SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a disturbance at Murdock and West Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

At the scene, officers locate several citizens providing first aid to the victim. Two citizens played a vital role by putting themselves in harm’s way to subdue the suspect which allowed other witnesses to render aid. 

One witness utilized her vehicle by driving it toward the suspect identified as 38-year-old Julian Gonzalez resulting in the suspect disengaging. Another witness who was carrying a concealed firearm held the Gonzalez at gunpoint until officers arrived on the scene.

Investigators learned Gonzalez intentionally used his white 2010 Hyundai Elantra to strike a gray 2018 Chevrolet Cruz, driven by the victim. The Chevy Cruz also had a 28-yearold woman, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy in the car. 

Gonzalez then exited his vehicle and began breaking the Chevy windows out with nun-chucks. The adult victims were getting the juvenile victims out of the vehicle when Gonzalez began stabbing the 30-year-old man in the lower body, according to Ditch.

A few citizens gave commands at gunpoint to Gonzalez to stop and other citizens provided first aid to the victim until officers arrived. The adult female victim received minor lacerations from exiting the vehicle. All victims and the suspect were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Police arrested Gonzalez on requested charges of attempted murder, according to Ditch.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664468922095.png" alt="GONZALEZ-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>GONZALEZ-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.Just after 6 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a disturbance at Murdock and West Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;At the scene, officers locate several citizens providing first aid to the victim. Two citizens played a vital role by putting themselves in harm’s way to subdue the suspect which allowed other witnesses to render aid. One witness utilized her vehicle by driving it toward the suspect identified as 38-year-old Julian Gonzalez resulting in the suspect disengaging. Another witness who was carrying a concealed firearm held the Gonzalez at gunpoint until officers arrived on the scene.Investigators learned Gonzalez intentionally used his white 2010 Hyundai Elantra to strike a gray 2018 Chevrolet Cruz, driven by the victim. The Chevy Cruz also had a 28-yearold woman, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy in the car. Gonzalez then exited his vehicle and began breaking the Chevy windows out with nun-chucks. The adult victims were getting the juvenile victims out of the vehicle when Gonzalez began stabbing the 30-year-old man in the lower body, according to Ditch.A few citizens gave commands at gunpoint to Gonzalez to stop and other citizens provided first aid to the victim until officers arrived. The adult female victim received minor lacerations from exiting the vehicle. All victims and the suspect were transported to an area hospital for treatment.Police arrested Gonzalez on requested charges of attempted murder, according to Ditch.&nbsp;

Man with concealed carry firearm held Kan. suspect for police

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged animal cruelty and seized dozens of dogs.

On&nbsp;September 23, Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to check the welfare of several dogs located at 1076 West 120th Avenue in rural Conway Springs, according to the sheriff's office.

 The owner of the property, 46-year-old Samuel Roman, is a licensed breeder who recently had his license suspended by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. 

 Deputies observed multiple dogs in deplorable conditions, poor health, suffering from malnourishment and old injuries. 

 Deputies observed three dogs with fresh traumatic injuries that did not appear to be receiving medical attention.&nbsp; They were seized immediately and transported by Wellington Police Animal Control to Heersche’s Animal Clinic where they received care and treatment. 

 On September 28, Sumner County Deputies along with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Winfield Police Department, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol served a search warrant on the property.

Officers seized 65 additional dogs ranging from puppies to adults. Animal Rescue operations, Beauties and Beasts, Golden Belt Humane Society, Caring Hands Humane Society were instrumental in transporting and finding foster homes for the animals.

Deputies arrested Roman on requested charges of Cruelty to animals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664482704393.png" alt="Roman-photo Sumner County" />
 <figcaption>Roman-photo Sumner County</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged animal cruelty and seized dozens of dogs.On&nbsp;September 23, Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to check the welfare of several dogs located at 1076 West 120th Avenue in rural Conway Springs, according to the sheriff's office. The owner of the property, 46-year-old Samuel Roman, is a licensed breeder who recently had his license suspended by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Deputies observed multiple dogs in deplorable conditions, poor health, suffering from malnourishment and old injuries. Deputies observed three dogs with fresh traumatic injuries that did not appear to be receiving medical attention.&nbsp; They were seized immediately and transported by Wellington Police Animal Control to Heersche’s Animal Clinic where they received care and treatment. On September 28, Sumner County Deputies along with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Winfield Police Department, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol served a search warrant on the property.Officers seized 65 additional dogs ranging from puppies to adults. Animal Rescue operations, Beauties and Beasts, Golden Belt Humane Society, Caring Hands Humane Society were instrumental in transporting and finding foster homes for the animals.Deputies arrested Roman on requested charges of Cruelty to animals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Man arrested after 68 dogs seized at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden sought out deceased Rep. Jackie Walorski on Wednesday during remarks at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-philanthropy-9dc884edcdbce63c6df5f2337ff81922">hunger conference</a>, saying “Where’s Jackie?" The White House press secretary later said the congresswoman had been “top of mind” for the president at the time.

(Click below to watch the White House press secretary)

Karine Jean-Pierre did not acknowledge that Biden had misspoken during his remarks at the White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health when he looked around the room for Walorski, the Indiana congresswoman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-legislature-south-bend-accidents-elkhart-31c849c90aff88a7cddc9e9a614a585f">died in an August car crash.</a>

Biden, in his remarks. praised bipartisan lawmakers who worked on addressing childhood hunger, including Rep. Jim McGovern, Sen. Mike Braun, Sen. Cory Booker and Walorski, who was seen as a leader on the issue before her death.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

“Where’s Jackie?” Biden said, suggesting he expected her to be there.

Jean-Pierre faced repeated questioning during Wednesday's White House press briefing about Biden's flub, saying more than a dozen times that Walorski was "top of mind" for the president, who plans to meet with the congresswoman’s family at an event Friday when he signs a bill renaming a Veterans Affairs clinic in Indiana after her. She declined to say Biden had erred, nor did she issue an apology to the late lawmaker’s family.

“My answer is certainly not going to change," she told reporters. "All of you may have views on how I'm answering it, but I'm answering the question to the way that he saw it and to the way that we see it.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden sought out deceased Rep. Jackie Walorski on Wednesday during remarks at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-philanthropy-9dc884edcdbce63c6df5f2337ff81922">hunger conference</a>, saying “Where’s Jackie?" The White House press secretary later said the congresswoman had been “top of mind” for the president at the time.(Click below to watch the White House press secretary)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcE9Hqc6l5c?start=680" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Karine Jean-Pierre did not acknowledge that Biden had misspoken during his remarks at the White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health when he looked around the room for Walorski, the Indiana congresswoman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-legislature-south-bend-accidents-elkhart-31c849c90aff88a7cddc9e9a614a585f">died in an August car crash.</a>Biden, in his remarks. praised bipartisan lawmakers who worked on addressing childhood hunger, including Rep. Jim McGovern, Sen. Mike Braun, Sen. Cory Booker and Walorski, who was seen as a leader on the issue before her death.(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xfp9Cn5A5Mc?start=1049" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Where’s Jackie?” Biden said, suggesting he expected her to be there.Jean-Pierre faced repeated questioning during Wednesday's White House press briefing about Biden's flub, saying more than a dozen times that Walorski was "top of mind" for the president, who plans to meet with the congresswoman’s family at an event Friday when he signs a bill renaming a Veterans Affairs clinic in Indiana after her. She declined to say Biden had erred, nor did she issue an apology to the late lawmaker’s family.“My answer is certainly not going to change," she told reporters. "All of you may have views on how I'm answering it, but I'm answering the question to the way that he saw it and to the way that we see it.”

