KANSAS CITY (AP) — After failing in several U.S. states this year, global chemical manufacturer Bayer said Tuesday that it plans to amplify efforts to create a legal shield against a proliferation of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.

Bayer, which disputes the cancer claims, has been hit with about 170,000 lawsuits involving its Roundup weedkiller and has set aside $16 billion to settle cases. But the company contends the legal fight “is not sustainable” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-legislation-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-warning-4fa2e6662479f3e60a409ce4439a40ed">looking to state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for relief.

Bayer lobbied for legislation that could have blocked a central legal argument this year in Missouri, Iowa and Idaho — home, respectively, to its North America crop science division, a Roundup manufacturing facility and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-phosphate-mine-bayer-roundup-1d15250044d8894f347f3094c20c2c66">the mines</a>&nbsp;from which its key ingredient is derived. Though bills passed at least one chamber in Iowa and Missouri, they ultimately failed in all three states.

But Bayer plans a renewed push during next year's legislative sessions and may expand efforts elsewhere.

“This is bigger than just those states, and it’s bigger than just Bayer," said Jess Christiansen, head of Bayer's crop science and sustainability communications. “This is really about the crop protection tools that farmers need to secure production.”

Many U.S. farmers rely on Roundup, which was introduced 50 years ago as a more efficient way to control weeds and reduce tilling and soil erosion. For crops including corn, soybeans and cotton, it’s designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist Roundup’s deadly effect.

The lawsuits allege Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, causes a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though some studies associate glyphosate with cancer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed.

The legislation backed by Bayer would protect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn their products could cause cancer if their labels otherwise comply with EPA regulations.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns that if the lawsuits persist, Bayer could pull Roundup from the U.S. market, forcing famers to turn to alternatives from China.

Christiansen said Bayer has made no decisions about Roundup's future but "will eventually have to do something different if we can’t get some consistency and some path forward around the litigation industry.”

Bayer's most recent quarterly report shows that it shed more than 1,500 employees, reducing its worldwide employment to about 98,000. Bayer submitted a notice to Iowa that 28 people would be laid off starting Wednesday at its facility in Muscatine.

The Iowa layoffs are not a direct result of the failure of the protective legislation, Christiansen said, but are part of a global restructuring amid “multiple headwinds,” which include litigation.

Bayer has bankrolled a new coalition of agriculture groups that has run TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads backing protective legislation for pesticide producers. The campaign has especially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-db7fc5e0ce1584e45ff18aa76f23df25">targeted Missouri</a>, where most of the roughly 57,000 still active legal claims are pending. Missouri was the headquarters of Roundup's original manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/87401fb0464a40e7877b20389a4c083d">Monsanto</a>, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

Legal experts say protective legislation is unlikely to affect existing lawsuits. But it could limit future claims.

The annual deadline to pass legislation in Missouri expired last Friday. Though a Bayer-backed bill cleared the Republican-led House and a Senate committee, it never got debated by the full GOP-led Senate, which was mired in unrelated tensions.

If the legislation is revived next year, it could face resistance from senators concerned about limiting people’s constitutional right to a jury trial to resolve disputes.

“I support farmers, but I also think they need due process,” said Republican state Sen. Jill Carter, who voted against the legislation this year in the Senate agriculture committee.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — After failing in several U.S. states this year, global chemical manufacturer Bayer said Tuesday that it plans to amplify efforts to create a legal shield against a proliferation of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.Bayer, which disputes the cancer claims, has been hit with about 170,000 lawsuits involving its Roundup weedkiller and has set aside $16 billion to settle cases. But the company contends the legal fight “is not sustainable” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-legislation-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-warning-4fa2e6662479f3e60a409ce4439a40ed">looking to state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for relief.Bayer lobbied for legislation that could have blocked a central legal argument this year in Missouri, Iowa and Idaho — home, respectively, to its North America crop science division, a Roundup manufacturing facility and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-phosphate-mine-bayer-roundup-1d15250044d8894f347f3094c20c2c66">the mines</a>&nbsp;from which its key ingredient is derived. Though bills passed at least one chamber in Iowa and Missouri, they ultimately failed in all three states.But Bayer plans a renewed push during next year's legislative sessions and may expand efforts elsewhere.“This is bigger than just those states, and it’s bigger than just Bayer," said Jess Christiansen, head of Bayer's crop science and sustainability communications. “This is really about the crop protection tools that farmers need to secure production.”Many U.S. farmers rely on Roundup, which was introduced 50 years ago as a more efficient way to control weeds and reduce tilling and soil erosion. For crops including corn, soybeans and cotton, it’s designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist Roundup’s deadly effect.The lawsuits allege Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, causes a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though some studies associate glyphosate with cancer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed.The legislation backed by Bayer would protect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn their products could cause cancer if their labels otherwise comply with EPA regulations.Some lawmakers have raised concerns that if the lawsuits persist, Bayer could pull Roundup from the U.S. market, forcing famers to turn to alternatives from China.Christiansen said Bayer has made no decisions about Roundup's future but "will eventually have to do something different if we can’t get some consistency and some path forward around the litigation industry.”Bayer's most recent quarterly report shows that it shed more than 1,500 employees, reducing its worldwide employment to about 98,000. Bayer submitted a notice to Iowa that 28 people would be laid off starting Wednesday at its facility in Muscatine.The Iowa layoffs are not a direct result of the failure of the protective legislation, Christiansen said, but are part of a global restructuring amid “multiple headwinds,” which include litigation.Bayer has bankrolled a new coalition of agriculture groups that has run TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads backing protective legislation for pesticide producers. The campaign has especially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-db7fc5e0ce1584e45ff18aa76f23df25">targeted Missouri</a>, where most of the roughly 57,000 still active legal claims are pending. Missouri was the headquarters of Roundup's original manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/87401fb0464a40e7877b20389a4c083d">Monsanto</a>, which Bayer acquired in 2018.Legal experts say protective legislation is unlikely to affect existing lawsuits. But it could limit future claims.The annual deadline to pass legislation in Missouri expired last Friday. Though a Bayer-backed bill cleared the Republican-led House and a Senate committee, it never got debated by the full GOP-led Senate, which was mired in unrelated tensions.If the legislation is revived next year, it could face resistance from senators concerned about limiting people’s constitutional right to a jury trial to resolve disputes.“I support farmers, but I also think they need due process,” said Republican state Sen. Jill Carter, who voted against the legislation this year in the Senate agriculture committee.

Maker of popular weedkiller amplifies fight against cancer-related lawsuits

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky police officer who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler</a>&nbsp;outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for not having his body-worn camera activated when he approached the golfer's vehicle — an interaction that allegedly resulted in the officer being dragged to the ground, authorities said Thursday.

(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)

Louisville officials said during a news conference that they are not aware of any video footage of the initial interaction last Friday between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside the gates of Valhalla Golf Club on a dark and rainy morning. But Gillis wrote in a report on his failure to turn on the camera that Scheffler “demanded to be let in and proceeded forward ... I was dragged/knocked down by the driver."

Police did release video Thursday from a street pole camera that appears to show Scheffler's SUV turning into the golf club entrance, prompting an officer to run toward the vehicle and seemingly strike it as it comes to a stop. The camera is too far away to capture the full details of the encounter.

Another video released by authorities comes from a police vehicle dashcam and shows Scheffler in handcuffs as he is escorted by officers.

The local prosecutor handling the case has requested that any additional video or evidence related to the case not be released “until the conclusion of the legal process,” the mayor said.

Scheffler was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but the golfer said “he never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” and the incident was caused by a misunderstanding.

After the news conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said his client was not at fault.

“Our position is the same as it was last Friday, Scottie Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong, we’re not interested in settling the case," Romines said. "We’ll either try it or it will be dismissed.”

