to provide, or who may have seen someone in the area matching the description, is asked to contact police dispatch at (785)832-7509. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion and&nbsp;asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of entering an apartment while the occupants slept Wednesday morning, according to Lawrence Police.While in the residence, the suspect inappropriately touched a 21-year old woman in her bed. Just after 4a.m., police were called to the scene in the 2200 block of W. 26th Street, just west of the Dairy Queen at 26th and Iowa, after the victim awoke to a man in her bedroom. The man fled before police could be called, and while officers were unable to locate the man in the area, the residence was processed for forensic evidence to assist in identification of the suspect. Detectives are working to identify leads in the case, but are also asking residents in the area to help by checking security cameras and video doorbells for signs of a white man wearing khaki cargo shorts and no shirt between 3 and 4 a.m. Anyone who has footage to provide, or who may have seen someone in the area matching the description, is asked to contact police dispatch at (785)832-7509. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

Suspect entered Kan. apartment, inappropriately touched woman

KANSAS CITY (AP) —CVS found the right prescription on Wednesday to keep its stores open in the Kansas City area and avoid a repeat of a work stoppage last week by pharmacists: It promised to boost hiring to ease workloads that sometimes make it hard to take a bathroom break.

But it won’t be easy to resolve the problems that have been growing as pharmacists at CVS and other drug stores in the U.S. took on more duties in recent years and are gearing up to deliver this year’s latest flu and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">COVID-19 vaccines.</a>

“It all relates to not enough dollars going in to hire the appropriate staff to be able to deliver the services,” said Ron Fitzwater, CEO of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.

Pharmacists in at least a dozen Kansas City-area CVS pharmacies did not show up for work last Thursday and Friday and planned to be out again this Wednesday until the company sent its chief pharmacy officer with promises to fill open positions and increase staffing levels.

It was one of the latest examples nationwide of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unrest-hollywood-screenwriters-actors-ups-drivers-c3b94e32c347d5b5f61e695bcf436b46">fed up enough</a>&nbsp;to take action. But unlike in the ongoing strikes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-expand-factories-gm-stellantis-ford-7e8d2b5dd74513fd299fa29f541d25d7">automakers</a>&nbsp;or in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-ends-actors-hollywood-28316c5104765576b7259b180e15c05b">Hollywood</a>, the pharmacists weren't demanding raises or more vacation, but more workers to help them.

CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault said the company is “focused on addressing the concerns raised by our pharmacists so we can continue to deliver the high-quality care our patients depend on.”

Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah apologized for not addressing concerns sooner in a memo to Kansas City-area staff that was&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/105l4cCgyNCJG0BDitxND9ZMbEN3CH2DLtew1DCMP-Ug/edit?pli=1">obtained</a>&nbsp;by USA Today. He promised to remain in the city until the problems are addressed and come back regularly to check on the progress.

“We want you, our valued pharmacy teams, to be in a position to succeed. We are working hard to support you and are here to help and create sustainable solutions,” Shah said as he encouraged the pharmacists to continue to share their concerns even anonymously.

It's unclear why workload concerns that are common industrywide led to a work stoppage in Kansas City. The pharmacists involved are not in a union and haven't spoken publicly, so it's not entirely clear how satisfied they are with the company's response.

Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds, said there’s a nationwide shortage of pharmacy workers, prompting companies to push long work hours with few bathroom and lunch breaks. At the same time, the industry is “not really unionized, so I wouldn’t expect a big, coordinated action” to be inspired by the Kansas City demonstration, he said.

At stores with only one pharmacist on duty, the pharmacy has to shut down every time that person leaves the area because a pharmacist must be present to supervise technicians in their work.

The American Pharmacists Association said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases/statement-on-pharmacy-store-closures-in-kansas-city">statement</a>&nbsp;that it supports the stand the Kansas City pharmacists took.

“Pharmacists who find themselves in situations where the welfare of others is in question should always pause, evaluate the situation, and take the steps necessary to ensure safe, optimal patient care,” the group said.

CVS Health has about 300,000 employees and runs prescription drug plans through one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits managers. Its Aetna insurance arm covers more than 25 million people, and the company has nearly 10,000 drugstores.

The company said last month that operating income at its drugstores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cvs-health-second-quarter-14dff983dc654f4d8819788be110a3cf">fell 17%</a>&nbsp;as reimbursement rates from patient's insurance providers for drugs remained tight. CVS eliminated about 5,000 jobs, but company officials said none of those involved dealing with customers.

Bled Tanoe, a hospital pharmacist in Oklahoma who previously worked for Walgreens, runs a social media campaign called “Pizza Is Not Working” aimed at raising awareness about the industry's working conditions. Its name comes from the pizzas that are routinely given to overwhelmed medical workers to raise morale. Tanoe said she was “wowed” by the CVS demonstration.

“They pretty much risk their reputation, their livelihood to take a stand because serving the patients is so important to them,” Tanoe said.

Amanda Applegate with the Kansas Pharmacists Association said pharmacists have always had a lot on their plate.

