JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after he fled from an attempted traffic stop.

Just before 7p.m. September 23, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a black passenger car for allegedly speeding near 102nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle went east on K-214 Highway, continued through the City of Hoyt and eventually stopped in the Hoyt City Park where the driver later identified as&nbsp;Samuel Trynham, 20, of Auburn, was taken into custody.

&nbsp;Trynham is being held in the Jackson County Jail on requested charges for for flee and eluding law enforcement, possession of a hallucinogenic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695605751786.png" alt=" Trynham-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption> Trynham-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after he fled from an attempted traffic stop.Just before 7p.m. September 23, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a black passenger car for allegedly speeding near 102nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle went east on K-214 Highway, continued through the City of Hoyt and eventually stopped in the Hoyt City Park where the driver later identified as&nbsp;Samuel Trynham, 20, of Auburn, was taken into custody.&nbsp;Trynham is being held in the Jackson County Jail on requested charges for for flee and eluding law enforcement, possession of a hallucinogenic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic charges.

Drug suspect caught after high-speed chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-afb3d15b59a0212d9297ed2794f91a2a">restarting a website</a>&nbsp;allowing Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">again order up to four free tests per household</a>&nbsp;— aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;that has typically come during colder months.

The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covid.gov/tests">COVIDTests.gov</a>&nbsp;starting Sept. 25, and the no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.

Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-ap-top-news-global-trade-fresno-4354f8e8026cf8135b74fa19f0d0f048">supply chain issues</a>&nbsp;that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases.

Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the website will remain functional to receive orders through the holidays and “we reserve the right to keep it open even longer if we're starting to see an increase in cases.”

“If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that they're made available to the American people for free in this way,” O'Connell said. “But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if they're going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving."

The tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said.

The initiative follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-home-test-78960c4c36422907a2eab3eb0dcdfadd">four previous rounds</a>&nbsp;where federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide.

It is also meant to complement ongoing federal efforts to provide free COVID tests to long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals and underserved communities which are already distributing 4 million per week and have distributed 500 million tests to date, the department said.

O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months. That means that, as demand for home tests rises via the website or at U.S. retailers when COVID cases increase around the country, producers can focus on meeting those orders — but that they will then have an additional outlet for the tests they produce during period when demand declines.

“We’ve seen every winter, as people move indoors into heated spaces, away from the outside that, over each of the seasons that COVID’s been a concern, that we have seen cases go up," O'Connell said.

She added that also “there’s always an opportunity or chance for another variant to come” but “we’re not anticipating that.”

“That’s not why we’re doing this,” O'Connell said. "We’re doing this for the fall and winter season ahead and the potential for an increase in cases as a result.”

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the "Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing.”

“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus," Becerra said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695664420528.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-afb3d15b59a0212d9297ed2794f91a2a">restarting a website</a>&nbsp;allowing Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">again order up to four free tests per household</a>&nbsp;— aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;that has typically come during colder months.The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covid.gov/tests">COVIDTests.gov</a>&nbsp;starting Sept. 25, and the no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-ap-top-news-global-trade-fresno-4354f8e8026cf8135b74fa19f0d0f048">supply chain issues</a>&nbsp;that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases.Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the website will remain functional to receive orders through the holidays and “we reserve the right to keep it open even longer if we're starting to see an increase in cases.”“If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that they're made available to the American people for free in this way,” O'Connell said. “But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if they're going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving."The tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said.The initiative follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-home-test-78960c4c36422907a2eab3eb0dcdfadd">four previous rounds</a>&nbsp;where federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide.It is also meant to complement ongoing federal efforts to provide free COVID tests to long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals and underserved communities which are already distributing 4 million per week and have distributed 500 million tests to date, the department said.O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months. That means that, as demand for home tests rises via the website or at U.S. retailers when COVID cases increase around the country, producers can focus on meeting those orders — but that they will then have an additional outlet for the tests they produce during period when demand declines.“We’ve seen every winter, as people move indoors into heated spaces, away from the outside that, over each of the seasons that COVID’s been a concern, that we have seen cases go up," O'Connell said.She added that also “there’s always an opportunity or chance for another variant to come” but “we’re not anticipating that.”“That’s not why we’re doing this,” O'Connell said. "We’re doing this for the fall and winter season ahead and the potential for an increase in cases as a result.”HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the "Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing.”“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus," Becerra said in a statement.

How to get the government's new free COVID test 

LABETTE COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parsons Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred over the weekend in Labette County.&nbsp;

Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, a man placed a 911 call after discovering a body in a field. The woman’s body was located ½ mile west of the intersection of 20000 Road. and Ness Road in rural Labette County.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance to assist with the investigation. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene. Investigators found evidence that the woman has been murdered.

The deceased woman has been identified as 28-year-old Kylie Caldwell, of Parsons. Caldwell was last seen early Sunday morning.

Anyone with information about this case, or who has knowledge of Caldwell’s whereabouts over the weekend, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Labette County Sheriff’s Office at 620-795-2565. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

LABETTE COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parsons Police Department are investigating a homicide that occurred over the weekend in Labette County.&nbsp;Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, a man placed a 911 call after discovering a body in a field. The woman’s body was located ½ mile west of the intersection of 20000 Road. and Ness Road in rural Labette County.The Labette County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance to assist with the investigation. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene. Investigators found evidence that the woman has been murdered.The deceased woman has been identified as 28-year-old Kylie Caldwell, of Parsons. Caldwell was last seen early Sunday morning.Anyone with information about this case, or who has knowledge of Caldwell’s whereabouts over the weekend, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Labette County Sheriff’s Office at 620-795-2565. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

Murder: KBI IDs body of woman found in Kansas field

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An influential Kansas House committee leader who helped temper fellow Republicans' drive to limit what state and local officials can do during pandemics plans to give up his legislative seat next month.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Patton announced Monday that he will step down Oct. 16 to spend more time with his family, and focus on community activities and his legal practice as an attorney. Patton is from Topeka and has served in the House since 2015.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Patton often was a moderating influence on fellow Republicans as the GOP-controlled Legislature pushed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to accept limits on her power and the power of other officials to require masks or close schools and businesses.

Republicans in Patton's district will pick a replacement to hold his seat until after the 2024 elections. Patton said he timed his resignation to give his replacement an extra year of experience and seniority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695675169896.png" alt="Rep. Fred Patton during a Jan. 2022 Judiciary Committee hearing -Kansas Legislature YouTube" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Fred Patton during a Jan. 2022 Judiciary Committee hearing -Kansas Legislature YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An influential Kansas House committee leader who helped temper fellow Republicans' drive to limit what state and local officials can do during pandemics plans to give up his legislative seat next month.Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Patton announced Monday that he will step down Oct. 16 to spend more time with his family, and focus on community activities and his legal practice as an attorney. Patton is from Topeka and has served in the House since 2015.During the coronavirus pandemic, Patton often was a moderating influence on fellow Republicans as the GOP-controlled Legislature pushed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to accept limits on her power and the power of other officials to require masks or close schools and businesses.Republicans in Patton's district will pick a replacement to hold his seat until after the 2024 elections. Patton said he timed his resignation to give his replacement an extra year of experience and seniority.

