Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp;

 The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)

Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;

As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp; The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zECSvB4ukqM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

🎥Senate votes to end COVID-19 emergency for 3rd time

ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent stabbing in Hays and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of E. 19th in Hays, where a victim had been stabbed multiple times.

First responders from the Hays Police Department, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and Ellis County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene. They found the victim inside the home, and he was bleeding profusely from his injuries.

It was determined that he had suffered over 15 stab wounds, including injuries to his neck, arms and chest area.

Ellis County EMS personnel began providing life-saving medical care and the victim was quickly transported to the Hays Medical Center Emergency Room. The victim was admitted to the hospital. Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect had fled the scene on foot.

The suspect was quickly identified as Collin Micheal McMillin, 22, Hays.

Law enforcement officers from the Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area for McMillin.

At approximately 12:15 a.m. Wednesday , Sgt. Phillip Gage of the Hays Police Department located McMillin near the intersection of Fifth and Riley and took McMillin into custody. He&nbsp; was still in possession of a knife at the time of his arrest, according to police.

McMillin was transported to the Ellis County jail, where he is being held on the charges of attempted first-degree murder and domestic battery.His bond has been set at $1 million.

McMillin has previous convictions for aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680189341105.png" alt="McMillin has previous convictions for aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Ellis County photo" />
 <figcaption>McMillin has previous convictions for aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Ellis County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent stabbing in Hays and have a suspect in custody.Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of E. 19th in Hays, where a victim had been stabbed multiple times.First responders from the Hays Police Department, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and Ellis County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene. They found the victim inside the home, and he was bleeding profusely from his injuries.It was determined that he had suffered over 15 stab wounds, including injuries to his neck, arms and chest area.Ellis County EMS personnel began providing life-saving medical care and the victim was quickly transported to the Hays Medical Center Emergency Room. The victim was admitted to the hospital. Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect had fled the scene on foot.The suspect was quickly identified as Collin Micheal McMillin, 22, Hays.Law enforcement officers from the Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area for McMillin.At approximately 12:15 a.m. Wednesday , Sgt. Phillip Gage of the Hays Police Department located McMillin near the intersection of Fifth and Riley and took McMillin into custody. He&nbsp; was still in possession of a knife at the time of his arrest, according to police.McMillin was transported to the Ellis County jail, where he is being held on the charges of attempted first-degree murder and domestic battery.His bond has been set at $1 million.McMillin has previous convictions for aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Kansas felon arrested for alleged violent knife attack 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a standoff at a Kansas home.

On Monday, police in Cherryvale asked the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department to assist with a situation involving 48-year-old Aaron E. Whittley, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Police had several encounters with Whittley over the past week including an encounter involving him entering into a convenience store and leaving without paying for some items. 

While investigating the theft, police learned about several social media posts Whittley made throughout the day, threatening multiple people, and making homicidal/suicidal statements. 

A&nbsp; police officer attempted to make contact with Whittley at his home in the 400 block of East 4th Street Cherryvale.&nbsp;

 Whittley was at the residence the observed Whittley fire two shots in the air with a handgun then run into the residence.  Due to the nature of this incident, the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SWAT) was activated and responded to the scene at 8:00pm and began the “armed and barricaded subject” procedure. &nbsp;

The Coffeyville Police Department SWAT team was requested to respond to the scene while the Kansas Bureau of Investigations SWAT team was placed on standby. 

The SWAT teams worked together giving announcements over the loudspeaker for Whittley to come out of the residence peacefully. He did not comply. 

The SWAT teams used less lethal gas munitions, robots, and drones to assist in receiving a response and locating where Whittley was inside of the residence. 

After a couple of hours and no response from Whittley, the KBI SWAT team respond to the scene to assist.  The KBI SWAT team was supported by the Pratt County Kansas Sheriff’s Office who brought additional tools and robots. 

KBI SWAT continued announcements and deployed less lethal gas munitions into the residence all through the night in attempt for Whittley to comply.

Just before 8a.m. on Tuesday, the KBI SWAT team entered the residence and located Whittley inside of a bedroom. Whitley was responsive but appeared to be lethargic. 

Whittley admitted to ingesting a large amount of sleeping aide medication at some point throughout the night. 

The KBI took Whittley into custody without further incident and transported him to Labette Health ER in Independence, Kansas where he later was released and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. 

 Montgomery County Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located what appeared to be explosives inside of the room where Whittley was located. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol Bomb Squad determined that the explosives were Improvised Explosive Device’s.  KHP Bomb squad took custody of the IED’s and began the procedure to disarm them. 

Whittley is being held on requested charges of Criminal Threat. There will be additional charges from the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, according to Wade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680084419780.png" alt="Whittley-photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Whittley-photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a standoff at a Kansas home.On Monday, police in Cherryvale asked the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department to assist with a situation involving 48-year-old Aaron E. Whittley, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.Police had several encounters with Whittley over the past week including an encounter involving him entering into a convenience store and leaving without paying for some items. While investigating the theft, police learned about several social media posts Whittley made throughout the day, threatening multiple people, and making homicidal/suicidal statements. A&nbsp; police officer attempted to make contact with Whittley at his home in the 400 block of East 4th Street Cherryvale.&nbsp; Whittley was at the residence the observed Whittley fire two shots in the air with a handgun then run into the residence. Due to the nature of this incident, the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SWAT) was activated and responded to the scene at 8:00pm and began the “armed and barricaded subject” procedure. &nbsp;The Coffeyville Police Department SWAT team was requested to respond to the scene while the Kansas Bureau of Investigations SWAT team was placed on standby. The SWAT teams worked together giving announcements over the loudspeaker for Whittley to come out of the residence peacefully. He did not comply. The SWAT teams used less lethal gas munitions, robots, and drones to assist in receiving a response and locating where Whittley was inside of the residence. After a couple of hours and no response from Whittley, the KBI SWAT team respond to the scene to assist. The KBI SWAT team was supported by the Pratt County Kansas Sheriff’s Office who brought additional tools and robots. KBI SWAT continued announcements and deployed less lethal gas munitions into the residence all through the night in attempt for Whittley to comply.Just before 8a.m. on Tuesday, the KBI SWAT team entered the residence and located Whittley inside of a bedroom. Whitley was responsive but appeared to be lethargic. Whittley admitted to ingesting a large amount of sleeping aide medication at some point throughout the night. The KBI took Whittley into custody without further incident and transported him to Labette Health ER in Independence, Kansas where he later was released and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. Montgomery County Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located what appeared to be explosives inside of the room where Whittley was located. The Kansas Highway Patrol Bomb Squad determined that the explosives were Improvised Explosive Device’s. KHP Bomb squad took custody of the IED’s and began the procedure to disarm them. Whittley is being held on requested charges of Criminal Threat. There will be additional charges from the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, according to Wade.

