BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — An anonymous donor gave $50 million to the business school at the University of Kansas to support undergraduate students and faculty research, officials said Tuesday.

It represented the largest gift received by the School of Business located on the university’s main campus in Lawrence. The funding has been earmarked to support students through study abroad, entrepreneurship and career-focused programs as well as initiatives tied to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

In addition, the endowment to the business school would be dedicated to improving scholarly output through support of faculty professorships and fellowships.

“While a gift of this size is certainly newsworthy, it’s what this gift will enable that is truly worth noting,” said Dan Martin, president of the KU Endowment. “The impact of such a sizable gift will have a ripple effect that extends well beyond this current moment in time.”

Paige Fields, dean of the School of Business, said the $50 million commitment was a transformative gift in terms of academic research and student success.

“It will allow our school to further invest in our current mission-driven initiatives, to pursue aspirational objectives and to identify future opportunities, ensuring we continue delivering relevant, innovative business education,” she said.

KU said the donor was inspired by the business school’s accomplishments over time and the more recent strategic planning process initiated in 2017. Internal changes included launching student certificate programs, updating undergraduate curriculum and admissions, creating a master’s degree in business analytics, broadening research incentives for tenure-track faculty and finishing spaces in Capital Federal Hall.

The Capitol Federal Foundation of Topeka committed $20 million in 2012 toward construction of the business school’s current building on the Lawrence campus. At that time, the foundation’s donation was the largest in the KU business school’s history.

In June, the University of Kansas Cancer Center accepted a $100 million donation from the Sunderland Foundation and secured $43 million in federal funding to build a state-of-the-art facility to advance research and treatment of cancer on the university’s campus in Kansas City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694109646617.png" alt="An anonymous donor has given the School of Business at the University of Kansas a gift of $50 million to advance the academic work of faculty and serve interests of business students on the Lawrence campus. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>An anonymous donor has given the School of Business at the University of Kansas a gift of $50 million to advance the academic work of faculty and serve interests of business students on the Lawrence campus. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — An anonymous donor gave $50 million to the business school at the University of Kansas to support undergraduate students and faculty research, officials said Tuesday.It represented the largest gift received by the School of Business located on the university’s main campus in Lawrence. The funding has been earmarked to support students through study abroad, entrepreneurship and career-focused programs as well as initiatives tied to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.In addition, the endowment to the business school would be dedicated to improving scholarly output through support of faculty professorships and fellowships.“While a gift of this size is certainly newsworthy, it’s what this gift will enable that is truly worth noting,” said Dan Martin, president of the KU Endowment. “The impact of such a sizable gift will have a ripple effect that extends well beyond this current moment in time.”Paige Fields, dean of the School of Business, said the $50 million commitment was a transformative gift in terms of academic research and student success.“It will allow our school to further invest in our current mission-driven initiatives, to pursue aspirational objectives and to identify future opportunities, ensuring we continue delivering relevant, innovative business education,” she said.KU said the donor was inspired by the business school’s accomplishments over time and the more recent strategic planning process initiated in 2017. Internal changes included launching student certificate programs, updating undergraduate curriculum and admissions, creating a master’s degree in business analytics, broadening research incentives for tenure-track faculty and finishing spaces in Capital Federal Hall.The Capitol Federal Foundation of Topeka committed $20 million in 2012 toward construction of the business school’s current building on the Lawrence campus. At that time, the foundation’s donation was the largest in the KU business school’s history.In June, the University of Kansas Cancer Center accepted a $100 million donation from the Sunderland Foundation and secured $43 million in federal funding to build a state-of-the-art facility to advance research and treatment of cancer on the university’s campus in Kansas City, Kansas.

Anonymous benefactor donates $50 million to KU business school

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration's waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on vast swaths of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

The Department of Interior's scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope. Protections are proposed for more than 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) of land in the reserve in the western Arctic.

Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden's pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday's announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending.

"Alaska is home to many of America's most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages," Biden said in a statement.

His actions "meet the urgency of the climate crisis" and will "protect our lands and waters for generations to come," Biden said.

Alaska's Republican governor condemned Biden's moves and threatened to sue. And at least one Democratic lawmaker said the decision could hurt Indigenous communities in an isolated region where oil development is an important economic driver.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who drew criticism for her role in the approval of the Willow project, said Wednesday that "no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on earth." However, a 2017 law mandates another lease sale by late 2024. Administration officials said they intend to comply with the law.

The Biden administration also announced proposed rules aimed at providing stronger protections against new leasing and development in portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that are designated as special areas for their wildlife, subsistence, scenic or other values. The proposal still must go through public comment. Willow lies within the reserve but was not expected to be affected by the proposed rules.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5-million-acre (600,000-hectare) coastal plain, which lies along the Beaufort Sea on Alaska's northeastern edge, is seen as sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in because it is where caribou they rely on migrate and come to give birth. The plain is marked by hills, rivers and small lakes and tundra. Migratory birds and caribou pass through the plain, which provides habitat for wildlife including polar bears and wolves.

Alaska political leaders — including some Democrats — have long pushed to allow oil and gas drilling in the refuge in part because of its economic impact on Indigenous communities in an area with few other jobs. Many of those same voices pressed Biden to approve the Willow project for the same reason.

"I am deeply frustrated by the reversal of these leases in ANWR," said U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, using a common shorthand for the refuge. "This administration showed that it is capable of listening to Alaskans with the approval of the Willow Project, and it is some of those same Inupiat North Slope communities who are most impacted by this decision. I will continue to advocate for them and for Alaska's ability to explore and develop our natural resources."

Alaska's congressional delegation in 2017 succeeded in getting language added to a federal tax law that called for the U.S. government to hold two lease sales in the region by late 2024.

Drilling opponents on Wednesday urged Congress to repeal the leasing provision from the 2017 law and permanently make the coastal plain off limits to drilling.

"It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of today's announcements for Arctic conservation," said Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society. "Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Our climate is a bit safer and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America."

Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan denounced Biden's actions as the latest volley in what he called a "war on Alaska."

Two other leases that were issued as part of the first-of-its-kind sale for the refuge in January 2021 were previously given up by the small companies that held them amid legal wrangling and uncertainty over the drilling program.

After taking office, Biden issued an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on activities related to the leasing program and for the Interior secretary to review the program. Haaland later in 2021 ordered a new environmental review after concluding there were "multiple legal deficiencies" underlying the Trump-era leasing program. Haaland halted activities related to the leasing program pending the new analysis.

A draft environmental review was released Wednesday.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation that won seven leases in the 2021 sale, sued over the moratorium. But a federal judge recently found the delay by Interior to conduct a new review was not unreasonable.

The corporation obtained the leases to preserve drilling rights in case oil companies did not come forward. Major oil companies sat out the sale, held after prominent banks had announced they would not finance Arctic oil and gas projects.

Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, thanked the administration for the lease cancellation — but issued a warning.

"We know that our sacred land is only temporarily safe from oil and gas development," she said. "We urge the administration and our leaders in Congress to repeal the oil and gas program and permanently protect the Arctic Refuge."