“When we are not valued as health care professionals, it doesn’t allow the job that needs to be done to be done," she said. "And that’s keeping you know, patients safe — right drug, right patient, right time, right dose.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695862963300.png" alt="CVS at 13101 State Line Road in Kansas City -Google image" />
 <figcaption>CVS at 13101 State Line Road in Kansas City -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —CVS found the right prescription on Wednesday to keep its stores open in the Kansas City area and avoid a repeat of a work stoppage last week by pharmacists: It promised to boost hiring to ease workloads that sometimes make it hard to take a bathroom break.But it won’t be easy to resolve the problems that have been growing as pharmacists at CVS and other drug stores in the U.S. took on more duties in recent years and are gearing up to deliver this year’s latest flu and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">COVID-19 vaccines.</a>“It all relates to not enough dollars going in to hire the appropriate staff to be able to deliver the services,” said Ron Fitzwater, CEO of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.Pharmacists in at least a dozen Kansas City-area CVS pharmacies did not show up for work last Thursday and Friday and planned to be out again this Wednesday until the company sent its chief pharmacy officer with promises to fill open positions and increase staffing levels.It was one of the latest examples nationwide of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unrest-hollywood-screenwriters-actors-ups-drivers-c3b94e32c347d5b5f61e695bcf436b46">fed up enough</a>&nbsp;to take action. But unlike in the ongoing strikes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-expand-factories-gm-stellantis-ford-7e8d2b5dd74513fd299fa29f541d25d7">automakers</a>&nbsp;or in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-ends-actors-hollywood-28316c5104765576b7259b180e15c05b">Hollywood</a>, the pharmacists weren't demanding raises or more vacation, but more workers to help them.CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault said the company is “focused on addressing the concerns raised by our pharmacists so we can continue to deliver the high-quality care our patients depend on.”Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah apologized for not addressing concerns sooner in a memo to Kansas City-area staff that was&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/105l4cCgyNCJG0BDitxND9ZMbEN3CH2DLtew1DCMP-Ug/edit?pli=1">obtained</a>&nbsp;by USA Today. He promised to remain in the city until the problems are addressed and come back regularly to check on the progress.“We want you, our valued pharmacy teams, to be in a position to succeed. We are working hard to support you and are here to help and create sustainable solutions,” Shah said as he encouraged the pharmacists to continue to share their concerns even anonymously.It's unclear why workload concerns that are common industrywide led to a work stoppage in Kansas City. The pharmacists involved are not in a union and haven't spoken publicly, so it's not entirely clear how satisfied they are with the company's response.Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds, said there’s a nationwide shortage of pharmacy workers, prompting companies to push long work hours with few bathroom and lunch breaks. At the same time, the industry is “not really unionized, so I wouldn’t expect a big, coordinated action” to be inspired by the Kansas City demonstration, he said.At stores with only one pharmacist on duty, the pharmacy has to shut down every time that person leaves the area because a pharmacist must be present to supervise technicians in their work.The American Pharmacists Association said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases/statement-on-pharmacy-store-closures-in-kansas-city">statement</a>&nbsp;that it supports the stand the Kansas City pharmacists took.“Pharmacists who find themselves in situations where the welfare of others is in question should always pause, evaluate the situation, and take the steps necessary to ensure safe, optimal patient care,” the group said.CVS Health has about 300,000 employees and runs prescription drug plans through one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits managers. Its Aetna insurance arm covers more than 25 million people, and the company has nearly 10,000 drugstores.The company said last month that operating income at its drugstores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cvs-health-second-quarter-14dff983dc654f4d8819788be110a3cf">fell 17%</a>&nbsp;as reimbursement rates from patient's insurance providers for drugs remained tight. CVS eliminated about 5,000 jobs, but company officials said none of those involved dealing with customers.Bled Tanoe, a hospital pharmacist in Oklahoma who previously worked for Walgreens, runs a social media campaign called “Pizza Is Not Working” aimed at raising awareness about the industry's working conditions. Its name comes from the pizzas that are routinely given to overwhelmed medical workers to raise morale. Tanoe said she was “wowed” by the CVS demonstration.“They pretty much risk their reputation, their livelihood to take a stand because serving the patients is so important to them,” Tanoe said.Amanda Applegate with the Kansas Pharmacists Association said pharmacists have always had a lot on their plate.“When we are not valued as health care professionals, it doesn’t allow the job that needs to be done to be done," she said. "And that’s keeping you know, patients safe — right drug, right patient, right time, right dose.”

CVS responds rapidly after frustrated KC-area pharmacists walk out

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Matthew Alexander III, 30 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, or in the alternative aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, battery, kidnapping and aggravated burglary, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He being held on a bond of two-million dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 11:30p.m. Sept. 21, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of 800 S. Mission in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located two shooting victims including 48-year-old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/addriane-kenney">Adraine Kenney </a>of Wichita who was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a 22-year-old woman&nbsp;to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Investigators and officers identified and apprehended Alexander&nbsp; without incident following a brief standoff in the 600 block of S. Mission. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that all three individuals were involved in a disturbance which led to the suspect shooting the two women.

Alexander's&nbsp; next court appearance is scheduled before Judge Jeffrey Goering on October 5, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695754479788.png" alt="Alexander-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Alexander-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.Matthew Alexander III, 30 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, or in the alternative aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, battery, kidnapping and aggravated burglary, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He being held on a bond of two-million dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 11:30p.m. Sept. 21, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of 800 S. Mission in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders located two shooting victims including 48-year-old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/addriane-kenney">Adraine Kenney </a>of Wichita who was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a 22-year-old woman&nbsp;to a local hospital with critical injuries.Investigators and officers identified and apprehended Alexander&nbsp; without incident following a brief standoff in the 600 block of S. Mission. Preliminary investigation revealed that all three individuals were involved in a disturbance which led to the suspect shooting the two women.Alexander's&nbsp; next court appearance is scheduled before Judge Jeffrey Goering on October 5, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect held on $2 million bond for Kan. burglary, murder

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating what they believe is an abduction and are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle and suspect.

Around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 5800 block of E 15th Terrace in Kansas City on a reported sound of a disturbance, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, neighbors said they heard a woman screaming for help. Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Hyundai SUV that the a man and woman left in. Police believe the woman is in danger.

Police need help identifying this vehicle, as well as the man and woman who may be involved. Currently, there are no missing persons reports that match her&nbsp; description.

Call KCPD 816-413-3549 or 911 immediately, if you have information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850870613.png" alt="Security camera image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating what they believe is an abduction and are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle and suspect.Around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 5800 block of E 15th Terrace in Kansas City on a reported sound of a disturbance, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850761009.png" alt="Security camera image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, neighbors said they heard a woman screaming for help. Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Hyundai SUV that the a man and woman left in. Police believe the woman is in danger.Police need help identifying this vehicle, as well as the man and woman who may be involved. Currently, there are no missing persons reports that match her&nbsp; description. Call KCPD 816-413-3549 or 911 immediately, if you have information.

