By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

CAWKER CITY - A Downs man with multiple active felony warrants led law enforcement personnel on a chase from Mitchell County into Osborne County with speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.

Just before 5p.m. Tuesday, a Mitchell County Sheriff's deputy stopped Bryan Mitchell Troxel, 37, of Downs, who was driving a scooter that didn't have a license plate. The stop occurred in 1200 block of Lake Drive in Cawker City, according to a news release from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.

During the stop, Troxel allegedly provided a false name to the deputy. At approximately 5:07 p.m., the deputy was attempting a VIN check on the scooter, however, Troxel fled on the scooter and headed south out of Cawker City. Once out of town, he took multiple back roads toward Downs, which is to the west of Cawker City.

According to the news release, personnel from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, the Osborne County Sheriff's Office, and the Osborne Police Department pursued Troxel into Downs at speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.

During the pursuit, Troxel recklessly drove in oncoming traffic, through ditches, yards, and at deputies attempting to safely bring the pursuit to an end.

Troxel stopped in the 600 block of Third Street in Downs and attempted to gain entry into a residence. At that point, deputies were able to take him into custody.

Once deputies knew Troxel's true identity, they learned that he had multiple active felony warrants out of Johnson County. The scooter also was reported stolen out of Johnson County. Deputies also allegedly located narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Troxel was transported to the Mitchell County Jail, with charges being forwarded to the County Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663189260892.png" alt="Bryan Mitchell Troxel. Photo courtesy Johnson County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Bryan Mitchell Troxel. Photo courtesy Johnson County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostCAWKER CITY - A Downs man with multiple active felony warrants led law enforcement personnel on a chase from Mitchell County into Osborne County with speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.Just before 5p.m. Tuesday, a Mitchell County Sheriff's deputy stopped Bryan Mitchell Troxel, 37, of Downs, who was driving a scooter that didn't have a license plate. The stop occurred in 1200 block of Lake Drive in Cawker City, according to a news release from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.During the stop, Troxel allegedly provided a false name to the deputy. At approximately 5:07 p.m., the deputy was attempting a VIN check on the scooter, however, Troxel fled on the scooter and headed south out of Cawker City. Once out of town, he took multiple back roads toward Downs, which is to the west of Cawker City.According to the news release, personnel from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, the Osborne County Sheriff's Office, and the Osborne Police Department pursued Troxel into Downs at speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.During the pursuit, Troxel recklessly drove in oncoming traffic, through ditches, yards, and at deputies attempting to safely bring the pursuit to an end.Troxel stopped in the 600 block of Third Street in Downs and attempted to gain entry into a residence. At that point, deputies were able to take him into custody.Once deputies knew Troxel's true identity, they learned that he had multiple active felony warrants out of Johnson County. The scooter also was reported stolen out of Johnson County. Deputies also allegedly located narcotics and drug paraphernalia.Troxel was transported to the Mitchell County Jail, with charges being forwarded to the County Attorney.

Wanted Kansas man led police on chase with stolen scooter

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-13/the-office-investigating-kansas-foster-care-complaints-says-its-workload-is-not-sustainable">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — A young state agency created to make sure the
 state looks after the children put in its care has 69 open 
investigations manned by a staff of five people.

In one of the 
just seven cases that the Division of the Child Advocate has closed, it 
concluded that state officials met with a child too little and tried to 
move them to a new home weeks after major brain surgery.

Gov. 
Laura Kelly both created the special ombudsman's office and, as the 
state’s chief executive, she’s ultimately responsible for the state’s 
foster care system. Child advocate Kerrie Lonard told lawmakers on 
Tuesday that the office has had a hectic start.

“These first couple of months,” she said, “it does not feel sustainable.”

Lonard expects things to run smoother as her office fine-tunes its processes.

The
 Kansas News Service obtained a report the advocate’s office filed 
overlooking how the Department for Children and Families, and the 
private contractors it relies on to arrange foster care, handled the 
case of the child who underwent brain surgery.

In that report, 
investigators concluded that caseworkers filed inaccurate court 
documents, failed to meet with the child often enough — sometimes going a
 full month without seeing the child in person — and started efforts to 
move the child during recuperation from the brain surgery.

Lonard 
said the findings her office makes in each case will get released to the
 public when her office files its annual report, something mandated by 
an executive order Kelly signed last year.

The office sprung up 
through that order to monitor the state’s troubled child care system. 
Lonard said foster parents go to her office because they already 
complained to the foster agencies without result. Or, she said, parents 
fear retaliation if they file a complaint. Multiple parents have made 
similar complaints to the Kansas News Service.

The division of the
 child advocate fields complaints from foster families, children, 
lawmakers, mandated reporters or anyone else in child welfare. The 
office cannot undo court decisions, interfere with those cases or change
 the outcomes of a case. But Lonard said her office does have the teeth 
to make changes and said agencies have been responsive and thoughtful to
 her findings.

