WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been briefed on the investigation into the discovery of cocaine on the lobby floor of the White House West Wing, and thinks it is “incredibly important” for the Secret Service to determine how it got there, officials said Wednesday.

(click below to watch press briefing on the cocaine investigation)

U.S. Secret Service agents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-suspicious-substance-cocaine-bd7a792357a85453cf55b6c955ff1b4f" target="_blank">found the powder during a routine</a>&nbsp;White House sweep on Sunday, in a small, clear plastic bag on the ground in a heavily trafficked area, according to three people, who were not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the White House had confidence in the Secret Service. “The president think it’s incredibly important to get to the bottom of this,” she said.

Biden was at Camp David with members of his family for the holiday weekend when the powder was discovered and the complex was briefly evacuated as a precaution. The fire department was called in to test the substance to determine it was not hazardous, and the initial test came back positive for cocaine. A secondary, more sensitive lab analysis confirmed the results.

Investigators have not yet identified who brought the drugs into the White House. The Secret Service, which is responsible for securing the White House, was combing through visitor logs and security footage.

The lobby where the drugs were found is where many official visitors and staffers enter. It is also open to staff-led tours of the West Wing, which are scheduled for nonworking hours on the weekends and evenings. Those tours are invitation-only and led by White House staff for friends, family and other guests. Most staffers who work on the complex can request an evening or weekend tour slot, but there is often a long wait list.

If a White House employee brought in the drugs, it would be easier to determine, because staff are fingerprinted and subjected to drug tests. A visitor would be harder to pin down; there were tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last week.

The District of Columbia fire department was called in Sunday to test the substance to determine whether it was hazardous, though officials immediately suspected illicit drugs because of how it was packaged, two of the people said. It’s routine to follow up with a more sensitive lab tests later. That test was returned Wednesday.

The Secret Service said in a statement Tuesday that the White House was closed as a precaution as emergency crews investigated.

“The item was sent for further evaluation and an investigation into the cause and manner of how it entered the White House is pending,” the Secret Service said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been briefed on the investigation into the discovery of cocaine on the lobby floor of the White House West Wing, and thinks it is “incredibly important” for the Secret Service to determine how it got there, officials said Wednesday.(click below to watch press briefing on the cocaine investigation)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1012360460003301%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=529" 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>U.S. Secret Service agents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-suspicious-substance-cocaine-bd7a792357a85453cf55b6c955ff1b4f" target="_blank">found the powder during a routine</a>&nbsp;White House sweep on Sunday, in a small, clear plastic bag on the ground in a heavily trafficked area, according to three people, who were not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the White House had confidence in the Secret Service. “The president think it’s incredibly important to get to the bottom of this,” she said.Biden was at Camp David with members of his family for the holiday weekend when the powder was discovered and the complex was briefly evacuated as a precaution. The fire department was called in to test the substance to determine it was not hazardous, and the initial test came back positive for cocaine. A secondary, more sensitive lab analysis confirmed the results.Investigators have not yet identified who brought the drugs into the White House. The Secret Service, which is responsible for securing the White House, was combing through visitor logs and security footage.The lobby where the drugs were found is where many official visitors and staffers enter. It is also open to staff-led tours of the West Wing, which are scheduled for nonworking hours on the weekends and evenings. Those tours are invitation-only and led by White House staff for friends, family and other guests. Most staffers who work on the complex can request an evening or weekend tour slot, but there is often a long wait list.If a White House employee brought in the drugs, it would be easier to determine, because staff are fingerprinted and subjected to drug tests. A visitor would be harder to pin down; there were tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last week.The District of Columbia fire department was called in Sunday to test the substance to determine whether it was hazardous, though officials immediately suspected illicit drugs because of how it was packaged, two of the people said. It’s routine to follow up with a more sensitive lab tests later. That test was returned Wednesday.The Secret Service said in a statement Tuesday that the White House was closed as a precaution as emergency crews investigated.“The item was sent for further evaluation and an investigation into the cause and manner of how it entered the White House is pending,” the Secret Service said.

🎥 Biden responds to cocaine found at the White House

HOWELL COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at a golf course in Missouri and have made an arrest.

Just after 7a.m. Sunday, a lifted white Dodge truck was seen causing damage to the West Plains Municipal Golf Course, according to a media release from police.

The vehicle was seen driving through the golf course on the green and conducting donuts. Along with a description of the vehicle a name was given for the driver. The suspect reportedly caused approximately $20,000.00 worth of damage to the golf course.

Just before 10a.m.,&nbsp; a caller reported the same vehicle creating skid marks in the parking lot of the West Plains High School. Several large marks were found on scene along with tread imprints which matched tread marks from the Municipal Golf Course.

The vehicle was observed driving on Abe Taylor without displaying any state plates. The vehicle was stopped, and it was discovered that it had not been registered and had no proof of insurance.

The driver, 19-year-old Xane Norton of West Plains, was later arrested for Property Damage 1st Degree. Further charges will be sought for property damage, driving while intoxicated, minor in possession of alcohol, failure to show proof of insurance and failure to register a motor vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688647337464.png" alt="Norton-photo Howell County" />
 <figcaption>Norton-photo Howell County</figcaption>
 </figure>HOWELL COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism at a golf course in Missouri and have made an arrest.Just after 7a.m. Sunday, a lifted white Dodge truck was seen causing damage to the West Plains Municipal Golf Course, according to a media release from police.The vehicle was seen driving through the golf course on the green and conducting donuts. Along with a description of the vehicle a name was given for the driver. The suspect reportedly caused approximately $20,000.00 worth of damage to the golf course.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688647545219.png" alt="Photo West Plains Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo West Plains Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10a.m.,&nbsp; a caller reported the same vehicle creating skid marks in the parking lot of the West Plains High School. Several large marks were found on scene along with tread imprints which matched tread marks from the Municipal Golf Course.The vehicle was observed driving on Abe Taylor without displaying any state plates. The vehicle was stopped, and it was discovered that it had not been registered and had no proof of insurance.The driver, 19-year-old Xane Norton of West Plains, was later arrested for Property Damage 1st Degree. Further charges will be sought for property damage, driving while intoxicated, minor in possession of alcohol, failure to show proof of insurance and failure to register a motor vehicle.

Teen arrested after $20K in damage done on golf course

COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the random killing of a cow in a&nbsp; Kansas pasture.

On July 3, the Coffey County Kansas Sheriff learned&nbsp;about a cow that had been killed in the pasture, according to a media release.

According to the owner, the animal was a 3rd stage pregnant black limousin cow that was killed in the field and had chunks of meat taken from it.

The killing happened between the evening of July 2 and early morning of July 3.

Anyone with information regarding this incident please contact the Coffey County Sheriff's Office at 620-364-2123.

COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the random killing of a cow in a&nbsp; Kansas pasture.On July 3, the Coffey County Kansas Sheriff learned&nbsp;about a cow that had been killed in the pasture, according to a media release.According to the owner, the animal was a 3rd stage pregnant black limousin cow that was killed in the field and had chunks of meat taken from it.The killing happened between the evening of July 2 and early morning of July 3.Anyone with information regarding this incident please contact the Coffey County Sheriff's Office at 620-364-2123.

Sheriff: Chunks of meat taken from cow killed in Kansas pasture

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 44-year-old man from Wichita

Just after 12:30 am Wednesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital for a walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his head, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

 The victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was treated for his injury and was in stable condition.

The investigation revealed the incident took place in the 1600 block of East Fortuna Street in Wichita.

