WASHINGTON —On Friday, President Joe Biden presented nineteen recipients the Presidential Medal of Freedom including Former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole during a ceremony at the White House.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.

In a statement from the White House, "Senator Elizabeth Dole has served her country as a trailblazing United States Senator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor and President of the American Red Cross. She leads by example through her Foundation’s support for military caregivers and their families." She married Kansas native and former United States Senator Bob Dole in 1975.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The following individuals also were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and three-term mayor. He revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City’s education, environment, public health, and the arts.

Father Greg Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. He has helped thousands of Angelenos turn their lives around.

Representative Jim Clyburn is the former Assistant Democratic Leader and Majority Whip in the United States House of Representatives. Through three decades in the House, Representative Clyburn has transformed the lives of millions of Americans and created a freer country.

Phil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show.&nbsp;Donahue&nbsp;was the first daytime talk show to feature audience participation and one of the most influential televisions programs of its time.

Medgar Wiley Evers&nbsp;(posthumous)

Medgar Evers (d. 1963) fought for his country in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi. After he was murdered at his home at age 37, his wife Myrlie continued the fight to seek justice and equality in his name.

Al Gore is a former Vice President, United States Senator, and member of the House of Representatives. After winning the popular vote, he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of our unity. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold action on climate change.

Clarence B. Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Jones was instrumental in preserving Dr. King’s legacy and remains an outspoken force against hate.

Secretary John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, United States Senator, and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. His bravery in combat during the Vietnam War earned him the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and history will remember his public service career that has spanned seven decades.

Frank R. Lautenberg&nbsp;(posthumous)

Senator Frank Lautenberg (d. 2013) was a five-term United States Senator and New Jersey’s longest-serving Senator. He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety across a number of fields.

Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history. An athletic prodigy, she has won seven Olympic gold medals and twenty-one world championship gold medals so far. She will continue to compete for the Nation who watches her in awe.

Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. More than 150 years after that day in Texas, she joined President Biden to officially make Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.

Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female Director of NASA’s renowned Johnson Space Center. Dr. Ochoa has flown in space four times, logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire young generations of scientists.

Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and Democratic priorities for decades.

Jane Rigby, an astronomer who grew up in Delaware, is the chief scientist of the world’s most powerful telescope. A prolific researcher, Dr. Rigby embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.

Teresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States. She has secured key victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our Nation.

Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shephard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her son who was murdered in one of the nation’s most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Her work has driven tremendous progress in our fight to give hate no safe harbor.

James Francis Thorpe&nbsp;(posthumous)

Jim Thorpe (d. 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country’s original multi-sport superstar, he went on to play professional football, baseball, and basketball while breaking down barriers on and off the field.

Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for her groundbreaking work in a number of blockbusters over four decades. Recently, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Yeoh continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.

WASHINGTON —On Friday, President Joe Biden presented nineteen recipients the Presidential Medal of Freedom including Former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole during a ceremony at the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom. <a href="https://t.co/2WqYBfasGm">pic.twitter.com/2WqYBfasGm</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1786517168739197415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.In a statement from the White House, "Senator Elizabeth Dole has served her country as a trailblazing United States Senator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor and President of the American Red Cross. She leads by example through her Foundation’s support for military caregivers and their families." She married Kansas native and former United States Senator Bob Dole in 1975.&nbsp;&nbsp;The following individuals also were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:Michael R. BloombergMayor Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and three-term mayor. He revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City’s education, environment, public health, and the arts.Gregory J. BoyleFather Greg Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. He has helped thousands of Angelenos turn their lives around.James E. ClyburnRepresentative Jim Clyburn is the former Assistant Democratic Leader and Majority Whip in the United States House of Representatives. Through three decades in the House, Representative Clyburn has transformed the lives of millions of Americans and created a freer country.Phil DonahuePhil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show.&nbsp;Donahue&nbsp;was the first daytime talk show to feature audience participation and one of the most influential televisions programs of its time.Medgar Wiley Evers&nbsp;(posthumous)Medgar Evers (d. 1963) fought for his country in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi. After he was murdered at his home at age 37, his wife Myrlie continued the fight to seek justice and equality in his name.Al GoreAl Gore is a former Vice President, United States Senator, and member of the House of Representatives. After winning the popular vote, he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of our unity. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold action on climate change.Clarence B. JonesClarence B. Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Jones was instrumental in preserving Dr. King’s legacy and remains an outspoken force against hate.John Forbes KerrySecretary John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, United States Senator, and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. His bravery in combat during the Vietnam War earned him the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and history will remember his public service career that has spanned seven decades.Frank R. Lautenberg&nbsp;(posthumous)Senator Frank Lautenberg (d. 2013) was a five-term United States Senator and New Jersey’s longest-serving Senator. He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety across a number of fields.Kathleen Genevieve LedeckyKatie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history. An athletic prodigy, she has won seven Olympic gold medals and twenty-one world championship gold medals so far. She will continue to compete for the Nation who watches her in awe.Opal LeeOpal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. More than 150 years after that day in Texas, she joined President Biden to officially make Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.Ellen OchoaEllen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female Director of NASA’s renowned Johnson Space Center. Dr. Ochoa has flown in space four times, logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire young generations of scientists.Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and Democratic priorities for decades.Jane RigbyJane Rigby, an astronomer who grew up in Delaware, is the chief scientist of the world’s most powerful telescope. A prolific researcher, Dr. Rigby embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.Teresa RomeroTeresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States. She has secured key victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our Nation.Judy Shepard Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shephard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her son who was murdered in one of the nation’s most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Her work has driven tremendous progress in our fight to give hate no safe harbor.James Francis Thorpe&nbsp;(posthumous)Jim Thorpe (d. 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country’s original multi-sport superstar, he went on to play professional football, baseball, and basketball while breaking down barriers on and off the field.Michelle YeohMichelle Yeoh is an actress known for her groundbreaking work in a number of blockbusters over four decades. Recently, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Yeoh continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.

