TECUMSEH, Mo. (AP) — A 2-year-old boy who followed his dog into the woods near his Missouri Ozarks home is safe, after one of the nearly 100 people searching for him heard a faint whimper and found the child just before the sunset.

<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2023/04/03/over-100-people-help-find-missing-ozark-county-mo-2-year-old/">KYTV-TV</a>&nbsp;reports that Waylon Loftis was supposed to be napping Friday afternoon at his family's home in Tecumseh, near Norfolk Lake. Instead, he lmade his way out of the house despite safety devices on the doors, Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin said.

Among the scores of volunteers who joined in the search was Jonathan Belt, a veteran and now a paramedic, who headed to a wooded area. Hours after Waylon disappeared, with sunset fast approaching, Belt heard a noise.

“The wind calmed just a little bit, and I heard like a whimper, or definitely in my mind it registered automatically as a kid,” Belt told the TV station.

Waylon's mother, Marinda Loftis, was grateful to Belt and all of the volunteers.

“He’s a hero, everyone who showed up was a hero," she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680534307612.png" alt="Photo scourtesy Ozark Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo scourtesy Ozark Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>TECUMSEH, Mo. (AP) — A 2-year-old boy who followed his dog into the woods near his Missouri Ozarks home is safe, after one of the nearly 100 people searching for him heard a faint whimper and found the child just before the sunset.<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2023/04/03/over-100-people-help-find-missing-ozark-county-mo-2-year-old/">KYTV-TV</a>&nbsp;reports that Waylon Loftis was supposed to be napping Friday afternoon at his family's home in Tecumseh, near Norfolk Lake. Instead, he lmade his way out of the house despite safety devices on the doors, Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin said.Among the scores of volunteers who joined in the search was Jonathan Belt, a veteran and now a paramedic, who headed to a wooded area. Hours after Waylon disappeared, with sunset fast approaching, Belt heard a noise.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680534267712.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“The wind calmed just a little bit, and I heard like a whimper, or definitely in my mind it registered automatically as a kid,” Belt told the TV station.Waylon's mother, Marinda Loftis, was grateful to Belt and all of the volunteers.“He’s a hero, everyone who showed up was a hero," she said.

Volunteer searcher finds 2-year-old safe in Missouri woods

SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. authorities said they arrested a Washington state man who made more than 20 “swatting” calls around the country and in Canada, prompting real emergency responses to his fake reports of bombs, shootings or other threats.

Ashton Connor Garcia, 20, of Bremerton, used voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity as he placed the calls last year — and he treated them as entertainment, broadcasting them on the social media platform Discord, federal prosecutors said.

He faces 10 felony counts filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, that could bring up to a decade in prison. Court records did not immediately indicate if Garcia had an attorney who might speak on his behalf.

“Every time Mr. Garcia is alleged to have made one of his false reports to law enforcement, he triggered a potentially deadly event — sending heavily armed police officers to an address where they mistakenly believed they would confront someone who was armed and dangerous,” Seattle U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in a news release. “Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the unpredictable and terrifying dynamic these calls created for Mr. Garcia’s alleged victims cannot be overstated."

Garcia's arrest came as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hoax-school-shootings-explainer-swatting-439046152b9c3db45bfbfd8c10321c28">a spate of threats and false reports of shooters</a>&nbsp;have been pouring into schools and colleges across the country, unnerving officials, parents and students who are already on edge about actual school shootings — including at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">a private Christian school in Nashville</a>, Tennessee, this week.

Computer-generated calls on Wednesday made hoax claims about active shooters in Pennsylvania, and a day earlier, nearly 30 Massachusetts schools received fake threats.

Garcia is not accused of having sent SWAT teams to schools. Instead, prosecutors say, in several cases he collected personal information about his victims and threatened to send emergency responses to their homes unless they turned over money, credit card information or sexually explicit images.

Law enforcement entered some of the homes with guns drawn and detained people inside, authorities said.

In other cases, he called in fake bomb scares for the Fox News station in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 28 and for a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles on Aug. 23. In another instance, he is accused of threating to bomb an airport in Los Angeles unless he received $200,000 in Bitcoin.

The indictment does not indicate how investigators identified Garcia as a suspect.

Garcia placed the calls to agencies in California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oho, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Edmonton, in Alberta, Canada, the indictment said.

Authorities have warned that such hoaxes can prove deadly. In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call. This month, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/swat-wichita-police-killing-settlement-8d48bc5c4db63afb97457d4080c02612">city agreed to pay $5 million</a>&nbsp;to settle a lawsuit, with the money to go to the two children of 28-year-old Andrew Finch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592601982960.png" alt="In 2017, a police officer in Wichita shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call.-image from Wichita Police body camera on the night Andrew Finch died" />
 <figcaption>In 2017, a police officer in Wichita shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call.-image from Wichita Police body camera on the night Andrew Finch died</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. authorities said they arrested a Washington state man who made more than 20 “swatting” calls around the country and in Canada, prompting real emergency responses to his fake reports of bombs, shootings or other threats.Ashton Connor Garcia, 20, of Bremerton, used voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity as he placed the calls last year — and he treated them as entertainment, broadcasting them on the social media platform Discord, federal prosecutors said.He faces 10 felony counts filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, that could bring up to a decade in prison. Court records did not immediately indicate if Garcia had an attorney who might speak on his behalf.“Every time Mr. Garcia is alleged to have made one of his false reports to law enforcement, he triggered a potentially deadly event — sending heavily armed police officers to an address where they mistakenly believed they would confront someone who was armed and dangerous,” Seattle U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in a news release. “Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the unpredictable and terrifying dynamic these calls created for Mr. Garcia’s alleged victims cannot be overstated."Garcia's arrest came as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hoax-school-shootings-explainer-swatting-439046152b9c3db45bfbfd8c10321c28">a spate of threats and false reports of shooters</a>&nbsp;have been pouring into schools and colleges across the country, unnerving officials, parents and students who are already on edge about actual school shootings — including at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">a private Christian school in Nashville</a>, Tennessee, this week.Computer-generated calls on Wednesday made hoax claims about active shooters in Pennsylvania, and a day earlier, nearly 30 Massachusetts schools received fake threats.Garcia is not accused of having sent SWAT teams to schools. Instead, prosecutors say, in several cases he collected personal information about his victims and threatened to send emergency responses to their homes unless they turned over money, credit card information or sexually explicit images.Law enforcement entered some of the homes with guns drawn and detained people inside, authorities said.In other cases, he called in fake bomb scares for the Fox News station in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 28 and for a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles on Aug. 23. In another instance, he is accused of threating to bomb an airport in Los Angeles unless he received $200,000 in Bitcoin.The indictment does not indicate how investigators identified Garcia as a suspect.Garcia placed the calls to agencies in California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oho, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Edmonton, in Alberta, Canada, the indictment said.Authorities have warned that such hoaxes can prove deadly. In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call. This month, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/swat-wichita-police-killing-settlement-8d48bc5c4db63afb97457d4080c02612">city agreed to pay $5 million</a>&nbsp;to settle a lawsuit, with the money to go to the two children of 28-year-old Andrew Finch.

Man charged in 20-plus calls of false threats in US

Massive ranch is for sale for $16.7 million

By CINDIY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — It’s a $16.7 million ranch story sure to stir some nostalgic memories in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

But even if you’re not from the area, a property called Dumbbell has got to pique curiosity.