 Officers learned that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation within a large crowd when an unknown suspect produced a handgun and shot him.

Officers responded to the scene and encountered a large crowd and multiple casings. Due to the lack of cooperation from witnesses, investigators have not been able to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 44-year-old man from WichitaJust after 12:30 am Wednesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital for a walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his head, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo. The victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was treated for his injury and was in stable condition.The investigation revealed the incident took place in the 1600 block of East Fortuna Street in Wichita. Officers learned that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation within a large crowd when an unknown suspect produced a handgun and shot him.Officers responded to the scene and encountered a large crowd and multiple casings. Due to the lack of cooperation from witnesses, investigators have not been able to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

Police: Kan. man shot in the head attempting to break up fight in crowd

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, opening fire on one of them, the U.S. Navy said.

It said that in both cases, the Iranian naval vessels backed off after the U.S. Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene, and that both commercial ships continued their voyages.

“The Iranian navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” said Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. “The U.S. Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”

He said the gunfire directed at the second vessel did not cause casualties or major damage.

There was no immediate Iranian comment on the incidents.

The U.S. Navy said an Iranian naval vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged TRF Moss in the Gulf of Oman at around 1 a.m. The U.S. deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, as well as as MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane.

Three hours later, the U.S. Navy received a distress call from the Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager more than 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The Navy said another Iranian naval vessel had closed within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of the tanker and had ordered it to stop.

The same U.S. destroyer sped toward the tanker at “maximum speed,” the Navy said in a statement. “Prior to McFaul’s arrival on scene, Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons,” it said.

The U.S. Navy says Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the last two years and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-tanker-seizures-us-uk-navy-revolutionary-guard-a8996a3dccccc82f8fa8d8bf263c9cfb" target="_blank">has harassed</a>&nbsp;more than a dozen others. Many of the incidents have occurred in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all crude oil passes.

In April, masked Iranian navy commandos conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-oil-tanker-advantage-sweet-seized-40b8f90bc0484fcd626903eef5faf64c" target="_blank">a helicopter-borne raid</a>&nbsp;to seize a U.S.-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, footage of which was aired on Iranian state TV. Iran said the tanker was seized after it collided with another Iranian vessel but provided no evidence. In the past, Iran has seized commercial vessels to use as bargaining chips with the West.

Tensions have steadily risen since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and restored crippling sanctions. Iran has responded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-iran-politics-government-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-6acdb64d36fcbe05b3ee725d8a585d96" target="_blank">ramping up its nuclear activities</a>&nbsp;— which it says are purely peaceful — and is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-drone-factory-ukraine-war-dfdfb4602fecb0fe65935cb24c82421a" target="_blank">providing armed drones to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its war against Ukraine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688599050813.png" alt="Image U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet" />
 <figcaption>Image U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, opening fire on one of them, the U.S. Navy said.It said that in both cases, the Iranian naval vessels backed off after the U.S. Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene, and that both commercial ships continued their voyages.“The Iranian navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” said Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. “The U.S. Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”He said the gunfire directed at the second vessel did not cause casualties or major damage.There was no immediate Iranian comment on the incidents.The U.S. Navy said an Iranian naval vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged TRF Moss in the Gulf of Oman at around 1 a.m. The U.S. deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, as well as as MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688599074046.png" alt="Image U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet" />
 <figcaption>Image U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet</figcaption>
 </figure>Three hours later, the U.S. Navy received a distress call from the Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager more than 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The Navy said another Iranian naval vessel had closed within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of the tanker and had ordered it to stop.The same U.S. destroyer sped toward the tanker at “maximum speed,” the Navy said in a statement. “Prior to McFaul’s arrival on scene, Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons,” it said.The U.S. Navy says Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the last two years and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-tanker-seizures-us-uk-navy-revolutionary-guard-a8996a3dccccc82f8fa8d8bf263c9cfb" target="_blank">has harassed</a>&nbsp;more than a dozen others. Many of the incidents have occurred in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all crude oil passes.In April, masked Iranian navy commandos conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-oil-tanker-advantage-sweet-seized-40b8f90bc0484fcd626903eef5faf64c" target="_blank">a helicopter-borne raid</a>&nbsp;to seize a U.S.-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, footage of which was aired on Iranian state TV. Iran said the tanker was seized after it collided with another Iranian vessel but provided no evidence. In the past, Iran has seized commercial vessels to use as bargaining chips with the West.Tensions have steadily risen since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and restored crippling sanctions. Iran has responded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-iran-politics-government-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-6acdb64d36fcbe05b3ee725d8a585d96" target="_blank">ramping up its nuclear activities</a>&nbsp;— which it says are purely peaceful — and is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-drone-factory-ukraine-war-dfdfb4602fecb0fe65935cb24c82421a" target="_blank">providing armed drones to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its war against Ukraine.

U.S. Navy confronts Iran after shots fired at oil tanker

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wellington.

Just after 1:30p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the the 1300 block of North A Street in Wellington, according to a media release.

First responders found a 25-year-old woman shot once in the upper chest. EMS transported her to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.

After an investigation, police arrested a 24-year-old Michael Eugene Edgington and booked him into the Sumner County jail on requested charges of Murder in the 2nd degree; Unintentional but reckless, according to online jail records. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688570539512.png" alt="Edgington is being held on a $500,000 bond-photo Sumner Co." />
 <figcaption>Edgington is being held on a $500,000 bond-photo Sumner Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wellington.Just after 1:30p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the the 1300 block of North A Street in Wellington, according to a media release.First responders found a 25-year-old woman shot once in the upper chest. EMS transported her to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.After an investigation, police arrested a 24-year-old Michael Eugene Edgington and booked him into the Sumner County jail on requested charges of Murder in the 2nd degree; Unintentional but reckless, according to online jail records. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

Kan. man accused of unintentional, reckless murder of woman

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Butler County reported late Wednesday they found the owner of a large snake.

On their social media page Wednesday, the Andover Police Department wrote, "No two days are the same on this job.&nbsp; If anyone in Andover is missing a 15-foot python, please contact the Andover Police Department. Police reported no additional details and reported no injuries.

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Butler County are looking for the owner of a large snake.

f this large slithering friend belongs to you or if you have any information about a possible owner, please contact the Andover Police Department. 316-733-5177 Ext 0

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688589119403.png" alt="Photo Andover Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Andover Police</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Butler County reported late Wednesday they found the owner of a large snake.On their social media page Wednesday, the Andover Police Department wrote, "No two days are the same on this job.&nbsp; If anyone in Andover is missing a 15-foot python, please contact the Andover Police Department. Police reported no additional details and reported no injuries.-------------BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Butler County are looking for the owner of a large snake.On their social media page Wednesday, the Andover Police Department wrote, "No two days are the same on this job.&nbsp; If anyone in Andover is missing a 15-foot python, please contact the Andover Police Department. Police reported no additional details and reported no injuries.f this large slithering friend belongs to you or if you have any information about a possible owner, please contact the Andover Police Department. 316-733-5177 Ext 0

Police in Kansas locate owner of 15-foot python

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect on drug and related charges

Just after 2a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a&nbsp; 2014 Dodge Challenger near NE Soldier Street and NE Monroe Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, later identified as 39-year-old William P. Roberts of Topeka had a felony warrant for his arrest. He failed to stop for the officer and was located inside of a residence in the 1500 block of NE Jefferson Street a short time later.

Deputies arrested Roberts and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on the felony arrest warrant and on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.

