SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in a month, possibly testing a new more mobile, harder-to-detect missile for the first time, its neighbors said, as it extends its provocative run of weapons tests.

Japan briefly urged residents on a northern island to take shelter in an indication of its vigilance over North Korea's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-nuclear-threat-810afe432743ba9ab0d8543daac160b2">evolving missile threats</a>.

The missile was launched on a high angle from near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan following a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) flight, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staffs said in a statement.

It described its range as medium or longer. The U.S. National Security Council called it a long-range missile and Japan’s government said it likely had an intercontinental range.

South Korea’s military believes North Korea launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly using solid fuel, a defense official said under the condition of anonymity because of office rules.

If the launch involved a solid-fuel ICBM, it would be the North’s first test of such a weapon. North Korea’s known ICBMs all use liquid propellants that must be fueled before launches.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-63ddab6200055a838ad84b5a67c0626e">But the fuel in a solid-propellant weapon</a>&nbsp;is already loaded, allowing it to be moved easier and fired faster.

A solid-fuel ICBM is one of the key high-tech weapons that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to build to better cope with what he calls U.S. military threats. He also wants a multiwarhead missile, a nuclear-powered submarine, a hypersonic missile and a spy satellite.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the launch may have involved a new intermediate- or long-range missile powered by solid propellants, or be linked to North Korean preparation to launch a spy satellite.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the latest launch “needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.” Watson said the United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-japan-united-states-tokyo-south-korea-7397d3c81ecc6ceff76a4f0ffe25ec24">security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies</a>.

During an emergency meeting of Seoul's National Security Council, officials stressed the need to tighten three-way security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting of his NSC to analyze the launch and Japan’s response.

The nuclear envoys of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo held a telephone conversation where they called for a “decisive and united international response” to North Korean provocations and stronger efforts to stem illicit North Korean funding of its weapons program.

North Korea commonly test-launches missiles toward the international waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, using elevated trajectories to avoid neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan typically don’t issue evacuation orders unless they determine the North Korean weapon is flying in their direction.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the North Korean missile launched Thursday did not reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone. But Japanese authorities still urged people on the northernmost island of Hokkaido to seek shelter and temporarily suspended train, bus and subway services there. Local communities also activated alert sirens through community speakers, urging people to evacuate.

The government then retracted its missile alert, saying there was no possibility of the missile landing near Hokkaido. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters the alert was based on the Japanese Defense Ministry’s early assessment of the missile’s path and was an “appropriate” step to prioritize people’s safety.

Japanese authorities issued a similar evacuation order in October when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seoul-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-1026206c80666f1fcdb3983ebf45e14b">North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over Japan</a>&nbsp;in a launch that demonstrated the weapon's potential to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

Thursday’s launch was the North’s first long-range missile firing since the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launch-us-military-drills-fbbe3be09a9bd812baa541ea9b84832e">tested its longest-range, liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM</a>&nbsp;on March 16. Kim Jong Un reviewed his country’s attack plans Monday and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-jong-un-nuclear-arsenal-9b1093e2939b87facfdf1f74612d3738">vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal</a>&nbsp;in more “practical and offensive” ways.

North Korea has launched about 100 missiles since the start of 2022, many of them nuclear-capable weapons that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea or Japan within striking distance.

The North’s testing spree is largely in protest of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missiles-f7584ba0845643c1e5892720092ccebf">South Korean-U.S. military drills</a>&nbsp;that it views as a rehearsal for an invasion. Some observers say North Korea uses its rivals' drills as a pretext to modernize its weapons arsenal and pressure Washington and Seoul to make concessions such as the lifting of economic sanctions. South Korean and U.S. officials say their drills are defensive in nature and were arranged to respond to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

Later Thursday, China, North Korea’s last major ally, reiterated its blame for the heightened animosities on the U.S. and South Korea.

“The negative impact of the U.S. military exercises and strategic weapons deployed around the peninsula a few days ago is obvious to all,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a briefing.

North Korea unveiled a new type of nuclear warhead in late March, raising concerns it could conduct its first nuclear test in more than five years.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-north-korea-south-nuclear-weapons-f409b488bb38ad3cfc37d1f8d29a6857">Foreign experts debate whether North Korea has developed warheads</a>&nbsp;small and light enough to fit on its more advanced missiles.

South Korean officials say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for about a week. Communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals’ disputed western sea boundary.

On Tuesday, South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Youngse expressed “strong regret” over what he called North Korea’s “unilateral and irresponsible attitude” over the hotlines.

North Korea's advancing nuclear arsenal is expected to be a major topic during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden later this month in Washington.

