NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.

They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.

The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.

Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.

The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.

The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.

Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.

The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716986622777.png" alt="Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged. The whole country&#39;s a mess between the borders and fake elections and you have a trial like this...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pfHWUSkWx9">pic.twitter.com/pfHWUSkWx9</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1795847409433555154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

🎥 Trump: Mother Teresa could not beat these charges

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Ten Kansas counties stand to receive millions in federal funds to improve the safety and efficiency of local roads.&nbsp;

Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced the $6.65 million in federal funds for 10 projects, selected out of 46 applications. Haskell, Linn, Ottawa, Phillips, Sedgwick, Seward and Shawnee counties have all been granted federal dollars for these rural road improvement projects.&nbsp;

“Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.”

Project funding is managed through the&nbsp;Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads Program.&nbsp;The state effort is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program,&nbsp;federal aid geared toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.

Over the past 13 years, KDOT HRRR funds have been geared toward reducing collisions with a fixed object&nbsp;— one of the most common types of fatal rural crashes.&nbsp;To that end,&nbsp;KDOT has prioritized projects geared toward low-cost&nbsp;prevention measures such as installing rumble strips, increasing signage, guardrails and other roadside barriers.

Among other projects, Linn will receive $370,000 to install pavement markings, hazard markers and signs on a portion of Route 1095. Phillips has $525,000 to upgrade signing on 154 miles of country roads east of U.S. 183.&nbsp; Seward has&nbsp;$775,000 to extend four culverts and install road shoulders, among other improvements. Haskell has $270,000 to upgrade signage.&nbsp;

“These funds assist our rural partners to increase roadway safety by using low-cost and proven countermeasures,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645215030601.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;File photo -Safety projects for rural roads in the state will include enhancing signage, broadening lanes and extending shoulders. The Kansas Department of Transportation funding will go toward 10 rural road projects.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;File photo -Safety projects for rural roads in the state will include enhancing signage, broadening lanes and extending shoulders. The Kansas Department of Transportation funding will go toward 10 rural road projects.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Ten Kansas counties stand to receive millions in federal funds to improve the safety and efficiency of local roads.&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced the $6.65 million in federal funds for 10 projects, selected out of 46 applications. Haskell, Linn, Ottawa, Phillips, Sedgwick, Seward and Shawnee counties have all been granted federal dollars for these rural road improvement projects.&nbsp;“Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.”Project funding is managed through the&nbsp;Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads Program.&nbsp;The state effort is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program,&nbsp;federal aid geared toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.Over the past 13 years, KDOT HRRR funds have been geared toward reducing collisions with a fixed object&nbsp;— one of the most common types of fatal rural crashes.&nbsp;To that end,&nbsp;KDOT has prioritized projects geared toward low-cost&nbsp;prevention measures such as installing rumble strips, increasing signage, guardrails and other roadside barriers.Among other projects, Linn will receive $370,000 to install pavement markings, hazard markers and signs on a portion of Route 1095. Phillips has $525,000 to upgrade signing on 154 miles of country roads east of U.S. 183.&nbsp; Seward has&nbsp;$775,000 to extend four culverts and install road shoulders, among other improvements. Haskell has $270,000 to upgrade signage.&nbsp;“These funds assist our rural partners to increase roadway safety by using low-cost and proven countermeasures,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.

Millions of dollars allocated to reduce fatal rural accidents in Kansas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

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

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.

The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”

The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “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 surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.

Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.

Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.

The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

<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) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)<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><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>Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949915421.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “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 surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

🎥 Why charges against world's top golfer were dropped after arrest

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will call a special legislative session on tax cuts beginning June 18.

The move comes after the Democratic governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed</a>&nbsp;three Republican plans to cut taxes this year, setting up a high-stakes election-year tussle with the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature.

“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Kelly said in a statement. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”

Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">this month</a>&nbsp;sent Kelly a proposal to cut income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over three years. She vetoed the measure after the Legislature adjourned, blocking lawmakers from attempting to override her.

Kelly and Republican leaders have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state’s already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

But almost half of the cuts in the latest bill were tied to changes in the personal income tax. The state’s highest tax rate would have been 5.57%, instead of the current 5.7%.

GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated as they’ve made what they see as major concessions, including giving up on moving Kansas from three personal income tax rates to one.

All 40 Senate seats and 125 House seats are on the ballot in this year’s elections, and Democrats hope to break the Republican supermajorities in both chambers. Both parties believe voters will be upset if there is no broad tax relief after surplus funds piled up in the state’s coffers.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will call a special legislative session on tax cuts beginning June 18.The move comes after the Democratic governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed</a>&nbsp;three Republican plans to cut taxes this year, setting up a high-stakes election-year tussle with the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature.“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Kelly said in a statement. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">this month</a>&nbsp;sent Kelly a proposal to cut income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over three years. She vetoed the measure after the Legislature adjourned, blocking lawmakers from attempting to override her.Kelly and Republican leaders have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state’s already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.But almost half of the cuts in the latest bill were tied to changes in the personal income tax. The state’s highest tax rate would have been 5.57%, instead of the current 5.7%.GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated as they’ve made what they see as major concessions, including giving up on moving Kansas from three personal income tax rates to one.All 40 Senate seats and 125 House seats are on the ballot in this year’s elections, and Democrats hope to break the Republican supermajorities in both chambers. Both parties believe voters will be upset if there is no broad tax relief after surplus funds piled up in the state’s coffers.

Kansas special legislative session on tax cuts set to begin in June

BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a high-speed law enforcement chase that sent three people to the hospital including a Kansas police officer released additional details on what led to the crash.

Just after 6p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the Butler County-Greenwood County line on US 400 for a vehicle that failed to yield to Greenwood County deputies, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

It had been reported that a pickup truck pulling an empty boat trailer struck another vehicle and after being located by law enforcement, the driver later identified as&nbsp;Allan Milton Firman III, 44, Wichita, refused to stop, according to Cunfiff.

&nbsp;As the truck reached the county line on US 400, the pursuing Greenwood County deputy ended the pursuit. A short time later, Butler County Emergency Communications received another call of a reckless driver involving a vehicle matching the description of the truck and trailer pursued by Greenwood County.

The sheriff’s office said reports indicated that the truck was driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed in a construction zone near Beaumont. 