The city's police chief noted that the department's officers are expected to maintain their body-worn cameras in a “constant state of operational readiness.”

“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not," Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said. "His failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment.”

The report on the internal investigation said Gillis should have at least had his camera on in standby mode while directing traffic before the incident with Scheffler.

Gwinn-Villaroel said he "received corrective action" for the violation. The document released Thursday said Gillis completed a "failure to record" form as required by policy, and was “counseled by a member of his command” and a “performance observation” was completed.

Gillis wrote in the document that he was requested to respond to a fatal accident at Valhalla when he saw Scheffler's vehicle "traveling in the opposing lanes coming at me."

Scheffler was driving before dawn to Valhalla Golf Club to play in the second round of the tournament when he encountered Gillis.

Gillis, who approached Scheffler’s car on foot, wrote in an arrest report that Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

A few hours later, after a trip to jail, Scheffler returned to the golf course in time for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament Sunday tied for eighth place</a>, enough for a tournament payout of about $520,000.

He is scheduled to return to Louisville on June 3 to be arraigned on four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer.

Louisville police’s current body camera policy was enacted amid controversy in 2020 after officers shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/breonna-taylor">Breonna Taylor</a>, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed during a botched drug raid. At the time, the plain-clothes officers who served the warrant and fired at Taylor were not required to wear body cameras.

The new policy required all officers to turn on the camera “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters.”

The police chief at the time of Taylor’s death was later fired when officers at the scene of another fatal shooting failed to turn on their body-worn cameras.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949652837.png" alt="Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky police officer who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler</a>&nbsp;outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for not having his body-worn camera activated when he approached the golfer's vehicle — an interaction that allegedly resulted in the officer being dragged to the ground, authorities said Thursday.(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1zsHN_SohUU?si=M9tws8PAAkSUcFJM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnWeQfNMLmM?si=ZRSVVZfgFYR4Z5k4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Louisville officials said during a news conference that they are not aware of any video footage of the initial interaction last Friday between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside the gates of Valhalla Golf Club on a dark and rainy morning. But Gillis wrote in a report on his failure to turn on the camera that Scheffler “demanded to be let in and proceeded forward ... I was dragged/knocked down by the driver."Police did release video Thursday from a street pole camera that appears to show Scheffler's SUV turning into the golf club entrance, prompting an officer to run toward the vehicle and seemingly strike it as it comes to a stop. The camera is too far away to capture the full details of the encounter.Another video released by authorities comes from a police vehicle dashcam and shows Scheffler in handcuffs as he is escorted by officers.The local prosecutor handling the case has requested that any additional video or evidence related to the case not be released “until the conclusion of the legal process,” the mayor said.Scheffler was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but the golfer said “he never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” and the incident was caused by a misunderstanding.After the news conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said his client was not at fault.“Our position is the same as it was last Friday, Scottie Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong, we’re not interested in settling the case," Romines said. "We’ll either try it or it will be dismissed.”The city's police chief noted that the department's officers are expected to maintain their body-worn cameras in a “constant state of operational readiness.”“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not," Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said. "His failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment.”The report on the internal investigation said Gillis should have at least had his camera on in standby mode while directing traffic before the incident with Scheffler.Gwinn-Villaroel said he "received corrective action" for the violation. The document released Thursday said Gillis completed a "failure to record" form as required by policy, and was “counseled by a member of his command” and a “performance observation” was completed.Gillis wrote in the document that he was requested to respond to a fatal accident at Valhalla when he saw Scheffler's vehicle "traveling in the opposing lanes coming at me."Scheffler was driving before dawn to Valhalla Golf Club to play in the second round of the tournament when he encountered Gillis.Gillis, who approached Scheffler’s car on foot, wrote in an arrest report that Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.A few hours later, after a trip to jail, Scheffler returned to the golf course in time for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament Sunday tied for eighth place</a>, enough for a tournament payout of about $520,000.He is scheduled to return to Louisville on June 3 to be arraigned on four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer.Louisville police’s current body camera policy was enacted amid controversy in 2020 after officers shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/breonna-taylor">Breonna Taylor</a>, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed during a botched drug raid. At the time, the plain-clothes officers who served the warrant and fired at Taylor were not required to wear body cameras.The new policy required all officers to turn on the camera “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters.”The police chief at the time of Taylor’s death was later fired when officers at the scene of another fatal shooting failed to turn on their body-worn cameras.

🎥 Why the officer who arrested No. 1 golfer in the world was disciplined 

KANSAS CITY —Residents in portions of north Kansas continue to watch out for a missing alligator.

On Thursday, staff with the Kansas City Pet Project were on the scene at Lakeview Middle School,&nbsp;6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,&nbsp; working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo, according to a social media report from the Pet Project.

Officers were notified of the missing alligator, who is approximately 14-inches long and had its mouth taped shut.&nbsp; The alligator was part of a petting zoo exhibit by an external company that was brought to the school as part of an end-of-year celebration and was last seen on the site around 11:00am Thursday&nbsp; morning.

Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.

 Officers searched the school and surrounding grounds for the animal for several hours, but were unable to locate the animal. 

Any information regarding the missing alligator can be called in to the Animal Services Division at 816-683-1373 or <a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1HiJYif7mgE6zEuYlulNeqpbfgWsuf4ije4TSmCYkR-c4eZ5-8hcRBbOI_aem_AY_-IcQEh6D3cBDwI8FoEZMVhXB9bpw9e_5m6kWGEZ5JDXIvK-tGO6x9vTy8_JHWCDU_ya4n3wfjzAKbEF_Omg4d">click here</a> to submit information online&nbsp;

<a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rmvMuZP-6RFnKJJqvapb_GOwi9cQzBseP-IHVME7V4B6OJpQ7vziZHs0_aem_AY9OhqoJ9iB7sMvlczeuXkRjaLk-Ej36g_5z5QFBXwaTwUe83RAUVxiJwAin6WV0LHCbRkg3rRlbEczBNZvuWvUr" target="_blank"></a>Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansascityfire?__cft__[0]=AZXD0L62CuyPfvYXiHg8LRhOS9KiFs0AJxUH9464Jqth3WEpQr7iUIobrDMP1VBVXE72T77WgVDrI9DTo4kOhK4kb5Y02rROH_ZjfnzO2MnJLnKrhxg17uvrPfdVOvMhlroZkH7YArG9pvWw7Xsua5bwHv1F7F9WG3yXgDuGHzVGDANIZMf9M9MaFL7u-eSBHMzmiI0ooKoO5sZSINao3sTQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Fire Department</a>&nbsp;assisted in working to locate the animal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716547280279.png" alt="Photos KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Residents in portions of north Kansas continue to watch out for a missing alligator.On Thursday, staff with the Kansas City Pet Project were on the scene at Lakeview Middle School,&nbsp;6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,&nbsp; working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo, according to a social media report from the Pet Project.Officers were notified of the missing alligator, who is approximately 14-inches long and had its mouth taped shut.&nbsp; The alligator was part of a petting zoo exhibit by an external company that was brought to the school as part of an end-of-year celebration and was last seen on the site around 11:00am Thursday&nbsp; morning.Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716547613281.png" alt="KC Pet Project Animal Services on the scene at the school Thursday-photo KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>KC Pet Project Animal Services on the scene at the school Thursday-photo KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure> Officers searched the school and surrounding grounds for the animal for several hours, but were unable to locate the animal. Any information regarding the missing alligator can be called in to the Animal Services Division at 816-683-1373 or <a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1HiJYif7mgE6zEuYlulNeqpbfgWsuf4ije4TSmCYkR-c4eZ5-8hcRBbOI_aem_AY_-IcQEh6D3cBDwI8FoEZMVhXB9bpw9e_5m6kWGEZ5JDXIvK-tGO6x9vTy8_JHWCDU_ya4n3wfjzAKbEF_Omg4d">click here</a> to submit information online&nbsp;<a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rmvMuZP-6RFnKJJqvapb_GOwi9cQzBseP-IHVME7V4B6OJpQ7vziZHs0_aem_AY9OhqoJ9iB7sMvlczeuXkRjaLk-Ej36g_5z5QFBXwaTwUe83RAUVxiJwAin6WV0LHCbRkg3rRlbEczBNZvuWvUr" target="_blank"></a>Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansascityfire?__cft__[0]=AZXD0L62CuyPfvYXiHg8LRhOS9KiFs0AJxUH9464Jqth3WEpQr7iUIobrDMP1VBVXE72T77WgVDrI9DTo4kOhK4kb5Y02rROH_ZjfnzO2MnJLnKrhxg17uvrPfdVOvMhlroZkH7YArG9pvWw7Xsua5bwHv1F7F9WG3yXgDuGHzVGDANIZMf9M9MaFL7u-eSBHMzmiI0ooKoO5sZSINao3sTQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Fire Department</a>&nbsp;assisted in working to locate the animal.