He has previous convictions for drugs and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688575144773.png" alt="Roberts photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect on drug and related chargesJust after 2a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a&nbsp; 2014 Dodge Challenger near NE Soldier Street and NE Monroe Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, later identified as 39-year-old William P. Roberts of Topeka had a felony warrant for his arrest. He failed to stop for the officer and was located inside of a residence in the 1500 block of NE Jefferson Street a short time later.Deputies arrested Roberts and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on the felony arrest warrant and on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.He has previous convictions for drugs and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Deputies catch wanted Kansas felon who ran from arrest

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl.

On Tuesday, while police were investigating a different case at a Wichita hospital, they learned about a 4-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to her right arm, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

 The victim was in serious condition but with non-life-threatening injuries. The 4-year-old was admitted to the hospital and was awaiting surgery.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 9:30p.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of South Pattie Street, the girl was watching fireworks and playing with her neighbors when she received the injury to her arm. 

At the hospital, medical personnel determined a bullet had struck her arm and required surgery. The Injury appears to be from a stray bullet strike.

The Wichita Police Department reminded the public of the severity of the consequences when shooting a firearm into the air. The outcome of this incident could’ve been much worse than what had happened to this child, who was enjoying the festivities of the 4th of July. This reckless behavior exhibits a lack of regard for human life.

On July 4 in 2011, 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane was playing in backyard in Kansas City when she was hit by a stray bullet and died. The bullet came from a 9 mm pistol that Aaron Sullivan and his friends were shooting nearby to celebrate the holiday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688584697557.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl.On Tuesday, while police were investigating a different case at a Wichita hospital, they learned about a 4-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to her right arm, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo. The victim was in serious condition but with non-life-threatening injuries. The 4-year-old was admitted to the hospital and was awaiting surgery.The investigation revealed that at approximately 9:30p.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of South Pattie Street, the girl was watching fireworks and playing with her neighbors when she received the injury to her arm. At the hospital, medical personnel determined a bullet had struck her arm and required surgery. The Injury appears to be from a stray bullet strike.The Wichita Police Department reminded the public of the severity of the consequences when shooting a firearm into the air. The outcome of this incident could’ve been much worse than what had happened to this child, who was enjoying the festivities of the 4th of July. This reckless behavior exhibits a lack of regard for human life.On July 4 in 2011, 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane was playing in backyard in Kansas City when she was hit by a stray bullet and died. The bullet came from a 9 mm pistol that Aaron Sullivan and his friends were shooting nearby to celebrate the holiday.&nbsp;

4-year-old Kan. girl injured by celebratory gunfire on 4th of July

BUTLER COUNTY —&nbsp;—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal law enforcement pursuit crash involving a shooting suspect.

Just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Butler County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the report of a person shot in the area of K-254 and Shumway, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found the victim, a 44-year-old man from Blue Springs, Missouri, who had been shot at least one time. 

The female suspect left the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival in the victim’s 2008 Ford F-150. The man was able to provide the identity of the woman who allegedly shot him, a Wichita resident in her sixties. He was transported to a Wichita area hospital in serious but stable condition.

Just after 1030a.m. Wednesday, Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch received an attempt to locate broadcast from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office regarding a shooting suspect that had fled the scene in Butler County, according to a media release.

The suspect was reported to be driving a white 2008 Ford F-150 pickup, which was last seen traveling west on K-254 Highway towards Sedgwick County. 

At approximately 10:45am, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle near K-254 Highway and Greenwich and a traffic stop was initiated.

The pickup fled and a pursuit was initiated and a Trooper performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention in the 5300 block of North Webb Road. The pickup struck a sign in the parking lot of 5039 N. Webb Road.

As a result of the collision, the driver of the Ford F-150 was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants in the pickup and no other injuries reported. The KHP did not release the driver's name.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the prior shooting incident.&nbsp; 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal law enforcement pursuit crash.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688584945445.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —&nbsp;—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal law enforcement pursuit crash involving a shooting suspect.Just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Butler County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the report of a person shot in the area of K-254 and Shumway, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.When deputies arrived on scene, they found the victim, a 44-year-old man from Blue Springs, Missouri, who had been shot at least one time. The female suspect left the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival in the victim’s 2008 Ford F-150. The man was able to provide the identity of the woman who allegedly shot him, a Wichita resident in her sixties. He was transported to a Wichita area hospital in serious but stable condition.Just after 1030a.m. Wednesday, Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch received an attempt to locate broadcast from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office regarding a shooting suspect that had fled the scene in Butler County, according to a media release.The suspect was reported to be driving a white 2008 Ford F-150 pickup, which was last seen traveling west on K-254 Highway towards Sedgwick County. At approximately 10:45am, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle near K-254 Highway and Greenwich and a traffic stop was initiated.The pickup fled and a pursuit was initiated and a Trooper performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention in the 5300 block of North Webb Road. The pickup struck a sign in the parking lot of 5039 N. Webb Road.As a result of the collision, the driver of the Ford F-150 was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants in the pickup and no other injuries reported. The KHP did not release the driver's name.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the prior shooting incident.&nbsp; --------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal law enforcement pursuit crash.Just after 1030a.m. Wednesday, Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch received an attempt to locate broadcast from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office regarding a shooting suspect that had fled the scene in Butler County, according to a media release.The suspect was reported to be driving a white 2008 Ford F-150 pickup, which was last seen traveling west on K-254 Highway towards Sedgwick County. At approximately 10:45am, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle near K-254 Highway and Greenwich and a traffic stop was initiated.The pickup fled and a pursuit was initiated and a Trooper performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention in the 5300 block of North Webb Road. The pickup struck a sign in the parking lot of 5039 N. Webb Road.As a result of the collision, the driver of the Ford F-150 was pronounced deceased. There were no other occupants in the pickup and no other injuries reported. The KHP did not release the driver's name.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the prior shooting incident.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Sheriff: Suspect shot man before fatal KHP chase, crash

By Harris Meyer <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/">KFF&nbsp;Health News</a>

Mylissa Farmer, the woman who was denied an emergency abortion at Joplin and Kansas City, Kansas hospitals, is one of many people denied reproductive care after Roe v Wade was overturned who are considering legal options.

A year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many physicians and hospitals in the states that have restricted abortion reportedly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/16/ucsf-abortion-study/" target="_blank">are refusing to end the pregnancies</a>&nbsp;of women facing health-threatening complications out of fear they might face criminal prosecution or loss of their medical license.

Some experts predict those providers could soon face a new legal threat: medical malpractice lawsuits alleging they harmed patients by failing to provide timely, necessary abortion care.

“We will absolutely see medical malpractice cases emerge,” said Diana Nordlund, an emergency physician in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and former malpractice defense attorney, who chairs the Medical-Legal Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians. When physicians decide not to provide treatments widely accepted as the standard of care because of these new laws, “that’s perceived as substandard care and there is increased civil liability.”

To some physicians and malpractice attorneys, the question is when — not if — a pregnant patient will die from lack of care and set the stage for a big-dollar wrongful death claim. Abortion rights supporters said such a case could pressure doctors and hospitals to provide appropriate abortion care, counterbalancing their fears of running afoul of state abortion bans, many of which call for criminal prosecution and revocation of medical licenses as punishment for violations.

“If we want to encourage proper care, there has to be some sort of counter-risk to physicians and hospitals for refusing to provide care that should be legal,” said Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law who studies the impact of abortion bans. “But most rational people would be more afraid of going to jail.”

