SINGAPORE (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring Beijing that the United States remains committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and would prefer dialogue over conflict.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders in Singapore, Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aquilino-china-security-north-korea-bb41e692490b13cfcc0a6e28fd8f9bef">lobbied for support for Washington's vision</a>&nbsp;of a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights” as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

The U.S. has been expanding its own activities around the Indo-Pacific to counter sweeping territorial claims from China, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

“We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," he said at the forum hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. "And every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.”

Austin noted that the U.S. had provided millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the pandemic and is regularly involved in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts in the region. He said it is working to combat climate change, illegal fishing and ensure that supply chains do not suffer disruptions — ticking off many issues of importance to Asian-Pacific nations.

“We're doubling down on our alliances and partnerships,” he said.

He said the U.S. is also committed to deterring North Korea's missile threat and China's claims on Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that Beijing says is its territory, and said Washington has been stepping up defense planning, coordination and training with partner nations in the region.

“To be clear, we do not seek conflict or confrontation,” he said. “But we will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion.”

Underscoring Austin's words, a U.S. guided-missile destroyer and a Canadian frigate sailed Saturday through the Taiwan Strait, “waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” the U.S. 7th Fleet said. There was no immediate word of a Chinese response.

In Singapore, Chinese Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng, a senior member of the delegation accompanying Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, accused Austin of “overtly or covertly making false accusations against China” in his address.

Speaking with reporters after Austin spoke, Jing alleged the U.S. has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-blinken-papua-biden-debt-limit-solomon-6bcfcfc6ea5c6bd179c072295c87b145">“deceiving and exploiting” Asia-Pacific nations</a>&nbsp;to advance its own self-interests to preserve “its dominant position" in the region.

He suggested that Washington has been holding on to alliances that are “remnants of the Cold War” and establishing new pacts, like the AUKUS agreement with Britain and Australia and the “Quad” grouping with Australia, India and Japan “to divide the world into ideologically-driven camps and provoke confrontation.”

Jing, who took no questions, said that by contrast, “China is committed to the region's development and prosperity.”

Austin sought to assure China that the U.S. remained “deeply committed” to the longstanding one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations with Taiwan, and continues to “categorically oppose unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.”

He added that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had served to underline how dangerous the world would be if big countries were able to "just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity.”

“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable,” Austin said. “Deterrence is strong today — and it’s our job to keep it that way. The whole world has a stake in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

But Jing accused the U.S. of hollowing out the one-China policy, accusing Washington of supporting Taiwanese separatists without citing any evidence, and reiterating Beijing's claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's sovereign territory.”

“There's no room for us to concede or compromise,” he said.

He added that “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the adjacent waters.”

Li, who became China’s defense minister in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-military-taiwan-balloon-singapore-e78f67d3d590294a2e4a351e6430e6ec">declined Austin’s invitation to talk</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of the conference, though the two did shake hands before sitting down at opposite sides of the same table together as the forum opened Friday.

“A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement,” he said.

Li, who was named defense minister in March, is under American sanctions that are part of a broad package of measures against Russia — but predate its invasion of Ukraine — that were imposed in 2018 over Li’s involvement in China’s purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

The sanctions, which broadly prevent Li from doing business in the United States, do not prevent him from holding official talks, American defense officials have said.

It was not clear whether Li, who is to address the forum Sunday morning, was in the room while Austin talked. He did join the American defense secretary and others later for a ministerial roundtable.

Austin reiterated calls that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made in his opening address at the forum for China to engage in regular, direct communications to help prevent any possible conflict.

“For responsible defense leaders, the right time to talk is anytime,” Austin said. “The right time to talk is every time. And the right time to talk is now.”

Jing said, however, that lines of communication needed to be based upon “mutual respect.”

“But the U.S. has been calling for communications on one hand and undermining China’s interests and concerns on the other,” he said.

The U.S. has noted that since 2021 — well before Li became defense minister — China has declined or failed to respond to more than a dozen requests from the U.S. Defense Department to talk with senior leaders, as well as multiple requests for standing dialogues and working-level engagements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685562587349.png" alt="From a video of the Chinese J-16 fighter pilot that "flew directly in front of the nose of a U.S. RC-135,&nbsp;forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake. Image INDOPACOM" />
 <figcaption>From a video of the Chinese J-16 fighter pilot that "flew directly in front of the nose of a U.S. RC-135,&nbsp;forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake. Image INDOPACOM</figcaption>
 </figure>SINGAPORE (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring Beijing that the United States remains committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and would prefer dialogue over conflict.Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders in Singapore, Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aquilino-china-security-north-korea-bb41e692490b13cfcc0a6e28fd8f9bef">lobbied for support for Washington's vision</a>&nbsp;of a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights” as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.The U.S. has been expanding its own activities around the Indo-Pacific to counter sweeping territorial claims from China, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.“We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," he said at the forum hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. "And every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.”Austin noted that the U.S. had provided millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the pandemic and is regularly involved in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts in the region. He said it is working to combat climate change, illegal fishing and ensure that supply chains do not suffer disruptions — ticking off many issues of importance to Asian-Pacific nations.“We're doubling down on our alliances and partnerships,” he said.He said the U.S. is also committed to deterring North Korea's missile threat and China's claims on Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that Beijing says is its territory, and said Washington has been stepping up defense planning, coordination and training with partner nations in the region.“To be clear, we do not seek conflict or confrontation,” he said. “But we will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion.”Underscoring Austin's words, a U.S. guided-missile destroyer and a Canadian frigate sailed Saturday through the Taiwan Strait, “waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” the U.S. 7th Fleet said. There was no immediate word of a Chinese response.In Singapore, Chinese Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng, a senior member of the delegation accompanying Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, accused Austin of “overtly or covertly making false accusations against China” in his address.Speaking with reporters after Austin spoke, Jing alleged the U.S. has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-blinken-papua-biden-debt-limit-solomon-6bcfcfc6ea5c6bd179c072295c87b145">“deceiving and exploiting” Asia-Pacific nations</a>&nbsp;to advance its own self-interests to preserve “its dominant position" in the region.He suggested that Washington has been holding on to alliances that are “remnants of the Cold War” and establishing new pacts, like the AUKUS agreement with Britain and Australia and the “Quad” grouping with Australia, India and Japan “to divide the world into ideologically-driven camps and provoke confrontation.”Jing, who took no questions, said that by contrast, “China is committed to the region's development and prosperity.”Austin sought to assure China that the U.S. remained “deeply committed” to the longstanding one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations with Taiwan, and continues to “categorically oppose unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.”He added that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had served to underline how dangerous the world would be if big countries were able to "just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity.”“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable,” Austin said. “Deterrence is strong today — and it’s our job to keep it that way. The whole world has a stake in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”But Jing accused the U.S. of hollowing out the one-China policy, accusing Washington of supporting Taiwanese separatists without citing any evidence, and reiterating Beijing's claim that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's sovereign territory.”“There's no room for us to concede or compromise,” he said.He added that “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the adjacent waters.”Li, who became China’s defense minister in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-military-taiwan-balloon-singapore-e78f67d3d590294a2e4a351e6430e6ec">declined Austin’s invitation to talk</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of the conference, though the two did shake hands before sitting down at opposite sides of the same table together as the forum opened Friday.Austin said this was not enough.“A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement,” he said.Li, who was named defense minister in March, is under American sanctions that are part of a broad package of measures against Russia — but predate its invasion of Ukraine — that were imposed in 2018 over Li’s involvement in China’s purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.The sanctions, which broadly prevent Li from doing business in the United States, do not prevent him from holding official talks, American defense officials have said.It was not clear whether Li, who is to address the forum Sunday morning, was in the room while Austin talked. He did join the American defense secretary and others later for a ministerial roundtable.Austin reiterated calls that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made in his opening address at the forum for China to engage in regular, direct communications to help prevent any possible conflict.“For responsible defense leaders, the right time to talk is anytime,” Austin said. “The right time to talk is every time. And the right time to talk is now.”Jing said, however, that lines of communication needed to be based upon “mutual respect.”“But the U.S. has been calling for communications on one hand and undermining China’s interests and concerns on the other,” he said.The U.S. has noted that since 2021 — well before Li became defense minister — China has declined or failed to respond to more than a dozen requests from the U.S. Defense Department to talk with senior leaders, as well as multiple requests for standing dialogues and working-level engagements.