Experts say the discussions between world leaders at Japan’s Group of Seven meetings in May could be crucial for maintaining diplomatic pressure on North Korea. U.N. Security Council permanent members China and Russia have blocked tighter sanctions on North Korea in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667483523229.png" alt="A TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with file footage is seen at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)" />
 <figcaption>A TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with file footage is seen at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in a month, possibly testing a new more mobile, harder-to-detect missile for the first time, its neighbors said, as it extends its provocative run of weapons tests.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ALERT: The Japanese government is warning that North Korea appears to have launched at least one ballistic missile. The government is urging everyone in Hokkaido to seek shelter. Follow local media for guidance. <a href="https://t.co/Pw4PeRBqav">pic.twitter.com/Pw4PeRBqav</a>&mdash; U.S. Embassy Tokyo, ACS (@ACSTokyo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACSTokyo/status/1646289607699431426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Japan briefly urged residents on a northern island to take shelter in an indication of its vigilance over North Korea's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-nuclear-threat-810afe432743ba9ab0d8543daac160b2">evolving missile threats</a>.The missile was launched on a high angle from near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan following a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) flight, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staffs said in a statement.It described its range as medium or longer. The U.S. National Security Council called it a long-range missile and Japan’s government said it likely had an intercontinental range.South Korea’s military believes North Korea launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly using solid fuel, a defense official said under the condition of anonymity because of office rules.If the launch involved a solid-fuel ICBM, it would be the North’s first test of such a weapon. North Korea’s known ICBMs all use liquid propellants that must be fueled before launches.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-63ddab6200055a838ad84b5a67c0626e">But the fuel in a solid-propellant weapon</a>&nbsp;is already loaded, allowing it to be moved easier and fired faster.A solid-fuel ICBM is one of the key high-tech weapons that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to build to better cope with what he calls U.S. military threats. He also wants a multiwarhead missile, a nuclear-powered submarine, a hypersonic missile and a spy satellite.Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the launch may have involved a new intermediate- or long-range missile powered by solid propellants, or be linked to North Korean preparation to launch a spy satellite.U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the latest launch “needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.” Watson said the United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-japan-united-states-tokyo-south-korea-7397d3c81ecc6ceff76a4f0ffe25ec24">security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies</a>.During an emergency meeting of Seoul's National Security Council, officials stressed the need to tighten three-way security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting of his NSC to analyze the launch and Japan’s response.The nuclear envoys of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo held a telephone conversation where they called for a “decisive and united international response” to North Korean provocations and stronger efforts to stem illicit North Korean funding of its weapons program.North Korea commonly test-launches missiles toward the international waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, using elevated trajectories to avoid neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan typically don’t issue evacuation orders unless they determine the North Korean weapon is flying in their direction.Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the North Korean missile launched Thursday did not reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone. But Japanese authorities still urged people on the northernmost island of Hokkaido to seek shelter and temporarily suspended train, bus and subway services there. Local communities also activated alert sirens through community speakers, urging people to evacuate.The government then retracted its missile alert, saying there was no possibility of the missile landing near Hokkaido. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters the alert was based on the Japanese Defense Ministry’s early assessment of the missile’s path and was an “appropriate” step to prioritize people’s safety.Japanese authorities issued a similar evacuation order in October when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seoul-south-korea-north-joint-chiefs-of-staff-1026206c80666f1fcdb3983ebf45e14b">North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over Japan</a>&nbsp;in a launch that demonstrated the weapon's potential to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.Thursday’s launch was the North’s first long-range missile firing since the country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launch-us-military-drills-fbbe3be09a9bd812baa541ea9b84832e">tested its longest-range, liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM</a>&nbsp;on March 16. Kim Jong Un reviewed his country’s attack plans Monday and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-jong-un-nuclear-arsenal-9b1093e2939b87facfdf1f74612d3738">vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal</a>&nbsp;in more “practical and offensive” ways.North Korea has launched about 100 missiles since the start of 2022, many of them nuclear-capable weapons that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea or Japan within striking distance.The North’s testing spree is largely in protest of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missiles-f7584ba0845643c1e5892720092ccebf">South Korean-U.S. military drills</a>&nbsp;that it views as a rehearsal for an invasion. Some observers say North Korea uses its rivals' drills as a pretext to modernize its weapons arsenal and pressure Washington and Seoul to make concessions such as the lifting of economic sanctions. South Korean and U.S. officials say their drills are defensive in nature and were arranged to respond to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.Later Thursday, China, North Korea’s last major ally, reiterated its blame for the heightened animosities on the U.S. and South Korea.“The negative impact of the U.S. military exercises and strategic weapons deployed around the peninsula a few days ago is obvious to all,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a briefing.North Korea unveiled a new type of nuclear warhead in late March, raising concerns it could conduct its first nuclear test in more than five years.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-north-korea-south-nuclear-weapons-f409b488bb38ad3cfc37d1f8d29a6857">Foreign experts debate whether North Korea has developed warheads</a>&nbsp;small and light enough to fit on its more advanced missiles.South Korean officials say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for about a week. Communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals’ disputed western sea boundary.On Tuesday, South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Youngse expressed “strong regret” over what he called North Korea’s “unilateral and irresponsible attitude” over the hotlines.North Korea's advancing nuclear arsenal is expected to be a major topic during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden later this month in Washington.Experts say the discussions between world leaders at Japan’s Group of Seven meetings in May could be crucial for maintaining diplomatic pressure on North Korea. U.N. Security Council permanent members China and Russia have blocked tighter sanctions on North Korea in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened by Russia’s war on Ukraine.___

N. Korea fires missile that may have been new type of weapon

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in southeast Kansas are investigating "Pothole Bandits."

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, police responded to the 700 block of north Montgomery Street in Sedan for the report of a mysterious growth sprouting from several potholes, according to a social media report.

 Once on scene, officers discovered a number of potholes had been filled with plants. 

"We are asking the public's assistance in the apprehension of these suspects who have been aptly dubbed, 'The Pothole Bandits.' These bandits are described as having a facetious look in their eye, ornery grins, green thumbs and wearing fast running shoes. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. 

"Seriously though, we absolutely get the humor in your prank, but the only people you're hurting are the city employees who have the laborious task of cleaning these holes out. If you have questions, comments, ideas or concerns about the roadways in Sedan, please reach out to the mayor, a council person or address the council at the next meeting."

Sedan is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681330525098.png" alt="Photo courtesy Sedan Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Sedan Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in southeast Kansas are investigating "Pothole Bandits."During the early morning hours of Wednesday, police responded to the 700 block of north Montgomery Street in Sedan for the report of a mysterious growth sprouting from several potholes, according to a social media report. Once on scene, officers discovered a number of potholes had been filled with plants. "We are asking the public's assistance in the apprehension of these suspects who have been aptly dubbed, 'The Pothole Bandits.' These bandits are described as having a facetious look in their eye, ornery grins, green thumbs and wearing fast running shoes. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. "Seriously though, we absolutely get the humor in your prank, but the only people you're hurting are the city employees who have the laborious task of cleaning these holes out. If you have questions, comments, ideas or concerns about the roadways in Sedan, please reach out to the mayor, a council person or address the council at the next meeting."Sedan is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Wichita.

Kan. community doesn't want flowers planted in potholes

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly drug deal shooting he committed in 2019. Orlando Howard, 19, was sentenced to nearly 14 years in&nbsp;prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Howard was&nbsp;one of four who were charged in the killing of Jerome Armbeck. Just after 6 p.m. Aug. 19, 2019, police&nbsp; responded to a shooting call in the 4600 block of east Boston in Wichita, according to office Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

First responders found Armbeck in an open field with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Investigators learned a disturbance occurred between Howard, then just 17, Armbeck, 18-year-old Pierce Jackson and 20-year-old Marcus Lamar&nbsp; in the 4600 block of east Boston when a suspect fired multiple times from a firearm, striking Armbeck. 

The crime was not a random incident. It was drug related, according to Davidson.&nbsp;

Earlier, co-defendant Marcus Lamar was sentenced to five years in&nbsp;prison for his role in the crime, according to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622208321450.png" alt="-Howard photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>-Howard photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly drug deal shooting he committed in 2019. Orlando Howard, 19, was sentenced to nearly 14 years in&nbsp;prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Howard was&nbsp;one of four who were charged in the killing of Jerome Armbeck. Just after 6 p.m. Aug. 19, 2019, police&nbsp; responded to a shooting call in the 4600 block of east Boston in Wichita, according to office Charley Davidson.&nbsp;First responders found Armbeck in an open field with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators learned a disturbance occurred between Howard, then just 17, Armbeck, 18-year-old Pierce Jackson and 20-year-old Marcus Lamar&nbsp; in the 4600 block of east Boston when a suspect fired multiple times from a firearm, striking Armbeck. The crime was not a random incident. It was drug related, according to Davidson.&nbsp;Earlier, co-defendant Marcus Lamar was sentenced to five years in&nbsp;prison for his role in the crime, according to the district attorney.---------

Prison for Kan. drug deal killing committed at the age of 17

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — An 80-year-old Kansas man was pursued by police and tased by a deputy — all for driving 3 mph (5 kph) over the speed limit, a federal lawsuit claims.

John J. Sigg sued Monday, naming Allen County Sheriff Bryan J. Murphy and former Deputy Joseph Stotler. Sigg's lawsuit seeks $250,000 in actual damages and an equal amount in punitive damages.