Influential Kan. House committee leader to step down

RENO COUNTY —A rural Kansas hay fire is expected to burn for days.

Just after 3:30 a.m. Monday, Reno County Fire District #4 was dispatched to hay bales on fire at Longview and Herren Road, according to a media release from Reno County Emergency Management .

Approximately 100 large square bales were on fire, stacked about 30 feet high. The burning bales were less than 100 feet from a hay shed that was also full of bales. 

Embers were falling down into the hay shed, endangering the bales within the shed. A request for tender trucks was made from Reno County Fire Districts 3, 7, 8, 9, Pretty Prairie, and Hutchinson Fire. In total, 9 water tenders were used to shuttle water to the scene.

Approximately 70,000 gallons of water was used to protect the hay shed and its contents. 

Reno County Emergency management thanked Miller Earthworks for providing a large excavator that was used to push over the large burning pile of hay and spread it out. Without the use of the excavator, crews would have had to haul water most of the day until the pile burnt itself down.

Fire crews and the land owner will con monitoring fire. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695663175833.jpeg" alt="Photo Reno Co. Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photo Reno Co. Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —A rural Kansas hay fire is expected to burn for days.Just after 3:30 a.m. Monday, Reno County Fire District #4 was dispatched to hay bales on fire at Longview and Herren Road, according to a media release from Reno County Emergency Management .Approximately 100 large square bales were on fire, stacked about 30 feet high. The burning bales were less than 100 feet from a hay shed that was also full of bales. Embers were falling down into the hay shed, endangering the bales within the shed. A request for tender trucks was made from Reno County Fire Districts 3, 7, 8, 9, Pretty Prairie, and Hutchinson Fire. In total, 9 water tenders were used to shuttle water to the scene.Approximately 70,000 gallons of water was used to protect the hay shed and its contents. Reno County Emergency management thanked Miller Earthworks for providing a large excavator that was used to push over the large burning pile of hay and spread it out. Without the use of the excavator, crews would have had to haul water most of the day until the pile burnt itself down.Fire crews and the land owner will con monitoring fire. There were no injuries reported.

Rural Kansas hay fire expected to smolder for days

Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote that the summaries crafted by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft completely ignored the initiative proposals’ protections for contraceptives and other reproductive health needs

By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A Cole County judge rewrote the ballot titles for six initiative petitions seeking to enshrine the right to abortion in the Missouri Constitution, ruling that 13 phrases in the summaries written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are “argumentative” or unfairly biased.

In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment%20Entered.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2919702">ruling issued Monday morning</a>, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote that the summaries crafted by Ashcroft completely ignored the initiative proposals’ protections for contraceptives and other reproductive health needs.

In a separate decision, Beetem upheld the fiscal note summary written by state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, rejecting claims by two state lawmakers and an anti-abortion activist that passage would impose enormous costs not reflected in the summary.

Beetem’s ruling comes two weeks after he heard arguments from ACLU of Missouri attorneys representing Dr. Anna Fitz-James, the physician who is the named sponsor of the initiatives,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/cole-county-judge-hears-case-challenging-ballot-title-for-missouri-abortion-initiatives/">challenging Ashcroft’s ballot titles</a>.

“The court finds that certain phrases included in the secretary’s summary are problematic in that they are argumentative or do not fairly describe the purposes or probable effect of the initiative,” Beetem wrote.

Abortion&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/25/abortion-is-illegal-in-missouri-providers-look-to-next-frontier-to-ensure-access/">became illegal in Missouri</a>&nbsp;in June 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that recognized a constitutional right to abortion. The only exception is for emergency abortions to save the life of the mother or when there is “a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”

Representing a political action committee called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, Fitz-James filed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/09/group-files-ballot-measures-adding-abortion-protections-to-missouri-constitution/">11 versions of the proposal</a>&nbsp;with Ashcroft’s office in March. There has already been one lengthy court case over the initiatives, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/20/missouri-supreme-court-rejects-ags-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-rights-amendment/">Missouri Supreme Court ruling in July</a>&nbsp;that Attorney General Andrew Bailey had no authority to question the contents of Fitzpatrick’s fiscal note summary.

This new round of litigation, expected to also end with appellate review, has delayed the final decision on which of the initiatives to circulate. To make the 2024 ballot, backers must secure more than 170,000 signatures from registered voters by early May.

In his ruling, Beetem wrote that the problematic phrases Ashcroft used in his summary, which must be 100 words or less, include statements that the initiatives would allow “dangerous, unregulated and unrestricted abortions,” that abortion would be allowed “from conception to live birth” and could be performed by anyone “without requiring a medical license” or “potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”

Beetem wrote that he also found “that while the proposals have the greatest immediate impact on abortion, the absence of&nbsp;any&nbsp;reference to reproductive health care beyond is insufficient in that it would cause a voter to believe that abortion is the only health care comprising the initiatives.”

Each version of the proposed amendment says there must be a “compelling governmental interest” for abortion restrictions to be put in place. But while some allow the legislature to regulate abortion after “fetal viability,” others draw the line at 24 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;

Some versions make it clear the state can enact parental consent laws for minors seeking abortions. Others leave the topic out entirely.

Beetem rewrote each of six ballot summaries, making them different based on the contents.

The first sentence of each is identical, asking Missouri voters if they want to “establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any government interference of that right presumed invalid.”

“The court saw Ashcroft’s proposed summary statements for what they were — the language of a biased politician seeking the support of special interest groups,” said&nbsp;Anthony Rothert, director of integrated advocacy at the ACLU of Missouri, which represented the plaintiff in the case.&nbsp;

In a statement to The Independent, Ashcroft’s office said it would appeal the ruling.

“We will not stand idly by while the courts hide the effects of this amendment and mislead the people as to what they may very well be voting on next year,” Ashcroft’s statement read.

In his statement Aschroft’s office said Beetem “may pretend this does not allow ‘dangerous, unregulated, unrestricted’ abortions,” but the initiative, Ashcroft said, would allow abortion providers who injure or kill their patients to do so without fear of prosecution.

In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment%20Entered.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2919586">ruling on the challenge to the fiscal note summary</a>, Beetem wrote that Fitzpatrick was under no obligation to do an independent analysis of the potential costs. Filed by state Rep. Hannah Kelly, R-Mountain Grove, state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, and Kathy Forck, a longtime anti-abortion advocate from New Bloomfield, the challengers argued that the state could lose federal Medicaid funding and trillions in future tax revenue.

Beetem noted that in another case from 2020, the same parties had argued that banning abortion would cost Missouri its Medicaid funding.

“Petitioners have thus argued that both banning and legalizing abortion would each result in a 100% disallowance of the state’s federal Medicaid funding,” Beetem wrote. “That argument is untenable, and the record tends to show neither scenario has resulted in a disallowance of federal Medicaid funding, in any amount.”

Fitzpatrick’s summaries are sufficient, he wrote.

