WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – ranking member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – announced their bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.veterans.senate.gov/services/files/734257CE-3EA1-4288-B18A-0516B756AA1D" target="_blank">Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023</a>&nbsp;passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law, according to a media release from Moran's office.

This legislation will increase compensation benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“We have a responsibility to take care of our veterans and their families, many of whom rely on the VA for financial support,”&nbsp;said Ranking Member Moran. “Ensuring their benefits keep pace with rising costs and inflation will help provide disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses and children with some peace of mind and provide them the stability they deserve. I appreciate my colleagues working to pass this legislation, and I look forward to it being signed into law.” “We’re at the finish line when it comes to delivering a cost of living increase for the 30,000 disabled veterans and survivors in my home state of Montana, giving these folks—and millions more across the country—a little peace of mind as they struggle to keep pace with rising costs,”&nbsp;said Chairman Tester.&nbsp;“Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, and they deserve certainty when it comes to providing for their families. On behalf of these brave men and women, I urge the President to sign our bipartisan bill into law without delay.”

The senators’&nbsp;Veterans’ COLA Act&nbsp;would increase certain VA benefits including disability compensation, clothing allowances and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children to reflect increases in the cost of living. It will directly benefit millions of disabled veterans and military survivors nationwide. The cost-of-living adjustment will be determined by the annual COLA adjustment to social security benefits, as determined by the Social Security Administration, and would go into effect December 1, 2023. The Social Security Administration bases their annual COLA adjustment on the Consumer Price Index, as determined each December by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The&nbsp;Veterans’ COLA Act&nbsp;is supported by the nation’s leading veterans and survivor groups, including The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives, TAPS, Wounded Warrior Project, Military Officers Association of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661736234251.png" alt="Senator Moran with troops at Fort Riley in August-file phoeo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Moran with troops at Fort Riley in August-file phoeo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – ranking member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – announced their bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.veterans.senate.gov/services/files/734257CE-3EA1-4288-B18A-0516B756AA1D" target="_blank">Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023</a>&nbsp;passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law, according to a media release from Moran's office.This legislation will increase compensation benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).“We have a responsibility to take care of our veterans and their families, many of whom rely on the VA for financial support,”&nbsp;said Ranking Member Moran. “Ensuring their benefits keep pace with rising costs and inflation will help provide disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses and children with some peace of mind and provide them the stability they deserve. I appreciate my colleagues working to pass this legislation, and I look forward to it being signed into law.” “We’re at the finish line when it comes to delivering a cost of living increase for the 30,000 disabled veterans and survivors in my home state of Montana, giving these folks—and millions more across the country—a little peace of mind as they struggle to keep pace with rising costs,”&nbsp;said Chairman Tester.&nbsp;“Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, and they deserve certainty when it comes to providing for their families. On behalf of these brave men and women, I urge the President to sign our bipartisan bill into law without delay.” The senators’&nbsp;Veterans’ COLA Act&nbsp;would increase certain VA benefits including disability compensation, clothing allowances and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children to reflect increases in the cost of living. It will directly benefit millions of disabled veterans and military survivors nationwide. The cost-of-living adjustment will be determined by the annual COLA adjustment to social security benefits, as determined by the Social Security Administration, and would go into effect December 1, 2023. The Social Security Administration bases their annual COLA adjustment on the Consumer Price Index, as determined each December by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The&nbsp;Veterans’ COLA Act&nbsp;is supported by the nation’s leading veterans and survivor groups, including The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives, TAPS, Wounded Warrior Project, Military Officers Association of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Moran's bill on cost-of-living increase for vets heads to President’s desk

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have made an arrest.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of East 79th&nbsp;St. South for a shooting call, according to Sheriff's spokesperson Robin Busch.

First responders found 20-year-old Armando Garcia from Wichita with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Deputies assisted with lifesaving efforts until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported him to an area hospital.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at 01:17a.m., according to Busch.

Sheriff’s Detectives investigated the incident and booked 21-year-old Isac Monjaras from Haysville, on a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter.

Detectives do not believe this incident to be gang-related. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor. This case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684958431122.png" alt="Monjaras-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Monjaras-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide have made an arrest.Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of East 79th&nbsp;St. South for a shooting call, according to Sheriff's spokesperson Robin Busch.First responders found 20-year-old Armando Garcia from Wichita with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.Deputies assisted with lifesaving efforts until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported him to an area hospital.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at 01:17a.m., according to Busch.Sheriff’s Detectives investigated the incident and booked 21-year-old Isac Monjaras from Haysville, on a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter.Detectives do not believe this incident to be gang-related. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor. This case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff: Alcohol a possible factor in Kan. man's shooting death

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-biden-mccarthy-default-negotiations-cb0646c6301f1df97211896897df3723">debt ceiling talks</a>&nbsp;to the brink, displaying risky political bravado as they prepare to leave town Thursday for the holiday weekend just days before the U.S. could face an unprecedented default that could hurl the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-congress-world-economy-recession-biden-52df635e9b89f4b1677176fc8d59eff0">global economy into chaos</a>.

A defiant House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the debt ceiling standoff was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-congress-mccarthy-biden-budget-850273c73ed40f4ad002fa24e50f9b40">“not my fault”</a>&nbsp;as Republican negotiators and the White House failed to finish out talks. He warned they need more time to try to reach a budget-slashing deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.

But it's clear the Republican speaker — who leads a Trump-aligned party whose hard-right flank lifted him to power — is now staring down a potential crisis.

Lawmakers are tentatively not expected back at work until Tuesday, just two days from June 1, when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the U.S. could start running out of cash to pay its bills and face a potentially catastrophic default.

Fitch Ratings agency placed the United States’ AAA credit on “ratings watch negative,” warning of a possible downgrade because of what it called the brinkmanship and political partisanship surrounding the debate over lifting the debt ceiling.

"This is a battle between extremism and common sense,” said Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the minority whip.

The Republicans, she said, "want the American people to make an impossible choice: devastating cuts or devastating debt default.”

Weeks of negotiations between Republicans and the White House have failed to produce a deal — in part because the Biden administration never expected to be having to negotiate with McCarthy over the debt limit, arguing it should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities.

McCarthy is holding out for steep spending cuts that Republicans are demanding in exchange for their vote to raise the nation's borrowing limit. The White House has offered to freeze next year's 2024 spending at current levels, but the Republican leader says that's not enough.

“We have to spend less than we spent last year. That is the starting point," said McCarthy, R-Calif.