Alligator that escaped petting zoo at school is still missing

GENTRY COUNTY, Mo. —One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Saturday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an Easy-Go Golf Cart driven by Korbin L. Fletchall, 2o, Stanberry, was southbound on private property two and one half miles north of Stanberry.

An occupant identified as 23-year-old Greyson J. Juergensmyer of Westphalia, was clinging onto the drivers side exterior of the golf cart and fell off.

Grand River EMS transported&nbsp;Juergensmyer to Mosaic in Albany. Life Flight Eagle then transported him to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. The patrol reported no additional details.

GENTRY COUNTY, Mo. —One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Saturday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an Easy-Go Golf Cart driven by Korbin L. Fletchall, 2o, Stanberry, was southbound on private property two and one half miles north of Stanberry.An occupant identified as 23-year-old Greyson J. Juergensmyer of Westphalia, was clinging onto the drivers side exterior of the golf cart and fell off.Grand River EMS transported&nbsp;Juergensmyer to Mosaic in Albany. Life Flight Eagle then transported him to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. The patrol reported no additional details.

Man air-lifted to Kansas City hospital after fall from golf cart

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– McConnell Air Force Base’s aircraft are departing Saturday to relocate away from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita/posts/pfbid02b5JPaUBfxthEDsoTAaAZfozDk2w2HBrjYkVkjUC7zwsMbLSUk7sWpVjLhYV5Hre9l" target="_blank">severe weather</a>&nbsp;which is forecasted for the Wichita area Saturday night tonight Sunday morning.&nbsp;This is the fourth relocation of McConnell aircraft in the past six weeks, due to severe weather

The potential for severe weather has increased over the past 48 hours, calling for an increased chance of high winds, the possibility of large hail and a chance for tornadoes.&nbsp; Therefore, McConnell’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are being relocated to other military bases outside the local area. This is being done to protect the aircraft from potential damage, but also preserve the 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing’s capability to support its worldwide aerial refueling and airlift mission.

The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716646459018.png" alt="Image from video provided by McConnell Air Force Base" />
 <figcaption>Image from video provided by McConnell Air Force Base</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– McConnell Air Force Base’s aircraft are departing Saturday to relocate away from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita/posts/pfbid02b5JPaUBfxthEDsoTAaAZfozDk2w2HBrjYkVkjUC7zwsMbLSUk7sWpVjLhYV5Hre9l" target="_blank">severe weather</a>&nbsp;which is forecasted for the Wichita area Saturday night tonight Sunday morning.&nbsp;This is the fourth relocation of McConnell aircraft in the past six weeks, due to severe weatherThe potential for severe weather has increased over the past 48 hours, calling for an increased chance of high winds, the possibility of large hail and a chance for tornadoes.&nbsp; Therefore, McConnell’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are being relocated to other military bases outside the local area. This is being done to protect the aircraft from potential damage, but also preserve the 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing’s capability to support its worldwide aerial refueling and airlift mission.The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.

Kan. Air Force Base forced again to relocate aircraft ahead of severe weather 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the latest homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 6:30pm Friday, police officers were on patrol in the area of 31st and Van Brunt when they heard the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins.

 They immediately moved into the area to investigate further and were directed to the car wash just south of Interstate 70 on Van Brunt. Police located a vehicle with an adult male shooting victim inside unresponsive. 

Officers rendered aid and called EMS to the scene. EMS took over treatment and declared the victim deceased at the scene. Detectives and Crime Scene investigators canvassed for witnesses and processed for evidence to hopefully get a better idea of what led up to the shooting and any leads on the identification of suspect(s).

Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred in the area of the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 down onto Van Brunt Boulevard.

If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. 

There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716604680772.png" alt="Police on the scene Friday evening -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Friday evening -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the latest homicide in Kansas City.Just before 6:30pm Friday, police officers were on patrol in the area of 31st and Van Brunt when they heard the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins. They immediately moved into the area to investigate further and were directed to the car wash just south of Interstate 70 on Van Brunt. Police located a vehicle with an adult male shooting victim inside unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and called EMS to the scene. EMS took over treatment and declared the victim deceased at the scene. Detectives and Crime Scene investigators canvassed for witnesses and processed for evidence to hopefully get a better idea of what led up to the shooting and any leads on the identification of suspect(s).Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred in the area of the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 down onto Van Brunt Boulevard.If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Homicide: Shooting victim found in vehicle at KC car wash

WICHITA (AP) —A Kansas women's health clinic that has often served as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-demonstration-canceled-kansas-ad52ceefb092cba1062b028c3f863e64">epicenter of conflict</a>&nbsp;over abortion rights has temporarily stopped offering the procedure, exasperating a strain on services in one of the few states in the region still allowing abortions.

The move this week at the Trust Women clinic in Wichita followed a leadership shakeup that was outlined in an article published Thursday by the reproductive rights-focused publication Rewire News Group.

Trust Women's board acknowledged what it described as a “leadership transition” in a statement but said it wouldn’t discuss the details for privacy reasons. The statement said it also was making changes in medical protocols.

“These were not decisions that were made because of anything nefarious,” said Sapphire Garcia, who was elected president of Trust Women’s board of directors last week, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. “These are things that, are in line with our evolution and our growth as an organization and any responsible organization that offers clinical care in a moment of transition like this must take a pause.”

She declined to discuss whether physicians had resigned and estimated that the pause in abortions would last days to maybe a couple of weeks.

Trust Women opened the Wichita clinic in 2013 in the same facility where Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita abortion provider, practiced before an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/81cec18a40c94f808a315d005625e644">anti-abortion extremist</a>&nbsp;murdered him in 2009. Tiller and the Wichita clinic where he had performed late-term abortions had been a target for decades; it was bombed in 1985, and Tiller was shot in both arms in 1993.

Julie Burkhart, a former employee of Tiller, said she is distraught over what is happening at the clinic she founded before leaving to to run clinics in Wyoming and Illinois. “Heartbroken, upset, tied in knots. It’s hard to watch that,” she said.

Danielle Underwood, the director of communications for Kansans for Life, said the leadership issues were "extremely concerning and raises a lot of questions.”

Garcia said Trust Women was able to reschedule its abortion patients. Two other clinics in the city also offer abortions.

After Roe v. Wade was reversed, Kansas was the first state where voters weighed in on abortion at the ballot box,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">resoundingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that could have led to an abortion ban in August 2022. Since then, the state — which now prohibits abortions after 21 weeks of pregnancy — has become a destination for people from more restrictive nearby states seeking abortion.