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration's waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on vast swaths of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is canceling all remaining oil and gas leases issued under the previous administration in the Arctic Refuge. The Administration also took new action to protect more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic. <a href="https://t.co/YNStbtLKtZ">pic.twitter.com/YNStbtLKtZ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1699614544316817445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Department of Interior's scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope. Protections are proposed for more than 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) of land in the reserve in the western Arctic.Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden's pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday's announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending."Alaska is home to many of America's most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages," Biden said in a statement.His actions "meet the urgency of the climate crisis" and will "protect our lands and waters for generations to come," Biden said.Alaska's Republican governor condemned Biden's moves and threatened to sue. And at least one Democratic lawmaker said the decision could hurt Indigenous communities in an isolated region where oil development is an important economic driver.Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who drew criticism for her role in the approval of the Willow project, said Wednesday that "no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on earth." However, a 2017 law mandates another lease sale by late 2024. Administration officials said they intend to comply with the law.The Biden administration also announced proposed rules aimed at providing stronger protections against new leasing and development in portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that are designated as special areas for their wildlife, subsistence, scenic or other values. The proposal still must go through public comment. Willow lies within the reserve but was not expected to be affected by the proposed rules.The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5-million-acre (600,000-hectare) coastal plain, which lies along the Beaufort Sea on Alaska's northeastern edge, is seen as sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in because it is where caribou they rely on migrate and come to give birth. The plain is marked by hills, rivers and small lakes and tundra. Migratory birds and caribou pass through the plain, which provides habitat for wildlife including polar bears and wolves.Alaska political leaders — including some Democrats — have long pushed to allow oil and gas drilling in the refuge in part because of its economic impact on Indigenous communities in an area with few other jobs. Many of those same voices pressed Biden to approve the Willow project for the same reason."I am deeply frustrated by the reversal of these leases in ANWR," said U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, using a common shorthand for the refuge. "This administration showed that it is capable of listening to Alaskans with the approval of the Willow Project, and it is some of those same Inupiat North Slope communities who are most impacted by this decision. I will continue to advocate for them and for Alaska's ability to explore and develop our natural resources."Alaska's congressional delegation in 2017 succeeded in getting language added to a federal tax law that called for the U.S. government to hold two lease sales in the region by late 2024.Drilling opponents on Wednesday urged Congress to repeal the leasing provision from the 2017 law and permanently make the coastal plain off limits to drilling."It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of today's announcements for Arctic conservation," said Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society. "Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Our climate is a bit safer and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America."Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan denounced Biden's actions as the latest volley in what he called a "war on Alaska."Two other leases that were issued as part of the first-of-its-kind sale for the refuge in January 2021 were previously given up by the small companies that held them amid legal wrangling and uncertainty over the drilling program.After taking office, Biden issued an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on activities related to the leasing program and for the Interior secretary to review the program. Haaland later in 2021 ordered a new environmental review after concluding there were "multiple legal deficiencies" underlying the Trump-era leasing program. Haaland halted activities related to the leasing program pending the new analysis.A draft environmental review was released Wednesday.The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation that won seven leases in the 2021 sale, sued over the moratorium. But a federal judge recently found the delay by Interior to conduct a new review was not unreasonable.The corporation obtained the leases to preserve drilling rights in case oil companies did not come forward. Major oil companies sat out the sale, held after prominent banks had announced they would not finance Arctic oil and gas projects.Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, thanked the administration for the lease cancellation — but issued a warning."We know that our sacred land is only temporarily safe from oil and gas development," she said. "We urge the administration and our leaders in Congress to repeal the oil and gas program and permanently protect the Arctic Refuge."___

Biden cancels remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic

Facility struggled with violence, suicides, drug use and understaffing when it held pre-trial detainees facing charges in federal courts

By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

A private pre-trial detention center in Leavenworth beset with violence when it closed in 2021 could house individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.&nbsp;

For years, Nashville-based CoreCivic operated the Leavenworth Detention Center, which held individuals charged —&nbsp;but not convicted —&nbsp;with federal crimes from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and western Missouri. Now, it could reopen to house undocumented immigrants facing removal.

“We haven’t even made a decision because we can’t until we are in an open meeting and we debate and we figure out what we do want to do or not,” said Leavenworth County Commission Chair Vicky Kaaz.&nbsp;

She emphasized in an interview that the commission had yet to even hear the details of a possible arrangement.&nbsp;

When CoreCivic’s Leavenworth facility held pre-trial detainees under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service, the private jail&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/07/for-profit-kansas-prison-an-understaffed-hell-hole-of-violence-death-and-drugs/">struggled with staffing crises, rampant drug use and persistent violence</a>. It’s being&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/25/former-detainee-sues-defunct-for-profit-jail-in-leavenworth-over-2021-stabbing/">sued by a former inmate</a>&nbsp;whose lawsuit includes allegations of at least 10 stabbings in 2021 and two suicides.

In 2019,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-08-26/leavenworth-inmates-reach-1-45-million-settlement-over-taped-attorney-client-phone-calls">CoreCivic settled with 500 detainees for $1.45 million</a>&nbsp;for illegally recording phone calls with their defense attorneys and providing them to prosecutors.

The facility closed at the end of 2021 when CoreCivic’s contract with the U.S. Marshals Service expired. President Joe Biden, in his first week in office,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/26/executive-order-reforming-our-incarceration-system-to-eliminate-the-use-of-privately-operated-criminal-detention-facilities/">signed an executive order barring the Department of Justice</a>&nbsp;from renewing contracts with private criminal detention facilities.&nbsp;

But ICE falls under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

The future of the CoreCivic facility has been the subject of speculation for almost two years, but ICE had previously said it was not pursuing a contract for the Leavenworth facility,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-06/leavenworth-prison-beset-by-reports-of-violence-and-mismanagement-faces-uncertain-future">KCUR reported in 2021</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CoreCivic spokesman Ryan Gustin said in an email that ICE is in the process of procuring detention services in the area.&nbsp;

“Out of respect for the integrity of the process, we do not elaborate on any proposals that may have been submitted in response to active procurements,” Gustin said.&nbsp;

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

Since CoreCivic closed in 2021, the company has reached out to the county several times about efforts to reopen the facility, County Administrator Mark Loughry said during a Leavenworth County Commission meeting Wednesday.&nbsp;

But Loughry said such efforts have never gotten far with the federal government, though that “may have changed” in the last month.

Loughry updated commissioners on the possible arrangement Wednesday after rumors began circulating on social media over the weekend.&nbsp;

“It’s not an agenda item, and it may never be an agenda item,” Loughry said. “But because of the false narratives that are out there, I just wanted to kind of put out what we know.”

Kaaz said she had gotten angry notes from residents over the possibility since Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Leavenworth,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/PatProctorKS/posts/701857565094683">posted on Facebook</a>&nbsp;this Saturday urging followers to reach out to commissioners, “if you don’t want immigration bringing their self-induced border crisis to our doorstep.”

Loughry said reopening the facility would create 350 jobs, and the county could receive an administrative fee between $600,000 and $800,000 for acting as an intermediary. The value of the facility would also rebound if it opened again, Loughry said, meaning CoreCivic’s property tax bill to the county would rise.