🎥 Elizabeth Dole awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach&nbsp; honored Kansas’ fallen law enforcement officers and their families during the annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The governor made remarks and stood with the law enforcement community to pay tribute to those who selflessly served Kansas and made the ultimate sacrifice. The 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial is a time to honor their courage and acknowledge their dedication.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714763585818.png" alt="Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach&nbsp; honored Kansas’ fallen law enforcement officers and their families during the annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714763760670.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The governor made remarks and stood with the law enforcement community to pay tribute to those who selflessly served Kansas and made the ultimate sacrifice. The 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial is a time to honor their courage and acknowledge their dedication.

Governor, attorney general honor Kansas fallen officers, families

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect who died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department has been identified as 46-year-old Christopher Christian.

Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.

At that time the officers took a man later identified as Christian into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted him to the security office. While Christian was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.

Officers attempted to get him to spit the object out but he refused. He began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.

Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported Christian to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.

He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect who died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department has been identified as 46-year-old Christopher Christian.Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.At that time the officers took a man later identified as Christian into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted him to the security office. While Christian was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.Officers attempted to get him to spit the object out but he refused. He began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported Christian to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. Police released no additional details.

Police ID KC shoplifting suspect who died after taken into custody

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — `United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their church’s longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches.

The action marked the final major reversal of a collection of LGBTQ bans and disapprovals that have been embedded throughout the laws and social teachings of the United Methodist Church over the previous half-century.

The 447-233 vote by the UMC's General Conference came one day after delegates overwhelmingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/methodists-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-gay-rights-e3a7677a3b025b07211153179727c255">voted to repeal</a>&nbsp;a 52-year-old declaration that the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching” and two days after they repealed the denomination's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">ban on LGBTQ clergy</a>.

It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that featured its most progressive slate of delegates in memory following the departure of more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States because it essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.

The delegates voted to repeal a section in their Book of Discipline, or church law, that states: “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.”

Clergy will neither be required nor prohibited from performing any marriage, according to existing law that the conference affirmed with minor revisions Friday.

On Thursday, delegates approved Revised Social Principles, or statements of the church's values. In addition to removing the language about homosexuality being “incompatible with Christian teaching," that revision also defined marriage as a covenant between two adults, without limiting it to heterosexual couples, as the previous version had done.

But while Social Principles are non-binding, the clause removed on Friday had the force of law.

Regional conferences outside the United States have the ability to set their own rules, however, so churches in Africa and elsewhere with more conservative views on sexuality could retain bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. A pending amendment to the church constitution would also enable the U.S. region to make such adaptations.

The change doesn’t mandate or even explicitly affirm same-sex marriages. But it removes their prohibition. It takes effect Saturday following the close of General Conference.

The Rev. Rebecca Girrell of Vermont told fellow delegates that she regretted having initially declined a request to perform a same-sex marriage because of church rules. “I promised I would never betray my heart or my call to offer ministry and grace to all persons again,” she said.

Later, she said she did defy church rules and performed the same-sex wedding for two military servicemen before their deployment. “You will never convince me that that was wrong,” she said.

But Samuel Cole from Liberia urged the conference not to approve the measure, saying it would not be accepted in other parts of the world and adding that only a man and a woman can produce children.

A temporary window opened in 2019 that enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.

Separately, the General Conference on Friday removed language making it a chargeable offense for clergy to be a “self-avowed practicing homosexual” or perform same-sex marriages — similar to previous repeals but affecting a different part of church law. There was some debate because the measure also removed other chargeable offenses, such as being unfaithful in marriage, but proponents said there are other parts of the Book of Discipline that allow the church to discipline ministers for immorality.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714773005712.png" alt="Amanda Mountain (left) and Bridget Cabrera celebrate outside the Charlotte Convention Center during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., after delegates eliminated the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News." />
 <figcaption>Amanda Mountain (left) and Bridget Cabrera celebrate outside the Charlotte Convention Center during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., after delegates eliminated the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — `United Methodist delegates on Friday repealed their church’s longstanding ban on the celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions by its clergy and in its churches.The action marked the final major reversal of a collection of LGBTQ bans and disapprovals that have been embedded throughout the laws and social teachings of the United Methodist Church over the previous half-century.The 447-233 vote by the UMC's General Conference came one day after delegates overwhelmingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/methodists-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-gay-rights-e3a7677a3b025b07211153179727c255">voted to repeal</a>&nbsp;a 52-year-old declaration that the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching” and two days after they repealed the denomination's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">ban on LGBTQ clergy</a>.It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that featured its most progressive slate of delegates in memory following the departure of more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States because it essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.The delegates voted to repeal a section in their Book of Discipline, or church law, that states: “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.”Clergy will neither be required nor prohibited from performing any marriage, according to existing law that the conference affirmed with minor revisions Friday.On Thursday, delegates approved Revised Social Principles, or statements of the church's values. In addition to removing the language about homosexuality being “incompatible with Christian teaching," that revision also defined marriage as a covenant between two adults, without limiting it to heterosexual couples, as the previous version had done.But while Social Principles are non-binding, the clause removed on Friday had the force of law.Regional conferences outside the United States have the ability to set their own rules, however, so churches in Africa and elsewhere with more conservative views on sexuality could retain bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. A pending amendment to the church constitution would also enable the U.S. region to make such adaptations.The change doesn’t mandate or even explicitly affirm same-sex marriages. But it removes their prohibition. It takes effect Saturday following the close of General Conference.The Rev. Rebecca Girrell of Vermont told fellow delegates that she regretted having initially declined a request to perform a same-sex marriage because of church rules. “I promised I would never betray my heart or my call to offer ministry and grace to all persons again,” she said.Later, she said she did defy church rules and performed the same-sex wedding for two military servicemen before their deployment. “You will never convince me that that was wrong,” she said.But Samuel Cole from Liberia urged the conference not to approve the measure, saying it would not be accepted in other parts of the world and adding that only a man and a woman can produce children.A temporary window opened in 2019 that enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.Separately, the General Conference on Friday removed language making it a chargeable offense for clergy to be a “self-avowed practicing homosexual” or perform same-sex marriages — similar to previous repeals but affecting a different part of church law. There was some debate because the measure also removed other chargeable offenses, such as being unfaithful in marriage, but proponents said there are other parts of the Book of Discipline that allow the church to discipline ministers for immorality.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

United Methodists repeal church ban on clergy celebrating same-sex marriages

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a Kansas home.