There could be changes to the office in the future.
 Lawmakers tried to create their own office through legislation, but 
nothing was passed. It wasn’t until Kelly signed the executive order 
that the office was created.

“I have never been a fan of pen-and-paper legislation by edict,” said Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-05/kansas-republicans-say-gov-kelly-went-too-far-by-creating-a-child-advocacy-office-without-them" target="_blank">last year when the order was signed</a>. “There’s a legislative process for a reason.”

Bills pending in the Legislature would put the office under the Kansas Attorney General.

Lonard
 said that won’t make a difference in her work, but she wants to see the
 office added to state law. That means codifying what already exists 
because an executive order from a future governor could just as easily 
scrap the office. The idea of an independent child welfare investigator 
does have bipartisan support.

Lonard said her office is adequately supported by the Legislature, but she is always open to more case investigators.

The
 69 open cases are currently split over five people in the division: 
Lonard; three case analysts; and an office administrator.

The 
office’s creation comes as Kansas has lost almost 500 foster families in
 the last few years. Lawmakers are clamoring for exit interviews to see 
why families are leaving — which could become the Child Advocate’s 
responsibility — but Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, 
hopes Lonard and her team show parents there is a reason to stay 
licensed.

“(But) not if they don’t know about it,” she said. Baumgardner said the office needs to be marketed better.

“Foster parents weren’t even sure how they could file a complaint, or a grievance,” she said.

The child advocate can be contacted on its website, <a href="https://childadvocate.ks.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">childadvocate.ks.gov</a>.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at blaise@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663108018999.png" alt="Child Advocate Kerrie Lonard speaks to lawmakers Tuesday afternoon. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Child Advocate Kerrie Lonard speaks to lawmakers Tuesday afternoon. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-13/the-office-investigating-kansas-foster-care-complaints-says-its-workload-is-not-sustainable">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — A young state agency created to make sure the
 state looks after the children put in its care has 69 open 
investigations manned by a staff of five people.In one of the 
just seven cases that the Division of the Child Advocate has closed, it 
concluded that state officials met with a child too little and tried to 
move them to a new home weeks after major brain surgery.Gov. 
Laura Kelly both created the special ombudsman's office and, as the 
state’s chief executive, she’s ultimately responsible for the state’s 
foster care system. Child advocate Kerrie Lonard told lawmakers on 
Tuesday that the office has had a hectic start.“These first couple of months,” she said, “it does not feel sustainable.”Lonard expects things to run smoother as her office fine-tunes its processes.The
 Kansas News Service obtained a report the advocate’s office filed 
overlooking how the Department for Children and Families, and the 
private contractors it relies on to arrange foster care, handled the 
case of the child who underwent brain surgery.In that report, 
investigators concluded that caseworkers filed inaccurate court 
documents, failed to meet with the child often enough — sometimes going a
 full month without seeing the child in person — and started efforts to 
move the child during recuperation from the brain surgery.Lonard 
said the findings her office makes in each case will get released to the
 public when her office files its annual report, something mandated by 
an executive order Kelly signed last year.The office sprung up 
through that order to monitor the state’s troubled child care system. 
Lonard said foster parents go to her office because they already 
complained to the foster agencies without result. Or, she said, parents 
fear retaliation if they file a complaint. Multiple parents have made 
similar complaints to the Kansas News Service.The division of the
 child advocate fields complaints from foster families, children, 
lawmakers, mandated reporters or anyone else in child welfare. The 
office cannot undo court decisions, interfere with those cases or change
 the outcomes of a case. But Lonard said her office does have the teeth 
to make changes and said agencies have been responsive and thoughtful to
 her findings.There could be changes to the office in the future.
 Lawmakers tried to create their own office through legislation, but 
nothing was passed. It wasn’t until Kelly signed the executive order 
that the office was created.“I have never been a fan of pen-and-paper legislation by edict,” said Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-05/kansas-republicans-say-gov-kelly-went-too-far-by-creating-a-child-advocacy-office-without-them" target="_blank">last year when the order was signed</a>. “There’s a legislative process for a reason.”Bills pending in the Legislature would put the office under the Kansas Attorney General.Lonard
 said that won’t make a difference in her work, but she wants to see the
 office added to state law. That means codifying what already exists 
because an executive order from a future governor could just as easily 
scrap the office. The idea of an independent child welfare investigator 
does have bipartisan support.Lonard said her office is adequately supported by the Legislature, but she is always open to more case investigators.The
 69 open cases are currently split over five people in the division: 
Lonard; three case analysts; and an office administrator.The 
office’s creation comes as Kansas has lost almost 500 foster families in
 the last few years. Lawmakers are clamoring for exit interviews to see 
why families are leaving — which could become the Child Advocate’s 
responsibility — but Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, 
hopes Lonard and her team show parents there is a reason to stay 
licensed.“(But) not if they don’t know about it,” she said. Baumgardner said the office needs to be marketed better.“Foster parents weren’t even sure how they could file a complaint, or a grievance,” she said.The child advocate can be contacted on its website, <a href="https://childadvocate.ks.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">childadvocate.ks.gov</a>.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at blaise@kcur.org.