The facility, Loughry said, could house between 500 and 900 detainees —&nbsp;all adults. They would be individuals who had been detained in the Midwest, not people who had just come across the border.&nbsp;

Commissioner Mike Stieben proposed a motion for the commission to refuse to entertain a possible arrangement.&nbsp;

“I don’t want to see us go down this road of wasting weeks of staff time having to hear from people when I think this is a totally bad idea,” he said.&nbsp;

The motion failed 2-3. Commissioners voting against Stieben said they didn’t want to turn down any arrangement before hearing the details.&nbsp;

The ACLU of Kansas decried the possibility of CoreCivic operating an ICE facility in a news release Wednesday. Sharon Brett, the chapter’s legal director, said the company was “plainly unable to run a facility that meets even the bare minimum of standards afforded by our Constitution.”

“CoreCivic demonstrated a consistent and deliberate indifference to mitigating the dangerous and unconstitutional conditions in the Leavenworth facility, as it has elsewhere in the country,” Brett said.

She said Leavenworth County “should not invite CoreCivic back to once again abuse individuals’ human and civil rights.”

Michael Sharma-Crawford, an immigration attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, said he was concerned attorneys wouldn’t be able to get in touch with their clients easily at a CoreCivic facility.&nbsp;

Right now, Sharma-Crawford works with clients in custody at the Chase County Jail in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where he said families and clients have better access to legal counsel. The proposed arrangement would “greatly impede a noncitizens’ ability to seek help when they need it most,” he said.&nbsp;

“If access to counsel and due process are to mean anything,” he said, “perhaps ICE should reconsider their efforts to thwart both by their current efforts to use (CoreCivic) as a holding facility.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574019674964.png" alt="CoreCivic's Leavenworth Detention Center, which previously held pre-trial detainees charged with federal crimes could become a detention facility for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>CoreCivic's Leavenworth Detention Center, which previously held pre-trial detainees charged with federal crimes could become a detention facility for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Facility struggled with violence, suicides, drug use and understaffing when it held pre-trial detainees facing charges in federal courts</h2>By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>A private pre-trial detention center in Leavenworth beset with violence when it closed in 2021 could house individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.&nbsp;For years, Nashville-based CoreCivic operated the Leavenworth Detention Center, which held individuals charged —&nbsp;but not convicted —&nbsp;with federal crimes from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and western Missouri. Now, it could reopen to house undocumented immigrants facing removal.“We haven’t even made a decision because we can’t until we are in an open meeting and we debate and we figure out what we do want to do or not,” said Leavenworth County Commission Chair Vicky Kaaz.&nbsp;She emphasized in an interview that the commission had yet to even hear the details of a possible arrangement.&nbsp;When CoreCivic’s Leavenworth facility held pre-trial detainees under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service, the private jail&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/07/for-profit-kansas-prison-an-understaffed-hell-hole-of-violence-death-and-drugs/">struggled with staffing crises, rampant drug use and persistent violence</a>. It’s being&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/25/former-detainee-sues-defunct-for-profit-jail-in-leavenworth-over-2021-stabbing/">sued by a former inmate</a>&nbsp;whose lawsuit includes allegations of at least 10 stabbings in 2021 and two suicides.In 2019,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2019-08-26/leavenworth-inmates-reach-1-45-million-settlement-over-taped-attorney-client-phone-calls">CoreCivic settled with 500 detainees for $1.45 million</a>&nbsp;for illegally recording phone calls with their defense attorneys and providing them to prosecutors.The facility closed at the end of 2021 when CoreCivic’s contract with the U.S. Marshals Service expired. President Joe Biden, in his first week in office,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/26/executive-order-reforming-our-incarceration-system-to-eliminate-the-use-of-privately-operated-criminal-detention-facilities/">signed an executive order barring the Department of Justice</a>&nbsp;from renewing contracts with private criminal detention facilities.&nbsp;But ICE falls under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;The future of the CoreCivic facility has been the subject of speculation for almost two years, but ICE had previously said it was not pursuing a contract for the Leavenworth facility,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-06/leavenworth-prison-beset-by-reports-of-violence-and-mismanagement-faces-uncertain-future">KCUR reported in 2021</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;CoreCivic spokesman Ryan Gustin said in an email that ICE is in the process of procuring detention services in the area.&nbsp;“Out of respect for the integrity of the process, we do not elaborate on any proposals that may have been submitted in response to active procurements,” Gustin said.&nbsp;ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;Since CoreCivic closed in 2021, the company has reached out to the county several times about efforts to reopen the facility, County Administrator Mark Loughry said during a Leavenworth County Commission meeting Wednesday.&nbsp;But Loughry said such efforts have never gotten far with the federal government, though that “may have changed” in the last month.Loughry updated commissioners on the possible arrangement Wednesday after rumors began circulating on social media over the weekend.&nbsp;“It’s not an agenda item, and it may never be an agenda item,” Loughry said. “But because of the false narratives that are out there, I just wanted to kind of put out what we know.”Kaaz said she had gotten angry notes from residents over the possibility since Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Leavenworth,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/PatProctorKS/posts/701857565094683">posted on Facebook</a>&nbsp;this Saturday urging followers to reach out to commissioners, “if you don’t want immigration bringing their self-induced border crisis to our doorstep.”Loughry said reopening the facility would create 350 jobs, and the county could receive an administrative fee between $600,000 and $800,000 for acting as an intermediary. The value of the facility would also rebound if it opened again, Loughry said, meaning CoreCivic’s property tax bill to the county would rise.The facility, Loughry said, could house between 500 and 900 detainees —&nbsp;all adults. They would be individuals who had been detained in the Midwest, not people who had just come across the border.&nbsp;Commissioner Mike Stieben proposed a motion for the commission to refuse to entertain a possible arrangement.&nbsp;“I don’t want to see us go down this road of wasting weeks of staff time having to hear from people when I think this is a totally bad idea,” he said.&nbsp;The motion failed 2-3. Commissioners voting against Stieben said they didn’t want to turn down any arrangement before hearing the details.&nbsp;The ACLU of Kansas decried the possibility of CoreCivic operating an ICE facility in a news release Wednesday. Sharon Brett, the chapter’s legal director, said the company was “plainly unable to run a facility that meets even the bare minimum of standards afforded by our Constitution.”“CoreCivic demonstrated a consistent and deliberate indifference to mitigating the dangerous and unconstitutional conditions in the Leavenworth facility, as it has elsewhere in the country,” Brett said.She said Leavenworth County “should not invite CoreCivic back to once again abuse individuals’ human and civil rights.”Michael Sharma-Crawford, an immigration attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, said he was concerned attorneys wouldn’t be able to get in touch with their clients easily at a CoreCivic facility.&nbsp;Right now, Sharma-Crawford works with clients in custody at the Chase County Jail in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where he said families and clients have better access to legal counsel. The proposed arrangement would “greatly impede a noncitizens’ ability to seek help when they need it most,” he said.&nbsp;“If access to counsel and due process are to mean anything,” he said, “perhaps ICE should reconsider their efforts to thwart both by their current efforts to use (CoreCivic) as a holding facility.”

Shuttered private jail in Kansas could become ICE detention center

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.

Just after 4:30p.m. Sept. 2, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a police observed a vehicle traveling in the area of 8th Street and Washington Street in Great Bend with a driver 51-year-old&nbsp; Mark Miller who the officer recognized and knew to have a suspended drivers license, according to a media release.

The vehicle pulled in and parked behind a closed business in the 2500 block of 10th Street. A female passenger exited the vehicle, and began walking away as soon as the officer got behind the vehicle. K9 Menta was deployed for a free air sniff of the vehicle, and indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics.