The Dumbbell Ranch, which spans a 
whopping 15,500 acres, mostly in Cherry County, is attracting attention 
as it now is up for sale&nbsp; — poised to separate from the family that has 
owned it for more than a century.&nbsp;

The rationale behind that break may 
sound familiar: The younger generation has more pressing interests than 
to oversee the Hyannis area operation.&nbsp;

“They don’t want to ranch, and I’m 
really grateful they were honest with me,” Anne Anderson Bennett said of
 her daughters Margaret and Leatha, who are in their 20s.

Bennett’s only sibling, Gordon 
Anderson, is a “computer guru” who loves his life in Colorado. Their 
parents have passed. At 57, Bennett, divorced for 17 years, is preparing
 to get married again.

“It just really was the right time,” she said of selling.

A less common occurrence, says 
Valentine area broker Mark Johnson of Hall and Hall, is a place like the
 Dumbbell hitting the market.

Johnson, whose business is selling 
ranches, said the property stands out for various reasons, including a 
precious natural resource, water. It sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer, 
which creates shallow lakes and sub-irrigated meadows that he said are 
known to be the headwaters for the Middle Loup River.

“This one has a deeper stamp,” 
Johnson said, noting the ranch’s storied past, its artesian wells, 27 
windmills, eight solar wells, rangeland and watering sites for 
livestock.

He called the Dumbbell — historically
 a 900-head cow/calf operation that’s in the nation’s “top cow county”— 
one of the founding ranches of the Nebraska Sandhills.

Anne’s great-grandfather Gustaf Anderson, an orphaned Swedish immigrant, acquired the area in 1913.

As the history goes, pieced together 
from family and various other sources, the Dumbbell headquarters was 
established in 1887 by Dr. A.J. Plumer, who had hoped the railroad would
 be built through the valley.

He and his wife, Anna, a nurse, constructed a “white mansion” structure to serve as a maternity hospital.&nbsp;

Lore has it that Plumer accidentally 
slammed a hammer on his thumb while building the hospital, exclaiming 
“Only a dumbbell would do that.”

Plumer expanded a cattle operation 
before moving and selling the ranch in 1906. In 1913, Gustaf Anderson 
became sole owner of a property that would grow to about 52,000 acres.

Anderson would make the trip from Red
 Oak, Iowa, to the Dumbbell Ranch at least a dozen times a year by train
 or vehicle —&nbsp; a trip that each generation of Andersons has made over 
the decades.

Three children of Gustaf and his 
wife, Janie, later split the ranch into sections and called them 
Pitchfork, 3 Circles and Dumbbell.&nbsp;

Son Gordon got the Dumbbell and eventually passed it to son Gerald, who then left it to Anne and her brother.

Anne said she has worked the past 
three decades with her dad on the business, traveling as often as she 
could to the ranch. “We love it so much, we’ve been able to make it 
work.”

She lauded the lineup of managers who
 over the generations lived at the site, maintained the operation and 
became engaged in the community.&nbsp;

“They are the ones that live there and have boots on the ground,” she said.

Her dad died in 2016; her mom passed in 2021.

The ranch has received local suitors, as well as interest and visitors from other states, since Johnson<a target="_blank" href="https://hallhall.com/property-for-sale/nebraska/dumbbell-ranch/a095d00002U10JQ/"> started marketing</a> it about a week ago, he said.

Anne said her family is proud to have
 diversified the operation, which includes the Flying A Cattle Company, 
without forsaking the native rangeland. The family feels blessed, she 
said, to “be a small part of the unique Sandhills ecosystem and 
community.”

“It’s dear to our hearts,” said Anne. “We love the Sandhills. Our family loves ranching. It’s time to move on.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554659570.png" alt="The Dumbbell Ranch spans about 15,500 acres, mostly in Nebraska’s Cherry County, known as the nation’s “top cow county.” It is for sale, which means it will have owners outside the Anderson family for first time in over a century. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)" />
 <figcaption>The Dumbbell Ranch spans about 15,500 acres, mostly in Nebraska’s Cherry County, known as the nation’s “top cow county.” It is for sale, which means it will have owners outside the Anderson family for first time in over a century. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Massive ranch is for sale for $16.7 million</h2>By CINDIY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/03/dumbbell-in-nebraska-sandhills-gains-spotlight-with-sheer-size-storied-past/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — It’s a $16.7 million ranch story sure to stir some nostalgic memories in the Sandhills of Nebraska.But even if you’re not from the area, a property called Dumbbell has got to pique curiosity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554762652.jpeg" alt="Native range and meadows used by livestock and wildlife habitat cover the ranch. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)" />
 <figcaption>Native range and meadows used by livestock and wildlife habitat cover the ranch. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Dumbbell Ranch, which spans a 
whopping 15,500 acres, mostly in Cherry County, is attracting attention 
as it now is up for sale&nbsp; — poised to separate from the family that has 
owned it for more than a century.&nbsp;The rationale behind that break may 
sound familiar: The younger generation has more pressing interests than 
to oversee the Hyannis area operation.&nbsp;“They don’t want to ranch, and I’m 
really grateful they were honest with me,” Anne Anderson Bennett said of
 her daughters Margaret and Leatha, who are in their 20s.Bennett’s only sibling, Gordon 
Anderson, is a “computer guru” who loves his life in Colorado. Their 
parents have passed. At 57, Bennett, divorced for 17 years, is preparing
 to get married again.“It just really was the right time,” she said of selling.A less common occurrence, says 
Valentine area broker Mark Johnson of Hall and Hall, is a place like the
 Dumbbell hitting the market.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554815794.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Johnson, whose business is selling 
ranches, said the property stands out for various reasons, including a 
precious natural resource, water. It sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer, 
which creates shallow lakes and sub-irrigated meadows that he said are 
known to be the headwaters for the Middle Loup River.“This one has a deeper stamp,” 
Johnson said, noting the ranch’s storied past, its artesian wells, 27 
windmills, eight solar wells, rangeland and watering sites for 
livestock.He called the Dumbbell — historically
 a 900-head cow/calf operation that’s in the nation’s “top cow county”— 
one of the founding ranches of the Nebraska Sandhills.Anne’s great-grandfather Gustaf Anderson, an orphaned Swedish immigrant, acquired the area in 1913.As the history goes, pieced together 
from family and various other sources, the Dumbbell headquarters was 
established in 1887 by Dr. A.J. Plumer, who had hoped the railroad would
 be built through the valley.He and his wife, Anna, a nurse, constructed a “white mansion” structure to serve as a maternity hospital.&nbsp;Lore has it that Plumer accidentally 
slammed a hammer on his thumb while building the hospital, exclaiming 
“Only a dumbbell would do that.”Hence, the Dumbbell name.Plumer expanded a cattle operation 
before moving and selling the ranch in 1906. In 1913, Gustaf Anderson 
became sole owner of a property that would grow to about 52,000 acres.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554852926.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anderson would make the trip from Red
 Oak, Iowa, to the Dumbbell Ranch at least a dozen times a year by train
 or vehicle —&nbsp; a trip that each generation of Andersons has made over 
the decades.Three children of Gustaf and his 
wife, Janie, later split the ranch into sections and called them 
Pitchfork, 3 Circles and Dumbbell.&nbsp;Son Gordon got the Dumbbell and eventually passed it to son Gerald, who then left it to Anne and her brother.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554880289.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Hall and Hall, Anderson family)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Hall and Hall, Anderson family)</figcaption>
 </figure>Anne said she has worked the past 
three decades with her dad on the business, traveling as often as she 
could to the ranch. “We love it so much, we’ve been able to make it 
work.”She lauded the lineup of managers who
 over the generations lived at the site, maintained the operation and 
became engaged in the community.&nbsp;“They are the ones that live there and have boots on the ground,” she said.Her dad died in 2016; her mom passed in 2021.The ranch has received local suitors, as well as interest and visitors from other states, since Johnson<a target="_blank" href="https://hallhall.com/property-for-sale/nebraska/dumbbell-ranch/a095d00002U10JQ/"> started marketing</a> it about a week ago, he said.Anne said her family is proud to have
 diversified the operation, which includes the Flying A Cattle Company, 
without forsaking the native rangeland. The family feels blessed, she 
said, to “be a small part of the unique Sandhills ecosystem and 
community.”“It’s dear to our hearts,” said Anne. “We love the Sandhills. Our family loves ranching. It’s time to move on.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680554917938.png" alt="The Dumbbell Ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)" />
 <figcaption>The Dumbbell Ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. (Courtesy of Hall and Hall)</figcaption>
 </figure>

