WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”

(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)

Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.

“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.

“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.

Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.

“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”

He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.

“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”

The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.

Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.

Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.

Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.

Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.

Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679344368794.png" alt="Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health." />
 <figcaption>Actor&nbsp;Jason Sudeikis&nbsp;and the cast of “Ted Lasso” participated in the White House press briefing on Monday ahead of a meeting with President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;to discuss efforts to address mental health.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to "ask how they're doing, and listen, sincerely,”(click below to listen watch Sudeikis at the press conference.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F205886922057028%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=167" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Comedian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-sudeikis">Jason Sudeikis</a>, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mental-health">Mental health</a>&nbsp;and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves," said Sudeikis. "That does take a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma to it, such as mental health and it doesn’t need to be that way.“And if you can ask for that help from a professional, fantastic,” he continued. "If it needs to be a loved one, equally as good, in a lot of ways.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/XPNAfqnzEj">pic.twitter.com/XPNAfqnzEj</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1637574673494933506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-xavier-becerra-roy-blunt-mental-debbie-stabenow-c0ceb3cfae563cec8e18452970b49236">Mental health is part of Biden's bipartisan “unity agenda.”</a>&nbsp;He also has called on lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also has surged funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line, and to put more mental-health professionals in schools.Sudeikis said there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or has been that person themselves.“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has, or have been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone," he said.“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings," Sudeikis continued. “That means it's something that we can all, you know, and should, talk about with one another when we’re feeling that way or when we recognize that in someone feeling that way.”He issued a special appeal for folks in the nation's capital.“I know in this town a lot of folks don’t always agree, right, and don’t always feel heard, seen, listened to," Sudeikis said. "But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something that everyone up here on stage believes in.”The Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness, according to the White House.Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh.Sudeikis and his cast members were the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with issues the Democratic president and first lady are raising awareness about.Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to help encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, helped promote Asian inclusion and combat bias against Asian Americans.Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a passionate appeal for tighter gun laws last year after the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers.Singer/actors Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez participated in separate events with Jill Biden focused on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.

🎥 Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso cast at White House to promote mental health

BARTON COUNTY —The Brit Spaugh Zoo announced Monday their beloved Bald Eagle, Mrs. B has died.

According to a statement from the city, about two weeks ago, staff noticed she was not behaving herself, so she was moved inside, and diagnostic testing was run. Results showed some of her blood levels were elevated which could indicate infection, or something more serious, like cancer. Staff treated her through the weekend and tried to keep her eating, but her health continued to decline, so we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her Monday morning.

Visitors and any staff who’ve cared for her, can take solace in knowing that she was provided an extremely long and enriched life, as she’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest bald eagle. She lived here at the zoo for 44 years and it is believed she was an adult when she arrived, which would likely make her at least 49 years old.

Mrs. B came to the zoo through the Raptor Rehabilitation program in 1979. She had an injury to her left foot that made it difficult for her to be able to hunt properly, so she was given a permanent home here at the zoo. She has educated thousands in our community and visitors who’ve come from across the world about Bald Eagles. Those who’ve worked with her loved her spunky personality and she always had a greeting for you when you came down the sidewalk.

Unfortunately, due to federal regulations we are unable to submit her for necropsy, so we won’t have definitive answers as to her decline. Per federal regulations, she will be submitted to the National Eagle Repository. The repository’s “main purpose is to receive, evaluate, store and distribute dead golden and bald eagles, parts and feathers to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.&nbsp; Also, to develop and provide educational programs regarding wildlife trade, wildlife laws, raptors and the Native American eagle feather program.”&nbsp; Mrs. B will be greatly missed in our community, and we encourage all to share any photos or memories you may have with zoo staff on the Zoo’s Facebook page ‘Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo’

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679337372196.jpeg" alt="Mrs B -Photo courtesy Brit Spaugh Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Mrs B -Photo courtesy Brit Spaugh Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —The Brit Spaugh Zoo announced Monday their beloved Bald Eagle, Mrs. B has died.According to a statement from the city, about two weeks ago, staff noticed she was not behaving herself, so she was moved inside, and diagnostic testing was run. Results showed some of her blood levels were elevated which could indicate infection, or something more serious, like cancer. Staff treated her through the weekend and tried to keep her eating, but her health continued to decline, so we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her Monday morning.Visitors and any staff who’ve cared for her, can take solace in knowing that she was provided an extremely long and enriched life, as she’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest bald eagle. She lived here at the zoo for 44 years and it is believed she was an adult when she arrived, which would likely make her at least 49 years old.Mrs. B came to the zoo through the Raptor Rehabilitation program in 1979. She had an injury to her left foot that made it difficult for her to be able to hunt properly, so she was given a permanent home here at the zoo. She has educated thousands in our community and visitors who’ve come from across the world about Bald Eagles. Those who’ve worked with her loved her spunky personality and she always had a greeting for you when you came down the sidewalk.Unfortunately, due to federal regulations we are unable to submit her for necropsy, so we won’t have definitive answers as to her decline. Per federal regulations, she will be submitted to the National Eagle Repository. The repository’s “main purpose is to receive, evaluate, store and distribute dead golden and bald eagles, parts and feathers to Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.&nbsp; Also, to develop and provide educational programs regarding wildlife trade, wildlife laws, raptors and the Native American eagle feather program.”&nbsp; Mrs. B will be greatly missed in our community, and we encourage all to share any photos or memories you may have with zoo staff on the Zoo’s Facebook page ‘Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo’

Kansas zoo reports death of beloved bald eagle 

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Intersex people and those born with sexual development differences would be classified as disabled and required to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms under legislation being considered by Kansas lawmakers.

This designation was added as an amendment to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>, otherwise known as a “women’s bill of rights.” Lawmakers in the House Health and Human Services Committee debated and passed the bill in a little more than 11 minutes Thursday.

The bill states that separate accommodations based on biological sex aren’t unequal, and that people with female reproductive systems need women-only social, educational, athletic and other spaces to ensure safety. The bill would include domestic violence shelters, restrooms and locker rooms as women-only spaces.

Critics have said the bill is a blatant attempt to ban transgender women from women’s spaces.

In its original form, the Kansas legislation defined “females”as having biological reproductive systems developed to produce ova, a definition that excluded intersex people and alienated women without ovaries.