Kan. deputies found explosives after 12-hour standoff 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Wichita Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said enactment of a Kansas Senate bill written to deny federal food stamp benefits to noncustodial parents not making child support payments would lead to an increase in the number of children going hungry.

Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat, delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor during debate on House Bill 2141, which would make Kansas the fourth state in the country to withhold Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits from a parent who owed child support.

She expressed outrage the Legislature would contemplate withholding food as a tactic to extract cash from poor parents.

“The bill would sock it to them. We’re going to deny them some measly food stamps. Find another way. Don’t starve them to death,” Faust-Goudeau said. “This bill would make it less likely that parents can support their children and more likely that children and their parents will go hungry. Reducing access to food for Kansans who are already struggling financially is unnecessarily harsh and ineffective.”

The Senate by the most narrow margin voted Wednesday to defeat the bill disqualifying noncustodial parents from food stamps if delinquent on child support payments or found uncooperative with state enforcement of child support orders. Existing law applied this standard to the parent with custody of children, but Kansas hadn’t extended that to noncustodial parents.

The vote was 20-20 after Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita, and Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed their votes to “no.”

“I’d like to change my vote,” Kloos said. “This is a difficult decision, but I do think there’s a lot of kids we do need to keep in mind.”

In Kansas, 280,000 people and 100,000 children endure hunger, meaning one in seven kids were subject to food insecurity. The challenge for low-income adults responsible for feeding a family deepened as inflation pushed grocery costs higher in Kansas, despite a cut in the state’s sales tax on food. Congress ordered emergency SNAP assistance extended to the states during the COVID-19 pandemic to expire April 1.

The Senate bill generated fierce opposition from organizations and individuals testifying before House and Senate committees.

Support in both the House and Senate came only from the Florida think tank Opportunity Solutions Project, which argued Kansas ought to strengthen limitations on welfare assistance in a manner reminiscent of action taken by the 2015 Kansas Legislature and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

The food stamp and child support bill was passed by the Kansas House in February with a 76-46 majority. Three states have adopted laws comparable to the Kansas measure praised by Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican and chair of the Senate health committee.

She said Kansas parents with custody of children had been subject since 2017 to this food stamp compliance mandate enforced by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The reform bill was designed to compel “supposedly deadbeat” parents to reconnect with their children and provide financial support to the family or lose access to food assistance, Gossage said.

“We believe that the children and their families should be due their rightfully owed … money from a noncustodial parent before the state pays for welfare,” Gossage said. “This is pro-family, pro-children and pro-personal responsibility.”

Opponents of the bill included Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Public Health Association, United Community Services of Johnson County and DCF.

“This is not a program that has been adopted by other states because, one, it doesn’t achieve its goal, two, it’s very insensitive to our poorest families,” said Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City.

A concern expressed about the legislation was suspension of food benefits could undermine a parent’s ability to maintain employment, earn a sustainable income and result in unintended consequences for other family members.

“This bill is cruel and punitive, and negatively impacts hungry children living in poverty,” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park. “We should be creative enough to find other ways to get individuals to make child support payments.”

Another issue was a custodial parent could be found noncompliant with DCF if not participating in the effort to secure child support even if that collaboration might place the custodial parent at personal risk. The DCF secretary would have leeway to exempt a parent if that individual had “good cause” to avoid compliance with child support enforcement.

Faust-Goudeau, whose mother lobbied at the Capitol decades ago on behalf of impoverished single parents, said she couldn’t believe the Legislature would contemplate a bill exacerbating food deficit problems of her Wichita constituents.

“Thank God for the safety net clinics,” she said. “Thank God for the Red Cross. Thank God for the food bank. Thank God for the churches that fill in the gaps.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/P1131061-1024x683.jpg" alt="Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, said she was mystified a Kansas Senate committee endorsed a bill withholding food stamps from parents not making child support payments. The House-passed bill was rejected 20-20 by the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, said she was mystified a Kansas Senate committee endorsed a bill withholding food stamps from parents not making child support payments. The House-passed bill was rejected 20-20 by the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Wichita Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said enactment of a Kansas Senate bill written to deny federal food stamp benefits to noncustodial parents not making child support payments would lead to an increase in the number of children going hungry.Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat, delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor during debate on House Bill 2141, which would make Kansas the fourth state in the country to withhold Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits from a parent who owed child support.She expressed outrage the Legislature would contemplate withholding food as a tactic to extract cash from poor parents.“The bill would sock it to them. We’re going to deny them some measly food stamps. Find another way. Don’t starve them to death,” Faust-Goudeau said. “This bill would make it less likely that parents can support their children and more likely that children and their parents will go hungry. Reducing access to food for Kansans who are already struggling financially is unnecessarily harsh and ineffective.”The Senate by the most narrow margin voted Wednesday to defeat the bill disqualifying noncustodial parents from food stamps if delinquent on child support payments or found uncooperative with state enforcement of child support orders. Existing law applied this standard to the parent with custody of children, but Kansas hadn’t extended that to noncustodial parents.The vote was 20-20 after Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita, and Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed their votes to “no.”“I’d like to change my vote,” Kloos said. “This is a difficult decision, but I do think there’s a lot of kids we do need to keep in mind.”In Kansas, 280,000 people and 100,000 children endure hunger, meaning one in seven kids were subject to food insecurity. The challenge for low-income adults responsible for feeding a family deepened as inflation pushed grocery costs higher in Kansas, despite a cut in the state’s sales tax on food. Congress ordered emergency SNAP assistance extended to the states during the COVID-19 pandemic to expire April 1.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kloos-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed his vote to “no” on a bill blocking food assistance to poor parents unable to make child support payments. His decision Wednesday resulted in a 20-20 tally and rejection of the bill by the Kansas Senate. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed his vote to “no” on a bill blocking food assistance to poor parents unable to make child support payments. His decision Wednesday resulted in a 20-20 tally and rejection of the bill by the Kansas Senate. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Pro-family, pro-children’</h2>The Senate bill generated fierce opposition from organizations and individuals testifying before House and Senate committees.Support in both the House and Senate came only from the Florida think tank Opportunity Solutions Project, which argued Kansas ought to strengthen limitations on welfare assistance in a manner reminiscent of action taken by the 2015 Kansas Legislature and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.The food stamp and child support bill was passed by the Kansas House in February with a 76-46 majority. Three states have adopted laws comparable to the Kansas measure praised by Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican and chair of the Senate health committee.She said Kansas parents with custody of children had been subject since 2017 to this food stamp compliance mandate enforced by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The reform bill was designed to compel “supposedly deadbeat” parents to reconnect with their children and provide financial support to the family or lose access to food assistance, Gossage said.“We believe that the children and their families should be due their rightfully owed … money from a noncustodial parent before the state pays for welfare,” Gossage said. “This is pro-family, pro-children and pro-personal responsibility.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PA291442-1024x615.jpg" alt="Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, said House Bill 2141 denying federal food assistance to noncustodial parents who didn’t make child support payments was “insensitive to our poorest families.” The Senate rejected the bill 20-20. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, said House Bill 2141 denying federal food assistance to noncustodial parents who didn’t make child support payments was “insensitive to our poorest families.” The Senate rejected the bill 20-20. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Thank God’</h2>Opponents of the bill included Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Public Health Association, United Community Services of Johnson County and DCF.“This is not a program that has been adopted by other states because, one, it doesn’t achieve its goal, two, it’s very insensitive to our poorest families,” said Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City.A concern expressed about the legislation was suspension of food benefits could undermine a parent’s ability to maintain employment, earn a sustainable income and result in unintended consequences for other family members.“This bill is cruel and punitive, and negatively impacts hungry children living in poverty,” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park. “We should be creative enough to find other ways to get individuals to make child support payments.”Another issue was a custodial parent could be found noncompliant with DCF if not participating in the effort to secure child support even if that collaboration might place the custodial parent at personal risk. The DCF secretary would have leeway to exempt a parent if that individual had “good cause” to avoid compliance with child support enforcement.Faust-Goudeau, whose mother lobbied at the Capitol decades ago on behalf of impoverished single parents, said she couldn’t believe the Legislature would contemplate a bill exacerbating food deficit problems of her Wichita constituents.“Thank God for the safety net clinics,” she said. “Thank God for the Red Cross. Thank God for the food bank. Thank God for the churches that fill in the gaps.”