Report: Kan. foster care complaints says workload 'not sustainable' 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Members of one union rejected a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative deal</a>&nbsp;with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nation's supply chain that have contributed to rising prices.

About 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. But the IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote.

Railroads are trying to reach an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">agreement</a>&nbsp;with all their other unions to avert a strike before Friday’s deadline. The unions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-congress-hacking-c92a0e0039353d81ee9d64e53f0fa37c">aren't allowed to strike before Friday</a>&nbsp;under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks.

Government officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-strikes-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a variety of businesses</a>&nbsp;are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude and clothing to cars, a potential calamity for businesses that have struggled for more than two years due to COVID-19 related supply chain breakdowns.

There are 12 unions — one with two separate divisions — representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine had agreed to tentative deals and three others are still at the bargaining table.

Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two — the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen unions — voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. But IAM members voted to reject their deal. Votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending.

All the tentative deals are based closely on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.

The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads have made over the past six years — eliminating nearly one-third of their workers — have made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">difficult job even harder</a>&nbsp;although the railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains.

Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Friday's deadline.

“All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "A shutdown of our freight system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that.”

If the two sides can't agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasn't clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans can't readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups have written letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in because of their concerns that a rail strike would be what the Business Roundtable called an “economic catastrophe."

With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of becoming crosswise with their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. But it's entirely possible that all sides would be blamed for a rail shutdown.

The many businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, auto makers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">cost the economy</a>&nbsp;more than $2 billion a day.

Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isn't enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. The railroad trade group estimated that 467,000 additional trucks a day would be required to deliver everything railroads handle now.

A freight rail strike would also disrupt passenger traffic because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak has already canceled a number of its long-distance trains this week, and it said the rest of its long-distance trains would stop Thursday ahead of the strike deadline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663178677630.png" alt="A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14" />
 <figcaption>A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Members of one union rejected a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative deal</a>&nbsp;with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nation's supply chain that have contributed to rising prices.About 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. But the IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote.Railroads are trying to reach an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">agreement</a>&nbsp;with all their other unions to avert a strike before Friday’s deadline. The unions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-congress-hacking-c92a0e0039353d81ee9d64e53f0fa37c">aren't allowed to strike before Friday</a>&nbsp;under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks.Government officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-strikes-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a variety of businesses</a>&nbsp;are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude and clothing to cars, a potential calamity for businesses that have struggled for more than two years due to COVID-19 related supply chain breakdowns.There are 12 unions — one with two separate divisions — representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine had agreed to tentative deals and three others are still at the bargaining table.Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two — the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen unions — voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. But IAM members voted to reject their deal. Votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending.All the tentative deals are based closely on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads have made over the past six years — eliminating nearly one-third of their workers — have made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">difficult job even harder</a>&nbsp;although the railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains.Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Friday's deadline.“All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "A shutdown of our freight system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that.”If the two sides can't agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasn't clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans can't readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups have written letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in because of their concerns that a rail strike would be what the Business Roundtable called an “economic catastrophe."With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of becoming crosswise with their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. But it's entirely possible that all sides would be blamed for a rail shutdown.The many businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, auto makers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">cost the economy</a>&nbsp;more than $2 billion a day.Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isn't enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. The railroad trade group estimated that 467,000 additional trucks a day would be required to deliver everything railroads handle now.A freight rail strike would also disrupt passenger traffic because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak has already canceled a number of its long-distance trains this week, and it said the rest of its long-distance trains would stop Thursday ahead of the strike deadline.___

1 rail union rejects deal, 2 accept ahead of strike deadline

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 7 to Wednesday September 14, for a total of 873,075&nbsp; cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;45 additional COVID-19 deaths since September 7, for a total of 9,072.&nbsp; The increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily&nbsp; reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 7 to Wednesday September 14, for a total of 873,075&nbsp; cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;45 additional COVID-19 deaths since September 7, for a total of 9,072.&nbsp; The increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily&nbsp; reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663175667648.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE adds 45 COVID deaths to statewide total

TOPEKA —&nbsp;The state championship dominance of schools like Bishop Miege is now an issue for the Kansas Legislature.

The Kansas State Board of Education passed the multiplier proposal on to legislators by a 6-4 vote Wednesday morning. Board members Porter, Waugh, Mah, Jones, Haas and Clifford voted for the proposal. Members Arnold, Dombrosky, Horst and McNiece voted against it.

The classifications from 4A and down voted in favor of a proposed change that would introduce a multiplier for successful private schools that would inflate their enrollment number for classification purposes, 5A and 6A did not vote in favor.