“The auditor’s fiscal note summaries do not have to express an exact dollar figure,” Beetem wrote, “especially when one cannot be calculated with any degree of certainty.”

In a statement, Fitzpatrick said he was pleased that Beetem had again found his office issued an accurate, unbiased summary of the fiscal note.

“Even though I would prefer to be able to say these initiative petitions will cost the state billions of dollars, I have a responsibility to the people of Missouri to not allow my personal beliefs to prevent the Auditor’s office from providing a fair cost estimate based on facts,” Fitzpatric, said. “I honored that responsibility in this case and that is what I will continue to do.”

Fitzpatrick added that he personally will work to defeat any of the initiatives that make the ballot.

<h2>Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote that the summaries crafted by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft completely ignored the initiative proposals’ protections for contraceptives and other reproductive health needs</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A Cole County judge rewrote the ballot titles for six initiative petitions seeking to enshrine the right to abortion in the Missouri Constitution, ruling that 13 phrases in the summaries written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are “argumentative” or unfairly biased.In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment%20Entered.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2919702">ruling issued Monday morning</a>, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote that the summaries crafted by Ashcroft completely ignored the initiative proposals’ protections for contraceptives and other reproductive health needs.In a separate decision, Beetem upheld the fiscal note summary written by state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, rejecting claims by two state lawmakers and an anti-abortion activist that passage would impose enormous costs not reflected in the summary.Beetem’s ruling comes two weeks after he heard arguments from ACLU of Missouri attorneys representing Dr. Anna Fitz-James, the physician who is the named sponsor of the initiatives,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/cole-county-judge-hears-case-challenging-ballot-title-for-missouri-abortion-initiatives/">challenging Ashcroft’s ballot titles</a>.“The court finds that certain phrases included in the secretary’s summary are problematic in that they are argumentative or do not fairly describe the purposes or probable effect of the initiative,” Beetem wrote.Abortion&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/25/abortion-is-illegal-in-missouri-providers-look-to-next-frontier-to-ensure-access/">became illegal in Missouri</a>&nbsp;in June 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that recognized a constitutional right to abortion. The only exception is for emergency abortions to save the life of the mother or when there is “a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”Representing a political action committee called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, Fitz-James filed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/09/group-files-ballot-measures-adding-abortion-protections-to-missouri-constitution/">11 versions of the proposal</a>&nbsp;with Ashcroft’s office in March. There has already been one lengthy court case over the initiatives, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/20/missouri-supreme-court-rejects-ags-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-rights-amendment/">Missouri Supreme Court ruling in July</a>&nbsp;that Attorney General Andrew Bailey had no authority to question the contents of Fitzpatrick’s fiscal note summary.This new round of litigation, expected to also end with appellate review, has delayed the final decision on which of the initiatives to circulate. To make the 2024 ballot, backers must secure more than 170,000 signatures from registered voters by early May.In his ruling, Beetem wrote that the problematic phrases Ashcroft used in his summary, which must be 100 words or less, include statements that the initiatives would allow “dangerous, unregulated and unrestricted abortions,” that abortion would be allowed “from conception to live birth” and could be performed by anyone “without requiring a medical license” or “potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”Beetem wrote that he also found “that while the proposals have the greatest immediate impact on abortion, the absence of&nbsp;any&nbsp;reference to reproductive health care beyond is insufficient in that it would cause a voter to believe that abortion is the only health care comprising the initiatives.”Each version of the proposed amendment says there must be a “compelling governmental interest” for abortion restrictions to be put in place. But while some allow the legislature to regulate abortion after “fetal viability,” others draw the line at 24 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;Some versions make it clear the state can enact parental consent laws for minors seeking abortions. Others leave the topic out entirely.Beetem rewrote each of six ballot summaries, making them different based on the contents.The first sentence of each is identical, asking Missouri voters if they want to “establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any government interference of that right presumed invalid.”“The court saw Ashcroft’s proposed summary statements for what they were — the language of a biased politician seeking the support of special interest groups,” said&nbsp;Anthony Rothert, director of integrated advocacy at the ACLU of Missouri, which represented the plaintiff in the case.&nbsp;In a statement to The Independent, Ashcroft’s office said it would appeal the ruling.“We will not stand idly by while the courts hide the effects of this amendment and mislead the people as to what they may very well be voting on next year,” Ashcroft’s statement read.In his statement Aschroft’s office said Beetem “may pretend this does not allow ‘dangerous, unregulated, unrestricted’ abortions,” but the initiative, Ashcroft said, would allow abortion providers who injure or kill their patients to do so without fear of prosecution.In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment%20Entered.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2919586">ruling on the challenge to the fiscal note summary</a>, Beetem wrote that Fitzpatrick was under no obligation to do an independent analysis of the potential costs. Filed by state Rep. Hannah Kelly, R-Mountain Grove, state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, and Kathy Forck, a longtime anti-abortion advocate from New Bloomfield, the challengers argued that the state could lose federal Medicaid funding and trillions in future tax revenue.Beetem noted that in another case from 2020, the same parties had argued that banning abortion would cost Missouri its Medicaid funding.“Petitioners have thus argued that both banning and legalizing abortion would each result in a 100% disallowance of the state’s federal Medicaid funding,” Beetem wrote. “That argument is untenable, and the record tends to show neither scenario has resulted in a disallowance of federal Medicaid funding, in any amount.”Fitzpatrick’s summaries are sufficient, he wrote.“The auditor’s fiscal note summaries do not have to express an exact dollar figure,” Beetem wrote, “especially when one cannot be calculated with any degree of certainty.”In a statement, Fitzpatrick said he was pleased that Beetem had again found his office issued an accurate, unbiased summary of the fiscal note.“Even though I would prefer to be able to say these initiative petitions will cost the state billions of dollars, I have a responsibility to the people of Missouri to not allow my personal beliefs to prevent the Auditor’s office from providing a fair cost estimate based on facts,” Fitzpatric, said. “I honored that responsibility in this case and that is what I will continue to do.”Fitzpatrick added that he personally will work to defeat any of the initiatives that make the ballot.

Judge rejects, rewrites summary for Missouri abortion initiative petition

LYON COUNTY —Friends two women whose bodies were found in rural Colorado have established&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unknown&amp;utm_campaign=comms_gfm+tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids">online fundraiser</a>s to assist the families.

On September 21,&nbsp; Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes reported the bodies 44-year-old Linda L. Estrada and 39-year-old&nbsp; Amy R. Ford were located in rural eastern Colorado.

The Emporia Police Department began their investigation into the disappearance of the women on September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.

Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.

Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/amy-ford?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">Click here for</a> more information on the fundraiser for Amy Ford and <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">click here</a> to learn more about the fundraiser for Linda Estrada.

A person of interest to the case is in custody on charges not related to this specific investigation, according to Hayes. The individual’s name will not be released by the Emporia Police Department at this time, due to the continuing investigation(s) in Colorado. Police confirmed the individual has been cooperative.