Murphy and Stotler do not yet have attorneys. An email message left Wednesday with the sheriff wasn't immediately returned. No phone listing for Stotler could be found and it wasn't immediately clear when, or why, he left the department.

On April 16, 2021, Sigg was clocked by an Iola, Kansas, officer going 38 mph (61 kph) in a 35 mph (56 kph) speed zone. A pursuit began. The lawsuit said Sigg was unaware police were following him even though law enforcement vehicles from other departments joined the pursuit in an area that is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri.

Sigg drove to a car lot operated by his family. When he got out of his car, officers surrounded him and two officers from nearby Chanute, Kansas, drew their guns, the lawsuit said.

“Sigg looked at them quizzically and raised his hands,” the lawsuit stated. That's when Stotler demanded that Sigg get on the ground and without warning, used the Taser on him, even though the maker of the stun gun had warned against using it on the elderly, the lawsuit stated.

“At no time after exiting his vehicle did Sigg make a hostile motion or make physical or verbal threats,” the lawsuit stated. “There was no risk that the 80 year old man was going to run from the officers and they had no concern that Sigg had a firearm.”

The lawsuit said Sigg began mumbling in a way that was “hard to understand,” and told an officer he didn't feel right. Sigg was treated at an emergency room.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — An 80-year-old Kansas man was pursued by police and tased by a deputy — all for driving 3 mph (5 kph) over the speed limit, a federal lawsuit claims.John J. Sigg sued Monday, naming Allen County Sheriff Bryan J. Murphy and former Deputy Joseph Stotler. Sigg's lawsuit seeks $250,000 in actual damages and an equal amount in punitive damages.Murphy and Stotler do not yet have attorneys. An email message left Wednesday with the sheriff wasn't immediately returned. No phone listing for Stotler could be found and it wasn't immediately clear when, or why, he left the department.On April 16, 2021, Sigg was clocked by an Iola, Kansas, officer going 38 mph (61 kph) in a 35 mph (56 kph) speed zone. A pursuit began. The lawsuit said Sigg was unaware police were following him even though law enforcement vehicles from other departments joined the pursuit in an area that is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri.Sigg drove to a car lot operated by his family. When he got out of his car, officers surrounded him and two officers from nearby Chanute, Kansas, drew their guns, the lawsuit said.“Sigg looked at them quizzically and raised his hands,” the lawsuit stated. That's when Stotler demanded that Sigg get on the ground and without warning, used the Taser on him, even though the maker of the stun gun had warned against using it on the elderly, the lawsuit stated.“At no time after exiting his vehicle did Sigg make a hostile motion or make physical or verbal threats,” the lawsuit stated. “There was no risk that the 80 year old man was going to run from the officers and they had no concern that Sigg had a firearm.”The lawsuit said Sigg began mumbling in a way that was “hard to understand,” and told an officer he didn't feel right. Sigg was treated at an emergency room.

80-year-old Kan. man says he was chased, tased for speeding

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of thefts and have a suspect in custody.

On Monday, police were investigating a series of past retail thefts that were reported over the weekend in Topeka, according to department spokesperson Rosie Nichols

 These thefts occurred in the 2900 block of SW Wanamaker Road, the 5900 block of SW Huntoon Avenue and the 2600 block of SE California Avenue.

The suspect was identified, with assistance from the State of Kansas Parole Office, as Dustin J. Spooner, 38, of Topeka. 

Just before 8 p.m. on Monday, officers located Spooner near SE 26th Street and SE California Avnue, where they arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Theft, and Parole Violation Warrant

Spooner has 12 prior felony convictions in the state of Kansas, which include four prior theft convictions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681224995770.png" alt="Spooner-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Spooner-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of thefts and have a suspect in custody.On Monday, police were investigating a series of past retail thefts that were reported over the weekend in Topeka, according to department spokesperson Rosie Nichols These thefts occurred in the 2900 block of SW Wanamaker Road, the 5900 block of SW Huntoon Avenue and the 2600 block of SE California Avenue.The suspect was identified, with assistance from the State of Kansas Parole Office, as Dustin J. Spooner, 38, of Topeka. Just before 8 p.m. on Monday, officers located Spooner near SE 26th Street and SE California Avnue, where they arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Theft, and Parole Violation WarrantSpooner has 12 prior felony convictions in the state of Kansas, which include four prior theft convictions.------------

Kan. felon with a dozen convictions jailed for alleged theft

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-arizona-state-government-donald-trump-8d46b14c20cb0effcb52ace48220dcce">protect thousands of small streams</a>, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.

U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland in Bismarck, North Dakota, halted the regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the 24 states, most of which are led by Republicans. The regulations were finalized in December 2022, repealing a rule implemented during President Donald Trump's administration but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-2998bdb80aadc14ef8d4c6d2fe040988">thrown out by federal courts</a>.

Opponents of the regulations, which define which “waters of the United States” are protected by the Clean Water Act, have called the rules an example of federal overreach and argued they would unfairly burden farmers and ranchers.

The preliminary injunction affects Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. An injunction was previously issued that halted the rules in Texas and Idaho.

"Once again, the courts have affirmed that the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule is overreaching and harmful to America’s beef farmers and ranchers,” said Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer and president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “Cattle producers in 26 states now have some additional certainty while this rule is being litigated and we are optimistic that the Supreme Court will provide nationwide clarity on the federal government’s proper jurisdiction over water.”

The EPA said in a statement that the agency and the Army Corps of Engineers were reviewing the decision but still believe the regulations were “the best” interpretation of the Clean Water Act. The agency says its rules would still stand in states not included in the injunction.

“The agencies remain committed to establishing and implementing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ informed by diverse perspectives,” the EPA said in the statement. “Our goal is to protect public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and industries that depend on clean water.”