Kansas High Schools voted 216 to 139 to make the change.

The identifying statutes need to be approved by the Legislature prior to implementation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598357043542.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —&nbsp;The state championship dominance of schools like Bishop Miege is now an issue for the Kansas Legislature.The Kansas State Board of Education passed the multiplier proposal on to legislators by a 6-4 vote Wednesday morning. Board members Porter, Waugh, Mah, Jones, Haas and Clifford voted for the proposal. Members Arnold, Dombrosky, Horst and McNiece voted against it.The classifications from 4A and down voted in favor of a proposed change that would introduce a multiplier for successful private schools that would inflate their enrollment number for classification purposes, 5A and 6A did not vote in favor.Kansas High Schools voted 216 to 139 to make the change.The identifying statutes need to be approved by the Legislature prior to implementation.

KSHSAA multiplier headed to Statehouse

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A Colorado man and a woman were arrested Monday afternoon after leading a trooper on a chase from Hays to Russell with speeds that reached 130 miles per hour.

At 3:36 p.m. Monday, a trooper tried to stop a 2015 Kawasaki motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Anthony B. Casados of Parker, Colo., at mile marker 158 on Interstate 70 at Hays, said Trooper Tod Hileman of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The motorcycle fled eastbound on I-70 and exited the interstate at Russell at the U.S. 281 junction. The motorcycle ran out of gas about a mile south of Russell.

The driver dropped the motorcycle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended a short time later, Hileman said.

Casados and his passenger, 42-year-old Megan C. Horstmann of Denver, were arrested on a requested charge of fleeing and alluding. Casados was also arrested on a requested charge of driving with a revoked driver's license.

Both suspects were booked into the Ellis County Jail. No one was injured in the pursuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663170835524.png" alt="Casados-from an earlier arrest in&nbsp;Huerfano County, Colorado" />
 <figcaption>Casados-from an earlier arrest in&nbsp;Huerfano County, Colorado</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Colorado man and a woman were arrested Monday afternoon after leading a trooper on a chase from Hays to Russell with speeds that reached 130 miles per hour.At 3:36 p.m. Monday, a trooper tried to stop a 2015 Kawasaki motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Anthony B. Casados of Parker, Colo., at mile marker 158 on Interstate 70 at Hays, said Trooper Tod Hileman of the Kansas Highway Patrol. The motorcycle fled eastbound on I-70 and exited the interstate at Russell at the U.S. 281 junction. The motorcycle ran out of gas about a mile south of Russell.The driver dropped the motorcycle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended a short time later, Hileman said.Casados and his passenger, 42-year-old Megan C. Horstmann of Denver, were arrested on a requested charge of fleeing and alluding. Casados was also arrested on a requested charge of driving with a revoked driver's license.Both suspects were booked into the Ellis County Jail. No one was injured in the pursuit.

Trooper arrests 2 after 130mph chase on I-70

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Tuesday on the Senate floor to encourage a resolution to the railway labor-management dispute and to highlight the negative impact a rail shutdown would have on Kansas and the world, according to a statement from his office.

“In my state, the harvest is well underway, and farmers need to be able to ship their crops by train around the country and to our ports where the grain will be sent to feed a hungry world,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The Association of American Railroads found that a nationwide rail shutdown could idle more than 7,000 trains and lose more than $2 billion a day in missed economic output. As the deadline for a resolution approaches, we are already seeing the impacts of contingency planning by railways, showing that a full shutdown would be unacceptable.” “In the event that a conclusion is not reached, I will utilize my opportunities as a member of the Senate, as a member of Congress, for congressional intervention and work to shield the impact of a rail shutdown across the nation,”&nbsp;Sen. Moran continued.&nbsp;“Our constituents deserve certainty that will come from reaching a resolution.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14" />
 <figcaption>A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Tuesday on the Senate floor to encourage a resolution to the railway labor-management dispute and to highlight the negative impact a rail shutdown would have on Kansas and the world, according to a statement from his office.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgsTWFLI_mU?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“In my state, the harvest is well underway, and farmers need to be able to ship their crops by train around the country and to our ports where the grain will be sent to feed a hungry world,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The Association of American Railroads found that a nationwide rail shutdown could idle more than 7,000 trains and lose more than $2 billion a day in missed economic output. As the deadline for a resolution approaches, we are already seeing the impacts of contingency planning by railways, showing that a full shutdown would be unacceptable.” “In the event that a conclusion is not reached, I will utilize my opportunities as a member of the Senate, as a member of Congress, for congressional intervention and work to shield the impact of a rail shutdown across the nation,”&nbsp;Sen. Moran continued.&nbsp;“Our constituents deserve certainty that will come from reaching a resolution.”