Some supporters of abortion bans said they would welcome malpractice lawsuits. Providers are refusing to use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/a-review-of-exceptions-in-state-abortions-bans-implications-for-the-provision-of-abortion-services/#:~:text=In%20Texas'%20abortion%20ban%2C%20the,abortion%20is%20performed%20or%20induced%E2%80%9D." target="_blank">the exceptions in some state laws</a>&nbsp;that allow them to perform abortions to save a patient’s life or health, they said.

“It could help achieve our goal if it clarifies that the law did not contradict standard medical practice,” said John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, referring to the state’s abortion ban.

A new KFF poll found that 59% of OB-GYNs practicing in states with gestational limits on abortion, and 61% of those in states with bans, are somewhat or very concerned about their legal risk when making decisions about the necessity of an abortion.

Some attorneys are exploring lawsuits on behalf of women who they said have been harmed by a state abortion ban. An attorney for Mylissa Farmer, a Missouri woman&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/emtala-missouri-hospital-investigated-emergency-abortion/" target="_blank">who was refused an abortion</a>&nbsp;at two hospitals in August after her water broke about 18 weeks into her pregnancy, said she may sue for malpractice. Missouri’s abortion ban, which took effect last year, makes an exception for medical emergencies.

The federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emergency-abortion-law-hospitals-kansas-missouri-emtala-2f993d2869fa801921d7e56e95787567" target="_blank">recently found</a>&nbsp;that the two hospitals violated a federal emergency care law in denying Farmer an abortion, which experts said could strengthen a malpractice claim. One of the hospitals, Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, did not respond to a request for comment. The other, the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, said the care provided “was reviewed by the hospital and found to be in accordance with hospital policy,” according to a spokesperson, Jill Chadwick.

Farmer “experienced permanent physical and emotional damage,” said Michelle Banker, one of her lawyers at the National Women’s Law Center, who added that Farmer and her attorneys are “considering all our legal options.”

<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/12/29/1143823727/bleeding-and-in-pain-she-couldnt-get-2-louisiana-ers-to-answer-is-it-a-miscarria" target="_blank">News reports</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00536-1/pdf" target="_blank">medical studies</a>&nbsp;show that some women with pregnancy complications have suffered serious health consequences when doctors and hospitals did not provide once-routine abortion care.

Last month, researchers released a study identifying&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Care%20Post-Roe%20Preliminary%20Findings.pdf" target="_blank">dozens of cases</a>&nbsp;in 14 states in which physicians said deficiencies in care due to abortion restrictions led to preventable complications and hospitalizations, with some patients nearly dying.

“The patients were sent home and told to come back when they had signs of infection,” said Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN at the University of California-San Francisco, who led the study. “Many developed serious infections. And it’s clear many of these cases were very emotionally traumatic.”

He said though the researchers did not track patient outcomes, the lack of timely abortion care in such cases could result in severe health harms including loss of fertility, stroke, or heart attack.

“It’s just a matter of time before there will be a death that comes to light,” Grossman said.

Still, considering the conflict for doctors between medical ethics and personal risk, some stakeholders said patients may be reluctant to sue doctors and juries may balk at finding them liable.

“It’s a terrible position that providers are being put into, and I don’t think juries will blame the doctor unless it’s a super clear case,” said Morgan Murphy, a malpractice plaintiff’s attorney in Missouri.

She said her firm will not pursue malpractice cases based on abortion denials except in “pretty extreme” situations, such as when a patient dies. “Unless a mother is on her deathbed, it’s pretty hard to fault a provider who thinks if they provide treatment they’re going to be criminally liable or will lose their medical license.”

Another hurdle for malpractice cases is that state abortion bans could undermine the argument that abortion is the legal “standard of care,” meaning that it is a widely accepted and prescribed treatment for pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and for fatal fetal abnormalities.

“I absolutely see a breach of the standard of care in these cases,” said Maria A. Phillis, an OB-GYN and former lawyer in Cleveland. “But if someone goes to trial in a malpractice case, it will come down to a battle of medical experts about whether it’s no longer the standard of care, and the jury would have to decide.”

An additional justification for physicians not to provide abortions is that medical liability insurers generally do not cover damages from criminal acts, which “puts the finger on the scales even more to not do anything,” Phillis said.

Stuart Grossman, a prominent malpractice plaintiff’s attorney in Florida, said he would be eager to take an abortion-denial case in which the woman suffered serious health or emotional injuries.

Unlike other states with abortion bans, Florida does not cap damage amounts for pain and suffering in malpractice cases, making it more financially viable to sue there.

Grossman cited the case of Deborah Dorbert, a Florida woman who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/02/health/florida-abortion-term-pregnancy/index.html#:~:text=A%20Florida%20woman%2C%20unable%20to,doctors%20had%20predicted%20he%20would." target="_blank">reportedly was denied an abortion</a>&nbsp;despite being told by her physicians at 24 weeks of pregnancy that her fetus, with no kidneys and underdeveloped lungs, had a fatal condition called Potter syndrome.

Her doctors and the hospital refused to end the pregnancy even though the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/02/18/florida-abortion-ban-unviable-pregnancy-potter-syndrome/" target="_blank">state’s abortion ban has an exception</a>&nbsp;for fatal fetal abnormalities. Months later, her baby&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2023/florida-abortion-law-deborah-dorbert/" target="_blank">died in his parents’ arms</a>&nbsp;shortly after birth.

“You can see how she’s been devastated mentally,” Grossman said. “She has a wrongful death case that I’d take in a minute.” He said the couple could file a malpractice suit for Dorbert’s physical and emotional damages and a separate malpractice and wrongful death suit for the couple’s suffering over the infant’s death.

Failing to counsel patients about their options and connect them with providers willing to terminate a pregnancy is also possible grounds for a malpractice suit, attorneys said. Katie Watson, an associate professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine who has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2216234" target="_blank">studied state abortion bans</a>, said counseling and referral are not prohibited under these laws and that physicians have an ethical obligation to offer those services.

“I think breaching the obligation for counseling would make a strong malpractice lawsuit,” she said.

Nancy Davis said she received no counseling or referral assistance last July after her doctors at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told her 10 weeks into her pregnancy that her fetus would not survive because it was missing the top of its skull, a fatal condition called acrania. She said they recommended that she terminate the pregnancy and she agreed.

Davis said her doctors then told her a hospital executive had denied permission for the procedure because of Louisiana’s abortion ban, even though the law has an exception for fatal fetal abnormalities. A hospital spokesperson declined to comment.

Davis, who has three children, contacted Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, which arranged for child care and a flight to New York City. She had an abortion performed there in September.

“The whole situation has been mentally and physically draining, and my family and I are receiving counseling,” Davis said. “I’m still very angry at the hospital and the doctors. I feel like I’m owed compensation for the trauma and the heartbreak.”

She sought the counsel of Benjamin Crump, a prominent attorney known for pursuing high-profile cases like wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the families of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd.

But Crump said that after studying Davis’ legal options, he decided a judge would likely dismiss a malpractice suit and that Davis could end up paying the defendants’ legal fees and costs.

“The doctor’s lawyers will say, ‘You can’t expect my client to break the law and go to prison for up to 25 years,’” Crump said. “Unless you change the law, there is no option for her to receive compensation.”