Defense secretary: U.S. won't stand for bullying from China

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for the fatal shooting&nbsp; in the parking lot of a Kansas City apartment complex, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Mikell R. Grigsby, 23, faces Voluntary Manslaugther and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, on May 20, Kansas City police responded to an outside disturbance with persons fighting in the area of the 8600 block of Drury Avenue. 

A calling party reported gunfire and hearing a man say, "I'm going to shoot." Witnesses confirmed two women were fighting. Knives were involved. And the victim was armed with a firearm, as well as Grigsby. Video surveillance showed that when the victim panned his weapon toward one of the woman and appeared to lower the weapon, Grigsby fired and hit the victim.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685542166314.png" alt="Grigsby-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Grigsby-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for the fatal shooting&nbsp; in the parking lot of a Kansas City apartment complex, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Mikell R. Grigsby, 23, faces Voluntary Manslaugther and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, on May 20, Kansas City police responded to an outside disturbance with persons fighting in the area of the 8600 block of Drury Avenue. A calling party reported gunfire and hearing a man say, "I'm going to shoot." Witnesses confirmed two women were fighting. Knives were involved. And the victim was armed with a firearm, as well as Grigsby. Video surveillance showed that when the victim panned his weapon toward one of the woman and appeared to lower the weapon, Grigsby fired and hit the victim.&nbsp;

Kansas City man accused of deadly shooting amid knife fight

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas woman has been charged with multiple felony counts in connection with a recent shooting at a hotel in Blue Springs, Missouri, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Samantha J. Thrasher, 24, faces two counts of Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Blue Springs police officers were dispatched&nbsp; on May 20, to a hotel in the 700 block of NW South Outer Road in Blue Springs after a caller said a shot had been fired inside the hotel. 

Officers located two victims, one an adult who had been shot multiple times and the other, a juvenile, was wounded in the elbow. Video surveillance showed the defendant taking a gun from a vehicle. She went into the hotel lobby, where she earlier was involved in an altercation, and fired multiple shots, striking both victims.

The Blue Springs Police Department has an active arrest warrant&nbsp; Thrasher's arrest. She is considered armed and very dangerous, so do not attempt to apprehend but call 911 if you see her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685702150583.png" alt="Thrasher-photo Blue Springs Police" />
 <figcaption>Thrasher-photo Blue Springs Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas woman has been charged with multiple felony counts in connection with a recent shooting at a hotel in Blue Springs, Missouri, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Samantha J. Thrasher, 24, faces two counts of Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685702173582.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Blue Springs police officers were dispatched&nbsp; on May 20, to a hotel in the 700 block of NW South Outer Road in Blue Springs after a caller said a shot had been fired inside the hotel. Officers located two victims, one an adult who had been shot multiple times and the other, a juvenile, was wounded in the elbow. Video surveillance showed the defendant taking a gun from a vehicle. She went into the hotel lobby, where she earlier was involved in an altercation, and fired multiple shots, striking both victims.The Blue Springs Police Department has an active arrest warrant&nbsp; Thrasher's arrest. She is considered armed and very dangerous, so do not attempt to apprehend but call 911 if you see her.

Kansas woman charged in shooting child, man at hotel

Missouri Family Health Council will distribute over 5,500 kits containing emergency contraception pills in a pilot program launching Thursday

By CLARA BATES <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Anyone with a Missouri address can now request emergency contraception pills be shipped to them by mail, for free,&nbsp;under a pilot program launched Thursday by a health care nonprofit.

Missouri Family Health Council Inc. launched the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://mfhc.org/EC">“Free EC” initiative</a>&nbsp;using federal Title X funds for family planning programs. Missourians can request the pills through an online form on the nonprofit’s website or pick them up at designated in-person centers.

Also known as the morning-after pill, or by the brand name Plan B, the emergency contraception pill is an over-the-counter form of birth control that can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy.&nbsp;

The goal of the initiative, Executive Director Michelle Trupiano said, is to reduce geographic and financial barriers Missourians face in accessing emergency contraception pills.

“Really since the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;ruling last summer,” Trupiano said in an interview with The Independent, “we realized that it was more important to combat misinformation and stigma about and to improve access to emergency contraception.”

Since last summer, abortion has been outlawed in Missouri except in cases of medical emergency.&nbsp;

Emergency contraception pills have remained legal, but&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/29/missouri-ag-says-state-abortion-ban-does-not-prohibit-plan-b-or-contraception/">confusion</a>&nbsp;and misinformation around that fact in Missouri and nationally has mounted.&nbsp;

A poll conducted by the health policy research nonprofit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/press-release/the-public-including-women-of-childbearing-age-are-largely-confused-about-the-legality-of-medication-abortion-and-emergency-contraceptives-in-their-states/">KFF</a>&nbsp;this year found that one-third of American adults said they are “unsure” if emergency contraception is legal in their state, though it is legal in all 50 states. Confusion about its legality is more pronounced in states where abortion is banned, the poll found.

The emergency contraception pill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/plan-b-one-step-15-mg-levonorgestrel-information#:~:text=One%2DStep%20work%3F-,A.,similar%20way%20to%20prevent%20pregnancy.">works</a>&nbsp;similarly to birth control pills, generally to prevent ovulation, but most adults incorrectly believe it can end early pregnancy, KFF found.

“We definitely hope that as more people become aware of this [initiative], that it will combat the misinformation that maybe emergency contraception is illegal,” Trupiano said.&nbsp;

“And so that more people will feel more confidence that they understand the difference between emergency contraception and medication abortion, and that they are able to talk about it and feel confident in terms of the legality of all methods of birth control.”

The nonprofit created more than 5,500 kits, Trupiano said, each of which includes two doses of the emergency contraception pill, along with safer sex supplies like condoms and family planning information.

“While we partly did this as a response to the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, we also know that it’s not a solution to the abortion access crisis,” Trupiano said. “It’s just one way to try to ensure that as many people have access to preventive care as possible.”

Missourians can request one of the kits by submitting a form on the nonprofit’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://mfhc.org/EC">website</a>, or going to one of the in-person distribution centers partnering with the nonprofit, which include health centers and private community partners such as domestic violence organizations.

Trupiano hopes that down the line, Missouri Family Health Council can “secure additional funding, continue this in a sustainable way,” she said, “because we know the need is great.”

