LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.

Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors – especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African American audiences.

In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”

“What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up," Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.

Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-cult consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like the ‘shot heard round the world." His single won an Academy Award for best song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.

After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.

Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.

Jackson called Roundtree the “prototype” and the “best to ever do it" in a social media post.

“SHAFT, as we know it is &amp; will always be his Creation," he said of Roundtree. "His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.”

Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”

In 1995, Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie &amp; TV awards.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698227923055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors – especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African American audiences.In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”“What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up," Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-cult consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like the ‘shot heard round the world." His single won an Academy Award for best song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.Jackson called Roundtree the “prototype” and the “best to ever do it" in a social media post.“SHAFT, as we know it is &amp; will always be his Creation," he said of Roundtree. "His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.”Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”In 1995, Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie &amp; TV awards.

'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, first Black action movie hero, has died 

WICHITA– A Kansas man has been sentenced to consecutive life terms in prison.

On September 1st, a jury in District Judge Jeffrey Syrios’ courtroom found <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251319">Noe Reyes-Carrera,</a> 34 of Wichita, guilty of rape and three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The crimes were reported by a 14-year-old girl and her 11-year0old sister.

The older girl told police Carrera had been sexually assaulting her since she was seven years old. On Thursday Judge Syrios sentenced Carrera to four 25-to-life terms in prison. The Judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698102221175.png" alt="REYES-CARRERA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>REYES-CARRERA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA– A Kansas man has been sentenced to consecutive life terms in prison.On September 1st, a jury in District Judge Jeffrey Syrios’ courtroom found <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251319">Noe Reyes-Carrera,</a> 34 of Wichita, guilty of rape and three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The crimes were reported by a 14-year-old girl and her 11-year0old sister.The older girl told police Carrera had been sexually assaulting her since she was seven years old. On Thursday Judge Syrios sentenced Carrera to four 25-to-life terms in prison. The Judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

Kan. man sentenced for sex crimes involving 14 and 11-year-old sisters 

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just after 11:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;October 22, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in Osage County for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy located illegal narcotics.

A passenger in the vehicle, Selena M. Servantez, 27, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of fentanyl,&nbsp;methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and Traffic in contraband in a correctional facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698087436680.png" alt="Servantez photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Servantez photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just after 11:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;October 22, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in Osage County for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy located illegal narcotics.A passenger in the vehicle, Selena M. Servantez, 27, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of possession of fentanyl,&nbsp;methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and Traffic in contraband in a correctional facility.

Sheriff: Kansas woman caught transporting fentanyl

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating illegal hunting in in Reno County.

On October 22, the Reno County Sheriff's Office notified the Game Warden of a deer laying in a roadway near Woodberry Road and W 125th Street North that appeared to have been shot and dumped on the border of Reno and Harvey Counties, according to a social media report from the game wardens.

Investigators recovered three slugs from the deer, multiple rimfire casings and two spent buckshot shotshells. 

Warden's are requesting the public's help to identify the subjects behind this criminal activity. 

If you have any information, please contact Gamewarden Besthorn at 316-215-2124.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698177407466.png" alt="photo Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>photo Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating illegal hunting in in Reno County.On October 22, the Reno County Sheriff's Office notified the Game Warden of a deer laying in a roadway near Woodberry Road and W 125th Street North that appeared to have been shot and dumped on the border of Reno and Harvey Counties, according to a social media report from the game wardens.Investigators recovered three slugs from the deer, multiple rimfire casings and two spent buckshot shotshells. Warden's are requesting the public's help to identify the subjects behind this criminal activity. If you have any information, please contact Gamewarden Besthorn at 316-215-2124.

Kan. game warden asks for help with poached deer investigation

NEW YORK (AP) —Dozens of U.S. states, including Kansas, Missouri, California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.

<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2023/10/23.10.24-Doc.-1-Complaint-People-v.-Meta-23cv05448.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the lawsuit

The<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24080215-meta-lawsuit">&nbsp;lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed by 33 states in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, nine attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of states taking action to 41 and Washington, D.C.

“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children.”

The suits seek financial damages and restitution and an end to Meta’s practices that are in violation of the law.

“Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta are to blame,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem.”

In a statement, Meta said it shares “the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online, and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families.”

“We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” the company added.

The broad-ranging federal suit is the result of an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont. It follows damning newspaper reports, first by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;in the fall of 2021, based on the Meta’s own research that found that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers — especially teen girls — when it comes to mental health and body image issues. One internal study cited 13.5% of teen girls saying Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse and 17% of teen girls saying it makes eating disorders worse.

Following the first reports, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/the-facebook-papers">consortium of news organizations</a>, including The Associated Press, published their own findings based on leaked documents from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who has testified before Congress and a British parliamentary committee about what she found.

“Meta has been harming our children and teens, cultivating addiction to boost corporate profits,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “With today’s lawsuit, we are drawing the line.”

The use of social media among teens is nearly universal in the U.S. and many other parts of the world.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/">Almost all teens</a>&nbsp;ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform, with about a third saying they use social media “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center.

To comply with federal regulation, social media companies ban kids under 13 from signing up to their platforms — but children have been shown to easily get around the bans, both with and without their parents’ consent, and many younger kids have social media accounts. The states’ complaint says Meta knowingly violated this law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, by collecting data on children without informing and getting permission from their parents.

Other measures social platforms have taken to address concerns about children’s mental health are also easily circumvented. For instance, TikTok recently introduced a default&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-minors-social-media-china-time-limit-f735bd496ea3513abfc6480e5637abd8">60-minute time limit</a>&nbsp;for users under 18. But once the limit is reached, minors can simply enter a passcode to keep watching. TikTok, Snapchat and other social platforms that have also been blamed for contributing to the youth mental health crisis are not part of Tuesday’s lawsuit.

Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wouldn’t comment on whether they’re also looking at TikTok or Snapchat. For now they’re focusing on the Meta empire of Facebook and Instagram, he said.

“They’re the worst of the worst when it comes to using technology to addict teenagers to social media, all in the furtherance of putting profits over people.”

In May, U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/surgeon-general-kids-social-media-teens-tiktok-instagram-443530d9baa3f91386bf9fbfb313bbaf">Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy</a>&nbsp;called on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take “immediate action to protect kids now” from the harms of social media.