This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/malpractice-lawsuits-denied-abortion-care/" target="_blank">KFF Health News</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569156934026.png" alt="Most abortion bans that went into effect after the Dobbs ruling that overturned a federal right to abortion have exceptions for life-threatening emergencies, but some patients at risk of harm have still been denied care.&nbsp; -Jennifer Morrow/ Creative Commons-Flickr" />
 <figcaption>Most abortion bans that went into effect after the Dobbs ruling that overturned a federal right to abortion have exceptions for life-threatening emergencies, but some patients at risk of harm have still been denied care.&nbsp; -Jennifer Morrow/ Creative Commons-Flickr</figcaption>
 </figure>By Harris Meyer <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/">KFF&nbsp;Health News</a><h2>Mylissa Farmer, the woman who was denied an emergency abortion at Joplin and Kansas City, Kansas hospitals, is one of many people denied reproductive care after Roe v Wade was overturned who are considering legal options.</h2>A year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many physicians and hospitals in the states that have restricted abortion reportedly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/16/ucsf-abortion-study/" target="_blank">are refusing to end the pregnancies</a>&nbsp;of women facing health-threatening complications out of fear they might face criminal prosecution or loss of their medical license.Some experts predict those providers could soon face a new legal threat: medical malpractice lawsuits alleging they harmed patients by failing to provide timely, necessary abortion care.“We will absolutely see medical malpractice cases emerge,” said Diana Nordlund, an emergency physician in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and former malpractice defense attorney, who chairs the Medical-Legal Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians. When physicians decide not to provide treatments widely accepted as the standard of care because of these new laws, “that’s perceived as substandard care and there is increased civil liability.”To some physicians and malpractice attorneys, the question is when — not if — a pregnant patient will die from lack of care and set the stage for a big-dollar wrongful death claim. Abortion rights supporters said such a case could pressure doctors and hospitals to provide appropriate abortion care, counterbalancing their fears of running afoul of state abortion bans, many of which call for criminal prosecution and revocation of medical licenses as punishment for violations.“If we want to encourage proper care, there has to be some sort of counter-risk to physicians and hospitals for refusing to provide care that should be legal,” said Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law who studies the impact of abortion bans. “But most rational people would be more afraid of going to jail.”Some supporters of abortion bans said they would welcome malpractice lawsuits. Providers are refusing to use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/a-review-of-exceptions-in-state-abortions-bans-implications-for-the-provision-of-abortion-services/#:~:text=In%20Texas'%20abortion%20ban%2C%20the,abortion%20is%20performed%20or%20induced%E2%80%9D." target="_blank">the exceptions in some state laws</a>&nbsp;that allow them to perform abortions to save a patient’s life or health, they said.“It could help achieve our goal if it clarifies that the law did not contradict standard medical practice,” said John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, referring to the state’s abortion ban.A new KFF poll found that 59% of OB-GYNs practicing in states with gestational limits on abortion, and 61% of those in states with bans, are somewhat or very concerned about their legal risk when making decisions about the necessity of an abortion.Some attorneys are exploring lawsuits on behalf of women who they said have been harmed by a state abortion ban. An attorney for Mylissa Farmer, a Missouri woman&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/emtala-missouri-hospital-investigated-emergency-abortion/" target="_blank">who was refused an abortion</a>&nbsp;at two hospitals in August after her water broke about 18 weeks into her pregnancy, said she may sue for malpractice. Missouri’s abortion ban, which took effect last year, makes an exception for medical emergencies.The federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emergency-abortion-law-hospitals-kansas-missouri-emtala-2f993d2869fa801921d7e56e95787567" target="_blank">recently found</a>&nbsp;that the two hospitals violated a federal emergency care law in denying Farmer an abortion, which experts said could strengthen a malpractice claim. One of the hospitals, Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, did not respond to a request for comment. The other, the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, said the care provided “was reviewed by the hospital and found to be in accordance with hospital policy,” according to a spokesperson, Jill Chadwick.Farmer “experienced permanent physical and emotional damage,” said Michelle Banker, one of her lawyers at the National Women’s Law Center, who added that Farmer and her attorneys are “considering all our legal options.”<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/12/29/1143823727/bleeding-and-in-pain-she-couldnt-get-2-louisiana-ers-to-answer-is-it-a-miscarria" target="_blank">News reports</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00536-1/pdf" target="_blank">medical studies</a>&nbsp;show that some women with pregnancy complications have suffered serious health consequences when doctors and hospitals did not provide once-routine abortion care.Last month, researchers released a study identifying&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Care%20Post-Roe%20Preliminary%20Findings.pdf" target="_blank">dozens of cases</a>&nbsp;in 14 states in which physicians said deficiencies in care due to abortion restrictions led to preventable complications and hospitalizations, with some patients nearly dying.“The patients were sent home and told to come back when they had signs of infection,” said Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN at the University of California-San Francisco, who led the study. “Many developed serious infections. And it’s clear many of these cases were very emotionally traumatic.”He said though the researchers did not track patient outcomes, the lack of timely abortion care in such cases could result in severe health harms including loss of fertility, stroke, or heart attack.“It’s just a matter of time before there will be a death that comes to light,” Grossman said.Still, considering the conflict for doctors between medical ethics and personal risk, some stakeholders said patients may be reluctant to sue doctors and juries may balk at finding them liable.“It’s a terrible position that providers are being put into, and I don’t think juries will blame the doctor unless it’s a super clear case,” said Morgan Murphy, a malpractice plaintiff’s attorney in Missouri.She said her firm will not pursue malpractice cases based on abortion denials except in “pretty extreme” situations, such as when a patient dies. “Unless a mother is on her deathbed, it’s pretty hard to fault a provider who thinks if they provide treatment they’re going to be criminally liable or will lose their medical license.”Another hurdle for malpractice cases is that state abortion bans could undermine the argument that abortion is the legal “standard of care,” meaning that it is a widely accepted and prescribed treatment for pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and for fatal fetal abnormalities.“I absolutely see a breach of the standard of care in these cases,” said Maria A. Phillis, an OB-GYN and former lawyer in Cleveland. “But if someone goes to trial in a malpractice case, it will come down to a battle of medical experts about whether it’s no longer the standard of care, and the jury would have to decide.”An additional justification for physicians not to provide abortions is that medical liability insurers generally do not cover damages from criminal acts, which “puts the finger on the scales even more to not do anything,” Phillis said.Stuart Grossman, a prominent malpractice plaintiff’s attorney in Florida, said he would be eager to take an abortion-denial case in which the woman suffered serious health or emotional injuries.Unlike other states with abortion bans, Florida does not cap damage amounts for pain and suffering in malpractice cases, making it more financially viable to sue there.Grossman cited the case of Deborah Dorbert, a Florida woman who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/02/health/florida-abortion-term-pregnancy/index.html#:~:text=A%20Florida%20woman%2C%20unable%20to,doctors%20had%20predicted%20he%20would." target="_blank">reportedly was denied an abortion</a>&nbsp;despite being told by her physicians at 24 weeks of pregnancy that her fetus, with no kidneys and underdeveloped lungs, had a fatal condition called Potter syndrome.Her doctors and the hospital refused to end the pregnancy even though the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/02/18/florida-abortion-ban-unviable-pregnancy-potter-syndrome/" target="_blank">state’s abortion ban has an exception</a>&nbsp;for fatal fetal abnormalities. Months later, her baby&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2023/florida-abortion-law-deborah-dorbert/" target="_blank">died in his parents’ arms</a>&nbsp;shortly after birth.“You can see how she’s been devastated mentally,” Grossman said. “She has a wrongful death case that I’d take in a minute.” He said the couple could file a malpractice suit for Dorbert’s physical and emotional damages and a separate malpractice and wrongful death suit for the couple’s suffering over the infant’s death.Failing to counsel patients about their options and connect them with providers willing to terminate a pregnancy is also possible grounds for a malpractice suit, attorneys said. Katie Watson, an associate professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine who has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2216234" target="_blank">studied state abortion bans</a>, said counseling and referral are not prohibited under these laws and that physicians have an ethical obligation to offer those services.“I think breaching the obligation for counseling would make a strong malpractice lawsuit,” she said.Nancy Davis said she received no counseling or referral assistance last July after her doctors at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told her 10 weeks into her pregnancy that her fetus would not survive because it was missing the top of its skull, a fatal condition called acrania. She said they recommended that she terminate the pregnancy and she agreed.Davis said her doctors then told her a hospital executive had denied permission for the procedure because of Louisiana’s abortion ban, even though the law has an exception for fatal fetal abnormalities. A hospital spokesperson declined to comment.Davis, who has three children, contacted Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, which arranged for child care and a flight to New York City. She had an abortion performed there in September.“The whole situation has been mentally and physically draining, and my family and I are receiving counseling,” Davis said. “I’m still very angry at the hospital and the doctors. I feel like I’m owed compensation for the trauma and the heartbreak.”She sought the counsel of Benjamin Crump, a prominent attorney known for pursuing high-profile cases like wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the families of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd.But Crump said that after studying Davis’ legal options, he decided a judge would likely dismiss a malpractice suit and that Davis could end up paying the defendants’ legal fees and costs.“The doctor’s lawyers will say, ‘You can’t expect my client to break the law and go to prison for up to 25 years,’” Crump said. “Unless you change the law, there is no option for her to receive compensation.”This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/malpractice-lawsuits-denied-abortion-care/" target="_blank">KFF Health News</a>.