Failure to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, now at $31 trillion, would risk a potentially chaotic federal default, almost certain to inflict economic turmoil at home and abroad. Anxious retirees and social service groups are among those already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/default-yellen-biden-debt-ceiling-republicans-416a2fad74db0cb4535655ef26c9f845">making default contingency</a>&nbsp;plans.

Even if negotiators strike a deal in coming days, McCarthy has promised lawmakers he will abide by the rule to post any bill for 72 hours before voting — now likely Tuesday or even Wednesday. The Senate, where Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to move quickly, would also have to pass the package before it could go to Biden’s desk to be signed into law, right before next Thursday's possible deadline.

The contours of a deal have been within reach for days, but Republicans are unsatisfied as they press the White House team for more.

In one potential development, Republicans may be easing their demand to boost defense spending, instead offering to keep it at levels the Biden administration proposed, according to one person familiar with the talks and granted anonymity to discuss them.

The Republicans may achieve their goal of of rolling back bolstered funding for the Internal Revenue Service if they agree to instead allow the White House to push that money into other domestic accounts, the person said.

At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre blamed Republicans for risking a devastating default that would hit “every single part of the country” as they demand “extreme" spending cuts that would hurt millions of Americans.

She decried what the administration called a “manufactured crisis” set in motion by the GOP.

The White House has continued to argue that deficits can be reduced by ending tax breaks for wealthier households and some corporations, but McCarthy said he told the president as early as their February meeting that raising revenue from tax hikes was off the table.

Donald Trump, the former president who is again running for office, has encouraged Republicans to “do a default” if they don’t get the deal they want from the White House.

Time is short to strike a deal. Yellen said Wednesday that “it seems almost certain” that without a deal the United States would not make it past early June without defaulting. “We are seeing some stress already in Treasury markets,” she said at a Wall Street Journal event.

While Biden has ruled out, for now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/14th-amendment-biden-debt-ceiling-explained-92ebc0db703d49eab2c91d4d4a354cdf">invoking the 14th Amendment</a>&nbsp;to raise the debt limit on his own, Democrats in the House announced they have all signed on to a legislative “discharge” process that would force a debt ceiling vote. But they need five Republicans to break with their party and tip the majority to set the plan forward.

“Sign the bill!” Democrats yelled on the House floor after Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana announced the holiday recess schedule.

Agreement on a topline spending level is vital. It would enable McCarthy to deliver spending restraints for conservatives while not being so severe that it would chase off the Democratic votes that would be needed in the divided Congress to pass any bill.

But what, if anything, Democrats would get if they agreed to deeper spending cuts than Biden's team has proposed is uncertain.

McCarthy and his Republican negotiators said what the Democrats get is a debt ceiling increase — typically something both parties take responsibility for doing.

“The problem is not the White House. The problem is Kevin McCarthy and the extreme Republicans,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the progressive caucus. “They are the ones holding this economy hostage, that are putting all these cuts on the American people.”

The negotiators are now also debating the duration of a 1% cap on annual spending growth going forward, with Republicans dropping their demand for a 10-year cap to six years, but the White House offering only one year, for 2025.

Republicans want to beef up work requirements for government aid to recipients of food stamps, cash assistance and the Medicaid health care program that the Biden administration says would impact millions of people who depend on assistance.

All sides have been eyeing the potential for the package to include a framework to ease federal regulations and speed energy project developments. They are all but certain to claw back some $30 billion in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-coronavirus-relief-funds-9c60de5ad51a922bae1c2cf2fa284be3">unspent COVID-19 funds</a>&nbsp;now that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-covid19-coronavirus-national-emergency-e3a52722b57a6b4f24187426c27b3b39">pandemic emergency has officially been lifted</a>.