To address the concerns, Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison prepared an amendment to apply to intersex people and others. The amendment states that those born with sex development differences or “disorders” would be provided legal protections and accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Eplee said his goal with the amendment was to give people who fall under the amendment a separate space from men’s and women’s spaces. Eplee said the amendment came about after he listened to testimony asking lawmakers in charge of the bill to consider how it would impact people who didn’t fall into binary biological sex categories. Eplee said the amendment was aimed at providing privacy and a sense of safety for these individuals.

“It would provide security for them for those functions that relate to using the bathroom and changing clothes for an athletic event. So there’s privacy issues addressed,” Eplee said. “That’s the whole purpose of the amendment for nonbinary folks.”&nbsp;

Eplee said they would be classified as disabled to offer them protections.

“People that are disabled do have that recognition and that ability now,” Eplee said. “This is just to say this is somewhat of an expansion of that narrative, because certainly not all intersex folks are disabled. But some are, and this is just to reaffirm that.”

Eplee said he didn’t have all the answers on what the bill entailed, but he thought it would help set a standard in the state of Kansas to give men and women security and privacy in bathroom facilities, lockers and athletic endeavors.

Other lawmakers discussed the disability aspect of the amendment during the Thursday meeting.

Rep. Bill Clifford, R-Garden City, identified Turner Syndrome as an example of a sex development condition where one of two X chromosomes is either missing or partially present, potentially causing ovarian issues or stalled sexual development.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/turner-syndrome/">Turner Syndrome is rare</a>&nbsp;overall, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26146109/">less than half</a>&nbsp;of the people who have it also have extra folds of skin on the neck.

Clifford said women with Turner Syndrome could be embarrassed to change in dressing rooms with other women.

“A person in that state, I don’t think, would want to undress in front of even fellow females,” Clifford said.

The committee chairwoman, Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said people with sexual development differences qualify for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, because the act deals with the loss of body functions.

“It’s my understanding that a majority of these individuals would actually have the loss of some body functions, which would make them qualified for the ADA,” Landwehr said.

Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said this designation was offensive.

“I don’t want to insult them that way,” Ruiz said.

Critics say the legislation doesn’t actually address gender inequality and would be extremely difficult to enforce.

“It’s all an attack on our LGBTQ folks,” said Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood.

“My first question about the bill is: Where are my rights? Where is my equal pay? Where is my bodily autonomy, if this is about a women’s bill of rights?” Poskin added.

Poskin referenced former Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and Kansas’ first transgender lawmaker, as an example of the women the legislation would harm.

“Where would she go to the bathroom in this building?” Poskin asked.

When asked during the meeting how the bill would be enforced, Landwehr said she had seen schools use faculty bathrooms and dressing rooms to accommodate people.

“In places that don’t have somewhere separate, someone may stand outside the door to allow them privacy so they don’t have to intermingle with individuals they would feel uncomfortable with,” Landwehr said.

Similar legislation to the “women’s bill of rights” has been introduced by Republican lawmakers in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Arizona, among other states.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has said the bill’s constitutionality is likely to be challenged.

Eplee said he was aware the bill would most likely lead to a legal challenge if passed into law.

“It’s going to create a challenge to the status quo that will be a legal challenge at some point,” Eplee said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you how I think it’s going to go because I don’t know that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3161510-1024x768.jpg" alt="- John Eplee, R-Atchison, says he introduced legislation to classify intersex people as disabled in order to provide them protections. The change means they would have to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms than men or women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>- John Eplee, R-Atchison, says he introduced legislation to classify intersex people as disabled in order to provide them protections. The change means they would have to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms than men or women. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Intersex people and those born with sexual development differences would be classified as disabled and required to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms under legislation being considered by Kansas lawmakers.This designation was added as an amendment to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>, otherwise known as a “women’s bill of rights.” Lawmakers in the House Health and Human Services Committee debated and passed the bill in a little more than 11 minutes Thursday.The bill states that separate accommodations based on biological sex aren’t unequal, and that people with female reproductive systems need women-only social, educational, athletic and other spaces to ensure safety. The bill would include domestic violence shelters, restrooms and locker rooms as women-only spaces.Critics have said the bill is a blatant attempt to ban transgender women from women’s spaces.In its original form, the Kansas legislation defined “females”as having biological reproductive systems developed to produce ova, a definition that excluded intersex people and alienated women without ovaries.To address the concerns, Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison prepared an amendment to apply to intersex people and others. The amendment states that those born with sex development differences or “disorders” would be provided legal protections and accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.Eplee said his goal with the amendment was to give people who fall under the amendment a separate space from men’s and women’s spaces. Eplee said the amendment came about after he listened to testimony asking lawmakers in charge of the bill to consider how it would impact people who didn’t fall into binary biological sex categories. Eplee said the amendment was aimed at providing privacy and a sense of safety for these individuals.“It would provide security for them for those functions that relate to using the bathroom and changing clothes for an athletic event. So there’s privacy issues addressed,” Eplee said. “That’s the whole purpose of the amendment for nonbinary folks.”&nbsp;Eplee said they would be classified as disabled to offer them protections.“People that are disabled do have that recognition and that ability now,” Eplee said. “This is just to say this is somewhat of an expansion of that narrative, because certainly not all intersex folks are disabled. But some are, and this is just to reaffirm that.”Eplee said he didn’t have all the answers on what the bill entailed, but he thought it would help set a standard in the state of Kansas to give men and women security and privacy in bathroom facilities, lockers and athletic endeavors.Other lawmakers discussed the disability aspect of the amendment during the Thursday meeting.Rep. Bill Clifford, R-Garden City, identified Turner Syndrome as an example of a sex development condition where one of two X chromosomes is either missing or partially present, potentially causing ovarian issues or stalled sexual development.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/turner-syndrome/">Turner Syndrome is rare</a>&nbsp;overall, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26146109/">less than half</a>&nbsp;of the people who have it also have extra folds of skin on the neck.Clifford said women with Turner Syndrome could be embarrassed to change in dressing rooms with other women.“A person in that state, I don’t think, would want to undress in front of even fellow females,” Clifford said.The committee chairwoman, Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said people with sexual development differences qualify for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, because the act deals with the loss of body functions.“It’s my understanding that a majority of these individuals would actually have the loss of some body functions, which would make them qualified for the ADA,” Landwehr said.Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said this designation was offensive.“I don’t want to insult them that way,” Ruiz said.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3161521-scaled.jpg" alt="-Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, says proposed legislation offering a “women’s bill of rights” is really an attack on transgender people and doesn’t protect any rights. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, says proposed legislation offering a “women’s bill of rights” is really an attack on transgender people and doesn’t protect any rights. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Other reactionsCritics say the legislation doesn’t actually address gender inequality and would be extremely difficult to enforce.“It’s all an attack on our LGBTQ folks,” said Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood.“My first question about the bill is: Where are my rights? Where is my equal pay? Where is my bodily autonomy, if this is about a women’s bill of rights?” Poskin added.Poskin referenced former Rep. Stephanie Byers, a Wichita Democrat and Kansas’ first transgender lawmaker, as an example of the women the legislation would harm.“Where would she go to the bathroom in this building?” Poskin asked.When asked during the meeting how the bill would be enforced, Landwehr said she had seen schools use faculty bathrooms and dressing rooms to accommodate people.“In places that don’t have somewhere separate, someone may stand outside the door to allow them privacy so they don’t have to intermingle with individuals they would feel uncomfortable with,” Landwehr said.Similar legislation to the “women’s bill of rights” has been introduced by Republican lawmakers in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Arizona, among other states.The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has said the bill’s constitutionality is likely to be challenged.Eplee said he was aware the bill would most likely lead to a legal challenge if passed into law.“It’s going to create a challenge to the status quo that will be a legal challenge at some point,” Eplee said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you how I think it’s going to go because I don’t know that.”