Just before 7:30a.m. April 27,&nbsp; the Caney, Kansas Police Department requested assistance from the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SERT) to address a barricaded individual inside a home, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

The person in question, identified as 33-year-old Nathan Valdez of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, had reportedly threatened Caney Police Officers with a blunt object and made death threats against them.

Valdez had entered his family's residence on the 300 block of South Wood Street and subsequently barricaded himself inside. Upon the arrival of the Montgomery County SERT team, the residence was already surrounded by Caney Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers who attempted to communicate with Valdez to encourage him to exit the premises peacefully.

Despite the initial efforts to establish dialogue, Valdez remained inside and refused to comply with orders to come out. The SERT team then requested additional support from the Coffeyville Police Department SOT team to assist in the operation. 

After several hours on the scene with Valdez refusing to exit, the decision was made to deploy less-lethal gas munitions into the residence to encourage his surrender. Following the deployment of these munitions, Valdez eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.

Upon his arrest, Valdez was examined by Caney EMS and then transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections by the Caney Police Department. The operation concluded with no serious injuries to law enforcement personnel or other individuals involved.

Valdez remains jailed on requested charges of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714581330698.png" alt="Valdez-photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Valdez-photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a Kansas home.Just before 7:30a.m. April 27,&nbsp; the Caney, Kansas Police Department requested assistance from the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SERT) to address a barricaded individual inside a home, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.The person in question, identified as 33-year-old Nathan Valdez of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, had reportedly threatened Caney Police Officers with a blunt object and made death threats against them.Valdez had entered his family's residence on the 300 block of South Wood Street and subsequently barricaded himself inside. Upon the arrival of the Montgomery County SERT team, the residence was already surrounded by Caney Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers who attempted to communicate with Valdez to encourage him to exit the premises peacefully.Despite the initial efforts to establish dialogue, Valdez remained inside and refused to comply with orders to come out. The SERT team then requested additional support from the Coffeyville Police Department SOT team to assist in the operation. After several hours on the scene with Valdez refusing to exit, the decision was made to deploy less-lethal gas munitions into the residence to encourage his surrender. Following the deployment of these munitions, Valdez eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.Upon his arrest, Valdez was examined by Caney EMS and then transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections by the Caney Police Department. The operation concluded with no serious injuries to law enforcement personnel or other individuals involved.Valdez remains jailed on requested charges of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

Police used less-lethal gas munitions to end Kansas standoff

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas, man was arrested last week while crossing the border from Mexico back into the United States after being indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing 41 firearms from a gun store in Raytown, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

“We are committed to stanching the flow of illegal firearms on the black market, whether they’re trafficked within the United States or smuggled into Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri. “Stolen firearms often supply black market dealers and fuel more crime and violence. It’s critical that we hold to account everyone involved along this chain of criminal activity.”

“The charges demonstrate the power of crime gun intelligence and cooperation with Mexican law enforcement to stem the flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico — where they arm the violent cartels that flood our communities with deadly drugs,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “By submitting information about recovered firearms to ATF’s eTrace system, Mexican law enforcement helped us link the alleged theft of firearms in Missouri to their international transport and recovery in Mexico.”

“Mexican organized crime groups use firearms to commit heinous crimes against civilians and rival criminal groups,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “There is no safe hiding place for anyone engaged in illegal firearms trafficking to Mexico.&nbsp; Stemming the flow of illegal guns to Mexico is of the highest priority for ATF and we will work relentlessly to investigate firearm thefts in order to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms.”

Frank Guereca, 22,&nbsp; Olathe, was charged with one count of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, April 24. The indictment was unsealed and made public today. Guereca is scheduled for his initial court appearance today at 2:30 p.m. in El Paso, Texas (3:30 p.m. CST) before U.S Magistrate Judge Miguel Torres of the Western District of Texas.

The federal indictment alleges that Guereca, aiding and abetting others, stole the firearms on June 16, 2023. All of the stolen firearms were pistols of various manufacturers and calibers.

According to court documents, Guereca and at least two others used a stolen U-Haul to conduct the firearms theft. One of the stolen pistols from the gun store was recovered in Tracy, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2023. A second stolen pistol was recovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Dec. 19, 2023. A third stolen pistol was recovered in Juarez, Mexico, on Feb. 6, 2024.

Guereca was arrested on Thursday, April 25, as he attempted to cross back into the United States from Mexico. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records, Guereca had previously crossed the border approximately 20 times since the burglary and theft on June 16, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702505915425.png" alt="Photo Aristide Economopoulos&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Aristide Economopoulos&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas, man was arrested last week while crossing the border from Mexico back into the United States after being indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing 41 firearms from a gun store in Raytown, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.“We are committed to stanching the flow of illegal firearms on the black market, whether they’re trafficked within the United States or smuggled into Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri. “Stolen firearms often supply black market dealers and fuel more crime and violence. It’s critical that we hold to account everyone involved along this chain of criminal activity.”“The charges demonstrate the power of crime gun intelligence and cooperation with Mexican law enforcement to stem the flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico — where they arm the violent cartels that flood our communities with deadly drugs,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “By submitting information about recovered firearms to ATF’s eTrace system, Mexican law enforcement helped us link the alleged theft of firearms in Missouri to their international transport and recovery in Mexico.”“Mexican organized crime groups use firearms to commit heinous crimes against civilians and rival criminal groups,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “There is no safe hiding place for anyone engaged in illegal firearms trafficking to Mexico.&nbsp; Stemming the flow of illegal guns to Mexico is of the highest priority for ATF and we will work relentlessly to investigate firearm thefts in order to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms.”Frank Guereca, 22,&nbsp; Olathe, was charged with one count of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, April 24. The indictment was unsealed and made public today. Guereca is scheduled for his initial court appearance today at 2:30 p.m. in El Paso, Texas (3:30 p.m. CST) before U.S Magistrate Judge Miguel Torres of the Western District of Texas.The federal indictment alleges that Guereca, aiding and abetting others, stole the firearms on June 16, 2023. All of the stolen firearms were pistols of various manufacturers and calibers.According to court documents, Guereca and at least two others used a stolen U-Haul to conduct the firearms theft. One of the stolen pistols from the gun store was recovered in Tracy, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2023. A second stolen pistol was recovered in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Dec. 19, 2023. A third stolen pistol was recovered in Juarez, Mexico, on Feb. 6, 2024.Guereca was arrested on Thursday, April 25, as he attempted to cross back into the United States from Mexico. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records, Guereca had previously crossed the border approximately 20 times since the burglary and theft on June 16, 2023.