The White House has countered by proposing to keep defense and nondefense spending flat next year, which would save $90 billion in the 2024 budget year and $1 trillion over 10 years.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-biden-mccarthy-default-negotiations-cb0646c6301f1df97211896897df3723">debt ceiling talks</a>&nbsp;to the brink, displaying risky political bravado as they prepare to leave town Thursday for the holiday weekend just days before the U.S. could face an unprecedented default that could hurl the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-congress-world-economy-recession-biden-52df635e9b89f4b1677176fc8d59eff0">global economy into chaos</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Washington is collecting more money than ever. But it&#39;s also spending the most. So it’s not a revenue problem—it’s a spending problem. 60% of Americans believe that spending limits should accompany any debt limit increase. That&#39;s exactly what Republicans are fighting for. <a href="https://t.co/SDyUs0JBf3">pic.twitter.com/SDyUs0JBf3</a>&mdash; Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerMcCarthy/status/1661474450435629056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A defiant House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the debt ceiling standoff was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-congress-mccarthy-biden-budget-850273c73ed40f4ad002fa24e50f9b40">“not my fault”</a>&nbsp;as Republican negotiators and the White House failed to finish out talks. He warned they need more time to try to reach a budget-slashing deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.But it's clear the Republican speaker — who leads a Trump-aligned party whose hard-right flank lifted him to power — is now staring down a potential crisis.Lawmakers are tentatively not expected back at work until Tuesday, just two days from June 1, when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said the U.S. could start running out of cash to pay its bills and face a potentially catastrophic default.Fitch Ratings agency placed the United States’ AAA credit on “ratings watch negative,” warning of a possible downgrade because of what it called the brinkmanship and political partisanship surrounding the debate over lifting the debt ceiling."This is a battle between extremism and common sense,” said Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the minority whip.The Republicans, she said, "want the American people to make an impossible choice: devastating cuts or devastating debt default.”Weeks of negotiations between Republicans and the White House have failed to produce a deal — in part because the Biden administration never expected to be having to negotiate with McCarthy over the debt limit, arguing it should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities.McCarthy is holding out for steep spending cuts that Republicans are demanding in exchange for their vote to raise the nation's borrowing limit. The White House has offered to freeze next year's 2024 spending at current levels, but the Republican leader says that's not enough.“We have to spend less than we spent last year. That is the starting point," said McCarthy, R-Calif.Failure to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, now at $31 trillion, would risk a potentially chaotic federal default, almost certain to inflict economic turmoil at home and abroad. Anxious retirees and social service groups are among those already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/default-yellen-biden-debt-ceiling-republicans-416a2fad74db0cb4535655ef26c9f845">making default contingency</a>&nbsp;plans.Even if negotiators strike a deal in coming days, McCarthy has promised lawmakers he will abide by the rule to post any bill for 72 hours before voting — now likely Tuesday or even Wednesday. The Senate, where Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to move quickly, would also have to pass the package before it could go to Biden’s desk to be signed into law, right before next Thursday's possible deadline.The contours of a deal have been within reach for days, but Republicans are unsatisfied as they press the White House team for more.In one potential development, Republicans may be easing their demand to boost defense spending, instead offering to keep it at levels the Biden administration proposed, according to one person familiar with the talks and granted anonymity to discuss them.The Republicans may achieve their goal of of rolling back bolstered funding for the Internal Revenue Service if they agree to instead allow the White House to push that money into other domestic accounts, the person said.At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre blamed Republicans for risking a devastating default that would hit “every single part of the country” as they demand “extreme" spending cuts that would hurt millions of Americans.She decried what the administration called a “manufactured crisis” set in motion by the GOP.The White House has continued to argue that deficits can be reduced by ending tax breaks for wealthier households and some corporations, but McCarthy said he told the president as early as their February meeting that raising revenue from tax hikes was off the table.Donald Trump, the former president who is again running for office, has encouraged Republicans to “do a default” if they don’t get the deal they want from the White House.Time is short to strike a deal. Yellen said Wednesday that “it seems almost certain” that without a deal the United States would not make it past early June without defaulting. “We are seeing some stress already in Treasury markets,” she said at a Wall Street Journal event.While Biden has ruled out, for now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/14th-amendment-biden-debt-ceiling-explained-92ebc0db703d49eab2c91d4d4a354cdf">invoking the 14th Amendment</a>&nbsp;to raise the debt limit on his own, Democrats in the House announced they have all signed on to a legislative “discharge” process that would force a debt ceiling vote. But they need five Republicans to break with their party and tip the majority to set the plan forward.“Sign the bill!” Democrats yelled on the House floor after Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana announced the holiday recess schedule.Agreement on a topline spending level is vital. It would enable McCarthy to deliver spending restraints for conservatives while not being so severe that it would chase off the Democratic votes that would be needed in the divided Congress to pass any bill.But what, if anything, Democrats would get if they agreed to deeper spending cuts than Biden's team has proposed is uncertain.McCarthy and his Republican negotiators said what the Democrats get is a debt ceiling increase — typically something both parties take responsibility for doing.“The problem is not the White House. The problem is Kevin McCarthy and the extreme Republicans,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the progressive caucus. “They are the ones holding this economy hostage, that are putting all these cuts on the American people.”The negotiators are now also debating the duration of a 1% cap on annual spending growth going forward, with Republicans dropping their demand for a 10-year cap to six years, but the White House offering only one year, for 2025.Republicans want to beef up work requirements for government aid to recipients of food stamps, cash assistance and the Medicaid health care program that the Biden administration says would impact millions of people who depend on assistance.All sides have been eyeing the potential for the package to include a framework to ease federal regulations and speed energy project developments. They are all but certain to claw back some $30 billion in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-coronavirus-relief-funds-9c60de5ad51a922bae1c2cf2fa284be3">unspent COVID-19 funds</a>&nbsp;now that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-covid19-coronavirus-national-emergency-e3a52722b57a6b4f24187426c27b3b39">pandemic emergency has officially been lifted</a>.The White House has countered by proposing to keep defense and nondefense spending flat next year, which would save $90 billion in the 2024 budget year and $1 trillion over 10 years.

Debt ceiling talks on the brink as lawmakers leave for weekend

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday vowed to take “any legal action necessary” against Kansas City if its police department does not enforce a law banning transgender transition procedures for minors.

Bailey, a Republican, said in a letter to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners that the board has a constitutional duty to enforce the law, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">passed by the Missouri Legislature</a>&nbsp;this month. Republican Gov. Mike Parson has not yet signed the bill but is expected to do so.

The letter comes after the Kansas City Council on May 11 approved a resolution designating the city as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-sanctuary-city-gender-affirming-care-f253f23b9eefe9ede53d98c7b36f7310">an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city.</a>&nbsp;The resolution said the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone receive gender-affirming care such as as puberty blockers, hormones or surgery.

The city also said if the state passes a law imposing criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions in such cases, personnel in Missouri’s largest city will make enforcing those requirements “their lowest priority.”

Kansas City, a Democratic stronghold in a largely Republican state, is currently the only city in Missouri that does not control its police department. Instead, the board of police commissioners, made up the mayor and four members appointed by the governor, oversees the department.

Bailey said because the board is state-controlled, following the city council's resolution would violate the board's legal duties. He also said state law preempts contradictory local ordinances.

“It is the Board’s constitutional duty to enforce the law and ensure that children are protected from these dangerous, experimental gender transition interventions,” Bailey wrote. “As Missouri’s top legal officer, I will take any legal action necessary against the City to ensure our state laws are enforced.”

Earlier this week, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said in a statement that the law is outside the police department's jurisdiction because its provisions “do not pertain to criminal conduct, but rather seeks enforcement through medical licensing and civil action.”

“I want to assure Kansas City, we will continue to serve all the members of the community equitably regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation,” Graves said.

Bailey had sought to implement an emergency rule in April that would have required adults and minors to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could receive gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-missouri-emergency-rule-withdrawn-c3ce483448f4013a6f46f666051db6b2">withdrew the rule</a>&nbsp;after lawmakers passed the law banning transgender care for minors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri AG Andrew Bailey courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri AG Andrew Bailey courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday vowed to take “any legal action necessary” against Kansas City if its police department does not enforce a law banning transgender transition procedures for minors.Bailey, a Republican, said in a letter to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners that the board has a constitutional duty to enforce the law, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">passed by the Missouri Legislature</a>&nbsp;this month. Republican Gov. Mike Parson has not yet signed the bill but is expected to do so.The letter comes after the Kansas City Council on May 11 approved a resolution designating the city as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-sanctuary-city-gender-affirming-care-f253f23b9eefe9ede53d98c7b36f7310">an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city.</a>&nbsp;The resolution said the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone receive gender-affirming care such as as puberty blockers, hormones or surgery.The city also said if the state passes a law imposing criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions in such cases, personnel in Missouri’s largest city will make enforcing those requirements “their lowest priority.”Kansas City, a Democratic stronghold in a largely Republican state, is currently the only city in Missouri that does not control its police department. Instead, the board of police commissioners, made up the mayor and four members appointed by the governor, oversees the department.Bailey said because the board is state-controlled, following the city council's resolution would violate the board's legal duties. He also said state law preempts contradictory local ordinances.“It is the Board’s constitutional duty to enforce the law and ensure that children are protected from these dangerous, experimental gender transition interventions,” Bailey wrote. “As Missouri’s top legal officer, I will take any legal action necessary against the City to ensure our state laws are enforced.”Earlier this week, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said in a statement that the law is outside the police department's jurisdiction because its provisions “do not pertain to criminal conduct, but rather seeks enforcement through medical licensing and civil action.”“I want to assure Kansas City, we will continue to serve all the members of the community equitably regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation,” Graves said.Bailey had sought to implement an emergency rule in April that would have required adults and minors to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could receive gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-missouri-emergency-rule-withdrawn-c3ce483448f4013a6f46f666051db6b2">withdrew the rule</a>&nbsp;after lawmakers passed the law banning transgender care for minors.