Kan. lawmakers classify people with sexual development differences as disabled in revised bill

ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after remains were found Saturday evening near Humboldt, Kansas.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a man who was searching for antler sheds called 911 when he discovered what he believed were human remains, according to a media release from the KBI.

 Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area, east of Humboldt, near Arizona Road and 1800th&nbsp;Street. Upon arrival they found human skeletal remains.

The person has not yet been identified.&nbsp; Positive identification may take longer than typical cases due to the condition of the remains.

Death investigations may be determined to be the result of homicide, suicide, natural causes, or an accident. No threat to the public exists related to this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679330982751.png" alt="Arizona Road and 1800th Street east of Humbolt, Kansas.-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Road and 1800th Street east of Humbolt, Kansas.-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>ALLEN COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after remains were found Saturday evening near Humboldt, Kansas.Just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a man who was searching for antler sheds called 911 when he discovered what he believed were human remains, according to a media release from the KBI. Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area, east of Humboldt, near Arizona Road and 1800th&nbsp;Street. Upon arrival they found human skeletal remains.The person has not yet been identified.&nbsp; Positive identification may take longer than typical cases due to the condition of the remains.Death investigations may be determined to be the result of homicide, suicide, natural causes, or an accident. No threat to the public exists related to this incident.An autopsy is scheduled.

KBI: Man hunting for deer antlers finds human remains

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager Kendal Francis said he can't talk about why former police chief Jeff Hooper was terminated.

"I'm not at liberty to say much more about what went down with that position," Francis said Monday. "I can tell you how we're going to move forward."

The city has already engaged a consultant to help them with a search for a new chief.

"We have engaged with Strategic Government Resources to lead a nationwide search for our new police chief," Francis said. "That work is beginning immediately. First steps are to put together a position profile that kind of outlines the job itself, as well as our community."

The discussions on getting that profile together happened last week.

"The recruiter will be contacting some stakeholders that we've provided some contact information for, so that we could get their input on some of the characteristics that they would like to see in the next chief. We will also be doing an internal survey of our police department to get some input from our officers as we move forward in this process."

He did clarify, as he had in other public articles, that the decision to terminate the chief wasn't a quick one and the process to hire a new one will take time, as well.

"We hope to officially announce the opening, probably within the next couple of weeks," Francis said. "Depends on how quickly they can put together that profile. Moving forward, you know, about a month or so to take applications and review them and do the interviewing and then, if we bring somebody in from the outside, when could they start, those types of things. I'm going to say [it will take] about four months."

Francis also has an engineering department head to still hire, as well as a combined position of building official and planning and zoning that he is calling the Community Development Coordinator. Those positions were vacant prior to Francis coming to the city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591796149452.jpeg" alt="Jeff Hooper was fired as Chief of Police in Hutchinson last week" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Hooper was fired as Chief of Police in Hutchinson last week</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager Kendal Francis said he can't talk about why former police chief Jeff Hooper was terminated."I'm not at liberty to say much more about what went down with that position," Francis said Monday. "I can tell you how we're going to move forward."The city has already engaged a consultant to help them with a search for a new chief."We have engaged with Strategic Government Resources to lead a nationwide search for our new police chief," Francis said. "That work is beginning immediately. First steps are to put together a position profile that kind of outlines the job itself, as well as our community."The discussions on getting that profile together happened last week."The recruiter will be contacting some stakeholders that we've provided some contact information for, so that we could get their input on some of the characteristics that they would like to see in the next chief. We will also be doing an internal survey of our police department to get some input from our officers as we move forward in this process."He did clarify, as he had in other public articles, that the decision to terminate the chief wasn't a quick one and the process to hire a new one will take time, as well."We hope to officially announce the opening, probably within the next couple of weeks," Francis said. "Depends on how quickly they can put together that profile. Moving forward, you know, about a month or so to take applications and review them and do the interviewing and then, if we bring somebody in from the outside, when could they start, those types of things. I'm going to say [it will take] about four months."Francis also has an engineering department head to still hire, as well as a combined position of building official and planning and zoning that he is calling the Community Development Coordinator. Those positions were vacant prior to Francis coming to the city.

City manager mum on reason for Kan. police chief's dismissal

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon plans to eliminate 9,000 more jobs in the next few weeks, CEO Andy Jassy said in a memo to staff on Monday.

The job cuts would mark the second largest round of layoffs in the company's history, adding to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">18,000 employees</a>&nbsp;the tech giant said it would lay off in January. The company's workforce doubled during the pandemic, however, in the midst of a hiring surge across almost the entire tech sector.

Tech companies have announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-amazoncom-inc-business-d36a2afa35ff7f8e53a8b3164a581a30">tens of thousands of job cuts</a>&nbsp;this year.