NEW YORK (AP) —Dozens of U.S. states, including Kansas, Missouri, California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2023/10/23.10.24-Doc.-1-Complaint-People-v.-Meta-23cv05448.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the lawsuitThe<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24080215-meta-lawsuit">&nbsp;lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed by 33 states in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, nine attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of states taking action to 41 and Washington, D.C.“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children.”The suits seek financial damages and restitution and an end to Meta’s practices that are in violation of the law.“Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta are to blame,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem.”In a statement, Meta said it shares “the attorneys general’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive experiences online, and have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families.”“We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” the company added.The broad-ranging federal suit is the result of an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont. It follows damning newspaper reports, first by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;in the fall of 2021, based on the Meta’s own research that found that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers — especially teen girls — when it comes to mental health and body image issues. One internal study cited 13.5% of teen girls saying Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse and 17% of teen girls saying it makes eating disorders worse.Following the first reports, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/the-facebook-papers">consortium of news organizations</a>, including The Associated Press, published their own findings based on leaked documents from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who has testified before Congress and a British parliamentary committee about what she found.“Meta has been harming our children and teens, cultivating addiction to boost corporate profits,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “With today’s lawsuit, we are drawing the line.”The use of social media among teens is nearly universal in the U.S. and many other parts of the world.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/">Almost all teens</a>&nbsp;ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform, with about a third saying they use social media “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center.To comply with federal regulation, social media companies ban kids under 13 from signing up to their platforms — but children have been shown to easily get around the bans, both with and without their parents’ consent, and many younger kids have social media accounts. The states’ complaint says Meta knowingly violated this law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, by collecting data on children without informing and getting permission from their parents.Other measures social platforms have taken to address concerns about children’s mental health are also easily circumvented. For instance, TikTok recently introduced a default&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-minors-social-media-china-time-limit-f735bd496ea3513abfc6480e5637abd8">60-minute time limit</a>&nbsp;for users under 18. But once the limit is reached, minors can simply enter a passcode to keep watching. TikTok, Snapchat and other social platforms that have also been blamed for contributing to the youth mental health crisis are not part of Tuesday’s lawsuit.Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wouldn’t comment on whether they’re also looking at TikTok or Snapchat. For now they’re focusing on the Meta empire of Facebook and Instagram, he said.“They’re the worst of the worst when it comes to using technology to addict teenagers to social media, all in the furtherance of putting profits over people.”In May, U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/surgeon-general-kids-social-media-teens-tiktok-instagram-443530d9baa3f91386bf9fbfb313bbaf">Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy</a>&nbsp;called on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take “immediate action to protect kids now” from the harms of social media.__

Read lawsuit filed by Kan. claiming Facebook, Instagram harm children's mental health

JERUSALEM — The U.S. is issuing a new warning to ships traveling through the Red Sea after a drone and missile attack launched from Yemen during the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S. Maritime Administration warning on Tuesday urged vessels to “exercise caution when transiting this region.”

The U.S. Navy says it shot down missiles and drones believed to have been launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent days amid wider tensions across the Middle East over the war.

In addition, the U.S. Central Command reported the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Tuesday to bolster U.S. posture to deter further aggression.&nbsp;On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697765298614.png" alt="The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau" />
 <figcaption>The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM — The U.S. is issuing a new warning to ships traveling through the Red Sea after a drone and missile attack launched from Yemen during the Israel-Hamas war.The U.S. Maritime Administration warning on Tuesday urged vessels to “exercise caution when transiting this region.”The U.S. Navy says it shot down missiles and drones believed to have been launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent days amid wider tensions across the Middle East over the war.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698161439211.png" alt="Photo U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, the U.S. Central Command reported the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Tuesday to bolster U.S. posture to deter further aggression.&nbsp;On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp;

U.S. issues warning to ships in the Red Sea 

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A mother is suing a shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, blaming her son's death on a gang rape and other abuse he endured there.

Agape Boarding School has been subjected to a wave of litigation as a series of abuse allegations emerged, but the case filed this month and amended Monday in federal court by Kathleen Britt is believed to be the first wrongful death suit.

The suit said that mental health problems plagued Britt's son, Jason Britt, after he left the private school, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-crime-education-kansas-city-missouri-7accbdddd9dfe3ac387533aa8fb7c102">several staffers subsequently were charged</a>. The suit said he lifted weights obsessively and ingested copious steroids so he would become so strong that he never would be victimized again.

He grew so despondent that he wrote a suicide note. But heart and kidney failure were what claimed his life in February 2022.

“The saddest part of his case is he finally found a cause to live when the circumstances of his choices ended up killing him,” said attorney Rebecca Randles. “It is one of those completely devastatingly sad situations.”

Among those named in the suit are the school, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-dickens-94038022dc9af71dd9f73158cd53e945">company</a>&nbsp;that transported students there, and Cedar County Sheriff James McCrary. Agape’s attorney and the sheriff didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Jason Britt's parents turned to Agape because they were worried about his slipping grades and partying. In 2010, the then-16-year-old was awoken in the middle of the night while staying with his girlfriend. The men who transported him to Agape zip tied his hands and told him he had been given up for adoption, the suit said.

Instead of the counseling his parents were promised, the school was “a concentration camp or torture colony cloaked in the guise of religion," the suit said. Upon arriving, his head was shaved. And when he tried to write to his family about what was happening, he was punished. The maltreatment culminated in him being gang raped, the suit said.

The suit said the sheriff's department knew of reports of abuse at Agape and a sister boarding school. But despite those reports, deputies routinely returned runaways to their schools without effectively investigating or reporting concerns to state welfare workers.

Some of the sheriff's department staff also worked at the school, the suit said.

When Jason Britt's mother visited, she was alarmed by her son's demeanor and took him home, the suit said. The family learned he had been abused at the school, but they were ignored by Cedar County authorities, the lawsuit said. Anxious and withdrawn, he finished high school online and grew obsessed with weight lifting.

“The steroids, testosterone, high blood pressure and anxiety coupled with the drug addiction were the mechanism of his death; the cause of his death was the abuse at Agape,” the suit said.

More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.

When it shut down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-stockton-missouri-education-6d4bc69348f4349249e49b3ec7c29172">January</a>, it was the fourth and last unlicensed Christian boarding school to close in Cedar County since September 2020. The school’s former director, Bryan Clemensen, said the school, whose enrollment had tumbled, closed because it did not have the funding to continue.

Former Agape students came forward with abuse allegations in 2020. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes.