Kan. Senate defeats bill leveraging food stamp access to generate child support payments

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an&nbsp; alleged February road rage incident&nbsp;learned that a man involved&nbsp; died as a result of his injuries.

Just before 10a.m. February 15, police responded to a local hospital on reports of an individual, identified as Gregorio Castillo, 68, of Topeka, who was being treated for injuries from a road rage incident, according to police department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

&nbsp;Castillo died from his injuries. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. The DA’s Office will determine if charges are filed.

Police have identified and interviewed all parties involved. The incident is being classified as a homicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an&nbsp; alleged February road rage incident&nbsp;learned that a man involved&nbsp; died as a result of his injuries.Just before 10a.m. February 15, police responded to a local hospital on reports of an individual, identified as Gregorio Castillo, 68, of Topeka, who was being treated for injuries from a road rage incident, according to police department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp;Castillo died from his injuries. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. The DA’s Office will determine if charges are filed.Police have identified and interviewed all parties involved. The incident is being classified as a homicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Homicide: 68-year-old Kan. man died from road-rage incident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.

In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.

The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.

Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.

The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.

There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.

Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.

Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.

“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680136101874.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The problem with TikTok is not the videos on the app. The problem with TikTok is, it&#39;s a backdoor to the Chinese Communist Party into the most intimate details of every American’s life. <a href="https://t.co/oBQRhee1G4">pic.twitter.com/oBQRhee1G4</a>&mdash; Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenHawleyPress/status/1641212930816454664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Again I say: Ban TikTok. This is the disturbing content the CCP algorithm feeds to American youth. <a href="https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI">https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1639283964568301571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

🎥Effort on vote to ban TikTok blocked in U.S. Senate

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a student in connection with a gun at school in Emporia.

On Wednesday morning, Emporia Police Officers and Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded to the Emporia High School, 3302 West 18th Avenue, for a report of a student carrying a handgun, according to Police Captain Scott Stormont.

The student was actively being chased by the Emporia High School Resource Officer. 

The schools were locked down as were several businesses in the area while police and deputies searched several business and vehicles. The suspect was located and arrested as he was leaving the area in a vehicle. 

Police also located a victim of Aggravated assault nearby. Police transported the suspect to the Juvenile Intake Center, according to Stormont.&nbsp; Police later learned the weapon was a BB gun and&nbsp; found it. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680112678653.png" alt="Police at the school on Wednesday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the school on Wednesday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a student in connection with a gun at school in Emporia.On Wednesday morning, Emporia Police Officers and Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded to the Emporia High School, 3302 West 18th Avenue, for a report of a student carrying a handgun, according to Police Captain Scott Stormont.The student was actively being chased by the Emporia High School Resource Officer. The schools were locked down as were several businesses in the area while police and deputies searched several business and vehicles. The suspect was located and arrested as he was leaving the area in a vehicle. Police also located a victim of Aggravated assault nearby. Police transported the suspect to the Juvenile Intake Center, according to Stormont.&nbsp; Police later learned the weapon was a BB gun and&nbsp; found it.

Kan. school resource officer chased student believed carrying a gun 

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder on Wednesday after he tried to throw a woman off a bridge into the Kansas River last year.

In exchange for his plea, three felony charges of criminal threat were dismissed against 38-year-old Adam Blake Amyx Jr.

Prosecutors said a group of women were walking across the bridge on April 14, 2022, when they encountered Amyx yelling and cursing. When one of the women approached him, Amyx tried to pick her up and throw her off the bridge, Senior District Attorney David Greenwald said.

The woman escaped and called police. Greenwald said the fall likely would have killed the woman. Before he entered his plea, Amyx told the judge that he has mental health problems but he was on medication and was confident he could make the plea decision.

Amyx is being held in the Douglas County jail on $50,000 bond. He will be sentenced May 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680125899028.png" alt="Amyx-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Amyx-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder on Wednesday after he tried to throw a woman off a bridge into the Kansas River last year.In exchange for his plea, three felony charges of criminal threat were dismissed against 38-year-old Adam Blake Amyx Jr.Prosecutors said a group of women were walking across the bridge on April 14, 2022, when they encountered Amyx yelling and cursing. When one of the women approached him, Amyx tried to pick her up and throw her off the bridge, Senior District Attorney David Greenwald said.The woman escaped and called police. Greenwald said the fall likely would have killed the woman. Before he entered his plea, Amyx told the judge that he has mental health problems but he was on medication and was confident he could make the plea decision.Amyx is being held in the Douglas County jail on $50,000 bond. He will be sentenced May 26.

Man enters plea for trying to throw woman off Kansas bridge

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/21/kansas-lawmaker-asks-for-security-during-anti-vaccination-bill-hearing-i-dont-feel-comfortable/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA —&nbsp; House lawmakers passed a flat tax proposal with bipartisan support, following weeks of debate on the topic and criticism that the policy would mostly benefit corporations and the state’s wealthiest residents.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb169/">Republican-engineered tax proposal</a>&nbsp;would get rid of Kansas’ tiered tax system and implement a 5.25% income tax rate for all individuals above a certain threshold, starting in tax year 2024. The tax would apply to single filers making more than $6,150 and $12,300 for married individuals filing jointly.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-advances-nice-guy-flat-tax-proposal-to-change-income-property-tax-rates/">The flat tax plan would also reduce taxes</a>&nbsp;for corporations and financial institutions starting in tax year 2024, reducing the corporation tax rate to 3%. Under the bill, banks would have their tax rate reduced from 2.25% to 1.625%. percent. Other corporations, such as savings and loan associations, would have taxes reduced from 2.25% to 1.61% starting in tax year 2025.&nbsp;

Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, Majority Leader Chris Croft and Speaker Pro Tem Blake Carpenter sent out a joint statement announcing the bill’s passage. The statement referred to the legislation as “a comprehensive tax plan that fortifies Kansas as the most desirable state in our nation to live, work, start a business and retire.”