🎥White House explains Biden flub, search for late congresswoman 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man suspected of murder and a police officer were injured during a mid-morning shootout Thursday in downtown Topeka after the suspect led officers on a chase through Kansas' capital city, firing at them as he drove.

(Click below to listen to a joint press conference with Topeka Police and the Shawnee Co. Sheriff's office.)

Topeka police had sought the suspect over the Thursday morning shooting of two people at a south Topeka home, one of whom died, Chief Bryan Wheeles said. The suspect was hospitalized and in critical condition, under guard and in custody.

The other shooting victim was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and a woman riding with the suspect also was hospitalized, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening. The officer was treated at a hospital and released. His injuries were not more serious because the shot hit his protective vest, Wheeles said.

The chase ended in a block of office buildings, about two blocks north and one block east of the Kansas Statehouse.

“This could have been a lot higher count as far as casualties and even fatalities,” Wheeles told reporters during a news conference near where the chase ended.

Police said the suspect's relationship with the person shot to death in south Topeka was “domestic in nature” but did not elaborate. The suspect fled after a police officer spotted his car, and the chase lasted about 4 miles.

Police didn't name the suspect, his passenger, the two shooting victims or the injured officer. Details about the double-shooting, the chase and the downtown shootout weren't immediately released as the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reviewed what happened at the request of local law enforcement agencies.

It also wasn't clear how many officers fired their weapons, though Wheeles said nine Topeka police officers and one local sheriff's officer were on paid leave.

“This was a large scale, chaotic incident,” Wheeles said.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting with a homicide suspect that involved both Topeka and the Shawnee County Sheriff's office.

Early Thursday morning, officers responded to the 3500 block of SW Kerry Avenue in Topeka on a report of a shooting, according to Lt.&nbsp; Manuel Munoz.

Upon arrival, officers located one individual deceased at the scene and one other individual injured.&nbsp;

Topeka Police investigators quickly identified and worked to locate the suspect. The relationship between the suspect and the homicide victim was domestic in nature, according to Munoz.

A Topeka officer observed the suspect vehicle near Topeka’s Hi-Crest Neighborhood. The suspect initiated the pursuit, which ended in downtown Topeka near SW 6 th Avenue and South Kansas Avenue. 

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including SSO. The suspect shot several times at law enforcement officers on scene. Multiple law enforcement officers returned fire. At least one officer was struck by the suspect’s gunfire during this incident. The officer is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664474656753.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man suspected of murder and a police officer were injured during a mid-morning shootout Thursday in downtown Topeka after the suspect led officers on a chase through Kansas' capital city, firing at them as he drove.(Click below to listen to a joint press conference with Topeka Police and the Shawnee Co. Sheriff's office.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftopekapolicedepartment%2Fvideos%2F659897795356839%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=10" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Topeka police had sought the suspect over the Thursday morning shooting of two people at a south Topeka home, one of whom died, Chief Bryan Wheeles said. The suspect was hospitalized and in critical condition, under guard and in custody.The other shooting victim was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and a woman riding with the suspect also was hospitalized, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening. The officer was treated at a hospital and released. His injuries were not more serious because the shot hit his protective vest, Wheeles said.The chase ended in a block of office buildings, about two blocks north and one block east of the Kansas Statehouse.“This could have been a lot higher count as far as casualties and even fatalities,” Wheeles told reporters during a news conference near where the chase ended.Police said the suspect's relationship with the person shot to death in south Topeka was “domestic in nature” but did not elaborate. The suspect fled after a police officer spotted his car, and the chase lasted about 4 miles.Police didn't name the suspect, his passenger, the two shooting victims or the injured officer. Details about the double-shooting, the chase and the downtown shootout weren't immediately released as the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reviewed what happened at the request of local law enforcement agencies.It also wasn't clear how many officers fired their weapons, though Wheeles said nine Topeka police officers and one local sheriff's officer were on paid leave.“This was a large scale, chaotic incident,” Wheeles said.-------------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting with a homicide suspect that involved both Topeka and the Shawnee County Sheriff's office.Early Thursday morning, officers responded to the 3500 block of SW Kerry Avenue in Topeka on a report of a shooting, according to Lt.&nbsp; Manuel Munoz.Upon arrival, officers located one individual deceased at the scene and one other individual injured.&nbsp;Topeka Police investigators quickly identified and worked to locate the suspect. The relationship between the suspect and the homicide victim was domestic in nature, according to Munoz.A Topeka officer observed the suspect vehicle near Topeka’s Hi-Crest Neighborhood. The suspect initiated the pursuit, which ended in downtown Topeka near SW 6 th Avenue and South Kansas Avenue. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including SSO. The suspect shot several times at law enforcement officers on scene. Multiple law enforcement officers returned fire. At least one officer was struck by the suspect’s gunfire during this incident. The officer is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

🎥Kansas officer shot in firefight with murder suspect

The Rolling Hills Zoo family is mourning the passing of Auli, a member of the zoo’s original chimpanzee troop, who passed away at the age of 41, according to a media release from the zoo.

RHZ animal care staff and veterinarian had been monitoring his health as he began developing age related issues, but he was not responding to treatment and his quality of life was rapidly declining. It was decided that humanely euthanizing him was the kindest option available. The average life expectancy for male chimpanzees in captivity is 30 years.

Born on Aug. 25, 1981, Auli was captive born at the Primate Foundation of Arizona. Along with Shudak, Tohlo and Cocoa, Auli arrive at Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) on Aug. 28, 1997.

When Auli was young, and prior to coming to RHZ, he suffered a bite wound by another chimpanzee. This injury caused Auli to have numerous issues as he matured and resulted in many extensive surgeries and procedures through the years. Thanks to Dr. Mauch and a local team of MD specialists, RHZ staff veterinarians, Kansas State University Veterinary College and the exemplary care he received from his keepers through the years, Auli was able to live a long life despite his early challenges.

“I had the pleasure of caring for Auli for 25 years,” said Brenda Gunder, RHZ curator. “I met ‘Auli-baba-doodle-boy’ when he arrived just after his sweet 16th birthday in 1997. He was the youngest of the four male chimpanzees. To say that he taught me a lot about caring for the individual is an understatement. I will forever remember his ability to make brush-like tools by chewing the end of a stick to extract the last drops from any enrichment tube. Auli was a great supporter of his male troop members, even after the arrival of the females, and all the girls preferred the company of his calm sensitive nature. The bond with his “brothers from other mothers” stayed forever strong. He would support them, whenever needed, backing off the females when tensions flared. While words cannot describe how this loss will affect those who knew him, it gives me great comfort to know that we were able to give him a long, caring, and dynamic home for more than half his life.”