The investigation is being turned over to an eastern Colorado Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695651910500.png" alt="Linda Estrada and her family photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Linda Estrada and her family photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Friends two women whose bodies were found in rural Colorado have established&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unknown&amp;utm_campaign=comms_gfm+tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids">online fundraiser</a>s to assist the families.On September 21,&nbsp; Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes reported the bodies 44-year-old Linda L. Estrada and 39-year-old&nbsp; Amy R. Ford were located in rural eastern Colorado.The Emporia Police Department began their investigation into the disappearance of the women on September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/amy-ford?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">Click here for</a> more information on the fundraiser for Amy Ford and <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-death-of-single-mother-leaves-4-young-kids?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer">click here</a> to learn more about the fundraiser for Linda Estrada.A person of interest to the case is in custody on charges not related to this specific investigation, according to Hayes. The individual’s name will not be released by the Emporia Police Department at this time, due to the continuing investigation(s) in Colorado. Police confirmed the individual has been cooperative.The investigation is being turned over to an eastern Colorado Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.---------------------------

Friends helping family after bodies of 2 Kan. women found in Colorado

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has gotten the updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Letter-9.23.23.pdf">COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu shot</a>, the White House said Saturday.

The White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, said in a memo that Biden received both shots on Friday. O'Connor said Biden, 80, also was vaccinated several weeks ago against the respiratory illness known as RSV.

“As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated,” O'Connor wrote.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-shots-cdc-5bc4db844557120bcc50dc0838c0e044">endorsed the new COVID-19 shot</a>&nbsp;for everyone 6 months and older. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has faded, but there are still thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths in the United States each week.

Experts worry that immunity from previous vaccinations and infections is fading in many people, and a new shot would save many lives.

First lady Jill Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-covid19-president-24b43a5009e85ad6dc0524fafcf484ce">tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month</a>&nbsp;but experienced only mild symptoms.

The CDC recommends that people who have COVID-19 and are in isolation should wait to get vaccinated until there symptoms are gone and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fyour-health%2Fquarantine-isolation.html">isolation guidelines</a>&nbsp;have been met. Children and adults who have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mis/about.html">multisystem inflammatory syndrome</a>&nbsp;should wait to get vaccinated until recovering from being sick and 90 days have passed since the diagnosis, according to the CDC.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2022</a>&nbsp;and a second time slightly more than three days after he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">cleared to exit coronavirus isolation</a>. The second incident was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-2e843a971be751e8b8b25575c8bfc60a">rare case</a>&nbsp;of “rebound” infection following treatment with an anti-viral drug.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695651053577.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has gotten the updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Letter-9.23.23.pdf">COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu shot</a>, the White House said Saturday.The White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, said in a memo that Biden received both shots on Friday. O'Connor said Biden, 80, also was vaccinated several weeks ago against the respiratory illness known as RSV.“As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated,” O'Connor wrote.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-shots-cdc-5bc4db844557120bcc50dc0838c0e044">endorsed the new COVID-19 shot</a>&nbsp;for everyone 6 months and older. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has faded, but there are still thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths in the United States each week.Experts worry that immunity from previous vaccinations and infections is fading in many people, and a new shot would save many lives.First lady Jill Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-covid19-president-24b43a5009e85ad6dc0524fafcf484ce">tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month</a>&nbsp;but experienced only mild symptoms.The CDC recommends that people who have COVID-19 and are in isolation should wait to get vaccinated until there symptoms are gone and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fyour-health%2Fquarantine-isolation.html">isolation guidelines</a>&nbsp;have been met. Children and adults who have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mis/about.html">multisystem inflammatory syndrome</a>&nbsp;should wait to get vaccinated until recovering from being sick and 90 days have passed since the diagnosis, according to the CDC.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-6ffc64aa1d8d67b074dd8beb67d7cf6f">tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2022</a>&nbsp;and a second time slightly more than three days after he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-7842dd2e606bb9f6aeb15d4a8c856c97">cleared to exit coronavirus isolation</a>. The second incident was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-2e843a971be751e8b8b25575c8bfc60a">rare case</a>&nbsp;of “rebound” infection following treatment with an anti-viral drug.

Biden has gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating the homicide of 36-year-old Timothy Vandunk of Wichita in a weekend shooting in Wichita.

Just after&nbsp; 11pm Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 3600 block of W. 13th St N. in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located Vandunk with apparent gunshot wounds, and immediately rendered lifesaving measures. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a disturbance occurred resulting in Vandunk being shot. Investigators are still gathering evidence and following promising leads. There are no outstanding suspects, all involved parties are acquaintances and are cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp;

This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office. The identification of suspects will not be made until formal charges are filed.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating the homicide of 36-year-old Timothy Vandunk of Wichita in a weekend shooting in Wichita.Just after&nbsp; 11pm Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 3600 block of W. 13th St N. in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located Vandunk with apparent gunshot wounds, and immediately rendered lifesaving measures. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation revealed that a disturbance occurred resulting in Vandunk being shot. Investigators are still gathering evidence and following promising leads. There are no outstanding suspects, all involved parties are acquaintances and are cooperating with the investigation.&nbsp;This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office. The identification of suspects will not be made until formal charges are filed.

Police investigate deadly weekend Kansas shooting

By JENNIFER SHUTT,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House Republicans struggle to produce a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the month.

Most of the workers will be furloughed and go without paychecks in a shutdown. Some will have to work without pay because of the nature of their jobs, like members of the military, law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers and TSA officers. Those federal employees would get back pay once the shutdown ends under a law enacted in January 2019.

Lawmakers would not be personally affected — members of Congress would continue to get paid, as well as President Joe Biden and federal judges, though the judicial branch could see its funding run low.

In the D.C. area, Virginia is home to an estimated 140,000 civilian federal workers, who for some unknown period would go without pay and would be forced to draw on savings or other assistance, according to a federal employee database. Maryland has an estimated 139,000 civilian employees.

There are 36,181 civilian federal employees in Missouri who would be impacted by a government shutdown.

The economic impact could be broad, because the funding lapse this year would hit much harder than the 35-day partial government shutdown that took place during the Trump administration and reduced GDP by billions of dollars. This time, a partial shutdown would affect more than 1.4 million uniformed members of the military and&nbsp;1 million additional civilian federal employees at the Pentagon, Department of Health and Human Services and several other agencies, as well as congressional staff.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, has repeatedly warned his own members against forcing a funding lapse, saying it won’t help the party to achieve its goals.

But that hasn’t stopped especially conservative Republicans from<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-spending-bills-falter-congress-struggles-avoid-shutdown">&nbsp;halting work&nbsp;</a>on full-year spending measures and opposing the short-term stopgap bill that’s needed to give lawmakers more time to work out a deal.

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a written statement that a “government shutdown would be a disaster for the American people and the federal employees who keep our government running.”

“Shutdowns hurt local communities across the country, deny Americans access to government services, and do significant damage to the overall economy,” Kelley said.

Congress, Kelley said, “needs to do its job and pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels while continuing to negotiate a final budget. Nothing less is acceptable.”

AFGE represents more than 750,000 federal and D.C. government employees.