KCPD: Woman was screaming for help

RENO COUNTY— A Kansas man is awaiting extradition to Kansas from Colorado in connection with the homicide of another Hutchinson man whose body was found in Harvey County last week.

The body of 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson was found in East Park in Harvey County on Sept. 17. It was determined Ford died from a gunshot wound.

A joint homicide investigation began involving numerous officers and detectives from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hutchinson Police Department. A person of interest was identified, which led the investigation to a residence in the City of Hutchinson. A search warrant was executed at this residence, and evidence of the crime was discovered.

Twenty-eight-year-old Clancy Nelson Jr. of Hutchinson was identified as a suspect in the death of&nbsp; Ford. Law enforcement officers were able to determine that Nelson was in Aurora, Colorado. An arrest warrant was issued for Nelson, and with cooperation from the Aurora Police Department, Nelson was located and taken into custody without incident.

Nelson is currently in custody in Adams County, Colorado, pending extradition to Hutchinson, Kansas on requested charges of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722267062.png" alt="Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— A Kansas man is awaiting extradition to Kansas from Colorado in connection with the homicide of another Hutchinson man whose body was found in Harvey County last week.The body of 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson was found in East Park in Harvey County on Sept. 17. It was determined Ford died from a gunshot wound.A joint homicide investigation began involving numerous officers and detectives from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hutchinson Police Department. A person of interest was identified, which led the investigation to a residence in the City of Hutchinson. A search warrant was executed at this residence, and evidence of the crime was discovered.Twenty-eight-year-old Clancy Nelson Jr. of Hutchinson was identified as a suspect in the death of&nbsp; Ford. Law enforcement officers were able to determine that Nelson was in Aurora, Colorado. An arrest warrant was issued for Nelson, and with cooperation from the Aurora Police Department, Nelson was located and taken into custody without incident.Nelson is currently in custody in Adams County, Colorado, pending extradition to Hutchinson, Kansas on requested charges of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Assault.

Suspect jailed in Colo. after body found on dry Kan. lake bed

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.

Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.

But Chutkan vigorously objected to the those characterizations of her comments.

"It bears noting that the court has never taken the position the defense ascribes to it: that former ‘President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned,’” Chutkan wrote. “And the defense does not cite any instance of the court ever uttering those words or anything similar.”

It’s the second time Trump has tried unsuccessfully to get a judge removed from one of the criminal cases against him.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-judge-merchan-arraignment-032a097661c259709a948ce0e70a872a">Judge Juan Manuel Merchan</a>, who is overseeing Trump’s New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-payoffs-40dd9d1f3590dfcd5c494b1815e9eaa2">hush money criminal case</a>, rejected similar demands that he step aside, saying he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”

Chutkan has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">one of the toughest punishers</a>&nbsp;of defendants charged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the early front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has personally assailed her on social media as he tries to make the case that the prosecution is politically motivated.

Federal special counsel Jack Smith’s team said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db">no valid basis</a>&nbsp;to have Chutkan removed from the case. Like Chutkan, they said she never said that Trump was legally or morally to blame for the events of Jan. 6 or that he deserved to be punished.

Chutkan wrote in her order that though recusal is a valid step when merited, judges should not step aside “without cause,” as she suggested the Trump lawyers were asking her to do.

Trump's team had pointed in their recusal bid to a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant in which Chutkan said the rioters had "blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” Chutkan wrote in her decision Wednesday that she was merely stating an “undisputed fact,” – that Trump was free — “but it went no further.”

Chutkan is also considering a request by Smith’s team for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-67ca118260af4761f41bcffd18d09855">a narrow gag order</a>&nbsp;that would bar Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the case. Trump's lawyers objected this week to that request.

Chutkan has scheduled trial to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4, 2024,</a>&nbsp;over the vigorous objections of defense lawyers who said that would not give them enough time to prepare. The case in Washington’s federal court is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-investigations-other-charges-b8b064a00caad4306fb54d2f6a320468">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;confronting the former president as he seeks to regain the White House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692039434568.jpeg" alt="File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)" />
 <figcaption>File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.But Chutkan vigorously objected to the those characterizations of her comments."It bears noting that the court has never taken the position the defense ascribes to it: that former ‘President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned,’” Chutkan wrote. “And the defense does not cite any instance of the court ever uttering those words or anything similar.”It’s the second time Trump has tried unsuccessfully to get a judge removed from one of the criminal cases against him.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-judge-merchan-arraignment-032a097661c259709a948ce0e70a872a">Judge Juan Manuel Merchan</a>, who is overseeing Trump’s New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-payoffs-40dd9d1f3590dfcd5c494b1815e9eaa2">hush money criminal case</a>, rejected similar demands that he step aside, saying he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”Chutkan has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">one of the toughest punishers</a>&nbsp;of defendants charged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the early front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has personally assailed her on social media as he tries to make the case that the prosecution is politically motivated.Federal special counsel Jack Smith’s team said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db">no valid basis</a>&nbsp;to have Chutkan removed from the case. Like Chutkan, they said she never said that Trump was legally or morally to blame for the events of Jan. 6 or that he deserved to be punished.Chutkan wrote in her order that though recusal is a valid step when merited, judges should not step aside “without cause,” as she suggested the Trump lawyers were asking her to do.Trump's team had pointed in their recusal bid to a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant in which Chutkan said the rioters had "blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” Chutkan wrote in her decision Wednesday that she was merely stating an “undisputed fact,” – that Trump was free — “but it went no further.”Chutkan is also considering a request by Smith’s team for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-67ca118260af4761f41bcffd18d09855">a narrow gag order</a>&nbsp;that would bar Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the case. Trump's lawyers objected this week to that request.Chutkan has scheduled trial to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4, 2024,</a>&nbsp;over the vigorous objections of defense lawyers who said that would not give them enough time to prepare. The case in Washington’s federal court is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-investigations-other-charges-b8b064a00caad4306fb54d2f6a320468">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;confronting the former president as he seeks to regain the White House.

Judge denies Trump’s request to recuse herself in election subversion case

LABETTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a field on Sunday have made an arrest.

Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, a man placed a 911 call after discovering the body later identified as 28-year-old Kylie Caldwell of Parsons in a field one half mile west of the intersection of 20000 Road and Ness Road in rural Labette County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

On Monday the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parsons Police Department arrested 53-year-old Derrick W. Curry, 53, of Parsons, on requested charges for interference with the judicial process; to conceal or destroy evidence of a crime and he was booked into jail.

&nbsp;On Tuesday, KBI agents and investigators executed search warrants at Curry’s apartment at 2626 Kimball Avenue&nbsp; in Parsons, and on his vehicle. 

On Wednesday morning an arrest warrant was issued for Curry for second-degree murder in connection to the death of Caldwell. It was served to him while he was in custody at the jail. Curry and Caldwell were acquaintances, according to the sheriff's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695834559542.png" alt="Curry-photo Labette Co." />
 <figcaption>Curry-photo Labette Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LABETTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a field on Sunday have made an arrest.Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, a man placed a 911 call after discovering the body later identified as 28-year-old Kylie Caldwell of Parsons in a field one half mile west of the intersection of 20000 Road and Ness Road in rural Labette County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. On Monday the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parsons Police Department arrested 53-year-old Derrick W. Curry, 53, of Parsons, on requested charges for interference with the judicial process; to conceal or destroy evidence of a crime and he was booked into jail.&nbsp;On Tuesday, KBI agents and investigators executed search warrants at Curry’s apartment at 2626 Kimball Avenue&nbsp; in Parsons, and on his vehicle. On Wednesday morning an arrest warrant was issued for Curry for second-degree murder in connection to the death of Caldwell. It was served to him while he was in custody at the jail. Curry and Caldwell were acquaintances, according to the sheriff's office.

Suspect accused in death of woman after body found in Kan. field

The bird is listed as threatened in Kansas

By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

U.S. President Joe Biden vetoed legislation meant to undermine federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a previously ubiquitous bird that is now endangered in several states.

The legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, and co-sponsored by fellow Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran and four other senators, sought to undo a listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In his veto message, Biden said the legislation would “overturn a science-based rulemaking that follows the requirements of the law.”

“The lesser prairie-chicken serves as an indicator for healthy grasslands and prairies, making the species an important measure of the overall health of America’s grasslands,” Biden said. “If enacted, (the legislation) would undermine America’s proud wildlife conservation traditions, risk the extinction of a once-abundant American bird and create uncertainty for landowners and industries who have been working for years to forge the durable, locally led conservation strategies that this rule supports.”

Biden’s veto Tuesday sparked outrage from supporters of the legislation, with Marshall saying “we shouldn’t be shocked at this continued attack from President Biden on rural America.”

U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican representing western Kansas, claimed voluntary efforts to conserve the lesser prairie chicken had been effective.

“At a time when record-breaking drought is crushing rural communities, crop production and native grasslands, we need more rain, not more regulations,” he said.

Listing the lesser prairie chicken as threatened or endangered has been a controversial prospect in Kansas for years.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously listed the bird as threatened in 2014, but the decision was reversed under a court order.&nbsp;

In 2019, three conservation groups&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/413643dc02e1411db4f644b09c005a08">sued the federal government to force a decision</a>&nbsp;on the lesser prairie chicken. The groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, claimed the Department of the Interior and USFWS were in violation of the Endangered Species Act by failing to make a ruling on a 2016 petition to list the birds.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">bird was ultimately listed in November as threatened in Kansas</a>&nbsp;and endangered in southwestern states.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/38fe559eb3d842be89118865272572cb">lesser prairie chicken</a>, which lives in prairie grass and shrubs in western Kansas, once numbered in the hundreds of thousands. But U.S. wildlife officials estimated at the time they listed the bird last year that 90% of the habitat the birds once inhabited is gone and only about 32,000 lesser prairie chickens remain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681936745789.jpeg" alt="- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the lesser prairie chicken as threatened in Kansas and endangered in other portions of its range. photo by&nbsp;CRISTINA JANNEY" />
 <figcaption>- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the lesser prairie chicken as threatened in Kansas and endangered in other portions of its range. photo by&nbsp;CRISTINA JANNEY</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The bird is listed as threatened in Kansas</h2>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>U.S. President Joe Biden vetoed legislation meant to undermine federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a previously ubiquitous bird that is now endangered in several states.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🚨BREAKING: Biden&#39;s veto on the Lesser Prairie Chicken CRA shows how out of touch he is with rural America &amp; our successful conservation efforts. Despite bipartisan support in both chambers, he continues to shut down efforts to protect farmers &amp; ranchers.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1706803132733288915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, and co-sponsored by fellow Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran and four other senators, sought to undo a listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.In his veto message, Biden said the legislation would “overturn a science-based rulemaking that follows the requirements of the law.”“The lesser prairie-chicken serves as an indicator for healthy grasslands and prairies, making the species an important measure of the overall health of America’s grasslands,” Biden said. “If enacted, (the legislation) would undermine America’s proud wildlife conservation traditions, risk the extinction of a once-abundant American bird and create uncertainty for landowners and industries who have been working for years to forge the durable, locally led conservation strategies that this rule supports.”Biden’s veto Tuesday sparked outrage from supporters of the legislation, with Marshall saying “we shouldn’t be shocked at this continued attack from President Biden on rural America.”U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican representing western Kansas, claimed voluntary efforts to conserve the lesser prairie chicken had been effective.“At a time when record-breaking drought is crushing rural communities, crop production and native grasslands, we need more rain, not more regulations,” he said.Listing the lesser prairie chicken as threatened or endangered has been a controversial prospect in Kansas for years.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously listed the bird as threatened in 2014, but the decision was reversed under a court order.&nbsp;In 2019, three conservation groups&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/413643dc02e1411db4f644b09c005a08">sued the federal government to force a decision</a>&nbsp;on the lesser prairie chicken. The groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, claimed the Department of the Interior and USFWS were in violation of the Endangered Species Act by failing to make a ruling on a 2016 petition to list the birds.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">bird was ultimately listed in November as threatened in Kansas</a>&nbsp;and endangered in southwestern states.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/38fe559eb3d842be89118865272572cb">lesser prairie chicken</a>, which lives in prairie grass and shrubs in western Kansas, once numbered in the hundreds of thousands. But U.S. wildlife officials estimated at the time they listed the bird last year that 90% of the habitat the birds once inhabited is gone and only about 32,000 lesser prairie chickens remain.