Kan., Mo. may soon see malpractice lawsuits over denied abortion care

CAMDEN COUNTY—A child drowned just after 6p.m. on Tuesday at Lake of the Ozarks.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 6-year-old Camdenton, Missouri boy, not wearing a life jacket, jumped voluntarily into the water at Lick Creek Cove onto a Lilly Pad at the 65.9 mark of the main channel.

He went below the surface and did not resurface. He was pronounced dead just before 8p.m. at Lake Regional Hospital.&nbsp;

The drowning was one of four in Missouri over the holiday weekend including a&nbsp;22-year-old St. Joseph man who drowned at Smithville Lake on Independence Day.&nbsp; According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Carlos Antonio walked off a ledge into the water and never resurfaced. He was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol, which reports the fatality happen near Little Platte Swim Beach.

CAMDEN COUNTY—A child drowned just after 6p.m. on Tuesday at Lake of the Ozarks.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 6-year-old Camdenton, Missouri boy, not wearing a life jacket, jumped voluntarily into the water at Lick Creek Cove onto a Lilly Pad at the 65.9 mark of the main channel.He went below the surface and did not resurface. He was pronounced dead just before 8p.m. at Lake Regional Hospital.&nbsp; The drowning was one of four in Missouri over the holiday weekend including a&nbsp;22-year-old St. Joseph man who drowned at Smithville Lake on Independence Day.&nbsp; According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Carlos Antonio walked off a ledge into the water and never resurfaced. He was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol, which reports the fatality happen near Little Platte Swim Beach.

6-year-old drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Brad Crawford, a former Hays resident and U.S. Army veteran, left his family in 2022 and risked his life to train fighting forces in Ukraine.

Crawford was a senior combat adviser for the Ukrainian Marine Corps from April to September last year.

During his almost two decades in the army, he helped train soldiers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

"My job was to train the Ukraine army and marines to be war fighters," he said. "We trained them to fight and win the war."

Once you are a soldier, you are always a soldier, he said.

"When I saw the struggle that was going on over there," he said, "and I saw what&nbsp;Russia was doing over there, targeting the population of Ukraine, I couldn't sit back here in the United States and do nothing about it."

He contacted the Ukrainian embassy, and a couple of weeks later, he was on the ground in Ukraine working with soldiers.

Crawford spent time in Kyiv and then moved to Kherson, which was the site of heavy fighting in the early days of the war with Russia. Russian forces occupied the city for a time. Ukrainian forces ordered the area evacuated earlier this month after the nearby&nbsp;Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, which caused extensive flooding in the area.

"I spent a lot of time on the front line," Crawford said. "I wasn't just a trainer. Being a combat adviser means you go where the danger is too."

Working with the 28th Mechanized, he was about 400 meters away from Russian forces.

"When I went up there in that position, we got shelled 200 times in 48 hours," he said. "We had artillery coming down on us like you wouldn't believe, man."

Crawford said he saw extensive shelling of civilian homes and non-military targets.

"I wish I could tell the American public ... A lot of people are saying a lot of things about Ukraine," he said. "We shouldn't support it or it's a money pit. I would say this to a lot of those guys. 

"Wake up in the morning and half your house is blown up by a rocket. Wake up in the morning and the grocery store down the street is gone. Wake up in the morning and your neighbor, their house is destroyed and they're all dead. These are the realities of what they live through over there."

Crawford was stationed for the majority of his time in Ukraine in the port city of Mykolaiv. When he arrived in May, the city was an industrial city, but by the time he left in September, 25 percent of the city had been wiped out.

The Ukrainian people have accused Russian forces of war crimes. Crawford said he has seen evidence of mass graves and heard reports of abuse of women and killing of civilian men.

"Let me tell you something about the Russians," he said. "They indiscriminately fire these weapons—these big caliber missiles and artillery. They do it every day. One day in Mykolaiv, we got hit 65 times by these rockets. They were hitting schools and hospitals and private buildings."

"It was intentional because they wanted the population to fear them," he said.

Crawford said the level of ferocity of the fighting in Ukraine was something he had not experienced before.

"I had never seen the amount of weaponry used in a single engagement," he said.

As a combat adviser, he said he was a target.

"It came to a head a couple of times, and I almost lost my life three times over there," he said. "One of the nights I was there, I was staying in a farmhouse outside of Mykolaiv in the middle of nowhere. ... At about 2:30 in the morning, Russians fired a cruise missile right at my house, and they missed by 60 feet. It blew a hole in the ground 14 feet wide and 10 feet deep."

As he and other soldiers were running down the street, the Russians launched cluster bombs, which released hundreds of baseball grenades.&nbsp;

"They definitely wanted us to not be standing at the end of that," he said.

Crawford said the Ukrainian soldiers are the bravest soldiers he's met.

"When you're talking about the Ukrainian military, their backs are against the wall. They don't have any other choice but to fight," he said. "The one thing about the Ukrainians is they have a high morale. They are ready to fight, willing to fight and are able to fight."

He said he has great respect for the Ukrainian soldiers.

"Not just because they are my battle brothers, but they have a different mentality. They have a no-quit, no-lose mentality. It is hard for any military around the world to see that," he said.

Crawford said he saw heavy casualties on both sides of the fighting with hospitals full of the injured. He was injured twice and had to have shrapnel fragments removed from his head without a numbing agent after being hit with light shrapnel in a missile attack.

Crawford said he believes if Russia had been able to take Ukraine in the early days of the war, they would have moved on to Poland, a NATO country, an invasion that could have resulted in world war III.

He said he chose to help fight in Ukraine so U.S. soldiers didn't have to fight.

Crawford has a 15-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. He said he went to Ukraine to protect them.

"In two years, my son would have been eligible for the draft," he said. "I didn't want my son to have to step into a world of war—not only my son and daughter but other people's sons and daughters.