‘Dumbbell’ in Nebraska Sandhills gains spotlight with sheer size, storied past

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are headed Monday into four intense days ahead of an annual “Drop Dead Day” deadline that could see them wrap up their work on rolling back transgender rights, imposing new abortion restrictions and cutting taxes.

Most policy bills and the bulk of the next state budget are supposed to clear the Republican-controlled Legislature by the close of business Thursday. Lawmakers then plan to take their annual spring break to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly time to sign or veto the bills they've approved before they reconvene April 26 to finish the last of their business for the year.

While lawmakers often have a few big bills that they can't finish by Drop Dead Day, their goal is to clear their agenda as much as possible so that the late-April wrapup lasts a week or less and focuses on completing the budget and possibly overriding vetoes.

Here's a look at where major issues stand.

The House has until Thursday to try to override&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">Kelly's veto</a>&nbsp;of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's school and club sports, starting in kindergarten.

Supporters need a two-thirds majority, 84 of 125 votes, and GOP leaders expect the vote to be close enough that they have been waiting until no more than one of the 85 Republicans is absent. If the House votes to override, a vote could follow quickly in the Senate, where an override appears likely.

Both chambers have passed versions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">a bill</a>&nbsp;to prevent transgender people from using restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities in line with their current gender identifies and to block them from changing their driver's licenses to reflect their current identities. Senators passed it first and must decide whether to accept House changes or demand negotations.

A bill aimed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb233_00_0000.pdf">ending gender-affirming care for minors</a>&nbsp;has passed the Senate but has not cleared a committee in the House. However, the Legislature's rules would allow senators and House members negotiating on the bathroom bill or another health measure to slip in language on gender-affirming care.

During a recent rally at the Statehouse, Kelly told LGBTQ-rights advocates and LGBTQ youth, “I will continue to stand up for you, protect your rights and call out and condemn any speech or behavior or veto any bill that aims to harm or discriminate against you.”

Republican lawmakers are pushing for new anti-abortion laws, though their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-restrictions-pushback-kansas-b5c0aaabf00ed50763824e04cf8fa6c6">options were limited</a>&nbsp;after voters in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively affirmed</a>&nbsp;that the state constitution protects abortion rights.

Both chambers have approved a version of a bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/born-alive-abortion-bill-kansas-legislature-89b7276e071fda4808c96d9d3e8cce4e">dealing with live births during abortion procedures,</a>&nbsp;similar to a proposed law that Montana voters rejected in November. It would require a doctor to immediately transport a newborn to a hospital, even if the doctor expected it to die quickly.

The House approved the measure first and must consider Senate amendments. The two chambers' differences are minor, so the House could approve the Senate version to send it to Kelly.

Yet the House also could demand negotiations with the Senate because of a second anti-abortion bill.

It's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2439_00_0000.pdf">a House-passed bill</a>&nbsp;to require abortion providers to tell patients that they might be able to reverse a medication abortion after taking the first of the usual two drugs, something experts dispute. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says there is no scientific evidence that the “reversal” method, involving using the hormone progesterone in place of the second abortion medication, is safe or effective.

While the Senate hasn't considered the measure, it has moved quickly in the past on anti-abortion measures. But passage could go even more quickly if lawmakers slipped the “reversal” language into the bill on live births during negotiations.

Kelly is a strong abortion rights supporter and is expected to veto both proposals. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2019/05/01/kansas-senate-overrides-governors-abortion-reversal-veto.html">vetoed a version</a>&nbsp;of the medication “reversal” bill in 2019.

The state began the year flush with bulging revenues and that prompted high, bipartisan interest in cutting taxes. Tax cuts appear likely to top $1.4 billion over three years.

Kelly and other Democrats want to immediately eliminate the state's sales tax on groceries, now 4% and set to go to zero at the start of 2025. The House has a plan to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb169_02_0000.pdf">go to zero on July 1,</a>&nbsp;while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb248_01_0000.pdf">would wait until Jan. 1, 2024.</a>

The governor also proposed exempting more of retirees' Social Security income from state income taxes, but the Senate voted to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb33_01_0000.pdf">zero them out.</a>

Republicans are pushing to collapse the state's three individual income tax brackets into one. The House's proposal is a tax rate of 5.25%, while the Senate's plan is&nbsp;<a>a rate of 4.75%.</a>&nbsp;The top rate now is 5.7%.

Republicans continue to pursue “school choice” proposals despite Kelly's lack of enthusiasm for them. But the House and Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/private-school-choice-funding-kansas-a4e59ff5713915e28d86362144fd72d1">are far apart</a>&nbsp;on a bill, and they're negotiating over the final version.

The Senate approved an expansion of an existing program that gives an income tax credit to people and companies donating to scholarship funds that help at-risk students leave public schools for private ones. The House narrowly approved a bill that would move state education dollars into savings accounts for parents who want private or home schooling for their children.

The House and Senate also are negotiating over the final version of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2236_02_0000.pdf">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow parents of public school students to object to a lesson or activity that “impairs the parent’s sincerely held beliefs, values or principles,” and to remove the student from the classroom.