Several House Democrats broke rank to vote with Republicans on the bill, due to provisions that would lower property taxes and completely do away with the state’s food sales tax by the end of this year.&nbsp;

House Minority Leader Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, spoke in support of the bill due to its proposed property tax relief. Under the bill, residential property valued up to $80,000 would be exempt from a statewide property tax beginning in tax year 2023. Currently, residential properties valued up to $40,000 are exempt.&nbsp;

Other Democrats still stood against the bill. Reps. Jerry Stogsdill,&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;Haswood,&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;Carlin, Brad Boyd,&nbsp;Melissa Oropeza&nbsp;and others issued a joint statement against the flat tax proposal.&nbsp;

“By adopting a flat tax, the House is saying that it will only give hardworking Kansans a tax cut if wealthy Kansans receive their tax cut first,” the statement read. “Tossing out Kansas’ decades-old progressive income tax is structurally imbalanced and fails to offset the higher effective tax rate middle and working class Kansans pay in sales and property taxes.”&nbsp;

The bill passed 96-28. An earlier Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223221426_415306/">version of the bill</a>&nbsp;passed 22-17, with a 4.75% flat tax income rate and without the other provisions.

Lawmakers quickly passed a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing medication abortions that it may be possible to reverse them, though this claim is not supported by strong scientific research.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2439/">House Bill 2439</a>&nbsp;would require doctors to tell their patients it is possible to reverse the abortion pill and potentially face jail time if they refuse to tell patients about the “abortion reversal” process. Under the bill, facilities that prescribe or dispense mifepristone would have to display a notice telling patients that medication abortions may be reversible.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/medication-abortion-reversal-is-not-supported-by-science">opposes medication abortion “reversal,”</a>&nbsp;calling it scientifically unsound, unproven and unethical. Similar legislation has been vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/19a1ecdbd47d440397a870b0d41abfcd">in past years</a>.&nbsp;

Rep. Melissa Oropeza, a Kansas City Democrat, said Kansans had already made their wishes on reproductive rights clear by voting down a proposed abortion amendment.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Aug. 2, 2022, the state of Kansas spoke loud and clear on how Kansans would like to keep health care decisions with the patient and their health care provider,” Oropeza said.&nbsp;

House lawmakers took final action on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1603/">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603</a>, voting 87-37 to ask President&nbsp; Joe Biden to support the domestic oil and gas industry.

The resolution was introduced on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-roundup-wind-turbine-lights-feminine-fight-ballot-deadline-biden-energy-policy/">the House floor Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican who said Biden needed to expand domestic energy production in the state, help with oil pipelines and consider “geopolitical tensions.”

The resolution passed despite criticism from Democrats who said Biden was already focused on growing domestic energy.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to “restore the night sky,” supporting a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb49/">wind turbine mitigation bill</a>&nbsp;meant to reduce the appearance of blinking red lights on wind farms.&nbsp;

House lawmakers spoke Tuesday about the lights being a nuisance to Kansans. The lights are meant to prevent low-flying aircraft from flying into wind turbines, but several lawmakers said this was an unnecessary precaution.

Rep. Lisa Moser, a Wheaton Republican who introduced the bill, said the night sky should be uninterrupted by the lights.&nbsp;

“To restore the night sky with moon and stars undisturbed in their beauty would be a momentous gesture of goodwill by the wind companies and would benefit thousands of Kansans who live inside the footprint of and under the noticeable umbrella of all existing Kansas wind systems,” Moser said during the Wednesday vote.&nbsp;

She estimated that Kansas was home to about 4,000 wind turbines. Under the bill, new wind turbine developers need to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for lighting system installations that meet the organization’s regulations starting in July of 2023.&nbsp;

Once approved, the turbine developer needs to install the system within 24 months. Existing wind turbines would apply to the FAA for lighting system installations starting in January 2026.&nbsp;

Lawmakers had mixed feelings on a wide-ranging bill that would crack down on fentanyl distribution and manufacturing, but would also expand the scope of the attorney general’s power and increase penalties for people fleeing law enforcement.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb174/">Senate Bill 174</a>&nbsp;would decriminalize fentanyl testing strips, as well as other drug testing strips and increase&nbsp;criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. Another part of the bill would add domestic battery and protection order violations to the list of crimes a person can have the intent to commit when committing burglary or aggravated burglary.&nbsp;

If passed, the bill would also give the attorney general authority to prosecute alleged crimes that occured in two or more counties. Another portion of the bill would make fleeing a law enforcement officer a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what crime the fleeing person has been charged with.&nbsp;

Rep. KC Ohaebosim, a Wichita Democrat,&nbsp; objected to the bill due to the law enforcement provision.&nbsp;

“My constituents are facing a problem right now with respect to law enforcement and I cannot support any bill that enhances police brutality among African Americans,” Ohaebosim said.&nbsp;

Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence Democrat, also spoke against the bill due to the many provisions bundled together in the bill.&nbsp;

“This bundle of bills may well be just the way we do things around here, but it shouldn’t be,” Highberger said.“The vast and unprecedented expansion of the attorney general’s criminal prosecution authority contained in this package goes far beyond what is needed to address the problem it is purportedly intending to address and I think it will have negative consequences in the future.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican, said he didn’t like the broad scope of the bill, but felt fentanyl was an issue that needed to be addressed.&nbsp;