A deputy then spotted the truck heading west in the area of US 400 and Pickrell Road. The deputy tried to stop the pickup but Firman continued west. 

The sheriff’s office said deputies set up tire deflation devices along the highway ahead of a fleeing truck and at one point, the driver swerved into the median to avoid the device. In that process, the fleeing pickup nearly hit a deputy, according to Cundiff.

The pickup continued west in the eastbound lanes of US 400 and deputies deployed another tire deflation device near US 400 and Lunger Road on the east side of Augusta.

The pickup entered the city of Augusta and the pickup struck the Augusta Police Department Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by&nbsp;Officer Kyle E. Sisco with the Augusta Police Department, according to the Kansas Highway Patro.

EMS transported Firman, a passenger in the pickup Sandra C.  Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, drug charges, driving under the influence, transporting an open container and reckless driving, according to Cundiff.

Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Firman is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.

BUTLER COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the law enforcement were in pursuit of a 2020 Chevy Silverado that was pulling a was pulling a 2020 Karavan boat trailer westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 54.

The pickup driven by Allan Milton&nbsp;Firman III, 44, Wichita, struck the left rear corner of a 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by Officer Kyle E.&nbsp;Sisco with the Augusta Police Department.

EMS transported&nbsp;Firman, a passenger in the pickup&nbsp;Sandra C.&nbsp; Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals. The occupants of the pickup were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail. He has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716945189377.png" alt="Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Butler Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Butler Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a high-speed law enforcement chase that sent three people to the hospital including a Kansas police officer released additional details on what led to the crash.Just after 6p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the Butler County-Greenwood County line on US 400 for a vehicle that failed to yield to Greenwood County deputies, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.It had been reported that a pickup truck pulling an empty boat trailer struck another vehicle and after being located by law enforcement, the driver later identified as&nbsp;Allan Milton Firman III, 44, Wichita, refused to stop, according to Cunfiff.&nbsp;As the truck reached the county line on US 400, the pursuing Greenwood County deputy ended the pursuit. A short time later, Butler County Emergency Communications received another call of a reckless driver involving a vehicle matching the description of the truck and trailer pursued by Greenwood County.The sheriff’s office said reports indicated that the truck was driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed in a construction zone near Beaumont. A deputy then spotted the truck heading west in the area of US 400 and Pickrell Road. The deputy tried to stop the pickup but Firman continued west. The sheriff’s office said deputies set up tire deflation devices along the highway ahead of a fleeing truck and at one point, the driver swerved into the median to avoid the device. In that process, the fleeing pickup nearly hit a deputy, according to Cundiff.The pickup continued west in the eastbound lanes of US 400 and deputies deployed another tire deflation device near US 400 and Lunger Road on the east side of Augusta.The pickup entered the city of Augusta and the pickup struck the Augusta Police Department Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by&nbsp;Officer Kyle E. Sisco with the Augusta Police Department, according to the Kansas Highway Patro.EMS transported Firman, a passenger in the pickup Sandra C. Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, drug charges, driving under the influence, transporting an open container and reckless driving, according to Cundiff.Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Firman is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.-------BUTLER COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Butler County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the law enforcement were in pursuit of a 2020 Chevy Silverado that was pulling a was pulling a 2020 Karavan boat trailer westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 54.Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.The pickup driven by Allan Milton&nbsp;Firman III, 44, Wichita, struck the left rear corner of a 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by Officer Kyle E.&nbsp;Sisco with the Augusta Police Department.EMS transported&nbsp;Firman, a passenger in the pickup&nbsp;Sandra C.&nbsp; Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals. The occupants of the pickup were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail. He has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff reveals details on chase, crash into Kansas police vehicle

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.

Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.

“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.

Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.

The company says owners should contact their dealer to set up an appointment to have inflators replaced for free. Nissan also is offering free towing to dealers, and in some locations mobile service and loaner cars are available.

“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries," the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”

Nissan originally recalled 736,422 of the vehicles in 2020 to replace the Takata inflators. The company said around 84,000 remain unrepaired and are believed to still be in use.

Nissan said it has made numerous attempts to reach the owners with unrepaired Takata inflators.

The death was reported to NHTSA in 2018, the company said. The person killed was in a 2006 Sentra, according to Nissan.

The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/takata-air-bag-inflator-explosion-killed-ram-pickup-2003-571d22e2f6682f01f149f592d8c1c78b">which used volatile ammonium nitrate</a>&nbsp;to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.

Worldwide at least 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.

Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e456cf44b454cf581e4fc06dc8ad338">into bankruptcy</a>.

Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Stellantis and Mazda&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-takata-air-bag-explode-shrapnel-3c03be0d9454856cf52e48aaa6bda711">have issued similar “do not drive”</a>&nbsp;warnings for some of their vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.The company says owners should contact their dealer to set up an appointment to have inflators replaced for free. Nissan also is offering free towing to dealers, and in some locations mobile service and loaner cars are available.“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries," the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”Nissan originally recalled 736,422 of the vehicles in 2020 to replace the Takata inflators. The company said around 84,000 remain unrepaired and are believed to still be in use.Nissan said it has made numerous attempts to reach the owners with unrepaired Takata inflators.The death was reported to NHTSA in 2018, the company said. The person killed was in a 2006 Sentra, according to Nissan.The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/takata-air-bag-inflator-explosion-killed-ram-pickup-2003-571d22e2f6682f01f149f592d8c1c78b">which used volatile ammonium nitrate</a>&nbsp;to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.Worldwide at least 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e456cf44b454cf581e4fc06dc8ad338">into bankruptcy</a>.Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Stellantis and Mazda&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-takata-air-bag-explode-shrapnel-3c03be0d9454856cf52e48aaa6bda711">have issued similar “do not drive”</a>&nbsp;warnings for some of their vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.

Nissan warns owners of older vehicles of exploding air bag inflators

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s campaign on Tuesday showed up outside former President Donald Trump’s New York City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">criminal hush money trial</a>&nbsp;with actor Robert De Niro and a pair of former police officers in an effort to refocus the presidential race on the former president’s role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection</a>.

On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized what he called "the stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up 'The Big Guy' whose campaign is in free fall."