Both the separate House and Senate versions of the next annual state budget include a provision barring higher education institutions from requiring job applicants to express support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs or to base hiring decisions on a candidate's views on the subject.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3311692-1024x576.jpg" alt="-A crowd passes Friday in front of the Kansas Statehouse as part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-A crowd passes Friday in front of the Kansas Statehouse as part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are headed Monday into four intense days ahead of an annual “Drop Dead Day” deadline that could see them wrap up their work on rolling back transgender rights, imposing new abortion restrictions and cutting taxes.Most policy bills and the bulk of the next state budget are supposed to clear the Republican-controlled Legislature by the close of business Thursday. Lawmakers then plan to take their annual spring break to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly time to sign or veto the bills they've approved before they reconvene April 26 to finish the last of their business for the year.While lawmakers often have a few big bills that they can't finish by Drop Dead Day, their goal is to clear their agenda as much as possible so that the late-April wrapup lasts a week or less and focuses on completing the budget and possibly overriding vetoes.Here's a look at where major issues stand.TRANSGENDER RIGHTSThe House has until Thursday to try to override&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">Kelly's veto</a>&nbsp;of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's school and club sports, starting in kindergarten.Supporters need a two-thirds majority, 84 of 125 votes, and GOP leaders expect the vote to be close enough that they have been waiting until no more than one of the 85 Republicans is absent. If the House votes to override, a vote could follow quickly in the Senate, where an override appears likely.Both chambers have passed versions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">a bill</a>&nbsp;to prevent transgender people from using restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities in line with their current gender identifies and to block them from changing their driver's licenses to reflect their current identities. Senators passed it first and must decide whether to accept House changes or demand negotations.A bill aimed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb233_00_0000.pdf">ending gender-affirming care for minors</a>&nbsp;has passed the Senate but has not cleared a committee in the House. However, the Legislature's rules would allow senators and House members negotiating on the bathroom bill or another health measure to slip in language on gender-affirming care.During a recent rally at the Statehouse, Kelly told LGBTQ-rights advocates and LGBTQ youth, “I will continue to stand up for you, protect your rights and call out and condemn any speech or behavior or veto any bill that aims to harm or discriminate against you.”ABORTION RESTRICTIONSRepublican lawmakers are pushing for new anti-abortion laws, though their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-restrictions-pushback-kansas-b5c0aaabf00ed50763824e04cf8fa6c6">options were limited</a>&nbsp;after voters in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively affirmed</a>&nbsp;that the state constitution protects abortion rights.Both chambers have approved a version of a bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/born-alive-abortion-bill-kansas-legislature-89b7276e071fda4808c96d9d3e8cce4e">dealing with live births during abortion procedures,</a>&nbsp;similar to a proposed law that Montana voters rejected in November. It would require a doctor to immediately transport a newborn to a hospital, even if the doctor expected it to die quickly.The House approved the measure first and must consider Senate amendments. The two chambers' differences are minor, so the House could approve the Senate version to send it to Kelly.Yet the House also could demand negotiations with the Senate because of a second anti-abortion bill.It's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2439_00_0000.pdf">a House-passed bill</a>&nbsp;to require abortion providers to tell patients that they might be able to reverse a medication abortion after taking the first of the usual two drugs, something experts dispute. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says there is no scientific evidence that the “reversal” method, involving using the hormone progesterone in place of the second abortion medication, is safe or effective.While the Senate hasn't considered the measure, it has moved quickly in the past on anti-abortion measures. But passage could go even more quickly if lawmakers slipped the “reversal” language into the bill on live births during negotiations.Kelly is a strong abortion rights supporter and is expected to veto both proposals. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2019/05/01/kansas-senate-overrides-governors-abortion-reversal-veto.html">vetoed a version</a>&nbsp;of the medication “reversal” bill in 2019.TAX CUTSThe state began the year flush with bulging revenues and that prompted high, bipartisan interest in cutting taxes. Tax cuts appear likely to top $1.4 billion over three years.Kelly and other Democrats want to immediately eliminate the state's sales tax on groceries, now 4% and set to go to zero at the start of 2025. The House has a plan to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb169_02_0000.pdf">go to zero on July 1,</a>&nbsp;while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb248_01_0000.pdf">would wait until Jan. 1, 2024.</a>The governor also proposed exempting more of retirees' Social Security income from state income taxes, but the Senate voted to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb33_01_0000.pdf">zero them out.</a>Republicans are pushing to collapse the state's three individual income tax brackets into one. The House's proposal is a tax rate of 5.25%, while the Senate's plan is&nbsp;<a>a rate of 4.75%.</a>&nbsp;The top rate now is 5.7%.EDUCATION POLICYRepublicans continue to pursue “school choice” proposals despite Kelly's lack of enthusiasm for them. But the House and Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/private-school-choice-funding-kansas-a4e59ff5713915e28d86362144fd72d1">are far apart</a>&nbsp;on a bill, and they're negotiating over the final version.The Senate approved an expansion of an existing program that gives an income tax credit to people and companies donating to scholarship funds that help at-risk students leave public schools for private ones. The House narrowly approved a bill that would move state education dollars into savings accounts for parents who want private or home schooling for their children.The House and Senate also are negotiating over the final version of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2236_02_0000.pdf">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow parents of public school students to object to a lesson or activity that “impairs the parent’s sincerely held beliefs, values or principles,” and to remove the student from the classroom.Both the separate House and Senate versions of the next annual state budget include a provision barring higher education institutions from requiring job applicants to express support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs or to base hiring decisions on a candidate's views on the subject.

Taxes, abortion, trans rights hot as Kansas deadline looms

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 72-year-old woman.

Just after 7 pm, Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 200 block of South Minneapolis in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. First responders found a 72-year-old woman inside a residence with a gunshot wound to her face. 

Police found the firearm used in the home. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment.

The investigation revealed that the woman was inside the residence with her 11-year-old great-nephew. The boy showed her a gun and the gun went off striking her in the face. 

The boy left the scene and police later found him at his home in the 1800 block of East English Street in Wichita. Police took him into custody without incident. The firearm found was reported stolen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680453431004.png" alt="Police investigating the incident on Saturday night -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police investigating the incident on Saturday night -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 72-year-old woman.Just after 7 pm, Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 200 block of South Minneapolis in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. First responders found a 72-year-old woman inside a residence with a gunshot wound to her face. Police found the firearm used in the home. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment.The investigation revealed that the woman was inside the residence with her 11-year-old great-nephew. The boy showed her a gun and the gun went off striking her in the face. The boy left the scene and police later found him at his home in the 1800 block of East English Street in Wichita. Police took him into custody without incident. The firearm found was reported stolen.

Police: 11-year-old Kan. boy shot great-aunt in the face

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities were on scene in the area of Market Circle in Dodge City late Sunday and into the early hours of Monday negotiating with murder suspect 44-year-old Armando Pavon Campos, according to a statement from Dodge City Police.

Just before 6a.m. Monday, police reported the standoff ended when Campos died of a self-inflicted gunshot, according to Police.

 DCPD were working to process the scene. There is no further threat to residents.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Campos was wanted for a fatal stabbing in Garden City, and was considered to be armed, according to Police.

Just before 3 p.m., Friday, police were dispatched to a home in the 1300 block of Conkling Avenue in Garden City.

Officers found 63-year-old Julia Landeros deceased inside the residence. She had been stabbed.

The initial investigation determined that the incident occurred earlier in the week and Campos was identified as a suspect. He is described as 5-foot-6, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Campos is missing part of his right leg and has a prosthetic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680373857809.png" alt="Campos -photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Campos -photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities were on scene in the area of Market Circle in Dodge City late Sunday and into the early hours of Monday negotiating with murder suspect 44-year-old Armando Pavon Campos, according to a statement from Dodge City Police.Just before 6a.m. Monday, police reported the standoff ended when Campos died of a self-inflicted gunshot, according to Police. DCPD were working to process the scene. There is no further threat to residents.&nbsp;&nbsp;Campos was wanted for a fatal stabbing in Garden City, and was considered to be armed, according to Police.Just before 3 p.m., Friday, police were dispatched to a home in the 1300 block of Conkling Avenue in Garden City.Officers found 63-year-old Julia Landeros deceased inside the residence. She had been stabbed.The initial investigation determined that the incident occurred earlier in the week and Campos was identified as a suspect. He is described as 5-foot-6, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Campos is missing part of his right leg and has a prosthetic.

Police: Standoff ends, SW Kansas murder suspect is dead 

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed close to Belarus' borders with NATO neighbors, the Russian ambassador to Belarus said Sunday amid simmering tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Ambassador Boris Gryzlov's comment followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statement about plans to station tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Russia's neighbor and ally. The announcement marked another attempt by the Russian leader to dangle the nuclear threat to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.

Putin has said that construction of storage facilities for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus will be complete by July 1 and added that Russia has helped modernize Belarusian warplanes to make them capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

The two neighbors have an agreement envisioning close economic, political and military ties. Russia used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for invading Ukraine and has maintained a contingent of troops and weapons there.