The Missouri Family Health Council is the state’s sole grantee of federal family planning funding through Title X. The state has tried, in recent years,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/17/missouri-state-health-agency-seeks-control-of-title-x-funds-that-go-to-planned-parenthood/">to oversee the funds themselves,</a>&nbsp;raising advocates’ concerns the state would limit which providers could receive the federal planning dollars. But so far, that attempt to control the funds has been unsuccessful.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685626036011.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missouri Family Health Council will distribute over 5,500 kits containing emergency contraception pills in a pilot program launching Thursday</h2>By CLARA BATES <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Anyone with a Missouri address can now request emergency contraception pills be shipped to them by mail, for free,&nbsp;under a pilot program launched Thursday by a health care nonprofit.Missouri Family Health Council Inc. launched the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://mfhc.org/EC">“Free EC” initiative</a>&nbsp;using federal Title X funds for family planning programs. Missourians can request the pills through an online form on the nonprofit’s website or pick them up at designated in-person centers.Also known as the morning-after pill, or by the brand name Plan B, the emergency contraception pill is an over-the-counter form of birth control that can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy.&nbsp;The goal of the initiative, Executive Director Michelle Trupiano said, is to reduce geographic and financial barriers Missourians face in accessing emergency contraception pills.“Really since the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;ruling last summer,” Trupiano said in an interview with The Independent, “we realized that it was more important to combat misinformation and stigma about and to improve access to emergency contraception.”Since last summer, abortion has been outlawed in Missouri except in cases of medical emergency.&nbsp;Emergency contraception pills have remained legal, but&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/29/missouri-ag-says-state-abortion-ban-does-not-prohibit-plan-b-or-contraception/">confusion</a>&nbsp;and misinformation around that fact in Missouri and nationally has mounted.&nbsp;A poll conducted by the health policy research nonprofit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/press-release/the-public-including-women-of-childbearing-age-are-largely-confused-about-the-legality-of-medication-abortion-and-emergency-contraceptives-in-their-states/">KFF</a>&nbsp;this year found that one-third of American adults said they are “unsure” if emergency contraception is legal in their state, though it is legal in all 50 states. Confusion about its legality is more pronounced in states where abortion is banned, the poll found.The emergency contraception pill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/plan-b-one-step-15-mg-levonorgestrel-information#:~:text=One%2DStep%20work%3F-,A.,similar%20way%20to%20prevent%20pregnancy.">works</a>&nbsp;similarly to birth control pills, generally to prevent ovulation, but most adults incorrectly believe it can end early pregnancy, KFF found.“We definitely hope that as more people become aware of this [initiative], that it will combat the misinformation that maybe emergency contraception is illegal,” Trupiano said.&nbsp;“And so that more people will feel more confidence that they understand the difference between emergency contraception and medication abortion, and that they are able to talk about it and feel confident in terms of the legality of all methods of birth control.”The nonprofit created more than 5,500 kits, Trupiano said, each of which includes two doses of the emergency contraception pill, along with safer sex supplies like condoms and family planning information.“While we partly did this as a response to the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, we also know that it’s not a solution to the abortion access crisis,” Trupiano said. “It’s just one way to try to ensure that as many people have access to preventive care as possible.”Missourians can request one of the kits by submitting a form on the nonprofit’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://mfhc.org/EC">website</a>, or going to one of the in-person distribution centers partnering with the nonprofit, which include health centers and private community partners such as domestic violence organizations.Trupiano hopes that down the line, Missouri Family Health Council can “secure additional funding, continue this in a sustainable way,” she said, “because we know the need is great.”The Missouri Family Health Council is the state’s sole grantee of federal family planning funding through Title X. The state has tried, in recent years,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/17/missouri-state-health-agency-seeks-control-of-title-x-funds-that-go-to-planned-parenthood/">to oversee the funds themselves,</a>&nbsp;raising advocates’ concerns the state would limit which providers could receive the federal planning dollars. But so far, that attempt to control the funds has been unsuccessful.

Nonprofit launches initiative to provide free emergency contraception by mail

RUSSELL COUNTY —A firefighter was injured&nbsp; while on the scene of a fire in Russell.

Just after 9 p.m. Friday, the City of Russell Fire Department was paged to a structure fire at 1706 N. Main Street, according to a media release. Shortly after the first units arrived on the scene, a police officer reported an explosion and a firefighter injured.

Russell County EMS transported Fire Chief Dylan Riedel to Russell Regional Hospital. 

EagleMed then transported him to a burn unit at Via Christi in Wichita. Fire crews contained the fire to the garage. The Kansas State Fire Marshall was contacted to assist in the investigation. The origin of the fire is still under investigation.

RUSSELL COUNTY —A firefighter was injured&nbsp; while on the scene of a fire in Russell.Just after 9 p.m. Friday, the City of Russell Fire Department was paged to a structure fire at 1706 N. Main Street, according to a media release. Shortly after the first units arrived on the scene, a police officer reported an explosion and a firefighter injured.Russell County EMS transported Fire Chief Dylan Riedel to Russell Regional Hospital. EagleMed then transported him to a burn unit at Via Christi in Wichita. Fire crews contained the fire to the garage. The Kansas State Fire Marshall was contacted to assist in the investigation. The origin of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire Chief injured in explosion while fighting Kansas fire

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a Black Kansas City teenager who was shot by a white man after he mistakenly knocked on the man's door are frustrated with the prosecutor's handling of the case, attorneys for the family said Thursday.

The complaints came after a preliminary hearing for 84-year-old Andrew Lester was set for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and just days after a Clay County judge approved a request by Lester's attorney to seal documents in the case.

Lester has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, who knocked on Lester’s door on April 13 while trying to pick up his young brothers, who were at a home a block away.

Civil rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Lee Merritt said in a Zoom news conference that they had previously asked Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson to step aside and let Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker be named as a special prosecutor in the case but that Thompson “adamantly” refused.

The family is upset that Thompson did not more aggressively challenge the motion to seal court records and that the preliminary hearing was delayed for 90 days, which Thompson did not object to in court.

“We continue to encourage the prosecutor to zealously prosecute this case as he would had the dynamics been different,” Crump said. “We don’t want any different form of justice or policy because we have a young teenage Black kid shot by an older white man.”

Thompson's office said in a statement that the focus of his office “remains squarely on following the law and achieving justice.”

The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Lester received preferential treatment from investigators after he shot Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice for Yarl.

Lester admitted that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was “scared to death” he was about to be robbed by the Black person standing at his door. He remains free after posting $20,000 — 10% of his $200,000 bond.

The teen’s father, Paul Yarl, said after Thursday’s hearing that he hopes Lester eventually serves jail time.

“The shooter was going to kill Ralph,” Paul Yarl said. “It’s obvious, right? He shot him twice. His intent was to finish him off. So yeah, we need justice for that.”

Ralph Yarl, who has celebrated his 17th birthday since the shooting, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and wrist and continues to recover at home. His mother, Cleo Nagbe, said he is trying to get back some normalcy in his life.

“The longer we stretch this out, the longer it takes him to get that little bit of normalcy he needs to spend his teenage years just doing teenager stuff ... Ralph needs to be the teenager that he needs to be that Lester is stealing away from him," Nagbe said.

Merritt said the appropriate circumstances to seal court documents have not been met and sealing them benefits Lester at the expense of Yarl and his family.

“The state's failure, Mr. Thompson's failure to make the appropriate objections to the seal is costing this family peace of mind," Merritt said. “It's costing them access to equal justice under the law.”

On Tuesday, Clay County Judge Louis Angles granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yarl-shooting-court-motion-seal-case-4198795a6a1e67d38f5cd49200ab8a15">a request from Lester's attorney</a>&nbsp;to seal the court documents, saying the publicity led to threats against Lester, who his attorney says has been forced to move three times. He also said the publicity has made it more difficult for the case to be heard before a fair and impartial jury.

“The overwhelming majority of the reporting continues to assert that the alleged actions of (Lester) were racially motivated, which if believed, virtually eliminates the defense available to (Lester) related to the reasonableness of his actions,” Angles wrote in the ruling.

The judge noted in his order that Lester's personal cell phone number was posted on a public platform after the shooting, leading to several text messages calling him a “murderer” who “should burn in hell.” Others threatened to shoot up Lester's home, which has been vandalized since the shooting.

In his reply to the motion, Thompson argued that legal precedents largely favored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yarl-motion-court-records-sealed-0bb0bab807449b383d243f450624b89a">keeping court documents open</a>&nbsp;to the public, but he did not directly oppose sealing the records.

Nagbe and Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said the family was upset that some of the arguments for sealing court records focused on Lester’s suffering health problems and being harassed since the shooting with little discussion about the continuing problems Ralph is facing.

They said Ralph, who will be a senior in high school in the fall, has restrictions on playing with friends and playing his band instruments, while also suffering from the emotional trauma of the shooting.