“Auli was the best nest builder and I would always watch him for the last 15 minutes of the day while he collected his handfuls of hay, sometimes even legfuls, and then would climb up to his nest location for the night,” said Brenna Fuller, RHZ keeper. “He was the most gentle chimp, always being very slow and careful when taking something from his keepers.”

“My fondest memories of Auli were when Millie, a female chimpanzee, would wrap a scarf around his neck and pull him around the yard. He would just go along with it with no complaints,” said Kira Kaempfe. “Whenever Auli wouldn’t shift inside for the night I would tell Millie to get Auli and she would go outside and wrap her arm around his shoulders and bring him in. Auli’s favorite enrichment was tooling, he loved a challenge and he always worked harder than anyone else. He will forever have a special place in my heart, and I’ll never forget his heart shaped behind.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664469001220.jpeg" alt="Auli photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Auli photo courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>The Rolling Hills Zoo family is mourning the passing of Auli, a member of the zoo’s original chimpanzee troop, who passed away at the age of 41, according to a media release from the zoo.RHZ animal care staff and veterinarian had been monitoring his health as he began developing age related issues, but he was not responding to treatment and his quality of life was rapidly declining. It was decided that humanely euthanizing him was the kindest option available. The average life expectancy for male chimpanzees in captivity is 30 years.Born on Aug. 25, 1981, Auli was captive born at the Primate Foundation of Arizona. Along with Shudak, Tohlo and Cocoa, Auli arrive at Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) on Aug. 28, 1997.When Auli was young, and prior to coming to RHZ, he suffered a bite wound by another chimpanzee. This injury caused Auli to have numerous issues as he matured and resulted in many extensive surgeries and procedures through the years. Thanks to Dr. Mauch and a local team of MD specialists, RHZ staff veterinarians, Kansas State University Veterinary College and the exemplary care he received from his keepers through the years, Auli was able to live a long life despite his early challenges.“I had the pleasure of caring for Auli for 25 years,” said Brenda Gunder, RHZ curator. “I met ‘Auli-baba-doodle-boy’ when he arrived just after his sweet 16th birthday in 1997. He was the youngest of the four male chimpanzees. To say that he taught me a lot about caring for the individual is an understatement. I will forever remember his ability to make brush-like tools by chewing the end of a stick to extract the last drops from any enrichment tube. Auli was a great supporter of his male troop members, even after the arrival of the females, and all the girls preferred the company of his calm sensitive nature. The bond with his “brothers from other mothers” stayed forever strong. He would support them, whenever needed, backing off the females when tensions flared. While words cannot describe how this loss will affect those who knew him, it gives me great comfort to know that we were able to give him a long, caring, and dynamic home for more than half his life.”“Auli was the best nest builder and I would always watch him for the last 15 minutes of the day while he collected his handfuls of hay, sometimes even legfuls, and then would climb up to his nest location for the night,” said Brenna Fuller, RHZ keeper. “He was the most gentle chimp, always being very slow and careful when taking something from his keepers.”“My fondest memories of Auli were when Millie, a female chimpanzee, would wrap a scarf around his neck and pull him around the yard. He would just go along with it with no complaints,” said Kira Kaempfe. “Whenever Auli wouldn’t shift inside for the night I would tell Millie to get Auli and she would go outside and wrap her arm around his shoulders and bring him in. Auli’s favorite enrichment was tooling, he loved a challenge and he always worked harder than anyone else. He will forever have a special place in my heart, and I’ll never forget his heart shaped behind.”

Part of original chimpanzee troop at Kansas zoo had died

WASHINGTON (AP) — Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration in an effort to halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, accusing it of overstepping its executive powers.

It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-executive-branch-88a53926a6583fdb7b8c311206f5357f">at least the second legal challenge this week</a>&nbsp;to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt</a>&nbsp;for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement, after months of internal deliberations and pressure from liberal activists, became immediate political fodder ahead of the November midterms while fueling arguments from conservatives about legality.

In the lawsuit, being filed Thursday in a federal court in Missouri, the Republican states argue that Biden's cancellation plan is “not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers,” as required by the 2003 federal law that the administration is using as legal justification. They point out that Biden, in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes” this month, declared the Covid-19 pandemic over, yet is still using the ongoing health emergency to justify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-program-explained-d248f3b049c292856bb1c74be6aedef2">the wide-scale debt relief.</a>

“It’s patently unfair to saddle hard-working Americans with the loan debt of those who chose to go to college,” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who is leading the group, said in an interview.

She added: “The Department of Education is required, under the law, to collect the balance due on loans. And President Biden does not have the authority to override that.”

The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina joined Arkansas in filing the lawsuit. Iowa has a Democratic attorney general, but the state's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, signed on the state's behalf. The states argue that Missouri's loan servicer is facing a “number of ongoing financial harms” because of Biden's decision to cancel loans. Other states that joined the lawsuit argue that Biden's forgiveness plan will ultimately disrupt revenue to state coffers.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-student-loan-refund-if-you-paid-during-pandemic-ac42ffdca1d37d1fe8d1d63f6faeaa6f">Biden’s forgiveness program</a>&nbsp;will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-higher-pell-grant-fce8a300f7d7400283891dc223cbc378">Pell Grant recipients</a>, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The administration also said it would extend the current pause on federal student loan repayments — put on hold near the start of the pandemic more than two years ago — once more through the end of the year.

The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately, with conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserting that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress.

Democratic lawmakers battling in tough reelection contests also distanced themselves from the student loan plan, as Republican officials called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of those who didn’t pursue higher education.

In their lawsuit, the Republican attorneys general also contend that the forgiveness program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which lays out how federal agencies should make regulations in order to ensure executive branch policies are well-reasoned and explained.

“The president does not have the authority to put himself in the place of Congress,” Rutledge said in the interview. “These actions must be taken by Congress and he can’t override that.”

To justify the plan’s legality, the Biden administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">relying on a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law</a>&nbsp;meant to help members of the military that the Justice Department says allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. But Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.

Another lawsuit against Biden’s student loan program was filed this week in an Indiana federal court by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian legal advocacy group that employs a lawyer who says he would be harmed by the forgiveness plan. The lawyer, Frank Garrison, says erasing his current debt load will trigger a tax liability from the state of Indiana, which is among at least a half dozen states where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">forgiven loan amounts will be subject to state taxes</a>.

The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless because any borrower who does not want the debt relief can opt out. The Education Department is still on track to unveil the application for the forgiveness plan in early October.