Kan. man caught at Mexico border accused in theft of 41 firearms

WASHINGTON (AP) — “Star Wars” actor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-star-wars-luke-hamill-app-08ec03bf1a2c9c0378857090079f00f9">Mark Hamill dropped by the White House</a>&nbsp;on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the president's aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office.

(click below to watch Hamill's fun during the press briefing)

“I love the merch," he said, taking off the glasses during a quick appearance at the White House daily press briefing following his visit with Biden. Hamill, 72, famous for playing Luke Skywalker, kidded with reporters that he'd take a few questions — as long as they weren't about “Star Wars.”

“I was honored to be asked to come to the White House to meet the president,” he said. He's been to the White House before, during the Carter and Obama administrations, but he'd never checked out the Oval Office, and that was quite something, he said. Biden showed off photographs and other Oval Office items, Hamill said.

Hamill said Biden told him to call him “Joe,” to which Hamill offered an alternative suggestion: “Can I call you Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi?”

“He liked that,” said Hamill, who also voiced the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series.”

Both Hamill and the White House were vague about his reason for visiting. But Hamill, a Democrat and Biden supporter with a huge social media following, has been posting about the president's reelection campaign this week.

“May The First Not Quench Your Thirst For Biden’s Re-election!” he wrote on May 1.

On Friday he posted, “May The Third Be Absurd That The Guy Who Tried To Steal A Fair Election Is Allowed To Run Again," a reference to Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

May 4th is unofficially “Star Wars” Day, in part because of the famous Jedi phrase “May the force be with you." The pun goes, “May the fourth be with you.”

Hamill also lent his voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine’s air defense system. His voice urges people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (AP) — “Star Wars” actor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-star-wars-luke-hamill-app-08ec03bf1a2c9c0378857090079f00f9">Mark Hamill dropped by the White House</a>&nbsp;on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the president's aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office.(click below to watch Hamill's fun during the press briefing)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F280489755135170%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=150" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“I love the merch," he said, taking off the glasses during a quick appearance at the White House daily press briefing following his visit with Biden. Hamill, 72, famous for playing Luke Skywalker, kidded with reporters that he'd take a few questions — as long as they weren't about “Star Wars.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">May The Fourth Be The Day A Make-Believe Defender Of The Galaxy Met A Real-Life Defender Of Democracy<a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/yXPlW7W7Y7">pic.twitter.com/yXPlW7W7Y7</a>&mdash; Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkHamill/status/1786720218443641299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I was honored to be asked to come to the White House to meet the president,” he said. He's been to the White House before, during the Carter and Obama administrations, but he'd never checked out the Oval Office, and that was quite something, he said. Biden showed off photographs and other Oval Office items, Hamill said.Hamill said Biden told him to call him “Joe,” to which Hamill offered an alternative suggestion: “Can I call you Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi?”“He liked that,” said Hamill, who also voiced the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series.”Both Hamill and the White House were vague about his reason for visiting. But Hamill, a Democrat and Biden supporter with a huge social media following, has been posting about the president's reelection campaign this week.“May The First Not Quench Your Thirst For Biden’s Re-election!” he wrote on May 1.On Friday he posted, “May The Third Be Absurd That The Guy Who Tried To Steal A Fair Election Is Allowed To Run Again," a reference to Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.May 4th is unofficially “Star Wars” Day, in part because of the famous Jedi phrase “May the force be with you." The pun goes, “May the fourth be with you.”Hamill also lent his voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine’s air defense system. His voice urges people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.

🎥'Star Wars' actor drops by White House for a visit with 'Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi'

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Topeka Police Department (TPD) arrested a man for his role in an officer-involved shooting that occurred April 20, in Topeka.

Just before noon Friday, Terrell D. Hayes-Osby, 34, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawfully tampering with electronic monitoring equipment, according to a media release from the KBI.

Hayes-Osby was arrested as he was released from Stormont Vail Hospital where he was recovering from injuries sustained in the shooting.

The attempted capital murder charge was secured by the KBI who is investigating the officer-involved shooting near 16th&nbsp;St. and Tyler St., where Hayes-Osby fired a pistol multiple times toward TPD officers. The remaining felony charges were secured by TPD in their investigation into the theft at gunpoint of a pickup truck, occurring prior to the shooting at the gas station at 2740 SE California Ave.

Following the arrest, Hayes-Osby was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714762892804.png" alt="Hayes-Osby-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hayes-Osby-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Topeka Police Department (TPD) arrested a man for his role in an officer-involved shooting that occurred April 20, in Topeka.Just before noon Friday, Terrell D. Hayes-Osby, 34, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawfully tampering with electronic monitoring equipment, according to a media release from the KBI.Hayes-Osby was arrested as he was released from Stormont Vail Hospital where he was recovering from injuries sustained in the shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713660808243.png" alt="Photo of the police investigation courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the police investigation courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The attempted capital murder charge was secured by the KBI who is investigating the officer-involved shooting near 16th&nbsp;St. and Tyler St., where Hayes-Osby fired a pistol multiple times toward TPD officers. The remaining felony charges were secured by TPD in their investigation into the theft at gunpoint of a pickup truck, occurring prior to the shooting at the gas station at 2740 SE California Ave.Following the arrest, Hayes-Osby was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kan. carjacking suspect shot by police moved from hospital to jail

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man who tried to kill a woman and shot at a car with her and their children in it pleaded guilty on Thursday, before his trial was scheduled to start Monday.