But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632608030678.png" alt="More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A mother is suing a shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, blaming her son's death on a gang rape and other abuse he endured there.Agape Boarding School has been subjected to a wave of litigation as a series of abuse allegations emerged, but the case filed this month and amended Monday in federal court by Kathleen Britt is believed to be the first wrongful death suit.The suit said that mental health problems plagued Britt's son, Jason Britt, after he left the private school, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-crime-education-kansas-city-missouri-7accbdddd9dfe3ac387533aa8fb7c102">several staffers subsequently were charged</a>. The suit said he lifted weights obsessively and ingested copious steroids so he would become so strong that he never would be victimized again.He grew so despondent that he wrote a suicide note. But heart and kidney failure were what claimed his life in February 2022.“The saddest part of his case is he finally found a cause to live when the circumstances of his choices ended up killing him,” said attorney Rebecca Randles. “It is one of those completely devastatingly sad situations.”Among those named in the suit are the school, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-dickens-94038022dc9af71dd9f73158cd53e945">company</a>&nbsp;that transported students there, and Cedar County Sheriff James McCrary. Agape’s attorney and the sheriff didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.Jason Britt's parents turned to Agape because they were worried about his slipping grades and partying. In 2010, the then-16-year-old was awoken in the middle of the night while staying with his girlfriend. The men who transported him to Agape zip tied his hands and told him he had been given up for adoption, the suit said.Instead of the counseling his parents were promised, the school was “a concentration camp or torture colony cloaked in the guise of religion," the suit said. Upon arriving, his head was shaved. And when he tried to write to his family about what was happening, he was punished. The maltreatment culminated in him being gang raped, the suit said.The suit said the sheriff's department knew of reports of abuse at Agape and a sister boarding school. But despite those reports, deputies routinely returned runaways to their schools without effectively investigating or reporting concerns to state welfare workers.Some of the sheriff's department staff also worked at the school, the suit said.When Jason Britt's mother visited, she was alarmed by her son's demeanor and took him home, the suit said. The family learned he had been abused at the school, but they were ignored by Cedar County authorities, the lawsuit said. Anxious and withdrawn, he finished high school online and grew obsessed with weight lifting.“The steroids, testosterone, high blood pressure and anxiety coupled with the drug addiction were the mechanism of his death; the cause of his death was the abuse at Agape,” the suit said.More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.When it shut down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-stockton-missouri-education-6d4bc69348f4349249e49b3ec7c29172">January</a>, it was the fourth and last unlicensed Christian boarding school to close in Cedar County since September 2020. The school’s former director, Bryan Clemensen, said the school, whose enrollment had tumbled, closed because it did not have the funding to continue.Former Agape students came forward with abuse allegations in 2020. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes.But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Mother files wrongful death lawsuit against Christian boarding school 

WILSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Express van driven by Dustin Hale, 29, Rogers, Arkansas, was eastbound on U.S. 400 three miles from Kansas 47 Highway.

The van crossed the center line and struck a 2022 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Scott Allen Bryant, 52, Wichita, head-on.&nbsp; After impact the SUV&nbsp;spun counter clockwise into the eastbound ditch where it caught fire.

Hale and Bryant were pronounced dead at the scene. Hale was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. The agency had not seat belt information for Bryant.

WILSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Express van driven by Dustin Hale, 29, Rogers, Arkansas, was eastbound on U.S. 400 three miles from Kansas 47 Highway.The van crossed the center line and struck a 2022 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Scott Allen Bryant, 52, Wichita, head-on.&nbsp; After impact the SUV&nbsp;spun counter clockwise into the eastbound ditch where it caught fire.Hale and Bryant were pronounced dead at the scene. Hale was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. The agency had not seat belt information for Bryant.

Kansas man among 2 dead in head-on SUV, van crash and fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 261 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to&nbsp; Campus High School Tuesday in Haysville.

According to a message sent to parents, on Tuesday the Campus administration was made aware that a student brought a gun into the building. 

The Haysville Police Department was immediately notified and the building was placed in a “HOLD” mode. Students were to stay in their classroom or area and the hallways were to be cleared. The school administrators located the student and the gun was confiscated by the Haysville Police Department. 

No threats were made toward staff or students and no one was hurt during the incident. There will be additional police presence at the building.

Campus administration is working with the Haysville Police Department as they are investigating the incident.&nbsp; 

"Our staff and administrators strive to always communicate with parents and guardians when it comes to the well-being of students. We appreciate the people who reported the situation to the administration."&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 261 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to&nbsp; Campus High School Tuesday in Haysville.According to a message sent to parents, on Tuesday the Campus administration was made aware that a student brought a gun into the building. The Haysville Police Department was immediately notified and the building was placed in a “HOLD” mode. Students were to stay in their classroom or area and the hallways were to be cleared. The school administrators located the student and the gun was confiscated by the Haysville Police Department. No threats were made toward staff or students and no one was hurt during the incident. There will be additional police presence at the building.Campus administration is working with the Haysville Police Department as they are investigating the incident.&nbsp; "Our staff and administrators strive to always communicate with parents and guardians when it comes to the well-being of students. We appreciate the people who reported the situation to the administration."&nbsp;

Police investigate after student brought gun to Kansas high school

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting.

Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 4200 block of Benton Boulevard in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according to Police Sergeant Jacob Becchina

While officers were on the way they received several more 911 calls for sound of gunshots. On arrival officers located evidence of gunfire at the location. Minutes later Central Patrol officers were dispatched to University Health for a shooting victim that showed up by private vehicle. 

The shooting was reported to have happened at the 4200 block of Benton location. That shooting victim, an adult male, was declared deceased at the hospital.

Homicide detectives are at both locations along with Crime Scene investigators, processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698156676640.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting.Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 4200 block of Benton Boulevard in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according to Police Sergeant Jacob BecchinaWhile officers were on the way they received several more 911 calls for sound of gunshots. On arrival officers located evidence of gunfire at the location. Minutes later Central Patrol officers were dispatched to University Health for a shooting victim that showed up by private vehicle. The shooting was reported to have happened at the 4200 block of Benton location. That shooting victim, an adult male, was declared deceased at the hospital.Homicide detectives are at both locations along with Crime Scene investigators, processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses. Police released no additional details.

KCPD: Shooting victim dies after private vehicle trip to hospital

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a car theft in Barton County.