Republicans have also seized on the Biden plan’s price tag and its impact on the nation’s budget deficit. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-congress-government-and-politics-359a28d9691745afd6154eac5f0550dc">cost about $400 billion over the next three decades</a>. The White House countered that the CBO’s estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661367707782.png" alt="President Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during an August 24, announcement on student loan forgiveness. -White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during an August 24, announcement on student loan forgiveness. -White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration in an effort to halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, accusing it of overstepping its executive powers.It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-executive-branch-88a53926a6583fdb7b8c311206f5357f">at least the second legal challenge this week</a>&nbsp;to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt</a>&nbsp;for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement, after months of internal deliberations and pressure from liberal activists, became immediate political fodder ahead of the November midterms while fueling arguments from conservatives about legality.In the lawsuit, being filed Thursday in a federal court in Missouri, the Republican states argue that Biden's cancellation plan is “not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers,” as required by the 2003 federal law that the administration is using as legal justification. They point out that Biden, in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes” this month, declared the Covid-19 pandemic over, yet is still using the ongoing health emergency to justify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-program-explained-d248f3b049c292856bb1c74be6aedef2">the wide-scale debt relief.</a>“It’s patently unfair to saddle hard-working Americans with the loan debt of those who chose to go to college,” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who is leading the group, said in an interview.She added: “The Department of Education is required, under the law, to collect the balance due on loans. And President Biden does not have the authority to override that.”The states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina joined Arkansas in filing the lawsuit. Iowa has a Democratic attorney general, but the state's Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, signed on the state's behalf. The states argue that Missouri's loan servicer is facing a “number of ongoing financial harms” because of Biden's decision to cancel loans. Other states that joined the lawsuit argue that Biden's forgiveness plan will ultimately disrupt revenue to state coffers.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-student-loan-refund-if-you-paid-during-pandemic-ac42ffdca1d37d1fe8d1d63f6faeaa6f">Biden’s forgiveness program</a>&nbsp;will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-higher-pell-grant-fce8a300f7d7400283891dc223cbc378">Pell Grant recipients</a>, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.The administration also said it would extend the current pause on federal student loan repayments — put on hold near the start of the pandemic more than two years ago — once more through the end of the year.The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately, with conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserting that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress.Democratic lawmakers battling in tough reelection contests also distanced themselves from the student loan plan, as Republican officials called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of those who didn’t pursue higher education.In their lawsuit, the Republican attorneys general also contend that the forgiveness program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which lays out how federal agencies should make regulations in order to ensure executive branch policies are well-reasoned and explained.“The president does not have the authority to put himself in the place of Congress,” Rutledge said in the interview. “These actions must be taken by Congress and he can’t override that.”To justify the plan’s legality, the Biden administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-education-0fea030a0875c0e4e1a39b0c098bd48a">relying on a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law</a>&nbsp;meant to help members of the military that the Justice Department says allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. But Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.Another lawsuit against Biden’s student loan program was filed this week in an Indiana federal court by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian legal advocacy group that employs a lawyer who says he would be harmed by the forgiveness plan. The lawyer, Frank Garrison, says erasing his current debt load will trigger a tax liability from the state of Indiana, which is among at least a half dozen states where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-minnesota-mississippi-ffe9ed18bf0a434970ab09b1d89800e2">forgiven loan amounts will be subject to state taxes</a>.The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless because any borrower who does not want the debt relief can opt out. The Education Department is still on track to unveil the application for the forgiveness plan in early October.Republicans have also seized on the Biden plan’s price tag and its impact on the nation’s budget deficit. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-congress-government-and-politics-359a28d9691745afd6154eac5f0550dc">cost about $400 billion over the next three decades</a>. The White House countered that the CBO’s estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.

GOP states sue Biden administration over student loan plan

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-09-28/kansas-gets-ready-to-send-tax-dollars-to-small-businesses-hurt-by-pandemic-orders">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE —&nbsp;Tish Cobb figures she lost about $15,000 in
 the spring of 2020 when state and local health orders aimed at slowing 
the spread of the coronavirus shut down her hair salon.

“I lost business,” she said, “for eight weeks.”

Subsequent orders that limited the number of customers she could serve also cost her money.

Now, she and other small business owners can recoup some of their COVID-19 pandemic losses through a program established by the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2136_2022" target="_blank">Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act </a>passed in the final days of the Kansas Legislature’s 2022 session and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in June.

The
 law earmarks $50 million in federal COVID tax dollars for partial 
property tax refunds to retail businesses forced to close or cut 
occupancy during the pandemic. Businesses with pandemic-related losses 
in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for up to $10,000 – $5,000 for each year.

The <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Retail%20Storefront%20Property%20Tax%20Relief%20Act&amp;text=House%20Bill%202136%2C%20enacted%20during,tax%20years%202020%20and%202021." target="_blank">Kansas Department of Revenue</a> will start processing refund applications in October.

Revenue
 Secretary Mark Burghart said the agency is putting the finishing 
touches on a one-page application that business owners will complete 
online.

“We’re trying to keep this as simple as possible,” Burghart said.

A date hasn’t been set for the start of applications, he said, because the agency is still testing is website.

Only
 certain brick-and-mortar businesses are eligible for the refunds. 
Cobb’s salon, located in downtown Lawrence, qualifies. So do restaurants
 and other types of small retailers.

But the law excludes a long 
list of businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores 
and service providers. Nonprofits, online businesses and companies that 
received more than $150,000 in Payroll Protection Loans or other types 
of federal and state COVID-19 assistance are also ineligible.

“That’s
 the way it should be,” Cobb said. “It was hard hearing about big 
companies getting bailouts when I don’t think they were impacted like we
 were.”

Refund amounts will be based on a businesses’ property taxes and the number of days it was affected by public health orders.

To
 assist businesses owners who may have incomplete records, the 
Department of Revenue has created a database of all the orders issued by
 the state and local governments during the pandemic. It will be linked 
to the online application form.

Business owners intending to apply for a refund from the state must first <a href="https://usfcr.com/" target="_blank">register online</a>
 for a federal ID number. Due to a backlog, Burghart said, that could 
take some time. So, he’s encouraging businesses to start the process 
before the state begins accepting refund applications.

“Because,” he said, “we will not be able to accept the application without that number.”

Kansas businesses have until April 15, 2023 to apply for assistance.