De Niro's appearance was a sharp about-face for Biden’s team, which had largely ignored the trial since it began six weeks ago and is now looking to capitalize on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-a1984e2353de3df5d0520e4f0705f7f8">its drama-filled closing moments</a>, sending the “Goodfellas” actor and the first responders who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Biden’s campaign had been wary about feeding into Trump’s argument that his criminal trials were the result of politically motivated prosecutions, but ultimately it decided to engage because its message about the stakes of the election was struggling to break through the intense focus on the trial.

A top Biden adviser said they weren’t there to talk about the trial — and De Niro and the officers didn’t reference the sordid criminal case directly — rather to exploit the large media focus on the legal proceedings. But Trump advisers argued in a dueling press conference that the Biden team’s presence validated the Republican former president’s claims that his prosecutions are being driven by politics.

“We’re not here today because of what’s going on over there,” Biden campaign communication director Michael Tyler told reporters, gesturing toward the courthouse. “We’re here today because you all are here.”

The back-to-back press conferences were a sideshow to the main event playing out inside the courthouse, where closing arguments were underway in the only Trump trial likely to surface before the November election. There are two others directly related to the Republican’s efforts to undo his 2020 loss to Biden, a Democrat: A federal case in Washington is related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and a state case in Georgia accuses him of election interference. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases. The last case involves accusations he willfully retained classified documents after he left office.

The Biden campaign last week released a new ad that was narrated by De Niro sharply criticizing Trump’s presidency and plans if he’s reelected. On Tuesday, he said he’d joined the campaign because it was the only way to “preserve our freedoms. ”

“I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you,” De Niro told reporters. “If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted.”

The actor cast himself as the true New Yorker and mocked Trump’s history of sometimes-unsuccessful business ventures and self-promotion, saying Trump was looking to “destroy” the city.

“We New Yorkers used to tolerate him when he was just another crappy real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot,” De Niro said. “I love this city. I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world.”

Former Washington, D.C., police officer Michael Fanone and former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn spoke of their personal experiences on Jan. 6, with Fanone describing his injuries suffered at the hands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;seeking to halt Congress’ certification of Biden’s 2020 presidential victory.

“I came here today to remind Americans of what Donald Trump is capable of and the violence that he unleashed on all of Americans on Jan. 6, 2021,” Fanone said.

The two former officers were also witnesses during a congressional investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were beaten and bloodied in the attack by Trump supporters, who descended after a rally and smashed into the Capitol while Trump remained silent for hours.

“Americans need to wake up. This is not a drill,” said Dunn, a former Capitol police officer who ran unsuccessfully for office in Maryland.

“We can’t count on these institutions to stop Donald Trump,” he added. “It’s going to take us Americans at the ballot box to defeat him once and for all.”

Trump’s campaign staffers held their own news conference at the same spot outside the courthouse to respond to De Niro, the Jan. 6 officers and the Biden campaign.

Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller, called De Niro — who won Oscars for his roles in “The Godfather: Part II” and “Raging Bull” — “a washed-up actor” and said the Biden news conference proved Trump’s arguments that the trial, like the others the former president is facing, was motivated by politics.

“After months of saying politics had nothing to do with this trial, they showed up and made a campaign event out of a lower Manhattan trial day for President Trump,” Miller said.

Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, called the Biden campaign “desperate and failing” and “pathetic” and said its event outside the trial was “a full-blown concession that this trial is a witch hunt that comes from the top.”

Yet even as Trump and his aides denounce the trial as politically motivated, he has been working to turn the proceedings into an offshoot of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-hush-money-trial-56fd4f4bb7562772c701a2acab76e9fd">presidential campaign</a>. He’s capitalized on the proceedings as a fundraising pitch, and has used his time in front of the cameras outside the courtroom to criticize Biden and showcase a parade of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">own political supporters</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s campaign on Tuesday showed up outside former President Donald Trump’s New York City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">criminal hush money trial</a>&nbsp;with actor Robert De Niro and a pair of former police officers in an effort to refocus the presidential race on the former president’s role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection</a>.On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized what he called "the stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up 'The Big Guy' whose campaign is in free fall."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today&#39;s stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up &#39;The Big Guy&#39; whose campaign is in…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1795526861830623611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>De Niro's appearance was a sharp about-face for Biden’s team, which had largely ignored the trial since it began six weeks ago and is now looking to capitalize on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-a1984e2353de3df5d0520e4f0705f7f8">its drama-filled closing moments</a>, sending the “Goodfellas” actor and the first responders who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Biden’s campaign had been wary about feeding into Trump’s argument that his criminal trials were the result of politically motivated prosecutions, but ultimately it decided to engage because its message about the stakes of the election was struggling to break through the intense focus on the trial.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Actor Robert De Niro in New York City: &quot;I love this city. I don&#39;t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city, but the country and eventually he could destroy the world.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FxiEdPeKHI">pic.twitter.com/FxiEdPeKHI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1795479989799854330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A top Biden adviser said they weren’t there to talk about the trial — and De Niro and the officers didn’t reference the sordid criminal case directly — rather to exploit the large media focus on the legal proceedings. But Trump advisers argued in a dueling press conference that the Biden team’s presence validated the Republican former president’s claims that his prosecutions are being driven by politics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716995762781.png" alt="Trump" />
 <figcaption>Trump</figcaption>
 </figure>“We’re not here today because of what’s going on over there,” Biden campaign communication director Michael Tyler told reporters, gesturing toward the courthouse. “We’re here today because you all are here.”The back-to-back press conferences were a sideshow to the main event playing out inside the courthouse, where closing arguments were underway in the only Trump trial likely to surface before the November election. There are two others directly related to the Republican’s efforts to undo his 2020 loss to Biden, a Democrat: A federal case in Washington is related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and a state case in Georgia accuses him of election interference. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases. The last case involves accusations he willfully retained classified documents after he left office.The Biden campaign last week released a new ad that was narrated by De Niro sharply criticizing Trump’s presidency and plans if he’s reelected. On Tuesday, he said he’d joined the campaign because it was the only way to “preserve our freedoms. ”“I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you,” De Niro told reporters. “If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted.”The actor cast himself as the true New Yorker and mocked Trump’s history of sometimes-unsuccessful business ventures and self-promotion, saying Trump was looking to “destroy” the city.“We New Yorkers used to tolerate him when he was just another crappy real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot,” De Niro said. “I love this city. I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world.”Former Washington, D.C., police officer Michael Fanone and former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn spoke of their personal experiences on Jan. 6, with Fanone describing his injuries suffered at the hands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;seeking to halt Congress’ certification of Biden’s 2020 presidential victory.“I came here today to remind Americans of what Donald Trump is capable of and the violence that he unleashed on all of Americans on Jan. 6, 2021,” Fanone said.The two former officers were also witnesses during a congressional investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were beaten and bloodied in the attack by Trump supporters, who descended after a rally and smashed into the Capitol while Trump remained silent for hours.“Americans need to wake up. This is not a drill,” said Dunn, a former Capitol police officer who ran unsuccessfully for office in Maryland.“We can’t count on these institutions to stop Donald Trump,” he added. “It’s going to take us Americans at the ballot box to defeat him once and for all.”Trump’s campaign staffers held their own news conference at the same spot outside the courthouse to respond to De Niro, the Jan. 6 officers and the Biden campaign.Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller, called De Niro — who won Oscars for his roles in “The Godfather: Part II” and “Raging Bull” — “a washed-up actor” and said the Biden news conference proved Trump’s arguments that the trial, like the others the former president is facing, was motivated by politics.“After months of saying politics had nothing to do with this trial, they showed up and made a campaign event out of a lower Manhattan trial day for President Trump,” Miller said.Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, called the Biden campaign “desperate and failing” and “pathetic” and said its event outside the trial was “a full-blown concession that this trial is a witch hunt that comes from the top.”Yet even as Trump and his aides denounce the trial as politically motivated, he has been working to turn the proceedings into an offshoot of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-hush-money-trial-56fd4f4bb7562772c701a2acab76e9fd">presidential campaign</a>. He’s capitalized on the proceedings as a fundraising pitch, and has used his time in front of the cameras outside the courtroom to criticize Biden and showcase a parade of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">own political supporters</a>.