Biden vetoes Marshall and Moran's bill on lesser prairie chicken protections

State’s public education system grows 2% this fall to serve 168,000 students

BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The 12.5% enrollment contraction this fall semester at Emporia State University followed turbulence of faculty dismissals and academic program upheaval at the state’s smallest public university and ran counter to an overall increase in the number of students attending 32 public universities and colleges in Kansas.

Preliminary enrollment reports showed a 2% rise in attendance at universities, community colleges and technical colleges supervised by the Kansas Board of Regents.

“We are encouraged to see enrollment growth across our system this year,” said Blake Flanders, president and chief executive officer of the state Board of Regents. “We look forward to continuing this work and serving Kansas families and businesses.”

He didn’t address ESU’s deepening enrollment challenge in a statement issued Wednesday in conjunction with release of the systemwide tally of student attendance.

The only institution in Kansas’ public higher education system with a double-digit enrollment decline this fall semester was ESU, a campus that has endured a 19.6% reduction in enrollment over the past five years. Meanwhile, the University of Kansas welcomed the largest freshman class in the school’s history and Kansas State University reported its first enrollment increase in nine years.

ESU administrators leading a controversial overhaul of the university — the American Association of University Professors denounced firing of tenured faculty —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/26/emporia-state-university-defends-changes-ahead-of-declining-enrollment-report/">sought to lower enrollment expectations</a>&nbsp;in advance of public disclosure of this fall’s campus enrollment report. Writing was on the wall during the spring semester when ESU enrollment slid 7.9% compared to spring 2022, but that report was withheld from the public for more than six months.

“Enrollment, while important, is just part of the story,” said Ken Hush, president of Emporia State. “The rest of the story is what it costs to operate the university. Enrollment numbers hold little significance unless they are compared to expenses. This means enrollment isn’t necessarily equal to success.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/Press/2023_Fall_Prelimary_Enrollment.pdf">The fall 2023 enrollment summaries, both the headcount and full-time equivalent reports,&nbsp;</a>serve as important metrics because they offered snapshots of evolving student demand for higher education instruction. Campus enrollment also has served as a key indicator of revenue trends in terms of student tuition and fees. For example, ESU’s enrollment drop led to a recent request for millions of dollars from the Kansas Legislature to cover part of the university’s bond debt.

In fall 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ESU enrollment belied the trend elsewhere in Kansas. ESU lost 0.8% of enrollment in fall 2020 compared to the previous year, while overall enrollment dropped 3.5% at the state’s six universities. The community colleges were hit by a 14.1% reduction in fall 2020. The technical colleges surrendered 9.4% of enrollment during height of the public health pandemic.

Hush was hired by the Board of Regents in November 2021, but was an unusual selection because he didn’t hold an advanced academic degree typical of university CEOs. He is a graduate of ESU, where he played on the tennis team, and held executive jobs during his career with Koch Minerals and Carbon.

The University of Kansas experienced 6.7% enrollment growth this fall semester, while Wichita State University’s total went up 3.7% and Kansas State University moved the needle up by 0.1%. Fort Hays State University declined 0.8% and Pittsburg State University fell 2.2%. The six state universities grew by 1.7% or 1,467 students.

KU chancellor Doug Girod said the university’s record-breaking freshman class included 5,259 new Jayhawks. That 18% jump from last year surpassed the previous record surge in 2008. Overall, he said, KU enrollment reached 29,300 students, which combines totals on the main campus in Lawrence, a satellite campus in Overland Park and the medical center campus in Kansas City, Kansas.

“We are pleased to welcome this historic freshman class and to have grown enrollment to the highest level in years,” Girod said. “These numbers demonstrate that talented students from across the state and nation see the benefit of attending a top research institution like KU to prepare for their lives and careers.”

Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management at Kansas State, celebrated the land-grant university’s first enrollment increase in nine years. The university’s enrollment among in-state students climbed 6.8% and out-of-state enrollment blossomed 15.1% compared to one year ago. There also was a bump of 2.8% in transfer students and enrollment by first-time freshman grew 9%, she said.

“This year’s increases are a direct result of our commitment to the strategic enrollment plan,” Goos said. “The past two years have seen tremendous progress in first-time freshman and transfer student classes, which sets K-State on a path to continued growth.”

Washburn University in Topeka, which is considered a municipal university, increased enrollment by 243 students or 3.7%.

Eleven of the 19 community colleges in Kansas added students. The 643-student expansion among community colleges equated to 1.1%. Enrollment growth of 871 students at the six technical colleges amounted to a surge of 8.6%.

Overall, the Kansas Board of Regents system enrolled 168,400 students this fall semester to reach 2% growth. The system’s enrollment had fallen 7.2% in the past five years and 9.5% over a 10-year period.

Flanders said a key to reversing the declining-enrollment trend was to continue work to make higher education more affordable to students.