Crawford said he does not believe the American people understand the sacrifices Ukraine is making for the rest of the world. He said he strongly supports continued U.S. support of the Ukrainian military.

"Ukraine is shouldering the defense of the free world for all of us," he said. "We should be blessed that our children, our sons and daughters, are not over there fighting that war. We should give them anything they need to continue fighting that war because if Ukraine falls, freedom dies with it."

Crawford said he does think Russia being successful in the war in Ukraine in the long term.&nbsp;

"I think what we have seen is many cracks in the Russian leadership," he said, "especially in regards to [Vladimir] Putin and&nbsp; [Yevgeny] Prigozhin."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d612c506-7c56-4e26-ab00-d956d904d7c7">Wagner Group soldiers under the command of&nbsp;Prigozhin led troops into Russia in a rebellion but stopped short of the Russian capital.</a>

When Crawford lived in Hays, he owned the Tactical Experience on Vine Street, which he operated until 2020. He now lives in Cincinnati and owns a tactical training company that trains law enforcement and civilian security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688069100467.jpeg" alt="Brad Crawford, formerly of Hays, helped train Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Brad Crawford, formerly of Hays, helped train Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostBrad Crawford, a former Hays resident and U.S. Army veteran, left his family in 2022 and risked his life to train fighting forces in Ukraine.Crawford was a senior combat adviser for the Ukrainian Marine Corps from April to September last year.During his almost two decades in the army, he helped train soldiers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. "My job was to train the Ukraine army and marines to be war fighters," he said. "We trained them to fight and win the war."Once you are a soldier, you are always a soldier, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688069212398.jpeg" alt="Brad Crawford, a U.S. Army veteran, helped train Ukrainian soldiers for combat. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Brad Crawford, a U.S. Army veteran, helped train Ukrainian soldiers for combat. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>"When I saw the struggle that was going on over there," he said, "and I saw what&nbsp;Russia was doing over there, targeting the population of Ukraine, I couldn't sit back here in the United States and do nothing about it."He contacted the Ukrainian embassy, and a couple of weeks later, he was on the ground in Ukraine working with soldiers.Crawford spent time in Kyiv and then moved to Kherson, which was the site of heavy fighting in the early days of the war with Russia. Russian forces occupied the city for a time. Ukrainian forces ordered the area evacuated earlier this month after the nearby&nbsp;Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, which caused extensive flooding in the area."I spent a lot of time on the front line," Crawford said. "I wasn't just a trainer. Being a combat adviser means you go where the danger is too."Working with the 28th Mechanized, he was about 400 meters away from Russian forces.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688069335413.jpeg" alt="Crawford, front center, helps train troops in the Ukraine. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Crawford, front center, helps train troops in the Ukraine. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"When I went up there in that position, we got shelled 200 times in 48 hours," he said. "We had artillery coming down on us like you wouldn't believe, man."Crawford said he saw extensive shelling of civilian homes and non-military targets."I wish I could tell the American public ... A lot of people are saying a lot of things about Ukraine," he said. "We shouldn't support it or it's a money pit. I would say this to a lot of those guys. "Wake up in the morning and half your house is blown up by a rocket. Wake up in the morning and the grocery store down the street is gone. Wake up in the morning and your neighbor, their house is destroyed and they're all dead. These are the realities of what they live through over there."Crawford was stationed for the majority of his time in Ukraine in the port city of Mykolaiv. When he arrived in May, the city was an industrial city, but by the time he left in September, 25 percent of the city had been wiped out.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688069426713.jpeg" alt="Ukrainian troops. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ukrainian troops. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ukrainian people have accused Russian forces of war crimes. Crawford said he has seen evidence of mass graves and heard reports of abuse of women and killing of civilian men."Let me tell you something about the Russians," he said. "They indiscriminately fire these weapons—these big caliber missiles and artillery. They do it every day. One day in Mykolaiv, we got hit 65 times by these rockets. They were hitting schools and hospitals and private buildings."The shelling was constant, he said."It was intentional because they wanted the population to fear them," he said.Crawford said the level of ferocity of the fighting in Ukraine was something he had not experienced before."I had never seen the amount of weaponry used in a single engagement," he said.As a combat adviser, he said he was a target."It came to a head a couple of times, and I almost lost my life three times over there," he said. "One of the nights I was there, I was staying in a farmhouse outside of Mykolaiv in the middle of nowhere. ... At about 2:30 in the morning, Russians fired a cruise missile right at my house, and they missed by 60 feet. It blew a hole in the ground 14 feet wide and 10 feet deep."As he and other soldiers were running down the street, the Russians launched cluster bombs, which released hundreds of baseball grenades.&nbsp;"They definitely wanted us to not be standing at the end of that," he said.Crawford said the Ukrainian soldiers are the bravest soldiers he's met."When you're talking about the Ukrainian military, their backs are against the wall. They don't have any other choice but to fight," he said. "The one thing about the Ukrainians is they have a high morale. They are ready to fight, willing to fight and are able to fight."He said he has great respect for the Ukrainian soldiers."Not just because they are my battle brothers, but they have a different mentality. They have a no-quit, no-lose mentality. It is hard for any military around the world to see that," he said.Crawford said he saw heavy casualties on both sides of the fighting with hospitals full of the injured. He was injured twice and had to have shrapnel fragments removed from his head without a numbing agent after being hit with light shrapnel in a missile attack.Crawford said he believes if Russia had been able to take Ukraine in the early days of the war, they would have moved on to Poland, a NATO country, an invasion that could have resulted in world war III.He said he chose to help fight in Ukraine so U.S. soldiers didn't have to fight.Crawford has a 15-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. He said he went to Ukraine to protect them."In two years, my son would have been eligible for the draft," he said. "I didn't want my son to have to step into a world of war—not only my son and daughter but other people's sons and daughters."We went over there and stopped that."Crawford said he does not believe the American people understand the sacrifices Ukraine is making for the rest of the world. He said he strongly supports continued U.S. support of the Ukrainian military."Ukraine is shouldering the defense of the free world for all of us," he said. "We should be blessed that our children, our sons and daughters, are not over there fighting that war. We should give them anything they need to continue fighting that war because if Ukraine falls, freedom dies with it."Crawford said he does think Russia being successful in the war in Ukraine in the long term.&nbsp;"I think what we have seen is many cracks in the Russian leadership," he said, "especially in regards to [Vladimir] Putin and&nbsp; [Yevgeny] Prigozhin."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d612c506-7c56-4e26-ab00-d956d904d7c7">Wagner Group soldiers under the command of&nbsp;Prigozhin led troops into Russia in a rebellion but stopped short of the Russian capital.</a>When Crawford lived in Hays, he owned the Tactical Experience on Vine Street, which he operated until 2020. He now lives in Cincinnati and owns a tactical training company that trains law enforcement and civilian security.

Former NW Kan. man fought in Ukraine so 'son didn't have to step into world of war'

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that total tax collections for June 2023 were $989.0 million. That is $17.3 million, or 1.8%, more than the estimate and $70.2 million, or 7.6%, more than June 2022, according to a media release from her office.

Kansas ends Fiscal Year 2023 with total tax collections of nearly $10.2 billion, which exceeds the Fiscal Year 2023 revised estimate by $25.9 million.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wNy8xMl9KdW5lX1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDIzXzA3LTAzLTIwMjNfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDcwNS43OTIxNjM5MSJ9.-GYVzkPdZYV5R_JBoi85m6rBIRyg23z-zn__NUB6tlY/s/1303160919/br/219641174332-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the June 2023 revenue numbers.