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator rips Biden campaign stunt outside Trump trial

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — A Kansas teen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Tuesday.&nbsp;Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, is representing Andover Middle School among the 245 competitors.

Emory Jobe, 14, 8th Grade student from Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, misspelled&nbsp;savoir faire in the opening round. She spelled it savourafare, according to the Scripps Spelling Bee web site.&nbsp; The quarterfinals and semifinals are Wednesday.

There are spellers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas has the largest representation with 20 national competitors. California and Ohio are next with 17 each, followed by Florida, Illinois and New York with 13 each.&nbsp;

As the competition continues, spellers try to address weaknesses, including 'super short, tricky words.

Last year, a four-letter word sent Shradha Rachamreddy to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-spelling-bee-finals-updates-1b09d39ba7631d26f3a3c833f7aeefea">a third-place finish</a>&nbsp;in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

As the remaining spellers dwindled, Shradha was given “orle,” a heraldry term that means several small charges arranged to form a border within the edge of a field. It sounds exactly like “oral.” Shradha went with “orel” and heard the dreaded bell that signals a misspelled word.

“I overcomplicated it,” Shradha said nearly a year later. “It looks simple. It should have been simple, but I missed it.”

The good news for Shradha was that she nearly won it all as a seventh-grader, meaning she had one year of eligibility left. The 14-year-old from San Jose, California, returned as one of 245 spellers competing in this year's bee, which began with Tuesday's preliminary rounds at a convention center outside Washington, D.C.

Like other returning spellers, Shradha tried to learn from her mistake. She devoted part of her studying this year to the sorts of words she tends to miss.

“I did miss on a four-letter word, so my weakness tends to be those super short, tricky words, and I worked on compiling those into one list,” Shradha said. “I try to identify the words that seem likely to show up. If they're not spelled particularly the way they sound, then I'm like, ‘OK, it’s fair game,’ and I study that.”

Learning as many words as possible isn't a foolproof approach. No one in the nearly century-long history of the bee has been able to memorize the more than 500,000 words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, any of which can be selected for inclusion by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">Scripps' word panel</a>&nbsp;of former bee champions, linguists and other experts.

Last year's champion, Dev Shah, wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/28/dev-shah-spelling-bee-winner/">in a Washington Post op-ed</a>&nbsp;that to become a champion speller, you must accept that you'll be asked a word you don't know — and be calm enough to figure it out.

“The skill of guessing is everything,” he wrote.

Aryan Khedkhar, a 13-year-old from Rochester Hills, Michigan, who finished tied for fifth last year, breaks down tricky words into categories.

“There are words with roots and words without roots that you just have to memorize. The ones that you have to memorize, I use language patterns. That really helps. If it doesn't have language patterns, I just try to use the simplest way possible,” Aryan said. “That's what the spelling bee is about. It's not about knowing as many words as you can.”

Aditi Muthukumar said she tried to address her weaknesses on words derived from French or from the many languages of the Indian subcontinent. But the 13-year-old from Westminster, Colorado, expects she'll have to confront a word she doesn't know while competing in her final bee.

“I mean, probably,” she said, “and I hope I'll be OK with it.”

This year's three spellers from Ghana showed up in a uniform — black turtlenecks, white pants, shoes adorned with the Ghanian flag. The centerpiece: custom-designed jackets with sleeves made of woven kente fabric.

“We have to wear it,” speller Abena Kwaffo said with a laugh.

Spelling is an individual pursuit, but Team Ghana was unified by national pride. Ghana has sent a contingent of spellers for years, long enough that former competitor Darren Sackey is coaching this year's trio.

“It's teamwork. The spellers work very hard together,” said Salome Dzakpasu, the Ghanian program director. “Training together on weekends, on weekdays, sometimes evenings, learning how to combine schoolwork and preparing for the bee.”

While the past quarter-century of the bee has been dominated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spelling-bee-indian-americans-immigration-b14ba87533dfcd8af813de568ee5958f">the offspring of Indian immigrants</a>, the only international champion was Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica in 1998. Ghana's best finish was a tie for 18th by Afua Ansah in 2016.

N'Dom Darko-Asare, a Ghanian seventh-grader competing for the third time, is more comfortable than ever.

“You may be scared of standing on stage. Once you've been there before, it doesn't really intimidate you as much,” 13-year-old N'Dom said.