The injunction comes less than a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-epa-clean-water-wotus-congress-07bb00728e9411106828676e321f7e43">President Joe Biden vetoed</a>&nbsp;a congressional resolution that would have overturned the rule. The House and Senate had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epa-biden-water-sackett-wotus-congress-senate-ec5a4b66376fdc9252f77575e29043ce">used the Congressional Review Act</a>&nbsp;to block the regulations, with several Democrats joining Republicans in opposing the regulations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631029867595.jpeg" alt="The preliminary injunction affects 24 states -Photo (Unsplash)" />
 <figcaption>The preliminary injunction affects 24 states -Photo (Unsplash)</figcaption>
 </figure>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-arizona-state-government-donald-trump-8d46b14c20cb0effcb52ace48220dcce">protect thousands of small streams</a>, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland in Bismarck, North Dakota, halted the regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the 24 states, most of which are led by Republicans. The regulations were finalized in December 2022, repealing a rule implemented during President Donald Trump's administration but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-2998bdb80aadc14ef8d4c6d2fe040988">thrown out by federal courts</a>.Opponents of the regulations, which define which “waters of the United States” are protected by the Clean Water Act, have called the rules an example of federal overreach and argued they would unfairly burden farmers and ranchers.The preliminary injunction affects Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. An injunction was previously issued that halted the rules in Texas and Idaho."Once again, the courts have affirmed that the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule is overreaching and harmful to America’s beef farmers and ranchers,” said Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer and president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “Cattle producers in 26 states now have some additional certainty while this rule is being litigated and we are optimistic that the Supreme Court will provide nationwide clarity on the federal government’s proper jurisdiction over water.”The EPA said in a statement that the agency and the Army Corps of Engineers were reviewing the decision but still believe the regulations were “the best” interpretation of the Clean Water Act. The agency says its rules would still stand in states not included in the injunction.“The agencies remain committed to establishing and implementing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ informed by diverse perspectives,” the EPA said in the statement. “Our goal is to protect public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and industries that depend on clean water.”The injunction comes less than a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-epa-clean-water-wotus-congress-07bb00728e9411106828676e321f7e43">President Joe Biden vetoed</a>&nbsp;a congressional resolution that would have overturned the rule. The House and Senate had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epa-biden-water-sackett-wotus-congress-senate-ec5a4b66376fdc9252f77575e29043ce">used the Congressional Review Act</a>&nbsp;to block the regulations, with several Democrats joining Republicans in opposing the regulations.

Judge blocks rule in Kansas, Missouri intended to protect waterways

KANSAS CITY —After a brawl that saw dozens of teens kicked out of Worlds of Fun on Saturday, the park announced a new <a href="https://www.worldsoffun.com/code-of-conduct?fbclid=IwAR36RYGMub8iU1oMP2Pv9OtZJFg1Yf_ixuOYsi10bNyhsNweBHOfKL3QvgQ">code of conduct, chaperone po</a>licy on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.worldsoffun.com/code-of-conduct?fbclid=IwAR36RYGMub8iU1oMP2Pv9OtZJFg1Yf_ixuOYsi10bNyhsNweBHOfKL3QvgQ">Click here for more on&nbsp;</a>the policy and and answers to questions.

Just before 7:30 p.m. April 8, a sheriff's deputy working off-duty security at the Kansas City theme park heard on the radio from park security about a fight involving multiple juveniles and a large crowd inside the park, according to the Clay County Sheriff's office.

There were an estimated 100 to 150 teenagers involved, none of whom appeared to be accompanied by an adult. Deputies working off duty, Worlds of Fun security officers, and KCPD officers working off duty attempted to break up the crowd and move them out of the park.

Multiple fights continued to break out among the juveniles as officials tried to move them out. More Clay County Sheriff deputies and KCPD officers arrived to assist. Some juveniles said another juvenile had displayed a gun, but law enforcement was never able to verify that claim.

As a Clay County deputy escorted a group of juveniles from the park, a teenage girl refused to leave and punched him in the face. She was arrested and turned over to her parents. He had only superficial injuries.

Once the group had been pushed out to the parking lot, fights broke out in the parking lot. Deputies and KCPD officers then broke up those fights and dispersed the crowd. The park was cleared by about 8:30 p.m.

KANSAS CITY —After a brawl that saw dozens of teens kicked out of Worlds of Fun on Saturday, the park announced a new <a href="https://www.worldsoffun.com/code-of-conduct?fbclid=IwAR36RYGMub8iU1oMP2Pv9OtZJFg1Yf_ixuOYsi10bNyhsNweBHOfKL3QvgQ">code of conduct, chaperone po</a>licy on Wednesday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fworldsoffun%2Fphotos%2Fa.129663303249%2F10159529519533250%2F&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="737" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.worldsoffun.com/code-of-conduct?fbclid=IwAR36RYGMub8iU1oMP2Pv9OtZJFg1Yf_ixuOYsi10bNyhsNweBHOfKL3QvgQ">Click here for more on&nbsp;</a>the policy and and answers to questions.Just before 7:30 p.m. April 8, a sheriff's deputy working off-duty security at the Kansas City theme park heard on the radio from park security about a fight involving multiple juveniles and a large crowd inside the park, according to the Clay County Sheriff's office.There were an estimated 100 to 150 teenagers involved, none of whom appeared to be accompanied by an adult. Deputies working off duty, Worlds of Fun security officers, and KCPD officers working off duty attempted to break up the crowd and move them out of the park.Multiple fights continued to break out among the juveniles as officials tried to move them out. More Clay County Sheriff deputies and KCPD officers arrived to assist. Some juveniles said another juvenile had displayed a gun, but law enforcement was never able to verify that claim.As a Clay County deputy escorted a group of juveniles from the park, a teenage girl refused to leave and punched him in the face. She was arrested and turned over to her parents. He had only superficial injuries.Once the group had been pushed out to the parking lot, fights broke out in the parking lot. Deputies and KCPD officers then broke up those fights and dispersed the crowd. The park was cleared by about 8:30 p.m.

Changes at Worlds of Fun following weekend brawl at the park

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. has named a <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/Xylazine.pdf">veterinary tranquilizer</a> as an “emerging threat” when it's mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl, clearing the way for more efforts to stop the spread of xylazine.

<a href="https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine">Click here to read the DEA</a> warning

The Office of National Drug Control Policy announced the designation Wednesday, the first time the office has used it since the category for fast-growing drug dangers was created in 2019.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the drug policy office, said xylazine (pronounced ZAI’-luh-zeen) has become increasingly common in all regions of the country.

It was detected in about 800 drug deaths in the U.S. in 2020 — most of them in the Northeast. By 2021, it was present in more than 3,000 fatalities —with the most in the South — according to a report last year from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“We cannot ignore what we’re seeing," Gupta said. "We must act and act now.”

Xylazine was approved for veterinary use in 1971. Sometimes known as “tranq,” it's been showing up in supplies of illicit drugs used by humans in major quantities in only the last several years.

It's believed to be added to other drugs to increase profits. Officials are trying to understand how much of it is diverted from veterinary uses and how much is made illicitly.

The drug causes breathing and heart rates to slow down, sometimes to deadly levels, and causes skin abscesses and ulcers that can require amputation. Withdrawal is also painful.

While it's often used in conjunction with opioids, including fentanyl and related illicit lab-made drugs, it's not an opioid. And there are no known antidotes.

Gupta said his office is requesting $11 million as part of its budget to develop a strategy to tackle the drug's spread. Plans include developing an antidote, learning more about how it is introduced into illicit drug supplies so that can be disrupted, and looking into whether Congress should classify it as a controlled substance.

Gupta said it needs to be available for veterinary uses even amid crackdowns on the supply used by people. He also said systems to detect the drug and data about where it's being used need to be improved.

The drug is part of a deepening overdose crisis in the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 107,000 people died from overdoses in the 12 months that ended Oct. 31, 2022. Before 2020, the number of overdose deaths had never topped 100,000.