The female passenger that left the vehicle, identified as 34-year-old Davina Demoret, age 34, was located and detained, as well as another passenger, identified as&nbsp; 56-year-old Lisa Whiting.

A search of the vehicle was conducted, and methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a pair of brass knuckles were located. 

All three individuals were placed under arrest, and booked in lieu of $10,000 bonds at the Barton County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694094170063.jpeg" alt="Mark Miller-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Mark Miller-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.Just after 4:30p.m. Sept. 2, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a police observed a vehicle traveling in the area of 8th Street and Washington Street in Great Bend with a driver 51-year-old&nbsp; Mark Miller who the officer recognized and knew to have a suspended drivers license, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694094212838.jpeg" alt="Whiting-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Whiting-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle pulled in and parked behind a closed business in the 2500 block of 10th Street. A female passenger exited the vehicle, and began walking away as soon as the officer got behind the vehicle. K9 Menta was deployed for a free air sniff of the vehicle, and indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694094189686.jpeg" alt="Davina Demoret-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Davina Demoret-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The female passenger that left the vehicle, identified as 34-year-old Davina Demoret, age 34, was located and detained, as well as another passenger, identified as&nbsp; 56-year-old Lisa Whiting.A search of the vehicle was conducted, and methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a pair of brass knuckles were located. All three individuals were placed under arrest, and booked in lieu of $10,000 bonds at the Barton County Jail.

Kansas deputy finds meth, brass knuckles during traffic stop

RENO COUNTY— One person was injured in a garage fire Wednesday night in Hutchinson.

According to a release from the Hutchinson Fire Department, crews&nbsp;responded to the 1500 Block of West 12th at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a vehicle on fire. 

Engine 5 arrived on scene and reported that this was a working fire in a detached garage. Engine 5 immediately upgraded the alarm to a full structure fire response.

Crews preformed a quick and aggressive attack on the fire. The garage was occupied at the time of the fire. The occupant was treated on scene by fire units for second degree burns and was later transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by Reno County EMS.

The fire is currently under investigation by HFD investigators. The garage received heavy damage from the fire and a nearby vehicle received minor damage.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694098687102.jpeg" alt="Photo&nbsp; Hutchinson Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; Hutchinson Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— One person was injured in a garage fire Wednesday night in Hutchinson.According to a release from the Hutchinson Fire Department, crews&nbsp;responded to the 1500 Block of West 12th at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a vehicle on fire. Engine 5 arrived on scene and reported that this was a working fire in a detached garage. Engine 5 immediately upgraded the alarm to a full structure fire response.Crews preformed a quick and aggressive attack on the fire. The garage was occupied at the time of the fire. The occupant was treated on scene by fire units for second degree burns and was later transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by Reno County EMS.The fire is currently under investigation by HFD investigators. The garage received heavy damage from the fire and a nearby vehicle received minor damage.&nbsp;

One person injured in Kansas garage fire

DETROIT (AP) — The head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn't reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.

“That’s the plan,” President Shawn Fain responded when asked if the union would strike any of the companies that haven’t reached a tentative deal by the time their national contracts end.

A strike against all three major automakers — General Motors, Stellantis and Ford — could cause damage not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest economy. A prolonged strike could lead eventually to higher vehicle prices.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Fain left open the possibility of avoiding a strike. He acknowledged, more explicitly than he has before, that the union will have to give up some of its demands to reach agreements. Contracts with the three companies will all expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

“There’s a lot of back and forth in bargaining," he said, "and naturally, when you go into bargaining, you don’t always get everything you demand. Our workers have high expectations. We made a lot of sacrifices going back to the economic recession.”

In the interview, Fain did report some progress in the negotiations, saying the union will meet Thursday with GM to hear the company’s response to the UAW’s economic demands. In addition, discussions are under way with Ford on wages and benefits. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has yet to make a counteroffer on wage and benefit demands, he said.

Stellantis declined to comment Wednesday.

The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.

In his remarks to the AP, Fain argued that worker pay isn’t what has driven up vehicle prices. The average price of a new car has leaped to more than $48,000 on average, in part because of still-scarce supplies resulting from a global shortage of computer chips.

“In the last four years, the price of vehicles went up 30%," he said. “Our wages went up 6%. There were billions of dollars in shareholder dividends. So our wages aren’t the problem.”

While saying a strike by up to 146,000 members against all three major automakers is a real possibility, Fain said the union doesn't want to strike and would prefer to to reach new contracts with them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693911296614.png" alt="Auto workers marched over Labor Day weekend-photo UAW" />
 <figcaption>Auto workers marched over Labor Day weekend-photo UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn't reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.“That’s the plan,” President Shawn Fain responded when asked if the union would strike any of the companies that haven’t reached a tentative deal by the time their national contracts end.A strike against all three major automakers — General Motors, Stellantis and Ford — could cause damage not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest economy. A prolonged strike could lead eventually to higher vehicle prices.In an interview with The Associated Press, Fain left open the possibility of avoiding a strike. He acknowledged, more explicitly than he has before, that the union will have to give up some of its demands to reach agreements. Contracts with the three companies will all expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.“There’s a lot of back and forth in bargaining," he said, "and naturally, when you go into bargaining, you don’t always get everything you demand. Our workers have high expectations. We made a lot of sacrifices going back to the economic recession.”In the interview, Fain did report some progress in the negotiations, saying the union will meet Thursday with GM to hear the company’s response to the UAW’s economic demands. In addition, discussions are under way with Ford on wages and benefits. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has yet to make a counteroffer on wage and benefit demands, he said.Stellantis declined to comment Wednesday.The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.In his remarks to the AP, Fain argued that worker pay isn’t what has driven up vehicle prices. The average price of a new car has leaped to more than $48,000 on average, in part because of still-scarce supplies resulting from a global shortage of computer chips.“In the last four years, the price of vehicles went up 30%," he said. “Our wages went up 6%. There were billions of dollars in shareholder dividends. So our wages aren’t the problem.”While saying a strike by up to 146,000 members against all three major automakers is a real possibility, Fain said the union doesn't want to strike and would prefer to to reach new contracts with them.

UAW chief: Union set to strike; contracts end next week

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) — A grizzly bear that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-d1ecb3cb3539751422196fc0ce61bb27" target="_blank">fatally mauled a woman</a>&nbsp;on a forest trail west of Yellowstone National Park in July and also attacked a person in Idaho three years ago was killed after it broke into a house near West Yellowstone over the weekend, Montana wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Early Saturday, a homeowner reported that a bear with a cub had broken through a kitchen window and taken a container of dog food, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement.

Later that day agency workers captured the cub and shot the 10-year-old female grizzly with authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, because grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Through genetic analysis and other identifying factors, the bear was confirmed to have been involved in the July 22 fatal attack on Amie Adamson, 48, a former teacher from Kansas, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from West Yellowstone.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-50ad4fa33b3db1a51ac5aa1b4fd03ebc" target="_blank">Efforts to trap the bear</a>&nbsp;at that time were unsuccessful.

The bear, which had been captured in 2017 for research purposes, was also involved in an attack in Idaho that injured a person near Henrys Lake State Park in 2020. The park is 16 miles (26 kilometers) by road from West Yellowstone.

Both encounters with people were believed to have been defensive responses by the bear, officials said.