According to Reno County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh, on Thursday Kamden Campos plead guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping, no contest to four separate attempts to kill the woman, guilty to knowingly causing great bodily harm to the 22 month old in the car, as a&nbsp;bullet had entered the license plate, gone through the car seat and entered the back of the minor child.

Campos also plead no contest to attempted murder in the first degree of a baby who was also in the back seat when the car was shot at and plead guilty to two counts of criminal threat.

The pleas of guilty were admission of guilt. The no contest pleas were admissions that the State of Kansas had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt and that evidence was not contested.&nbsp;

The prosecution informed the Court of the factual basis to support the counts and he was then found guilty.

Sentencing is set in Division I on June 7, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

In July of 2022, Campos was arrested after allegedly abducting a woman and her family in Wichita. They drove out to Cheney Lake. When the woman tried to escape in a vehicle, Campos allegedly shot at the vehicle, hitting a 2-year-old girl.&nbsp;

The woman drove into Sedgwick County and called 911. The child was taken to Wesley Medical Center where she underwent surgery and has recovered.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669822978225.jpeg" alt="Kamden Campos photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Kamden Campos photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man who tried to kill a woman and shot at a car with her and their children in it pleaded guilty on Thursday, before his trial was scheduled to start Monday.According to Reno County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh, on Thursday Kamden Campos plead guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping, no contest to four separate attempts to kill the woman, guilty to knowingly causing great bodily harm to the 22 month old in the car, as a&nbsp;bullet had entered the license plate, gone through the car seat and entered the back of the minor child.Campos also plead no contest to attempted murder in the first degree of a baby who was also in the back seat when the car was shot at and plead guilty to two counts of criminal threat.The pleas of guilty were admission of guilt. The no contest pleas were admissions that the State of Kansas had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt and that evidence was not contested.&nbsp;The prosecution informed the Court of the factual basis to support the counts and he was then found guilty.Sentencing is set in Division I on June 7, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.In July of 2022, Campos was arrested after allegedly abducting a woman and her family in Wichita. They drove out to Cheney Lake. When the woman tried to escape in a vehicle, Campos allegedly shot at the vehicle, hitting a 2-year-old girl.&nbsp;The woman drove into Sedgwick County and called 911. The child was taken to Wesley Medical Center where she underwent surgery and has recovered.

Man enters plea in abduction, shooting of Kan. toddler

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — Advocates on Friday turned in more than twice the needed number of signatures to put a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-abortion-campaign-fundraising-election-740fd1267ab84d5e2a4cf6ebe5a56b71">proposal to legalize abortion</a>&nbsp;on the Missouri ballot this year.

The campaign said it turned in more than 380,000 voter signatures — more than double the minimum 171,000 needed to qualify for the ballot.

“Our message is simple and clear,” ACLU Missouri lawyer and campaign spokesperson Tori Schafer said in a statement. “We want to make decisions about our bodies free from political interference.”

If approved by voters, the constitutional amendment would ensure abortion rights until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-viability-ballot-initiatives-2024-roe-fcf440373973b01f740912cd3bbd98a4">viability</a>.

A moderate, Republican-led Missouri campaign earlier this year abandoned an effort for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitutional-amendment-viability-37e28b7609607ae762626206ea1a72c1">an alternate amendment</a>&nbsp;that would have allowed abortion up to 12 weeks and after that with only limited exceptions.

Like many Republican-controlled states, Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed almost all abortions</a>&nbsp;with no exceptions in the case of rape or incest immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Missouri law only allows abortions for medical emergencies.

There has been a movement to put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion rights questions</a>&nbsp;to voters following the 2022 decision. So far, voters in seven states — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont — have sided with abortion rights supporters on ballot measures.

It’s not clear yet how many states will vote on measures to enshrine abortion access in November. In some, the question is whether amendment supporters can get enough valid signatures. In others, it’s up to the legislature. And there’s legal wrangling in the process in some states.

In Missouri, it's now up to Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to check the validity of the abortion-rights campaign's signatures.

Signature-gathering efforts by the campaign were delayed in part because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-amendment-ballot-31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751">legal battle with Ashcroft</a>&nbsp;last year over how to word the abortion question if it gets on the ballot.

Ashcroft had proposed asking voters whether they are in favor of allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.”

A state appeals court in October&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">said the wording was politically partisan</a>.

Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers in Missouri are feuding over another proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the bar for voters to enact future constitutional amendments.

The hope is that the changes would go before voters on the August primary ballot, so the higher threshold for&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/3d6e2f0d0f5993ddd75522b662d2eb34">constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;would be in place if the abortion-rights amendment is on the November ballot.