Most of the deaths were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Like xylazine, they're often added to other drugs — and users don't always know they're getting them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681297269107.png" alt="Photo DEA" />
 <figcaption>Photo DEA</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. has named a <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/Xylazine.pdf">veterinary tranquilizer</a> as an “emerging threat” when it's mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl, clearing the way for more efforts to stop the spread of xylazine.<a href="https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine">Click here to read the DEA</a> warningThe Office of National Drug Control Policy announced the designation Wednesday, the first time the office has used it since the category for fast-growing drug dangers was created in 2019.Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the drug policy office, said xylazine (pronounced ZAI’-luh-zeen) has become increasingly common in all regions of the country.It was detected in about 800 drug deaths in the U.S. in 2020 — most of them in the Northeast. By 2021, it was present in more than 3,000 fatalities —with the most in the South — according to a report last year from the Drug Enforcement Administration.“We cannot ignore what we’re seeing," Gupta said. "We must act and act now.”Xylazine was approved for veterinary use in 1971. Sometimes known as “tranq,” it's been showing up in supplies of illicit drugs used by humans in major quantities in only the last several years.It's believed to be added to other drugs to increase profits. Officials are trying to understand how much of it is diverted from veterinary uses and how much is made illicitly.The drug causes breathing and heart rates to slow down, sometimes to deadly levels, and causes skin abscesses and ulcers that can require amputation. Withdrawal is also painful.While it's often used in conjunction with opioids, including fentanyl and related illicit lab-made drugs, it's not an opioid. And there are no known antidotes.Gupta said his office is requesting $11 million as part of its budget to develop a strategy to tackle the drug's spread. Plans include developing an antidote, learning more about how it is introduced into illicit drug supplies so that can be disrupted, and looking into whether Congress should classify it as a controlled substance.Gupta said it needs to be available for veterinary uses even amid crackdowns on the supply used by people. He also said systems to detect the drug and data about where it's being used need to be improved.The drug is part of a deepening overdose crisis in the U.S.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 107,000 people died from overdoses in the 12 months that ended Oct. 31, 2022. Before 2020, the number of overdose deaths had never topped 100,000.Most of the deaths were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Like xylazine, they're often added to other drugs — and users don't always know they're getting them.

Emerging U.S. threat: Fentanyl laced animal tranquilizer 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 903&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from April 5, to April 12, for a total of 943,653 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 1,006 cases the previous week.

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;13 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on April 5 for a total of 10,167 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas provides fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 903&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from April 5, to April 12, for a total of 943,653 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 1,006 cases the previous week.On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;13 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on April 5 for a total of 10,167 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas provides fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE: Slight drop in COVID cases, 13 more deaths

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing another student at a Kansas City middle school last year.

The boy, whose name has not been released, pleaded guilty Monday in Family Court to voluntary manslaughter, according to a Jackson County Court spokeswoman.

He was charged after 14-year-old Manuel Guzman was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-79683ee877cb44a6854c690cdfb7fbdf">found injured</a>&nbsp;in a bathroom at Northeast Middle School in Kansas City on April 12, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-arrests-890fc0efb2e9934a78cfd539562dfb65">died at a hospital.</a>

The boy, who was 14 at the time Guzman was killed, was initially charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

The boy is being detained at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center. He will have a disposition hearing May 17 to determine his future treatment.

Police said the two boys had a confrontation but have never publicly disclosed a possible motive for the stabbing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649783049453.png" alt="Police on the scene at the school one year ago -photo by Greg Payne courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene at the school one year ago -photo by Greg Payne courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing another student at a Kansas City middle school last year.The boy, whose name has not been released, pleaded guilty Monday in Family Court to voluntary manslaughter, according to a Jackson County Court spokeswoman.He was charged after 14-year-old Manuel Guzman was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-79683ee877cb44a6854c690cdfb7fbdf">found injured</a>&nbsp;in a bathroom at Northeast Middle School in Kansas City on April 12, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-arrests-890fc0efb2e9934a78cfd539562dfb65">died at a hospital.</a>The boy, who was 14 at the time Guzman was killed, was initially charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.The boy is being detained at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center. He will have a disposition hearing May 17 to determine his future treatment.Police said the two boys had a confrontation but have never publicly disclosed a possible motive for the stabbing.

Boy pleads guilty to fatal stabbing at Kansas City middle school

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jim Robb with the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale said as the war still continues in Ukraine so does the support of the Mennonite Central Committee, the group that receives the money made from the sale.

"We still have a group of people that are there," Robb said. "They are called MCC partners. They are the people who are on the ground there working with refugees, people who have lost their homes, remnants of churches, we try to get them what they need, as much as we can, food and medical assistance, just try to make sure that they know they are not forgotten and we can give them a little bit of hope."

The goal of the whole sale is to help the Mennonite Central Committee in their work around the globe. The Mennonite Central Committee strives to make peace a part of everything they do. The original organization in 1920 was to help Mennonites from what is now Ukraine avoid starvation. The efforts of the sale bring together volunteers from across the state's Mennonite churches.

"We have a group of thousands," Robb said. "It's really hard to figure, when you think in terms of, we send out requests to churches to provide pies and bread and peppernuts and poppyseed rolls and cinnamon rolls and all of those kinds of things. You start multiplying that out and it gets to be well over 1000 pretty fast. We had a verenike making day two Saturdays ago, that in itself, we had 150 volunteers in the morning and probably another 80 in the afternoon. That's 230 volunteers, right there."

The schedule of events starts with sale booths opening at 4 p.m. Friday, with the feeding of the multitude also starting at that time, and the silent auction starting at 5 p.m. and packing of hygiene kits starts at 6 p.m. Friday.

"Last year, some 42,000 hygiene kits went out around the world," Robb said. "It's things like toothbrushes and bars of soap and towels and the kinds of things that would fit easily into a bag that people can pick up and take with them and be able to take care of one of the basic human needs."

On Saturday, breakfast starts in Cottonwood Court at 7 a.m., with booths open at 8 a.m. The 5K Run for Relief is at 8 a.m., with the silent auction bidding reopening from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The quilt and general auctions both starting at 8:45 a.m. and the children's auction at 10 a.m. Feeding the multitude is on again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a Pepsi collectibles auction at 11 a.m. and the big ticket items in the general auction around 2 p.m. and the remainders to be auctioned off around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