“That is what we need to talk about, that is what the judge needs to understand,” Spoonmore said. “That Lester is suffering the consequences of his actions, but Ralph is suffering the consequences of being Black in America. That is what the judge needs to hear.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Ralph Yarl-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ralph Yarl-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a Black Kansas City teenager who was shot by a white man after he mistakenly knocked on the man's door are frustrated with the prosecutor's handling of the case, attorneys for the family said Thursday.The complaints came after a preliminary hearing for 84-year-old Andrew Lester was set for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and just days after a Clay County judge approved a request by Lester's attorney to seal documents in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681844207619.png" alt="Lester-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Lester-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Lester has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, who knocked on Lester’s door on April 13 while trying to pick up his young brothers, who were at a home a block away.Civil rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Lee Merritt said in a Zoom news conference that they had previously asked Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson to step aside and let Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker be named as a special prosecutor in the case but that Thompson “adamantly” refused.The family is upset that Thompson did not more aggressively challenge the motion to seal court records and that the preliminary hearing was delayed for 90 days, which Thompson did not object to in court.“We continue to encourage the prosecutor to zealously prosecute this case as he would had the dynamics been different,” Crump said. “We don’t want any different form of justice or policy because we have a young teenage Black kid shot by an older white man.”Thompson's office said in a statement that the focus of his office “remains squarely on following the law and achieving justice.”The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Lester received preferential treatment from investigators after he shot Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice for Yarl.Lester admitted that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was “scared to death” he was about to be robbed by the Black person standing at his door. He remains free after posting $20,000 — 10% of his $200,000 bond.The teen’s father, Paul Yarl, said after Thursday’s hearing that he hopes Lester eventually serves jail time.“The shooter was going to kill Ralph,” Paul Yarl said. “It’s obvious, right? He shot him twice. His intent was to finish him off. So yeah, we need justice for that.”Ralph Yarl, who has celebrated his 17th birthday since the shooting, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and wrist and continues to recover at home. His mother, Cleo Nagbe, said he is trying to get back some normalcy in his life.“The longer we stretch this out, the longer it takes him to get that little bit of normalcy he needs to spend his teenage years just doing teenager stuff ... Ralph needs to be the teenager that he needs to be that Lester is stealing away from him," Nagbe said.Merritt said the appropriate circumstances to seal court documents have not been met and sealing them benefits Lester at the expense of Yarl and his family.“The state's failure, Mr. Thompson's failure to make the appropriate objections to the seal is costing this family peace of mind," Merritt said. “It's costing them access to equal justice under the law.”On Tuesday, Clay County Judge Louis Angles granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yarl-shooting-court-motion-seal-case-4198795a6a1e67d38f5cd49200ab8a15">a request from Lester's attorney</a>&nbsp;to seal the court documents, saying the publicity led to threats against Lester, who his attorney says has been forced to move three times. He also said the publicity has made it more difficult for the case to be heard before a fair and impartial jury.“The overwhelming majority of the reporting continues to assert that the alleged actions of (Lester) were racially motivated, which if believed, virtually eliminates the defense available to (Lester) related to the reasonableness of his actions,” Angles wrote in the ruling.The judge noted in his order that Lester's personal cell phone number was posted on a public platform after the shooting, leading to several text messages calling him a “murderer” who “should burn in hell.” Others threatened to shoot up Lester's home, which has been vandalized since the shooting.In his reply to the motion, Thompson argued that legal precedents largely favored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yarl-motion-court-records-sealed-0bb0bab807449b383d243f450624b89a">keeping court documents open</a>&nbsp;to the public, but he did not directly oppose sealing the records.Nagbe and Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said the family was upset that some of the arguments for sealing court records focused on Lester’s suffering health problems and being harassed since the shooting with little discussion about the continuing problems Ralph is facing.They said Ralph, who will be a senior in high school in the fall, has restrictions on playing with friends and playing his band instruments, while also suffering from the emotional trauma of the shooting.“That is what we need to talk about, that is what the judge needs to understand,” Spoonmore said. “That Lester is suffering the consequences of his actions, but Ralph is suffering the consequences of being Black in America. That is what the judge needs to hear.”

Family, attorneys criticize prosecutor's handling of KC teen shooting case

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced this week that total tax collections for May 2023 were $857.3 million. That is $38.8 million, or 4.7%, above the estimate, according to a statement from the governor's office. However, total tax collections are down 5.8% from May 2022. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDIzLzA2LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjUxNDYwNS9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjNfMDYtMDEtMjAyM19GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjAxLjc3NjAyODIxIn0.QLzgygAYb43ZZGbtkiFpVHw_pt2LfxIaDrsHd23K6H4/s/1303160919/br/204093450411-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2023 revenue numbers.

“Thanks to our work to recruit businesses, create jobs, and grow the economy, Kansas is now in strong position to weather any future storms, to continue to invest in public education, and to fix roads and bridges across the state,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly. “We're also in a position to pass responsible, affordable tax cuts, which is what legislators must do when they return next session.”

Individual income tax collections were $440.1 million. That is $12.9 million, or 2.9% below the estimate, and down 15.1% from May 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $91.2 million, or 140.0% higher than the estimate and up 77.4% from May 2022. The drastic increase in corporate income tax collections can be partly attributed to the continued impact of the SALT Parity Act.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $289.6 million which is $9.4 million, or 3.1% below the estimate and down $16.0 million, or 5.2%, from May 2022.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced this week that total tax collections for May 2023 were $857.3 million. That is $38.8 million, or 4.7%, above the estimate, according to a statement from the governor's office. However, total tax collections are down 5.8% from May 2022. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDIzLzA2LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjUxNDYwNS9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjNfMDYtMDEtMjAyM19GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjAxLjc3NjAyODIxIn0.QLzgygAYb43ZZGbtkiFpVHw_pt2LfxIaDrsHd23K6H4/s/1303160919/br/204093450411-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2023 revenue numbers.“Thanks to our work to recruit businesses, create jobs, and grow the economy, Kansas is now in strong position to weather any future storms, to continue to invest in public education, and to fix roads and bridges across the state,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly. “We're also in a position to pass responsible, affordable tax cuts, which is what legislators must do when they return next session.”Individual income tax collections were $440.1 million. That is $12.9 million, or 2.9% below the estimate, and down 15.1% from May 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $91.2 million, or 140.0% higher than the estimate and up 77.4% from May 2022. The drastic increase in corporate income tax collections can be partly attributed to the continued impact of the SALT Parity Act.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $289.6 million which is $9.4 million, or 3.1% below the estimate and down $16.0 million, or 5.2%, from May 2022.&nbsp;

Kansas total tax collections down 5.8% from May 2022

DOUGLAS COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are asking for the public's help identifying a victim in an overnight homicide in Lawrence.&nbsp; Police have no suspect in custody and are working to identity the victim.

Just after 1a.m. Saturday, several calls came into police dispatch reporting the sound of gunshots in the area of 24th&nbsp;and Cedarwood in Lawrence, according to Police Spokesperson Laurie McCabe. Officers arrived on scene and began speaking to witnesses but found no victim.&nbsp;

Officers also proactively dispatched to the hospital and witnessed a car speeding into the Emergency Department entrance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers pulled a male victim from the back seat, who was later pronounced deceased by hospital personnel.&nbsp; The man is a white male, probably in his 20’s, with light brown hair.&nbsp;

Investigators have been working to get more information from the three men who were in the car with the victim, who say they don’t know his identity.&nbsp; Police also canvassed the area where the crime occurred and have spoken to dozens of residents.&nbsp;

Anyone with information is asked please call police or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 785.843.TIPS.