🎥 Moran encourages a resolution to avoid railroad strike

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/kobach-v-mann-attorney-general-candidates-diverge-on-supreme-court-selection-reform/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general in
 Kansas disagree on whether the state Constitution ought to be amended 
to give the Kansas Senate veto power over a governor’s nominees for the 
Kansas Supreme Court.

GOP candidate Kris Kobach said Kansas should adopt the federal model 
relied upon to fill vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. Under that 
approach, the president unilaterally nominates a person to the nation’s 
highest court subject to consent by the U.S. Senate.

Democratic nominee Chris Mann, however, said he preferred to continue
 with Kansas’ merit-based nomination process for justices of the state 
Supreme Court. Kansas has followed this concept since 1958 when the 
state’s voters embedded in the state Constitution the idea of a 
commission selecting finalists and the governor making the state Supreme
 Court appointment without Senate involvement.

Mann, a Lawrence attorney, said the federal process would 
unnecessarily inject partisan politics of the Senate into selection of 
the seven justices of the state Supreme Court.

“As an attorney, and having seen and witnessed that process, I think 
the process works well now,” Mann said. “We need to make sure we’re 
continuing to make nonpartisan selections for our judiciary.”

Under the current system for filling seats on the state Supreme 
Court, a nine-member commission conducts public interviews with 
applicants and recommends three finalists to the governor. A Kansas 
governor draws upon that list when making the decision.

Critics of the existing Supreme Court selection process have objected
 because five members of the commission — a majority — are chosen by 
Kansas lawyers rather than politicians. Advocates of the current format 
of filling state Supreme Court vacancies argue vetting by the commission
 emphasized merit while the federal option invited cronyism.

Kansas GOP governors put one justice on the state Supreme Court in 
the past 20 years, while Kansas Democratic governors named seven 
justices to the state Supreme Court in that span.

Kobach, a rural Lecompton resident and former secretary of state, 
said he had advocated for 15 years alteration of the state Constitution 
so Kansas mirrored the federal model. He asserted Kansas’ 
merit-selection commission was “deeply flawed.”

“I don’t think it has produced the best judiciary nor has it produced
 a nonpartisan judiciary. I think most attorneys, if you ask them 
personally, would say we actually have a fairly partisan Supreme Court 
right now,” Kobach said.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor against 
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, said reliance on the federal model for 
filling state Supreme Court vacancies would add transparency to the 
process. He is a former state senator.

“I believe the United States’ federal judiciary, with all of its 
warts, is the envy of the world and is tremendous in terms of its 
contribution to our overall system of government,” Schmidt said.

In 2013, then-Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that altered the 
system for making appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals. The 
Republican governor argued the federal model should be applied to the 
state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court.

The Brownback-era law abandoned merit-selection reviews by the 
commission in favor of a closed process in which the governor was solely
 responsible for nominating state Court of Appeals judges. Under the 
law, the 40-member Senate could accept or reject nominees by majority 
vote.

Brownback’s first pick to the Court of Appeals under the revised 
system was Caleb Stegall, who was general counsel to the governor. 
Stegall was confirmed to the Court of Appeals. Brownback subsequently 
appointed him to the state Supreme Court via the merit-selection 
process.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking reelection in November, implemented a
 policy by executive order in 2020 so a Court of Appeals Nominating 
Commission would review qualificiations of applicants, conduct 
interviews with them and submit three nominees for her consideration.