A faction of Senate Republicans staged a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">days-long filibuster</a>&nbsp;this week in an attempt to more quickly force the constitutional amendment through the Legislature. But the House and Senate passed different versions of the proposal, and there are only two weeks left before lawmakers' deadline to pass legislation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714753111369.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINEKANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — Advocates on Friday turned in more than twice the needed number of signatures to put a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-abortion-campaign-fundraising-election-740fd1267ab84d5e2a4cf6ebe5a56b71">proposal to legalize abortion</a>&nbsp;on the Missouri ballot this year.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMOConstitutionalFreedom%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02xvEZsoKCddN9mbuvMQTWrWCceZBiLX81qzUHBMXusWPXiK6tz1jReqvXdgcSe8F6l&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="648" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The campaign said it turned in more than 380,000 voter signatures — more than double the minimum 171,000 needed to qualify for the ballot.“Our message is simple and clear,” ACLU Missouri lawyer and campaign spokesperson Tori Schafer said in a statement. “We want to make decisions about our bodies free from political interference.”If approved by voters, the constitutional amendment would ensure abortion rights until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-viability-ballot-initiatives-2024-roe-fcf440373973b01f740912cd3bbd98a4">viability</a>.A moderate, Republican-led Missouri campaign earlier this year abandoned an effort for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitutional-amendment-viability-37e28b7609607ae762626206ea1a72c1">an alternate amendment</a>&nbsp;that would have allowed abortion up to 12 weeks and after that with only limited exceptions.Like many Republican-controlled states, Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed almost all abortions</a>&nbsp;with no exceptions in the case of rape or incest immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Missouri law only allows abortions for medical emergencies.There has been a movement to put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion rights questions</a>&nbsp;to voters following the 2022 decision. So far, voters in seven states — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont — have sided with abortion rights supporters on ballot measures.It’s not clear yet how many states will vote on measures to enshrine abortion access in November. In some, the question is whether amendment supporters can get enough valid signatures. In others, it’s up to the legislature. And there’s legal wrangling in the process in some states.In Missouri, it's now up to Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to check the validity of the abortion-rights campaign's signatures.Signature-gathering efforts by the campaign were delayed in part because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-amendment-ballot-31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751">legal battle with Ashcroft</a>&nbsp;last year over how to word the abortion question if it gets on the ballot.Ashcroft had proposed asking voters whether they are in favor of allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.”A state appeals court in October&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">said the wording was politically partisan</a>.Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers in Missouri are feuding over another proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the bar for voters to enact future constitutional amendments.The hope is that the changes would go before voters on the August primary ballot, so the higher threshold for&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/3d6e2f0d0f5993ddd75522b662d2eb34">constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;would be in place if the abortion-rights amendment is on the November ballot.A faction of Senate Republicans staged a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">days-long filibuster</a>&nbsp;this week in an attempt to more quickly force the constitutional amendment through the Legislature. But the House and Senate passed different versions of the proposal, and there are only two weeks left before lawmakers' deadline to pass legislation.

Mo. abortion-rights campaign has signatures needed to get on ballot

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the burglary and theft of a law enforcement vehicle and equipment made an arrest.

The burglary occurred April 17, in the overnight hours at the Spring Hill Suites,  2745 SW Fairlawn Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

Police later located the vehicle unoccupied in the 1800 block of SE Maryland Street.

Investigators identified a suspect and have been working to find him. Just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday, located and arrested Vashawn M. Fitzpatrick, 36, of Topeka, in the 4400 block of SE Michigan Avenue in Topeka.

Fitzpatrick was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Theft $25,000 &lt;$100,000 Motor Vehicle, Theft of Firearm with value less than $25,000 (From Motor Vehicle), Possession of stolen property; Felony Theft &gt;$1,500 &lt;$25,000 Motor Vehicle and 8 warrants. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714693812722.png" alt="Fitzpatrick-Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Fitzpatrick-Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the burglary and theft of a law enforcement vehicle and equipment made an arrest.The burglary occurred April 17, in the overnight hours at the Spring Hill Suites, 2745 SW Fairlawn Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.Police later located the vehicle unoccupied in the 1800 block of SE Maryland Street.Investigators identified a suspect and have been working to find him. Just after 10:30p.m. Tuesday, located and arrested Vashawn M. Fitzpatrick, 36, of Topeka, in the 4400 block of SE Michigan Avenue in Topeka.Fitzpatrick was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Theft $25,000 &lt;$100,000 Motor Vehicle, Theft of Firearm with value less than $25,000 (From Motor Vehicle), Possession of stolen property; Felony Theft &gt;$1,500 &lt;$25,000 Motor Vehicle and 8 warrants. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of burglary, theft of law enforcement vehicle

On Thursday, Saline County received word from Colu, the Choose Saline County app developer, that the Choose Saline County app will be discontinued June 1, 2024.

"There'll be some changes, but at the end of the day, our goal is to encourage people to support local businesses," said Melissa McCoy, Saline County Public Information Officer. "People have loved the Choose Saline County app they love earning cashback on local purpose purchases and while that will change while it will look a little bit differently, that will still occur."&nbsp;

With the announcement, many are sure to have questions about what this means for their Saline Stars. Here are some important dates to keep in mind to make the most of the time we have left with the Choose Saline County app.

Friday, May 17&nbsp;will be the final day to&nbsp;earn&nbsp;Saline Stars by making purchases with your linked cards at participating local merchants

Friday, May 31&nbsp;will be the final day to&nbsp;redeem&nbsp;Saline Stars for free-to-you goods and services at redeeming merchants. Remember, your redemptions allow those businesses to be reimbursed using the County's American Rescue Plan Act funds. Any unused Stars in your wallet will expire at midnight

Saturday, June 1&nbsp;the Choose Saline County app will be removed from the app store

Users currently have over $93,000 worth of Stars in their wallets. This program has a lot of benefits left to give and only one month to give it. If Saline County residents find themselves at the end of the month with dollars in their wallets, please consider donating them to one of the nonprofits on the app.

"We are so proud of what this app has been able to accomplish over the last two years," McCoy said. "Users have earned more than $300,000 worth of stars by shopping at local businesses generating an estimated economic impact of over $5.6 million. This success is exactly what this app set out to achieve and why we are committed to bringing a similar program in to fill the void."