Here’s a look at why the federal government might shut down by Oct. 1, what agencies are impacted and what isn’t affected.

Why would the government have to shut down?

Congress is supposed to pass 12 government funding bills each year before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, but lawmakers haven’t completed all of their bills on time since 1996.

Instead, every year the House and Senate pass at least one stopgap spending bill, or continuing resolution. This keeps funding levels and policy mostly flat for a few weeks or a couple of months, giving the Appropriations committees more time to work out bipartisan bills and for leaders to hold floor votes.

Congress sometimes has to pass several short-term funding bills lasting for months, or even the entire fiscal year, if agreements on new, full-year spending bills can’t be negotiated.

If Congress doesn’t approve all dozen full-year government funding bills, or pass a short-term stopgap bill, by midnight on Sept. 30, then a funding lapse begins and government departments begin implementing a partial shutdown.

Federal civilian employees are broadly categorized as either “excepted” or “non-excepted.” During a partial government shutdown, excepted federal workers continue to work without pay while everyone else is furloughed — which means they are on an enforced vacation and their pay is on hold until the government resumes operations.

Employees that deal with “the safety of human life or the protection of property” often work without pay until Congress approves some sort of spending measure.

What federal departments and agencies are involved?&nbsp;

Any federal department or agency without a full-year appropriations bill would need to implement its shutdown plans if Congress doesn’t approve a spending bill before Oct. 1.

Congress has yet to pass any of its dozen annual funding bills for fiscal 2024, so all of the departments and agencies funded through the annual appropriations process would be impacted.

That includes the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.

Smaller federal agencies would also be affected, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, NASA and the Smithsonian Institution, among dozens of others.

The entire legislative branch, including the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress, among others, would be partially shut down.

Each department and agency has its own guidance for implementing a partial government shutdown, which is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/agency-contingency-plans/">posted on the Office of Management and Budget’s website.</a>

Spending on mandatory programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security does not go through the annual appropriations process, so those three programs are mostly exempt from the impact.

How many federal employees would be furloughed?

The federal government employed just under 2.2 million civilian employees earlier this year, according to its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fedscope.opm.gov/">database</a>. There are another 1.4 million members of the U.S. military, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/spec_fy2024.pdf">numbers</a>&nbsp;from the Office of Management and Budget. The Legislative Branch employs more than 31,000 employees and the judicial branch has about 33,000 employees.

About 745,000 of the civilian employees work for the Department of Defense, with another 449,000 at the Veterans Affairs Department. The Department of Homeland Security — which houses Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency — employs more than 216,000 federal employees.

A state-by-state&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fedscope.opm.gov/ibmcognos/bi/v1/disp?b_action=powerPlayService&amp;m_encoding=UTF-8&amp;BZ=1AAABlrQKB6l42n1OTW_CQBT8M%7EuwPdS8HUDlwGGBJZJUsMK9obhaUz4McvHfN8DBtofO5CWTeTPJWHm2zIvsoJPIvw1db5LoiYALPNdVCJ2NRuyESnuOXLEbePFKOnKNNQHP1tjV6hBu96rY_oS46trBtAMhPnX10fTkBuRwWzaG7GixL6uv8mxu77q51t29Me2wIDcixNf58zv_SBH4hcC7sq8_CQyGPRatKA_XYZamOiySLE3VTvv%7ElqzgzT8xC8nMUrIQgoXLAixGCqHOpq3uBCYcCazqmth77apyuHTtH1sQNgSbCUYSPgjebMiHISYQ7DH_A3LipOYx080TZnwDkntmsg%3D%3D">breakdown</a>&nbsp;of where civilian federal employees work shows that the nation’s capital has the most federal employees, with 161,000 working in the District of Columbia.

California has the second-highest population of civilian federal employees with 142,000. Texas holds nearly 123,000.

More than 636,000 federal employees are veterans.

Federal employees will get back pay after the shutdown ends, though that hasn’t extended to federal contractors.

Does anyone get paid during a partial government shutdown?

Yes. The president, members of Congress and judges.

Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution “forbids the salary of the President to be reduced while he or she is in office, thus effectively guaranteeing the President of compensation regardless of any shutdown action,” according to the Congressional Research Service.

Members of Congress would receive pay for several reasons, including that they have a permanent appropriation for their salaries, a section of the Constitution addressing lawmakers’ pay and the 27th Amendment, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution says that U.S. lawmakers “shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”

And the 27th Amendment notes that “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”

Judges and the judiciary would “likely be able to continue to operate for a limited time using funds derived from court filings and other fees and from no-year appropriations,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL34680.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;from CRS.

Congress has failed to fund the government three times since 2000.

In 2013, there was a 16-day shutdown amid calls from several hardline Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz,&nbsp;to defund the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

While none of the 12 full-year government funding bills were law when that shutdown began, it didn’t fully impact the Pentagon.

Just before the funding lapse began, Congress passed a bill to provide pay for troops, Defense Department civilian employees and certain contractors working for either the Defense Department or the Homeland Security Department, according to the Congressional Research Service.

There were two funding lapses during the Trump administration, one of which was relatively short and one that lasted for 35 days.

The 35-day partial government shutdown began after five of the dozen annual spending bills became law, reducing the number of federal employees and operations impacted.

The Departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Labor and Veterans Affairs weren’t affected. Congress also wasn’t impacted, having passed its own funding bill.

What is the economic impact of a partial government shutdown?

Federal employees were furloughed for a total of 6.6 million days during the 2013 partial government shutdown, bringing the total “lost productivity” to about $2 billion, according to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/reports/impacts-and-costs-of-october-2013-federal-government-shutdown-report.pdf">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the White House budget office.

The 2019 partial government shutdown reduced real gross domestic product by $3 billion during the fourth quarter of 2018 and by $8 billion during the first quarter of 2019, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2019-01/54937-PartialShutdownEffects.pdf">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

That shutdown, CBO said in its report, “dampened economic activity mainly because of the loss of furloughed federal workers’ contribution to GDP, the delay in federal spending on goods and services, and the reduction in aggregate demand (which thereby dampened private-sector activity).”

What’s the Biden administration saying?

The White House released a memo Wednesday rebuking House Republicans for approaching the end of the fiscal year without a bipartisan plan to fund the government.

The administration said it’s clear that “if extreme House Republicans fail to ram through their radical agenda, they plan to take their frustration out on the American people by forcing a government shutdown that would undermine our economy and national security, create needless uncertainty for families and businesses, and have damaging consequences across the country.”

The memo says a funding lapse could affect dozens of federal programs, including eliminating some spaces in Head Start, slowing down new loans at the Small Business Administration and forcing the FDA to “delay food safety inspections for a wide variety of products all across the country.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, could have to reduce the number of inspections, “denying workers a key protection against safety risk, and Americans who are owed back pay for their hard work would face delays due to the majority of Department of Labor investigations being suspended.”

Air travel could also be impacted since TSA employees and air traffic controllers would be working without pay, the White House memo says.