Just after 10:30a.m.&nbsp; Oct. 20, police were dispatched to report of a car theft in the 2200 block of Tyler Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Officers were advised a 2015 Nissan Altima was taken from this location within the last few minutes. While officers were still on scene, a State Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description eastbound on Highway 56, exiting the City of Great Bend.&nbsp;

As the State Trooper turned around to check the vehicle, the car stopped on the shoulder of the road and two occupants fled from the vehicle. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and the Barton County Sheriff's Office were able to locate and detain both suspects.

Joshua Kelly was arrested on requested charges of theft of a motor vehicle. Tyler Partington was a passenger in the vehicle and was also arrested on charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091099757.jpeg" alt="Joshua Kelly-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Joshua Kelly-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a car theft in Barton County.Just after 10:30a.m.&nbsp; Oct. 20, police were dispatched to report of a car theft in the 2200 block of Tyler Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.Officers were advised a 2015 Nissan Altima was taken from this location within the last few minutes. While officers were still on scene, a State Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description eastbound on Highway 56, exiting the City of Great Bend.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091122853.jpeg" alt="Tyler Partington" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Partington</figcaption>
 </figure>As the State Trooper turned around to check the vehicle, the car stopped on the shoulder of the road and two occupants fled from the vehicle. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and the Barton County Sheriff's Office were able to locate and detain both suspects.Joshua Kelly was arrested on requested charges of theft of a motor vehicle. Tyler Partington was a passenger in the vehicle and was also arrested on charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

KHP helps catch two suspects in stolen car

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a police chase and crash.

Just before 11p.m. Sunday., Sugar Creek Police notified officers in Liberty that they were involved in a vehicle pursuit which was coming into the city Liberty, according to a media release.

A short time later, police learned the suspect's vehicle had crashed into a house and the suspect fled on foot.

Officers quickly located the suspect and engaged in a foot pursuit. After a short distance, police took the person into custody. 

A person in the house sustained serious injuries. EMS transported them to a hospital. On Tuesday, police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon Trent of Kansas City. On Monday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged him with Assault 2nd Degree, Felony Resisting Arrest and Property Damage 1st Degree.&nbsp; He is scheduled for court on Thursday, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698155643234.png" alt="Photo Liberty Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Liberty Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a police chase and crash.Just before 11p.m. Sunday., Sugar Creek Police notified officers in Liberty that they were involved in a vehicle pursuit which was coming into the city Liberty, according to a media release.A short time later, police learned the suspect's vehicle had crashed into a house and the suspect fled on foot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698156093596.png" alt="Trent is being held in Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Trent is being held in Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers quickly located the suspect and engaged in a foot pursuit. After a short distance, police took the person into custody. A person in the house sustained serious injuries. EMS transported them to a hospital. On Tuesday, police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon Trent of Kansas City. On Monday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged him with Assault 2nd Degree, Felony Resisting Arrest and Property Damage 1st Degree.&nbsp; He is scheduled for court on Thursday, according to online jail records.

Resident injured after car crash into home during KC-area police chase 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — The eight Republican candidates to be speaker of the U.S. House made their cases to their colleagues Monday evening, as the House Republican Conference restarted its process to choose a candidate.

Nine had filed on Sunday to run for speaker but on Monday night Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out, after announcing just the day before he would make a bid for the post. Meuser cited his promise to run former President Donald Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania as one of the reasons he exited the race.

The chamber has been in turmoil since eight Republicans voted with all House Democrats to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post last month. The conference has been unable to unite behind a single candidate.

After Monday night’s speeches, the conference was expected to hold a vote or likely multiple votes behind closed doors Tuesday to try to settle on a nominee, then bring that nominee to the floor.

With the exception of Minnesota’s Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, the group is not particularly well known outside of their districts.

Six of the eight voted to object to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, in line with Trump’s position.

With Republicans holding only a 221-212 majority, any would-be speaker will need near-unanimous support from Republicans —&nbsp;a tall order for a deeply divided conference largely still loyal to the former president, but with some members in vulnerable seats.

“It’s a nearly impossible task,” Peter Loge, a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told States Newsroom. “Because you have to be as conservative and angry and election-denying as Matt Gaetz, but as reasonable and a believer in compromise and democratic institutions as the New York moderates. And you can’t be both at the same time.”

In hopes that Republicans will rally around whoever the party nominates this time, Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska introduced a “<a target="_blank" href="https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-launches-unity-pledge-speakers-race">unity pledge</a>” for members to sign. As of Monday afternoon, eight of the nine original candidates — all but Gary Palmer of Alabama — have signed the pledge, according to Flood’s office.

“Everyone running for Speaker should sign this,” Michigan Republican Jack Bergman, one of the contenders,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJackBergman/status/1715529170271309938">wrote on X</a>.

Loge said the field can be divided into long-term members with institutionalist tendencies —&nbsp;Emmer and Texas’ Pete Sessions, for example — and newer members such as Florida’s Byron Donalds, who are more in line with the conference’s anti-establishment wing.

The next speaker will immediately face a challenge in passing spending bills or a short-term funding measure to keep the government open past a Nov. 17 deadline, as well as an aid package to Israel and Ukraine amid ongoing wars and a farm bill reauthorization.

States Newsroom put together the guide below to help readers get to know the candidates.

First elected in 2016, Bergman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general. He sits on the Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs and Budget committees.

He’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/21/rep-bergman-says-his-hat-is-in-the-ring-for-u-s-house-speaker/">said</a>&nbsp;his priorities as speaker would include funding the government, especially the military, homeland security and aid to foreign allies.

In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1131">announcing his candidacy</a>, Bergman suggested he would stay in the position only through the end of the current Congress,

“We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership,” he said.

Who’s supporting him: Other members of Michigan’s House GOP delegation. They are John James, John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain.

A member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, Donalds is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/20/floridas-byron-donalds-is-now-a-candidate-for-u-s-house-speaker/">a favorite of the Trump wing</a>&nbsp;of the party. He voted against certifying the 2020 election and has said as recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/07/ron-desantis-florida-successor-freedom-caucus-byron-donalds">as July</a>&nbsp;that President Joe Biden is not legitimate.

First elected in 2020, Donalds, 44, is the youngest to join the field and has been in the House for the shortest time.

He has said his priorities would be to improve border security and “responsibly” pass funding bills.

He sits on the Financial Services Committee. Before coming to Congress, he worked in the finance industry.

The only non-white Republican candidate for speaker, Donalds would be the first Black speaker.

Who’s supporting him: fellow Florida Republicans Carlos Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart and Mike Waltz.

Currently the No. 3 House Republican, Emmer is considered by some the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/10/23/handicapping-u-s-rep-tom-emmers-chances-to-become-the-next-speaker/">frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the top spot and has McCarthy’s endorsement.