For more information and everything you need to know about the sale, go to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.mccsale.org/">Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681301164607.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jim Robb with the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale said as the war still continues in Ukraine so does the support of the Mennonite Central Committee, the group that receives the money made from the sale."We still have a group of people that are there," Robb said. "They are called MCC partners. They are the people who are on the ground there working with refugees, people who have lost their homes, remnants of churches, we try to get them what they need, as much as we can, food and medical assistance, just try to make sure that they know they are not forgotten and we can give them a little bit of hope."The goal of the whole sale is to help the Mennonite Central Committee in their work around the globe. The Mennonite Central Committee strives to make peace a part of everything they do. The original organization in 1920 was to help Mennonites from what is now Ukraine avoid starvation. The efforts of the sale bring together volunteers from across the state's Mennonite churches."We have a group of thousands," Robb said. "It's really hard to figure, when you think in terms of, we send out requests to churches to provide pies and bread and peppernuts and poppyseed rolls and cinnamon rolls and all of those kinds of things. You start multiplying that out and it gets to be well over 1000 pretty fast. We had a verenike making day two Saturdays ago, that in itself, we had 150 volunteers in the morning and probably another 80 in the afternoon. That's 230 volunteers, right there."The schedule of events starts with sale booths opening at 4 p.m. Friday, with the feeding of the multitude also starting at that time, and the silent auction starting at 5 p.m. and packing of hygiene kits starts at 6 p.m. Friday."Last year, some 42,000 hygiene kits went out around the world," Robb said. "It's things like toothbrushes and bars of soap and towels and the kinds of things that would fit easily into a bag that people can pick up and take with them and be able to take care of one of the basic human needs."On Saturday, breakfast starts in Cottonwood Court at 7 a.m., with booths open at 8 a.m. The 5K Run for Relief is at 8 a.m., with the silent auction bidding reopening from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The quilt and general auctions both starting at 8:45 a.m. and the children's auction at 10 a.m. Feeding the multitude is on again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a Pepsi collectibles auction at 11 a.m. and the big ticket items in the general auction around 2 p.m. and the remainders to be auctioned off around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.For more information and everything you need to know about the sale, go to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.mccsale.org/">Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale website</a>.

Annual Mennonite Relief Sale will help Ukraine

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion incident that sent one person to the hospital.

Just after 10am Tuesday, police responded to the 7800 block of W. 61st Terrace in Overland in reference to an armed disturbance, according to Public Information Officer John Lacy.

The tenant received notification on his video doorbell of a person attempting to enter his residence. The tenant was in the immediate area and responded to the residence and confronted the person trying to enter his residence. 

A physical altercation occurred between the tenant and the suspect. Both individuals had firearms in their possession. During the incident, the suspect was shot and injured. 

The suspect was transported to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The tenant was not injured.&nbsp; The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident, according to Lacy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681246372532.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion incident that sent one person to the hospital.Just after 10am Tuesday, police responded to the 7800 block of W. 61st Terrace in Overland in reference to an armed disturbance, according to Public Information Officer John Lacy.The tenant received notification on his video doorbell of a person attempting to enter his residence. The tenant was in the immediate area and responded to the residence and confronted the person trying to enter his residence. A physical altercation occurred between the tenant and the suspect. Both individuals had firearms in their possession. During the incident, the suspect was shot and injured. The suspect was transported to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The tenant was not injured.&nbsp; The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident, according to Lacy.

Kan. man shot suspect after Ring camera alert of attempted break-in

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A growing number of states led by Democratic governors are stockpiling doses of drugs used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-medication-abortion-works-f913375ec6f8ebcb1f1055e57a3aef63?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=relatedcontentmodule">medication abortions</a>, amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S.

Massachusetts has purchased enough doses of the drug mifepristone — one of two drugs used in combination to end pregnancies — to last for more than a year, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said Monday. California has secured an emergency stockpile of up to 2 million pills of misoprostol, the other drug used in abortion medication, Gov. Newsom, also a Democrat, announced.

And in Washington state, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee announced last week that the state purchased&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-abortion-pills-stockpile-1c1c7c107882f7a25a181af79a1f6790">30,000 doses of the generic version</a>&nbsp;of mifepristone — which he said is enough to last the state's residents three years. The shipment arrived in late March.

“Abortion is still legal and accessible here in California and we won’t stand by as fundamental freedoms are stripped away,” Newsom said Friday.

The actions come as U.S. District Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee</a>&nbsp;in Amarillo, Texas, overruled decades of scientific approval Friday and put on hold federal approval of mifepristone.

The judge stayed his ruling for a week so federal authorities could file a challenge.

The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-court-order-becerra-fda-307bcfdbb08418c6a57bc8cc789428c8">slammed the ruling</a>&nbsp;and on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">appealed the decision</a>, saying it would thwart the U.S. Food and Drug administration's scientific judgment and “severely harm women, particularly those for whom mifepristone is a medical or practical necessity.”

Adding to the confusion was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">a second opinion</a>&nbsp;also released on Friday by District Judge Thomas O. Rice, an Obama appointee, directing U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.

Healey said the Kacsmaryk ruling threatens access to the medication even in states supportive of abortion rights like Massachusetts.

“It harms patients, undermines medical expertise, and takes away freedom. It's an attempt to punish, to shame, to marginalize women. It's unnecessary,” Healey said, surrounded by fellow Democratic lawmakers including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse.

“It is terrible. It is terrible,” she added.

Newsom said the ruling by Kacsmaryk “ignores facts, science, and the law," and puts the health of millions of women and girls at risk.

Inslee said it's important for states to take steps to ensure access to the drug.

“After we announced our actions last week to protect access to mifepristone, it’s heartening to see other states doing the same,” Inslee wrote on Twitter on Monday. “To be clear: no matter the outcome of the TX case, WA’s laws ensure we will be able to sell and distribute this medication."

The 15,000 doses in Massachusetts were purchased by the University of Massachusetts-Amherst at Healey's request.

Massachusetts health care providers have also agreed to buy additional quantities of mifepristone, according to Healey, who said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health to pay for the doses.

While there are no plans yet in Connecticut to stockpile mifepristone, Attorney General William Tong said Monday that he has been contacting major pharmacy chains to remind them the drug is legal and they should not be influenced by pressure from GOP attorneys general in other states.

”(I’m) obviously deeply disappointed that my colleagues have taken that action,” he said. “We’re pushing back on that. We’re in communication with all the big pharmacy chains, advising them of their rights and obligations here in Connecticut.”