In the memo, Jassy said the second phase of the company's annual planning process completed this month led to the additional job cuts. He said Amazon will still hire in some strategic areas.

“Some may ask why we didn’t announce these role reductions with the ones we announced a couple months ago. The short answer is that not all of the teams were done with their analyses in the late fall; and rather than rush through these assessments without the appropriate diligence, we chose to share these decisions as we’ve made them so people had the information as soon as possible,” Jassy said.

The job cuts announced Monday will hit profitable areas for the company including its cloud computing unit AWS and its burgeoning advertising business. Twitch, the gaming platform Amazon owns, will also see some layoffs as well as Amazon's PXT organizations, which handle human resources and other functions.

Prior layoffs had also hit PXT, the company's stores division, which encompasses its e-commerce business as well as company’s brick-and-mortar stores such as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, and other departments such as the one that runs the virtual assistant Alexa.

Earlier this month, the company said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-hq-headquarters-pause-virginia-91395dd669f011b547196575db7d5c18">pause construction on its headquarters</a>&nbsp;building in northern Virginia, though the first phase of that project will open this June with 8,000 employees.

Like other tech companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">Facebook parent Meta</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-sundar-pichai-covid-pandemics-c85c45231712709582b1d3fe46be5ffe">Google parent Alphabet</a>, Amazon ramped up hiring during the pandemic to meet the demand from homebound Americans that were increasingly buying stuff online to keep themselves safe from the virus.

Amazon's workforce, in warehouses and offices, doubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years. But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic eased. The company began pausing or cancelling its warehouse expansion plans last year.

Amid growing anxiety over the potential for a recession, Amazon in the past few months shut down a subsidiary that’s been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years and shuttered its hybrid virtual, in-home care service Amazon Care among other cost-cutting moves.

Jassy said Monday given the uncertain economy and the “uncertainty that exists in the near future," the company has chosen to be more streamlined.

He said the teams that will be impacted by the latest round of layoffs are not done making final decisions on which roles will be eliminated. The company plans to finalize those decisions by mid to late April and notify those who will be laid off.

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon plans to eliminate 9,000 more jobs in the next few weeks, CEO Andy Jassy said in a memo to staff on Monday.The job cuts would mark the second largest round of layoffs in the company's history, adding to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">18,000 employees</a>&nbsp;the tech giant said it would lay off in January. The company's workforce doubled during the pandemic, however, in the midst of a hiring surge across almost the entire tech sector.Tech companies have announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-amazoncom-inc-business-d36a2afa35ff7f8e53a8b3164a581a30">tens of thousands of job cuts</a>&nbsp;this year.In the memo, Jassy said the second phase of the company's annual planning process completed this month led to the additional job cuts. He said Amazon will still hire in some strategic areas.“Some may ask why we didn’t announce these role reductions with the ones we announced a couple months ago. The short answer is that not all of the teams were done with their analyses in the late fall; and rather than rush through these assessments without the appropriate diligence, we chose to share these decisions as we’ve made them so people had the information as soon as possible,” Jassy said.The job cuts announced Monday will hit profitable areas for the company including its cloud computing unit AWS and its burgeoning advertising business. Twitch, the gaming platform Amazon owns, will also see some layoffs as well as Amazon's PXT organizations, which handle human resources and other functions.Prior layoffs had also hit PXT, the company's stores division, which encompasses its e-commerce business as well as company’s brick-and-mortar stores such as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, and other departments such as the one that runs the virtual assistant Alexa.Earlier this month, the company said it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-hq-headquarters-pause-virginia-91395dd669f011b547196575db7d5c18">pause construction on its headquarters</a>&nbsp;building in northern Virginia, though the first phase of that project will open this June with 8,000 employees.Like other tech companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=navigation">Facebook parent Meta</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-sundar-pichai-covid-pandemics-c85c45231712709582b1d3fe46be5ffe">Google parent Alphabet</a>, Amazon ramped up hiring during the pandemic to meet the demand from homebound Americans that were increasingly buying stuff online to keep themselves safe from the virus.Amazon's workforce, in warehouses and offices, doubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years. But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic eased. The company began pausing or cancelling its warehouse expansion plans last year.Amid growing anxiety over the potential for a recession, Amazon in the past few months shut down a subsidiary that’s been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years and shuttered its hybrid virtual, in-home care service Amazon Care among other cost-cutting moves.Jassy said Monday given the uncertain economy and the “uncertainty that exists in the near future," the company has chosen to be more streamlined.He said the teams that will be impacted by the latest round of layoffs are not done making final decisions on which roles will be eliminated. The company plans to finalize those decisions by mid to late April and notify those who will be laid off.

Amazon to lay off more employees on top of 18,000 in January

SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man who who pled guilty to child abuse is going to prison for the&nbsp;death of his 1-year-old son.

A judge sentenced 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;

In February, Willingham's girlfriend, 25-year-old Xjohnna Hannah, pled guilty to aggravated child endangerment.

In July, Willingham was charged with first-degree murder and an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.

Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.

The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123355817.png" alt="Willingham-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Willingham-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas man who who pled guilty to child abuse is going to prison for the&nbsp;death of his 1-year-old son.A judge sentenced 26-year-old Kentrell Willingham to just over 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He&nbsp;was originally charged with with first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;In February, Willingham's girlfriend, 25-year-old Xjohnna Hannah, pled guilty to aggravated child endangerment.In July, Willingham was charged with first-degree murder and an alternative count of first-degree murder, child abuse and aggravated child endangerment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hannah, not the boy's mother was also originally charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123012533.png" alt="-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>-Hannah-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On July 30, 2022 police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his father, Kentrell Willingham, and his girlfriend Hannah,&nbsp;for a few days. A family member of the child met Willingham in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where the boy was pronounced deceased.Hannah will be sentenced on March 28.

Kansas man sentenced for death of 1-year-old son

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas bill banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for the third year in a row Friday, setting up a hotly contested fight in the Republican-controlled Legislature to override her.

Kelly's action was expected because of her two previous vetoes. Kansas Republicans made Kelly's vetoes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-education-legislature-gay-rights-kansas-e32307ef93c0c64056e34f2d8a51efe2">a major issue in multiple television attack ads</a>&nbsp;when she ran for reelection last year, winning narrowly.