In an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, McCarthy praised Emmer’s experience as part of his leadership team.

“He sets himself, head and shoulders, above all those others who want to run,” McCarthy said.

Emmer also developed relationships across the conference when he chaired the House Republican campaign operation in the 2020 and 2022 cycles.

Emmer is one of only two candidates for speaker who voted consistently to certify the 2020 election results. That could make his path harder with the most fervent Trump supporters in the House GOP.

Emmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1716536001819017487?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">posted a video</a>&nbsp;of Trump on Monday saying that he had “always gotten along” with Emmer and saying he would stay out of the speaker race. Emmer wrote that as speaker he would continue their “strong working relationship.”

He won his House seat in 2014 following an unsuccessful run for Minnesota governor.

In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1715744128166760891/photo/1">letter to colleagues</a>&nbsp;announcing his candidacy, Emmer highlighted national debt and spending, national security and border security as major issues.

The chair of the conservative House Republican Study Committee, Hern could seek support from budget hawks.

The Institute for Legislative Analysis, a limited-government group, gave Hern the highest marks of any candidate for fiscal and tax issues.

Hern has not been shy about his leadership aspirations. He publicly weighed a run for speaker shortly after McCarthy stepped down, but opted not to join that race. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/repkevinhern/status/1631785840316674050">has said</a>&nbsp;he at one time dreamed of being an astronaut.

In a letter to colleagues, Hern said Congress has not run well for decades, citing the number of unauthorized programs and a lack of regular order for spending bills. He also listed illegal immigration and drug overdose deaths as problems that Congress should address.

Hern won a special election for his House seat in 2018. Hern owns several McDonald’s franchises in Oklahoma.

As the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Johnson is something of an establishment candidate. He’s also a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Jim Jordan, the conference’s previous nominee, chairs.

But Johnson also has conservative bonafides, having previously chaired the House Republican Study Committee.

In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeJohnson/status/1715753985540239776/photo/1">his letter</a>&nbsp;to colleagues asking for support, Johnson highlighted the national debt, border security, crime and inflation as major issues.

An attorney, Johnson was on Trump’s defense team for the former president’s Senate impeachment trials in 2019 and 2020.

Palmer called for GOP unity in his speaker candidacy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2023/10/23/alabama-congressman-gary-palmer-to-run-for-u-s-house-speaker/">announcement</a>.

“There is a distinct difference between our vision for a prosperous and strong America and the vision of the Democrats that has done so much harm,” Palmer said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/USRepGaryPalmer/status/1716219033798717549">statement on X</a>.

Palmer said he “decided to step forward” as a candidate “to do what I can to put our differences behind us and unite Republicans behind a clear path forward, so we can do our job for the benefit of the American people.”

His statement also cited the concerns American families have about the cost of living, child safety, crime in urban areas, fentanyl, federal bankruptcy and national security.

Palmer was first elected to the House in 2014.

Palmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses">serves</a>&nbsp;as the chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He also sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/full-biography">led</a>&nbsp;the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years before joining Congress. The Alabama Policy Institute is a conservative think tank with core values surrounding free markets, limited government and “strong families,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamapolicy.org/about/">website</a>.

Scott received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohios-jordan-latest-us-house-gop-nominee-speaker-after-days-turmoil">81</a>&nbsp;votes when he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/10/13/ohios-jordan-the-latest-u-s-house-gop-nominee-for-speaker-after-days-of-turmoil/">ran</a>&nbsp;for speaker earlier this month against Jordan, an Ohio Republican.

“If we are going to be the majority we need to act like the majority, and that means we have to do the right things the right way,” Scott said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AustinScottGA08/status/1715441064096436424">announcement</a>&nbsp;Friday that he will run again for speaker of the House following Jordan’s withdrawal.

He is one of only two members to vote consistently to certify the 2020 presidential election.

Scott has been a House member since 2011.

Scott sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. He chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit.

Sessions has been in Congress the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/who-pete-sessions-and-why-he-running-house-speaker">longest of any of the candidates</a>.

Sessions was initially elected to represent the eastern Dallas district in 1999 and continued to serve until he lost to Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. Sessions was then reelected in 2020, this time to represent the district surrounding Waco.

He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sessions.house.gov/about">chaired</a>&nbsp;the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 to 2012. Republicans regained control of the House in 2010. He also chaired the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2019.

Sessions voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, as well as the codification of same-sex marriage.