The bear’s 46-pound (21-kilogram) male cub is being held at the state wildlife rehabilitation center in Helena while arrangements are made to transfer it to a zoo.

BILLINGS, Montana (AP) — Wildlife workers put out bear traps for a third night Monday as they try to capture a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-d1ecb3cb3539751422196fc0ce61bb27">grizzly bear that killed</a>&nbsp;a woman who was traveling alone on a forest trail near Yellowstone National Park.

Amie Adamson, 48, Derby, Kansas, died in Saturday's fatal mauling near the Montana-Idaho border, the Gallatin County Coroner's Office said. The victim was a marathon runner, and officials said she was likely running or walking at the time of the attack.

Officials ruled out a rare&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-montana-wildlife-chico-a8c0b75ae1390130fce3834157ea1dc8">predatory attack</a>, which suggests Adamson instead died following a chance bear encounter as she traveled by herself in a wooded area frequented by grizzly and black bears.

She was killed a few hundred yards from a trailhead and a private campground and RV park, said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The bear was traveling with one or more cubs, and there were no indications that it tried to eat the victim.

Authorities have not decided whether they would kill the adult bear if it’s captured or whether they would relocate it, Jacobsen said.

Adamson is a former English teacher who left the classroom in 2015 to backpack across much of the U.S. and later wrote a book, “Walking Out,” about her career and experiences.

The victim's mother described her as a hiker, marathon runner and “just a beautiful free spirit." KWCH-TV in Wichita reported.

“She lived for experiences,” Janet Adamson said, adding that her daughter did not care about material possessions and died “doing what she loved."

A hiker found her body around 8 a.m. Saturday. The cause of death was excessive blood loss caused by a bear mauling, the coroner’s office said.

Adamson was wearing running shoes and did not have bear spray, a deterrent that wildlife experts recommend people carry in areas frequented by bears, Jacobsen said.

She had been working nearby and often ran or walked on the trail in the early morning, according to officials and local residents.

“This person was likely out for a morning jog along the trail, and that's when this happened,” said Jacobsen.

Tracks of a grizzly bear and at least one cub were found at the scene of the attack, which occurred near the Buttermilk Trailhead 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of West Yellowstone, a busy summer tourist town and gateway to the national park.

The trail is used by hikers, horseback riders and people in off-road vehicles.

Rangers issued an emergency closure for areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It did not include Yellowstone National Park.

Local resident Bill Youngwirth said people in the area were aware of the mauling and the forest closure, but they weren't panicked over the attack because the bear could have struck out defensively after being surprised when the victim came around a corner.

The attack happened about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from several vacation homes that Youngwirth rents adjacent to the forest.

“I tell everybody, ‘Better take bear spray and know how to use it,’" he said. “And the big thing is, don't go alone."

A trail camera captured an image of a grizzly bear with two cubs in the area on Saturday night. There have been no sightings since, Jacobsen said. Traps set for the bears on Saturday and Sunday nights came up empty, and attempts to locate the bears from an aircraft were unsuccessful.

As time goes by, he added, trapping becomes less effective as chances increase of catching a bear that wasn’t involved in the attack.

Laura Skinner, who co-owns West Yellowstone Rodeo and Creek Side Trail Rides, said the attack did not interrupt its horseback rides on private property or its nightly rodeos.

“We have bears all the time. The only precaution we’re taking is we’re checking trails. We send a rider out first to check to make sure there’s nothing there,” she said.

“I’m pretty sure with all the activity with them tracking it and trying to hunt it down, it’s probably nowhere near here,” she added.

Grizzly bear populations in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains grew significantly over the past several and the animals in recent years have been showing up in places they hadn't been seen for generations. Since 2010, grizzlies in and around Yellowstone have killed at least nine people. Attacks remain relatively rare in the region, which draws several million tourists each summer.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-news-environment-and-nature-bb6affb5e4b5e0a8ad177e334c7453a1">backcountry guide was killed near</a>&nbsp;West Yellowstone two years ago when he was mauled by a large grizzly bear that wildlife officials said was probably defending a nearby moose carcass. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-billings-bears-livingston-7da5ab6a9c2f0f0df726cba561466284">hiker was killed</a>&nbsp;north of Yellowstone park last year in a suspected grizzly encounter in a remote area of the Absaroka Mountains south of Livingston, Montana.

Encounters with humans can prove deadly for bears, too: A five-year-old female grizzly in Glacier National Park was euthanized last week after officials said it got used to eating food from campgrounds and was becoming increasingly aggressive.

Grizzlies are protected under federal law outside of Alaska. Elected officials in the Yellowstone region are pushing to lift protections and allow grizzly hunting.

State officials last week warned visitors and residents of grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, “particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.”