Spellers have been asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-spelling-bees-198b3c72f86dc81954de8d344e838b18">multiple-choice vocabulary questions</a>&nbsp;onstage since 2021, and before that, vocabulary was part of a written test that determined which spellers made the semifinals.

Nonetheless, Scripps treated “vocabulary” like a dirty word, instead employing a euphemism: “word meaning.” That meant when introducing the vocabulary questions, pronouncers Jacques Bailly and the Rev. Brian Sietsema were forced to use the awkward construction, “Your word meaning word is ...”

In Tuesday's preliminary rounds, Sietsema handled pronunciation duties for the first batch of spellers. Those who spelled their first word correctly remained at the microphone while Sietsema told them, to cite one example, “Your vocabulary word is ‘terrarium.’” (Jordin Oremosu, a 14-year-old speller from Florida, giggled with relief when she was asked to define that word.)

“There were discussions about it,” Bailly said, adding though he wasn't responsible for the change, “I always thought it should be ‘vocabulary.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912172264.png" alt="Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover Middle School- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover Middle School- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — A Kansas teen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Tuesday.&nbsp;Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, is representing Andover Middle School among the 245 competitors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716911963934.png" alt="Emory Jobe, 14, 8th Grade, Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Emory Jobe, 14, 8th Grade, Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>Emory Jobe, 14, 8th Grade student from Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, misspelled&nbsp;savoir faire in the opening round. She spelled it savourafare, according to the Scripps Spelling Bee web site.&nbsp; The quarterfinals and semifinals are Wednesday.There are spellers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas has the largest representation with 20 national competitors. California and Ohio are next with 17 each, followed by Florida, Illinois and New York with 13 each.&nbsp;As the competition continues, spellers try to address weaknesses, including 'super short, tricky words.Last year, a four-letter word sent Shradha Rachamreddy to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-spelling-bee-finals-updates-1b09d39ba7631d26f3a3c833f7aeefea">a third-place finish</a>&nbsp;in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.As the remaining spellers dwindled, Shradha was given “orle,” a heraldry term that means several small charges arranged to form a border within the edge of a field. It sounds exactly like “oral.” Shradha went with “orel” and heard the dreaded bell that signals a misspelled word.“I overcomplicated it,” Shradha said nearly a year later. “It looks simple. It should have been simple, but I missed it.”The good news for Shradha was that she nearly won it all as a seventh-grader, meaning she had one year of eligibility left. The 14-year-old from San Jose, California, returned as one of 245 spellers competing in this year's bee, which began with Tuesday's preliminary rounds at a convention center outside Washington, D.C.Like other returning spellers, Shradha tried to learn from her mistake. She devoted part of her studying this year to the sorts of words she tends to miss.“I did miss on a four-letter word, so my weakness tends to be those super short, tricky words, and I worked on compiling those into one list,” Shradha said. “I try to identify the words that seem likely to show up. If they're not spelled particularly the way they sound, then I'm like, ‘OK, it’s fair game,’ and I study that.”Learning as many words as possible isn't a foolproof approach. No one in the nearly century-long history of the bee has been able to memorize the more than 500,000 words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, any of which can be selected for inclusion by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">Scripps' word panel</a>&nbsp;of former bee champions, linguists and other experts.Last year's champion, Dev Shah, wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/28/dev-shah-spelling-bee-winner/">in a Washington Post op-ed</a>&nbsp;that to become a champion speller, you must accept that you'll be asked a word you don't know — and be calm enough to figure it out.“The skill of guessing is everything,” he wrote.Aryan Khedkhar, a 13-year-old from Rochester Hills, Michigan, who finished tied for fifth last year, breaks down tricky words into categories.“There are words with roots and words without roots that you just have to memorize. The ones that you have to memorize, I use language patterns. That really helps. If it doesn't have language patterns, I just try to use the simplest way possible,” Aryan said. “That's what the spelling bee is about. It's not about knowing as many words as you can.”Aditi Muthukumar said she tried to address her weaknesses on words derived from French or from the many languages of the Indian subcontinent. But the 13-year-old from Westminster, Colorado, expects she'll have to confront a word she doesn't know while competing in her final bee.“I mean, probably,” she said, “and I hope I'll be OK with it.”TEAM GHANAThis year's three spellers from Ghana showed up in a uniform — black turtlenecks, white pants, shoes adorned with the Ghanian flag. The centerpiece: custom-designed jackets with sleeves made of woven kente fabric.“We have to wear it,” speller Abena Kwaffo said with a laugh.Spelling is an individual pursuit, but Team Ghana was unified by national pride. Ghana has sent a contingent of spellers for years, long enough that former competitor Darren Sackey is coaching this year's trio.“It's teamwork. The spellers work very hard together,” said Salome Dzakpasu, the Ghanian program director. “Training together on weekends, on weekdays, sometimes evenings, learning how to combine schoolwork and preparing for the bee.”While the past quarter-century of the bee has been dominated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spelling-bee-indian-americans-immigration-b14ba87533dfcd8af813de568ee5958f">the offspring of Indian immigrants</a>, the only international champion was Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica in 1998. Ghana's best finish was a tie for 18th by Afua Ansah in 2016.N'Dom Darko-Asare, a Ghanian seventh-grader competing for the third time, is more comfortable than ever.“You may be scared of standing on stage. Once you've been there before, it doesn't really intimidate you as much,” 13-year-old N'Dom said.VOCABULARY, DEFINEDSpellers have been asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-spelling-bees-198b3c72f86dc81954de8d344e838b18">multiple-choice vocabulary questions</a>&nbsp;onstage since 2021, and before that, vocabulary was part of a written test that determined which spellers made the semifinals.Nonetheless, Scripps treated “vocabulary” like a dirty word, instead employing a euphemism: “word meaning.” That meant when introducing the vocabulary questions, pronouncers Jacques Bailly and the Rev. Brian Sietsema were forced to use the awkward construction, “Your word meaning word is ...”In Tuesday's preliminary rounds, Sietsema handled pronunciation duties for the first batch of spellers. Those who spelled their first word correctly remained at the microphone while Sietsema told them, to cite one example, “Your vocabulary word is ‘terrarium.’” (Jordin Oremosu, a 14-year-old speller from Florida, giggled with relief when she was asked to define that word.)“There were discussions about it,” Bailly said, adding though he wasn't responsible for the change, “I always thought it should be ‘vocabulary.’”