In 2019, Sessions was caught in a scandal when he was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/10/pete-sessions-congressman-1-guliani-associates-indictment/">referred to in an indictment</a>&nbsp;of two men charged with violating campaign finance rules.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — The eight Republican candidates to be speaker of the U.S. House made their cases to their colleagues Monday evening, as the House Republican Conference restarted its process to choose a candidate.Nine had filed on Sunday to run for speaker but on Monday night Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out, after announcing just the day before he would make a bid for the post. Meuser cited his promise to run former President Donald Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania as one of the reasons he exited the race.The chamber has been in turmoil since eight Republicans voted with all House Democrats to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post last month. The conference has been unable to unite behind a single candidate.After Monday night’s speeches, the conference was expected to hold a vote or likely multiple votes behind closed doors Tuesday to try to settle on a nominee, then bring that nominee to the floor.With the exception of Minnesota’s Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, the group is not particularly well known outside of their districts.Six of the eight voted to object to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, in line with Trump’s position.With Republicans holding only a 221-212 majority, any would-be speaker will need near-unanimous support from Republicans —&nbsp;a tall order for a deeply divided conference largely still loyal to the former president, but with some members in vulnerable seats.“It’s a nearly impossible task,” Peter Loge, a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told States Newsroom. “Because you have to be as conservative and angry and election-denying as Matt Gaetz, but as reasonable and a believer in compromise and democratic institutions as the New York moderates. And you can’t be both at the same time.”In hopes that Republicans will rally around whoever the party nominates this time, Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska introduced a “<a target="_blank" href="https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-launches-unity-pledge-speakers-race">unity pledge</a>” for members to sign. As of Monday afternoon, eight of the nine original candidates — all but Gary Palmer of Alabama — have signed the pledge, according to Flood’s office.“Everyone running for Speaker should sign this,” Michigan Republican Jack Bergman, one of the contenders,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJackBergman/status/1715529170271309938">wrote on X</a>.Loge said the field can be divided into long-term members with institutionalist tendencies —&nbsp;Emmer and Texas’ Pete Sessions, for example — and newer members such as Florida’s Byron Donalds, who are more in line with the conference’s anti-establishment wing.The next speaker will immediately face a challenge in passing spending bills or a short-term funding measure to keep the government open past a Nov. 17 deadline, as well as an aid package to Israel and Ukraine amid ongoing wars and a farm bill reauthorization.States Newsroom put together the guide below to help readers get to know the candidates.<h2>Jack Bergman of Michigan</h2>First elected in 2016, Bergman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general. He sits on the Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs and Budget committees.He’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/21/rep-bergman-says-his-hat-is-in-the-ring-for-u-s-house-speaker/">said</a>&nbsp;his priorities as speaker would include funding the government, especially the military, homeland security and aid to foreign allies.In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1131">announcing his candidacy</a>, Bergman suggested he would stay in the position only through the end of the current Congress,“We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership,” he said.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: Other members of Michigan’s House GOP delegation. They are John James, John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain.<h2>Byron Donalds of Florida</h2>A member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, Donalds is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/20/floridas-byron-donalds-is-now-a-candidate-for-u-s-house-speaker/">a favorite of the Trump wing</a>&nbsp;of the party. He voted against certifying the 2020 election and has said as recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/07/ron-desantis-florida-successor-freedom-caucus-byron-donalds">as July</a>&nbsp;that President Joe Biden is not legitimate.First elected in 2020, Donalds, 44, is the youngest to join the field and has been in the House for the shortest time.He has said his priorities would be to improve border security and “responsibly” pass funding bills.He sits on the Financial Services Committee. Before coming to Congress, he worked in the finance industry.The only non-white Republican candidate for speaker, Donalds would be the first Black speaker.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Did not vote</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: fellow Florida Republicans Carlos Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart and Mike Waltz.<h2>Tom Emmer of Minnesota</h2>Currently the No. 3 House Republican, Emmer is considered by some the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/10/23/handicapping-u-s-rep-tom-emmers-chances-to-become-the-next-speaker/">frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the top spot and has McCarthy’s endorsement.In an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, McCarthy praised Emmer’s experience as part of his leadership team.“He sets himself, head and shoulders, above all those others who want to run,” McCarthy said.Emmer also developed relationships across the conference when he chaired the House Republican campaign operation in the 2020 and 2022 cycles.Emmer is one of only two candidates for speaker who voted consistently to certify the 2020 election results. That could make his path harder with the most fervent Trump supporters in the House GOP.Emmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1716536001819017487?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">posted a video</a>&nbsp;of Trump on Monday saying that he had “always gotten along” with Emmer and saying he would stay out of the speaker race. Emmer wrote that as speaker he would continue their “strong working relationship.”He won his House seat in 2014 following an unsuccessful run for Minnesota governor.In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1715744128166760891/photo/1">letter to colleagues</a>&nbsp;announcing his candidacy, Emmer highlighted national debt and spending, national security and border security as major issues.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: Yes</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: McCarthy.<h2>Kevin Hern of Oklahoma</h2>The chair of the conservative House Republican Study Committee, Hern could seek support from budget hawks.The Institute for Legislative Analysis, a limited-government group, gave Hern the highest marks of any candidate for fiscal and tax issues.Hern has not been shy about his leadership aspirations. He publicly weighed a run for speaker shortly after McCarthy stepped down, but opted not to join that race. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/repkevinhern/status/1631785840316674050">has said</a>&nbsp;he at one time dreamed of being an astronaut.In a letter to colleagues, Hern said Congress has not run well for decades, citing the number of unauthorized programs and a lack of regular order for spending bills. He also listed illegal immigration and drug overdose deaths as problems that Congress should address.Hern won a special election for his House seat in 2018. Hern owns several McDonald’s franchises in Oklahoma.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Mike Johnson of Louisiana</h2>As the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Johnson is something of an establishment candidate. He’s also a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Jim Jordan, the conference’s previous nominee, chairs.But Johnson also has conservative bonafides, having previously chaired the House Republican Study Committee.In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeJohnson/status/1715753985540239776/photo/1">his letter</a>&nbsp;to colleagues asking for support, Johnson highlighted the national debt, border security, crime and inflation as major issues.An attorney, Johnson was on Trump’s defense team for the former president’s Senate impeachment trials in 2019 and 2020.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Gary Palmer of Alabama</h2>Palmer called for GOP unity in his speaker candidacy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2023/10/23/alabama-congressman-gary-palmer-to-run-for-u-s-house-speaker/">announcement</a>.“There is a distinct difference between our vision for a prosperous and strong America and the vision of the Democrats that has done so much harm,” Palmer said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/USRepGaryPalmer/status/1716219033798717549">statement on X</a>.Palmer said he “decided to step forward” as a candidate “to do what I can to put our differences behind us and unite Republicans behind a clear path forward, so we can do our job for the benefit of the American people.”His statement also cited the concerns American families have about the cost of living, child safety, crime in urban areas, fentanyl, federal bankruptcy and national security.Palmer was first elected to the House in 2014.Palmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses">serves</a>&nbsp;as the chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He also sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/full-biography">led</a>&nbsp;the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years before joining Congress. The Alabama Policy Institute is a conservative think tank with core values surrounding free markets, limited government and “strong families,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamapolicy.org/about/">website</a>.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Austin Scott of Georgia</h2>Scott received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohios-jordan-latest-us-house-gop-nominee-speaker-after-days-turmoil">81</a>&nbsp;votes when he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/10/13/ohios-jordan-the-latest-u-s-house-gop-nominee-for-speaker-after-days-of-turmoil/">ran</a>&nbsp;for speaker earlier this month against Jordan, an Ohio Republican.“If we are going to be the majority we need to act like the majority, and that means we have to do the right things the right way,” Scott said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AustinScottGA08/status/1715441064096436424">announcement</a>&nbsp;Friday that he will run again for speaker of the House following Jordan’s withdrawal.He is one of only two members to vote consistently to certify the 2020 presidential election.Scott has been a House member since 2011.Scott sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. He chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: Yes</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul><h2>Pete Sessions of Texas</h2>Sessions has been in Congress the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/who-pete-sessions-and-why-he-running-house-speaker">longest of any of the candidates</a>.Sessions was initially elected to represent the eastern Dallas district in 1999 and continued to serve until he lost to Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. Sessions was then reelected in 2020, this time to represent the district surrounding Waco.He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sessions.house.gov/about">chaired</a>&nbsp;the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 to 2012. Republicans regained control of the House in 2010. He also chaired the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2019.Sessions voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, as well as the codification of same-sex marriage.In 2019, Sessions was caught in a scandal when he was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/10/pete-sessions-congressman-1-guliani-associates-indictment/">referred to in an indictment</a>&nbsp;of two men charged with violating campaign finance rules.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>

Your guide to the 8 Republicans running for U.S. House speaker

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Kansas City-area man.