“These consequences are real and avoidable — but only if House Republicans stop playing political games with peoples’ lives and catering to the ideological demands of their most extreme, far-right members,” the White House memo says. “It’s time for House Republicans to abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority of them voted for, keep the government open, and address other urgent needs for the American people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695238897489.png" alt="A partial government shutdown would affect more than 1.4 million uniformed members of the military and 1 million additional civilian federal employees at the Pentagon, Department of Health and Human Services and several other agencies, as well as congressional staff (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption>A partial government shutdown would affect more than 1.4 million uniformed members of the military and 1 million additional civilian federal employees at the Pentagon, Department of Health and Human Services and several other agencies, as well as congressional staff (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House Republicans struggle to produce a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the month.Most of the workers will be furloughed and go without paychecks in a shutdown. Some will have to work without pay because of the nature of their jobs, like members of the military, law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers and TSA officers. Those federal employees would get back pay once the shutdown ends under a law enacted in January 2019.Lawmakers would not be personally affected — members of Congress would continue to get paid, as well as President Joe Biden and federal judges, though the judicial branch could see its funding run low.In the D.C. area, Virginia is home to an estimated 140,000 civilian federal workers, who for some unknown period would go without pay and would be forced to draw on savings or other assistance, according to a federal employee database. Maryland has an estimated 139,000 civilian employees.There are 36,181 civilian federal employees in Missouri who would be impacted by a government shutdown.The economic impact could be broad, because the funding lapse this year would hit much harder than the 35-day partial government shutdown that took place during the Trump administration and reduced GDP by billions of dollars. This time, a partial shutdown would affect more than 1.4 million uniformed members of the military and&nbsp;1 million additional civilian federal employees at the Pentagon, Department of Health and Human Services and several other agencies, as well as congressional staff.Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, has repeatedly warned his own members against forcing a funding lapse, saying it won’t help the party to achieve its goals.But that hasn’t stopped especially conservative Republicans from<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-spending-bills-falter-congress-struggles-avoid-shutdown">&nbsp;halting work&nbsp;</a>on full-year spending measures and opposing the short-term stopgap bill that’s needed to give lawmakers more time to work out a deal.American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a written statement that a “government shutdown would be a disaster for the American people and the federal employees who keep our government running.”“Shutdowns hurt local communities across the country, deny Americans access to government services, and do significant damage to the overall economy,” Kelley said.Congress, Kelley said, “needs to do its job and pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels while continuing to negotiate a final budget. Nothing less is acceptable.”AFGE represents more than 750,000 federal and D.C. government employees.Here’s a look at why the federal government might shut down by Oct. 1, what agencies are impacted and what isn’t affected.<h2>Why would the government have to shut down?</h2>Congress is supposed to pass 12 government funding bills each year before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, but lawmakers haven’t completed all of their bills on time since 1996.Instead, every year the House and Senate pass at least one stopgap spending bill, or continuing resolution. This keeps funding levels and policy mostly flat for a few weeks or a couple of months, giving the Appropriations committees more time to work out bipartisan bills and for leaders to hold floor votes.Congress sometimes has to pass several short-term funding bills lasting for months, or even the entire fiscal year, if agreements on new, full-year spending bills can’t be negotiated.If Congress doesn’t approve all dozen full-year government funding bills, or pass a short-term stopgap bill, by midnight on Sept. 30, then a funding lapse begins and government departments begin implementing a partial shutdown.<h2>What happens during a shutdown?&nbsp;</h2>Federal civilian employees are broadly categorized as either “excepted” or “non-excepted.” During a partial government shutdown, excepted federal workers continue to work without pay while everyone else is furloughed — which means they are on an enforced vacation and their pay is on hold until the government resumes operations.Employees that deal with “the safety of human life or the protection of property” often work without pay until Congress approves some sort of spending measure.<h2>What federal departments and agencies are involved?&nbsp;</h2>Any federal department or agency without a full-year appropriations bill would need to implement its shutdown plans if Congress doesn’t approve a spending bill before Oct. 1.Congress has yet to pass any of its dozen annual funding bills for fiscal 2024, so all of the departments and agencies funded through the annual appropriations process would be impacted.That includes the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.Smaller federal agencies would also be affected, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, NASA and the Smithsonian Institution, among dozens of others.The entire legislative branch, including the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress, among others, would be partially shut down.Each department and agency has its own guidance for implementing a partial government shutdown, which is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/agency-contingency-plans/">posted on the Office of Management and Budget’s website.</a><h2>What federal operations escape?</h2>Spending on mandatory programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security does not go through the annual appropriations process, so those three programs are mostly exempt from the impact.<h2>How many federal employees would be furloughed?</h2>The federal government employed just under 2.2 million civilian employees earlier this year, according to its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fedscope.opm.gov/">database</a>. There are another 1.4 million members of the U.S. military, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/spec_fy2024.pdf">numbers</a>&nbsp;from the Office of Management and Budget. The Legislative Branch employs more than 31,000 employees and the judicial branch has about 33,000 employees.About 745,000 of the civilian employees work for the Department of Defense, with another 449,000 at the Veterans Affairs Department. The Department of Homeland Security — which houses Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency — employs more than 216,000 federal employees.A state-by-state&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fedscope.opm.gov/ibmcognos/bi/v1/disp?b_action=powerPlayService&amp;m_encoding=UTF-8&amp;BZ=1AAABlrQKB6l42n1OTW_CQBT8M%7EuwPdS8HUDlwGGBJZJUsMK9obhaUz4McvHfN8DBtofO5CWTeTPJWHm2zIvsoJPIvw1db5LoiYALPNdVCJ2NRuyESnuOXLEbePFKOnKNNQHP1tjV6hBu96rY_oS46trBtAMhPnX10fTkBuRwWzaG7GixL6uv8mxu77q51t29Me2wIDcixNf58zv_SBH4hcC7sq8_CQyGPRatKA_XYZamOiySLE3VTvv%7ElqzgzT8xC8nMUrIQgoXLAixGCqHOpq3uBCYcCazqmth77apyuHTtH1sQNgSbCUYSPgjebMiHISYQ7DH_A3LipOYx080TZnwDkntmsg%3D%3D">breakdown</a>&nbsp;of where civilian federal employees work shows that the nation’s capital has the most federal employees, with 161,000 working in the District of Columbia.California has the second-highest population of civilian federal employees with 142,000. Texas holds nearly 123,000.More than 636,000 federal employees are veterans.Federal employees will get back pay after the shutdown ends, though that hasn’t extended to federal contractors.<h2>Does anyone get paid during a partial government shutdown?</h2>Yes. The president, members of Congress and judges.Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution “forbids the salary of the President to be reduced while he or she is in office, thus effectively guaranteeing the President of compensation regardless of any shutdown action,” according to the Congressional Research Service.Members of Congress would receive pay for several reasons, including that they have a permanent appropriation for their salaries, a section of the Constitution addressing lawmakers’ pay and the 27th Amendment, according to the Congressional Research Service.Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution says that U.S. lawmakers “shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”And the 27th Amendment notes that “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”Judges and the judiciary would “likely be able to continue to operate for a limited time using funds derived from court filings and other fees and from no-year appropriations,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL34680.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;from CRS.<h2>How many funding lapses have there been?</h2>Congress has failed to fund the government three times since 2000.In 2013, there was a 16-day shutdown amid calls from several hardline Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz,&nbsp;to defund the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.While none of the 12 full-year government funding bills were law when that shutdown began, it didn’t fully impact the Pentagon.Just before the funding lapse began, Congress passed a bill to provide pay for troops, Defense Department civilian employees and certain contractors working for either the Defense Department or the Homeland Security Department, according to the Congressional Research Service.There were two funding lapses during the Trump administration, one of which was relatively short and one that lasted for 35 days.The 35-day partial government shutdown began after five of the dozen annual spending bills became law, reducing the number of federal employees and operations impacted.The Departments of Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Labor and Veterans Affairs weren’t affected. Congress also wasn’t impacted, having passed its own funding bill.<h2>What is the economic impact of a partial government shutdown?</h2>Federal employees were furloughed for a total of 6.6 million days during the 2013 partial government shutdown, bringing the total “lost productivity” to about $2 billion, according to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/reports/impacts-and-costs-of-october-2013-federal-government-shutdown-report.pdf">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the White House budget office.The 2019 partial government shutdown reduced real gross domestic product by $3 billion during the fourth quarter of 2018 and by $8 billion during the first quarter of 2019, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2019-01/54937-PartialShutdownEffects.pdf">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.That shutdown, CBO said in its report, “dampened economic activity mainly because of the loss of furloughed federal workers’ contribution to GDP, the delay in federal spending on goods and services, and the reduction in aggregate demand (which thereby dampened private-sector activity).”<h2>What’s the Biden administration saying?</h2>The White House released a memo Wednesday rebuking House Republicans for approaching the end of the fiscal year without a bipartisan plan to fund the government.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your daily reminder. <a href="https://t.co/JbGTuwUJjz">pic.twitter.com/JbGTuwUJjz</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1705979153680351524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The administration said it’s clear that “if extreme House Republicans fail to ram through their radical agenda, they plan to take their frustration out on the American people by forcing a government shutdown that would undermine our economy and national security, create needless uncertainty for families and businesses, and have damaging consequences across the country.”The memo says a funding lapse could affect dozens of federal programs, including eliminating some spaces in Head Start, slowing down new loans at the Small Business Administration and forcing the FDA to “delay food safety inspections for a wide variety of products all across the country.”The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, could have to reduce the number of inspections, “denying workers a key protection against safety risk, and Americans who are owed back pay for their hard work would face delays due to the majority of Department of Labor investigations being suspended.”Air travel could also be impacted since TSA employees and air traffic controllers would be working without pay, the White House memo says.“These consequences are real and avoidable — but only if House Republicans stop playing political games with peoples’ lives and catering to the ideological demands of their most extreme, far-right members,” the White House memo says. “It’s time for House Republicans to abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority of them voted for, keep the government open, and address other urgent needs for the American people.”