Jim McLean is the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Kansas Public Radio and
 the senior political reporter for the Kansas News Service. Follow him 
on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664401520936.png" alt="Tish Cobb hopes to recover some of the $15,000 she thinks she lost because of business restrictions during the pandemic. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Tish Cobb hopes to recover some of the $15,000 she thinks she lost because of business restrictions during the pandemic. Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-09-28/kansas-gets-ready-to-send-tax-dollars-to-small-businesses-hurt-by-pandemic-orders">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE —&nbsp;Tish Cobb figures she lost about $15,000 in
 the spring of 2020 when state and local health orders aimed at slowing 
the spread of the coronavirus shut down her hair salon.“I lost business,” she said, “for eight weeks.”Subsequent orders that limited the number of customers she could serve also cost her money.Now, she and other small business owners can recoup some of their COVID-19 pandemic losses through a program established by the <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2136_2022" target="_blank">Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act </a>passed in the final days of the Kansas Legislature’s 2022 session and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in June.The
 law earmarks $50 million in federal COVID tax dollars for partial 
property tax refunds to retail businesses forced to close or cut 
occupancy during the pandemic. Businesses with pandemic-related losses 
in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for up to $10,000 – $5,000 for each year.The <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Retail%20Storefront%20Property%20Tax%20Relief%20Act&amp;text=House%20Bill%202136%2C%20enacted%20during,tax%20years%202020%20and%202021." target="_blank">Kansas Department of Revenue</a> will start processing refund applications in October.Revenue
 Secretary Mark Burghart said the agency is putting the finishing 
touches on a one-page application that business owners will complete 
online.“We’re trying to keep this as simple as possible,” Burghart said.A date hasn’t been set for the start of applications, he said, because the agency is still testing is website.Only
 certain brick-and-mortar businesses are eligible for the refunds. 
Cobb’s salon, located in downtown Lawrence, qualifies. So do restaurants
 and other types of small retailers.But the law excludes a long 
list of businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores 
and service providers. Nonprofits, online businesses and companies that 
received more than $150,000 in Payroll Protection Loans or other types 
of federal and state COVID-19 assistance are also ineligible.“That’s
 the way it should be,” Cobb said. “It was hard hearing about big 
companies getting bailouts when I don’t think they were impacted like we
 were.”Refund amounts will be based on a businesses’ property taxes and the number of days it was affected by public health orders.To
 assist businesses owners who may have incomplete records, the 
Department of Revenue has created a database of all the orders issued by
 the state and local governments during the pandemic. It will be linked 
to the online application form.Business owners intending to apply for a refund from the state must first <a href="https://usfcr.com/" target="_blank">register online</a>
 for a federal ID number. Due to a backlog, Burghart said, that could 
take some time. So, he’s encouraging businesses to start the process 
before the state begins accepting refund applications.“Because,” he said, “we will not be able to accept the application without that number.”Kansas businesses have until April 15, 2023 to apply for assistance.Jim McLean is the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Kansas Public Radio and
 the senior political reporter for the Kansas News Service. Follow him 
on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks" target="_blank">@jmcleanks</a>.

Kansas set to send aid to small businesses hurt by pandemic orders

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police recruit in connection with an alleged criminal threat.

Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday the Wichita Police Department responded to a domestic violence disturbance in the 1700 block of South Beech Street in Wichita, according to Office Chad Ditch.

Officers arrived on the scene and contacted a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman both of Wichita. 

Officers learned that man was involved in a verbal argument with a 21- year-old man, identified as Recruit Officer Trevon Morrison.

For transparency purposes, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate and booked Morrison on a requested charge of Criminal Threat.

Morrison is a Recruit Officer with the Wichita Police Department and assigned to the training academy. He has been employed since July 25, 2022. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664465514664.png" alt="Morrison -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Morrison -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a police recruit in connection with an alleged criminal threat.Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday the Wichita Police Department responded to a domestic violence disturbance in the 1700 block of South Beech Street in Wichita, according to Office Chad Ditch.Officers arrived on the scene and contacted a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman both of Wichita. Officers learned that man was involved in a verbal argument with a 21- year-old man, identified as Recruit Officer Trevon Morrison.For transparency purposes, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate and booked Morrison on a requested charge of Criminal Threat.Morrison is a Recruit Officer with the Wichita Police Department and assigned to the training academy. He has been employed since July 25, 2022.

Kansas police recruit officer accused of criminal threat

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a scam reported good news for a victim on Wednesday.

According to Kansas City Police,&nbsp;&nbsp;someone stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a senior citizen and detectives in the agency's Economic Crimes Section went to work. They traced a crime that began years ago. 

Detectives recently found much of the money and confiscated it from the suspect’s bank.

Detectives have been able to recover and return more than $157,000 to the victim.

"This was a detailed, challenging investigation by detectives and we’re thankful the victim recouped some of their loss," KCPD reported.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a scam reported good news for a victim on Wednesday.According to Kansas City Police,&nbsp;&nbsp;someone stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a senior citizen and detectives in the agency's Economic Crimes Section went to work. They traced a crime that began years ago. Detectives recently found much of the money and confiscated it from the suspect’s bank.Detectives have been able to recover and return more than $157,000 to the victim. "This was a detailed, challenging investigation by detectives and we’re thankful the victim recouped some of their loss," KCPD reported.

Police recover $157,000 taken from senior citizen in scam

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

To say that the Budweiser Clydesdales are popular in Salina might just be an understatement.

Hundreds of people young and old lined Santa Fe Avenue Wednesday evening to see and hear the world famous horse team clomp down the street. In fact, people were securing spots along the route from Chuck's Bar at 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue to The Temple at 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue before the horses even arrived in their trailers on N. Santa Fe Avenue.

They were not disappointed. Young fans could be heard squealing with delight as they pointed at the "horseys" passing by. An older woman who was there with a friend expressed amazement at the size of the horses. Clydesdales must be at least 18 hands (six feet) tall and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds each, according to information provided by Pestinger Distributing.

The Budweiser Clydesdales and their gear, including the beer wagon they pulled behind them, arrived in Salina in three red tractor-trailer rigs festooned with the Budweiser name on the side. They were in town as a part of Pestinger Distributing of Salina and Colby recently winning the Anheuser-Busch Esteemed Ambassadors of Excellence Big Jake Award. 

"In order to achieve Ambassador status and earn the Big Jake Award, which is the highest company honor, a wholesaler must score gold proficiency three times in a five-year period. 

The Ambassador of Excellence award is given annually to distributors nationwide who perform at the highest level of sales execution, customer service, community involvement, environmental consciousness and the endorsement and engagement of responsible drinking programs," Mike Riemann, Pestinger Distributing's general manager, told Salina Post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664430439813.jpeg" alt="Many who waited along Santa Fe Avenue were treated to a closeup look at the Clydesdales.&nbsp;-Salina Post photos" />
 <figcaption>Many who waited along Santa Fe Avenue were treated to a closeup look at the Clydesdales.&nbsp;-Salina Post photos</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTo say that the Budweiser Clydesdales are popular in Salina might just be an understatement.Hundreds of people young and old lined Santa Fe Avenue Wednesday evening to see and hear the world famous horse team clomp down the street. In fact, people were securing spots along the route from Chuck's Bar at 600 N. Santa Fe Avenue to The Temple at 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue before the horses even arrived in their trailers on N. Santa Fe Avenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664429821671.jpeg" alt="The Clydesdales arrived on N. Santa Fe Avenue near Chuck's Bar at 5 p.m. Wednesday to the delight of a sizeable crowd of people, some of whom could be seen through the trailer doors." />
 <figcaption>The Clydesdales arrived on N. Santa Fe Avenue near Chuck's Bar at 5 p.m. Wednesday to the delight of a sizeable crowd of people, some of whom could be seen through the trailer doors.</figcaption>
 </figure>They were not disappointed. Young fans could be heard squealing with delight as they pointed at the "horseys" passing by. An older woman who was there with a friend expressed amazement at the size of the horses. Clydesdales must be at least 18 hands (six feet) tall and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds each, according to information provided by Pestinger Distributing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664430022979.jpeg" alt="Some of the Clydesdales await exiting their trailer." />
 <figcaption>Some of the Clydesdales await exiting their trailer.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Budweiser Clydesdales and their gear, including the beer wagon they pulled behind them, arrived in Salina in three red tractor-trailer rigs festooned with the Budweiser name on the side. They were in town as a part of Pestinger Distributing of Salina and Colby recently winning the Anheuser-Busch Esteemed Ambassadors of Excellence Big Jake Award. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664430135223.jpeg" alt="Staff prepare the beer wagon the Clydesdales pulled down Santa Fe Avenue." />
 <figcaption>Staff prepare the beer wagon the Clydesdales pulled down Santa Fe Avenue.</figcaption>
 </figure>"In order to achieve Ambassador status and earn the Big Jake Award, which is the highest company honor, a wholesaler must score gold proficiency three times in a five-year period. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664430267937.jpeg" alt="Cellphones were busy as the Clydesdales passed by." />
 <figcaption>Cellphones were busy as the Clydesdales passed by.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ambassador of Excellence award is given annually to distributors nationwide who perform at the highest level of sales execution, customer service, community involvement, environmental consciousness and the endorsement and engagement of responsible drinking programs," Mike Riemann, Pestinger Distributing's general manager, told Salina Post.