Just before 10p.m. Saturday, a pewter color 2011-2014 Ford Edge was&nbsp; westbound on Truman Road in Kansas City and failed to yield while making a left turn traveling south onto 71 Highway, according to Police&nbsp;Sergeant Jake Becchina

A dirt bike driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Thomas Matthias was eastbound&nbsp; and collided with the front left of the Ford Edge.

  The driver of the Ford Edge left the scene without stopping. Matthias was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The Ford Edge will have damage to the front left bumper and a fog lamp is missing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698106423531.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Kansas City-area man.Just before 10p.m. Saturday, a pewter color 2011-2014 Ford Edge was&nbsp; westbound on Truman Road in Kansas City and failed to yield while making a left turn traveling south onto 71 Highway, according to Police&nbsp;Sergeant Jake BecchinaA dirt bike driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Thomas Matthias was eastbound&nbsp; and collided with the front left of the Ford Edge. The driver of the Ford Edge left the scene without stopping. Matthias was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Ford Edge will have damage to the front left bumper and a fog lamp is missing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

KCPD asks for help to ID SUV in deadly hit-and-run crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration Monday designated 31&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/raimondo-tech-hubs-biotech-computer-chips-f2ed91786be265099eec274777aa5c5b">technology hubs</a>&nbsp;touching Kansas, Missouri, 30 other states and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas.

President Joe Biden made the announcement at the White House with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

(click below to watch Secretary Raimond's announcement)

“No matter where I go or who I meet with — CEOs, governors, senators, congresspeople, university presidents — everyone wants to tell me about their application and how excited they are,” said Raimondo.

The tech hubs are the result of a process Raimondo's department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.

The $500 million came from a $10 billion authorization in last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-science-technology-health-fdcb2db42f91dcdbdd844d6dd463f95a">CHIPS and Science Act</a>&nbsp;to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech. It’s an attempt to expand tech investment that is largely concentrated around a few U.S. cities — Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle — to the rest of the country.

Enabling Safe and Effective Autonomous Systems

Advancing Biotechnology in Drugs and Medical Devices

Advancing Biotechnology Precision and Prediction

Accelerating America’s Clean Energy Transition

Strengthening Our Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Regaining Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing

Supporting Tech Hubs Through an All-of-Government StrategyTo ensure these Tech Hubs have the tools they need to compete on a global scale, the Administration is bringing the full resources of the federal government to identify and provide funding, technical assistance, and planning for the 31 coalitions, including:

You can learn more about the benefits of receiving a Tech Hub designation&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techhubs.gov/">here</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration Monday designated 31&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/raimondo-tech-hubs-biotech-computer-chips-f2ed91786be265099eec274777aa5c5b">technology hubs</a>&nbsp;touching Kansas, Missouri, 30 other states and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The wins keep coming for Kansas City. Out of 300+ applications nationwide, we were selected as one of 31 communities to be designated a Tech Hub by the <a href="https://twitter.com/CommerceGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CommerceGov</a> . This means millions in federal investment and thousands of jobs in bio manufacturing from Columbia to Manhattan. <a href="https://t.co/hSZASf1EAp">pic.twitter.com/hSZASf1EAp</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1716549230645367237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Joe Biden made the announcement at the White House with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.(click below to watch Secretary Raimond's announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1034657897847568%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=6" 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>“No matter where I go or who I meet with — CEOs, governors, senators, congresspeople, university presidents — everyone wants to tell me about their application and how excited they are,” said Raimondo.The tech hubs are the result of a process Raimondo's department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FQQ3Dzo7LSM?si=pivwj9gP04v4ib_8&amp;start=75" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The $500 million came from a $10 billion authorization in last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-science-technology-health-fdcb2db42f91dcdbdd844d6dd463f95a">CHIPS and Science Act</a>&nbsp;to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech. It’s an attempt to expand tech investment that is largely concentrated around a few U.S. cities — Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle — to the rest of the country.Read more about the award winners below.Enabling Safe and Effective Autonomous Systems<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Tulsa-Hub-for-Equitable-Trustworthy-Autonomy">Tulsa Hub for Equitable &amp; Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA)</a>&nbsp;(OK), led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, aims to become a global leader in developing and commercializing autonomous systems for use cases ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional transportation.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Ocean-Tech-Hub">Ocean Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(RI, MA), led by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, aims to develop, test, and commercialize emerging maritime artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled robotics and sensors.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Headwaters-Hub">Headwaters Hub</a>&nbsp;(MT), led by Accelerate Montana, aims to become a global leader in smart technologies for automating complex processes, such as industrial manufacturing.</li>
 </ul>Maintaining Our Quantum Edge<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Elevate-Quantum-Colorado">Elevate Quantum Colorado</a>&nbsp;(CO), led by Elevate Quantum, aims to solidify the region’s global leadership in quantum information technology (QIT) to increase infrastructure resilience and strengthen the quantum hardware supply chain.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/The-Bloch-Tech-Hub">The Bloch Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(IL, IN, WI), led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), aims to lead quantum computing, communications, and related solutions.</li>
 </ul>Advancing Biotechnology in Drugs and Medical Devices<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Advanced-Pharmaceutical-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(VA), led by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, aims to accelerate the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the U.S.-based Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry to re-shore safe and affordable medicines via innovative hybrid and continuous flow manufacturing technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/ReGen-Valley-Tech-Hub">ReGen Valley Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NH), led by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), aims to make New Hampshire a global leader in biofabrication to produce cost-effective regenerative therapies that address chronic disease and organ failure.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/iFAB-Tech-Hub">iFAB Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(IL), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, aim to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Kansas-City-Inclusive-Biologics-and-Biomanufacturing-Tech-Hub">Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MO, KS), led by BioNexus KC, aims to position eastern Kansas and western Missouri as a global leader in biologics and biomanufacturing, increasing domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Heartland-BioWorks">Heartland BioWorks</a>&nbsp;(IN), led by the Applied Research Institute, aims to develop central Indiana into a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing by increasing the region’s capacity to make and deploy life-saving medicines.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/PRBio-Tech-Hub">PRBio Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(PR), led by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, aims to&nbsp;advance the region as a global leader in biotechnology through fast-tracking the discovery, development, manufacturing, and supply of next generation biotechnology and medical device products to detect, treat, and cure diseases and ailments.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Advancing Biotechnology Precision and Prediction<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Wisconsin-Biohealth-Tech-Hub">Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(WI), led by BioForward Wisconsin, aims to position Wisconsin as a global leader in personalized medicine, an emerging healthcare approach that tailors tests, treatments, and therapies informed by a patient’s unique genetic code, medical record, and environment.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Baltimore-Tech-Hub">Baltimore Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MD), led by the Greater Baltimore Committee, aims to develop innovative predictive healthcare technologies by applying artificial intelligence to biotechnologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Birmingham-Biotechnology-Hub">Birmingham Biotechnology Hub</a>&nbsp;(AL), led by Southern Research Institute, aims to become a global leader in drug, vaccine, and diagnostics development by applying artificial intelligence-driven biotechnology to increase representation in clinical genomic data and clinical trials.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Greater-Philadelphia-Region-Precision-Medicine-Tech-Hub">Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(PA, DE, MD, NJ), led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, aims to become a global leader in end-to-end precision medicine.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Minnesota-MedTech-Hub-3.0">Minnesota MedTech Hub 3.0</a>&nbsp;(MMT3.0) (MN, WI), led by the Minneapolis Saint Paul Economic Development Partnership, aims to position Minnesota as a global center for “Smart MedTech” by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science into medical technology.</li>
 </ul>Accelerating America’s Clean Energy Transition<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Gulf-Louisiana-Offshore-Wind-Propeller">Gulf Louisiana Offshore Wind Propeller</a>&nbsp;(LA), led by Louisiana State University, aims to transition Louisiana’s energy economy from its legacy of oil and gas to offshore wind and renewable energy.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Intermountain-West-Nuclear-Energy-Tech-Hub">Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(ID, WY), led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, aims to position Idaho and Wyoming as a global leader in small modular reactors (SMR) and advanced nuclear energy to contribute to a clean energy future.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/SC-Nexus-for-Advanced-Resilient-Energy">SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy</a>&nbsp;(SC, GA) led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, aims to be a global leader in advanced energy by developing, testing, and deploying exportable electricity technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/South-Florida-Climate-Resilience-Tech-Hub">South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(FL), led by the Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office, aims to advance its global leadership in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure (SRI) solutions for the global climate crisis.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/New-Energy-New-York-Battery-Tech-Hub">New Energy New York (NENY) Battery Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NY), led by the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton, aims to bolster battery technology development and manufacturing across the entire value chain.</li>
 </ul>Strengthening Our Critical Minerals Supply Chain<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Nevada-Lithium-Batteries-and-Other-EV-Material-Loop">Nevada Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop</a>&nbsp;(NV), led by the University of Nevada, Reno, aims to build a self-sustaining and globally competitive full lithium lifecycle cluster, spanning extraction, processing, manufacturing, and recycling.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Critical-Minerals-and-Materials-for-Advanced-Energy-Tech-Hub">Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MO), led by the University of Missouri System, aims to position south-central Missouri as a global leader in critical minerals processing to provide the materials needed to support battery technology.</li>
 </ul>Regaining Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Texoma-Semiconductor-Tech-Hub">Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(TX, OK), led by Southern Methodist University, aims to unify existing and planned semiconductor supply chain infrastructure by enhancing regional collaboration and uplifting underserved communities through workforce expansion.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Corvallis-Microfluidics-Tech-Hub">Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OR), led by Oregon State University, aims to establish global leadership in the development, scaling, and commercialization of microfluidics technology for use in semiconductor and electronic cooling.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/NY-SMART-I-Corridor-Tech-Hub">NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NY), led by CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, aims to enhance regional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while ensuring economic opportunity for underserved communities.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Advancing-Gallium-Nitride-Tech-Hub">Advancing Gallium Nitride (GaN) Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(VT), led by the University of Vermont, aims to innovate in GaN manufacturing, a critical materials technology for wireless communication.</li>
 </ul>Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Sustainable-Polymers-Tech-Hub">Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OH), led by the Greater Akron Chamber, aims to tackle the severe climate and environmental impacts resulting from the use of fossil fuel-derived polymers (rubbers and plastics) through accelerating sustainable polymer manufacturing and commercialization in the United States.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Forest-Bioproducts-Advanced-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(ME), led by the Maine Technology Institute, aims to become a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing by innovating the process of extracting biological building blocks to manufacture environmentally sustainable products.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/American-Aerospace-Materials-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(WA, ID), led by Gonzaga University, aims to develop new domestic supply chains to meet the immediate demand for high-rate production of advanced composite aerostructures in defense and commercial markets.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Pacific-Northwest-Smart-Energy-Strategy-Development-Consortium">Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OR, WA), led by Oregon State University, aims to be a global leader in mass timber design and manufacturing to lower the construction industry’s carbon footprint and improve housing affordability.</li>
 </ul>Supporting Tech Hubs Through an All-of-Government StrategyTo ensure these Tech Hubs have the tools they need to compete on a global scale, the Administration is bringing the full resources of the federal government to identify and provide funding, technical assistance, and planning for the 31 coalitions, including:<ul>
 <li>Providing Tech Hubs access to follow-on funding from across the federal government, such as future Tech Hubs implementation funding, Economic Development Administration funding opportunities, and the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs</li><li>Tech Hubs will have access to a range of technical assistance from agencies such as the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration, and will have access to exclusive Tech Hubs branding</li><li>Tech Hubs will have support attracting foreign direct investment and receive export market access assistance, including having a dedicated presence at the SelectUSA Investment Summit Exhibition Hall in June 2024 and will have access to export assistance navigators that offer a global resilience stress test for each Tech Hubs Designee.</li><li>Tech Hubs will also receive technical assistance and program support on intellectual property issues</li>
 </ul>You can learn more about the benefits of receiving a Tech Hub designation&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techhubs.gov/">here</a>.

🎥 Commerce Dept. names Kansas City among 31 new tech hubs

SYRIA – On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command

"In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in the region and will take necessary and proportionate action to defend U.S. and Coalition forces."

SYRIA – On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central CommandThere are no casualties or damage."In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in the region and will take necessary and proportionate action to defend U.S. and Coalition forces."