DOUGLAS COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are asking for the public's help identifying a victim in an overnight homicide in Lawrence.&nbsp; Police have no suspect in custody and are working to identity the victim.Just after 1a.m. Saturday, several calls came into police dispatch reporting the sound of gunshots in the area of 24th&nbsp;and Cedarwood in Lawrence, according to Police Spokesperson Laurie McCabe. Officers arrived on scene and began speaking to witnesses but found no victim.&nbsp;Officers also proactively dispatched to the hospital and witnessed a car speeding into the Emergency Department entrance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers pulled a male victim from the back seat, who was later pronounced deceased by hospital personnel.&nbsp; The man is a white male, probably in his 20’s, with light brown hair.&nbsp;Investigators have been working to get more information from the three men who were in the car with the victim, who say they don’t know his identity.&nbsp; Police also canvassed the area where the crime occurred and have spoken to dozens of residents.&nbsp;Anyone with information is asked please call police or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 785.843.TIPS.

Police ask for help to ID victim in Kansas homicide investigation

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 17-year-old from Andover.

Just after 3a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a Wichita hospital for a walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his upper chest, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo. 

The 17-year-old victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition.

The investigation revealed the incident took place in the parking of the 900 block of West Central Avenue in Wichita. Officers learned that before the incident, the 17-year-old victim had a brief verbal interaction, with an unknown man, and as the unknown man was leaving the scene in a vehicle with others, shots were fired striking the victim once. At the time of the incident, the parking lot was occupied by several juveniles.

Officers used Flock and developed a suspect vehicle and tag. A follow-up is in progress regarding that vehicle. The investigators are still working to fully determine what led up to the shooting.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 17-year-old from Andover.Just after 3a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a Wichita hospital for a walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his upper chest, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo. The 17-year-old victim had serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He underwent surgery and was reported in stable condition.The investigation revealed the incident took place in the parking of the 900 block of West Central Avenue in Wichita. Officers learned that before the incident, the 17-year-old victim had a brief verbal interaction, with an unknown man, and as the unknown man was leaving the scene in a vehicle with others, shots were fired striking the victim once. At the time of the incident, the parking lot was occupied by several juveniles.Officers used Flock and developed a suspect vehicle and tag. A follow-up is in progress regarding that vehicle. The investigators are still working to fully determine what led up to the shooting.&nbsp;

Shots fired from vehicle seriously injured Kansas teen

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden celebrated a “crisis averted" in his first speech to the nation from the Oval Office Friday evening, ready to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/national-debt">sign a budget agreement</a>&nbsp;that eliminates the potential for an unprecedented government default that he said would have been catastrophic for the U.S. and global economies.

The bipartisan measure was approved by the Senate late Thursday night after passing the House in yet another late session the night before. Biden is set to sign it at the White House on Saturday with just two days to spare until the Treasury Department has warned the U.S. wouldn't be able to meet its obligations.

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the bill

“Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher," Biden said. “Nothing would have been more catastrophic,” he said, than defaulting on the country's debt.

The agreement was hashed out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-kevin-mccarthy-debt-limit-aee6d1dd48f53bedadfe1212e231f48f">by Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy</a>, giving Republicans some of their demanded federal spending cuts but holding the line on major Democratic priorities. It raises the debt limit until 2025 — after the 2024 presidential election — and gives legislators budget targets for the next two years, in hopes of assuring fiscal stability as the political season heats up.

“No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed,” Biden said, highlighting the “compromise and consensus” in the deal. “We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse.”

Biden used the opportunity to itemize the achievements of his first term as he runs for reelection, including support for high-tech manufacturing, infrastructure investments and financial incentives for fighting climate change — while at the same time highlighting how he forestalled steeper spending cuts pushed by the GOP that he said would have rolled back his agenda.

“We’re cutting spending and bringing deficits down at the same time,” Biden said. “We're protecting important priorities from Social Security to Medicare to Medicaid to veterans to our transformational investments in infrastructure and clean energy.”

Even as he pledged to continue working with Republicans, Biden also drew contrasts with the opposing party, particularly when it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy, something the Democratic president has sought.

It’s something he suggested may need to wait until a second term.

“I’m going to be coming back,” he said. “With your help, I’m going to win.”

Biden's remarks were the most detailed comments from the Democratic president on the compromise he and his staff negotiated. He largely remained quiet publicly during the high-stakes talks, a decision that frustrated some members of his party but was intended to give space for both sides to reach a deal and for lawmakers to vote it to his desk.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden was using the occasion to deliver his first address to the nation from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office because “he just wanted to make sure that the American people understood how important it was to get this done, how important it was to do this in a bipartisan way.”

Biden praised McCarthy and his negotiators for operating in good faith, and all congressional leaders for ensuring swift passage of the legislation. “They acted responsibly, and put the good of the country ahead of politics,” he said.

And he made a renewed pitch for his governing style, which he described as less shouting and lower temperatures after four years of President Donald Trump.

“I know bipartisanship is hard,” he said. “And unity is hard. But we can never stop trying.”

Overall, the 99-page bill restricts spending for the next two years and changes some policies, including imposing new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and greenlighting an Appalachian natural gas pipeline that many Democrats oppose. Some environmental rules were modified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-permitting-climate-energy-pipeline-b9cc880fbce3ad4f140d6ab71ac9ef0f">to help streamline approvals</a>&nbsp;for infrastructure and energy projects — a move long sought by moderates in Congress.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates it could actually expand total eligibility for federal food assistance, with the elimination of work requirements for veterans, homeless people and young people leaving foster care.

The legislation also bolsters funds for defense and veterans, cuts back some new money for Internal Revenue Service and rejects Biden’s call to roll back Trump-era tax breaks on corporations and the wealthy to help cover the nation’s deficits. But the White House said the IRS' plans to step up enforcement of tax laws for high-income earners and corporations would continue.

The agreement also imposes an automatic overall 1% cut to spending programs if Congress fails approve its annual spending bills — a measure designed to pressure lawmakers of both parties to reach consensus before the end of the fiscal year in September.

In both chambers, more Democrats backed the legislation than Republicans, but both parties were critical to its passage. In the Senate the tally was 63-36 including 46 Democrats and independents and 17 Republicans in favor, 31 Republicans along with four Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats opposed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden celebrated a “crisis averted" in his first speech to the nation from the Oval Office Friday evening, ready to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/national-debt">sign a budget agreement</a>&nbsp;that eliminates the potential for an unprecedented government default that he said would have been catastrophic for the U.S. and global economies.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F817749609692498%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" 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>The bipartisan measure was approved by the Senate late Thursday night after passing the House in yet another late session the night before. Biden is set to sign it at the White House on Saturday with just two days to spare until the Treasury Department has warned the U.S. wouldn't be able to meet its obligations.<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the bill“Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher," Biden said. “Nothing would have been more catastrophic,” he said, than defaulting on the country's debt.The agreement was hashed out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-kevin-mccarthy-debt-limit-aee6d1dd48f53bedadfe1212e231f48f">by Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy</a>, giving Republicans some of their demanded federal spending cuts but holding the line on major Democratic priorities. It raises the debt limit until 2025 — after the 2024 presidential election — and gives legislators budget targets for the next two years, in hopes of assuring fiscal stability as the political season heats up.“No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed,” Biden said, highlighting the “compromise and consensus” in the deal. “We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse.”Biden used the opportunity to itemize the achievements of his first term as he runs for reelection, including support for high-tech manufacturing, infrastructure investments and financial incentives for fighting climate change — while at the same time highlighting how he forestalled steeper spending cuts pushed by the GOP that he said would have rolled back his agenda.“We’re cutting spending and bringing deficits down at the same time,” Biden said. “We're protecting important priorities from Social Security to Medicare to Medicaid to veterans to our transformational investments in infrastructure and clean energy.”Even as he pledged to continue working with Republicans, Biden also drew contrasts with the opposing party, particularly when it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy, something the Democratic president has sought.It’s something he suggested may need to wait until a second term.“I’m going to be coming back,” he said. “With your help, I’m going to win.”Biden's remarks were the most detailed comments from the Democratic president on the compromise he and his staff negotiated. He largely remained quiet publicly during the high-stakes talks, a decision that frustrated some members of his party but was intended to give space for both sides to reach a deal and for lawmakers to vote it to his desk.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden was using the occasion to deliver his first address to the nation from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office because “he just wanted to make sure that the American people understood how important it was to get this done, how important it was to do this in a bipartisan way.”Biden praised McCarthy and his negotiators for operating in good faith, and all congressional leaders for ensuring swift passage of the legislation. “They acted responsibly, and put the good of the country ahead of politics,” he said.And he made a renewed pitch for his governing style, which he described as less shouting and lower temperatures after four years of President Donald Trump.“I know bipartisanship is hard,” he said. “And unity is hard. But we can never stop trying.”Overall, the 99-page bill restricts spending for the next two years and changes some policies, including imposing new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and greenlighting an Appalachian natural gas pipeline that many Democrats oppose. Some environmental rules were modified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-permitting-climate-energy-pipeline-b9cc880fbce3ad4f140d6ab71ac9ef0f">to help streamline approvals</a>&nbsp;for infrastructure and energy projects — a move long sought by moderates in Congress.The Congressional Budget Office estimates it could actually expand total eligibility for federal food assistance, with the elimination of work requirements for veterans, homeless people and young people leaving foster care.The legislation also bolsters funds for defense and veterans, cuts back some new money for Internal Revenue Service and rejects Biden’s call to roll back Trump-era tax breaks on corporations and the wealthy to help cover the nation’s deficits. But the White House said the IRS' plans to step up enforcement of tax laws for high-income earners and corporations would continue.The agreement also imposes an automatic overall 1% cut to spending programs if Congress fails approve its annual spending bills — a measure designed to pressure lawmakers of both parties to reach consensus before the end of the fiscal year in September.In both chambers, more Democrats backed the legislation than Republicans, but both parties were critical to its passage. In the Senate the tally was 63-36 including 46 Democrats and independents and 17 Republicans in favor, 31 Republicans along with four Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats opposed.The vote in the House was 314-117.