“With initiatives such as increased student financial aid, a common general education package and growing opportunities for students to participate in applied learning and internships, our system has made important strides,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690302547377.png" alt="&nbsp;Enrollment in the Kansas Board of Regents system of public universities and colleges this fall grew by 2% despite the 12.5% enrollment collapse at Emporia State University. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Enrollment in the Kansas Board of Regents system of public universities and colleges this fall grew by 2% despite the 12.5% enrollment collapse at Emporia State University. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State’s public education system grows 2% this fall to serve 168,000 students</h2>BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The 12.5% enrollment contraction this fall semester at Emporia State University followed turbulence of faculty dismissals and academic program upheaval at the state’s smallest public university and ran counter to an overall increase in the number of students attending 32 public universities and colleges in Kansas.Preliminary enrollment reports showed a 2% rise in attendance at universities, community colleges and technical colleges supervised by the Kansas Board of Regents.“We are encouraged to see enrollment growth across our system this year,” said Blake Flanders, president and chief executive officer of the state Board of Regents. “We look forward to continuing this work and serving Kansas families and businesses.”He didn’t address ESU’s deepening enrollment challenge in a statement issued Wednesday in conjunction with release of the systemwide tally of student attendance.The only institution in Kansas’ public higher education system with a double-digit enrollment decline this fall semester was ESU, a campus that has endured a 19.6% reduction in enrollment over the past five years. Meanwhile, the University of Kansas welcomed the largest freshman class in the school’s history and Kansas State University reported its first enrollment increase in nine years.ESU administrators leading a controversial overhaul of the university — the American Association of University Professors denounced firing of tenured faculty —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/26/emporia-state-university-defends-changes-ahead-of-declining-enrollment-report/">sought to lower enrollment expectations</a>&nbsp;in advance of public disclosure of this fall’s campus enrollment report. Writing was on the wall during the spring semester when ESU enrollment slid 7.9% compared to spring 2022, but that report was withheld from the public for more than six months.“Enrollment, while important, is just part of the story,” said Ken Hush, president of Emporia State. “The rest of the story is what it costs to operate the university. Enrollment numbers hold little significance unless they are compared to expenses. This means enrollment isn’t necessarily equal to success.”<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/Press/2023_Fall_Prelimary_Enrollment.pdf">The fall 2023 enrollment summaries, both the headcount and full-time equivalent reports,&nbsp;</a>serve as important metrics because they offered snapshots of evolving student demand for higher education instruction. Campus enrollment also has served as a key indicator of revenue trends in terms of student tuition and fees. For example, ESU’s enrollment drop led to a recent request for millions of dollars from the Kansas Legislature to cover part of the university’s bond debt.<h2>ESU an enrollment outlier</h2>In fall 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ESU enrollment belied the trend elsewhere in Kansas. ESU lost 0.8% of enrollment in fall 2020 compared to the previous year, while overall enrollment dropped 3.5% at the state’s six universities. The community colleges were hit by a 14.1% reduction in fall 2020. The technical colleges surrendered 9.4% of enrollment during height of the public health pandemic.Hush was hired by the Board of Regents in November 2021, but was an unusual selection because he didn’t hold an advanced academic degree typical of university CEOs. He is a graduate of ESU, where he played on the tennis team, and held executive jobs during his career with Koch Minerals and Carbon.The University of Kansas experienced 6.7% enrollment growth this fall semester, while Wichita State University’s total went up 3.7% and Kansas State University moved the needle up by 0.1%. Fort Hays State University declined 0.8% and Pittsburg State University fell 2.2%. The six state universities grew by 1.7% or 1,467 students.KU chancellor Doug Girod said the university’s record-breaking freshman class included 5,259 new Jayhawks. That 18% jump from last year surpassed the previous record surge in 2008. Overall, he said, KU enrollment reached 29,300 students, which combines totals on the main campus in Lawrence, a satellite campus in Overland Park and the medical center campus in Kansas City, Kansas.“We are pleased to welcome this historic freshman class and to have grown enrollment to the highest level in years,” Girod said. “These numbers demonstrate that talented students from across the state and nation see the benefit of attending a top research institution like KU to prepare for their lives and careers.”<h2>KSU breaks 9-year skid</h2>Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management at Kansas State, celebrated the land-grant university’s first enrollment increase in nine years. The university’s enrollment among in-state students climbed 6.8% and out-of-state enrollment blossomed 15.1% compared to one year ago. There also was a bump of 2.8% in transfer students and enrollment by first-time freshman grew 9%, she said.“This year’s increases are a direct result of our commitment to the strategic enrollment plan,” Goos said. “The past two years have seen tremendous progress in first-time freshman and transfer student classes, which sets K-State on a path to continued growth.”Washburn University in Topeka, which is considered a municipal university, increased enrollment by 243 students or 3.7%.Eleven of the 19 community colleges in Kansas added students. The 643-student expansion among community colleges equated to 1.1%. Enrollment growth of 871 students at the six technical colleges amounted to a surge of 8.6%.Overall, the Kansas Board of Regents system enrolled 168,400 students this fall semester to reach 2% growth. The system’s enrollment had fallen 7.2% in the past five years and 9.5% over a 10-year period.Flanders said a key to reversing the declining-enrollment trend was to continue work to make higher education more affordable to students.“With initiatives such as increased student financial aid, a common general education package and growing opportunities for students to participate in applied learning and internships, our system has made important strides,” he said.

Kan. public university, college enrollment grows despite plunge at Emporia State

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">government shutdown</a>, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government open.

The Republican speaker laid out his strategy Wednesday behind closed doors, urging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">his unruly Republican majority</a>&nbsp;to work together. He set up a test vote Friday, one day before Saturday's shutdown deadline, on a far-right bill. It would slash federal spending by 8% from many agencies and toughen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-house-republicans-border-security-0e19f7f27ef15c6edd73532c3813656a">border security</a>&nbsp;but has been rejected by President Joe Biden, Democrats and his own right-flank Republicans.

“I want to solve the problem,” McCarthy told reporters afterward at the Capitol.

But pressed on how he would pass a partisan Republican spending plan that even his own right flank doesn't want, McCarthy had few answers. He rejected outright the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-republicans-e4c37673b6507deaed2902f2166ef759">Senate's bipartisan bill</a>, which would fund the government to Nov. 17, adding $6 billion for Ukraine and $6 billion for U.S. disaster relief while talks continue. Instead, he insisted, as he often does, that he would never quit trying.

Congress is at a crossroads days before a disruptive federal shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military, close down many federal offices, and leave Americans who rely on the government in ways large and small in the lurch.