‘Disaster’ nears: Federal workers’ paychecks will be on hold in a shutdown

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers' charter flight home following a Sunday night win in Las Vegas made an emergency landing in Kansas City early Monday.

Team spokesman Burt Lauten&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1706248570871992612?s=20">posted on X</a>, formerly known as Twitter, that “everyone on the plane is safe and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.”

KDKA TV, which has a pair of journalists on the team plane, r<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/KDKA%20TV,%20which%20has%20a%20pair%20of%20journalists%20on%20the%20team%20plane,%20reported%20the%20plane%20had%20an%20oil">eported the plane landed in Kansas City</a>&nbsp;just before 5 a.m. EDT. The station reported the plane was dealing with an oil pressure failure in one of the engines.

The team was originally scheduled to arrive in Pittsburgh around 5:30 a.m. EDT after improving to 2-1 by holding off the Raiders.

Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward had a little fun with the situation, joking on X with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift that the team needed a ride to Pittsburgh.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">Swift attended Kansas City's blowout</a>&nbsp;victory over Chicago on Sunday as a guest of Kelce's.

The Steelers were given Monday off by head coach Mike Tomlin. They travel to Houston on Oct. 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695649140570.png" alt="Emergency vehicles on hand to inspect the aircraft at KCI early Monday-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Emergency vehicles on hand to inspect the aircraft at KCI early Monday-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers' charter flight home following a Sunday night win in Las Vegas made an emergency landing in Kansas City early Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas. Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.&mdash; Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1706248570871992612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Team spokesman Burt Lauten&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1706248570871992612?s=20">posted on X</a>, formerly known as Twitter, that “everyone on the plane is safe and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sorry you had to make an unscheduled touchdown in Kansas City, <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Steelers</a>. That will be the only one this year (not on the <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chiefs</a> schedule). Post season: who knows? Fly safely. <a href="https://t.co/KF17e3neN2">pic.twitter.com/KF17e3neN2</a>&mdash; Kansas City International Airport (@Fly_KansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fly_KansasCity/status/1706326483151593625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>KDKA TV, which has a pair of journalists on the team plane, r<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/KDKA%20TV,%20which%20has%20a%20pair%20of%20journalists%20on%20the%20team%20plane,%20reported%20the%20plane%20had%20an%20oil">eported the plane landed in Kansas City</a>&nbsp;just before 5 a.m. EDT. The station reported the plane was dealing with an oil pressure failure in one of the engines.The team was originally scheduled to arrive in Pittsburgh around 5:30 a.m. EDT after improving to 2-1 by holding off the Raiders.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dang emergency landing in KC.I think it’s due to <a href="https://twitter.com/minkfitz_21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@minkfitz_21</a> “roughing the passer call” but seriously landing KC……….&mdash; Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) <a href="https://twitter.com/CamHeyward/status/1706238337739018524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward had a little fun with the situation, joking on X with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift that the team needed a ride to Pittsburgh.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">Swift attended Kansas City's blowout</a>&nbsp;victory over Chicago on Sunday as a guest of Kelce's.The Steelers were given Monday off by head coach Mike Tomlin. They travel to Houston on Oct. 1.

Steelers' team plane makes emergency landing in Kansas City

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp;shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.

Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.

Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.

If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694602061567.png" alt="Jackson-photo Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp;shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

After 2 weeks, Kansas murder suspect still at large

GRANT COUNTY —USD 214 Ulysses Superintendent Corey Burton reported on social media the staff member accused of bringing a gun into the school district's middle school would not be allowed back in school buildings.

Law enforcement and officials with the school district continue investigating a gun found on a staff member at the middle school in Ulysses.

On Friday, school district officials notified the Ulysses police department of a staff member in possession of a gun at Kepley Middle School, 113 N Colorado Street in Ulysses, according to Police Chief Ron Vagher.