They implored those camping and visiting parks to carry bear spray, store their food while outside and tend to their garbage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690248696605.png" alt="Amie Adamson-photo courtesy Janet Adamson" />
 <figcaption>Amie Adamson-photo courtesy Janet Adamson</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (AP) — A grizzly bear that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-d1ecb3cb3539751422196fc0ce61bb27" target="_blank">fatally mauled a woman</a>&nbsp;on a forest trail west of Yellowstone National Park in July and also attacked a person in Idaho three years ago was killed after it broke into a house near West Yellowstone over the weekend, Montana wildlife officials said Wednesday.Early Saturday, a homeowner reported that a bear with a cub had broken through a kitchen window and taken a container of dog food, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a statement.Later that day agency workers captured the cub and shot the 10-year-old female grizzly with authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, because grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act.Through genetic analysis and other identifying factors, the bear was confirmed to have been involved in the July 22 fatal attack on Amie Adamson, 48, a former teacher from Kansas, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from West Yellowstone.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-50ad4fa33b3db1a51ac5aa1b4fd03ebc" target="_blank">Efforts to trap the bear</a>&nbsp;at that time were unsuccessful.The bear, which had been captured in 2017 for research purposes, was also involved in an attack in Idaho that injured a person near Henrys Lake State Park in 2020. The park is 16 miles (26 kilometers) by road from West Yellowstone.Both encounters with people were believed to have been defensive responses by the bear, officials said.The bear’s 46-pound (21-kilogram) male cub is being held at the state wildlife rehabilitation center in Helena while arrangements are made to transfer it to a zoo.-------------BILLINGS, Montana (AP) — Wildlife workers put out bear traps for a third night Monday as they try to capture a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone-montana-d1ecb3cb3539751422196fc0ce61bb27">grizzly bear that killed</a>&nbsp;a woman who was traveling alone on a forest trail near Yellowstone National Park.Amie Adamson, 48, Derby, Kansas, died in Saturday's fatal mauling near the Montana-Idaho border, the Gallatin County Coroner's Office said. The victim was a marathon runner, and officials said she was likely running or walking at the time of the attack.Officials ruled out a rare&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-montana-wildlife-chico-a8c0b75ae1390130fce3834157ea1dc8">predatory attack</a>, which suggests Adamson instead died following a chance bear encounter as she traveled by herself in a wooded area frequented by grizzly and black bears.She was killed a few hundred yards from a trailhead and a private campground and RV park, said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The bear was traveling with one or more cubs, and there were no indications that it tried to eat the victim.Authorities have not decided whether they would kill the adult bear if it’s captured or whether they would relocate it, Jacobsen said.Adamson is a former English teacher who left the classroom in 2015 to backpack across much of the U.S. and later wrote a book, “Walking Out,” about her career and experiences.The victim's mother described her as a hiker, marathon runner and “just a beautiful free spirit." KWCH-TV in Wichita reported.“She lived for experiences,” Janet Adamson said, adding that her daughter did not care about material possessions and died “doing what she loved."A hiker found her body around 8 a.m. Saturday. The cause of death was excessive blood loss caused by a bear mauling, the coroner’s office said.Adamson was wearing running shoes and did not have bear spray, a deterrent that wildlife experts recommend people carry in areas frequented by bears, Jacobsen said.She had been working nearby and often ran or walked on the trail in the early morning, according to officials and local residents.“This person was likely out for a morning jog along the trail, and that's when this happened,” said Jacobsen.Tracks of a grizzly bear and at least one cub were found at the scene of the attack, which occurred near the Buttermilk Trailhead 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of West Yellowstone, a busy summer tourist town and gateway to the national park.The trail is used by hikers, horseback riders and people in off-road vehicles.Rangers issued an emergency closure for areas of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It did not include Yellowstone National Park.Local resident Bill Youngwirth said people in the area were aware of the mauling and the forest closure, but they weren't panicked over the attack because the bear could have struck out defensively after being surprised when the victim came around a corner.The attack happened about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from several vacation homes that Youngwirth rents adjacent to the forest.“I tell everybody, ‘Better take bear spray and know how to use it,’" he said. “And the big thing is, don't go alone."A trail camera captured an image of a grizzly bear with two cubs in the area on Saturday night. There have been no sightings since, Jacobsen said. Traps set for the bears on Saturday and Sunday nights came up empty, and attempts to locate the bears from an aircraft were unsuccessful.As time goes by, he added, trapping becomes less effective as chances increase of catching a bear that wasn’t involved in the attack.Laura Skinner, who co-owns West Yellowstone Rodeo and Creek Side Trail Rides, said the attack did not interrupt its horseback rides on private property or its nightly rodeos.“We have bears all the time. The only precaution we’re taking is we’re checking trails. We send a rider out first to check to make sure there’s nothing there,” she said.“I’m pretty sure with all the activity with them tracking it and trying to hunt it down, it’s probably nowhere near here,” she added.Grizzly bear populations in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains grew significantly over the past several and the animals in recent years have been showing up in places they hadn't been seen for generations. Since 2010, grizzlies in and around Yellowstone have killed at least nine people. Attacks remain relatively rare in the region, which draws several million tourists each summer.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-news-environment-and-nature-bb6affb5e4b5e0a8ad177e334c7453a1">backcountry guide was killed near</a>&nbsp;West Yellowstone two years ago when he was mauled by a large grizzly bear that wildlife officials said was probably defending a nearby moose carcass. And a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-billings-bears-livingston-7da5ab6a9c2f0f0df726cba561466284">hiker was killed</a>&nbsp;north of Yellowstone park last year in a suspected grizzly encounter in a remote area of the Absaroka Mountains south of Livingston, Montana.Encounters with humans can prove deadly for bears, too: A five-year-old female grizzly in Glacier National Park was euthanized last week after officials said it got used to eating food from campgrounds and was becoming increasingly aggressive.Grizzlies are protected under federal law outside of Alaska. Elected officials in the Yellowstone region are pushing to lift protections and allow grizzly hunting.State officials last week warned visitors and residents of grizzly bear sightings throughout the state, “particularly in areas between the Northern Continental Divide and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.”They implored those camping and visiting parks to carry bear spray, store their food while outside and tend to their garbage.

Bear blamed for fatal mauling of Kan. woman killed after breaking into a house

FINNEY COUNTY—Four years after the murder of a southwest Kansas man police have made an arrest.

In September 2019, Ernie Ortiz was found shot outside of his family restaurant and later died at the hospital. It is believed Ortiz was shot during a robbery after he closed the business for the night.

On Wednesday, police arrested a woman in connection with the&nbsp;homicide.&nbsp; Samantha Jo Smith, 32, faces multiple charges for her involvement in the shooting death of Ortiz.

In September 2019, Officers of the Garden City Police Department responded to the area of Buffalo Jones Avenue and Bancroft Street for a reported person down. 

When they arrived, Officers found Ortiz lying in the parking lot of the El Conquistador Restaurant with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Ortiz was transported to St. Catherine Hospital and later died.

In June 2023, the Garden City Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery against Smith in connection with the case. 

Police in Garden City worked with U.S. Marshals to locate Smith as she had moved out of Kansas. On September 6, the U.S. Marshals located and arrested Smith in Myrtle Beach, S.C.&nbsp;

In January, Crime Stoppers in southwest Kansas offered a&nbsp;$21,500 reward for information in the&nbsp;shooting death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694046768318.png" alt="Smith-photo Horry County, South Carolina Jail" />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Horry County, South Carolina Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Four years after the murder of a southwest Kansas man police have made an arrest.In September 2019, Ernie Ortiz was found shot outside of his family restaurant and later died at the hospital. It is believed Ortiz was shot during a robbery after he closed the business for the night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673628423977.png" alt="Ernie Ortiz died during a robbery in Sept. of 2019- photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Ernie Ortiz died during a robbery in Sept. of 2019- photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday, police arrested a woman in connection with the&nbsp;homicide.&nbsp; Samantha Jo Smith, 32, faces multiple charges for her involvement in the shooting death of Ortiz.In September 2019, Officers of the Garden City Police Department responded to the area of Buffalo Jones Avenue and Bancroft Street for a reported person down. When they arrived, Officers found Ortiz lying in the parking lot of the El Conquistador Restaurant with gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Ortiz was transported to St. Catherine Hospital and later died.In June 2023, the Garden City Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery against Smith in connection with the case. Police in Garden City worked with U.S. Marshals to locate Smith as she had moved out of Kansas. On September 6, the U.S. Marshals located and arrested Smith in Myrtle Beach, S.C.&nbsp;In January, Crime Stoppers in southwest Kansas offered a&nbsp;$21,500 reward for information in the&nbsp;shooting death.

Suspect captured 4-years after murder of SW Kan. restaurant owner

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 17 people and wounding dozens, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine, including military and humanitarian aid.

Blinken’s fourth visit to the country was overshadowed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-blinken-counteroffensive-6c1545768d77d927a5cda148fc197e3c">strike in the city of Kostiantynivka</a>, near the front line in the Donetsk region, that turned the marketplace into an inferno. It was one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war. In addition to the dead, at least 32 people were wounded.

“Those who know this place are well aware that it is a civilian area,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv. “There aren’t any military units nearby. The strike was deliberate.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said such brutal Russian attacks underscore "the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine.”

Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-counteroffensive-explainer-ff774fce8608b464a406ae087b1a3607">counteroffensive</a>&nbsp;and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.

“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent,” Blinken said. “We’re also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy.”

About $175 million of the total is in the form of weaponry to be provided from Pentagon stockpiles and another $100 million is in the form of grants to allow the Ukrainians to purchase additional arms and equipment, according to the State Department.

Noting progress in the counteroffensive, Blinken said the new aid "will help sustain it and build further momentum.” He said the new military assistance would be bolstered by the arrival of U.S. Abrams tanks in the fall and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets to complement training in Europe.