“Time and again, we have seen our monthly revenues exceed estimates because of my administration’s success in attracting businesses, expanding our workforce, and growing our state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “This past legislative session, I fought for responsible tax cuts on groceries, property, and Social Security to put this money back in the hands of working Kansans. Come January, I am committed to partnering with legislators to get Kansans relief.”

Individual income tax collections were $379.0 million. That is $4.0 million, or 1.1%, less than the estimate but $14.3 million, or 3.9%, more than June 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $226.2 million. That’s $26.2 million, or 13.1%, more than the estimate and up 52.7% from June 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $303.5 million. That is $1.5 million, or 0.5%, more than the estimate but less than June 2022 by only 0.1%.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that total tax collections for June 2023 were $989.0 million. That is $17.3 million, or 1.8%, more than the estimate and $70.2 million, or 7.6%, more than June 2022, according to a media release from her office.Kansas ends Fiscal Year 2023 with total tax collections of nearly $10.2 billion, which exceeds the Fiscal Year 2023 revised estimate by $25.9 million.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wNy8xMl9KdW5lX1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDIzXzA3LTAzLTIwMjNfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDcwNS43OTIxNjM5MSJ9.-GYVzkPdZYV5R_JBoi85m6rBIRyg23z-zn__NUB6tlY/s/1303160919/br/219641174332-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the June 2023 revenue numbers.“Time and again, we have seen our monthly revenues exceed estimates because of my administration’s success in attracting businesses, expanding our workforce, and growing our state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “This past legislative session, I fought for responsible tax cuts on groceries, property, and Social Security to put this money back in the hands of working Kansans. Come January, I am committed to partnering with legislators to get Kansans relief.”Individual income tax collections were $379.0 million. That is $4.0 million, or 1.1%, less than the estimate but $14.3 million, or 3.9%, more than June 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $226.2 million. That’s $26.2 million, or 13.1%, more than the estimate and up 52.7% from June 2022.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $303.5 million. That is $1.5 million, or 0.5%, more than the estimate but less than June 2022 by only 0.1%.

Kan. ends fiscal year with total tax collections of $10.2 billion

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly Independence Day shooting at a gas station in Kansas City.

Just&nbsp;after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 8505 Woodland in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. First responders located a man inside the gas station unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers performed life saving measures. EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. The second victim, a teenage boy, was shot and transported to an area hospital in stable condition. Police have no one in custody at this time. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are unknown at this time. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the scene to to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688564613976.png" alt="Police investigators at the scene of the investigation early Wednesday photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police investigators at the scene of the investigation early Wednesday photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly Independence Day shooting at a gas station in Kansas City.Just&nbsp;after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 8505 Woodland in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. First responders located a man inside the gas station unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers performed life saving measures. EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. The second victim, a teenage boy, was shot and transported to an area hospital in stable condition. Police have no one in custody at this time. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are unknown at this time. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the scene to to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.

Police: Man dead, teen wounded inside Kansas City gas station

WASHINGTON (AP) –A judge on Tuesday prohibited several federal agencies and officials of the Biden administration from working with social media companies about “protected speech,” a decision called “a blow to censorship” by one of the Republican officials whose lawsuit prompted the ruling.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana granted the injunction in response to a 2022 lawsuit brought by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. Their lawsuit alleged that the federal government overstepped in its efforts to convince social media companies to address postings that could result in vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or affect elections.

Doughty cited “substantial evidence” of a far-reaching censorship campaign. He wrote that the “evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘Ministry of Truth.’ ”

Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, who was the Missouri attorney general when the lawsuit was filed, said on Twitter that the ruling was “a huge win for the First Amendment and a blow to censorship.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said the injunction prevents the administration “from censoring the core political speech of ordinary Americans” on social media.

“The evidence in our case is shocking and offensive with senior federal officials deciding that they could dictate what Americans can and cannot say on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms about COVID-19, elections, criticism of the government, and more," Landry said in a statement.

The Justice Department is reviewing the injunction “and will evaluate its options in this case,” said a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

“This administration has promoted responsible actions to protect public health, safety, and security when confronted by challenges like a deadly pandemic and foreign attacks on our elections,” the official said. “Our consistent view remains that social media platforms have a critical responsibility to take account of the effects their platforms are having on the American people, but make independent choices about the information they present.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667963892129.png" alt="Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt was the Missouri attorney general when the lawsuit was filed-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt was the Missouri attorney general when the lawsuit was filed-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) –A judge on Tuesday prohibited several federal agencies and officials of the Biden administration from working with social media companies about “protected speech,” a decision called “a blow to censorship” by one of the Republican officials whose lawsuit prompted the ruling.U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana granted the injunction in response to a 2022 lawsuit brought by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. Their lawsuit alleged that the federal government overstepped in its efforts to convince social media companies to address postings that could result in vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or affect elections.Doughty cited “substantial evidence” of a far-reaching censorship campaign. He wrote that the “evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘Ministry of Truth.’ ”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">King George believed the Declaration of Independence was “misinformation” God bless America and God bless the First Amendment. 🇺🇸&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1676411167126835201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, who was the Missouri attorney general when the lawsuit was filed, said on Twitter that the ruling was “a huge win for the First Amendment and a blow to censorship.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨BREAKING: A Federal Judge in Missouri v. Biden just granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the FBI, DOJ, DHS &amp; other agencies from working with Big Tech to censor on social media Big win for the First Amendment on this Independence Day🇺🇸 I’m proud to have led the fight. <a href="https://t.co/59FzDVuI4f">pic.twitter.com/59FzDVuI4f</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1676287106220433423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said the injunction prevents the administration “from censoring the core political speech of ordinary Americans” on social media.“The evidence in our case is shocking and offensive with senior federal officials deciding that they could dictate what Americans can and cannot say on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms about COVID-19, elections, criticism of the government, and more," Landry said in a statement.The Justice Department is reviewing the injunction “and will evaluate its options in this case,” said a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.“This administration has promoted responsible actions to protect public health, safety, and security when confronted by challenges like a deadly pandemic and foreign attacks on our elections,” the official said. “Our consistent view remains that social media platforms have a critical responsibility to take account of the effects their platforms are having on the American people, but make independent choices about the information they present.”The ruling listed several government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI, that are prohibited by the injunction from discussions with social media companies aimed at “encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech.”The order mentions by name several officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and others.Doughty allowed several exceptions, such as informing social media companies of postings involving criminal activity and conspiracies; as well as notifying social media firms of national security threats and other threats posted on platforms.The plaintiffs in the lawsuit also included individuals, including conservative website owner Jim Hoft. The lawsuit accused the administration of using the possibility of favorable or unfavorable regulatory action to coerce social media platforms to squelch what it considered misinformation on masks and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also touched on other topics, including claims about election integrity and news stories about material on a laptop owned by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-investigation-house-republicans-prosecutor-irs-17f33b5f85443ee2c3315654b47f5a1c">Hunter Biden</a>, the president’s son.Administration lawyers said the government left it up to social media companies to decide what constituted misinformation and how to combat it. In one brief, they likened the lawsuit to an attempt to put a legal gag order on the federal government and “suppress the speech of federal government officials under the guise of protecting the speech rights of others.”“Plaintiffs’ proposed injunction would significantly hinder the Federal Government’s ability to combat foreign malign influence campaigns, prosecute crimes, protect the national security, and provide accurate information to the public on matters of grave public concern such as health care and election integrity,” the administration says in a May 3 court filing.