“Fentanyl is a tremendous problem in America and I’ll vote yes just because of that, because we’ve got a big problem coming,” Smith said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3210734-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;House Republicans spoke in support of the wide-ranging tax plan, issuing a joint statement on the benefits of the proposal. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;House Republicans spoke in support of the wide-ranging tax plan, issuing a joint statement on the benefits of the proposal. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/21/kansas-lawmaker-asks-for-security-during-anti-vaccination-bill-hearing-i-dont-feel-comfortable/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp; House lawmakers passed a flat tax proposal with bipartisan support, following weeks of debate on the topic and criticism that the policy would mostly benefit corporations and the state’s wealthiest residents.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb169/">Republican-engineered tax proposal</a>&nbsp;would get rid of Kansas’ tiered tax system and implement a 5.25% income tax rate for all individuals above a certain threshold, starting in tax year 2024. The tax would apply to single filers making more than $6,150 and $12,300 for married individuals filing jointly.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-advances-nice-guy-flat-tax-proposal-to-change-income-property-tax-rates/">The flat tax plan would also reduce taxes</a>&nbsp;for corporations and financial institutions starting in tax year 2024, reducing the corporation tax rate to 3%. Under the bill, banks would have their tax rate reduced from 2.25% to 1.625%. percent. Other corporations, such as savings and loan associations, would have taxes reduced from 2.25% to 1.61% starting in tax year 2025.&nbsp;Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, Majority Leader Chris Croft and Speaker Pro Tem Blake Carpenter sent out a joint statement announcing the bill’s passage. The statement referred to the legislation as “a comprehensive tax plan that fortifies Kansas as the most desirable state in our nation to live, work, start a business and retire.”Several House Democrats broke rank to vote with Republicans on the bill, due to provisions that would lower property taxes and completely do away with the state’s food sales tax by the end of this year.&nbsp;House Minority Leader Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, spoke in support of the bill due to its proposed property tax relief. Under the bill, residential property valued up to $80,000 would be exempt from a statewide property tax beginning in tax year 2023. Currently, residential properties valued up to $40,000 are exempt.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3291911-scaled.jpg" alt="-Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, supported the flat tax bill because of provisions reducing property taxes. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, supported the flat tax bill because of provisions reducing property taxes. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Other Democrats still stood against the bill. Reps. Jerry Stogsdill,&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;Haswood,&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;Carlin, Brad Boyd,&nbsp;Melissa Oropeza&nbsp;and others issued a joint statement against the flat tax proposal.&nbsp;“By adopting a flat tax, the House is saying that it will only give hardworking Kansans a tax cut if wealthy Kansans receive their tax cut first,” the statement read. “Tossing out Kansas’ decades-old progressive income tax is structurally imbalanced and fails to offset the higher effective tax rate middle and working class Kansans pay in sales and property taxes.”&nbsp;The bill passed 96-28. An earlier Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223221426_415306/">version of the bill</a>&nbsp;passed 22-17, with a 4.75% flat tax income rate and without the other provisions.<h2>Abortion pill</h2>Lawmakers quickly passed a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing medication abortions that it may be possible to reverse them, though this claim is not supported by strong scientific research.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2439/">House Bill 2439</a>&nbsp;would require doctors to tell their patients it is possible to reverse the abortion pill and potentially face jail time if they refuse to tell patients about the “abortion reversal” process. Under the bill, facilities that prescribe or dispense mifepristone would have to display a notice telling patients that medication abortions may be reversible.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/medication-abortion-reversal-is-not-supported-by-science">opposes medication abortion “reversal,”</a>&nbsp;calling it scientifically unsound, unproven and unethical. Similar legislation has been vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/19a1ecdbd47d440397a870b0d41abfcd">in past years</a>.&nbsp;Rep. Melissa Oropeza, a Kansas City Democrat, said Kansans had already made their wishes on reproductive rights clear by voting down a proposed abortion amendment.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Aug. 2, 2022, the state of Kansas spoke loud and clear on how Kansans would like to keep health care decisions with the patient and their health care provider,” Oropeza said.&nbsp;The bill passed, 85-39.<h2>Energy independence</h2>House lawmakers took final action on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1603/">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603</a>, voting 87-37 to ask President&nbsp; Joe Biden to support the domestic oil and gas industry.The resolution was introduced on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-roundup-wind-turbine-lights-feminine-fight-ballot-deadline-biden-energy-policy/">the House floor Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican who said Biden needed to expand domestic energy production in the state, help with oil pipelines and consider “geopolitical tensions.”The resolution passed despite criticism from Democrats who said Biden was already focused on growing domestic energy.<h2>Wind turbine lighting</h2>Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to “restore the night sky,” supporting a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb49/">wind turbine mitigation bill</a>&nbsp;meant to reduce the appearance of blinking red lights on wind farms.&nbsp;House lawmakers spoke Tuesday about the lights being a nuisance to Kansans. The lights are meant to prevent low-flying aircraft from flying into wind turbines, but several lawmakers said this was an unnecessary precaution.Rep. Lisa Moser, a Wheaton Republican who introduced the bill, said the night sky should be uninterrupted by the lights.&nbsp;“To restore the night sky with moon and stars undisturbed in their beauty would be a momentous gesture of goodwill by the wind companies and would benefit thousands of Kansans who live inside the footprint of and under the noticeable umbrella of all existing Kansas wind systems,” Moser said during the Wednesday vote.&nbsp;She estimated that Kansas was home to about 4,000 wind turbines. Under the bill, new wind turbine developers need to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for lighting system installations that meet the organization’s regulations starting in July of 2023.&nbsp;Once approved, the turbine developer needs to install the system within 24 months. Existing wind turbines would apply to the FAA for lighting system installations starting in January 2026.&nbsp;The bill passed 118-6.<h2>Fentanyl</h2>Lawmakers had mixed feelings on a wide-ranging bill that would crack down on fentanyl distribution and manufacturing, but would also expand the scope of the attorney general’s power and increase penalties for people fleeing law enforcement.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb174/">Senate Bill 174</a>&nbsp;would decriminalize fentanyl testing strips, as well as other drug testing strips and increase&nbsp;criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. Another part of the bill would add domestic battery and protection order violations to the list of crimes a person can have the intent to commit when committing burglary or aggravated burglary.&nbsp;If passed, the bill would also give the attorney general authority to prosecute alleged crimes that occured in two or more counties. Another portion of the bill would make fleeing a law enforcement officer a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what crime the fleeing person has been charged with.&nbsp;Rep. KC Ohaebosim, a Wichita Democrat,&nbsp; objected to the bill due to the law enforcement provision.&nbsp;“My constituents are facing a problem right now with respect to law enforcement and I cannot support any bill that enhances police brutality among African Americans,” Ohaebosim said.&nbsp;Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence Democrat, also spoke against the bill due to the many provisions bundled together in the bill.&nbsp;“This bundle of bills may well be just the way we do things around here, but it shouldn’t be,” Highberger said.“The vast and unprecedented expansion of the attorney general’s criminal prosecution authority contained in this package goes far beyond what is needed to address the problem it is purportedly intending to address and I think it will have negative consequences in the future.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican, said he didn’t like the broad scope of the bill, but felt fentanyl was an issue that needed to be addressed.&nbsp;“Fentanyl is a tremendous problem in America and I’ll vote yes just because of that, because we’ve got a big problem coming,” Smith said.&nbsp;Lawmakers passed the bill 84-40.&nbsp;

Kan. House lawmakers pass flat tax proposal, ‘abortion reversal’ legislation

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with allegedly threatening a judge.

Michael A. Deblois, 42, Independence, Missouri, faces two felony charges for leaving threatening messages at the office of a 16th Circuit judge, according to Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.&nbsp; He now faces Tampering With a Judicial Officer and Harassment Motivated By Discrimination To Frighten Or Disturb Another Person. This means he now faces two Class D felonies punishable by up to 7 years in prison, according to baker.

According to court records, on Monday, the office of 16th Circuit Judge received multiple voicemails from the Deblois with hateful, angry threatening and harassing messages. 