AG demands Kansas City police enforce transgender care restrictions law

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting that sent a 19-year-old from Wichita to the hospital where she died Wednesday afternoon, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers continue the search for a suspect identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old La’Niha Banks who is considered armed and dangerous.

Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N in Wichita.

First responders located a woman with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. 

After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but&nbsp; Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

During the investigation, detectives were able to confirm Banks as the suspect. She was last seen fleeing in a red 2014 Buick Lacrosse with a paper 60-day tag. The police have located the car.

&nbsp;Banks is wanted on requested charges of aggravated battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and one count of&nbsp; murder.&nbsp; If you see Banks or know where she is, call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684684649459.png" alt="Banks-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Banks-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting that sent a 19-year-old from Wichita to the hospital where she died Wednesday afternoon, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers continue the search for a suspect identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old La’Niha Banks who is considered armed and dangerous.Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N in Wichita.First responders located a woman with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but&nbsp; Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684688157483.png" alt="Police reported Tuesday they had recovered Banks' car -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Police reported Tuesday they had recovered Banks' car -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, detectives were able to confirm Banks as the suspect. She was last seen fleeing in a red 2014 Buick Lacrosse with a paper 60-day tag. The police have located the car.&nbsp;Banks is wanted on requested charges of aggravated battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and one count of&nbsp; murder.&nbsp; If you see Banks or know where she is, call 911.

Search for suspect continues: Victim in Kan. shooting has died

Hundreds of people of the Catholic faith are flooding to the small town to Gower, Missouri, to witness what many are calling a miracle.&nbsp; &nbsp;

After Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary in Gower, passed away in May of 2019 she was buried on the grounds of the chapel. Four years later the sisters decided to dig up her remains to place them under an altar in the chapel.&nbsp; &nbsp;

When unburied, her tomb was found with a crack down the middle, and her body intact and appearing to be incorrupt. &nbsp;

Sister Lancaster's body is on display until Monday, May 29th, and people of the Catholic faith have been flooding to Gower to witness it, touch, and pray with the body. &nbsp;

Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph released the following statement regarding Sr. Wilhemina:&nbsp;

“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions. At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the mortal remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation.&nbsp;

I invite all the Faithful to continue praying during this time of investigation for God’s will in the lives of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; for all women religious; and all the baptized in our common vocation to holiness, with hope and trust in the Lord.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635337146615.jpeg" alt="Fence posts (left) go up as part of the wall construction at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles Abbey near Gower. Photo by Matt Pike." />
 <figcaption>Fence posts (left) go up as part of the wall construction at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles Abbey near Gower. Photo by Matt Pike.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostHundreds of people of the Catholic faith are flooding to the small town to Gower, Missouri, to witness what many are calling a miracle.&nbsp; &nbsp;After Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary in Gower, passed away in May of 2019 she was buried on the grounds of the chapel. Four years later the sisters decided to dig up her remains to place them under an altar in the chapel.&nbsp; &nbsp;When unburied, her tomb was found with a crack down the middle, and her body intact and appearing to be incorrupt. &nbsp;Sister Lancaster's body is on display until Monday, May 29th, and people of the Catholic faith have been flooding to Gower to witness it, touch, and pray with the body. &nbsp;Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph released the following statement regarding Sr. Wilhemina:&nbsp;“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions. At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the mortal remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation.&nbsp;I invite all the Faithful to continue praying during this time of investigation for God’s will in the lives of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; for all women religious; and all the baptized in our common vocation to holiness, with hope and trust in the Lord.”&nbsp;

'Miracle in Missouri' Hundreds travel to see nun’s exhumed, ‘incorrupt’ body

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans passed a resolution on Wednesday that would overturn President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;cancellation plan, but the White House has vowed to veto it and the plan remains on hold as the Supreme Court considers its fate.

It adds to the GOP’s ongoing attack on Biden’s one-time student loan cancellation, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-texas-education-donald-trump-student-loans-f2e944d85e95792089fa1e2fb9858287">halted in November</a>&nbsp;in response to lawsuits from conservative opponents. The Supreme Court is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-case-explained-8c62622e87c4ebff995f971263d932fc">now weighing the plan</a>&nbsp;after hearing arguments in February. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden’s plan</a>&nbsp;would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million Americans. About 26 million had applied for the relief before courts intervened.

The latest Republican challenge employs the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recently enacted executive branch regulations. Passing a resolution requires a simple majority in both chambers, but overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.

The vote was 218-203, with two Democrats, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, supporting it.

Republican Rep. Bob Good of Virginia introduced the resolution in the House in March. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced it in the Senate, which has not taken up the measure.

On Monday, the White House promised to veto the resolution if Congress approves it. The debt cancellation is based on “decades-old authority granted by Congress” to protect borrowers from the impact of national emergencies, according to a statement from the Office of Management and Budget.

The GOP resolution is “an unprecedented attempt to undercut our historic economic recovery,” the White House said.

If enacted, the measure would revoke Biden’s cancellation plan and curtail the Education Department’s ability to cancel student loans in the future. It would also rescind Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-and-politics-f524c55faae26c2066b6795a9d29bc8d">latest extension of a payment pause</a>&nbsp;that began early in the pandemic.

The measure would retroactively add several months of student loan interest that was waived by Biden’s extension, according to a letter from more than 260 organizations urging Congress to reject it.

Passing it “would immediately force tens of millions of borrowers into abrupt and unplanned repayment with devastating effects,” the coalition said. The action would also end Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a student loan cancellation program for teachers, firefighters and other public workers, the letter said.

About 43% of U.S. adults approve of how Biden is handling student debt, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That’s similar to his overall approval rating, 40%, but better than his ratings on the economy, gun policy and immigration. Biden gets credit for the issue among young adults in particular, with 53% under age 30 approving his handling of student loans.

Republicans say Biden overstepped his authority and illegally sidestepped Congress in pursuit of loan cancellation, which was a key campaign promise. Opponents say it’s too expensive and unfairly benefits college graduates at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t go to college.