Kan. teen advances to quarterfinals of Scripps National Spelling Bee

KANSAS CITY —Authorities on Tuesday afternoon suspended the on-the-ground search for a missing alligator that escaped from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle school

The KC Pet Project reported the missing alligator has not been located and there has been no sightings or reports.

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

Authorities reported they will continue to patrol the area around the middle school, and if you have any information or possible sightings, please call the KC Pet Project at 816-683-1373 or&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;to submit information online&nbsp;

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.

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716547651086.png" alt="Photos KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities on Tuesday afternoon suspended the on-the-ground search for a missing alligator that escaped from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle schoolThe KC Pet Project reported the missing alligator has not been located and there has been no sightings or reports.On Thursday, staff with the Kansas City Pet Project were on the scene at Lakeview Middle School, 6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City, working to locate the missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo, according to a social media report from the Pet Project.Authorities reported they will continue to patrol the area around the middle school, and if you have any information or possible sightings, please call the KC Pet Project at 816-683-1373 or&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;to submit information online&nbsp;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="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>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.

Ground search for missing alligator near KC school suspended

KANSAS CITY±Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 1p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E 51st Street and Prospect Avenue, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders found a lying on the sidewalk near the bus stop suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded simultaneously and transported the victim to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently unknown and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel&nbsp; responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716927951223.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY±Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just before 1p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E 51st Street and Prospect Avenue, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716927924199.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders found a lying on the sidewalk near the bus stop suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded simultaneously and transported the victim to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently unknown and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel&nbsp; responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp;

KCPD: Man found with fatal gunshot wound near bus stop 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Missile attacks twice damaged a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned ship Tuesday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, with a private security firm saying radio traffic suggested the vessel took on water after being struck.

No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>, who have launched a number of attacks targeting ships over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The first attack on the bulk carrier Laax happened off the port city of Hodeida in the southern Red Sea, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that links it to the Gulf of Aden, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The vessel “sustained damage” in the assault and later reported an “impact in the water in close proximity to the vessel,” the UKMTO said.

“The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call,” the center said.

The private security firm Ambrey said the vessel reported by radio of having “sustained damage to the cargo hold and was taking on water.”

Late Tuesday night, the UKMTO reported the Laax “sustained further damage” in a second missile attack near Mokha in the Bab el-Mandeb.

The U.S. military’s Central Command also identified the targeted ship as the Laax. The vessel reported being headed to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

Grehel Ship Management of Piraeus, Greece, manages the Laax. A man who answered the phone at Grehel declined to answer questions about the attack and an emailed request for comment was not returned.

Central Command separately said it destroyed five Houthi drones over the Red Sea amid the attacks.

The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though it can take the rebels hours or even days to claim their assaults.

The Houthis have launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in recent months, demanding that Israel ends the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war in Gaza</a>, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-6e133626776f4264e66d9f1d0b58315f">rebels have launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the United States Maritime Administration.

Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. In recent weeks, the tempo of Houthi attacks has dropped, though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-drone-war-gaza-7bbbcd1a1484baf581832da6f4d4dd18">the rebels have claimed shooting down U.S. surveillance drones</a>.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war on the side of Yemen's exiled government in 2015, but the conflict has remained at a stalemate for years as Riyadh tries to reach a peace deal with the Houthis.

Speaking Tuesday in Dubai, the prime minister of Yemen's exiled, internationally recognized government urged the world to see past the Houthis' claims of backing the Palestinians through their attacks.

“The Houthis’ exploitation of a very just cause such as the cause of our people in Palestine and what is happening in Gaza is to escape the benefits of peace and lead us to major complications that exist,” Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak told the Arab Media Forum. “Peace is a strategic choice. We must reach peace. The war must stop. This is a must. Our people need security and stability. The region itself needs stability.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Missile attacks twice damaged a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned ship Tuesday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, with a private security firm saying radio traffic suggested the vessel took on water after being struck.No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>, who have launched a number of attacks targeting ships over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.The first attack on the bulk carrier Laax happened off the port city of Hodeida in the southern Red Sea, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that links it to the Gulf of Aden, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The vessel “sustained damage” in the assault and later reported an “impact in the water in close proximity to the vessel,” the UKMTO said.“The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call,” the center said.The private security firm Ambrey said the vessel reported by radio of having “sustained damage to the cargo hold and was taking on water.”Late Tuesday night, the UKMTO reported the Laax “sustained further damage” in a second missile attack near Mokha in the Bab el-Mandeb.The U.S. military’s Central Command also identified the targeted ship as the Laax. The vessel reported being headed to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.Grehel Ship Management of Piraeus, Greece, manages the Laax. A man who answered the phone at Grehel declined to answer questions about the attack and an emailed request for comment was not returned.Central Command separately said it destroyed five Houthi drones over the Red Sea amid the attacks.The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though it can take the rebels hours or even days to claim their assaults.The Houthis have launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in recent months, demanding that Israel ends the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war in Gaza</a>, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-6e133626776f4264e66d9f1d0b58315f">rebels have launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the United States Maritime Administration.Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. In recent weeks, the tempo of Houthi attacks has dropped, though&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-drone-war-gaza-7bbbcd1a1484baf581832da6f4d4dd18">the rebels have claimed shooting down U.S. surveillance drones</a>.Yemen has been wracked by conflict since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war on the side of Yemen's exiled government in 2015, but the conflict has remained at a stalemate for years as Riyadh tries to reach a peace deal with the Houthis.Speaking Tuesday in Dubai, the prime minister of Yemen's exiled, internationally recognized government urged the world to see past the Houthis' claims of backing the Palestinians through their attacks.“The Houthis’ exploitation of a very just cause such as the cause of our people in Palestine and what is happening in Gaza is to escape the benefits of peace and lead us to major complications that exist,” Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak told the Arab Media Forum. “Peace is a strategic choice. We must reach peace. The war must stop. This is a must. Our people need security and stability. The region itself needs stability.”