When office employees reached out to him, he used profanity and racial slurs. Jackson County Sheriff's deputies and a detective investigated the calls. Deputies took Deblois into custody Tuesday, according to Baker. He made a first court appearance Wednesday

"No member of the public should be allowed to threaten a public official in the course of doing their duties," Baker said in a statement from her office.&nbsp; "But today most public officials experience threats to their safety, simply for doing a job for the public. While this type of anger is not a new phenomenon in our culture, it cannot be tolerated. This hate-filled&nbsp;speech is not protected speech. It is a crime.&nbsp;It will not be tolerated when it is directed at a judge and the judge's staff who assist in this necessary work."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680096002453.png" alt="Deblois-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Deblois-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with allegedly threatening a judge.Michael A. Deblois, 42, Independence, Missouri, faces two felony charges for leaving threatening messages at the office of a 16th Circuit judge, according to Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.&nbsp; He now faces Tampering With a Judicial Officer and Harassment Motivated By Discrimination To Frighten Or Disturb Another Person. This means he now faces two Class D felonies punishable by up to 7 years in prison, according to baker.According to court records, on Monday, the office of 16th Circuit Judge received multiple voicemails from the Deblois with hateful, angry threatening and harassing messages. When office employees reached out to him, he used profanity and racial slurs. Jackson County Sheriff's deputies and a detective investigated the calls. Deputies took Deblois into custody Tuesday, according to Baker. He made a first court appearance Wednesday"No member of the public should be allowed to threaten a public official in the course of doing their duties," Baker said in a statement from her office.&nbsp; "But today most public officials experience threats to their safety, simply for doing a job for the public. While this type of anger is not a new phenomenon in our culture, it cannot be tolerated. This hate-filled&nbsp;speech is not protected speech. It is a crime.&nbsp;It will not be tolerated when it is directed at a judge and the judge's staff who assist in this necessary work."

KC-area man accused of making racial threats to judge

CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;– Two subjects were arrested Tuesday night following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Baxter Springs Police Department.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, KBI agents and police officers conducted a traffic stop and a search warrant at the residence of 400 Washington Ave. in Baxter Springs, Kansas. During the search, pills believed to contain fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located.

Two individuals, who were present when the search warrant was conducted, were arrested.

Braydon J. Krokroskia, 26, of Baxter Springs, was arrested for possession of opiates with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Brittany A. St. Clair, 22, of Baxter Springs, was also arrested for possession of marijuana. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

&nbsp;Additional charges are expected, and formal charges are pending, according to the KBI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680108765171.png" alt="Krokroskia-photo Cherokee Co." />
 <figcaption>Krokroskia-photo Cherokee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;– Two subjects were arrested Tuesday night following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Baxter Springs Police Department.At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, KBI agents and police officers conducted a traffic stop and a search warrant at the residence of 400 Washington Ave. in Baxter Springs, Kansas. During the search, pills believed to contain fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located.Two individuals, who were present when the search warrant was conducted, were arrested.Braydon J. Krokroskia, 26, of Baxter Springs, was arrested for possession of opiates with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.Brittany A. St. Clair, 22, of Baxter Springs, was also arrested for possession of marijuana. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.&nbsp;Additional charges are expected, and formal charges are pending, according to the KBI.

KBI: Suspects had fentanyl pills, cocaine at Kansas home

HARVEY COUNTY — Newton USD 373 issued a release Tuesday night saying that schools in that district will be closed Wednesday. Late Wednesday, the district confirmed no school on Thursday. "Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through our network-security incident. School is canceled for Thursday, March 30."

"We are expecting school to resume in full Friday, March 31. All scheduled extracurricular athletic games and activities will continue as planned. Lunch will be provided Thursdat to students who want it via sack lunch pickup from 11:30-1pm at Newton High School. 

"Student’s meal account will be charged as normal if they pick up a lunch. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this issue."

"The district is working to solve a network security incident," USD 373 stated in a media release.&nbsp; "We have been working with external information technology experts to conduct a detailed&nbsp;technical investigation into the incident. We have also notified law enforcement. Please&nbsp;remember that our investigation is in its earliest stages and is still ongoing."

The school system continues to work around the clock to resolve any disruption of certain systems and operations, which, out of an abundance of caution, have remained offline until staff is confident&nbsp;that we can safely bring them back into service. So, there will be NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The district will update the community tomorrow regarding whether the school will be opened on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

If you have questions, please call Superintendent Fred Van Ranken at 316-284-6206. Below are questions and answers provided by the district.

What happened? On March 28, 2023, we detected a network security incident affecting certain systems within our network&nbsp;environment. We immediately shut down affected systems, and have engaged third party forensic specialists to investigate the extent of the activity. We have also notified law enforcement. The investigation is in the earliest stages and is currently ongoing.

Why was this called an internet outage at first? That was our initial understanding of the incident. Upon further investigation we discovered it was actually a network security incident.

How did this happen? We are currently working with third party forensic specialists to investigate the extent of the unauthorized activity, which includes the root cause. The investigation is in the earliest stages, and is currently ongoing.

Is my personal / business data involved? We are thoroughly investigating the incident now with third-party forensic specialists. The investigation is in the earliest stages, and we have not yet determined the extent of the unauthorized activity, including whether any personal or confidential information was involved. If individual personal information is involved, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with relevant state and federal laws.

Was this ransomware? To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share additional information about the nature of the incident.

Will this affect student class schedules or assignments? We have cancelled school for Wednesday, March 29, 2023. We are still determining whether school will open Thursday, March 30, 2023. Further, during this time there may be a disruption to certain resources, and we are working to mitigate any delays or interruptions. We thank you for your patience during this time. When will the investigation be complete?&nbsp;&nbsp; We cannot offer a definitive timeline at this point as this is a time intensive process. That said, we hope to conclude the investigation in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573673934914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY — Newton USD 373 issued a release Tuesday night saying that schools in that district will be closed Wednesday. Late Wednesday, the district confirmed no school on Thursday. "Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through our network-security incident. School is canceled for Thursday, March 30.""We are expecting school to resume in full Friday, March 31. All scheduled extracurricular athletic games and activities will continue as planned. Lunch will be provided Thursdat to students who want it via sack lunch pickup from 11:30-1pm at Newton High School. "Student’s meal account will be charged as normal if they pick up a lunch. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this issue.""The district is working to solve a network security incident," USD 373 stated in a media release.&nbsp; "We have been working with external information technology experts to conduct a detailed&nbsp;technical investigation into the incident. We have also notified law enforcement. Please&nbsp;remember that our investigation is in its earliest stages and is still ongoing." The school system continues to work around the clock to resolve any disruption of certain systems and operations, which, out of an abundance of caution, have remained offline until staff is confident&nbsp;that we can safely bring them back into service. So, there will be NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The district will update the community tomorrow regarding whether the school will be opened on Thursday, March 30, 2023.If you have questions, please call Superintendent Fred Van Ranken at 316-284-6206. Below are questions and answers provided by the district.What happened? On March 28, 2023, we detected a network security incident affecting certain systems within our network&nbsp;environment. We immediately shut down affected systems, and have engaged third party forensic specialists to investigate the extent of the activity. We have also notified law enforcement. The investigation is in the earliest stages and is currently ongoing.Why was this called an internet outage at first? That was our initial understanding of the incident. Upon further investigation we discovered it was actually a network security incident.How did this happen? We are currently working with third party forensic specialists to investigate the extent of the unauthorized activity, which includes the root cause. The investigation is in the earliest stages, and is currently ongoing.Is my personal / business data involved? We are thoroughly investigating the incident now with third-party forensic specialists. The investigation is in the earliest stages, and we have not yet determined the extent of the unauthorized activity, including whether any personal or confidential information was involved. If individual personal information is involved, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with relevant state and federal laws.Was this ransomware? To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are unable to share additional information about the nature of the incident.Will this affect student class schedules or assignments? We have cancelled school for Wednesday, March 29, 2023. We are still determining whether school will open Thursday, March 30, 2023. Further, during this time there may be a disruption to certain resources, and we are working to mitigate any delays or interruptions. We thank you for your patience during this time. When will the investigation be complete?&nbsp;&nbsp; We cannot offer a definitive timeline at this point as this is a time intensive process. That said, we hope to conclude the investigation in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