Gryzlov, speaking in remarks broadcast late Sunday by Belarusian state television, said the Russian nuclear weapons will be “moved up close to the Western border of our union state” but did not give any precise location.

“It will expand our defense capability, and it will be done regardless of all the noise in Europe and the United States,” he said in a reference to Western criticism of Putin's decision.

Belarus shares a 1,250-kilometer (778-mile) border with NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Tactical nuclear weapons, which are intended to destroy enemy troops and weapons on the battlefield, have a relatively short range and a much lower yield compared with nuclear warheads fitted to long-range strategic missiles that are capable of obliterating whole cities.

The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus would put them closer to potential targets in Ukraine and NATO members in Eastern and Central Europe.

Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday that some of Russia's strategic nuclear weapons might be deployed to Belarus along with part of Russia’s tactical nuclear arsenal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service,&nbsp; Service via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service,&nbsp; Service via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed close to Belarus' borders with NATO neighbors, the Russian ambassador to Belarus said Sunday amid simmering tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow's war in Ukraine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679781807563.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>Ambassador Boris Gryzlov's comment followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statement about plans to station tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Russia's neighbor and ally. The announcement marked another attempt by the Russian leader to dangle the nuclear threat to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.Putin has said that construction of storage facilities for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus will be complete by July 1 and added that Russia has helped modernize Belarusian warplanes to make them capable of carrying nuclear weapons.The two neighbors have an agreement envisioning close economic, political and military ties. Russia used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for invading Ukraine and has maintained a contingent of troops and weapons there.Gryzlov, speaking in remarks broadcast late Sunday by Belarusian state television, said the Russian nuclear weapons will be “moved up close to the Western border of our union state” but did not give any precise location.“It will expand our defense capability, and it will be done regardless of all the noise in Europe and the United States,” he said in a reference to Western criticism of Putin's decision.Belarus shares a 1,250-kilometer (778-mile) border with NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.Tactical nuclear weapons, which are intended to destroy enemy troops and weapons on the battlefield, have a relatively short range and a much lower yield compared with nuclear warheads fitted to long-range strategic missiles that are capable of obliterating whole cities.The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus would put them closer to potential targets in Ukraine and NATO members in Eastern and Central Europe.Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday that some of Russia's strategic nuclear weapons might be deployed to Belarus along with part of Russia’s tactical nuclear arsenal.

Envoy: Russia to put nukes near Ukraine, other NATO members

KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury Friday convicted Martel L. Harrison, 26, of Murder and other felonies in connection with the August 2020 fatal shooting of Sage Walston, whose body was found in the area of Linwood and Elmwood, acording to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2168/Martel-Harrison-PC_Redacted">Click here to read th</a>e probable cause statement

The jury found Harrison guilty of Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Knowingly Burning or Exploding.

According to the probably cause statement, in August of 2020, police found Walston's burning car in a church parking lot less than a mile from the apartment complex where he had been staying with a woman.

A woman who knew both Harrison and Walston told police Harrison gave her $20 to buy the gasoline used to set Walston's car on fire.

Harrison burned his face and neck while setting the car on fire. He shaved his head after the fire.&nbsp; He denied killing Walston or setting Walston's car on fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680298764312.png" alt="Harrison-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Harrison-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County jury Friday convicted Martel L. Harrison, 26, of Murder and other felonies in connection with the August 2020 fatal shooting of Sage Walston, whose body was found in the area of Linwood and Elmwood, acording to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2168/Martel-Harrison-PC_Redacted">Click here to read th</a>e probable cause statementThe jury found Harrison guilty of Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Knowingly Burning or Exploding.According to the probably cause statement, in August of 2020, police found Walston's burning car in a church parking lot less than a mile from the apartment complex where he had been staying with a woman.A woman who knew both Harrison and Walston told police Harrison gave her $20 to buy the gasoline used to set Walston's car on fire.Harrison burned his face and neck while setting the car on fire. He shaved his head after the fire.&nbsp; He denied killing Walston or setting Walston's car on fire.Harrison will be sentenced on June 13.

Murder: Suspect burned his face setting Kan. man's car on fire

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

Just after 6a.m. March 30, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop at milepost 143 on U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.

The driver of the vehicle, Brittany N. Harbert, 33, Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Trafficking contraband into a correctional facility and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680198535519.png" alt="Harbert photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Harbert photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 6a.m. March 30, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop at milepost 143 on U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.The driver of the vehicle, Brittany N. Harbert, 33, Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Trafficking contraband into a correctional facility and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas woman accused of selling methamphetamine

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;

Just after 9a.m. March 31, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Escape at 134th Road near S. Road south of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp;The driver, Carlos Acevedo, 28, of Topeka, was subsequently arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine and driving while suspended. .

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680299177011.png" alt="Acevedo-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Acevedo-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;Just after 9a.m. March 31, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Escape at 134th Road near S. Road south of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;The driver, Carlos Acevedo, 28, of Topeka, was subsequently arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine and driving while suspended. .

Sheriff's deputy finds cocaine during Kan. traffic stop

TOPEKA —A spate of threats and false reports of shooters have been pouring into schools and colleges across the country for months, raising concerns among law enforcement and elected leaders.

Schools in Pennsylvania were the latest targeted by so-called swatting. Computer-generated calls on Wednesday made claims about active shooters, but it was all a hoax. One day earlier, nearly 30 Massachusetts schools received fake threats.

School officials are already on edge amid a backdrop of deadly school shootings, the latest Monday at a Christian school in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">Nashville</a>.

(Click below to listen to a March 2023 hoax 911 calls received in Topeka.)

Hundreds of cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. The goal is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to respond to an address.

An FBI official said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cea91facddabed823513f205073a441f">in November</a>&nbsp;that they believe the wave of false threats focused on schools may be coming from outside of the country.

Officials said at the time that they had identified calls to about 250 colleges, 100 high schools and several junior high schools just since early June falsely reporting explosive devices being planted at the schools or saying that a shooting was imminent.

The FBI didn’t immediately respond to emails Wednesday from The Associated Press seeking comment, but the threats have continued to accumulate in recent months.

Few regions of the country have been spared from such calls and the disruptions they cause.

The false calls Wednesday in Pennsylvania led to lockdowns or evacuations in several counties, according to state police. Law enforcement had to take each one seriously no matter how dubious it seemed.

Police in Pittsburgh, for instance, searched every room at Central Catholic High School, even after getting word that a report of people being hurt inside wasn't true within a minute, said Thomas Stangrecki, the interim police chief.

“We treated it as a real incident,” Stangrecki said. Another threat at a nearby Catholic school had worried parents gathered outside.

In Iowa, so many schools were targeted earlier this month that Gov. Kim Reynolds complained at a news conference about the toll it was taking to confirm the terror-inducing calls are fake.

“It's what no governor, it's what no parent or anybody — superintendent, teachers, kids — want to hear,” Reynolds said. “And we're grateful and just so thankful that is what it was.”

And in Minnesota, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued a warning last month after fake calls forced eight schools into lockdown over two days.

DO FAKE THREATS HINDER RESPONSE TO REAL SHOOTINGS?

Authorities are grappling with the false alarms in a country where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-mass-school-shooting-database-columbine-uvalde-1c82749f7236752a2e621f402489b357">mass shooters</a>&nbsp;have killed hundreds of people throughout history. Shooters have attacked in places like stores, theaters and workplaces, but it is in schools and colleges where the carnage reverberates perhaps most keenly.

At U.S. schools and colleges, 175 people have been killed in 15 mass shootings that resulted in the deaths of four or more people, not including the perpetrator — from 1999′s Columbine High School massacre to Monday’s shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. That’s according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University, in addition to other AP reporting.