“Kansas providers are already strained to meet an overwhelming need, and any further disruption will affect patients’ ability to access critical and time-sensitive care,” said Hanna Sumpter, director of communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

Trust Women, whose Oklahoma clinic stopped providing abortions because of a state ban, typically receives between 3,000 and 4,000 phone calls each day — most from patients requesting abortion appointments — at a time when it’s only able to see 40 to 50 patients per day, a spokesperson told the Kansas News Service in December.

Garcia said she didn't think there had been any changes since then in the numbers.

“We’re grateful to be moving forward together in a direction that considers how we can expand services," she said. "But to do that, we have to make responsible, measured decisions. And that is what this reflects, that we have proactively moved to pause abortion services very temporarily.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716602099631.png" alt="Trust Women,&nbsp;5107 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita. Google image" />
 <figcaption>Trust Women,&nbsp;5107 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita. Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH&nbsp;WICHITA (AP) —A Kansas women's health clinic that has often served as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-demonstration-canceled-kansas-ad52ceefb092cba1062b028c3f863e64">epicenter of conflict</a>&nbsp;over abortion rights has temporarily stopped offering the procedure, exasperating a strain on services in one of the few states in the region still allowing abortions.The move this week at the Trust Women clinic in Wichita followed a leadership shakeup that was outlined in an article published Thursday by the reproductive rights-focused publication Rewire News Group.Trust Women's board acknowledged what it described as a “leadership transition” in a statement but said it wouldn’t discuss the details for privacy reasons. The statement said it also was making changes in medical protocols.“These were not decisions that were made because of anything nefarious,” said Sapphire Garcia, who was elected president of Trust Women’s board of directors last week, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. “These are things that, are in line with our evolution and our growth as an organization and any responsible organization that offers clinical care in a moment of transition like this must take a pause.”She declined to discuss whether physicians had resigned and estimated that the pause in abortions would last days to maybe a couple of weeks.Trust Women opened the Wichita clinic in 2013 in the same facility where Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita abortion provider, practiced before an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/81cec18a40c94f808a315d005625e644">anti-abortion extremist</a>&nbsp;murdered him in 2009. Tiller and the Wichita clinic where he had performed late-term abortions had been a target for decades; it was bombed in 1985, and Tiller was shot in both arms in 1993.Julie Burkhart, a former employee of Tiller, said she is distraught over what is happening at the clinic she founded before leaving to to run clinics in Wyoming and Illinois. “Heartbroken, upset, tied in knots. It’s hard to watch that,” she said.Danielle Underwood, the director of communications for Kansans for Life, said the leadership issues were "extremely concerning and raises a lot of questions.”Garcia said Trust Women was able to reschedule its abortion patients. Two other clinics in the city also offer abortions.After Roe v. Wade was reversed, Kansas was the first state where voters weighed in on abortion at the ballot box,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">resoundingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that could have led to an abortion ban in August 2022. Since then, the state — which now prohibits abortions after 21 weeks of pregnancy — has become a destination for people from more restrictive nearby states seeking abortion.“Kansas providers are already strained to meet an overwhelming need, and any further disruption will affect patients’ ability to access critical and time-sensitive care,” said Hanna Sumpter, director of communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood Great Plains.Trust Women, whose Oklahoma clinic stopped providing abortions because of a state ban, typically receives between 3,000 and 4,000 phone calls each day — most from patients requesting abortion appointments — at a time when it’s only able to see 40 to 50 patients per day, a spokesperson told the Kansas News Service in December.Garcia said she didn't think there had been any changes since then in the numbers.“We’re grateful to be moving forward together in a direction that considers how we can expand services," she said. "But to do that, we have to make responsible, measured decisions. And that is what this reflects, that we have proactively moved to pause abortion services very temporarily.”

Kansas abortion clinic forced to temporarily halt services

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man&nbsp; pleaded guilty Thursday to using his position as a bank executive to embezzle millions of dollars causing the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Shan Hanes, 52, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer.

Hanes previously served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas. From May 2023 to July 2023 Hanes initiated a series of 10 outgoing wire transfers totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet. The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“Shan Hanes is a liar and a master manipulator who caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse. Even as he was squandering away tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes orchestrated schemes to cover his tracks concerning the losses at the bank,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher.

“Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds, but at least we at the Department of Justice can see that Hanes is held criminally responsible for his actions.”

“Shan Hanes exploited his position as a bank executive to commit fraud and embezzle funds that ultimately led to Tri-State Bank’s failure,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice bank executives who engage in illegal activities that undermine the public trust.

Hanes is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716594323085.png" alt="Hanes from his arrest in February in Morton Co." />
 <figcaption>Hanes from his arrest in February in Morton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man&nbsp; pleaded guilty Thursday to using his position as a bank executive to embezzle millions of dollars causing the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Shan Hanes, 52, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690629101398.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>Hanes previously served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas. From May 2023 to July 2023 Hanes initiated a series of 10 outgoing wire transfers totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet. The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.“Shan Hanes is a liar and a master manipulator who caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse. Even as he was squandering away tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes orchestrated schemes to cover his tracks concerning the losses at the bank,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher.“Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds, but at least we at the Department of Justice can see that Hanes is held criminally responsible for his actions.”“Shan Hanes exploited his position as a bank executive to commit fraud and embezzle funds that ultimately led to Tri-State Bank’s failure,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice bank executives who engage in illegal activities that undermine the public trust.Hanes is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Former Kan. bank CEO called liar, manipulator in $47 million crypto scheme

TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.

This week, Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Heilman shared on social media an account of someone driving 102mph in a construction zone.

Heilman wrote, "In 2022, 891 people were killed and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes.

Driving 102 mph through them greatly increases the risk of a crash…not to mention a very hefty fine since we have to double it." In this instance the driver was responsible for $858.00 in fines and court costs, according to the ticket.

Last month, the KHP reported checking a driver's speed at 135 mph on a Kansas Highway. The 18-year-old driver crashed and went to jail.

In February, KHP Lieutenant Craig Davis had an encounter with a BMW on Interstate 70, checking its speed at 151 mph, 76 mph over the speed limit, according to a social media report from the KHP.

Also in February, the patrol reported two traffic stops for 100-plus miles per hour within 6 miles in the same afternoon, and both vehicles had children in the car, according to a social media report.

LT. Littrell stopped the first vehicle for 103mph on Interstate 35 in Osage County. This vehicle had a properly restrained infant in the vehicle. Just six miles down the road the next vehicle was stopped for 101mph and had an unrestrained child, according to the KHP.

Days earlier, Troopers stopped a motorist on Kansas Highway 10 for 112mph during evening rush hour traffic.&nbsp;

A week earlier, a Trooper on I-70&nbsp; noticed a vehicle racing up behind him. Swiftly exiting, he let the speedster pass, only to re-enter and apprehend them for cruising at 106 in a 75 zone. Not only that, but the driver was also tailgating and failing to stay in the right lane on a 4-lane highway.

On February 5, in heavy fog on Interstate 135 in Saline County, a Trooper stopped a motorist driving 116 mph, according to Trooper Ben Gardner. That driver was given a $468.00 fine, according to the ticket.