Democrats say Biden’s plan gives needed relief to Americans hit hardest by the pandemic. They argue that federal law gives the Education Department wide authority to cancel student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Biden’s one-time cancellation would cost about $315 billion.

Republicans have escalated their war on Biden’s student loan agenda in recent weeks. Last month, the House passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-congress-republicans-18a1bdde96b3a72c0398c995fed94ac5">U.S. debt legislation</a>&nbsp;that would have reversed Biden’s cancellation, ended the repayment pause and barred the Education Department from future debt forgiveness.

The bill, which was seen as dead-on-arrival in the Senate, also aimed to eliminate a new, more generous student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;being pushed by Biden.

With neither party wielding a forceful majority in Congress, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-hearing-2128da75fc27ff3bcc0c3804ebd98aa7">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;could end up with the final say on the debate. The justices have been examining Biden’s plan in response to a challenge by six Republican-led states, along with a separate lawsuit brought by two students.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673377040107.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans passed a resolution on Wednesday that would overturn President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;cancellation plan, but the White House has vowed to veto it and the plan remains on hold as the Supreme Court considers its fate.It adds to the GOP’s ongoing attack on Biden’s one-time student loan cancellation, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-texas-education-donald-trump-student-loans-f2e944d85e95792089fa1e2fb9858287">halted in November</a>&nbsp;in response to lawsuits from conservative opponents. The Supreme Court is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-case-explained-8c62622e87c4ebff995f971263d932fc">now weighing the plan</a>&nbsp;after hearing arguments in February. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden’s plan</a>&nbsp;would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million Americans. About 26 million had applied for the relief before courts intervened.The latest Republican challenge employs the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recently enacted executive branch regulations. Passing a resolution requires a simple majority in both chambers, but overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.The vote was 218-203, with two Democrats, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, supporting it.Republican Rep. Bob Good of Virginia introduced the resolution in the House in March. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced it in the Senate, which has not taken up the measure.On Monday, the White House promised to veto the resolution if Congress approves it. The debt cancellation is based on “decades-old authority granted by Congress” to protect borrowers from the impact of national emergencies, according to a statement from the Office of Management and Budget.The GOP resolution is “an unprecedented attempt to undercut our historic economic recovery,” the White House said.If enacted, the measure would revoke Biden’s cancellation plan and curtail the Education Department’s ability to cancel student loans in the future. It would also rescind Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-and-politics-f524c55faae26c2066b6795a9d29bc8d">latest extension of a payment pause</a>&nbsp;that began early in the pandemic.The measure would retroactively add several months of student loan interest that was waived by Biden’s extension, according to a letter from more than 260 organizations urging Congress to reject it.Passing it “would immediately force tens of millions of borrowers into abrupt and unplanned repayment with devastating effects,” the coalition said. The action would also end Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a student loan cancellation program for teachers, firefighters and other public workers, the letter said.About 43% of U.S. adults approve of how Biden is handling student debt, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That’s similar to his overall approval rating, 40%, but better than his ratings on the economy, gun policy and immigration. Biden gets credit for the issue among young adults in particular, with 53% under age 30 approving his handling of student loans.Republicans say Biden overstepped his authority and illegally sidestepped Congress in pursuit of loan cancellation, which was a key campaign promise. Opponents say it’s too expensive and unfairly benefits college graduates at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t go to college.Democrats say Biden’s plan gives needed relief to Americans hit hardest by the pandemic. They argue that federal law gives the Education Department wide authority to cancel student loans.The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Biden’s one-time cancellation would cost about $315 billion.Republicans have escalated their war on Biden’s student loan agenda in recent weeks. Last month, the House passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-congress-republicans-18a1bdde96b3a72c0398c995fed94ac5">U.S. debt legislation</a>&nbsp;that would have reversed Biden’s cancellation, ended the repayment pause and barred the Education Department from future debt forgiveness.The bill, which was seen as dead-on-arrival in the Senate, also aimed to eliminate a new, more generous student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;being pushed by Biden.With neither party wielding a forceful majority in Congress, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-hearing-2128da75fc27ff3bcc0c3804ebd98aa7">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;could end up with the final say on the debate. The justices have been examining Biden’s plan in response to a challenge by six Republican-led states, along with a separate lawsuit brought by two students.___

House votes to prevent $400 billion student loan debt relief

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.

According to Sedgwick County Lt. Nathan Gibbs, a 2005 Subaru driven by 17-year-old&nbsp; Julio Alsidez of Derby was northbound in the&nbsp;4100 S Rock.

The vehicle left the roadway and truck a tree row. 

The family located him using his phone location. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to Gibbs.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.According to Sedgwick County Lt. Nathan Gibbs, a 2005 Subaru driven by 17-year-old&nbsp; Julio Alsidez of Derby was northbound in the&nbsp;4100 S Rock.The vehicle left the roadway and truck a tree row. The family located him using his phone location. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to Gibbs.

Fatal crash: Kan. family used phone location to find teen

RENO COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas home invasion robbery and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of an armed robbery the 1000 block of North Main Street in Hutchinson, according to Hutchinson Police.

&nbsp;An 82-year-old woman reported hearing someone rattling the back door of her residence.&nbsp; Moments later she walked out of her house and confronted an unknown white male suspect in her yard.&nbsp;

The suspect displayed what she believed was a large knife, verbally threatened her,&nbsp;and demanded she give him money.&nbsp; The victim was able to make her way to&nbsp;a nearby business to contact police and seek shelter.&nbsp;

The suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Preston L. Lewis, briefly entered the business as well, where he caused a verbal disturbance with employees.

Officers made contact with Lewis at the business. He was uncooperative and battered one of the officers while being taken into custody.&nbsp;

Lewis is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Battery LEO, Aggravated Criminal Threat, Interference with Law Enforcement, two counts of Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; He has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections

No injuries were reported by any of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684967281448.png" alt="Lewis has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Lewis has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas home invasion robbery and have a suspect in custody.Just after 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of an armed robbery the 1000 block of North Main Street in Hutchinson, according to Hutchinson Police.&nbsp;An 82-year-old woman reported hearing someone rattling the back door of her residence.&nbsp; Moments later she walked out of her house and confronted an unknown white male suspect in her yard.&nbsp;The suspect displayed what she believed was a large knife, verbally threatened her,&nbsp;and demanded she give him money.&nbsp; The victim was able to make her way to&nbsp;a nearby business to contact police and seek shelter.&nbsp;The suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Preston L. Lewis, briefly entered the business as well, where he caused a verbal disturbance with employees.Officers made contact with Lewis at the business. He was uncooperative and battered one of the officers while being taken into custody.&nbsp;Lewis is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Battery LEO, Aggravated Criminal Threat, Interference with Law Enforcement, two counts of Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; He has previous convictions for criminal threat and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of CorrectionsNo injuries were reported by any of the victims.