Also on Friday, Healey signed an executive order expanding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-charlie-baker-massachusetts-67ae91877315527cb5f5166cf2b91d8a">2022 law meant to build a legal firewall</a>&nbsp;around abortion services — protecting health care providers, patients and pharmacists from out-of-state investigations into medication abortions. The law was signed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680709134368.png" alt="--Washington state has purchased a three-year supply of a leading abortion medication in anticipation of the court ruling, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>--Washington state has purchased a three-year supply of a leading abortion medication in anticipation of the court ruling, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A growing number of states led by Democratic governors are stockpiling doses of drugs used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-medication-abortion-works-f913375ec6f8ebcb1f1055e57a3aef63?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=relatedcontentmodule">medication abortions</a>, amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S.Massachusetts has purchased enough doses of the drug mifepristone — one of two drugs used in combination to end pregnancies — to last for more than a year, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said Monday. California has secured an emergency stockpile of up to 2 million pills of misoprostol, the other drug used in abortion medication, Gov. Newsom, also a Democrat, announced.And in Washington state, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee announced last week that the state purchased&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-abortion-pills-stockpile-1c1c7c107882f7a25a181af79a1f6790">30,000 doses of the generic version</a>&nbsp;of mifepristone — which he said is enough to last the state's residents three years. The shipment arrived in late March.“Abortion is still legal and accessible here in California and we won’t stand by as fundamental freedoms are stripped away,” Newsom said Friday.The actions come as U.S. District Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee</a>&nbsp;in Amarillo, Texas, overruled decades of scientific approval Friday and put on hold federal approval of mifepristone.The judge stayed his ruling for a week so federal authorities could file a challenge.The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-mifepristone-court-order-becerra-fda-307bcfdbb08418c6a57bc8cc789428c8">slammed the ruling</a>&nbsp;and on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">appealed the decision</a>, saying it would thwart the U.S. Food and Drug administration's scientific judgment and “severely harm women, particularly those for whom mifepristone is a medical or practical necessity.”Adding to the confusion was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">a second opinion</a>&nbsp;also released on Friday by District Judge Thomas O. Rice, an Obama appointee, directing U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.Healey said the Kacsmaryk ruling threatens access to the medication even in states supportive of abortion rights like Massachusetts.“It harms patients, undermines medical expertise, and takes away freedom. It's an attempt to punish, to shame, to marginalize women. It's unnecessary,” Healey said, surrounded by fellow Democratic lawmakers including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse.“It is terrible. It is terrible,” she added.Newsom said the ruling by Kacsmaryk “ignores facts, science, and the law," and puts the health of millions of women and girls at risk.Inslee said it's important for states to take steps to ensure access to the drug.“After we announced our actions last week to protect access to mifepristone, it’s heartening to see other states doing the same,” Inslee wrote on Twitter on Monday. “To be clear: no matter the outcome of the TX case, WA’s laws ensure we will be able to sell and distribute this medication."The 15,000 doses in Massachusetts were purchased by the University of Massachusetts-Amherst at Healey's request.Massachusetts health care providers have also agreed to buy additional quantities of mifepristone, according to Healey, who said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health to pay for the doses.While there are no plans yet in Connecticut to stockpile mifepristone, Attorney General William Tong said Monday that he has been contacting major pharmacy chains to remind them the drug is legal and they should not be influenced by pressure from GOP attorneys general in other states.”(I’m) obviously deeply disappointed that my colleagues have taken that action,” he said. “We’re pushing back on that. We’re in communication with all the big pharmacy chains, advising them of their rights and obligations here in Connecticut.”Also on Friday, Healey signed an executive order expanding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-charlie-baker-massachusetts-67ae91877315527cb5f5166cf2b91d8a">2022 law meant to build a legal firewall</a>&nbsp;around abortion services — protecting health care providers, patients and pharmacists from out-of-state investigations into medication abortions. The law was signed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

More US states stock abortion medications after court ruling

KANSAS CITY— A jury convicted a a 32-year-old Kansas City man in the murder and kidnaping of Gilberto Gutierrez in May 2021, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Ahmad R. Herring, 32, was found guilty of Murder 2nd Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on May 11, 2021, on a reported missing person and the victim's family told them they had not heard from their father. But bloody clothing of the victim had been found. On May 17, 2021, a dead body was found; it was wrapped in a tarp and found near 56th and Elmwood. 

The victim was identified. He died from several stab wounds. During a search of a vehicle associated with the defendant, police detectives found receipts for drop cloths and bleach. 

Several cellphones also were recovered. Tests for DNA showed the defendant's DNA on a zip tie recovered near the victim.

Herring will be sentenced on June 21. A co-defendant is awaiting trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647428374611.png" alt="Herring-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Herring-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— A jury convicted a a 32-year-old Kansas City man in the murder and kidnaping of Gilberto Gutierrez in May 2021, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Ahmad R. Herring, 32, was found guilty of Murder 2nd Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on May 11, 2021, on a reported missing person and the victim's family told them they had not heard from their father. But bloody clothing of the victim had been found. On May 17, 2021, a dead body was found; it was wrapped in a tarp and found near 56th and Elmwood. The victim was identified. He died from several stab wounds. During a search of a vehicle associated with the defendant, police detectives found receipts for drop cloths and bleach. Several cellphones also were recovered. Tests for DNA showed the defendant's DNA on a zip tie recovered near the victim.Herring will be sentenced on June 21. A co-defendant is awaiting trial.

Kansas City man guilty of violent, deadly kidnapping

SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating extreme vandalism at homes in Scott City and have made arrests.&nbsp;

On April 7, police responded to an address in the 900 block of Church Street in Scott City to observe damage to a second house in two days that had been vandalized, according to a media release.

The extensive damage to the interior of the home on Church Street is estimated to be between $75,000-$100,000.

Police determined that the three juveniles involved in the estimated $15,000 in damage from a house in the 300 Block of West 8th Street in Scott City were the same juveniles responsible for this incident on Church Street. 

A third suspect that was previously cited and released to parents was arrested and transported to the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Garden City. 

Three juveniles have been arrested for these two incidents. Police are also still seeking information on a gun that was found during this investigation.

Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call the Scott County Law Enforcement Center LEC at (620) 872-2133.These cases have been referred to the Scott County Attorney for prosecution.&nbsp;

SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating extreme vandalism at homes in Scott City and have made arrests.&nbsp;On April 7, police responded to an address in the 900 block of Church Street in Scott City to observe damage to a second house in two days that had been vandalized, according to a media release.The extensive damage to the interior of the home on Church Street is estimated to be between $75,000-$100,000.Police determined that the three juveniles involved in the estimated $15,000 in damage from a house in the 300 Block of West 8th Street in Scott City were the same juveniles responsible for this incident on Church Street. A third suspect that was previously cited and released to parents was arrested and transported to the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Garden City. Three juveniles have been arrested for these two incidents. Police are also still seeking information on a gun that was found during this investigation.Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call the Scott County Law Enforcement Center LEC at (620) 872-2133.These cases have been referred to the Scott County Attorney for prosecution.&nbsp;

3 Kan. teens accused of $100,000 in vandalism at 2 homes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has begun sharing with a bipartisan group of lawmakers known as the Gang of Eight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-trump-side-by-side-fb2c4ebccdbdbb9039c1c5e227b1da53">classified documents found in the possession</a>&nbsp;of former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence, according to five people familiar with the matter.

Top lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, had for months been asking the Justice Department to provide access to the documents — or at least an assessment of what was in them — so that Congress could gauge the potential national security harm.

That process recently got underway, said the people, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private interactions between the Justice Department and Congress.

“They’re finally moving. We’ve got a lot more documents to review and, more importantly, to make sure there was mitigation taken,” Warner said Wednesday, adding that the documents were being received on a rolling basis. He said that while he was “glad to see progress,” it is “still unacceptable for me that it took this long.”

A Justice Department special counsel, Jack Smith, is investigating whether Trump mishandled roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-6351944983a137dd6bbccc16966bdaac">several hundred documents with classified markings</a>&nbsp;that were taken after his term ended to Mar-a-Lago, the former president’s Florida estate, and whether he or his representatives sought to obstruct that probe. Another special counsel,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/classified-documents-biden-home-wilmington-33479d12c7cf0a822adb2f44c32b88fd">Robert Hur,</a>&nbsp;is also investigating the improper retention of documents from Biden’s time as vice president that have been located in his Delaware home and his pre-presidential think-tank office. Biden has said he had no knowledge the documents were there.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">A lawyers for Pence also said in January</a>&nbsp;that an apparently small number of papers were inadvertently boxed and transported to his Indiana home at the end of the Trump administration.