Saline County Commission Chairman Joe Hay Jr. announced on social media that the commission will discuss this at their weekly commission meeting on May 14

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714749694007.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Saline County received word from Colu, the Choose Saline County app developer, that the Choose Saline County app will be discontinued June 1, 2024."There'll be some changes, but at the end of the day, our goal is to encourage people to support local businesses," said Melissa McCoy, Saline County Public Information Officer. "People have loved the Choose Saline County app they love earning cashback on local purpose purchases and while that will change while it will look a little bit differently, that will still occur."&nbsp;With the announcement, many are sure to have questions about what this means for their Saline Stars. Here are some important dates to keep in mind to make the most of the time we have left with the Choose Saline County app.Friday, May 17&nbsp;will be the final day to&nbsp;earn&nbsp;Saline Stars by making purchases with your linked cards at participating local merchantsFriday, May 31&nbsp;will be the final day to&nbsp;redeem&nbsp;Saline Stars for free-to-you goods and services at redeeming merchants. Remember, your redemptions allow those businesses to be reimbursed using the County's American Rescue Plan Act funds. Any unused Stars in your wallet will expire at midnightSaturday, June 1&nbsp;the Choose Saline County app will be removed from the app storeUsers currently have over $93,000 worth of Stars in their wallets. This program has a lot of benefits left to give and only one month to give it. If Saline County residents find themselves at the end of the month with dollars in their wallets, please consider donating them to one of the nonprofits on the app."We are so proud of what this app has been able to accomplish over the last two years," McCoy said. "Users have earned more than $300,000 worth of stars by shopping at local businesses generating an estimated economic impact of over $5.6 million. This success is exactly what this app set out to achieve and why we are committed to bringing a similar program in to fill the void."Saline County Commission Chairman Joe Hay Jr. announced on social media that the commission will discuss this at their weekly commission meeting on May 14

Choose Saline County App ends: deadline to use rewards

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal to legalize sports betting before voters this November.

The campaign had help from Cardinals’ mascot Fredbird, Royals’ Sluggerrr and St. Louis Blues’ mascot Louie. The oversized bird, lion and blue bear waved enthusiastically as they hauled boxes filled with voter signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft now must validate the voter signatures before the proposal officially makes it on the ballot. The campaign needs roughly 180,000 signatures to qualify.

A total of&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/4DE55/7/">38 states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia now allow some form sports betting, including 30 states and the nation’s capital that allow online wagering.

The Missouri initiative is an attempt to sidestep the Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. Missouri is one of just a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way</a>&nbsp;for states to adopt it.

Teams in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">the coalition</a>&nbsp;include the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would control onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also would allow two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes would go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education. If approved by voters, state regulators would have to launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714691807085.jpeg" alt="Mascots for the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals haul boxes of voter signatures collected in order to put a proposal to legalize sports betting on the ballot this year, Thursday, May 2, 2024, outside the Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine)" />
 <figcaption>Mascots for the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals haul boxes of voter signatures collected in order to put a proposal to legalize sports betting on the ballot this year, Thursday, May 2, 2024, outside the Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal to legalize sports betting before voters this November.The campaign had help from Cardinals’ mascot Fredbird, Royals’ Sluggerrr and St. Louis Blues’ mascot Louie. The oversized bird, lion and blue bear waved enthusiastically as they hauled boxes filled with voter signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City.Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft now must validate the voter signatures before the proposal officially makes it on the ballot. The campaign needs roughly 180,000 signatures to qualify.A total of&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/4DE55/7/">38 states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia now allow some form sports betting, including 30 states and the nation’s capital that allow online wagering.The Missouri initiative is an attempt to sidestep the Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. Missouri is one of just a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way</a>&nbsp;for states to adopt it.Teams in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">the coalition</a>&nbsp;include the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.The proposed constitutional amendment would allow each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would control onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also would allow two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes would go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education. If approved by voters, state regulators would have to launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

Mascots help campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri 

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

TOPEKA — Posting a “Wizard of Oz” meme and accusing Gov. Laura Kelly of “political spite,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins led the charge to make those who severely injure or kill police dogs pay for their medical care or funerals.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law,” was inspired by a Sedgwick County service dog named Bane that was killed&nbsp;last year by a fleeing suspect the dog had chased into a sewer drain.

Kelly vetoed the bill but on Monday was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.

During the incarceration period, the perpetrator also will have to go through a psychological evaluation and completion of an anger management program as a condition of probation, although this provision is already included in Kansas statute.

The bill was introduced by Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, earlier in the session. Kansas statute previously required a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for the crime of severely harming or killing police dogs.

In her veto explanation, Kelly said the death of law enforcement animals is always a tragedy, but the heightened sentencing, psychological evaluation and anger management requirements were not mandated for other, more severe offenses.

“House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process,” Kelly said. “Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.”

In response, Hawkins&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482/photo/1">posted on X&nbsp;</a>a meme of Kelly photoshopped into a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” with the caption, “I’ll get you law enforcement, and your little dogs too!” Underneath, he wrote: “Don’t forget Gov. Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite.”

Others shared Kelly’s concerns about the implications of the bill’s heightened punishments.

Because people who harm or kill these animals under the law are now responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency — paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal — expenses can be thousands of dollars, adding an additional burden to the jail time and fine.

Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement in previous bill debate.

“We should trust the police, but oftentimes we can’t, and that’s an issue,” Carr said during Monday’s House veto override debate.

Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who worked for decades in law enforcement and had experience with police dog training, pushed back on Carr’s claims. Johnson said the dogs were highly trained for all circumstances.

“They are not used as bite dogs. That is not their focus,” Johnson said. “… They become your family. I had one of the most wonderful German Shepherds in my entire life experience. We literally had a family funeral when he passed away. That animal would obey every and any command. I could walk in a schoolhouse among children and you would never know. Please, do not equate things that happened in the 1960s, in the ‘50s, with the way training is done now. It’s not allowed.”

Owens brought up the circumstance of Bane’s death in his defense of the bill, emphasizing K-9 officers’ role in protecting officers.