"It’s more than just speed. Speeding is dangerous, especially speeds like this."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716573512610.png" alt="Photo Trooper Tod Heilman" />
 <figcaption>Photo Trooper Tod Heilman</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.This week, Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Heilman shared on social media an account of someone driving 102mph in a construction zone.Heilman wrote, "In 2022, 891 people were killed and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716574748494.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Driving 102 mph through them greatly increases the risk of a crash…not to mention a very hefty fine since we have to double it." In this instance the driver was responsible for $858.00 in fines and court costs, according to the ticket.Last month, the KHP reported checking a driver's speed at 135 mph on a Kansas Highway. The 18-year-old driver crashed and went to jail.In February, KHP Lieutenant Craig Davis had an encounter with a BMW on Interstate 70, checking its speed at 151 mph, 76 mph over the speed limit, according to a social media report from the KHP.Also in February, the patrol reported two traffic stops for 100-plus miles per hour within 6 miles in the same afternoon, and both vehicles had children in the car, according to a social media report.LT. Littrell stopped the first vehicle for 103mph on Interstate 35 in Osage County. This vehicle had a properly restrained infant in the vehicle. Just six miles down the road the next vehicle was stopped for 101mph and had an unrestrained child, according to the KHP.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Speed Enforcement Alert 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TooFastFriday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TooFastFriday</a> Trooper Jacoby Williams recently issued a ticket to a motorist for traveling 105 mph in a 75 mph zone. The total fine for this violation is $303.00. As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we want to remind everyone that we are… <a href="https://t.co/sBbGBOijY3">pic.twitter.com/sBbGBOijY3</a>&mdash; Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrooperBenKHP/status/1794127442786861294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Days earlier, Troopers stopped a motorist on Kansas Highway 10 for 112mph during evening rush hour traffic.&nbsp;A week earlier, a Trooper on I-70&nbsp; noticed a vehicle racing up behind him. Swiftly exiting, he let the speedster pass, only to re-enter and apprehend them for cruising at 106 in a 75 zone. Not only that, but the driver was also tailgating and failing to stay in the right lane on a 4-lane highway.On February 5, in heavy fog on Interstate 135 in Saline County, a Trooper stopped a motorist driving 116 mph, according to Trooper Ben Gardner. That driver was given a $468.00 fine, according to the ticket."It’s more than just speed. Speeding is dangerous, especially speeds like this."

KHP: Driver was traveling 102mph in construction zone

JACKSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 9p.m. Thursday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kia Optima driven by&nbsp; Crystal D.&nbsp;Poynter, 36, Topeka, was northbound on U.S. 75 two miles north of Holton.

The car struck a deer in the roadway. A southbound 2014 Toyota Highlander driven by Nathan M.&nbsp;Monhollon, 34, Holton then struck the deer. After impact, the Toyota stopped on the shoulder out of the roadway.

EMS transported Nathan Monhollon and passengers in the Toyota identified as Jennifer D.&nbsp;Monhollon, 39 and&nbsp;Katelyn R. Monholon, 21, both of Holton to the Holton Community Hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jennifer&nbsp;Monhollon died of her injuries.

Poynter and a passenger in the KIA were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Thursday in Jackson County.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse a vehicle was southbound on U.S. Highway 75 south of 254th Road.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The vehicle struck a deer. A passenger died from injuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Authorities released no additional information early Friday afternoon.&nbsp; 

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

JACKSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 9p.m. Thursday in Jackson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kia Optima driven by&nbsp; Crystal D.&nbsp;Poynter, 36, Topeka, was northbound on U.S. 75 two miles north of Holton.The car struck a deer in the roadway. A southbound 2014 Toyota Highlander driven by Nathan M.&nbsp;Monhollon, 34, Holton then struck the deer. After impact, the Toyota stopped on the shoulder out of the roadway.EMS transported Nathan Monhollon and passengers in the Toyota identified as Jennifer D.&nbsp;Monhollon, 39 and&nbsp;Katelyn R. Monholon, 21, both of Holton to the Holton Community Hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jennifer&nbsp;Monhollon died of her injuries.Poynter and a passenger in the KIA were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;------------------&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Thursday in Jackson County.According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse a vehicle was southbound on U.S. Highway 75 south of 254th Road.&nbsp;&nbsp;The vehicle struck a deer. A passenger died from injuries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Authorities released no additional information early Friday afternoon.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KHP: Kansas woman dies after car, SUV strike deer

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita police are investigating a Wednesday night shooting that left a woman dead.

Just before 9:30p.m., police responded to report of a walk-in shooting victim at local hospital, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses. Jadidiah Ponce, 21, arrived had arrived with a gunshot wound at the hospital and died of her injuries,&nbsp;&nbsp;according to Moses.

"The shooting appears to be a case of targeted violence between two different groups of people. We know there are additional witnesses who have not provided a statement or cooperated with the investigation," Moses said.

Anyone with an update on the shooting is asked to call WPD Investigators at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716488145776.png" alt="Police are investigating multiple crime scene in this homicide case-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police are investigating multiple crime scene in this homicide case-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita police are investigating a Wednesday night shooting that left a woman dead.Just before 9:30p.m., police responded to report of a walk-in shooting victim at local hospital, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses. Jadidiah Ponce, 21, arrived had arrived with a gunshot wound at the hospital and died of her injuries,&nbsp;&nbsp;according to Moses."The shooting appears to be a case of targeted violence between two different groups of people. We know there are additional witnesses who have not provided a statement or cooperated with the investigation," Moses said.Anyone with an update on the shooting is asked to call WPD Investigators at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.&nbsp;

Police: Witnesses not cooperating in Kansas murder investigation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A U.S. missionary couple was shot and killed by criminal gang members in Haiti’s capital after they were abducted while leaving a youth group activity held at a local church, according to a police official and a religious group.

A third person also was killed during the attack Thursday evening in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince, Lionel Lazarre, head of a Haitian police union, told The Associated Press on Friday.

The slayings occurred as the capital crumbles under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.

Two of the victims were a young married couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, according to a Facebook posting from Natalie Lloyd’s father, Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker. The name of the third person killed wasn’t immediately available.

“My heart is broken in a thousand pieces,” Baker wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “I’ve never felt this kind of pain. Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together.”

The couple worked for Missions in Haiti Inc. The Claremore, Oklahoma, organization was founded by David and Alicia Lloyd, Davy Lloyd’s parents. Natalie Lloyd’s Facebook page said the couple married on June 18, 2022, and she began working with the missionary organization in August 2022. She frequently posted photos of Haitian children on her page.

The mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It runs a school in Lizon for more than 240 students that it opened in September 2008, according to its website.

A Facebook posting on the Missions for Haiti page late Thursday stated that Davy and Natalie, along with children, were leaving a church when “they were ambushed by a gang of 3 trucks full of guys.”

The posting said Davy Lloyd was taken to a house, where he was tied up and beaten. The post later said that Davy, Natalie and a third person, listed only as Jude, were at the house when shooting broke out. It said that gang members “shot all the windows out of the house and continue to shoot. Their lives are in danger."

Three hours later, another posting from Missions in Haiti read: “Around midnight: Davy and Natalie and Jude were shot and killed by the gang about 9 o’clock this evening. We all are devastated.”

It wasn’t immediately clear which gang or gangs were responsible for the fatal shootings.

However, a gang leader called Chyen Mechan, which means “mean dog” in Haitian Creole, controls the area where the shooting occurred. His real name is Claudy Célestin, and he is a dismissed civil servant from Haiti’s Ministry of the Interior.

The leader of another gang known as General Jeff also controls territory near the neighborhood where the couple was killed. Both gangs are part of a coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which means “Live Together.”

The coalition is responsible for launching large-scale attacks on key government infrastructure starting Feb. 29. Gunmen have attacked police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remained closed for nearly three months before opening earlier this week and stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Gangs also are blamed for killing or injuring more than 2,500 people across Haiti from January to March, a 50% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the United Nations.

Kidnappings also are rampant, with targets including U.S. missionaries.

In October 2021, gang members kidnapped 17 missionaries, the majority U.S. citizens. Many in the group, which included five children, were held captive for more than two months before escaping.

Then in July 2023, gangs kidnapped a U.S. nurse and her daughter from the campus of a Christian-run school near Port-au-Prince. They were released nearly two weeks later.

The U.S. Department of State has long had a “do not travel” advisory for Haiti and urges any U.S. citizens in the country to depart as soon as possible.