Network Security issue keeps schools closed in Newton

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in high-speed chase on a reported stolen motorcycle.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police attempted to stop a black motorcycle with a driver and passenger in the city of Great Bend.

The motorcycle fled from the police, leaving Great Bend on NW 10th Ave. The police officer lost the vehicle and terminated the pursuit, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

A few minutes later a Barton County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. located the vehicle approaching NW 30th Road at NW 10th Ave. The operator was traveling at a high rate of speed, at which time the motorcycle turned onto NW 30th Road westbound and accelerated. 

The sergeant attempted to stop the motorcycle but the rider continued to flee. The operator then turned southbound on US 281 Highway and continued into a residential neighborhood in Great Bend committing numerous traffic violations. It was later determined the motorcycle was stolen in Missouri.

The operator lost control near the intersection of 25th and Morton Street in Great Bend crashing near the intersection. The driver of the motorcycle was identified as William Dunn, 29, Kingman. 

EMS transported Dunn to the hospital in Great Bend. He sustained minor injuries. Upon release from the hospital, Dunn was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, felony flee and elude, possession of stolen property and reckless driving. He has since posted a $10,000 bond, according to Bellendir.

The passenger identified as 22-year-old Shyanne Huntley of Great Bend was also transported to the hospital. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680102861335.jpeg" alt="Dunn-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Dunn-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect involved in high-speed chase on a reported stolen motorcycle.Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police attempted to stop a black motorcycle with a driver and passenger in the city of Great Bend.The motorcycle fled from the police, leaving Great Bend on NW 10th Ave. The police officer lost the vehicle and terminated the pursuit, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.A few minutes later a Barton County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. located the vehicle approaching NW 30th Road at NW 10th Ave. The operator was traveling at a high rate of speed, at which time the motorcycle turned onto NW 30th Road westbound and accelerated. The sergeant attempted to stop the motorcycle but the rider continued to flee. The operator then turned southbound on US 281 Highway and continued into a residential neighborhood in Great Bend committing numerous traffic violations. It was later determined the motorcycle was stolen in Missouri.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104161174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The operator lost control near the intersection of 25th and Morton Street in Great Bend crashing near the intersection. The driver of the motorcycle was identified as William Dunn, 29, Kingman. EMS transported Dunn to the hospital in Great Bend. He sustained minor injuries. Upon release from the hospital, Dunn was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of aggravated battery, felony flee and elude, possession of stolen property and reckless driving. He has since posted a $10,000 bond, according to Bellendir.The passenger identified as 22-year-old Shyanne Huntley of Great Bend was also transported to the hospital. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Sheriff: Kansas man jailed after crash on stolen motorcycle 

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">invasion of Iraq</a>, an effort to return a basic war power to Congress from the White House 20 years after an authorization many now say was a mistake.

Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-wmds-us-intelligence-f9e21ac59d3a0470d9bfcc83544d706e">falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

“This body rushed into a war,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. The war has had “massive consequences,” Kaine said.

Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall joined 16 other Republicans to vote for the measure including Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt.

If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers in both parties are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-184f804c1202c0808f986425fd75341f">increasingly seeking</a>&nbsp;to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, and some lawmakers who voted for the Iraq War two decades ago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2002-iraq-war-vote-senate-authorization-reflection-60989b19ca76a2d9c2e2ff1bad97dc5a">now say</a>&nbsp;that was a mistake.

“Americans want to see an end to endless Middle East wars,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, adding that passing the repeal “is a necessary step to putting these bitter conflicts squarely behind us.”

Supporters, including almost 20 Republican senators, say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-iraq-war-repeal-senate-64270ec9085831c4f0be423702a7561e">Opponents</a>&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East.

“Our terrorist enemies aren’t sunsetting their war against us,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is at home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-fall-concussion-therapy-f7af2c851b96e5fdccb7d2829e869f6a">recovering from a fall</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and missed the vote. “When we deploy our servicemembers in harm’s way, we need to supply them with all the support and legal authorities that we can.”

The repeal’s future is less certain in the House, where 49 Republicans joined with Democrats in supporting a similar bill two years ago. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has suggested he is open to supporting a repeal even though he previously opposed it, but Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has indicated he would like to instead replace it with something else. But it is unclear what that would be.

Kaine and Todd Young, R-Ind., who led the effort together, have said they believe a strong bipartisan vote sends a powerful message to Americans who believe their voices should be heard on matters of war and peace.

President Donald Trump’s administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, but the two war powers resolutions have otherwise rarely been used as the basis for any presidential action. About 2,500 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-anniversary-troops-military-d1d9a7e6e83925dec22fce4d2e2c831e">remain in Iraq</a>&nbsp;at the invitation of the Iraqi government and assist and advise local forces.

A separate 2001 authorization for the global war on terror would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-vote-war-powers-iraq-afghanistan-a174a1b97644f2f64994f13b1ff41a20">remain in place</a>&nbsp;under the bill, which President Joe Biden has said he will support.

The October 2002 votes to give Bush broad authority for the Iraq invasion were a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.

The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and the American public for invading Iraq by promoting what turned out to be false intelligence alleging Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless.

The U.S. overthrow of Iraq’s security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life for years.

Some GOP senators opposing the repeal, including McConnell, have raised concerns about recent attacks against U.S. troops in Syria. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-syria-iran-db9ac72843a0a71c995d6ea04392cdbf">drone strike</a>&nbsp;last week killed an American contractor and wounded five troops and another contractor, then a rocket attack wounded another service member. Iranian-backed militants are believed responsible for the attacks.