Home invasion: Kan. felon threatened 82-year-old with knife

MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged sex crimes and have a suspect in custody.

On May 15, police in Paola received information that an alleged rape occurred in 2022 along with other alleged sex assault allegations prior to that incident, according to Captain Eric Jenkins with the Paola Police Department.

Police identified the suspect as 47-year-old Chad Kelsey of Paola, a track coach with Paola USD 368.&nbsp; The victim was a juvenile during a portion of the incidents. Police have also identified a second victim.

Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, police took Kelsey into custody and executed a search warrant at his residence in the 500 Block of East Peoria Street in Paola. He is being held on requested charges of rape; aggravated indecent liberties with a child; unlawful sexual relations and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

In a message to parents, USD 368 said, "The school district has&nbsp;been notified that a Paola High School rule 10 track coach, Chad Kelsey, was taken into custody earlier today by the Paola Police Department for serious allegations."&nbsp;

 “At this time, we are unaware of any allegations of misconduct as part of any school-related activities or on district property. Mr. Kelsey’s position has been terminated. We take these allegations seriously and are cooperating with law enforcement and ask if you or your child have any information or questions to contact the Paola Police Department at 913-259-3631.”

The Miami County Attorney is to review charges in the case, according to Jenkins. There is no information on additional victims but grooming type behavior was involved in this case. Police encourage other victims to come forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684960227843.png" alt="Kelsey-photo Miami Co." />
 <figcaption>Kelsey-photo Miami Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged sex crimes and have a suspect in custody.On May 15, police in Paola received information that an alleged rape occurred in 2022 along with other alleged sex assault allegations prior to that incident, according to Captain Eric Jenkins with the Paola Police Department.Police identified the suspect as 47-year-old Chad Kelsey of Paola, a track coach with Paola USD 368.&nbsp; The victim was a juvenile during a portion of the incidents. Police have also identified a second victim.Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, police took Kelsey into custody and executed a search warrant at his residence in the 500 Block of East Peoria Street in Paola. He is being held on requested charges of rape; aggravated indecent liberties with a child; unlawful sexual relations and furnishing alcohol to a minor.In a message to parents, USD 368 said, "The school district has&nbsp;been notified that a Paola High School rule 10 track coach, Chad Kelsey, was taken into custody earlier today by the Paola Police Department for serious allegations."&nbsp; “At this time, we are unaware of any allegations of misconduct as part of any school-related activities or on district property. Mr. Kelsey’s position has been terminated. We take these allegations seriously and are cooperating with law enforcement and ask if you or your child have any information or questions to contact the Paola Police Department at 913-259-3631.”The Miami County Attorney is to review charges in the case, according to Jenkins. There is no information on additional victims but grooming type behavior was involved in this case. Police encourage other victims to come forward.

Kansas high school track coach accused of sex crimes

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials killed a newborn bison because its herd wouldn’t take the animal back after a man picked it up.

The calf became separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River in northeastern Yellowstone on Saturday. The unidentified man pushed the struggling calf up from the river and onto a roadway, park officials said in a statement Tuesday.

Park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd but were unsuccessful. Visitors saw the calf walking up to and following cars and people, creating a hazard, so park staff killed the animal, according to the statement.

It's the latest example of Yellowstone visitors getting in trouble or hurt after approaching bison. Park officials euthanized a newborn bison after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/69afa4054d7d49e3aea394481d910de6">similar incident</a>&nbsp;in 2016, when a Canadian man and his son put the calf in their SUV, thinking they could rescue it.

The man pleaded guilty. He was fined $235 and ordered to pay $500 to the Yellowstone Park Foundation Wildlife Protection Fund.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-pennsylvania-wyoming-parks-national-2698e8b6d2bb539b51a960f9dad937e3">Bison have gored</a>&nbsp;several people in Yellowstone in recent years, often after they got too close to the animals.

Many of Yellowstone’s larger animals — including bison, which can run up to 35 mph (55 kilometers per hour) and weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) — are deceptively dangerous, even when they’re just grazing or resting.

Park rules require visitors to keep at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from wildlife including bison, elk and deer, and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves.

Park officials are investigating the bison calf incident. The suspect was a white male in his 40s or 50s who was wearing a blue shirt and black pants, the statement said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684950698713.png" alt="It's the latest example of Yellowstone visitors getting in trouble or hurt after approaching bison. photo by Helen Jack courtesy National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>It's the latest example of Yellowstone visitors getting in trouble or hurt after approaching bison. photo by Helen Jack courtesy National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials killed a newborn bison because its herd wouldn’t take the animal back after a man picked it up.The calf became separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River in northeastern Yellowstone on Saturday. The unidentified man pushed the struggling calf up from the river and onto a roadway, park officials said in a statement Tuesday.Park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd but were unsuccessful. Visitors saw the calf walking up to and following cars and people, creating a hazard, so park staff killed the animal, according to the statement.It's the latest example of Yellowstone visitors getting in trouble or hurt after approaching bison. Park officials euthanized a newborn bison after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/69afa4054d7d49e3aea394481d910de6">similar incident</a>&nbsp;in 2016, when a Canadian man and his son put the calf in their SUV, thinking they could rescue it.The man pleaded guilty. He was fined $235 and ordered to pay $500 to the Yellowstone Park Foundation Wildlife Protection Fund.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-pennsylvania-wyoming-parks-national-2698e8b6d2bb539b51a960f9dad937e3">Bison have gored</a>&nbsp;several people in Yellowstone in recent years, often after they got too close to the animals.Many of Yellowstone’s larger animals — including bison, which can run up to 35 mph (55 kilometers per hour) and weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) — are deceptively dangerous, even when they’re just grazing or resting.Park rules require visitors to keep at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from wildlife including bison, elk and deer, and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves.Park officials are investigating the bison calf incident. The suspect was a white male in his 40s or 50s who was wearing a blue shirt and black pants, the statement said.

Baby bison put to death after visitor picks it up, leading herd to reject it

MCPHERSON COUNTY— A Kansas man died in an accident just after 2p.m. Wednesday in McPherson County.

A motorcycle driven by 37-year-old Michael L. Heitkotter of McPherson was southbound on 14th Street just east of Inman, according to McPherson County Sheriff Jerry Montagne.

The motorcycle struck a westbound semi that failed to yield at a stop sign.&nbsp; Heitkotter was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The sheriff's department released no additional details.