The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses. Kelly also said lawmakers should leave the issue to the state association set up decades ago to run student activities in middle and high schools.

“Let's be clear what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly wrote. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help any teachers prepare our kids for the real world.”

Kelly's arguments Friday were similar to those she made in past veto messages and during her reelection campaign. Taryn Jones, lobbyist for the LGBTQ-rights group Equality Kansas, called the bill “really just unnecessary.”

“They’re OK discriminating against a marginalized community,” Jones said after the veto.

Republicans have more than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto, but in 2021 and 2022, a few GOP moderates voted against overriding Kelly. The House and Senate votes on this year's bill suggest supporters could have just enough votes to prevail.

“Despite her repeated pledges to meet us in the middle, the governor has decided to side yet again with the most radical elements of her party,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said in a statement Friday.

The measure would apply to girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. If supporters can override Kelly's veto, Kansas would join 18 other states with such a law, including Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas.

The measure is among dozens of Republican proposals pushing back against transgender rights in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas has bills aimed at banning gender-affirming care for minors and preventing transgender men and women from using bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities.

Kelly's veto came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-health-care-kentucky-legislature-848343fe842e714dfc2bb734745f3cd5">Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature approved</a>&nbsp;a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Iowa’s GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-schools-iowa-a66e255d9a3a8f539741ecc090cd2be0">approved a bill on school bathrooms</a>.

In defending the legislation, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, recently posted tweets endorsing a theory debunked by multiple studies that a “social contagion” has led to more people identifying as transgender.

He and other Republicans also have argued that banning transgender athletes will preserve fair competition and opportunities for girls and young women.

“This is common sense,” Hawkins said in a statement Friday.

Kansas officials and LGBTQ-rights advocates say only a handful of young transgender people participate in high school activities — and possibly only one transgender Kansas girl is on a sports team. Backers of the bill argue that the state should act before transgender athletes become more prevalent.

During her reelection campaign, Kelly aired a television ad that featured her looking into the camera and saying, “Of course, men should not play girls’ sports. OK, we all agree there.”

LGBTQ-rights advocates understood the ad as saying men aren't playing women’s sports because transgender women are women. But Republicans said she was lying about her record, and they’ve repeatedly mentioned her statement since.

“Now that she no longer has to face the voters, the governor has done another about face,” Hawkins said.

The vote last week in the Senate was&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230309145721_430755/">28-11,</a>&nbsp;giving backers one more than the two-thirds needed in the 40-member chamber to override a veto.

However, the House would vote first, and the vote there last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223101523_668304/">was 82-40.</a>&nbsp;While supporters need 84 of 125 votes to override a veto, two Republicans who backed the bill were absent.

Last year, supporters were short of a two-thirds House majority, but in last year's elections, three Republicans who supported a ban replaced GOP lawmakers who'd voted against overriding Kelly's veto. Also, while no Democrats voted last year to override Kelly, freshman Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, voted for this year's bill.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas also have pursued&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223114039_760436/">a bill</a>&nbsp;to revoke the state medical licenses of doctors providing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgery for transgender minors. It passed the Senate last month, but the House hasn't had a committee hearing.

Another Senate-passed bill would define male and female in Kansas law based on a person's anatomy at birth and declare that cisgender women and girls have a right to private spaces separate from men, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.

LGBTQ-rights advocates have said the measure not only bars transgender people from facilities associated with their gender identities but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">also erases them legally,</a>&nbsp;along with gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people.

The bill's language also would prevent transgender people from changing birth certificates and driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities, though Kansas is under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7409799fb2a144bca2fd90cd46b7ea6c">a 2019 federal court order</a>&nbsp;to allow birth certificate changes.

The measure is before the House after one of its committees rewrote it this week to prevent it from applying to intersex people. Intersex describes people born with genitalia, chromosomes or reproductive organs not associated with typical definitions for males or females.

“We don't want to marginalize them anymore,” said Republican state Rep. Ron Bryce, a southeast Kansas doctor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674609407631.png" alt="The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses." />
 <figcaption>The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas bill banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for the third year in a row Friday, setting up a hotly contested fight in the Republican-controlled Legislature to override her.Kelly's action was expected because of her two previous vetoes. Kansas Republicans made Kelly's vetoes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-education-legislature-gay-rights-kansas-e32307ef93c0c64056e34f2d8a51efe2">a major issue in multiple television attack ads</a>&nbsp;when she ran for reelection last year, winning narrowly.The governor said in her veto message that the bill would harm students' mental health and hurt the state's efforts to recruit businesses. Kelly also said lawmakers should leave the issue to the state association set up decades ago to run student activities in middle and high schools.“Let's be clear what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly wrote. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help any teachers prepare our kids for the real world.”Kelly's arguments Friday were similar to those she made in past veto messages and during her reelection campaign. Taryn Jones, lobbyist for the LGBTQ-rights group Equality Kansas, called the bill “really just unnecessary.”“They’re OK discriminating against a marginalized community,” Jones said after the veto.Republicans have more than the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto, but in 2021 and 2022, a few GOP moderates voted against overriding Kelly. The House and Senate votes on this year's bill suggest supporters could have just enough votes to prevail.“Despite her repeated pledges to meet us in the middle, the governor has decided to side yet again with the most radical elements of her party,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said in a statement Friday.The measure would apply to girls' and women's K-12, club and college sports. If supporters can override Kelly's veto, Kansas would join 18 other states with such a law, including Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas.The measure is among dozens of Republican proposals pushing back against transgender rights in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas has bills aimed at banning gender-affirming care for minors and preventing transgender men and women from using bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities.Kelly's veto came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-health-care-kentucky-legislature-848343fe842e714dfc2bb734745f3cd5">Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature approved</a>&nbsp;a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Iowa’s GOP-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-schools-iowa-a66e255d9a3a8f539741ecc090cd2be0">approved a bill on school bathrooms</a>.In defending the legislation, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, recently posted tweets endorsing a theory debunked by multiple studies that a “social contagion” has led to more people identifying as transgender.He and other Republicans also have argued that banning transgender athletes will preserve fair competition and opportunities for girls and young women.“This is common sense,” Hawkins said in a statement Friday.Kansas officials and LGBTQ-rights advocates say only a handful of young transgender people participate in high school activities — and possibly only one transgender Kansas girl is on a sports team. Backers of the bill argue that the state should act before transgender athletes become more prevalent.During her reelection campaign, Kelly aired a television ad that featured her looking into the camera and saying, “Of course, men should not play girls’ sports. OK, we all agree there.”LGBTQ-rights advocates understood the ad as saying men aren't playing women’s sports because transgender women are women. But Republicans said she was lying about her record, and they’ve repeatedly mentioned her statement since.“Now that she no longer has to face the voters, the governor has done another about face,” Hawkins said.The vote last week in the Senate was&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230309145721_430755/">28-11,</a>&nbsp;giving backers one more than the two-thirds needed in the 40-member chamber to override a veto.However, the House would vote first, and the vote there last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223101523_668304/">was 82-40.</a>&nbsp;While supporters need 84 of 125 votes to override a veto, two Republicans who backed the bill were absent.Last year, supporters were short of a two-thirds House majority, but in last year's elections, three Republicans who supported a ban replaced GOP lawmakers who'd voted against overriding Kelly's veto. Also, while no Democrats voted last year to override Kelly, freshman Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, voted for this year's bill.Republican lawmakers in Kansas also have pursued&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223114039_760436/">a bill</a>&nbsp;to revoke the state medical licenses of doctors providing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy or surgery for transgender minors. It passed the Senate last month, but the House hasn't had a committee hearing.Another Senate-passed bill would define male and female in Kansas law based on a person's anatomy at birth and declare that cisgender women and girls have a right to private spaces separate from men, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.LGBTQ-rights advocates have said the measure not only bars transgender people from facilities associated with their gender identities but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">also erases them legally,</a>&nbsp;along with gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people.The bill's language also would prevent transgender people from changing birth certificates and driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities, though Kansas is under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7409799fb2a144bca2fd90cd46b7ea6c">a 2019 federal court order</a>&nbsp;to allow birth certificate changes.The measure is before the House after one of its committees rewrote it this week to prevent it from applying to intersex people. Intersex describes people born with genitalia, chromosomes or reproductive organs not associated with typical definitions for males or females.“We don't want to marginalize them anymore,” said Republican state Rep. Ron Bryce, a southeast Kansas doctor.