Police responded to the school and worked with the cooperation of USD 214 officials to identify, interview and take a person of interest into custody.&nbsp; Police also recovered a firearm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This incident is separate from a reported school threat on Thursday. Ulysses police are investigating both.&nbsp; Police will release the name of the person of interest after formal charges are filed this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695436576691.png" alt="Kepley Middle School -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Kepley Middle School -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>GRANT COUNTY —USD 214 Ulysses Superintendent Corey Burton reported on social media the staff member accused of bringing a gun into the school district's middle school would not be allowed back in school buildings.Law enforcement and officials with the school district continue investigating a gun found on a staff member at the middle school in Ulysses.On Friday, school district officials notified the Ulysses police department of a staff member in possession of a gun at Kepley Middle School, 113 N Colorado Street in Ulysses, according to Police Chief Ron Vagher.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUlyPubSchl%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0E2rG3oCsQvEgw5L1Y3YGLVqHT5EbvVYdpRWXSwaZUtHdD1ZjdqgEDj7PYLkvdNhTl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="317" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Police responded to the school and worked with the cooperation of USD 214 officials to identify, interview and take a person of interest into custody.&nbsp; Police also recovered a firearm.&nbsp;&nbsp;This incident is separate from a reported school threat on Thursday. Ulysses police are investigating both.&nbsp; Police will release the name of the person of interest after formal charges are filed this week.

Staff member banned from Kansas school district after caught with gun 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a September 17, shooting&nbsp; in the 5700 block of N. Jarboe Drive in Kansas City.

Police responded to the scene and found a victim located inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital. On Sunday, detectives were notified the victim had died, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte'.

Police&nbsp; have not reported an arrest or released the vicim's name.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a September 17, shooting&nbsp; in the 5700 block of N. Jarboe Drive in Kansas City.Police responded to the scene and found a victim located inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital. On Sunday, detectives were notified the victim had died, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte'.Police&nbsp; have not reported an arrest or released the vicim's name.

Sheriff: Victim dies a week after Kansas City shooting 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/">historic screenwriters strike</a>&nbsp;after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors.

The Writers Guild of America announced the deal in a joint statement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations.

“WGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” the guild said in an email to members. “This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days.”

The three-year contract agreement — settled on after five marathon days of renewed talks by WGA and AMPTP negotiators that was joined at times by studio executives — must be approved by the guild's board and members before the strike officially ends.

In a longer message from the guild shared by members on social media, the writers were told the strike is not over and no one was to return to work until hearing otherwise, but picketing is to be suspended immediately.

The terms of the deal were not immediately announced. The tentative deal to end the last writers strike, in 2008, was approved by more than 90% of members.

The agreement comes just five days before the strike would've become the longest in the guild's history, and the longest Hollywood strike more than 70 years.

As a result of the agreement, nightly network shows including NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could return to the air within days.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/">historic screenwriters strike</a>&nbsp;after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSAGAFTRA%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0jaMiZMv53yYtGoVAANz5A5vKLLDaM2NofDvyAR2zPH3kYZD6xeacQu5PtmcRgh2Kl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="767" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The Writers Guild of America announced the deal in a joint statement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations.“WGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” the guild said in an email to members. “This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days.”The three-year contract agreement — settled on after five marathon days of renewed talks by WGA and AMPTP negotiators that was joined at times by studio executives — must be approved by the guild's board and members before the strike officially ends.In a longer message from the guild shared by members on social media, the writers were told the strike is not over and no one was to return to work until hearing otherwise, but picketing is to be suspended immediately.The terms of the deal were not immediately announced. The tentative deal to end the last writers strike, in 2008, was approved by more than 90% of members.The agreement comes just five days before the strike would've become the longest in the guild's history, and the longest Hollywood strike more than 70 years.As a result of the agreement, nightly network shows including NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could return to the air within days.But as writers prepare to potentially crack open their laptops again, it’s far from back to business as usual in Hollywood, as talks have not yet resumed between studios and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Crew members left with no work by the stoppage will remain unemployed for now.“SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines,” the actors union said in a statement. “While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.”The statement said the guild continues “to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”The proposed solution to the writers strike came after talks resumed on Wednesday for the first time in a month.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hollywood-strikes-lombardini-drescher-stutzman-iger-zaslav-00c17264129cebb17d10b80b9c51aa3e">Chief executives</a>&nbsp;including Bob Iger of Disney, Ted Sarandos of Netflix, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery and Donna Langley of NBCUniversal reportedly took part in the negotiations directly.It was reached without the intervention of federal mediators or other government officials, which had been necessary in previous strikes.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement congratulating the two sides on the deal and said she is hopeful the same can happen soon with actors.California Gov. Gavin Newsom did the same, saying writers "went on strike over existential threats to their careers and livelihoods — expressing real concerns over the stress and anxiety workers are feeling. I am grateful that the two sides have come together.”About 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America walked off the job May 2 over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-film-tv-streaming-29940516d1a0650cd87021d104ddb8a1">issues of pay</a>, the size of writing staffs on shows and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-hollywood-strikes-explained-writers-actors-e872bd63ab52c3ea9f7d6e825240a202">use of artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;in the creation of scripts. Actors, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hollywood-actors-strike-ca3e3eddc910f1e52d618e5e3c394554">joined the writers on strike in July</a>, have their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-explained-2607dd29da6c16c0a406359a7e86d7fb">own issues</a>&nbsp;but there have been no discussions about resuming negotiations with their union yet.The writers strike immediately sent late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live” into hiatus, and has since sent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-delayed-shows-movies-writers-42b99032bb638930df097f675b363898">dozens of scripted shows and other productions</a>&nbsp;into limbo, including forthcoming seasons of Netflix's “Stranger Things," HBO's “The Last of Us,” and ABC's “Abbot Elementary," and films including “Deadpool 3” and “Superman: Legacy.” The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emmys-2023-explained-writers-actors-strike-a2a5a3e5dd3439d94fe8246f8001b83b">Emmy Awards</a>&nbsp;were also pushed from September to January.More recently, writers had been targeting talk shows that were working around strike rules to return to air, including “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drew-barrymore-strike-show-premiere-postponed-92e4ded590fb2c75f08d4ea94224bd96">The Drew Barrymore Show</a>,” “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-maher-talk-show-writers-strike-7363bc25e6a506d285e508a209e54835">Real Time With Bill Maher</a>&nbsp;” and “The Talk.” All reversed course in the face of picketing and pressure, and are likely to quickly return now.The combined strikes made for a pivotal moment in Hollywood as creative labor faced off against executives in a business transformed and torn by technology, from the seismic shift to streaming in recent years to the potentially paradigm-shifting emergence of AI in the years to come.Screenwriters had traditionally gone on strike more than any other segment of the industry, but had enjoyed a relatively long stretch of labor peace until spring negotiations for a new contract fell apart. The walkout was their first since 2007 and their longest since 1988.On July 14, more than two months into the strike, the writers got a dose of solidarity and star power — along with a whole lot of new picketing partners — when they were joined by 65,000 striking film and television actors.It was the first time the two groups had been on strike together since 1960. In that walkout, the writers strike started first and ended second. This time, studios opted to deal with the writers first.The AMPTP first reached out to suggest renewing negotiations in August. The meetings were short, infrequent, and not productive, and talks went silent for another month.