MCPHERSON COUNTY— A Kansas man died in an accident just after 2p.m. Wednesday in McPherson County.A motorcycle driven by 37-year-old Michael L. Heitkotter of McPherson was southbound on 14th Street just east of Inman, according to McPherson County Sheriff Jerry Montagne.The motorcycle struck a westbound semi that failed to yield at a stop sign.&nbsp; Heitkotter was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The sheriff's department released no additional details.

Kansas man dies in motorcycle, semi crash

MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ron-desantis-eda0e666c92e071645c6f43add3fbf59">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday with a Twitter announcement plagued by technical glitches, stepping into a crowded Republican primary contest that will test his strength against former President Donald Trump and criticism that he's not ready for the national stage.

The 44-year-old Republican, an outspoken cultural conservative, initially announced his decision in a video posted on social media, but planned to discuss it further in a first-of-its-kind conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces. But the audio stream crashed repeatedly, making it virtually impossible for most users to hear the high-profile announcement in real time.

“We need the courage to lead and the strength to win,” DeSantis said in a minute-long video posted on social media before the conversation with Musk. “I’m Ron DeSantis, and I’m running for president to lead our great American comeback.”

Despite the rocky start, DeSantis' announcement marks a new chapter in his extraordinary rise from little-known congressman to two-term governor to a leading figure in the nation’s bitter fights over race, gender, abortion and other divisive issues.

DeSantis is considered to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-ron-desantis-donald-trump-c8a3a7e58d35061f8662ead819861005">Trump’s strongest Republican rival</a>&nbsp;even as the governor faces questions about his far-right policies, his campaign-trail personality and his lack of relationships across the Republican ecosystem. Still, he has generated significant interest among GOP primary voters by casting himself as a younger and more electable version of the 76-year-old former president.

The ultimate Republican nominee is expected to face Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on the general election ballot in November 2024.

DeSantis joins a field that also includes former U.N. Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-running-for-president-f28052019e8ac3846cd125b3d9614d4f">Nikki Haley</a>, Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-2024-presidential-race-4a73e00db2295afbc4b07d1c6bb64811">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/asa-hutchinson-president-2024-election-3a55855b1914d6e61338d1c8576a817f">Asa Hutchinson</a>&nbsp;and biotech entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considered a likely presidential candidate but has not yet announced a bid.

DeSantis tried to discus his presidential candidacy for the first time in a conversation on Twitter Space with Musk, one of the world's richest men who is increasingly considered a conservative cult hero. The meeting was moderated by Republican donor David Sacks, a tech entrepreneur who is close to Musk.

The event started off with technical glitches the Twitter owner said were due to “straining” servers because so many people were trying to listen to the audio-only event.

Musk a day earlier dubbed the event a historic first for Twitter, saying it will be “the first time something like this is happening on social media.” The event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EDT, but 20 minutes passed with users getting kicked off, hearing microphone feedback and other technical problems.

"This is a disaster. Not surprising,” tweeted senior Trump adviser Chris LaCivita.

Meanwhile, DeSantis and Trump have much in common.

DeSantis, who likely would not have become the Florida governor without Trump’s endorsement, has adopted the former president’s fiery personality, his populist policies and even some of his rhetoric and mannerisms.

Yet DeSantis has one thing his rival does not: a credible claim that he may be more electable than Trump, who faces multiple legal threats, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-criminal-case-manhattan-cc2dbf565678eeaf8246a96b0fd1f461">criminal charges</a>&nbsp;in New York, and who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-00c770068d8b82f165a9f4871eee983b">presided over Republican losses</a>&nbsp;in three consecutive national elections.

DeSantis, just six months ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-governor-race-2022-midterm-elections-4b2fe3a05668ed67119511838339110e">won his reelection</a>&nbsp;in Florida by a stunning 19 percentage points — even as Republicans in many other states struggled. He also scored several major policy victories during the Republican-controlled Legislature’s spring session.

Aware of DeSantis’ draw, Trump has been almost singularly focused on undermining his political appeal for months. Trump and his team believe that DeSantis may be Trump’s only legitimate threat for the nomination.

Hours before the announcement, Trump argued in a social media post that “Ron DeSanctus” cannot win the general election or the GOP primary because of his previous votes in Congress on Social Security and Medicare.

“He desperately needs a personality transplant and, to the best of my knowledge, they are not medically available yet," Trump added. "A disloyal person!”

Trump allies dispatched a truck outside DeSantis' planned donor meeting running an attack ad describing him as “a swamp creature." The Democratic National Committee sent another truck warning of DeSantis’ “extreme MAGA agenda.”

The kitchen-sink attacks and nicknames won’t be DeSantis’ only hurdle.

He is a political heavyweight in Florida and a regular on Fox News, but allies acknowledge that most primary voters in other states don’t know him well.

A Florida native with family roots in the Midwest, DeSantis studied at Yale University, where he played baseball. He would go on to Harvard Law School and become a Navy judge advocate general officer, a position that took him to Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

He ran for Congress in 2012 and won an Orlando-area district, becoming a founding member of the far-right Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill.

Despite his lengthy resume, friends and foes alike note that DeSantis struggles to display the campaign-trail charisma and quick-on-your-feet thinking that often defines successful candidates at the national level. He has gone to great lengths to avoid unscripted public appearances and media scrutiny while governor, which is difficult, if not impossible, as a presidential contender.

In an example of his level of media avoidance, his official Twitter account for governor posted a photo shortly after the FEC filing — a bill signing surrounded by dozens of bikers for legislation to help reduce motorcycle accidents in Florida. The media was not notified of the event ahead of time.

Late Wednesday, DeSantis’ office announced that he signed a broad election law bill that contains a provision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-president-resign-run-florida-elections-be012bb10da7b89b433bfbce4e5cfa1a">allowing him to run for president without resigning</a>&nbsp;his post as governor, exempting himself from a state rule known as “resign to run.”

Would-be supporters also worry that DeSantis has refused to invest in relationships with party leaders or fellow elected officials, raising questions about his ability to build the coalition he would ultimately need to beat Trump. By contrast, Trump has scooped up an army of endorsements in key states, including Florida.

Beyond the primary, DeSantis’ greatest longer-term challenge may rest with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-laws-2024-president-election-abortion-florida-668ae3101e3d7d7f61dd9925b419ee6e">far-right policies he enacted</a>&nbsp;as governor as an unapologetic leader in what he calls his "war on woke.”

The Florida governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-immigration-ron-desantis-charlie-baker-4fe96d293de4b189299a372b85c95add">sent dozens of immigrants</a>&nbsp;from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard off the Massachusetts coast to draw attention to the influx of Latin American immigrants trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. He signed and then expanded the Parental Rights in Education bill — known by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bans instruction or classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in Florida public schools for all grades.