U.S. military: Missile attacks damage ship in the Red Sea 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a Memorial Day morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 65-year-old&nbsp;Randy R. Zeller, according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 7a.m. Monday, police responded to an EMS call near the 2500 block of College Avenue, according to Gonzalez.

When officers arrived, they observed Zeller lying in the street suffering from unknown bodily trauma and unresponsive. EMS responded and declared the man deceased at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding this incident are still unknown and no one is in custody.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716817479838.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a Memorial Day morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 65-year-old&nbsp;Randy R. Zeller, according to&nbsp;KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 7a.m. Monday, police responded to an EMS call near the 2500 block of College Avenue, according to Gonzalez.When officers arrived, they observed Zeller lying in the street suffering from unknown bodily trauma and unresponsive. EMS responded and declared the man deceased at the scene.The circumstances surrounding this incident are still unknown and no one is in custody.&nbsp;

Police ID 65-year-old found dead on KC street Memorial Day

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal weekend crash have made an arrest.

The crash occurred just before 8a.m. Sunday when a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Jason E. Brumley of Emporia struck another vehicle driven by&nbsp; 76-year-old Sherry L. Pena&nbsp; near southbound Interstate 35 and Sunflower Road, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's office.

Pena was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported to other passengers in the vehicle identified as 45-year-old Natalia L. Pena and a 6-year-old boy were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. They are expected to survive.

Deputies performed a DUI test on Brumley and later transported. him&nbsp; into the Johnson County Detention Center on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter, according to online jail record. He is being held on a $350,000 bond and made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716838831196.png" alt="Brumley photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Brumley photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal weekend crash have made an arrest.The crash occurred just before 8a.m. Sunday when a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Jason E. Brumley of Emporia struck another vehicle driven by&nbsp; 76-year-old Sherry L. Pena&nbsp; near southbound Interstate 35 and Sunflower Road, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's office.Pena was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported to other passengers in the vehicle identified as 45-year-old Natalia L. Pena and a 6-year-old boy were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. They are expected to survive.Deputies performed a DUI test on Brumley and later transported. him&nbsp; into the Johnson County Detention Center on a requested charge of involuntary manslaughter, according to online jail record. He is being held on a $350,000 bond and made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to online jail records.

Kan. man jailed for crash that killed woman, injured 6-year-old

PAWNEE COUNTY— Michael EG Reynolds, 67 of Larned,&nbsp;accused in the March 30, murder of&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckwithmortuary.com/obituary/dr-tomas-garza">Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned</a>, appeared via Zoom Tuesday from the Pawnee County Jail for a competency hearing, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The request for the hearing was filed by defense counsel. On April 20, 2024, staff from the Center for Counseling and Consultation performed a competency evaluation of Reynolds.

Senior Judge Nancy Parrish of Topeka, presided over the hearing. Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman recused himself from the case earlier this month due to a possible conflict of interest.

The standard of competency to stand trial in Kansas is whether or not, because of mental disease or defect, the Defendant is unable either to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him or make or assist his attorney in making a legal defense, according to McNett.

Following the presentation of evidence, Judge Parrish found Reynolds competent to stand trial and remanded the case to the magistrate judge for a Preliminary Hearing. A status hearing has been scheduled for June 16, 2024,

Just after 5 p.m. March 30, Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned, was shot multiple times during an argument with Michael Reynolds, 67, of Larned, according to a media release from the KBI. The shooting occurred at 1219 Kansas Highway 19 South, in rural Pawnee County. Garza was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries.

Reynolds is charged with one count of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek

Reynolds is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712009351520.png" alt="Reynolds-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reynolds-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY— Michael EG Reynolds, 67 of Larned,&nbsp;accused in the March 30, murder of&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckwithmortuary.com/obituary/dr-tomas-garza">Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned</a>, appeared via Zoom Tuesday from the Pawnee County Jail for a competency hearing, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The request for the hearing was filed by defense counsel. On April 20, 2024, staff from the Center for Counseling and Consultation performed a competency evaluation of Reynolds.Senior Judge Nancy Parrish of Topeka, presided over the hearing. Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman recused himself from the case earlier this month due to a possible conflict of interest.The standard of competency to stand trial in Kansas is whether or not, because of mental disease or defect, the Defendant is unable either to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him or make or assist his attorney in making a legal defense, according to McNett.Following the presentation of evidence, Judge Parrish found Reynolds competent to stand trial and remanded the case to the magistrate judge for a Preliminary Hearing. A status hearing has been scheduled for June 16, 2024,Just after 5 p.m. March 30, Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned, was shot multiple times during an argument with Michael Reynolds, 67, of Larned, according to a media release from the KBI. The shooting occurred at 1219 Kansas Highway 19 South, in rural Pawnee County. Garza was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries.Reynolds is charged with one count of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Coroner Dr. Lyle NoordhoekReynolds is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff without bond.

Kan. man competent to stand trial for killing doctor during argument

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent domestic disturbance and have a man in custody.

Just before 7:30p.m. on Sunday, 43-year-old Janet Willson of rural Saline County reported that her husband, 60-year-old Timothy Lecklider, shot her in the stomach, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

"Deputies that arrived out there on the scene found Janet in the yard, and she was able to come down the driveway to them," Soldan said. "She was transported to Salina Regional, then she had some surgery here and then she was sent to Wichita. As far as I know, she's still in critical condition."

Soldan said the gun Lecklider used was a 0.410 shotgun but did not detail if he shot Willson at point-blank range. Although Willson called Lecklider her husband, Soldan said the pair are not legally married.

Deputies arrested Lecklider without incident on requested charges for attempted murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716899069165.jpeg" alt="Lecklider-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Lecklider-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent domestic disturbance and have a man in custody.Just before 7:30p.m. on Sunday, 43-year-old Janet Willson of rural Saline County reported that her husband, 60-year-old Timothy Lecklider, shot her in the stomach, according to&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan."Deputies that arrived out there on the scene found Janet in the yard, and she was able to come down the driveway to them," Soldan said. "She was transported to Salina Regional, then she had some surgery here and then she was sent to Wichita. As far as I know, she's still in critical condition."Soldan said the gun Lecklider used was a 0.410 shotgun but did not detail if he shot Willson at point-blank range. Although Willson called Lecklider her husband, Soldan said the pair are not legally married.Deputies arrested Lecklider without incident on requested charges for attempted murder.