Such calls have proven dangerous and even outright deadly.

In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call. Just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8d48bc5c4db63afb97457d4080c02612">this month</a>, the city agreed to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit, with the money to go to the two children of 28-year-old Andrew Finch.

The hoax call that led to his death began as a feud between two online gamers. One of the gamers recruited Tyler Barriss to “swat” the other gamer. But the address used was old, leading police to Finch, who was not involved in the dispute or playing the video game.

Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, while the other two gamers were sentenced to 15- and 18-month terms.

Police in Maryland also shot a 20-year-old Maryland man in the face with rubber bullets after a fake hostage situation was reported at his home.

The FBI in Pittsburgh nodded to the risk, noting in a statement about the school threat cases that it “takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677682971206.png" alt="On March 2, Police responded to a hoax 911 call at Highland Park High School in Topeka Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>On March 2, Police responded to a hoax 911 call at Highland Park High School in Topeka Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A spate of threats and false reports of shooters have been pouring into schools and colleges across the country for months, raising concerns among law enforcement and elected leaders.Schools in Pennsylvania were the latest targeted by so-called swatting. Computer-generated calls on Wednesday made claims about active shooters, but it was all a hoax. One day earlier, nearly 30 Massachusetts schools received fake threats.School officials are already on edge amid a backdrop of deadly school shootings, the latest Monday at a Christian school in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">Nashville</a>.Here is a look at the issues involved:(Click below to listen to a March 2023 hoax 911 calls received in Topeka.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uVt5dz4qRLE?start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>WHAT IS SWATTING?Hundreds of cases of swatting occur annually, with some using caller ID spoofing to disguise their number. The goal is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to respond to an address.An FBI official said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cea91facddabed823513f205073a441f">in November</a>&nbsp;that they believe the wave of false threats focused on schools may be coming from outside of the country.Officials said at the time that they had identified calls to about 250 colleges, 100 high schools and several junior high schools just since early June falsely reporting explosive devices being planted at the schools or saying that a shooting was imminent.The FBI didn’t immediately respond to emails Wednesday from The Associated Press seeking comment, but the threats have continued to accumulate in recent months.WHERE ARE SWATTING CALLS HAPPENING?Few regions of the country have been spared from such calls and the disruptions they cause.The false calls Wednesday in Pennsylvania led to lockdowns or evacuations in several counties, according to state police. Law enforcement had to take each one seriously no matter how dubious it seemed.Police in Pittsburgh, for instance, searched every room at Central Catholic High School, even after getting word that a report of people being hurt inside wasn't true within a minute, said Thomas Stangrecki, the interim police chief.“We treated it as a real incident,” Stangrecki said. Another threat at a nearby Catholic school had worried parents gathered outside.In Iowa, so many schools were targeted earlier this month that Gov. Kim Reynolds complained at a news conference about the toll it was taking to confirm the terror-inducing calls are fake.“It's what no governor, it's what no parent or anybody — superintendent, teachers, kids — want to hear,” Reynolds said. “And we're grateful and just so thankful that is what it was.”And in Minnesota, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued a warning last month after fake calls forced eight schools into lockdown over two days.DO FAKE THREATS HINDER RESPONSE TO REAL SHOOTINGS?Authorities are grappling with the false alarms in a country where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-mass-school-shooting-database-columbine-uvalde-1c82749f7236752a2e621f402489b357">mass shooters</a>&nbsp;have killed hundreds of people throughout history. Shooters have attacked in places like stores, theaters and workplaces, but it is in schools and colleges where the carnage reverberates perhaps most keenly.At U.S. schools and colleges, 175 people have been killed in 15 mass shootings that resulted in the deaths of four or more people, not including the perpetrator — from 1999′s Columbine High School massacre to Monday’s shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. That’s according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University, in addition to other AP reporting.DO EVEN FALSE THREATS POSE A RISK?Such calls have proven dangerous and even outright deadly.In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call. Just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8d48bc5c4db63afb97457d4080c02612">this month</a>, the city agreed to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit, with the money to go to the two children of 28-year-old Andrew Finch.The hoax call that led to his death began as a feud between two online gamers. One of the gamers recruited Tyler Barriss to “swat” the other gamer. But the address used was old, leading police to Finch, who was not involved in the dispute or playing the video game.Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, while the other two gamers were sentenced to 15- and 18-month terms.Police in Maryland also shot a 20-year-old Maryland man in the face with rubber bullets after a fake hostage situation was reported at his home.The FBI in Pittsburgh nodded to the risk, noting in a statement about the school threat cases that it “takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk.”___

🎥How 'swatting' calls spread as schools face real threats

By SHERIDAN WIMMER <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2023/02/01/kansas-farm-dog-wins-national-competition">Kansas Living</a>

When their border collie Tough was paralyzed from a traumatic spinal 
injury in 2015 while helping move cattle, Denny and Donna Ashcraft, 
ranchers in Jackson County, didn’t think she would recover. With hard 
decisions on the line and their dog’s quality of life to consider, the 
Ashcrafts watched over her with concern.

“We rushed her to the local vet,” Denny remembers. “She was paralyzed
 from the neck down, and we thought there was only one option for her.”

But with a name like Tough, the hardworking cattle and sheepherder began to recover.

“She was almost fully paralyzed for three weeks,” Donna says.

“After some time, she started to get some movement back and we saw 
glimmers of hope,” Denny says. “Her tail started to wag. We took her 
home and helped her through her recovery.”

“We put a life vest on her and floated her in a tank of water to help
 with physical therapy,” Donna says. “And we called in a chiropractor 
for her.”

Tough is as tough as they come, and after some time to rest, recover 
and do some swimming in a stock tank, she’s been able to continue to 
help on the ranch from time to time.

“She’s 10 feet tall and bulletproof,” Denny says about Tough, who they use as a working dog on their ranch in Mayetta.

“She’s slowing down some, sure,” he says of the now 14-year-old. “And
 she’s not 100 percent compared to how she was prior to her injury, but 
she loves to work. She’s good at it — you can tell it gives her purpose 
and makes her happy.”

The Ashcrafts got Tough from a good friend of theirs in Oklahoma. Within a week, Denny was attached.

“I started working her with our livestock, and I noticed her extreme 
talent right off the bat,” he says. “She was fast — almost too fast.”

Her natural talent led the Ashcrafts to put Tough in stock dog trials when she was in her prime before the accident.

Stock dog trials are herding events to test the working ability of 
herding breed dogs. This type of competition began in the 1860s in New 
Zealand and gained popularity in other countries by the 20th century.

Judges look for accuracy of the dog’s work with the guidance of a 
handler (Denny). The courses in the trials vary, but the dogs are 
assessed on their pen work, sorting, chute work and pasture work. 
Working dogs should be efficient but manage livestock in a stress-free 
manner.

“Tough handles livestock with considerable ease,” Donna says. “She’s 
always respectful and makes sure she’s in the right place so there isn’t
 a lot of pressure or stress on the livestock. And ultimately, we want 
to handle our livestock in a low-stress manner right from the start.”

Tough had a third-place finish in Fort Worth, won reserve champion at
 the National Western Stock Show in Denver and won grand champion at the
 San Antonio and Houston stock shows.

“She has a good feel for her livestock,” Donna says. “She has a good 
understanding of placement of livestock, and it shows in the trials and 
here at home on the ranch.”