🎥Victory Lap: Biden celebrates debt deal with first Oval Office address

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Traffic Division reported&nbsp; officers were dispatched to the area of N. 11TH Street and Grandview Blvd. in Kansas City and discovered a dirt bike with a man and a woman nearby. 

Both were transported to an area hospital where the woman was pronounced deceased. The man is being treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Police released no additional details including the names of the victims early Saturday.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday.The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Traffic Division reported&nbsp; officers were dispatched to the area of N. 11TH Street and Grandview Blvd. in Kansas City and discovered a dirt bike with a man and a woman nearby. Both were transported to an area hospital where the woman was pronounced deceased. The man is being treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries.Police released no additional details including the names of the victims early Saturday.

Woman dead, man injured after dirt bike accident in Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services saw double transactions, fees and payments in their accounts on Friday, in a glitch that was not fixed until late in the day.

Numerous Chase customers had posted on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reported hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.

Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also impacted with Chase customers.

Chase said late Friday that the bank had “resolved the underlying issue” and was in the process of issuing refunds or reversing transactions for customers.

Online banking services, while usually reliable, sometimes spectacularly fail or have temporary outages that tend to spook their customers. Banks typically will resolve an error in their services within hours, and no customer is liable for any errors in their accounts that occur when these happen.

NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services were seeing double transactions, fees and/or payments in their accounts, with the situation not immediately being resolved as of early afternoon on Friday.

Numerous Chase customers were posting on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reporting hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.

Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also being impacted with Chase customers.

“We’re sorry that some customers are seeing duplicate transactions and fees on their checking account," a Chase spokesperson said. "We’re working to resolve the issue and will automatically reverse any duplicates and adjust any related fees."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685732600807.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services saw double transactions, fees and payments in their accounts on Friday, in a glitch that was not fixed until late in the day.Numerous Chase customers had posted on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reported hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also impacted with Chase customers.Chase said late Friday that the bank had “resolved the underlying issue” and was in the process of issuing refunds or reversing transactions for customers.Online banking services, while usually reliable, sometimes spectacularly fail or have temporary outages that tend to spook their customers. Banks typically will resolve an error in their services within hours, and no customer is liable for any errors in their accounts that occur when these happen.--------------NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services were seeing double transactions, fees and/or payments in their accounts, with the situation not immediately being resolved as of early afternoon on Friday.Numerous Chase customers were posting on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reporting hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also being impacted with Chase customers.“We’re sorry that some customers are seeing duplicate transactions and fees on their checking account," a Chase spokesperson said. "We’re working to resolve the issue and will automatically reverse any duplicates and adjust any related fees."Online banking services, while usually reliable, sometimes spectacularly fail or have temporary outages that tend to spook their customers. Banks typically will resolve an error in their services within hours, and no customer is liable for any errors in their accounts that occur when these happen.

Chase: Online banking issue resolved after bug causes double transactions, fees

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. (AP) — Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake Friday to become Fort Liberty in a ceremony some veterans said was a small but important step in making the U.S. Army more welcoming to current and prospective Black service members.

The change was the most prominent in a broad Department of Defense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-government-and-politics-2c635453129124a462ea79691e634ce9">initiative</a>, motivated by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">2020 George Floyd protests</a>, to rename military installations that had been named after confederate soldiers.

The Black Lives Matter demonstrations that erupted nationwide after Floyd’s killing by a white police officer, coupled with ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-lifestyle-ar-state-wire-courts-805877a5a480f49033ab8c726f5a7531">efforts to remove Confederate monuments</a>, turned the spotlight on the Army installations. A naming commission created by Congress visited the bases and met with members of the surrounding communities for input.

“We were given a mission, we accomplished that mission and we made ourselves better,” Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, told reporters after the ceremony that made the name change official.

The North Carolina base was originally named in 1918 for Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles that contributed to the Confederacy’s downfall.

While other bases are being renamed for Black soldiers, U.S. presidents and trailblazing women, the North Carolina military installation is the only one not renamed after a person. Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule said at a naming commission meeting last year that the new name was chosen because “liberty remains the greatest American value.”

“Fayetteville in 1775 signed one of the first accords declaring our willingness to fight for liberty and freedom from Great Britain,” said Donahue, referring to the city adjacent to the base. “Liberty has always been ingrained in this area.”

The cost to rename Fort Bragg — one of the largest military installations in the world by population — will total about $8 million, Col. John Wilcox said Friday. Most front-facing signage has been changed but the process is ongoing.

“The name changes, the mission does not change,” base spokesperson Cheryle Rivas said Friday.

Fort Polk in Louisiana will be the next installation to change its name June 13 to Fort Johnson, in honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson. The naming commission's proposed changes must be implemented by Jan. 1.

Several military bases were named after Confederate soldiers during World War I and World War II as part of a “demonstration of reconciliation” with white southerners amid a broader effort to rally the nation to fight as one, said Nina Silber, a historian at Boston University.

“It was kind of a gesture of, ‘Yes, we acknowledge your patriotism,’ which is kind of absurd to acknowledge the patriotism of people who rebelled against a country,” she said.

The original naming process involved members of local communities, although Black residents were left out of the conversations. Bases were named after soldiers born or raised nearby, no matter how effectively they performed their duties. Gen. Bragg is widely regarded among historians as a poor leader who did not have the respect of his troops, Silber said.

For Isiah James, senior policy officer at the Black Veterans Project, the base renamings are a “long overdue” change he hopes will lead to more substantial improvements for Black service members.

“America should not have vestiges of slavery and secessionism and celebrate them,” he said. “We should not laud them and hold them up and venerate them to where every time a Black soldier goes onto the base, they get the message that this base Bragg is named after someone who wanted to keep you as human property.”

Other Black veterans such as George Postell Jr., 56, who served at the base for more than four years with the 27th Engineers Combat Airborne Division before he was injured in a parachute jump, were hesitant to embrace the change.

“I shared my blood, and I know a lot of my other brothers that did the same for the namesake of Fort Bragg,” Postell said. “To me, it will always be Fort Bragg, no matter what they call it."