Hundreds gather in Salina to see Budwiser Clydesdales

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned oil and gas companies against increasing prices for consumers as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ian-live-updates-6302894797cae989ff855030cf332a97">Hurricane Ian</a>&nbsp;lashed Florida’s southwest coast.

(Click below to watch the President's statement)

“Do not, let me repeat, do not use this as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American people,” Biden said at the start of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-philanthropy-9dc884edcdbce63c6df5f2337ff81922">conference on hunger in America and just hours before the hurricane</a>&nbsp;made landfall as a massive Category 4 storm.

Biden said that the hurricane “provides no excuse for price increases at the pump” and if it happens, he will ask federal officials to determine ”whether price gauging is going on.”

“America is watching. The industry should do the right thing,” Biden added.

There are few signs that average gas prices have jumped significantly in Florida as the hurricane began to approach. AAA put the statewide average at just under $3.40 a gallon, six-tenths of a cent higher than a week ago.

A 99-day run of falling pump prices nationally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/political-issues-3c8e1dd27e93b995b930035a7ead3cb6">ended recently</a>, and the 14-week decline was the longest streak since 2015. The nationwide average price had risen past $5 a gallon — and $6 in California — in June as the economic recovery and an increase in travel boosted demand for gasoline and Russia’s war in Ukraine caused a spike in oil prices.

Gasoline prices mostly reflect trends in global oil prices, and crude — both the U.S. benchmark and the international Brent — has been slumping since mid-June on growing fears of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-health-economy-d2fd0bbc09fbe98d8fdb4840be29e826">global recession</a>&nbsp;that would reduce demand for energy.

Many energy analysts believe prices are more likely to rise than fall in the next few months. But changes in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-consumer-confidence-264633cb0405d785e47ad81d6daafe28">sentiment about the economy</a>, Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war against Ukraine</a>, and even hurricane season — always a threat to disrupt refineries along the Gulf Coast — make predictions uncertain.

A spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute, an oil industry group, said the industry is focused on “delivering fuels where they are needed most while ensuring the safety of our workforce’’ during the hurricane.

“Gasoline prices are determined by market forces -– not individual companies -- and claims that the price at the pump is anything but a function of supply and demand are false,” spokeswoman Andrea Woods said.

The hurricane was lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening to the threshold of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.

Before making its way through the Gulf of Mexico to Florida, Hurricane Ian tore into western Cuba on Tuesday, killing two people and bringing down the country’s electrical grid.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664394807506.png" alt="Radar image of Hurrixane Ian -National Hurricane Center&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Radar image of Hurrixane Ian -National Hurricane Center&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned oil and gas companies against increasing prices for consumers as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ian-live-updates-6302894797cae989ff855030cf332a97">Hurricane Ian</a>&nbsp;lashed Florida’s southwest coast.(Click below to watch the President's statement)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xfp9Cn5A5Mc?start=900" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Do not, let me repeat, do not use this as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American people,” Biden said at the start of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-philanthropy-9dc884edcdbce63c6df5f2337ff81922">conference on hunger in America and just hours before the hurricane</a>&nbsp;made landfall as a massive Category 4 storm.Biden said that the hurricane “provides no excuse for price increases at the pump” and if it happens, he will ask federal officials to determine ”whether price gauging is going on.”“America is watching. The industry should do the right thing,” Biden added.There are few signs that average gas prices have jumped significantly in Florida as the hurricane began to approach. AAA put the statewide average at just under $3.40 a gallon, six-tenths of a cent higher than a week ago.A 99-day run of falling pump prices nationally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/political-issues-3c8e1dd27e93b995b930035a7ead3cb6">ended recently</a>, and the 14-week decline was the longest streak since 2015. The nationwide average price had risen past $5 a gallon — and $6 in California — in June as the economic recovery and an increase in travel boosted demand for gasoline and Russia’s war in Ukraine caused a spike in oil prices.Gasoline prices mostly reflect trends in global oil prices, and crude — both the U.S. benchmark and the international Brent — has been slumping since mid-June on growing fears of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-health-economy-d2fd0bbc09fbe98d8fdb4840be29e826">global recession</a>&nbsp;that would reduce demand for energy.Many energy analysts believe prices are more likely to rise than fall in the next few months. But changes in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-consumer-confidence-264633cb0405d785e47ad81d6daafe28">sentiment about the economy</a>, Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war against Ukraine</a>, and even hurricane season — always a threat to disrupt refineries along the Gulf Coast — make predictions uncertain.A spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute, an oil industry group, said the industry is focused on “delivering fuels where they are needed most while ensuring the safety of our workforce’’ during the hurricane.“Gasoline prices are determined by market forces -– not individual companies -- and claims that the price at the pump is anything but a function of supply and demand are false,” spokeswoman Andrea Woods said.The hurricane was lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening to the threshold of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.Before making its way through the Gulf of Mexico to Florida, Hurricane Ian tore into western Cuba on Tuesday, killing two people and bringing down the country’s electrical grid.

🎥.Biden warns oil industry: Don't raise gas prices due to hurricane

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting have arrested 35-year-old Emmanuel Rashad Walker, according to online jail records. Authorities booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections at 6:30p.m. Tuesday.&nbsp;

Police have not released details of the arrest.

On July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.

First responders found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/bv3sq?member=20743751&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton </a>suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Several days later, Topeka Police issued an alert for help to locate Walker in reference to the homicide investigation.

Walker is being held on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated battery, domestic battery, assault, criminal trespass, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and a number of traffic violations, according to online jail records.

 Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658512386623.png" alt="&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting have arrested 35-year-old Emmanuel Rashad Walker, according to online jail records. Authorities booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections at 6:30p.m. Tuesday.&nbsp;Police have not released details of the arrest.On July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.First responders found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/bv3sq?member=20743751&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton </a>suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.Several days later, Topeka Police issued an alert for help to locate Walker in reference to the homicide investigation.Walker is being held on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; Intentional and premeditated, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated battery, domestic battery, assault, criminal trespass, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and a number of traffic violations, according to online jail records. Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

Kansas man wanted for July murder captured, held on $1M bond

MOSCOW (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has issued another security alert for Americans in Russia, warning them to depart "immediately while limited commercial travel options remain."