Sheriff: Kan. woman accused husband of shooting her with shotgun

Pressure building to lessen property, sales and income tax burden

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

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly didn’t meet a self-imposed deadline for announcing the date of a special session of the Kansas Legislature to seek an elusive compromise on a package of major sales, income and property tax reforms.

Legislative factions and the Democratic governor have struggled since January to piece together a bill reducing the tax burden without raising the risk of exhausting the state’s cash surplus and plummeting state government into a budget quagmire.

“Governor Kelly plans to announce the date of a special session soon,” said Grace Hoge, a Kelly spokeswoman said Tuesday. “Although Governor Kelly anticipated announcing the date of a special legislative session last week, she continues to have ongoing conversations with legislative leaders about the availability of their caucuses in order to determine the best date.”

Throughout the 2024 legislative session, Kelly met with Republican House and Senate leaders to share her views of proposed tax legislation. That type of conversation was expected to continue ahead of the special session to narrow divisions centered on the overall cost of tax reform.

Kelly vetoed three massive bills combining income, sales and property tax reductions since the session began in January. She warned Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, that she would reject “unsustainable” bills even if gridlock led to a special session.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716926777622.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly launched the 2024 legislative session by revealing a bipartisan tax reform package in January. After Kelly vetoed three major tax bills, the Kansas Legislature is headed for a not-yet-scheduled special session in June to resolve gridlock on tax reform. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly launched the 2024 legislative session by revealing a bipartisan tax reform package in January. After Kelly vetoed three major tax bills, the Kansas Legislature is headed for a not-yet-scheduled special session in June to resolve gridlock on tax reform. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Pressure building to lessen property, sales and income tax burden</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly didn’t meet a self-imposed deadline for announcing the date of a special session of the Kansas Legislature to seek an elusive compromise on a package of major sales, income and property tax reforms.Legislative factions and the Democratic governor have struggled since January to piece together a bill reducing the tax burden without raising the risk of exhausting the state’s cash surplus and plummeting state government into a budget quagmire.“Governor Kelly plans to announce the date of a special session soon,” said Grace Hoge, a Kelly spokeswoman said Tuesday. “Although Governor Kelly anticipated announcing the date of a special legislative session last week, she continues to have ongoing conversations with legislative leaders about the availability of their caucuses in order to determine the best date.”Throughout the 2024 legislative session, Kelly met with Republican House and Senate leaders to share her views of proposed tax legislation. That type of conversation was expected to continue ahead of the special session to narrow divisions centered on the overall cost of tax reform.Kelly vetoed three massive bills combining income, sales and property tax reductions since the session began in January. She warned Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, that she would reject “unsustainable” bills even if gridlock led to a special session.“We can deliver comprehensive, sustainable tax cuts,” Kelly said in a veto message. “If we all work together, an affordable, bipartisan tax plan can be passed in less than a day.”The entire Legislature — all 125 House seats and the 40 Senate seats — will be up for grabs in the August primary and November general election. Time devoted to debate on tax reform during the special session pulled candidates away from the campaign trail and interfered with fundraising.If the Legislature succeeded in repackaging the most-recently vetoed Senate Bill 37, House Bill 2096 and House Bill 2097 during the special session rather than pursue compromise, a report from the state budget division said the treasury could end up with a $488 million deficit in four years and a $1.3 billion deficit in five years.GOP lawmakers have argued proposed reductions in revenue wouldn’t damage the state budget.<h2>Business of taxes</h2>During the past month, a coalition of 15 Kansas business organizations as well as a business-friendly think tank in Washington, D.C., applied pressure on the governor and others to dedicate themselves to compromise during the not-yet-scheduled special session.In a May 22 letter to Kelly, a coalition that included the Kansas Chamber, Kansas Farm Bureau and several construction and agriculture lobbying groups asked the Democratic governor to not let property and sales tax changes slip through her fingers if an agreement on divisive individual income tax rate reductions couldn’t be reached during the special session.Signers of the letter were convinced “broad-based” property tax relief coupled with repeal of the state income tax on Social Security benefits, elimination July 1 of the state’s 2% sales tax on groceries and linking banking taxes with corporate tax rates would “enjoy strong, bipartisan support among legislators.”The sticky politics and economics of lowering the state’s personal income tax rates shouldn’t be allowed to undermine other good tax policy, the letter said.“Under this approach,” the business groups said, “money would remain available to you and the Legislature to pursue income tax relief, whether that occurs during the special session or the next session” in 2025.Kelly told legislators she wouldn’t sign tax-cut bills that would drive the budget into the ditch in the manner that occurred after GOP Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill in 2012 aggressively reducing state income taxes, especially for businesses. The loss of state revenue led to cuts in core government services, prompted heavy borrowing and increased the state’s sales tax before Brownback’s policy was repealed in 2017.<h2>A think tank view</h2>The Tax Foundation, a Washington think tank devoted to reducing business taxes and a target of criticism by progressives, published guidance for Kansas lawmakers that concluded the state was “long overdue” for tax changes capable of promoting economic growth.Katherine Loughead, Tax&nbsp;Foundation&nbsp;senior policy analyst and research manager, said Kansas sat idly since 2021 while 26 states cut individual income tax rates. Across the United States, she said, the median top marginal rate dropped to 5.12%, but Kansas maintained a rate of 5.7%.She argued Kansas could afford to invest in tax reform because state revenue forecasters predicted the state could end the current fiscal year in June with a $2.6 billion budget surplus in addition to a $1.7 billion rainy-day fund.“Of the&nbsp;tax&nbsp;changes that were vetoed, reductions to the top marginal individual income tax rate would provide the most bang for the buck in terms of promoting long-run economic growth and competitiveness,” Loughead said.She said proposals to pair income tax rate reductions with increases in the personal exemption would meet the “pro-growth” model while delivering tax relief to low- and middle-income Kansans.Removal of Social Security benefits from the state’s income tax base “would do little to promote economic growth and would exacerbate the discrepancy between the tax treatment of Social Security income and alternative forms of income,” she said.“Narrowing the base in this way would make it more difficult to reduce the rates that apply to all taxable income, including wage income and all forms of taxable retirement income,” Loughead said.