James Buxton Jr., a U.S. Army veteran and president of the Fayetteville chapter of the NAACP, supports the base renaming. Buxton said he has seen the effects of racism associated with the base over the years — including the killing of a Black couple in the 1990s by soldiers in the 82nd Airborne who were neo-Nazis.

But Buxton also called the new choice of name Fort Liberty “off the wall.” He said he would have preferred the base retain the name Bragg but be redesignated to honor Edward S. Bragg, an accomplished U.S. lawmaker and Union general in the U.S. Civil War.

At last week’s “All American Week,” a celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division and one of the last major events under the Fort Bragg name, several veterans expressed mixed feelings about the name change.

Gregory Patterson, 64, a former member of the 82nd Airborne, who served in the Army from 1977 to 1999, joined scores of veterans for the celebration. Patterson, who is Black, said he understood why they changed the name, but in his mind, the name is associated with the place, not the person — and specifically as the home of the 82nd Airborne.

“I’m still gonna call it Bragg, even though the person that they named it after wasn’t a good person,” he said.

Mark Melancon, 63, who served from 1983 to 1990, wore a t-shirt that read “Born at Benning, Raised at Bragg.” Fort Benning, in Georgia, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-fort-benning-name-change-moore-e225aee0e687d3ef6a655ab7ea1e079e">renamed</a>&nbsp;Fort Moore last month.

Asked about the change to Fort Liberty, Melancon replied: “We’re not thrilled about that. It’s always gonna be Bragg, the way we look at it.”

The Bragg name, Melancon said, conjured up strong feelings and memories. “Home. The camaraderie that we had. The brotherhood.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685737516308.png" alt="The cost to rename Fort Bragg — one of the largest military installations in the world by population — will total about $8 million. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The cost to rename Fort Bragg — one of the largest military installations in the world by population — will total about $8 million. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FORT LIBERTY, N.C. (AP) — Fort Bragg shed its Confederate namesake Friday to become Fort Liberty in a ceremony some veterans said was a small but important step in making the U.S. Army more welcoming to current and prospective Black service members.The change was the most prominent in a broad Department of Defense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-government-and-politics-2c635453129124a462ea79691e634ce9">initiative</a>, motivated by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">2020 George Floyd protests</a>, to rename military installations that had been named after confederate soldiers.The Black Lives Matter demonstrations that erupted nationwide after Floyd’s killing by a white police officer, coupled with ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-lifestyle-ar-state-wire-courts-805877a5a480f49033ab8c726f5a7531">efforts to remove Confederate monuments</a>, turned the spotlight on the Army installations. A naming commission created by Congress visited the bases and met with members of the surrounding communities for input.“We were given a mission, we accomplished that mission and we made ourselves better,” Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, told reporters after the ceremony that made the name change official.The North Carolina base was originally named in 1918 for Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles that contributed to the Confederacy’s downfall.While other bases are being renamed for Black soldiers, U.S. presidents and trailblazing women, the North Carolina military installation is the only one not renamed after a person. Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule said at a naming commission meeting last year that the new name was chosen because “liberty remains the greatest American value.”“Fayetteville in 1775 signed one of the first accords declaring our willingness to fight for liberty and freedom from Great Britain,” said Donahue, referring to the city adjacent to the base. “Liberty has always been ingrained in this area.”The cost to rename Fort Bragg — one of the largest military installations in the world by population — will total about $8 million, Col. John Wilcox said Friday. Most front-facing signage has been changed but the process is ongoing.“The name changes, the mission does not change,” base spokesperson Cheryle Rivas said Friday.Fort Polk in Louisiana will be the next installation to change its name June 13 to Fort Johnson, in honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson. The naming commission's proposed changes must be implemented by Jan. 1.Several military bases were named after Confederate soldiers during World War I and World War II as part of a “demonstration of reconciliation” with white southerners amid a broader effort to rally the nation to fight as one, said Nina Silber, a historian at Boston University.“It was kind of a gesture of, ‘Yes, we acknowledge your patriotism,’ which is kind of absurd to acknowledge the patriotism of people who rebelled against a country,” she said.The original naming process involved members of local communities, although Black residents were left out of the conversations. Bases were named after soldiers born or raised nearby, no matter how effectively they performed their duties. Gen. Bragg is widely regarded among historians as a poor leader who did not have the respect of his troops, Silber said.For Isiah James, senior policy officer at the Black Veterans Project, the base renamings are a “long overdue” change he hopes will lead to more substantial improvements for Black service members.“America should not have vestiges of slavery and secessionism and celebrate them,” he said. “We should not laud them and hold them up and venerate them to where every time a Black soldier goes onto the base, they get the message that this base Bragg is named after someone who wanted to keep you as human property.”Other Black veterans such as George Postell Jr., 56, who served at the base for more than four years with the 27th Engineers Combat Airborne Division before he was injured in a parachute jump, were hesitant to embrace the change.“I shared my blood, and I know a lot of my other brothers that did the same for the namesake of Fort Bragg,” Postell said. “To me, it will always be Fort Bragg, no matter what they call it."James Buxton Jr., a U.S. Army veteran and president of the Fayetteville chapter of the NAACP, supports the base renaming. Buxton said he has seen the effects of racism associated with the base over the years — including the killing of a Black couple in the 1990s by soldiers in the 82nd Airborne who were neo-Nazis.But Buxton also called the new choice of name Fort Liberty “off the wall.” He said he would have preferred the base retain the name Bragg but be redesignated to honor Edward S. Bragg, an accomplished U.S. lawmaker and Union general in the U.S. Civil War.At last week’s “All American Week,” a celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division and one of the last major events under the Fort Bragg name, several veterans expressed mixed feelings about the name change.Gregory Patterson, 64, a former member of the 82nd Airborne, who served in the Army from 1977 to 1999, joined scores of veterans for the celebration. Patterson, who is Black, said he understood why they changed the name, but in his mind, the name is associated with the place, not the person — and specifically as the home of the 82nd Airborne.“I’m still gonna call it Bragg, even though the person that they named it after wasn’t a good person,” he said.Mark Melancon, 63, who served from 1983 to 1990, wore a t-shirt that read “Born at Benning, Raised at Bragg.” Fort Benning, in Georgia, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-fort-benning-name-change-moore-e225aee0e687d3ef6a655ab7ea1e079e">renamed</a>&nbsp;Fort Moore last month.Asked about the change to Fort Liberty, Melancon replied: “We’re not thrilled about that. It’s always gonna be Bragg, the way we look at it.”The Bragg name, Melancon said, conjured up strong feelings and memories. “Home. The camaraderie that we had. The brotherhood.”

$8 million: Fort Bragg renamed as U.S. rebrands Confederate monuments

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former history professor at Missouri State University charged in the stabbing death of a colleague was found not guilty Friday by reason of insanity.

Greene County Judge David Jones announced his ruling in the case of Edward Gutting, who was charged with first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3ff42b181e3844d5a9f396257d509642">2016 killing of Marc Cooper</a>&nbsp;inside Cooper's Springfield home. Cooper's wife, Nancy, was injured but survived, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/2023/06/02/gutting-declared-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity-in-msu-murder-case/70280927007/">Springfield News-Leader</a>&nbsp;reported.

The trial was delayed for several years in part by a series of mental evaluations. The judge's ruling followed a six-day trial.

Marc Cooper, 66, who had retired, suffered more than 40 stab wounds. Gutting's lawyers said the attack was the result of a schizophrenic hallucination. Gutting was diagnosed as mentally ill by several doctors after his arrest.

But prosecutors said Gutting killed Cooper in a rage fueled by alcohol and stress that stemmed from a series of work-related slights and insults. The tipping point, they said, was Gutting's belief that Cooper meddled in Gutting's pursuit of a tenured position.