<a href="https://ru.usembassy.gov/security-alert-for-u-s-citizens-in-russia/">Click here to read </a>the alert from the embassy

The embassy cited the ongoing partial mobilization in Russia for the war in Ukraine.

"Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service," it said.

An Aug. 15 security alert from the embassy warned that Americans could be harassed in Russia and have difficulty obtaining consular assistance.

Tens of thousands of Russian men have fled in the week since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/tag/russia-ukraine" target="_blank">struggling Russian forces in Ukraine.</a>&nbsp;Although Putin said the callup was "partial," aimed at calling up about 300,000 men with past military service, many Russians fear it will be much broader and more arbitrary than that. There are numerous reports of men with no military training and of all ages receiving draft notices.

Airline tickets to the limited number of countries still accepting flights from Russia sold out quickly despite steep prices, and long lines of Russians trying to escape continued to clog highways out of the country on Wednesday. Moscow reportedly set up draft offices at borders to intercept some of them.

The embassy warnings come as Russia moves to annex parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine that held Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on living under Moscow’s rule. Armed troops had gone door-to-door with election officials to collect ballots in five days of voting, a move that’s likely to prompt more sanctions from the West.

The Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide an additional $1.1 billion in aid to Ukraine, with funding for about 18 more advanced rocket systems and other weapons to counter drones that Russia has been using against Ukrainian troops. That brings the total of U.S. aid to Ukraine to nearly $17 billion since the Biden administration took office.

MOSCOW (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has issued another security alert for Americans in Russia, warning them to depart "immediately while limited commercial travel options remain."<a href="https://ru.usembassy.gov/security-alert-for-u-s-citizens-in-russia/">Click here to read </a>the alert from the embassyThe embassy cited the ongoing partial mobilization in Russia for the war in Ukraine."Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service," it said.An Aug. 15 security alert from the embassy warned that Americans could be harassed in Russia and have difficulty obtaining consular assistance.Tens of thousands of Russian men have fled in the week since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/tag/russia-ukraine" target="_blank">struggling Russian forces in Ukraine.</a>&nbsp;Although Putin said the callup was "partial," aimed at calling up about 300,000 men with past military service, many Russians fear it will be much broader and more arbitrary than that. There are numerous reports of men with no military training and of all ages receiving draft notices.Airline tickets to the limited number of countries still accepting flights from Russia sold out quickly despite steep prices, and long lines of Russians trying to escape continued to clog highways out of the country on Wednesday. Moscow reportedly set up draft offices at borders to intercept some of them.The embassy warnings come as Russia moves to annex parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine that held Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on living under Moscow’s rule. Armed troops had gone door-to-door with election officials to collect ballots in five days of voting, a move that’s likely to prompt more sanctions from the West.The Biden administration said Wednesday it will provide an additional $1.1 billion in aid to Ukraine, with funding for about 18 more advanced rocket systems and other weapons to counter drones that Russia has been using against Ukrainian troops. That brings the total of U.S. aid to Ukraine to nearly $17 billion since the Biden administration took office.

U.S. Embassy: Americans urged to leave Russia ‘immediately'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 68-year-old Charlie Jones of Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an injury accident at Broadway and MacArthur in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers arrived on the scene and located Jones with injuries to his upper body. 

EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The investigation revealed Jones was traveling northbound on Broadway in a motorized wheelchair when he was struck by a black 2011 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on MacArthur.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 68-year-old Charlie Jones of Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an injury accident at Broadway and MacArthur in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers arrived on the scene and located Jones with injuries to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.The investigation revealed Jones was traveling northbound on Broadway in a motorized wheelchair when he was struck by a black 2011 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on MacArthur.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

Police ID Kan. man who died after pickup struck motorized wheel chair

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The two biggest U.S. railroad unions were working Wednesday ahead of key ratification votes to dispel rumors about the contract deals that averted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a potentially devastating</a>&nbsp;nationwide strike.

The unions have been fighting rumors on social media that they would impose the deals on workers if they vote to reject them. The rumors were sparked by a railroad trade publication suggesting that was possible in an article earlier this month.

And some newly formed worker groups that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strikes-government-and-politics-fce93ab9e273265ab2543d34b6f529ac">organize protests</a>&nbsp;at railyards across the country last week have been urging workers, some harboring deep resentment over how they've been treated by the railroads in recent years, to reject the proposed contracts.

“The challenge is to first get past how angry they are,” said Dennis Pierce, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The education process we’re working through now is to try to get concentrating on the facts of the deal instead of the emotions of what they’ve been through. And that’s a heavy lift.”

He added that there are some “out there from the outside and inside with their own agendas that are trying to keep everyone agitated.”

The BLET and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions are instead emphasizing to their members the potential benefits of the five-year deals, which include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Union leaders are stressing that the only way a contract will be imposed on members is if Congress steps in to block a strike because so many businesses rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products.

Workers were ready to strike until the Biden administration helped broker a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;that prevented a mid-September walkout at Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads. But now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">all the unions,</a>&nbsp;which represent a total of 115,000 workers, must ratify their deals over the next six weeks to ensure there won't be a strike. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted Wednesday to join two smaller rail unions as the only ones to approve their deals so far.

The financial terms of these deals closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators Biden appointed made this summer, but that board didn't resolve all of the worker concerns about schedules and workloads after the major railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">eliminated nearly one third</a>&nbsp;of their workforces over the past six years.

Conductors and engineers have been especially upset about quality-of-life issues because they say the strict attendance policies railroads imposed to make sure they have enough crews make it hard to take any time off and keep them on call 24-7.

The president of the SMART-TD union, Jeremy Ferguson, acknowledged in a video he sent out to his members that this deal “did not abolish the whole attendance policy like we asked” but he said it does include some key gains.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">concessions</a>&nbsp;the unions got include three unpaid leave days a year for medical appointments, although those must be scheduled 30 days ahead of time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The railroads also promised not to dock workers when they are hospitalized and said they would negotiate at each railroad about ensuring workers have regularly scheduled days off.

Pierce said the unions focused on time off for medical needs because that seemed to be where the greatest harm was being done. In one case highlighted by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/09/17/railroad-strike-attendance-workers/">Washington Post</a>, a BNSF engineer who skipped a doctor's appointment earlier this year because he was worried about being penalized under that railroad's attendance policy died on a train a few weeks later after suffering a heart attack.