Her executive order didn’t alter state law requiring Court of Appeals
 nominees to undergo confirmation votes by the state Senate. In 2020 and
 2021, the GOP-dominated Senate rejected Kelly’s nomination of Carl 
Folsom, with Republican senators complaining Folsom’s career as a state 
and federal public defender lacked breadth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663100604784.png" alt="Kris Kobach, Republican nominee for attorney general, supports adoption of the federal model of Senate confirmation for nominees to the Kansas Supreme Court. His opponent in the November campaign, Democrat Chris Mann, prefers the current merit-selection review process of potential Supreme Court justices. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach, Republican nominee for attorney general, supports adoption of the federal model of Senate confirmation for nominees to the Kansas Supreme Court. His opponent in the November campaign, Democrat Chris Mann, prefers the current merit-selection review process of potential Supreme Court justices. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/kobach-v-mann-attorney-general-candidates-diverge-on-supreme-court-selection-reform/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general in
 Kansas disagree on whether the state Constitution ought to be amended 
to give the Kansas Senate veto power over a governor’s nominees for the 
Kansas Supreme Court.GOP candidate Kris Kobach said Kansas should adopt the federal model 
relied upon to fill vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. Under that 
approach, the president unilaterally nominates a person to the nation’s 
highest court subject to consent by the U.S. Senate.Democratic nominee Chris Mann, however, said he preferred to continue
 with Kansas’ merit-based nomination process for justices of the state 
Supreme Court. Kansas has followed this concept since 1958 when the 
state’s voters embedded in the state Constitution the idea of a 
commission selecting finalists and the governor making the state Supreme
 Court appointment without Senate involvement.Mann, a Lawrence attorney, said the federal process would 
unnecessarily inject partisan politics of the Senate into selection of 
the seven justices of the state Supreme Court.“As an attorney, and having seen and witnessed that process, I think 
the process works well now,” Mann said. “We need to make sure we’re 
continuing to make nonpartisan selections for our judiciary.”<h2>The commission</h2>Under the current system for filling seats on the state Supreme 
Court, a nine-member commission conducts public interviews with 
applicants and recommends three finalists to the governor. A Kansas 
governor draws upon that list when making the decision.Critics of the existing Supreme Court selection process have objected
 because five members of the commission — a majority — are chosen by 
Kansas lawyers rather than politicians. Advocates of the current format 
of filling state Supreme Court vacancies argue vetting by the commission
 emphasized merit while the federal option invited cronyism.Kansas GOP governors put one justice on the state Supreme Court in 
the past 20 years, while Kansas Democratic governors named seven 
justices to the state Supreme Court in that span.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663100671414.png" alt="Chris Mann, Democratic nominee for attorney general, said the state’s merit-based system for filling vacancies on the Kansas Supreme Court properly emphasized nonpartisan selections to the state’s highest court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Chris Mann, Democratic nominee for attorney general, said the state’s merit-based system for filling vacancies on the Kansas Supreme Court properly emphasized nonpartisan selections to the state’s highest court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kobach, a rural Lecompton resident and former secretary of state, 
said he had advocated for 15 years alteration of the state Constitution 
so Kansas mirrored the federal model. He asserted Kansas’ 
merit-selection commission was “deeply flawed.”“I don’t think it has produced the best judiciary nor has it produced
 a nonpartisan judiciary. I think most attorneys, if you ask them 
personally, would say we actually have a fairly partisan Supreme Court 
right now,” Kobach said.<h2>‘Envy of the world’</h2>Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor against 
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, said reliance on the federal model for 
filling state Supreme Court vacancies would add transparency to the 
process. He is a former state senator.“I believe the United States’ federal judiciary, with all of its 
warts, is the envy of the world and is tremendous in terms of its 
contribution to our overall system of government,” Schmidt said.In 2013, then-Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that altered the 
system for making appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals. The 
Republican governor argued the federal model should be applied to the 
state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court.The Brownback-era law abandoned merit-selection reviews by the 
commission in favor of a closed process in which the governor was solely
 responsible for nominating state Court of Appeals judges. Under the 
law, the 40-member Senate could accept or reject nominees by majority 
vote.Brownback’s first pick to the Court of Appeals under the revised 
system was Caleb Stegall, who was general counsel to the governor. 
Stegall was confirmed to the Court of Appeals. Brownback subsequently 
appointed him to the state Supreme Court via the merit-selection 
process.Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking reelection in November, implemented a
 policy by executive order in 2020 so a Court of Appeals Nominating 
Commission would review qualificiations of applicants, conduct 
interviews with them and submit three nominees for her consideration.Her executive order didn’t alter state law requiring Court of Appeals
 nominees to undergo confirmation votes by the state Senate. In 2020 and
 2021, the GOP-dominated Senate rejected Kelly’s nomination of Carl 
Folsom, with Republican senators complaining Folsom’s career as a state 
and federal public defender lacked breadth.

Kansas AG candidates diverge on Supreme Court selection reform

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gun theft from the Pheasants Forever chapter in Wellington, according to a media release from police.

In the early morning hours of August 31, thieves broke into the chapter’s storage unit and took a Polaris ATV and 13 firearms that belong to the organization. 

Police recovered the ATV several days later on the south side of Wellington. The guns have not been recovered.

Several of the firearms have the “Pheasants Forever” logo on the grips or engraved on them.&nbsp;The stolen firearms include a Browning BPS #05801ZR121;&nbsp; Browning BL-22, 22LR #04100ZN242;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 12GA #LG12012642;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 20GA #LG20008876;&nbsp; Benelli Montefeltro 12GA #M979730D19;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 12GA;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 20GA #RM006558;&nbsp; Blaser Sauer Classic 270, #C012824;&nbsp; Henry Golden boy 22LR #GB704867;&nbsp; Kimber Custom II 45ACP #K714201; Beretta APX 9mm AXC005457;&nbsp; Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P Shield 9mm #JDA3287 and Sig Sauer P320 9mm #58H107984

Police ask anyone with information about this crime to call/text the information to the Wellington/Sumner County Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS or&nbsp;<a href="http://p3tips.com/">P3Tips.com</a>. Your information may lead to a reward.