Tough won stock dog trials in the beginning of her career, she’s won 
the hearts of Denny and Donna and anyone who comes into her circle, and 
recently, Tough won the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Farm Dog 
of the Year competition. With support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, Tough 
and the Ashcrafts were honored at the the AFBF annual convention in 
Puerto Rico in January.

“We’ve never been past the boundaries of the continental United 
States, so it was a big trip for us,” Donna says. “Since Tough is aging,
 we didn’t want to stress her with the flight, so she stayed home to 
tend to her flocks.”

The contest celebrates dogs who work alongside farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families.

“It’s exciting to celebrate the important role of farm dogs on farms and ranches,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall says. “They’re loyal work partners every day on the farm. Their faithful and playful companionship constantly enriches the lives of farmers and their families.”

“Tough has a name that describes her life,” Denny says. “She gets up 
every morning with the same happy desire to go to work. She greets every
 new day like it’s the best day of her life, despite her limitations. 
Because of her ever-positive attitude, winning Farm Dog of the Year is 
even more of an honor for us. Tough has an incredible story to tell and 
an example to share that life is good, no matter the circumstances.”

The Ashcrafts win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money.

“Because of Tough’s circumstances now, this award is quite 
meaningful,” Denny says. “We may have shed a few tears at the time of 
her injury not knowing what would become of her future, but had we known
 she would still be receiving recognition and awards as a 14-year-old 
not-quite-steady-on-her-feet bundle of love, we would never have been 
concerned. She’s the dog that just keeps on giving and sharing new 
perspectives on all the good life has to offer.”

The decision Donna and Denny made to allow Tough to recover wasn’t 
easy, and it’s something those of us who have loved (and have been loved
 by) a pet understand.

“It was difficult to try to make that decision to give her more time 
and possibly see her suffer,” Donna admits. “But she had given us her 
heart and soul, so we wanted to give the same back to her.”

The Ashcrafts are selective about what livestock Tough is around now —
 so no more cattle moving for her — but Tough is really the one making 
those decisions.

“It was obvious she still wanted to work,” Donna says about Tough 
after she recovered from her injury. “So we let Tough tell us what she 
can do, and if the sheep were out, we let her work those at her own 
pace. We try to keep her away from the cattle, but sometimes she’ll 
sneak off and bring some heifers back to Denny.”

Tough is a special dog — a winner in competitions and in her attitude toward work and life.

“She teaches you to be happy in your circumstances,” Denny says. “She’s gone through a lot, but she’s still so happy.”

“Tough loves to work and lives to work,” Donna says. “And she lives 
for Denny. She just thinks he’s the cat’s pajamas. She has a passion for
 work, and she’ll do anything Denny asks her to do. She’s a companion 
for him, and if there wasn’t a job for her, they’d find something for 
her to do just so they could have time together.”

Tough is the perfect reminder that tough times don’t last, but tough dogs do.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680277991338.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERIDAN WIMMER <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2023/02/01/kansas-farm-dog-wins-national-competition">Kansas Living</a>When their border collie Tough was paralyzed from a traumatic spinal 
injury in 2015 while helping move cattle, Denny and Donna Ashcraft, 
ranchers in Jackson County, didn’t think she would recover. With hard 
decisions on the line and their dog’s quality of life to consider, the 
Ashcrafts watched over her with concern.“We rushed her to the local vet,” Denny remembers. “She was paralyzed
 from the neck down, and we thought there was only one option for her.”But with a name like Tough, the hardworking cattle and sheepherder began to recover.“She was almost fully paralyzed for three weeks,” Donna says.“After some time, she started to get some movement back and we saw 
glimmers of hope,” Denny says. “Her tail started to wag. We took her 
home and helped her through her recovery.”“We put a life vest on her and floated her in a tank of water to help
 with physical therapy,” Donna says. “And we called in a chiropractor 
for her.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680278055781.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Tough enough</h2>Tough is as tough as they come, and after some time to rest, recover 
and do some swimming in a stock tank, she’s been able to continue to 
help on the ranch from time to time.“She’s 10 feet tall and bulletproof,” Denny says about Tough, who they use as a working dog on their ranch in Mayetta.“She’s slowing down some, sure,” he says of the now 14-year-old. “And
 she’s not 100 percent compared to how she was prior to her injury, but 
she loves to work. She’s good at it — you can tell it gives her purpose 
and makes her happy.”<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IwyKCqldQiw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Stock dog trials</h2>The Ashcrafts got Tough from a good friend of theirs in Oklahoma. Within a week, Denny was attached.“I started working her with our livestock, and I noticed her extreme 
talent right off the bat,” he says. “She was fast — almost too fast.”Her natural talent led the Ashcrafts to put Tough in stock dog trials when she was in her prime before the accident.Stock dog trials are herding events to test the working ability of 
herding breed dogs. This type of competition began in the 1860s in New 
Zealand and gained popularity in other countries by the 20th century.Judges look for accuracy of the dog’s work with the guidance of a 
handler (Denny). The courses in the trials vary, but the dogs are 
assessed on their pen work, sorting, chute work and pasture work. 
Working dogs should be efficient but manage livestock in a stress-free 
manner.“Tough handles livestock with considerable ease,” Donna says. “She’s 
always respectful and makes sure she’s in the right place so there isn’t
 a lot of pressure or stress on the livestock. And ultimately, we want 
to handle our livestock in a low-stress manner right from the start.”Tough had a third-place finish in Fort Worth, won reserve champion at
 the National Western Stock Show in Denver and won grand champion at the
 San Antonio and Houston stock shows.“She has a good feel for her livestock,” Donna says. “She has a good 
understanding of placement of livestock, and it shows in the trials and 
here at home on the ranch.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680278090577.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Dog of the year</h2>Tough won stock dog trials in the beginning of her career, she’s won 
the hearts of Denny and Donna and anyone who comes into her circle, and 
recently, Tough won the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Farm Dog 
of the Year competition. With support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, Tough 
and the Ashcrafts were honored at the the AFBF annual convention in 
Puerto Rico in January.“We’ve never been past the boundaries of the continental United 
States, so it was a big trip for us,” Donna says. “Since Tough is aging,
 we didn’t want to stress her with the flight, so she stayed home to 
tend to her flocks.”The contest celebrates dogs who work alongside farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families.“It’s exciting to celebrate the important role of farm dogs on farms and ranches,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall says. “They’re loyal work partners every day on the farm. Their faithful and playful companionship constantly enriches the lives of farmers and their families.”“Tough has a name that describes her life,” Denny says. “She gets up 
every morning with the same happy desire to go to work. She greets every
 new day like it’s the best day of her life, despite her limitations. 
Because of her ever-positive attitude, winning Farm Dog of the Year is 
even more of an honor for us. Tough has an incredible story to tell and 
an example to share that life is good, no matter the circumstances.”The Ashcrafts win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money.“Because of Tough’s circumstances now, this award is quite 
meaningful,” Denny says. “We may have shed a few tears at the time of 
her injury not knowing what would become of her future, but had we known
 she would still be receiving recognition and awards as a 14-year-old 
not-quite-steady-on-her-feet bundle of love, we would never have been 
concerned. She’s the dog that just keeps on giving and sharing new 
perspectives on all the good life has to offer.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680278142075.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A true companion</h2>The decision Donna and Denny made to allow Tough to recover wasn’t 
easy, and it’s something those of us who have loved (and have been loved
 by) a pet understand.“It was difficult to try to make that decision to give her more time 
and possibly see her suffer,” Donna admits. “But she had given us her 
heart and soul, so we wanted to give the same back to her.”The Ashcrafts are selective about what livestock Tough is around now —
 so no more cattle moving for her — but Tough is really the one making 
those decisions.“It was obvious she still wanted to work,” Donna says about Tough 
after she recovered from her injury. “So we let Tough tell us what she 
can do, and if the sheep were out, we let her work those at her own 
pace. We try to keep her away from the cattle, but sometimes she’ll 
sneak off and bring some heifers back to Denny.”Tough is a special dog — a winner in competitions and in her attitude toward work and life.“She teaches you to be happy in your circumstances,” Denny says. “She’s gone through a lot, but she’s still so happy.”“Tough loves to work and lives to work,” Donna says. “And she lives 
for Denny. She just thinks he’s the cat’s pajamas. She has a passion for
 work, and she’ll do anything Denny asks her to do. She’s a companion 
for him, and if there wasn’t a job for her, they’d find something for 
her to do just so they could have time together.”Tough is the perfect reminder that tough times don’t last, but tough dogs do.&nbsp;