Ferguson also emphasized that the unions were able to protect two-person crews by preventing the railroads from forcing them into arbitration over their proposals to cut train crews down to one person. Unions have vehemently opposed that idea for years because of concerns about safety and protecting jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663077336048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The two biggest U.S. railroad unions were working Wednesday ahead of key ratification votes to dispel rumors about the contract deals that averted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a potentially devastating</a>&nbsp;nationwide strike.The unions have been fighting rumors on social media that they would impose the deals on workers if they vote to reject them. The rumors were sparked by a railroad trade publication suggesting that was possible in an article earlier this month.And some newly formed worker groups that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strikes-government-and-politics-fce93ab9e273265ab2543d34b6f529ac">organize protests</a>&nbsp;at railyards across the country last week have been urging workers, some harboring deep resentment over how they've been treated by the railroads in recent years, to reject the proposed contracts.“The challenge is to first get past how angry they are,” said Dennis Pierce, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The education process we’re working through now is to try to get concentrating on the facts of the deal instead of the emotions of what they’ve been through. And that’s a heavy lift.”He added that there are some “out there from the outside and inside with their own agendas that are trying to keep everyone agitated.”The BLET and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions are instead emphasizing to their members the potential benefits of the five-year deals, which include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Union leaders are stressing that the only way a contract will be imposed on members is if Congress steps in to block a strike because so many businesses rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products.Workers were ready to strike until the Biden administration helped broker a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;that prevented a mid-September walkout at Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads. But now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">all the unions,</a>&nbsp;which represent a total of 115,000 workers, must ratify their deals over the next six weeks to ensure there won't be a strike. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted Wednesday to join two smaller rail unions as the only ones to approve their deals so far.The financial terms of these deals closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators Biden appointed made this summer, but that board didn't resolve all of the worker concerns about schedules and workloads after the major railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">eliminated nearly one third</a>&nbsp;of their workforces over the past six years.Conductors and engineers have been especially upset about quality-of-life issues because they say the strict attendance policies railroads imposed to make sure they have enough crews make it hard to take any time off and keep them on call 24-7.The president of the SMART-TD union, Jeremy Ferguson, acknowledged in a video he sent out to his members that this deal “did not abolish the whole attendance policy like we asked” but he said it does include some key gains.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">concessions</a>&nbsp;the unions got include three unpaid leave days a year for medical appointments, although those must be scheduled 30 days ahead of time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The railroads also promised not to dock workers when they are hospitalized and said they would negotiate at each railroad about ensuring workers have regularly scheduled days off.Pierce said the unions focused on time off for medical needs because that seemed to be where the greatest harm was being done. In one case highlighted by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/09/17/railroad-strike-attendance-workers/">Washington Post</a>, a BNSF engineer who skipped a doctor's appointment earlier this year because he was worried about being penalized under that railroad's attendance policy died on a train a few weeks later after suffering a heart attack.Ferguson also emphasized that the unions were able to protect two-person crews by preventing the railroads from forcing them into arbitration over their proposals to cut train crews down to one person. Unions have vehemently opposed that idea for years because of concerns about safety and protecting jobs.

Rail unions emphasize positives of their tentative deal to avoid strike

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a disturbance and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 7 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with weapon call in the 1600 block of N. Pennsylvania in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. 

911 operators had received a call from a citizen reporting an unknown man had thrown a brick through their car window.

Officers arrived in the area and contacted a 57-year-old victim who was bleeding severely from an injury to his wrist. An officer quickly applied a tourniquet to the man and rendered aid until EMS could transport him to an area hospital for treatment.

Officers learned the victim had followed the suspect after the brick was thrown at his car when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Samuel Burns, approached him with a knife and cut him twice. 

Officers began checking the area for the suspect, who was still armed with the knife, and located him in the 1900 block of N. Hydraulic where he was taken into custody.

Burns booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage, criminal threat, and a warrant for domestic battery. Hospital staff informed officers that their quick action in applying a tourniquet to the victim saved his life

Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664327397847.png" alt="Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a disturbance and have a suspect in custody.Just before 7 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with weapon call in the 1600 block of N. Pennsylvania in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. 911 operators had received a call from a citizen reporting an unknown man had thrown a brick through their car window.Officers arrived in the area and contacted a 57-year-old victim who was bleeding severely from an injury to his wrist. An officer quickly applied a tourniquet to the man and rendered aid until EMS could transport him to an area hospital for treatment.Officers learned the victim had followed the suspect after the brick was thrown at his car when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Samuel Burns, approached him with a knife and cut him twice. Officers began checking the area for the suspect, who was still armed with the knife, and located him in the 1900 block of N. Hydraulic where he was taken into custody.Burns booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage, criminal threat, and a warrant for domestic battery. Hospital staff informed officers that their quick action in applying a tourniquet to the victim saved his lifeBurns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Quick action by police saved Kansas man after knife attack

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges for a fatal 2021 shooting, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Celon D. White, 35, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two other counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, on Sept. 8, 2021 Kansas City police responded to Truman Medical Center and were advised that a deceased man had been fatally wounded while he was in the area of 19th and Vine that evening. 

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Mortez Falkner. In September 2022, police recovered the stolen vehicle involved in the shooting in the area of 28th and Walrond. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle was abandoned on Sept. 8, 2021, just hours after the homicide. 

Testing of spent shell casings found at the homicide scene linked the defendant to the casings. In addition, DNA taken from the stolen vehicle found Sept. 15, 2022, also matched to the defendant.

Prosecutors requested the White be held on no bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664238625699.png" alt="White-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges for a fatal 2021 shooting, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Celon D. White, 35, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two other counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, on Sept. 8, 2021 Kansas City police responded to Truman Medical Center and were advised that a deceased man had been fatally wounded while he was in the area of 19th and Vine that evening. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Mortez Falkner. In September 2022, police recovered the stolen vehicle involved in the shooting in the area of 28th and Walrond. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle was abandoned on Sept. 8, 2021, just hours after the homicide. Testing of spent shell casings found at the homicide scene linked the defendant to the casings. In addition, DNA taken from the stolen vehicle found Sept. 15, 2022, also matched to the defendant.Prosecutors requested the White be held on no bond.&nbsp;

DNA in stolen car linked Kansas City man to year-old murder

RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities with the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a juvenile sex offense and have two suspects in custody.&nbsp;

Police arrested Mark E. Rank, 57, Belle Plaine, on requested charges of Electronic Solicitation; Believes the child to be 14-15 YOA, and (2) Indecent Solicitation of a Child.

They also arrested 61-year-old Margaret A. Myrick of Belle Plaine, KS on a requested charge of (1) Conspiracy to Commit Indecent Solicitation of a Child.

The Hutchinson Police Department is asking anyone who is aware of illegal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664381090600.jpeg" alt="Mark E. Rank -Hutchinson Police" />
 <figcaption>Mark E. Rank -Hutchinson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities with the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a juvenile sex offense and have two suspects in custody.&nbsp;Police arrested Mark E. Rank, 57, Belle Plaine, on requested charges of Electronic Solicitation; Believes the child to be 14-15 YOA, and (2) Indecent Solicitation of a Child.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664381100559.jpeg" alt="Margaret Myrick -photo Hutchinson Police" />
 <figcaption>Margaret Myrick -photo Hutchinson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>They also arrested 61-year-old Margaret A. Myrick of Belle Plaine, KS on a requested charge of (1) Conspiracy to Commit Indecent Solicitation of a Child.The Hutchinson Police Department is asking anyone who is aware of illegal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.