More recently, he signed a law banning abortions at six weeks, which is before most women realize they’re pregnant. And he removed an elected prosecutor who vowed not to charge people under Florida’s new abortion restrictions or doctors who provide gender-affirming care.

DeSantis also signed a law this year allowing Florida residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. He pushed new measures that critics warn would weaken press freedoms. He also took control of a liberal arts college that he believed was indoctrinating students with leftist ideology.

The governor’s highest-profile political fight has come against the Florida entertainment giant Disney, which publicly opposed his “Don’t Say Gay” law. In retaliation, DeSantis seized control of Disney World’s governing body and installed loyalists who are threatening to take over park planning, among other extraordinary measures.

DeSantis has threatened to build a state prison adjacent to park property.

The dispute has drawn condemnation from business leaders and his Republican rivals, who said the moves are at odds with small-government conservatism.

DeSantis delayed his campaign announcement until Florida’s legislative session was over. But for much of the year, he has been courting primary voters in key states and using an allied super political action committee to build a large political organization that is essentially a campaign in waiting and already claims at least $30 million in the bank.

Super PAC adviser David Polyansky said Trump has made “significant strategic mistakes” on policy — especially abortion — that DeSantis' team is prepared to exploit.

And More than any of his opponents, perhaps even Trump, DeSantis is positioned to hit the ground running thanks to the super PAC’s monthslong efforts to install campaign infrastructure across Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which will host the first four contests on the GOP’s primary calendar early next year.

In fact, the super PAC is already building out DeSantis' political operation in states that host primaries in March, signaling a very long road ahead to the Republican presidential nomination.

MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ron-desantis-eda0e666c92e071645c6f43add3fbf59">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;entered the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday, stepping into a crowded Republican primary contest that will test both his national appeal as an outspoken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-laws-2024-president-election-abortion-florida-668ae3101e3d7d7f61dd9925b419ee6e">cultural conservative</a>&nbsp;and the GOP’s willingness to move on from former President Donald Trump.

The 44-year-old Republican revealed his decision in a Federal Election Commission filing before an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

It marks a new chapter in his extraordinary rise from little-known congressman to two-term governor to a leading figure in the nation’s bitter fights over race, gender, abortion and other divisive issues.

DeSantis’ audio-only announcement was to be streamed on Twitter Spaces beginning at 6 p.m. EDT, followed by appearances on conservative programs, including Fox News and Mark Levin's radio show. He also was holding a donor event at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Miami on Wednesday.

The Republican nominee is expected to face Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on the general election ballot in November 2024.

The governor’s highest-profile political fight has come against the Florida-based entertainment giant Disney, which publicly opposed his “Don’t Say Gay” law. In retaliation, DeSantis seized control of Disney World’s governing body and installed loyalists who are threatening to take over park planning, among other extraordinary measures.

DeSantis has threatened to build a state prison on park property.

More than any of his opponents, except perhaps Trump, DeSantis is positioned to hit the ground running thanks to the super PAC’s monthslong efforts to install campaign infrastructure across Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which will host the first four contests on the GOP’s primary calendar early next year.

DeSantis gave no hint as to his plans during a meeting of the state clemency board Wednesday morning in Tallahassee, where he granted several pardons to former prisoners charged mostly with drug-related crimes decades ago.

“You are what the country needs,” one man said after getting his pardon.

A smiling DeSantis chuckled and thanked him.

🎥 DeSantis launches presidential campaign despite glitches on Twitter 

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating an alleged brief of privacy and and after asking for assistance from the public reported they have identified the suspect, according to Overland Park Police.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The suspect, whose name has not been released, was shown from security cameras and was wanted for questioning in connection with a fitting room, breach of privacy investigation at a retail store in the 12200 block of Blue Valley Parkway on April 21st 2023 at approximately 5:30pm.&nbsp; 

He used a selfie stick or similar device to take photos of a young woman in the dressing room. Investigators said someone spotted the suspect, and he left the store immediately.

The suspect was last seen driving a red 2016 or newer Honda Civic.

If you are able to identify the suspect please contact the Lead Detective at 913-344-8742 or the TIPS HOTLINE at 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684871844631.png" alt="Photos Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating an alleged brief of privacy and and after asking for assistance from the public reported they have identified the suspect, according to Overland Park Police.&nbsp; &nbsp;The suspect, whose name has not been released, was shown from security cameras and was wanted for questioning in connection with a fitting room, breach of privacy investigation at a retail store in the 12200 block of Blue Valley Parkway on April 21st 2023 at approximately 5:30pm.&nbsp; He used a selfie stick or similar device to take photos of a young woman in the dressing room. Investigators said someone spotted the suspect, and he left the store immediately.The suspect was last seen driving a red 2016 or newer Honda Civic. If you are able to identify the suspect please contact the Lead Detective at 913-344-8742 or the TIPS HOTLINE at 816-474-TIPS.

Police ID man accused of taking fitting room pics at Kan. store

(Video by Jordan Schaeffer/Eagle Communications)

ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Hays.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday the Hays Police Department received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2700 block of Canal Blvd, according to a media release. The suspect was identified as 25yo Austin Boettcher.

 The police department received information that Boettcher was not allowing a female and her infant child to leave the apartment. 

Officers attempted to make contact, but the occupants did not open the door.

 Officers blocked off the area and cleared adjacent apartments and proceeded to work to gain compliance from the occupants of the apartment.

<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/873oGoLa-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Hays standoff 052423" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>(Video by Jordan Schaeffer/Eagle Communications)ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Hays.Just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday the Hays Police Department received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2700 block of Canal Blvd, according to a media release. The suspect was identified as 25yo Austin Boettcher. The police department received information that Boettcher was not allowing a female and her infant child to leave the apartment. Officers attempted to make contact, but the occupants did not open the door. Officers blocked off the area and cleared adjacent apartments and proceeded to work to gain compliance from the occupants of the apartment. The victim, another female roommate and the infant did come to the door and were evacuated to a safe location. Officers learned that Boettcher had crawled up into the attic and was not coming out.&nbsp; Announcements over a loudspeaker were used to try and de-escalate the situation and gain compliance from Boettcher. Eventually officers had to enter the apartment and the attic to gain compliance from Boettcher. Boettcher was arrested on requested charges of domestic battery, interference and an outstanding Ellis County Bench Warrant for aggravated battery, domestic battery, and intimidation of a witness or victim. Boettcher was transported to the Ellis County Jail.&nbsp;