🎥 Kansas farm dog wins national competition

SEWARD COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday during a pursuit with the the Seward County Sheriff's office.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Solara driven by Luis A. Molina, 17, Garden City, was fleeing from a traffic stop with deputies in the&nbsp; 600 Block of S Seward Avenue in Southeast Liberal, Kansas.

The Toyota struck a legally parked and unoccupied 2009 GMC Canyon. Debris from both vehicle struck a parked and unoccupied 2011 Chevy Tahoe.

EMS transported Molina to Southwest Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; Two other juveniles were also in the Toyota.&nbsp;

SEWARD COUNTY—A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday during a pursuit with the the Seward County Sheriff's office.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Toyota Solara driven by Luis A. Molina, 17, Garden City, was fleeing from a traffic stop with deputies in the&nbsp; 600 Block of S Seward Avenue in Southeast Liberal, Kansas.The Toyota struck a legally parked and unoccupied 2009 GMC Canyon. Debris from both vehicle struck a parked and unoccupied 2011 Chevy Tahoe.EMS transported Molina to Southwest Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; Two other juveniles were also in the Toyota.&nbsp;

Kan. teen hospitalized after crash fleeing from deputies

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/22/after-weeks-of-waiting-kansas-survivors-of-child-sex-abuse-eager-for-legislative-hearing/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A throng of angry queer and transgender children marched Friday evening on the Kansas Statehouse grounds in joyful defiance of legislators who promote state-sponsored discrimination.

As the crowd of 200 children and adults gathered on the south side of the Capitol, individuals stepped forward, one by one, to deliver speeches bubbling with love or rage or fear. Some had recently come out, some had never spoken up, and some were high on gender euphoria.

The recurring themes at the demonstration, which was part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy: They refuse to go back into the closet, and they are eager to vote.

Ian Benalcázar, a 13-year-old trans boy from Lawrence who dressed in a Pinkie Pie cardigan, told the crowd: “I am what they are scared of.”

“I can’t believe that I, a child, has to explain why I deserve to live, to breathe and to be happy,” Benalcázar said. “I should be worrying about my grades, not whether or not I’ll be a victim of a hate crime on my way to the bus stop.”

Cassandra Robinson, who will be 10 years old next week, appeared in a T-shirt that reads: “inspired by the STRONG WOMEN in my life.” Standing on the south steps of the Statehouse, the Topeka resident directed her comments to the legislators who work inside.

“This is kind of my first time doing this, so sorry if I stutter or something,” Robinson said. “It’s stupid how the people in there get to decide how we live our lives and how we do stuff. And I feel like all of the cis people should mind their own business, and they should put some LGBTQ in charge.”

The GOP-dominated Legislature this year has advanced numerous bills that target transgender children, including proposals that would restrict gender-affirming care and ban transgender kids from playing with their cisgender peers. A “women’s bill of rights” would establish a politically charged definition of “woman” to exclude transgender women from gender-specific public spaces.

“Those in power who are so desperate to pass this cruel legislation can no longer be excused by ignorance,” said Fable Briggs of Lawrence. “The data is being presented to them over and over again. They simply do not care what’s true or right. They care only for the comfort of those who will vote for them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3311692-1024x576.jpg" alt="A crowd passes Friday in front of the Kansas Statehouse as part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A crowd passes Friday in front of the Kansas Statehouse as part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/22/after-weeks-of-waiting-kansas-survivors-of-child-sex-abuse-eager-for-legislative-hearing/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A throng of angry queer and transgender children marched Friday evening on the Kansas Statehouse grounds in joyful defiance of legislators who promote state-sponsored discrimination.As the crowd of 200 children and adults gathered on the south side of the Capitol, individuals stepped forward, one by one, to deliver speeches bubbling with love or rage or fear. Some had recently come out, some had never spoken up, and some were high on gender euphoria.The recurring themes at the demonstration, which was part of the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy: They refuse to go back into the closet, and they are eager to vote.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3311450.jpg" alt="Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech Friday at the Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech Friday at the Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ian Benalcázar, a 13-year-old trans boy from Lawrence who dressed in a Pinkie Pie cardigan, told the crowd: “I am what they are scared of.”“I can’t believe that I, a child, has to explain why I deserve to live, to breathe and to be happy,” Benalcázar said. “I should be worrying about my grades, not whether or not I’ll be a victim of a hate crime on my way to the bus stop.”Cassandra Robinson, who will be 10 years old next week, appeared in a T-shirt that reads: “inspired by the STRONG WOMEN in my life.” Standing on the south steps of the Statehouse, the Topeka resident directed her comments to the legislators who work inside.“This is kind of my first time doing this, so sorry if I stutter or something,” Robinson said. “It’s stupid how the people in there get to decide how we live our lives and how we do stuff. And I feel like all of the cis people should mind their own business, and they should put some LGBTQ in charge.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3311484.jpg" alt="Cassandra Robinson delivers a speech Friday at the Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Cassandra Robinson delivers a speech Friday at the Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The GOP-dominated Legislature this year has advanced numerous bills that target transgender children, including proposals that would restrict gender-affirming care and ban transgender kids from playing with their cisgender peers. A “women’s bill of rights” would establish a politically charged definition of “woman” to exclude transgender women from gender-specific public spaces.“Those in power who are so desperate to pass this cruel legislation can no longer be excused by ignorance,” said Fable Briggs of Lawrence. “The data is being presented to them over and over again. They simply do not care what’s true or right. They care only for the comfort of those who will vote for them.”Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat who participated in the march, said lawmakers should be working together to solve problems everybody faces instead of putting targets on people’s backs in order to score political points.“You gotta help us out, wherever you’re from,” Schlingensiepen said. “You need to get politically engaged. You have gotta find ways to vote people out who don’t care about you, and who keep bringing these hateful bills to the floor in the House, and who are using you to divide and conquer voters.”Raiden Gonzalez said it was disappointing to see hurtful legislation being debated in Kansas and other states around the country.“You’re seeing a lot of young people who are more just down to earth, trying to be heard,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s really disappointing, and the Kansas Legislature should be ashamed of themselves.”People in the crowd held signs that read: “I want my friends to live,” “make no mistake / they are killing us,” “I’d rather have a trans kid than a dead one,” “support your sisters / not just your cis-ters,” “break the binary,” “trans lives are more important than cis feelings.”One sign said, “F*** your KS SB180,” a reference to the women’s bill of rights, and featured a drawing of an individual raising a middle finger.After the series of speeches, the crowd marched around the perimeter of the Statehouse grounds. Their chants could be heard from a couple of blocks away:“Trans lives matter.”“We’re here. We’re queer. We’re not going anywhere.”“Vote them out.”