No sentencing date was set but Jones said Gutting could be housed at a state mental health facility “for the rest of his life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685733240925.png" alt="Gutting photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Gutting photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former history professor at Missouri State University charged in the stabbing death of a colleague was found not guilty Friday by reason of insanity.Greene County Judge David Jones announced his ruling in the case of Edward Gutting, who was charged with first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3ff42b181e3844d5a9f396257d509642">2016 killing of Marc Cooper</a>&nbsp;inside Cooper's Springfield home. Cooper's wife, Nancy, was injured but survived, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/2023/06/02/gutting-declared-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity-in-msu-murder-case/70280927007/">Springfield News-Leader</a>&nbsp;reported.The trial was delayed for several years in part by a series of mental evaluations. The judge's ruling followed a six-day trial.Marc Cooper, 66, who had retired, suffered more than 40 stab wounds. Gutting's lawyers said the attack was the result of a schizophrenic hallucination. Gutting was diagnosed as mentally ill by several doctors after his arrest.But prosecutors said Gutting killed Cooper in a rage fueled by alcohol and stress that stemmed from a series of work-related slights and insults. The tipping point, they said, was Gutting's belief that Cooper meddled in Gutting's pursuit of a tenured position.No sentencing date was set but Jones said Gutting could be housed at a state mental health facility “for the rest of his life.

Professor not guilty by reason of insanity in stabbing death of colleague

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two&nbsp; men who stormed the U.S. Capitol with other members of the far-right Oath Keepers group were sentenced Friday to three years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges — the latest in a historic string of sentences in the Jan. 6. 2021 attack.

David Moerschel, 45, a neurophysiologist from Punta Gorda, and Joseph Hackett, a 52-year-old chiropractor from Sarasota, were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-conviction-2b9fb724c9839524d00ee389959e0e62">convicted in January</a>&nbsp;alongside other members of the antigovernment extremist group for their roles in what prosecutors described as a violent plot to stop the transfer power from former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election.

Both men were among the lower-level members charged with seditious conspiracy. Moerschel was sentenced to three years in prison and Hackett got three and a half years.

All told, nine people associated with the Oath Keepers have been tried for seditious conspiracy and six were convicted of the rarely used Civil War-era charge in two separate trials, including the group's founder Stewart Rhodes. Rhodes was sentenced last week to 18 years in prison — a record for a Jan. 6 defendant. Three defendants were cleared of the sedition charge but found guilty of other Jan. 6 crimes.

Moerschel and Hackett helped amass guns and ammunition to stash in a Virginia hotel for a so-called “quick reaction force” that could be quickly shuttled to Washington, prosecutors said. The weapons were never deployed. Moerschel provided an AR-15 and a Glock semi-automatic handgun and Hackett helped transport weapons, prosecutors said.

On Jan. 6, both men dressed in paramilitary gear and marched into the Capitol with fellow Oath Keepers in a military-style line formation, charging documents stated.

“The security of our country and the safety of democracy should not hinge on the impulses of madmen,” Justice Department prosecutor Troy Edwards said.

Moerschel told the judge he was deeply ashamed of forcing his way into the Capitol and joining the riot that seriously injured police officers and sent staffers running in fear.

“When I was on the stairs, your honor, I felt like God said to me, ‘Get out here.’ And I didn’t,” he said in court, his voice cracking with emotion. “I disobeyed God and I broke laws."

Moerschel was a neurophysiologist who monitored surgical patients under anesthesia before his arrest, though he's since been fired and now works in construction and landscaping. A former missionary, he is married with three children.

Hackett similarly said he remembered feeling horrified as stepped foot in the Capitol that day: “I truly am sorry for my part in causing so much misery,” he said.

He originally joined the group after seeing vandalism at a commercial area near his house during the summer of 2020, when protests against police brutality were common, his attorney Angela Halim said. “He did not join this organization because he shared any beliefs of Stewart Rhodes,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685740059982.png" alt="Hackett-photo Pinellas County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Hackett-photo Pinellas County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Two&nbsp; men who stormed the U.S. Capitol with other members of the far-right Oath Keepers group were sentenced Friday to three years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges — the latest in a historic string of sentences in the Jan. 6. 2021 attack.David Moerschel, 45, a neurophysiologist from Punta Gorda, and Joseph Hackett, a 52-year-old chiropractor from Sarasota, were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oath-keepers-seditious-conspiracy-conviction-2b9fb724c9839524d00ee389959e0e62">convicted in January</a>&nbsp;alongside other members of the antigovernment extremist group for their roles in what prosecutors described as a violent plot to stop the transfer power from former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election.Both men were among the lower-level members charged with seditious conspiracy. Moerschel was sentenced to three years in prison and Hackett got three and a half years.All told, nine people associated with the Oath Keepers have been tried for seditious conspiracy and six were convicted of the rarely used Civil War-era charge in two separate trials, including the group's founder Stewart Rhodes. Rhodes was sentenced last week to 18 years in prison — a record for a Jan. 6 defendant. Three defendants were cleared of the sedition charge but found guilty of other Jan. 6 crimes.Moerschel and Hackett helped amass guns and ammunition to stash in a Virginia hotel for a so-called “quick reaction force” that could be quickly shuttled to Washington, prosecutors said. The weapons were never deployed. Moerschel provided an AR-15 and a Glock semi-automatic handgun and Hackett helped transport weapons, prosecutors said.On Jan. 6, both men dressed in paramilitary gear and marched into the Capitol with fellow Oath Keepers in a military-style line formation, charging documents stated.“The security of our country and the safety of democracy should not hinge on the impulses of madmen,” Justice Department prosecutor Troy Edwards said.Moerschel told the judge he was deeply ashamed of forcing his way into the Capitol and joining the riot that seriously injured police officers and sent staffers running in fear.“When I was on the stairs, your honor, I felt like God said to me, ‘Get out here.’ And I didn’t,” he said in court, his voice cracking with emotion. “I disobeyed God and I broke laws."Moerschel was a neurophysiologist who monitored surgical patients under anesthesia before his arrest, though he's since been fired and now works in construction and landscaping. A former missionary, he is married with three children.Hackett similarly said he remembered feeling horrified as stepped foot in the Capitol that day: “I truly am sorry for my part in causing so much misery,” he said.He originally joined the group after seeing vandalism at a commercial area near his house during the summer of 2020, when protests against police brutality were common, his attorney Angela Halim said. “He did not join this organization because he shared any beliefs of Stewart Rhodes,” she said.Still, he later attended an “unconventional warfare” training, and in the leadup to Jan. 6 he repeatedly warned other Oath Keepers about “leaks” and the need to secure their communications, and later changed his online screen names, authorities have said.“Taken together, his messages show he perceived the election as an existential threat,” said prosecutor Alexandra Hughes.How the chiropractor and father ended up storming the Capitol, though, is “hard to wrap one's head around,” said U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. The group's increasingly heated online conversations and false claims of a stolen election “can suck you in like a vortex make and make it very difficult to get out.”Neither man was a top leader in the group, and both left shortly after Jan. 6. Both sentences were far lower than the 12 years prosecutors sought for Hackett and 10 for Moreschel.Moreschel was in the Capitol for about 12 minutes, and didn’t do anything violent or scream at police officers, Mehta noted. He also handed his guns over to police.“Sentencing shouldn’t be vengeful, it shouldn’t be such that it is unduly harsh simply for the sake of being harsh,” said the judge, who also imposed a three-year term of supervised release for both men.Moerschel’s attorneys had asked for home confinement, arguing that he joined the Oath Keepers chats shortly before the riot and was not a leader.“He was just in the back following the crowd,” attorney Scott Weinberg told the judge.Defense attorneys have long said there was never a plan to attack the Capitol and prosecutors' case was largely built on online messages cherry-picked out of context.The charges against leaders of the Oath Keepers and another far-right extremist group, the Proud Boys, are among the most serious brought in the Justice Department’s sprawling riot investigation. Prosecutors have also won seditious conspiracy convictions in the case against former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and three other group leaders in what prosecutors said was a separate plot to keep T