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">Senate pushes ahead in bipartisan fashion</a>, McCarthy is demanding that Biden meet to discuss border security measures. But the beleaguered speaker has little leverage left with the White House without the power of his House majority behind him and after he walked away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=Washington%20News-,Biden%20signs%20debt%20ceiling%20bill%20that%20pulls,from%20brink%20of%20unprecedented%20default&amp;text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20just,on%20the%20federal%20government's%20debt.">debt deal he and Biden reached</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that is now law.

On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber warning of the right-wing extremes that “seem to exult in shutting down government.”

Schumer said: “A reckless shutdown will serve no purpose.”

The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was in rare agreement with the Democratic leader, urging his House colleagues to consider the Senate's stopgap approach that keeps funding at current levels, along with bolstered money for Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief, and move off the shutdown strategy.

“We can take the standard approach and fund the government for six weeks at the current rate of operations or we can shut the government down in exchange for zero meaningful progress on policy,” McConnell said.

McConnell said he, too, would like to do something about the “Democrats’ reckless spending” and boost border security. But “these important discussions cannot progress” if the functions of government “end up being taken hostage.”

With the Senate expected to spend the rest of this week working to pass its bill over the objections of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and others on the right flank who want to halt aid to Ukraine and push for steeper spending cuts, all action in Congress is crushing toward a last minute deadline.

The federal government would begin to shut down if funding is not secured by Sunday, Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year.

While the White House has said it's up to McCarthy and the House Republicans to “fix” the problem they have created, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 election, Donald Trump, is urging the right flank to fight for steep spending cuts. If Republicans don't get what they want, Trump the former president says, they should “shut it down.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">government shutdown</a>, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government open.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerMcCarthy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerMcCarthy</a> (R-CA): &quot;We will move a continuing resolution, bring a rule to the floor, to secure our border and keep government open.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cIytzdIxAo">pic.twitter.com/cIytzdIxAo</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1706837579276902421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Republican speaker laid out his strategy Wednesday behind closed doors, urging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">his unruly Republican majority</a>&nbsp;to work together. He set up a test vote Friday, one day before Saturday's shutdown deadline, on a far-right bill. It would slash federal spending by 8% from many agencies and toughen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-house-republicans-border-security-0e19f7f27ef15c6edd73532c3813656a">border security</a>&nbsp;but has been rejected by President Joe Biden, Democrats and his own right-flank Republicans.“I want to solve the problem,” McCarthy told reporters afterward at the Capitol.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rep. Donalds (R-FL) said the Senate&#39;s proposal for a continuing resolution was dead-on-arrival with House Republicans because of its funding for Ukraine and lack of funding for border security. &quot;This government should not continue to be funded if we don&#39;t secure our border.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/isbqB8TJto">pic.twitter.com/isbqB8TJto</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1707047572479545679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But pressed on how he would pass a partisan Republican spending plan that even his own right flank doesn't want, McCarthy had few answers. He rejected outright the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-republicans-e4c37673b6507deaed2902f2166ef759">Senate's bipartisan bill</a>, which would fund the government to Nov. 17, adding $6 billion for Ukraine and $6 billion for U.S. disaster relief while talks continue. Instead, he insisted, as he often does, that he would never quit trying.Congress is at a crossroads days before a disruptive federal shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military, close down many federal offices, and leave Americans who rely on the government in ways large and small in the lurch.As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">Senate pushes ahead in bipartisan fashion</a>, McCarthy is demanding that Biden meet to discuss border security measures. But the beleaguered speaker has little leverage left with the White House without the power of his House majority behind him and after he walked away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=Washington%20News-,Biden%20signs%20debt%20ceiling%20bill%20that%20pulls,from%20brink%20of%20unprecedented%20default&amp;text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20just,on%20the%20federal%20government's%20debt.">debt deal he and Biden reached</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that is now law.On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber warning of the right-wing extremes that “seem to exult in shutting down government.”Schumer said: “A reckless shutdown will serve no purpose.”The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was in rare agreement with the Democratic leader, urging his House colleagues to consider the Senate's stopgap approach that keeps funding at current levels, along with bolstered money for Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief, and move off the shutdown strategy.“We can take the standard approach and fund the government for six weeks at the current rate of operations or we can shut the government down in exchange for zero meaningful progress on policy,” McConnell said.McConnell said he, too, would like to do something about the “Democrats’ reckless spending” and boost border security. But “these important discussions cannot progress” if the functions of government “end up being taken hostage.”With the Senate expected to spend the rest of this week working to pass its bill over the objections of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and others on the right flank who want to halt aid to Ukraine and push for steeper spending cuts, all action in Congress is crushing toward a last minute deadline.The federal government would begin to shut down if funding is not secured by Sunday, Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year.While the White House has said it's up to McCarthy and the House Republicans to “fix” the problem they have created, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 election, Donald Trump, is urging the right flank to fight for steep spending cuts. If Republicans don't get what they want, Trump the former president says, they should “shut it down.”—

🎥 Government shutdown standoff: House Speaker back to square one

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a&nbsp;child on September 21, at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, according to a statement released Wednesday by spokesman John Van Winkle.

First responders were unsuccessful attempting to revive the child. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is working to determine the cause of death in conjunction with findings from the medical examiner.&nbsp; &nbsp;Officials released no additional details including the age of the child.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a&nbsp;child on September 21, at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, according to a statement released Wednesday by spokesman John Van Winkle.First responders were unsuccessful attempting to revive the child. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is working to determine the cause of death in conjunction with findings from the medical examiner.&nbsp; &nbsp;Officials released no additional details including the age of the child.

Cause of child's death at Kan. air force base under investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody, the White House announced Wednesday.

Earlier, North Korea had said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — though some had expected the North to drag out his detention in hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">at a time of high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries.

"U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing."

Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel King, but said they suspected that Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information. One official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, said the North Koreans may have decided that King was more trouble to keep than to simply release him.

Swedish officials took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official. Biden administration officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure the soldier's release.

“We thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King,” Sullivan added.

King was being flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before being returned to the U.S.

King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.

And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.

In the near term, officials said that their focus would be on helping King reintegrate into U.S. society upon his return, including helping him address mental and emotional concerns, according to a senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the transfer.