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gun theft from the Pheasants Forever chapter in Wellington, according to a media release from police.In the early morning hours of August 31, thieves broke into the chapter’s storage unit and took a Polaris ATV and 13 firearms that belong to the organization. Police recovered the ATV several days later on the south side of Wellington. The guns have not been recovered.Several of the firearms have the “Pheasants Forever” logo on the grips or engraved on them.&nbsp;The stolen firearms include a Browning BPS #05801ZR121;&nbsp; Browning BL-22, 22LR #04100ZN242;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 12GA #LG12012642;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 20GA #LG20008876;&nbsp; Benelli Montefeltro 12GA #M979730D19;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 12GA;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 20GA #RM006558;&nbsp; Blaser Sauer Classic 270, #C012824;&nbsp; Henry Golden boy 22LR #GB704867;&nbsp; Kimber Custom II 45ACP #K714201; Beretta APX 9mm AXC005457;&nbsp; Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P Shield 9mm #JDA3287 and Sig Sauer P320 9mm #58H107984Police ask anyone with information about this crime to call/text the information to the Wellington/Sumner County Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS or&nbsp;<a href="http://p3tips.com/">P3Tips.com</a>. Your information may lead to a reward.

13 firearms stolen from a Pheasants Forever chapter in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden gathered a crowd of thousands at the White House Tuesday to celebrate last month’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, even as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-f2270f4c6ac55c084108d57cc1aec53a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_3">new government report</a>&nbsp;showed how hard it could be to bring surging prices down near prepandemic levels.

(Click below to watch the celebration at the White House)

Despite its name, the law’s impact on inflation is expected to be modest at best.

Tuesday’s economic report — inflation at 8.3% year-to-year, though just 0.1%. from July to August — was a harsh reminder of how difficult it might be to hit the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2% a year. Even as gasoline prices have declined since June, the costs of housing and food remain especially high in a way that suggests further Fed rate hikes and more economic pain to bring down prices.

U.S. stock indices fell sharply on the inflation report, with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-asia-sydney-tokyo-hong-kong-6d893ccabafcd85f28417abcb35a6718">benchmark S&amp;P 500 down</a>&nbsp;more than 4.3% on Tuesday.

Still, Biden and congressional Democratic leaders hailed the new law, with the president raising his voice and taking off his jacket in campaign style at the event on the White House South Lawn.

“With this law the American people won and special interests lost,” Biden said, taking a victory lap for legislation that rounded out the last piece of his domestic agenda for his first two years in office.

The legislation, which passed with only Democratic votes in Congress, also included the most substantial federal investment in history to fight climate change — some $375 billion over a decade — and will cap prescription drug costs at $2,000 out-of-pocket annually for Medicare recipients. It also would help an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement on wealthy individuals and entities.

Biden in his remarks criticized Republicans for voting against the measure, contending they opposed a bill that would lower prices.

“I believe Republicans could have and should have joined us on this bill as well,” Biden said. “After all, this bill cut costs for families to help reduce inflation at the kitchen table.”

The law may help lower prescription drug prices, but outside analyses suggest it will do little to immediately bring down overall inflation. Last month, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office judged it would have a “negligible” effect on prices through 2023. The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton Budget Model went even further to say “the impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero” over the next decade.

In theory, the law could reduce inflationary pressures because it would lower annual budget deficits by $300 billion over 10 years.

But by partially forgiving student debt and changing the repayment structure in an August executive order, Biden likely has wiped out those deficit savings, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. An analysis by the fiscal watchdog estimates that the president’s executive order on student debt would cost roughly $500 billion over 10 years, “completely eliminating any disinflationary benefit.”