Biden and his administration have argued that the repeal would not affect any response to Iran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said at a Senate hearing last week that American troops are authorized to protect themselves and respond to attacks, including under Article 2 of the Constitution, which gives the president the authority to protect troops.

The pushback from McConnell comes amid a growing rift in the Republican Party on the U.S. role in the Middle East, with some echoing Trump’s “America First” message to argue against military intervention abroad. Other Republicans are concerned Congress is giving too much leeway to the president in matters of war.

“I think a lot of lessons have been learned over the last 20 years,” said Young, the Indiana senator who is the lead Republican sponsor of the repeal. He said that those supporting the legislation “want to ensure that the American people can hold us accountable, rather than delegating those important authorities to an executive branch and then lamenting the unwitting wisdom of the executive branch if things don’t go well.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680116581911.png" alt="Moran (right) during Wednesday's session in the Senate-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Moran (right) during Wednesday's session in the Senate-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">invasion of Iraq</a>, an effort to return a basic war power to Congress from the White House 20 years after an authorization many now say was a mistake.Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-wmds-us-intelligence-f9e21ac59d3a0470d9bfcc83544d706e">falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.“This body rushed into a war,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. The war has had “massive consequences,” Kaine said.Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall joined 16 other Republicans to vote for the measure including Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers in both parties are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-184f804c1202c0808f986425fd75341f">increasingly seeking</a>&nbsp;to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, and some lawmakers who voted for the Iraq War two decades ago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2002-iraq-war-vote-senate-authorization-reflection-60989b19ca76a2d9c2e2ff1bad97dc5a">now say</a>&nbsp;that was a mistake.“Americans want to see an end to endless Middle East wars,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, adding that passing the repeal “is a necessary step to putting these bitter conflicts squarely behind us.”Supporters, including almost 20 Republican senators, say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-iraq-war-repeal-senate-64270ec9085831c4f0be423702a7561e">Opponents</a>&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East.“Our terrorist enemies aren’t sunsetting their war against us,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is at home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-fall-concussion-therapy-f7af2c851b96e5fdccb7d2829e869f6a">recovering from a fall</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and missed the vote. “When we deploy our servicemembers in harm’s way, we need to supply them with all the support and legal authorities that we can.”The repeal’s future is less certain in the House, where 49 Republicans joined with Democrats in supporting a similar bill two years ago. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has suggested he is open to supporting a repeal even though he previously opposed it, but Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has indicated he would like to instead replace it with something else. But it is unclear what that would be.Kaine and Todd Young, R-Ind., who led the effort together, have said they believe a strong bipartisan vote sends a powerful message to Americans who believe their voices should be heard on matters of war and peace.President Donald Trump’s administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, but the two war powers resolutions have otherwise rarely been used as the basis for any presidential action. About 2,500 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-anniversary-troops-military-d1d9a7e6e83925dec22fce4d2e2c831e">remain in Iraq</a>&nbsp;at the invitation of the Iraqi government and assist and advise local forces.A separate 2001 authorization for the global war on terror would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-vote-war-powers-iraq-afghanistan-a174a1b97644f2f64994f13b1ff41a20">remain in place</a>&nbsp;under the bill, which President Joe Biden has said he will support.The October 2002 votes to give Bush broad authority for the Iraq invasion were a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and the American public for invading Iraq by promoting what turned out to be false intelligence alleging Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless.The U.S. overthrow of Iraq’s security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life for years.Some GOP senators opposing the repeal, including McConnell, have raised concerns about recent attacks against U.S. troops in Syria. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-syria-iran-db9ac72843a0a71c995d6ea04392cdbf">drone strike</a>&nbsp;last week killed an American contractor and wounded five troops and another contractor, then a rocket attack wounded another service member. Iranian-backed militants are believed responsible for the attacks.Biden and his administration have argued that the repeal would not affect any response to Iran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said at a Senate hearing last week that American troops are authorized to protect themselves and respond to attacks, including under Article 2 of the Constitution, which gives the president the authority to protect troops.The pushback from McConnell comes amid a growing rift in the Republican Party on the U.S. role in the Middle East, with some echoing Trump’s “America First” message to argue against military intervention abroad. Other Republicans are concerned Congress is giving too much leeway to the president in matters of war.“I think a lot of lessons have been learned over the last 20 years,” said Young, the Indiana senator who is the lead Republican sponsor of the repeal. He said that those supporting the legislation “want to ensure that the American people can hold us accountable, rather than delegating those important authorities to an executive branch and then lamenting the unwitting wisdom of the executive branch if things don’t go well.”

Moran, Marshall vote to repeal 2002 measure that approved Iraq war

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized with a lung infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days and will remain in the hospital for several days of treatment, the Vatican said.

The 86-year-old pope doesn't have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Wednesday.

The hospitalization was the first since Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.

It immediately raised questions about Francis' overall health, and his ability to celebrate the busy Holy Week events that are due to begin this weekend with Palm Sunday.

Bruni said Francis had been suffering breathing troubles in recent days and went to the Gemelli hospital for tests.

“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” Bruni's statement said.

Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience earlier Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting in and out of the “popemobile.”

Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper. But he got through the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic without at least any public word of ever testing positive.

Francis had been due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9. He has canceled all audiences through Friday, but it wasn't clear whether he could keep the Holy Week plans.

Francis has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.

Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.

He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615845367722.png" alt="Pope Francis-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope Francis-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized with a lung infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days and will remain in the hospital for several days of treatment, the Vatican said.The 86-year-old pope doesn't have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Wednesday.The hospitalization was the first since Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.It immediately raised questions about Francis' overall health, and his ability to celebrate the busy Holy Week events that are due to begin this weekend with Palm Sunday.Bruni said Francis had been suffering breathing troubles in recent days and went to the Gemelli hospital for tests.“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” Bruni's statement said.Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience earlier Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting in and out of the “popemobile.”Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper. But he got through the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic without at least any public word of ever testing positive.Francis had been due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9. He has canceled all audiences through Friday, but it wasn't clear whether he could keep the Holy Week plans.Francis has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned."-----------VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-anniversary-abuse-lgbt-dd062a31ede3e5a4e0aa2a39ad75c20e">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;went to a Rome hospital on Wednesday and canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo previously scheduled tests, the Vatican said.The Vatican provided no details, including how long the 86-year-old pope would remain at Gemelli University Hospital, where he underwent surgery in 2021. But his audiences through Friday were canceled, raising questions about Francis' participation during the Vatican's Holy Week activities starting Sunday.“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checkups,” the Vatican said in a one-line statement from spokesman Matteo Bruni.Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting into and out of the “popemobile.”The purpose of the medical tests wasn't immediately clear. Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper.He spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital following the 2021 surgery for an intestinal narrowing, which included the removal of 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon.Francis is due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9.He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned.”