On the Missions for Haiti website, the founders wrote that the organization was founded in 2000. It said it aimed to help with “the country's biggest need — its children.”

"Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst. Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ,” the website said.

A May 2023 newsletter posted on the mission website said Natalie “has been helping with the kids at the House of Compassion and assisting in our ACE school. Davy has been working on a lot of badly needed projects around our compound,” including building a laundry room and repairing bathrooms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716572749882.png" alt="Photo courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc</figcaption>
 </figure>PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A U.S. missionary couple was shot and killed by criminal gang members in Haiti’s capital after they were abducted while leaving a youth group activity held at a local church, according to a police official and a religious group.A third person also was killed during the attack Thursday evening in the community of Lizon in northern Port-au-Prince, Lionel Lazarre, head of a Haitian police union, told The Associated Press on Friday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fben.r.baker%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0uSePSFF7xqugpeMptsqveTj3W48WADSz3wnvQy6ZgjLEMteBu2rNGoXCPdRaLXJel&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="686" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The slayings occurred as the capital crumbles under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.Two of the victims were a young married couple, Davy and Natalie Lloyd, according to a Facebook posting from Natalie Lloyd’s father, Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker. The name of the third person killed wasn’t immediately available.“My heart is broken in a thousand pieces,” Baker wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “I’ve never felt this kind of pain. Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together.”The couple worked for Missions in Haiti Inc. The Claremore, Oklahoma, organization was founded by David and Alicia Lloyd, Davy Lloyd’s parents. Natalie Lloyd’s Facebook page said the couple married on June 18, 2022, and she began working with the missionary organization in August 2022. She frequently posted photos of Haitian children on her page.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid035raQK1fkFfUKKDQVtfjNVFAULhzubYC4MBPCzke5APm7o3jSNSAnuiNVTGbpJdYFl%26id%3D100064274396167&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="170" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It runs a school in Lizon for more than 240 students that it opened in September 2008, according to its website.A Facebook posting on the Missions for Haiti page late Thursday stated that Davy and Natalie, along with children, were leaving a church when “they were ambushed by a gang of 3 trucks full of guys.”The posting said Davy Lloyd was taken to a house, where he was tied up and beaten. The post later said that Davy, Natalie and a third person, listed only as Jude, were at the house when shooting broke out. It said that gang members “shot all the windows out of the house and continue to shoot. Their lives are in danger."Three hours later, another posting from Missions in Haiti read: “Around midnight: Davy and Natalie and Jude were shot and killed by the gang about 9 o’clock this evening. We all are devastated.”It wasn’t immediately clear which gang or gangs were responsible for the fatal shootings.However, a gang leader called Chyen Mechan, which means “mean dog” in Haitian Creole, controls the area where the shooting occurred. His real name is Claudy Célestin, and he is a dismissed civil servant from Haiti’s Ministry of the Interior.The leader of another gang known as General Jeff also controls territory near the neighborhood where the couple was killed. Both gangs are part of a coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which means “Live Together.”The coalition is responsible for launching large-scale attacks on key government infrastructure starting Feb. 29. Gunmen have attacked police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remained closed for nearly three months before opening earlier this week and stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.Gangs also are blamed for killing or injuring more than 2,500 people across Haiti from January to March, a 50% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the United Nations.Kidnappings also are rampant, with targets including U.S. missionaries.In October 2021, gang members kidnapped 17 missionaries, the majority U.S. citizens. Many in the group, which included five children, were held captive for more than two months before escaping.Then in July 2023, gangs kidnapped a U.S. nurse and her daughter from the campus of a Christian-run school near Port-au-Prince. They were released nearly two weeks later.The U.S. Department of State has long had a “do not travel” advisory for Haiti and urges any U.S. citizens in the country to depart as soon as possible.On the Missions for Haiti website, the founders wrote that the organization was founded in 2000. It said it aimed to help with “the country's biggest need — its children.”"Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst. Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ,” the website said.A May 2023 newsletter posted on the mission website said Natalie “has been helping with the kids at the House of Compassion and assisting in our ACE school. Davy has been working on a lot of badly needed projects around our compound,” including building a laundry room and repairing bathrooms.___

Gunmen in Haiti abduct and kill American missionary couple

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kansas are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations.

On April 22, police in Garden City received a report of blackmail and began an investigation and learned that 21-year-old&nbsp; Meriya Reyes engaged in sexual conduct with several victims for money, then threatened them with legal action in exchange for more money. 

On May 21, police arrested Reyes in the 1900 block of E. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. Reyes remains jailed on requested charges of Blackmail and Selling Sexual Relations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716479283680.png" alt="Reyes-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Reyes-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kansas are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations.On April 22, police in Garden City received a report of blackmail and began an investigation and learned that 21-year-old&nbsp; Meriya Reyes engaged in sexual conduct with several victims for money, then threatened them with legal action in exchange for more money. On May 21, police arrested Reyes in the 1900 block of E. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. Reyes remains jailed on requested charges of Blackmail and Selling Sexual Relations.

Woman accused in Kansas prostitution, blackmail scheme

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The bodies of three more hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight from Gaza, Israel's army said Friday, as the top United Nations court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-court-ceasefire-01d093d21a1eadaa31af5708cf1cbf38">prepares to rule</a>&nbsp;on whether Israel must halt its military operations and withdraw from the enclave.

The bodies of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-unaccounted-people-095f64d06108416ff9c58ea7550b9a74">Hanan Yablonka</a>, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux were found and their families have been notified. The army said they were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection and their bodies were taken to Gaza.

The announcement comes less than a week after the army said it found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-shani-louk-a37e4fd656b46be36c4c659a9c2aac7d">the bodies of three other Israeli hostages</a>&nbsp;killed on Oct. 7.

Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others in the Oct. 7 attack. Around half of those hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-25-2023-7d83895eb736c09fab3eada4c31524b0">have since been freed</a>, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 39 more, while 17 bodies of hostages have been recovered.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to both eliminate Hamas and bring all the hostages back, but he’s made little progress. He faces pressure to resign, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-weapons-shipment-us-eed365ebef0477ba74bf9848cacae4f4">U.S. has threatened to scale back</a>&nbsp;its support over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

On Friday Netanyahu said the country had a duty to do everything to return those abducted, both those killed and those who are alive.

In a post on X Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave condolences to the family of Hernández-Radoux, a French-Mexican citizen, saying France remains committed to releasing the hostages.

The country is also expecting a ruling Friday afternoon by the International Court of Justice to decide on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to cease operations. Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order. Even so, a cease-fire order by judges of the International Court of Justice would heap more pressure on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-palestinian-state-ddfd774a23d39f77f5977b9c89c43dbc">increasingly isolated Israel</a>.

On the hostages, Israelis are divided into two main camps: those who want the government to put the war on hold and free the hostages, and others who think the hostages are an unfortunate price to pay for eradicating Hamas. On-and-off negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt have yielded little.

Anger is growing at home at the government’s handling of the hostage crisis.

Earlier this week a group representing the families of hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-dcb39658d1afcd00341d2c1cd54c38b0">released new video footage</a>&nbsp;showing Hamas’ capture of five female Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.

The video shows several of the young soldiers bloody and wounded. In one scene, a militant tells one of the terrified women she is beautiful.

The video sparked more protests across the country calling for the hostages’ release.

The army said on Friday the hostages were found during an operation in Jabaliya. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a news conference that the army was able to retrieve the bodies based on “critical intelligence” uncovered last week by Israeli forces operating in Gaza.

The group representing the families of the hostages said the bodies had been returned to their families for burial.

Nisenbaum, 59, was a Brazilian-Israeli from the southern city of Sderot. He was taken hostage when he went to rescue his 4-year-old granddaughter.