“That defendant brutally kicked that dog and caused significant internal damage to the point it was so weak that that individual was able to strangle that dog to death,” Owens said. “I want you to think if we had sent a law enforcement officer down there, how that might have played out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="A memorial service held Nov. 29 for K9 officer Bane -photo Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A memorial service held Nov. 29 for K9 officer Bane -photo Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Posting a “Wizard of Oz” meme and accusing Gov. Laura Kelly of “political spite,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins led the charge to make those who severely injure or kill police dogs pay for their medical care or funerals.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sometimes the truth hurts. Don’t forget Gov Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/sgui3tBXm4">pic.twitter.com/sgui3tBXm4</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law,” was inspired by a Sedgwick County service dog named Bane that was killed&nbsp;last year by a fleeing suspect the dog had chased into a sewer drain.Kelly vetoed the bill but on Monday was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.During the incarceration period, the perpetrator also will have to go through a psychological evaluation and completion of an anger management program as a condition of probation, although this provision is already included in Kansas statute.The bill was introduced by Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, earlier in the session. Kansas statute previously required a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for the crime of severely harming or killing police dogs.In her veto explanation, Kelly said the death of law enforcement animals is always a tragedy, but the heightened sentencing, psychological evaluation and anger management requirements were not mandated for other, more severe offenses.“House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process,” Kelly said. “Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.”In response, Hawkins&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482/photo/1">posted on X&nbsp;</a>a meme of Kelly photoshopped into a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” with the caption, “I’ll get you law enforcement, and your little dogs too!” Underneath, he wrote: “Don’t forget Gov. Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite.”Others shared Kelly’s concerns about the implications of the bill’s heightened punishments.Because people who harm or kill these animals under the law are now responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency — paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal — expenses can be thousands of dollars, adding an additional burden to the jail time and fine.Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement in previous bill debate.“We should trust the police, but oftentimes we can’t, and that’s an issue,” Carr said during Monday’s House veto override debate.Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who worked for decades in law enforcement and had experience with police dog training, pushed back on Carr’s claims. Johnson said the dogs were highly trained for all circumstances.“They are not used as bite dogs. That is not their focus,” Johnson said. “… They become your family. I had one of the most wonderful German Shepherds in my entire life experience. We literally had a family funeral when he passed away. That animal would obey every and any command. I could walk in a schoolhouse among children and you would never know. Please, do not equate things that happened in the 1960s, in the ‘50s, with the way training is done now. It’s not allowed.”Owens brought up the circumstance of Bane’s death in his defense of the bill, emphasizing K-9 officers’ role in protecting officers.“That defendant brutally kicked that dog and caused significant internal damage to the point it was so weak that that individual was able to strangle that dog to death,” Owens said. “I want you to think if we had sent a law enforcement officer down there, how that might have played out.”

Inspired by death of beloved dog, Kan. police animal protection bill set to become law

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department.

.At that time the officers took a man into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted the subject to the security office. While the man was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.

Officers attempted to get the man&nbsp; to spit the object out but he refused. The man began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.

Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.

He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. KCPD Detectives responded for a death investigation and worked with crime scene investigators to process the scene.

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department.Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina..At that time the officers took a man into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted the subject to the security office. While the man was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.Officers attempted to get the man&nbsp; to spit the object out but he refused. The man began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. KCPD Detectives responded for a death investigation and worked with crime scene investigators to process the scene.

KCPD: Shoplifting suspect dies after taken into custody

TOPEKA -&nbsp;Kansas law prohibits the University of Kansas from granting pro-Hamas protesters’ demands, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote in a letter sent Thursday to KU Chancellor Doug Girod and members of the Kansas Board of Regents.

“As is often the case with uninformed, petulant loudmouths, (the protesters) have not done their research. And their views are reprehensible. I trust that you will not honor them,” Kobach’s letter reads.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="http://%20https//ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/letter-to-ku-and-board-of-regents.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the letter from Attorney General Kobach.

Protesters at KU are demanding that the university divest financial ties to Israel. However, the Kansas Legislature has already spoken on the topic.“The University of Kansas has many hallowed traditions, but siding with bloodthirsty, antisemitic terrorists is not one of them. I encourage you to enforce all applicable university rules and regulations so that the educational mission of the university is not disrupted,” Kobach wrote. “The taxpayers of Kansas expect and deserve the very best from KU.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585191259.png" alt="Protestors at KU Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Protestors at KU Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA -&nbsp;Kansas law prohibits the University of Kansas from granting pro-Hamas protesters’ demands, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote in a letter sent Thursday to KU Chancellor Doug Girod and members of the Kansas Board of Regents.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/universityofkansas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#universityofkansas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/unversityprotests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#unversityprotests</a> <a href="https://t.co/rf6tdQikFF">pic.twitter.com/rf6tdQikFF</a>&mdash; University Daily Kansan 🌾 (@KansanNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansanNews/status/1786116092076662990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585098880.png" alt="Letter from protesters to the KU Chancellor" />
 <figcaption>Letter from protesters to the KU Chancellor</figcaption>
 </figure>“As is often the case with uninformed, petulant loudmouths, (the protesters) have not done their research. And their views are reprehensible. I trust that you will not honor them,” Kobach’s letter reads.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="http://%20https//ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/letter-to-ku-and-board-of-regents.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the letter from Attorney General Kobach.Protesters at KU are demanding that the university divest financial ties to Israel. However, the Kansas Legislature has already spoken on the topic.“The University of Kansas has many hallowed traditions, but siding with bloodthirsty, antisemitic terrorists is not one of them. I encourage you to enforce all applicable university rules and regulations so that the educational mission of the university is not disrupted,” Kobach wrote. “The taxpayers of Kansas expect and deserve the very best from KU.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. AG reminds KU that pro-Hamas protesters’ demands are illegal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.

The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.

The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.

It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.

But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.

“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.

But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.

“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”

The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”

The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."

It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.

A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.

After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.

“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”

Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.

The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.

The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.

The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714692325534.png" alt="Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News." />
 <figcaption>Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."The new version omits this phrase and describes “human sexuality as a sacred gift” and a “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” It doesn't say anything about restricting sexual activity to marriage. It does say people have the right to consent to sex and condemns sexual harassment and exploitation and opposes pornography as “destructive.”The new version calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.Thursday’s change is particularly significant because the “incompatible” clause dates back to the beginning of the 52-year-old debate on LGBTQ issues within one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. The phrasing was adopted on the floor of the 1972 General Conference via an amendment proposed by a delegate, added to the original draft statement that had said “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”The denomination had been revising and adding to the Social Principles for decades; this amounts to the first wholesale rewrite in many years. Other revisions were approved earlier this week.The drafters chose general language because the denomination spans countries and cultures, said John Hill, interim general secretary at the Board of Church and Society, at a news conference earlier this week.