Punchbowl News first reported the development.

The Biden administration held a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intelligence-classified-documents-trump-biden-pence-c061d26139cbe811026962e531163c3e">classified briefing on the documents earlier this year</a>&nbsp;for members of Congress, but senators accused the executive branch of stonewalling and insisted that they needed for national security reasons to see for themselves what materials the men had been holding.

The Justice Department had said that it wanted to be cooperative with the lawmakers’ demands within the confines of the ongoing investigations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661941600753.jpeg" alt="This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has begun sharing with a bipartisan group of lawmakers known as the Gang of Eight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-trump-side-by-side-fb2c4ebccdbdbb9039c1c5e227b1da53">classified documents found in the possession</a>&nbsp;of former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence, according to five people familiar with the matter.Top lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, had for months been asking the Justice Department to provide access to the documents — or at least an assessment of what was in them — so that Congress could gauge the potential national security harm.That process recently got underway, said the people, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private interactions between the Justice Department and Congress.“They’re finally moving. We’ve got a lot more documents to review and, more importantly, to make sure there was mitigation taken,” Warner said Wednesday, adding that the documents were being received on a rolling basis. He said that while he was “glad to see progress,” it is “still unacceptable for me that it took this long.”A Justice Department special counsel, Jack Smith, is investigating whether Trump mishandled roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-6351944983a137dd6bbccc16966bdaac">several hundred documents with classified markings</a>&nbsp;that were taken after his term ended to Mar-a-Lago, the former president’s Florida estate, and whether he or his representatives sought to obstruct that probe. Another special counsel,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/classified-documents-biden-home-wilmington-33479d12c7cf0a822adb2f44c32b88fd">Robert Hur,</a>&nbsp;is also investigating the improper retention of documents from Biden’s time as vice president that have been located in his Delaware home and his pre-presidential think-tank office. Biden has said he had no knowledge the documents were there.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">A lawyers for Pence also said in January</a>&nbsp;that an apparently small number of papers were inadvertently boxed and transported to his Indiana home at the end of the Trump administration.Punchbowl News first reported the development.The Biden administration held a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intelligence-classified-documents-trump-biden-pence-c061d26139cbe811026962e531163c3e">classified briefing on the documents earlier this year</a>&nbsp;for members of Congress, but senators accused the executive branch of stonewalling and insisted that they needed for national security reasons to see for themselves what materials the men had been holding.The Justice Department had said that it wanted to be cooperative with the lawmakers’ demands within the confines of the ongoing investigations.

Key lawmakers get to see Biden, Trump classified documents 

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 4a.m. Monday, police and fire crews responded to fire in a&nbsp; multi-residence structure at 825 Congress Street in Emporia, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

&nbsp;The fire was extinguished before first responders arrived.

Police and fire officials conducted a joint investigation and found a homemade incendiary device had gone through a window of the home, causing the fire. There were multiple people, including children inside the structure at the time of the fire. There were no apparent injuries, according to Hayes.

Through the investigation authorities identified a suspect 32-year-old Donovan Williams of Emporia. 

Williams was found in possession of an additional homemade incendiary device. 

Monday afternoon, Emporia Police arrested Williams on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Arson and Criminal Use of an Explosive. 

As the investigation continues, Emporia Police detectives anticipate proposing additional charges of Attempted Murder be formally brought against Williams.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681249560015.png" alt="Williams-photo Lyon Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Lyon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire and have a suspect in custody.Just after 4a.m. Monday, police and fire crews responded to fire in a&nbsp; multi-residence structure at 825 Congress Street in Emporia, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.&nbsp;The fire was extinguished before first responders arrived.Police and fire officials conducted a joint investigation and found a homemade incendiary device had gone through a window of the home, causing the fire. There were multiple people, including children inside the structure at the time of the fire. There were no apparent injuries, according to Hayes.Through the investigation authorities identified a suspect 32-year-old Donovan Williams of Emporia. Williams was found in possession of an additional homemade incendiary device. Monday afternoon, Emporia Police arrested Williams on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Arson and Criminal Use of an Explosive. As the investigation continues, Emporia Police detectives anticipate proposing additional charges of Attempted Murder be formally brought against Williams.

Man started Kan. house fire with homemade explosive

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been convicted of murder after his 2-year-old daughter died of malnutrition while he was passed out for days from intoxication, prosecutors said.

Jeffrey J. Exon was convicted Monday in the death of Aurora Exon at their home in Topeka, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/04/11/topekan-convicted-in-malnutrition-death-of-his-2-year-old-daughter/70102083007/">reported</a>.

Investigators found that Exon would not feed or attend to his children for days because of his addiction issues, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release Tuesday.

Exon's 6-year-old son, who was 4 when his sister died, testified at trial that his dad locked them in their rooms for several days without food while he “slept,” Kagay said.

Jeffrey Exon called authorities to the home on Jan. 5, 2021, when Aurora was found dead. Five empty liquor bottles were found in his bedroom, investigators said.

Exon was convicted of aggravated child endangerment, first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, reckless but unintentional second-degree murder and failure by a parent to report the death of a child.

Seonaid Nichols, the children's mother, said she agreed to give James Exon custody of the children because her living conditions didn't allow her to take care of them.

Exon is scheduled to be sentenced July 28.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617140051622.png" alt="Exon-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Exon-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been convicted of murder after his 2-year-old daughter died of malnutrition while he was passed out for days from intoxication, prosecutors said.Jeffrey J. Exon was convicted Monday in the death of Aurora Exon at their home in Topeka, The Topeka Capital Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/04/11/topekan-convicted-in-malnutrition-death-of-his-2-year-old-daughter/70102083007/">reported</a>.Investigators found that Exon would not feed or attend to his children for days because of his addiction issues, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release Tuesday.Exon's 6-year-old son, who was 4 when his sister died, testified at trial that his dad locked them in their rooms for several days without food while he “slept,” Kagay said.Jeffrey Exon called authorities to the home on Jan. 5, 2021, when Aurora was found dead. Five empty liquor bottles were found in his bedroom, investigators said.Exon was convicted of aggravated child endangerment, first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, reckless but unintentional second-degree murder and failure by a parent to report the death of a child.Seonaid Nichols, the children's mother, said she agreed to give James Exon custody of the children because her living conditions didn't allow her to take care of them.Exon is scheduled to be sentenced July 28.

6-year-old testified at father's trial for death of 2-year-old

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug distribution allegations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681207847977.png" alt="Monroe-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Monroe-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug distribution allegations.Just after noon Monday, a sheriff’s investigator conducted a traffic stop Interstate 35 at the Kansas 31 South Waverly exit for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.The driver of the vehicle, Jason M. Monroe, 41, of Lake Delton, Wisconsin, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.