Battle over transgender athletes in girls sports in Kan. far from over

DOUGLAS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigating the shooting death of a teen in Lawrence on Saturday have a suspect in custody.

On Sunday afternoon, 17-year-old Derrick Del Reed turned himself in and police transported him to the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center, according to police department spokesperson Laura McCabe. Police also located Reed's  2015 Chrysler 300 within the city limits, and it was processed by investigators.

Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police in Lawrence along with Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at 1100 Block of E. 13th Street in Lawrence to find a teen who had been shot. EMS transported the teen to a local hospital where he later died, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.

Witnesses told police the teen arrived at the apartment complex address wounded, but the shooting occurred in the 1300 block of Maple Lane.

Investigators worked overnight to identify possible suspects and asked for the public’s help in locating Reed.&nbsp;

Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and have evidence to believe the parties are known to each other.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241583054.png" alt="Del Reed-photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Del Reed-photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigating the shooting death of a teen in Lawrence on Saturday have a suspect in custody.On Sunday afternoon, 17-year-old Derrick Del Reed turned himself in and police transported him to the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center, according to police department spokesperson Laura McCabe. Police also located Reed's 2015 Chrysler 300 within the city limits, and it was processed by investigators.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241544157.png" alt="Del Reed photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Del Reed photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police in Lawrence along with Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at 1100 Block of E. 13th Street in Lawrence to find a teen who had been shot. EMS transported the teen to a local hospital where he later died, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.Witnesses told police the teen arrived at the apartment complex address wounded, but the shooting occurred in the 1300 block of Maple Lane.Investigators worked overnight to identify possible suspects and asked for the public’s help in locating Reed.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241785200.png" alt="Police were looking for Reed's, which is a dark 2015 Chrysler 300 with Kansas tag 369REG. photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Police were looking for Reed's, which is a dark 2015 Chrysler 300 with Kansas tag 369REG. photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and have evidence to believe the parties are known to each other.

Police: Kansas teen wanted for murder turns himself in

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bills were filed, hearings were planned and blame was cast as Congress reacted this past week to the abrupt failure of two banks. A look at what lawmakers are saying and planning as the fallout continues from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

While President Joe Biden called Monday on Congress to strengthen the rules for banks to prevent future failures, lawmakers are divided on whether any legislation is needed.

Some congressional leaders are skeptical that a closely divided Congress will act at all.

"There's people who are going to choose bills, but I cannot imagine that, with the hold banks have on Republican members of Congress, that we can pass anything significant," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

Republicans say the laws already in place were sufficient to prevent the bank failures, if only regulators had done their job by spotting obvious problems and directing the banks to take steps that would reduce their risk.

"If there are ideas out there that people have, you know, at some point, we would be willing to entertain those, but I think it would be premature to start talking about solutions before we fully define the problem and ultimately get answers from the regulators about why they were asleep at the job," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Republican.

SO WHAT'S NEXT? The House Financial Services Committee has announced its first hearing for March 29, featuring at least two witnesses: Martin Gruenberg, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s board of directors, and Michael Barr, vice chair for supervision with the Federal Reserve's board of governors. "We will conduct this hearing without fear or favor to get the answers the American people deserve," lawmakers said.

On the Senate side, Brown said his committee will also hold a hearing soon to help lawmakers assess what went wrong. He said the first hearing is likely to focus on bringing in witnesses responsible for regulating the failed banks. The Fed board was the primary regulator for Silicon Valley Bank in California, while the FDIC was the primary federal regulator for Signature Bank in New York.

Brown spelled out some of the questions lawmakers probably will have for the regulators in a letter Thursday asking them to undertake a comprehensive review of what went wrong. What role did social media-led coordination among customers play? What role did the large percentage of uninsured deposits at Silicon Valley Bank play? Were there regulatory gaps with respect to capital, liquidity and stress testing that played a role in the failures?