In addition to the military assistance, Blinken announced nearly $805 million in non-arms-related aid for Ukraine, including $300 million for law enforcement, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $203 million to combat corruption and $90.5 million for removing mines, the State Department said.

The package also includes a previously announced $5.4 million transfer to Ukraine of frozen Russian oligarch assets.

The aid announced by Blinken comes from money previously approved by Congress. President Joe Biden has requested another $21 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine for the final months of 2023, but it’s not clear how much — if any — will be approved.

Many Republican lawmakers are wary of providing more aid, and the party’s presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, has criticized U.S. financial support. Opinion polls also have shown a decline in support for the war by the American public.

Biden and the Pentagon have said repeatedly they will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. As of Aug. 29, there was approximately $5.75 billion left in the already approved funding for weapons and equipment taken from existing Pentagon stocks.

Blinken was to discuss other issues, including support for Ukraine’s economy, building on his June announcement of $1.3 billion to help Kyiv rebuild, with a focus on modernizing its energy network, which was bombarded by Russia last winter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said U.S. assistance to Ukraine “can’t influence the course of the special military operation” — Moscow’s euphemism for the war.

Blinken arrived in Kyiv for an overnight visit hours after Russia launched a missile attack on the city.

On the train to Kyiv, Blinken met with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who was also on an official visit, and thanked her for Denmark’s leadership in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and for promising to donate the fighter jets to Ukraine, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Washington officials said there will be discussions of alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-putin-erdogan-sochi-ac41cb453a6d6c597d543873850414eb">Russia’s exit</a>&nbsp;from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-odesa-grain-port-cathedral-055bd34b40ba271e89084fda83c34fb0">frequent attacks</a>&nbsp;on port facilities in the Odesa region.

Those alternatives may include new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-global-trade-romania-blockades-020ec081ae0dd77e66874364766635d5">overland routes</a>&nbsp;or ships hugging coastlines to keep out of international waters where they could be targeted by Russia’s navy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also mentioned the potential to develop the Danube River corridor for grain exports.

After arriving in Kyiv, Blinken laid a wreath at the city’s Berkovetske cemetery to commemorate Ukrainian troops killed defending the country.

In a meeting, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine is grateful the U.S. money is coming in the form of grants, not loans that would drive it into debt.

In other developments, Russia fired cruise missiles overnight at Kyiv in its first aerial attack on the capital since Aug. 30, according to Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv’s regional military administration. Debris from a downed missile caused a fire and damage but no casualties.

One person was killed in the Odesa region in a Russian missile and drone attack on the port of Izmail that damaged grain elevators, administrative buildings and agricultural enterprises, authorities said.

The trip was Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine since the war began, including one brief excursion over the Polish-Ukrainian border in March 2022, just a month after the Russian invasion. But it will be the first time America’s top diplomat spends the night in Kyiv since January 2022, before the invasion, in what U.S. officials called another sign of American support.

Blinken’s visit comes after some of Ukraine’s allies have privately expressed concern that Ukrainian troops may fail to reach their objectives.

While the U.S. has been concerned by some day-to-day battlefield setbacks, American officials said, they are still generally encouraged by Ukraine’s handling of the military situation, particularly its air defense capabilities in knocking down Russian drones aimed at Kyiv.

Western analysts and military officials caution that the counteroffensive’s success is far from certain and that it could take years to rid Ukraine of entrenched, powerfully armed and skilled Russian troops.

Both sides will have to assess their supply shortages, with more battles of attrition likely over the winter. A long war could stretch deep into next year and beyond, according to experts.

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694033844262.png" alt="&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine- photo U.S. Dept. of State" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine- photo U.S. Dept. of State</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 17 people and wounding dozens, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine, including military and humanitarian aid.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he and U.S. officials thought Ukraine&#39;s progress in its counteroffensive against Russian forces to be &quot;very, very encouraging.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xKcZu9aiDT">https://t.co/xKcZu9aiDT</a> <a href="https://t.co/NrkgTNY99o">pic.twitter.com/NrkgTNY99o</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1699458407311306838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Blinken’s fourth visit to the country was overshadowed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-blinken-counteroffensive-6c1545768d77d927a5cda148fc197e3c">strike in the city of Kostiantynivka</a>, near the front line in the Donetsk region, that turned the marketplace into an inferno. It was one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war. In addition to the dead, at least 32 people were wounded.“Those who know this place are well aware that it is a civilian area,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv. “There aren’t any military units nearby. The strike was deliberate.”White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said such brutal Russian attacks underscore "the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine.”Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-counteroffensive-explainer-ff774fce8608b464a406ae087b1a3607">counteroffensive</a>&nbsp;and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent,” Blinken said. “We’re also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy.”About $175 million of the total is in the form of weaponry to be provided from Pentagon stockpiles and another $100 million is in the form of grants to allow the Ukrainians to purchase additional arms and equipment, according to the State Department.Noting progress in the counteroffensive, Blinken said the new aid "will help sustain it and build further momentum.” He said the new military assistance would be bolstered by the arrival of U.S. Abrams tanks in the fall and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets to complement training in Europe.In addition to the military assistance, Blinken announced nearly $805 million in non-arms-related aid for Ukraine, including $300 million for law enforcement, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $203 million to combat corruption and $90.5 million for removing mines, the State Department said.The package also includes a previously announced $5.4 million transfer to Ukraine of frozen Russian oligarch assets.The aid announced by Blinken comes from money previously approved by Congress. President Joe Biden has requested another $21 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine for the final months of 2023, but it’s not clear how much — if any — will be approved.Many Republican lawmakers are wary of providing more aid, and the party’s presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, has criticized U.S. financial support. Opinion polls also have shown a decline in support for the war by the American public.Biden and the Pentagon have said repeatedly they will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. As of Aug. 29, there was approximately $5.75 billion left in the already approved funding for weapons and equipment taken from existing Pentagon stocks.Blinken was to discuss other issues, including support for Ukraine’s economy, building on his June announcement of $1.3 billion to help Kyiv rebuild, with a focus on modernizing its energy network, which was bombarded by Russia last winter.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said U.S. assistance to Ukraine “can’t influence the course of the special military operation” — Moscow’s euphemism for the war.Blinken arrived in Kyiv for an overnight visit hours after Russia launched a missile attack on the city.On the train to Kyiv, Blinken met with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who was also on an official visit, and thanked her for Denmark’s leadership in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and for promising to donate the fighter jets to Ukraine, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.Washington officials said there will be discussions of alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-putin-erdogan-sochi-ac41cb453a6d6c597d543873850414eb">Russia’s exit</a>&nbsp;from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-odesa-grain-port-cathedral-055bd34b40ba271e89084fda83c34fb0">frequent attacks</a>&nbsp;on port facilities in the Odesa region.Those alternatives may include new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-global-trade-romania-blockades-020ec081ae0dd77e66874364766635d5">overland routes</a>&nbsp;or ships hugging coastlines to keep out of international waters where they could be targeted by Russia’s navy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also mentioned the potential to develop the Danube River corridor for grain exports.After arriving in Kyiv, Blinken laid a wreath at the city’s Berkovetske cemetery to commemorate Ukrainian troops killed defending the country.In a meeting, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine is grateful the U.S. money is coming in the form of grants, not loans that would drive it into debt.In other developments, Russia fired cruise missiles overnight at Kyiv in its first aerial attack on the capital since Aug. 30, according to Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv’s regional military administration. Debris from a downed missile caused a fire and damage but no casualties.One person was killed in the Odesa region in a Russian missile and drone attack on the port of Izmail that damaged grain elevators, administrative buildings and agricultural enterprises, authorities said.The trip was Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine since the war began, including one brief excursion over the Polish-Ukrainian border in March 2022, just a month after the Russian invasion. But it will be the first time America’s top diplomat spends the night in Kyiv since January 2022, before the invasion, in what U.S. officials called another sign of American support.Blinken’s visit comes after some of Ukraine’s allies have privately expressed concern that Ukrainian troops may fail to reach their objectives.While the U.S. has been concerned by some day-to-day battlefield setbacks, American officials said, they are still generally encouraged by Ukraine’s handling of the military situation, particularly its air defense capabilities in knocking down Russian drones aimed at Kyiv.Western analysts and military officials caution that the counteroffensive’s success is far from certain and that it could take years to rid Ukraine of entrenched, powerfully armed and skilled Russian troops.Both sides will have to assess their supply shortages, with more battles of attrition likely over the winter. A long war could stretch deep into next year and beyond, according to experts.___Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥 U.S. giving another $1 billion in new funding to Ukraine 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent knife attack.