Oryon Hernandez Radoux, 30, was taken from the Nova music festival, which he attended with his partner Shani Louk. Louk's body was one of those found by the army nearly a week ago.

Yablonka, 42, a father of two, was also taken from the music festival. His family in December told the AP that he loved music. Yablonka’s family had no news of him for nearly two months after he’d been taken, not knowing if he was alive or dead.

Israel’s offensive since the war began has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has caused a humanitarian crisis and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">near-famine.</a>

While it has weakened Hamas' capabilities, after nearly eight months of war, militants are regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities. Israel says its troops are operating in Rafah in the south, in central Gaza and in Jabaliya in the north.

Associated Press reporters Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv and John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716546463209.png" alt="L-R: Hostages Michel Nisenbaum, Orion Hernandez, Hanan Yablonka. Their bodies were recovered from northern Gaza's Jabaliya in an operation announced May 24, 2024. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>L-R: Hostages Michel Nisenbaum, Orion Hernandez, Hanan Yablonka. Their bodies were recovered from northern Gaza's Jabaliya in an operation announced May 24, 2024. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The bodies of three more hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight from Gaza, Israel's army said Friday, as the top United Nations court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-court-ceasefire-01d093d21a1eadaa31af5708cf1cbf38">prepares to rule</a>&nbsp;on whether Israel must halt its military operations and withdraw from the enclave.The bodies of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-unaccounted-people-095f64d06108416ff9c58ea7550b9a74">Hanan Yablonka</a>, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux were found and their families have been notified. The army said they were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection and their bodies were taken to Gaza.The announcement comes less than a week after the army said it found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-shani-louk-a37e4fd656b46be36c4c659a9c2aac7d">the bodies of three other Israeli hostages</a>&nbsp;killed on Oct. 7.Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others in the Oct. 7 attack. Around half of those hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-25-2023-7d83895eb736c09fab3eada4c31524b0">have since been freed</a>, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire in November.Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 39 more, while 17 bodies of hostages have been recovered.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to both eliminate Hamas and bring all the hostages back, but he’s made little progress. He faces pressure to resign, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-weapons-shipment-us-eed365ebef0477ba74bf9848cacae4f4">U.S. has threatened to scale back</a>&nbsp;its support over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.On Friday Netanyahu said the country had a duty to do everything to return those abducted, both those killed and those who are alive.In a post on X Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave condolences to the family of Hernández-Radoux, a French-Mexican citizen, saying France remains committed to releasing the hostages.The country is also expecting a ruling Friday afternoon by the International Court of Justice to decide on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to cease operations. Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order. Even so, a cease-fire order by judges of the International Court of Justice would heap more pressure on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-palestinian-state-ddfd774a23d39f77f5977b9c89c43dbc">increasingly isolated Israel</a>.On the hostages, Israelis are divided into two main camps: those who want the government to put the war on hold and free the hostages, and others who think the hostages are an unfortunate price to pay for eradicating Hamas. On-and-off negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt have yielded little.Anger is growing at home at the government’s handling of the hostage crisis.Earlier this week a group representing the families of hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-dcb39658d1afcd00341d2c1cd54c38b0">released new video footage</a>&nbsp;showing Hamas’ capture of five female Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.The video shows several of the young soldiers bloody and wounded. In one scene, a militant tells one of the terrified women she is beautiful.The video sparked more protests across the country calling for the hostages’ release.The army said on Friday the hostages were found during an operation in Jabaliya. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a news conference that the army was able to retrieve the bodies based on “critical intelligence” uncovered last week by Israeli forces operating in Gaza.The group representing the families of the hostages said the bodies had been returned to their families for burial.Nisenbaum, 59, was a Brazilian-Israeli from the southern city of Sderot. He was taken hostage when he went to rescue his 4-year-old granddaughter.Oryon Hernandez Radoux, 30, was taken from the Nova music festival, which he attended with his partner Shani Louk. Louk's body was one of those found by the army nearly a week ago.Yablonka, 42, a father of two, was also taken from the music festival. His family in December told the AP that he loved music. Yablonka’s family had no news of him for nearly two months after he’d been taken, not knowing if he was alive or dead.Israel’s offensive since the war began has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has caused a humanitarian crisis and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">near-famine.</a>While it has weakened Hamas' capabilities, after nearly eight months of war, militants are regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities. Israel says its troops are operating in Rafah in the south, in central Gaza and in Jabaliya in the north.——Associated Press reporters Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv and John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed

Israeli Army recovers bodies of 3 more hostages from Gaza 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans again blocked a bill meant to clamp down on the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;sought Thursday to underscore GOP resistance to the proposal.

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall explained why he and the other members of the GOP voted against the bill.

"For over three years, our national security and our nation's sovereignty have been an afterthought for this Administration. Democrats have welcomed over 11 million illegal migrants, many unvetted, including terrorists, gang members, and Chinese nationalists creating the worst border crisis in CBP history,"&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;"Now, six months before the election, Senate Democrats are looking for political cover. It's too little too late. This bill is nothing more than a bailout for Democrats whose campaigns are on life support and will only make the crisis at our borders worse. Even the Democrat architect of this bill admitted that this legislation never closes the border."

"This week, Senate Republicans took numerous bills to secure our borders to the Senate Floor for a vote, Democrats blocked every single one of our efforts. They would not even allow these measures, including the most extensive border security package in Congress, the Secure our Borders Act, to receive a vote,"&nbsp;Senator Marshall said. "Democrats' border bailout is an unserious proposal that only worsens the crisis by codifying catch and release, expanding the abuse of parole, weakening asylum screening, supercharging NGOs, and allowing thousands of migrants to cross before they take any action."&nbsp;

The legislation, negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-a39e188fa2c6a563203d2c69eaabdc6d">already rejected by most Republicans</a>&nbsp;in February when it was linked to a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. But with immigration and border security becoming one of the top issues of this year's election, Democrats are looking for an answer to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-trump-biden-rhetoric-2024-election-327c08045edcc200f850d893de6a79d6">barrage of GOP attacks</a>, led by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

“We gave Republicans a second chance to show where they stand,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said after the vote. “Do they want to fix this so-called emergency or do they want to show blind allegiance to the former president even when they know he's wrong?”

Schumer is trying to defend a narrow Senate majority in this year's election and sees the Republican's rejection of the deal they negotiated as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-border-security-congress-trump-57f62a34ce9c4c08d6e00795fcb24764">political “gift” for Democrats</a>. Seeking to highlight Republican resistance to popular measures, Schumer is also planning to push forward a bill in June that would protect access to contraception.

The Democratic leader said it would “show the public who’s on what side and in June we’re going to spend a significant amount of time talking about reproductive rights.”

On Thursday, most Senate Democrats again supported the procedural vote to begin debate on the border bill, but it failed to advance 43-50 after all but one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted against it. When the proposal was brought up in February, the test vote failed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00039.htm">49-50</a>&nbsp;— well shy of the 60 votes needed to advance.

This time, not even some of the bill's primary authors, Sens. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, and Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, voted for Schumer's move.

“Today is not a bill, today is a prop,” Lankford said on the floor ahead of the vote. “Everyone sees it for what it is.”

Sinema called the vote “political theater” that will do nothing to solve problems at the border.

“To use this failure as a political punching bag only punishes those who were courageous enough to do the hard work in the first place," she said.

Republican leaders spent much of the week decrying the vote as a bald-faced political maneuver and amplifying a well-worn criticism of President Joe Biden: That he bears responsibility for the historic number of migrants who have made their way to the U.S. in recent years.

“We're nearing the end of President Biden' s term, and the American people's patience for his failing to secure the southern border is running thin,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday.

Earlier in the week, McConnell told reporters, “The president needs to step up to it — do everything he can do on his own because legislation is obviously not going to clear this year."