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said he wants to know why regulators did not act on detailed reports of a liquidity risk at Silicon Valley Bank and why the FDIC failed to auction off the bank's remaining parts last weekend.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said she wants to know if regulators intend to use the failure of Signature Bank to further crack down on cryptocurrency. She has been a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency development and is an investor in bitcoin. Signature was the first FDIC-insured bank to offer a blockchain-based digital payment platform in 2019 and had been a go-to bank for the crypto industry.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he wanted to know how private stock analysts had warned about Silicon Valley's investments but regulators did not seem to know about potential problems.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION Democrats in both chambers have rallied around two legislative proposals. The first, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., would repeal the 2018 rollback of certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act enacted after the financial crisis a decade earlier.

The Dodd-Frank Act subjected all banks with $50 billion or more in assets to enhanced regulation, such as annual stress testing and the submission of resolution plans or "living wills" in the event of bankruptcy.

But after years of complaints from community and regional banks about the cost of compliance, Congress lifted the threshold for meeting all the Dodd-Frank Act requirements to $250 billion.

Banks with assets valued at less than $100 billion were automatically exempted from the enhanced regulation. The Fed was given the discretion to apply on a case-by-case basis the enhanced oversight for banks between the $100 billion and $250 billion level. Both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank fell in that category.

"President Trump's rollback paved the way for the SVB collapse," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on the Senate floor Thursday.

But Republicans have countered that the tiered oversight they established in 2018 with the support of several Democrats in both chambers gave federal regulators all the tools they needed to catch the problems at Silicon Valley and Signature before they became fatal.

"I think the issue here is liquidity and there are liquidity stress tests that regulators have established for the banks," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and the author of the 2018 changes to Dodd-Frank. "If they need to tighten those up, they have the authority to do it."

With that philosophical divide, it's unlikely the Warren and Porter bill will advance in Congress.

A second bill might have a better shot. The bill from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Mike Levin of California would recoup any bonuses and profits that bank executives receive from stock sales make in the 60 days before a bank failure.

Republicans also directed considerable ire at the executives of the failed banks this week.

"I think all of that ought to be clawed back," Kennedy said of bonuses. "And this time, I hope somebody goes to jail."

On Friday, Biden called on Congress to grant the FDIC the power to force the return of compensation paid to executives at a broader range of banks should they fail, and to lower the threshold for the regulator to impose fines and bar executives from working at another bank.

The recent bank failures create an opportunity to shape the political narrative for next year's election.

While Republicans are saying that regulators were "asleep at the switch," they are also trying to tie Biden and Democrats to the turmoil by blaming them for higher inflation, which is leading to the higher interest rates and reduced the value of Silicon Valley Banks investments.

"A failure of the bank, a failure with regulators, and without any question, a failure at the top," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., in reference to Biden.

Democrats are pinning the failures on the changes Republicans led in scaling back Dodd-Frank requirements for certain banks, saying it's an example of how Washington caters to powerful interest groups rather than average voters.

"The 2018 rollbacks permitted the banks to take on more risk in order to boost their profits," Warren said. "So what did they do? They took on more risks, boosted their profits, gave their executives big bonuses and salaries, and then blew the banks up."

By KEVIN FREKING&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — Bills were filed, hearings were planned and blame was cast as Congress reacted this past week to the abrupt failure of two banks. A look at what lawmakers are saying and planning as the fallout continues from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.QUICK LEGISLATIVE FIXES UNLIKELYWhile President Joe Biden called Monday on Congress to strengthen the rules for banks to prevent future failures, lawmakers are divided on whether any legislation is needed.Some congressional leaders are skeptical that a closely divided Congress will act at all."There's people who are going to choose bills, but I cannot imagine that, with the hold banks have on Republican members of Congress, that we can pass anything significant," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.Republicans say the laws already in place were sufficient to prevent the bank failures, if only regulators had done their job by spotting obvious problems and directing the banks to take steps that would reduce their risk."If there are ideas out there that people have, you know, at some point, we would be willing to entertain those, but I think it would be premature to start talking about solutions before we fully define the problem and ultimately get answers from the regulators about why they were asleep at the job," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Republican.___SO WHAT'S NEXT? The House Financial Services Committee has announced its first hearing for March 29, featuring at least two witnesses: Martin Gruenberg, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s board of directors, and Michael Barr, vice chair for supervision with the Federal Reserve's board of governors. "We will conduct this hearing without fear or favor to get the answers the American people deserve," lawmakers said.On the Senate side, Brown said his committee will also hold a hearing soon to help lawmakers assess what went wrong. He said the first hearing is likely to focus on bringing in witnesses responsible for regulating the failed banks. The Fed board was the primary regulator for Silicon Valley Bank in California, while the FDIC was the primary federal regulator for Signature Bank in New York.Brown spelled out some of the questions lawmakers probably will have for the regulators in a letter Thursday asking them to undertake a comprehensive review of what went wrong. What role did social media-led coordination among customers play? What role did the large percentage of uninsured deposits at Silicon Valley Bank play? Were there regulatory gaps with respect to capital, liquidity and stress testing that played a role in the failures?Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said he wants to know why regulators did not act on detailed reports of a liquidity risk at Silicon Valley Bank and why the FDIC failed to auction off the bank's remaining parts last weekend.Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said she wants to know if regulators intend to use the failure of Signature Bank to further crack down on cryptocurrency. She has been a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency development and is an investor in bitcoin. Signature was the first FDIC-insured bank to offer a blockchain-based digital payment platform in 2019 and had been a go-to bank for the crypto industry.Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he wanted to know how private stock analysts had warned about Silicon Valley's investments but regulators did not seem to know about potential problems.___CONGRESSIONAL ACTION Democrats in both chambers have rallied around two legislative proposals. The first, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., would repeal the 2018 rollback of certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act enacted after the financial crisis a decade earlier.The Dodd-Frank Act subjected all banks with $50 billion or more in assets to enhanced regulation, such as annual stress testing and the submission of resolution plans or "living wills" in the event of bankruptcy.But after years of complaints from community and regional banks about the cost of compliance, Congress lifted the threshold for meeting all the Dodd-Frank Act requirements to $250 billion.Banks with assets valued at less than $100 billion were automatically exempted from the enhanced regulation. The Fed was given the discretion to apply on a case-by-case basis the enhanced oversight for banks between the $100 billion and $250 billion level. Both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank fell in that category."President Trump's rollback paved the way for the SVB collapse," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on the Senate floor Thursday.But Republicans have countered that the tiered oversight they established in 2018 with the support of several Democrats in both chambers gave federal regulators all the tools they needed to catch the problems at Silicon Valley and Signature before they became fatal."I think the issue here is liquidity and there are liquidity stress tests that regulators have established for the banks," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and the author of the 2018 changes to Dodd-Frank. "If they need to tighten those up, they have the authority to do it."With that philosophical divide, it's unlikely the Warren and Porter bill will advance in Congress.A second bill might have a better shot. The bill from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Mike Levin of California would recoup any bonuses and profits that bank executives receive from stock sales make in the 60 days before a bank failure.Republicans also directed considerable ire at the executives of the failed banks this week."I think all of that ought to be clawed back," Kennedy said of bonuses. "And this time, I hope somebody goes to jail."On Friday, Biden called on Congress to grant the FDIC the power to force the return of compensation paid to executives at a broader range of banks should they fail, and to lower the threshold for the regulator to impose fines and bar executives from working at another bank.___POINTING FINGERS AT THE OTHER PARTYThe recent bank failures create an opportunity to shape the political narrative for next year's election.While Republicans are saying that regulators were "asleep at the switch," they are also trying to tie Biden and Democrats to the turmoil by blaming them for higher inflation, which is leading to the higher interest rates and reduced the value of Silicon Valley Banks investments."A failure of the bank, a failure with regulators, and without any question, a failure at the top," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., in reference to Biden.Democrats are pinning the failures on the changes Republicans led in scaling back Dodd-Frank requirements for certain banks, saying it's an example of how Washington caters to powerful interest groups rather than average voters."The 2018 rollbacks permitted the banks to take on more risk in order to boost their profits," Warren said. "So what did they do? They took on more risks, boosted their profits, gave their executives big bonuses and salaries, and then blew the banks up."