&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. August 22, police were dispatched to a cutting at the Gabriel Tower apartment complex in the 1600 Block of Jackson in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders located a victim later identified as&nbsp;60-year-old Lambert Smalls in a parking lot with apparent bodily trauma. Smalls was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Wednesday, police reported he died.

A suspect has been taken into custody.  Circumstances leading to the assault appeared to be a disturbance between Smalls and the suspect.&nbsp;

The Medical Examiner ruled this incident a homicide. This is the 138th homicide in KCMO this year.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the suspect or possible charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694047342566.png" alt="Police found the victim in the parking lot of the Gabriel Tower apartment complex-photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police found the victim in the parking lot of the Gabriel Tower apartment complex-photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent knife attack.&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. August 22, police were dispatched to a cutting at the Gabriel Tower apartment complex in the 1600 Block of Jackson in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders located a victim later identified as&nbsp;60-year-old Lambert Smalls in a parking lot with apparent bodily trauma. Smalls was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Wednesday, police reported he died.A suspect has been taken into custody. Circumstances leading to the assault appeared to be a disturbance between Smalls and the suspect.&nbsp;The Medical Examiner ruled this incident a homicide. This is the 138th homicide in KCMO this year.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the suspect or possible charges.

Homicide: KC stabbing victim dies two weeks after attack

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on alleged child sex crimes.

On Sept. 3, police arrested 49-year-old Alejandro Beltranena. of Guatemala, is charged with aggravated criminal sodomy, kidnapping, indecent solicitation of a child, and lewd and lascivious behavior, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Since a minor was involved, police released few details on the crime or arrest. Beltranena remains jailed on a $1,500,000, according to the district attorney's office. He is scheduled back in court September 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693961857339.png" alt="Beltranena-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Beltranena-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on alleged child sex crimes.On Sept. 3, police arrested 49-year-old Alejandro Beltranena. of Guatemala, is charged with aggravated criminal sodomy, kidnapping, indecent solicitation of a child, and lewd and lascivious behavior, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Since a minor was involved, police released few details on the crime or arrest. Beltranena remains jailed on a $1,500,000, according to the district attorney's office. He is scheduled back in court September 18.

Man from Guatemala charged with sex crimes in Kansas

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged forgery.

On Monday, police arrested 21-year-old Dreyona K. Seymore of Atchison, on a District Court warrant for forgery and theft, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

These charges are the result of a police investigation focusing on a safety deposit box being fraudulently accessed at a local bank on March 3, 2023 and cash being taken. Seymore is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.&nbsp; 

In October,&nbsp; police arrested her on requested charges of possession of marijuana and speeding.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694006462736.png" alt="Seymore-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Seymore-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged forgery.On Monday, police arrested 21-year-old Dreyona K. Seymore of Atchison, on a District Court warrant for forgery and theft, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.These charges are the result of a police investigation focusing on a safety deposit box being fraudulently accessed at a local bank on March 3, 2023 and cash being taken. Seymore is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.&nbsp; In October,&nbsp; police arrested her on requested charges of possession of marijuana and speeding.&nbsp;

Kan. woman accused of theft from bank safe deposit box

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&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 4 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden administration’s new repayment program, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education.

With the pause of more than three years on federal student loan repayments coming to an end in October, and the Supreme Court’s summer decision to strike down the White House’s one-time debt relief program, the Department of Education has rolled out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs. One of those initiatives is the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan that for some borrowers could result in no monthly payments.

“Our top priority is to support borrowers as they prepare to return to repayment with the tools and resources that they need,” Jason Miller, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.

<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/08/22/heres-what-to-know-about-new-federal-policies-for-repaying-student-loans/">The new income-driven repayment plan</a>&nbsp;calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.

Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan, will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.

Democrats, such as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, are expecting legal challenges.

“While there will be those that will challenge this in court, the administration has carefully crossed the legal t’s and dotted the legal i’s,” Schumer said in a statement following the opening of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/idr/">applications</a>&nbsp;for the SAVE program on Aug. 22.

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&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 4 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden administration’s new repayment program, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, join the 4 million Americans who have already signed up for the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever created, our Administration&#39;s SAVE Plan. Don&#39;t wait – head to <a href="https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU">https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU</a>. <a href="https://t.co/dcMJ39NSy1">pic.twitter.com/dcMJ39NSy1</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1699460012161040878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>With the pause of more than three years on federal student loan repayments coming to an end in October, and the Supreme Court’s summer decision to strike down the White House’s one-time debt relief program, the Department of Education has rolled out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs. One of those initiatives is the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan that for some borrowers could result in no monthly payments.“Our top priority is to support borrowers as they prepare to return to repayment with the tools and resources that they need,” Jason Miller, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/08/22/heres-what-to-know-about-new-federal-policies-for-repaying-student-loans/">The new income-driven repayment plan</a>&nbsp;calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan, will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.Democrats, such as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, are expecting legal challenges.“While there will be those that will challenge this in court, the administration has carefully crossed the legal t’s and dotted the legal i’s,” Schumer said in a statement following the opening of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/idr/">applications</a>&nbsp;for the SAVE program on Aug. 22.So far, the states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program are Texas, with 345,800, California with 331,600, Florida with 291,100, New York with 212,800 and Pennsylvania with 170,200.There are 82,300 borrowers enrolled in Missouri.James Kvaal, the undersecretary of Education, said no borrowers will owe payments if they make $15 an hour while supporting a family, and that borrowers will not see their balances grow due to unpaid interest “as long as they keep up with their payments.”“We’re not just lowering payments for today’s borrowers, we’re helping entire families and communities, and we’re making paying for college more affordable for millions of future students,” Kvaal said.Borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans at any point will be able to enroll into the SAVE program through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/default-fresh-start">Fresh Start program</a>, which is a one-time program for those who have defaulted on federal student loan repayment.Even though the pause on federal student loans is set to end in October, borrowers will still have a year of leniency to begin repayments, but interest will accrue starting this month. The program starts Oct. 1 and will extend until Sept. 30 of next year.