The soldier was in “good spirits and good health” upon his release, according to one senior administration official. He was to be taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and was expected to arrive overnight, officials said.

King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.

At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

Sweden was the chief interlocutor with North Korea on the transfer, while China helped facilitate his transfer, administration officials said.

Biden administration officials expressed gratitude for China’s assistance with the transfer but underscored that Beijing did not play a mediating role in securing King's release. The U.S. first learned through Swedish officials earlier this month that North Korea was looking to expel King. That information accelerated the effort to release King with Sweden acting on the United States' behalf in its talks with the North, an official said.

On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”

It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible. Some previous foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.

The White House did not address the North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society. One senior administration official said that King was “very happy” to be on his way back to the United States.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home. She thanked the U.S. government on Wednesday for securing her son's release.

“Ms. Gates will be forever grateful to the United States Army and all its interagency partners for a job well done," Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for Gates, said in a statement. "For the foreseeable future, the family asks for privacy and Ms. Gates does not intend to give any interviews.”

King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.

Both Koreas ban anyone from crossing their heavily fortified shared border without special permissions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.

North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.

The U.S. has also publicly accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia for it's war with Ukraine and says that Moscow is pushing Pyongyang to provide even more military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-kim-putin-summit-c44735b9903e6f30e7e8d673ef4c77f3">met for talks</a>&nbsp;in Russia's Far East earlier this month.

Biden administration officials on Wednesday downplayed any idea that the release could augur a broader shift by Kim, but reiterated that the U.S. remains ready to engage the North with diplomatic talks.

In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.

Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.

That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody Wednesday, according to two officials.

Earlier, North Korea said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — an announcement that surprised some observers who had expected the North to drag out his detention in the hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-kim-jong-un-5a247c5612306bfd1901f851ffba47d3">high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the rivals.

King was transferred to American custody in China, according to one of the officials. The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss King’s status ahead of an announcement.

It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home.

“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.

Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">few Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it will expel a U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who crossed into the country</a>&nbsp;through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said that authorities have finished their questioning of Pvt. Travis King. It did not say when officials plan to expel him or to where.

King, who had served in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.

On Wednesday, the state news agency said that King confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”

“The relevant organ of the DPRK decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK,” the state news agency said, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The White House, the State Department and the Pentagon did not have any immediate comment on the report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692140954260.png" alt="A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)" />
 <figcaption>A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody, the White House announced Wednesday.Earlier, North Korea had said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — though some had expected the North to drag out his detention in hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">at a time of high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries."U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing."Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel King, but said they suspected that Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information. One official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, said the North Koreans may have decided that King was more trouble to keep than to simply release him.Swedish officials took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official. Biden administration officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure the soldier's release.“We thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King,” Sullivan added.King was being flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before being returned to the U.S.King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.In the near term, officials said that their focus would be on helping King reintegrate into U.S. society upon his return, including helping him address mental and emotional concerns, according to a senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the transfer.The soldier was in “good spirits and good health” upon his release, according to one senior administration official. He was to be taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and was expected to arrive overnight, officials said.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.Sweden was the chief interlocutor with North Korea on the transfer, while China helped facilitate his transfer, administration officials said.Biden administration officials expressed gratitude for China’s assistance with the transfer but underscored that Beijing did not play a mediating role in securing King's release. The U.S. first learned through Swedish officials earlier this month that North Korea was looking to expel King. That information accelerated the effort to release King with Sweden acting on the United States' behalf in its talks with the North, an official said.On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible. Some previous foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.The White House did not address the North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society. One senior administration official said that King was “very happy” to be on his way back to the United States.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home. She thanked the U.S. government on Wednesday for securing her son's release.“Ms. Gates will be forever grateful to the United States Army and all its interagency partners for a job well done," Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for Gates, said in a statement. "For the foreseeable future, the family asks for privacy and Ms. Gates does not intend to give any interviews.”King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.Both Koreas ban anyone from crossing their heavily fortified shared border without special permissions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.The U.S. has also publicly accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia for it's war with Ukraine and says that Moscow is pushing Pyongyang to provide even more military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-kim-putin-summit-c44735b9903e6f30e7e8d673ef4c77f3">met for talks</a>&nbsp;in Russia's Far East earlier this month.Biden administration officials on Wednesday downplayed any idea that the release could augur a broader shift by Kim, but reiterated that the U.S. remains ready to engage the North with diplomatic talks.In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.--------------SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody Wednesday, according to two officials.Earlier, North Korea said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — an announcement that surprised some observers who had expected the North to drag out his detention in the hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-kim-jong-un-5a247c5612306bfd1901f851ffba47d3">high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the rivals.King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.King was transferred to American custody in China, according to one of the officials. The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss King’s status ahead of an announcement.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home.“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">few Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.___SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it will expel a U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who crossed into the country</a>&nbsp;through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said that authorities have finished their questioning of Pvt. Travis King. It did not say when officials plan to expel him or to where.King, who had served in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.On Wednesday, the state news agency said that King confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.“The relevant organ of the DPRK decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK,” the state news agency said, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.The White House, the State Department and the Pentagon did not have any immediate comment on the report.Following weeks of silence, North Korea confirmed in August that it had detained King, 23, and was investigating the circumstances surrounding his border crossing.King was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had “so many reasons” to want to come home.“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-north-korea-border-entry-4456952c66626ea2d5a04578d4e7bb31">few Americans who crossed</a>&nbsp;into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.It wasn’t immediately clear how King might be expelled. In some prior cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve captive Americans. That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.In December 1994, Bill Richardson — who up until his death earlier this month served for many presidential administrations as an unofficial diplomatic troubleshooter — traveled to North Korea in 2007 to recover the remains of servicemembers killed in the Korea War.U.S. officials have said that King has been declared AWOL, which can be punished by time in the brig, forfeiture of pay or dishonorable discharge with the severity based on the amount of time away and whether the service member was apprehended or returned on their own.------------