Bank failures: Anger in Congress, but division on what to do

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident during a high-speed chase with law enforcement just before 3:30p.m. Sunday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Durango driven by&nbsp; Bradley M. Landers, 33, Blanchard, Oklahoma, was westbound on U.S. 166 at the U.S. 75 westbound junction attempting to elude police at a high rate of speed.

Landers was unable to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the roadway to the left, struck a guardrail, overturned and came to rest on it's wheels.

EMS transported Landers to a hospital in Tulsa.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP. Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident during a high-speed chase with law enforcement just before 3:30p.m. Sunday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Durango driven by&nbsp; Bradley M. Landers, 33, Blanchard, Oklahoma, was westbound on U.S. 166 at the U.S. 75 westbound junction attempting to elude police at a high rate of speed.Landers was unable to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the roadway to the left, struck a guardrail, overturned and came to rest on it's wheels.EMS transported Landers to a hospital in Tulsa.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP. Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

Man hospitalized after crash during high-speed Kan. chase

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 33-year-old Kansas man has been found guilty in the rape of a 72-year-old woman.

On March 16, a jury found&nbsp; Jeremy Brown of Valley Center guilty on four counts of rape, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 4:30a.m. June 26, police responded to a report of rape at a home in the 1600 block of South St. Paul Street in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson and contacted a 72-year-old woman identified as a victim.

Investigators learned the 72-year-old woman was with a 37-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man at a local bar where they met Jeremy Brown and then all four met at a home on St. Paul Street. At the residence, Brown is alleged to have sexually assaulted the 72-year-old.

Booking details listed him as 6-foot-4 inches tall and 400 pounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is scheduled for sentencing in May, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625051561119.png" alt="Brown-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 33-year-old Kansas man has been found guilty in the rape of a 72-year-old woman.On March 16, a jury found&nbsp; Jeremy Brown of Valley Center guilty on four counts of rape, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 4:30a.m. June 26, police responded to a report of rape at a home in the 1600 block of South St. Paul Street in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson and contacted a 72-year-old woman identified as a victim.Investigators learned the 72-year-old woman was with a 37-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man at a local bar where they met Jeremy Brown and then all four met at a home on St. Paul Street. At the residence, Brown is alleged to have sexually assaulted the 72-year-old.Booking details listed him as 6-foot-4 inches tall and 400 pounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is scheduled for sentencing in May, according to the district attorney's office.---------

Jury: Kansas man guilty in sex assault of 72-year-old

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment of a single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. 

The victim underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;

The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita.Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment of a single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. The victim underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

Police: 1-year-old Kan. girl hospitalized with gunshot wound

BEIJING (AP) — China accused the United States on Thursday of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok following reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app.

The U.S. has yet to present evidence that TikTok threatens its national security and was using the excuse of data security to abuse its power to suppress foreign companies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing.

“The U.S. should stop spreading disinformation about data security, stop suppressing the relevant company, and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.,” Wang said.

TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">report in The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-china-17dc11399ffed22482ed6803c80b54c3">Shanahan said TikTok was already answering concerns</a>&nbsp;through “transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification.”

The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.

In late February, the White House gave all federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and the State Department already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.

BEIJING (AP) — China accused the United States on Thursday of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok following reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app.The U.S. has yet to present evidence that TikTok threatens its national security and was using the excuse of data security to abuse its power to suppress foreign companies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing.“The U.S. should stop spreading disinformation about data security, stop suppressing the relevant company, and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.,” Wang said.TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">report in The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-china-17dc11399ffed22482ed6803c80b54c3">Shanahan said TikTok was already answering concerns</a>&nbsp;through “transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification.”The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.In late February, the White House gave all federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and the State Department already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained and push pro-Beijing narratives and propaganda on the app.China has long been concerned about the influence of overseas social media and communications apps, and bans most of the best-known ones, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube — and TikTok.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok was dismissive this week of reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app, saying such a move wouldn't help protect national security.The company was responding to a report in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access," TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said. "The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.Late last month, the White House gave all federal agencies 30 days to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>.The Office of Management and Budget called the guidance a “critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data.” Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.Rep. Mike McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has been a vocal critic of the app, saying the Chinese Communist Party is using it to “manipulate and monitor its users while it gobbles up Americans’ data to be used for their malign activities.”“Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP a backdoor to all their personal information. It’s a spy balloon into your phone,” the Texas Republican said.TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained.The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">has been dismissive of the ban</a>&nbsp;for federal devices and has noted that it is developing security and data privacy plans as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing national security review.