Since the collapse of the Senate's legislation in February, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-border-donald-trump-f0ca943f0f148e165bc6e8ebfd149f14">Biden administration has been considering</a>&nbsp;executive orders on border policy and immigration. It has already made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-asylum-c2f1e8bf45182a5f74567a47ca4ab641">some changes to the asylum system</a>&nbsp;meant to speed up processing and potential removal of migrants. Yet the Senate's test vote this week was widely seen as part of a lead-up to Biden issuing more sweeping border measures, potentially as early as June.

The Democratic president has considered using a provision in federal immigration law that gives leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the U.S. if it would be “detrimental” to the national interest of the United States. The authority was repeatedly tapped by Trump when he was in the White House, but some of those actions faced legal challenges.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters Monday that legislation to address problems at the border — as opposed to executive actions by the president — would be more effective. The Senate legislation would provide more money for Customs and Border Protection officials, asylum officers, immigration judges and scanning technology at the border — all things that officials have said the underfunded immigration and border protection system needs.

“The legislation provides tools that executive action cannot,” Mayorkas said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683898210525.png" alt="Photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans again blocked a bill meant to clamp down on the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;sought Thursday to underscore GOP resistance to the proposal.Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall explained why he and the other members of the GOP voted against the bill."For over three years, our national security and our nation's sovereignty have been an afterthought for this Administration. Democrats have welcomed over 11 million illegal migrants, many unvetted, including terrorists, gang members, and Chinese nationalists creating the worst border crisis in CBP history,"&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;"Now, six months before the election, Senate Democrats are looking for political cover. It's too little too late. This bill is nothing more than a bailout for Democrats whose campaigns are on life support and will only make the crisis at our borders worse. Even the Democrat architect of this bill admitted that this legislation never closes the border.""This week, Senate Republicans took numerous bills to secure our borders to the Senate Floor for a vote, Democrats blocked every single one of our efforts. They would not even allow these measures, including the most extensive border security package in Congress, the Secure our Borders Act, to receive a vote,"&nbsp;Senator Marshall said. "Democrats' border bailout is an unserious proposal that only worsens the crisis by codifying catch and release, expanding the abuse of parole, weakening asylum screening, supercharging NGOs, and allowing thousands of migrants to cross before they take any action."&nbsp;The legislation, negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-a39e188fa2c6a563203d2c69eaabdc6d">already rejected by most Republicans</a>&nbsp;in February when it was linked to a foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. But with immigration and border security becoming one of the top issues of this year's election, Democrats are looking for an answer to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-trump-biden-rhetoric-2024-election-327c08045edcc200f850d893de6a79d6">barrage of GOP attacks</a>, led by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.“We gave Republicans a second chance to show where they stand,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said after the vote. “Do they want to fix this so-called emergency or do they want to show blind allegiance to the former president even when they know he's wrong?”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Let me make a few things clear: Congressional Republicans do not care about securing the border or fixing America’s broken immigration system. If they did, they would have voted for the toughest border enforcement in history. By blocking the bipartisan border agreement, they…&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1793775964213625234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Schumer is trying to defend a narrow Senate majority in this year's election and sees the Republican's rejection of the deal they negotiated as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-border-security-congress-trump-57f62a34ce9c4c08d6e00795fcb24764">political “gift” for Democrats</a>. Seeking to highlight Republican resistance to popular measures, Schumer is also planning to push forward a bill in June that would protect access to contraception.The Democratic leader said it would “show the public who’s on what side and in June we’re going to spend a significant amount of time talking about reproductive rights.”On Thursday, most Senate Democrats again supported the procedural vote to begin debate on the border bill, but it failed to advance 43-50 after all but one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted against it. When the proposal was brought up in February, the test vote failed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00039.htm">49-50</a>&nbsp;— well shy of the 60 votes needed to advance.This time, not even some of the bill's primary authors, Sens. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, and Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent, voted for Schumer's move.“Today is not a bill, today is a prop,” Lankford said on the floor ahead of the vote. “Everyone sees it for what it is.”Sinema called the vote “political theater” that will do nothing to solve problems at the border.“To use this failure as a political punching bag only punishes those who were courageous enough to do the hard work in the first place," she said.Republican leaders spent much of the week decrying the vote as a bald-faced political maneuver and amplifying a well-worn criticism of President Joe Biden: That he bears responsibility for the historic number of migrants who have made their way to the U.S. in recent years.“We're nearing the end of President Biden' s term, and the American people's patience for his failing to secure the southern border is running thin,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday.Earlier in the week, McConnell told reporters, “The president needs to step up to it — do everything he can do on his own because legislation is obviously not going to clear this year."Since the collapse of the Senate's legislation in February, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-border-donald-trump-f0ca943f0f148e165bc6e8ebfd149f14">Biden administration has been considering</a>&nbsp;executive orders on border policy and immigration. It has already made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-asylum-c2f1e8bf45182a5f74567a47ca4ab641">some changes to the asylum system</a>&nbsp;meant to speed up processing and potential removal of migrants. Yet the Senate's test vote this week was widely seen as part of a lead-up to Biden issuing more sweeping border measures, potentially as early as June.The Democratic president has considered using a provision in federal immigration law that gives leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the U.S. if it would be “detrimental” to the national interest of the United States. The authority was repeatedly tapped by Trump when he was in the White House, but some of those actions faced legal challenges.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters Monday that legislation to address problems at the border — as opposed to executive actions by the president — would be more effective. The Senate legislation would provide more money for Customs and Border Protection officials, asylum officers, immigration judges and scanning technology at the border — all things that officials have said the underfunded immigration and border protection system needs.“The legislation provides tools that executive action cannot,” Mayorkas said.The Senate bill is aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-biden-cf4aa608de350a480fabd8e6a3e062ff">gaining control of an asylum system</a>&nbsp;that has sometimes been overwhelmed in the last year. It would provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-border-package-asylum-ukraine-1dde30b223ebe854a48fde0497c9f227">faster and tougher enforcement</a>&nbsp;of the asylum process, as well as give presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if the numbers encountered by border officials exceed an average of 4,000 per day over a week.Even before the bill was fully released earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-trump-a8601ec6629ddc5b769028ca99ad9879">Trump effectively killed</a>&nbsp;the proposal by labeling it “meaningless” and a “gift” for Biden's reelection chances. Top Republicans soon followed his lead and even McConnell, who had initially demanded the negotiation over the border measures, voted against moving forward.A significant number of Democrats have also criticized the proposal, mostly because it does not include any broad relief for immigrants who have already established lives in the United States. On the left, four Democrats, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent of Maine, voted against advancing the bill.“It fails to address the root causes of migration or to establish more lawful pathways,” said Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat.The Congressional Hispanic Caucus said in a statement this week that the Senate's bill “fails to meet the moment by putting forth enforcement-only policies and failing to include provisions that will keep families together.” They have urged executive actions that would provide protections from deportation for immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years or who have family ties to U.S. citizens.Amid the tension, Biden's reelection campaign met with CHC leadership Wednesday to discuss outreach to Latino communities, and Biden spoke on the phone with Rep. Nanette Barragán, the chair of the group. She discussed the reasons for the group's opposition, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation.Schumer said that if Democrats win majorities in the Senate and House next year, he wants to advance “comprehensive immigration reform."Still, for Democratic senators facing tough reelection battles this year, the vote Thursday provided another opportunity to show they were supportive of stronger border measures as well as distance themselves from Biden's handling of the border.As Sen. Jon Tester attempts to hold a Democratic seat in the red-leaning state of Montana, he said in a statement, “This common sense bill would push back on the Biden administration’s failed border policies by forcing the president to shut down the border, strengthen our asylum laws, and end catch and release.”