Still, voters are especially sensitive to gasoline, which declined 10.6% in August. The Biden administration has repeatedly cited relief at the pump as gas costs have fallen since June —when average U.S. prices crested above $5 a gallon. AAA estimates that gas prices nationwide averaged $3.71 a gallon on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663114133713.png" alt="Biden in his remarks criticized Republicans for voting against the measure, contending they opposed a bill that would lower prices-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Biden in his remarks criticized Republicans for voting against the measure, contending they opposed a bill that would lower prices-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden gathered a crowd of thousands at the White House Tuesday to celebrate last month’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, even as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-f2270f4c6ac55c084108d57cc1aec53a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_3">new government report</a>&nbsp;showed how hard it could be to bring surging prices down near prepandemic levels.(Click below to watch the celebration at the White House)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yilMUJ_pTL4?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Despite its name, the law’s impact on inflation is expected to be modest at best.Tuesday’s economic report — inflation at 8.3% year-to-year, though just 0.1%. from July to August — was a harsh reminder of how difficult it might be to hit the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2% a year. Even as gasoline prices have declined since June, the costs of housing and food remain especially high in a way that suggests further Fed rate hikes and more economic pain to bring down prices.U.S. stock indices fell sharply on the inflation report, with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-asia-sydney-tokyo-hong-kong-6d893ccabafcd85f28417abcb35a6718">benchmark S&amp;P 500 down</a>&nbsp;more than 4.3% on Tuesday.Still, Biden and congressional Democratic leaders hailed the new law, with the president raising his voice and taking off his jacket in campaign style at the event on the White House South Lawn.“With this law the American people won and special interests lost,” Biden said, taking a victory lap for legislation that rounded out the last piece of his domestic agenda for his first two years in office.The legislation, which passed with only Democratic votes in Congress, also included the most substantial federal investment in history to fight climate change — some $375 billion over a decade — and will cap prescription drug costs at $2,000 out-of-pocket annually for Medicare recipients. It also would help an estimated 13 million Americans pay for health care insurance by extending subsidies provided during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure is paid for by new taxes on large companies and stepped-up IRS enforcement on wealthy individuals and entities.Biden in his remarks criticized Republicans for voting against the measure, contending they opposed a bill that would lower prices.“I believe Republicans could have and should have joined us on this bill as well,” Biden said. “After all, this bill cut costs for families to help reduce inflation at the kitchen table.”The law may help lower prescription drug prices, but outside analyses suggest it will do little to immediately bring down overall inflation. Last month, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office judged it would have a “negligible” effect on prices through 2023. The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton Budget Model went even further to say “the impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero” over the next decade.In theory, the law could reduce inflationary pressures because it would lower annual budget deficits by $300 billion over 10 years.But by partially forgiving student debt and changing the repayment structure in an August executive order, Biden likely has wiped out those deficit savings, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. An analysis by the fiscal watchdog estimates that the president’s executive order on student debt would cost roughly $500 billion over 10 years, “completely eliminating any disinflationary benefit.”Still, voters are especially sensitive to gasoline, which declined 10.6% in August. The Biden administration has repeatedly cited relief at the pump as gas costs have fallen since June —when average U.S. prices crested above $5 a gallon. AAA estimates that gas prices nationwide averaged $3.71 a gallon on Tuesday.

🎥Biden touts inflation reduction law despite sobering economic report

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects who have been running from the law since 2019.

On Tuesday, police learned two fugitives from justice were in the city of Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz. Information was that the two would be in a maroon Chevy truck with South Dakota Plates.

At approximately noon, officers began to track the movements of the truck utilizing the LPRs (Licenses Plate Readers) and determined the direction of travel on SW 21st from SW Washburn. Information was relayed to officers and the vehicle was spotted by an officer in the Motor Cycle Unit still traveling west on SW 21st.

The driver of the truck attempted to elude officers, but was stopped behind a local church on the corner of SW 21st and SW Sims.

Police took Todd Joseph Sweet, 49, and Laura Penelope Wilson Sweet, 45, both of Tennessee into custody and transported&nbsp; \them to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on Fugitive from Justice Warrants out of the Eastern District of Tennessee. Both had warrants for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution and had been on the run since 2019.

Two juveniles were also found in the vehicle with them and were placed in police protective custody. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663104730881.png" alt="Police on the scene of the arrest-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the arrest-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects who have been running from the law since 2019.On Tuesday, police learned two fugitives from justice were in the city of Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz. Information was that the two would be in a maroon Chevy truck with South Dakota Plates.At approximately noon, officers began to track the movements of the truck utilizing the LPRs (Licenses Plate Readers) and determined the direction of travel on SW 21st from SW Washburn. Information was relayed to officers and the vehicle was spotted by an officer in the Motor Cycle Unit still traveling west on SW 21st.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663119032066.png" alt="Sweet-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sweet-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver of the truck attempted to elude officers, but was stopped behind a local church on the corner of SW 21st and SW Sims.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663118807700.png" alt="Sweet" />
 <figcaption>Sweet</figcaption>
 </figure>Police took Todd Joseph Sweet, 49, and Laura Penelope Wilson Sweet, 45, both of Tennessee into custody and transported&nbsp; \them to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on Fugitive from Justice Warrants out of the Eastern District of Tennessee. Both had warrants for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution and had been on the run since 2019.Two juveniles were also found in the vehicle with them and were placed in police protective custody.

2 fugitives from justice since 2019 captured in Kansas

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Business and government officials are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike at the end of this week while talks carry on between the largest U.S. freight railroads and their unions.

The railroads have already started to curtail shipments of hazardous materials and have announced plans to stop hauling refrigerated products ahead of Friday's strike deadline. Now businesses that rely on Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products have started planning for the worst.

Meanwhile, Biden administration officials are scrambling to develop a plan to use trucks, ships and planes to try to keep the most crucial chemicals and other goods moving if the railroads stop rolling. But the White House is also keeping the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">pressure</a>&nbsp;on the two sides to settle their differences, and a growing number of business groups are lobbying Congress to be prepared to intervene and block a strike if they can't reach an agreement.

“We have made crystal clear to the interested parties the harm that American families, business and farmers and communities would experience if they were not to reach a resolution,” White House press secretary Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. She said a shutdown is “not acceptable.”

In addition to all the businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their goods, passenger railroads are also affected because many of them operate on tracks owned by one of the freight railroads. Amtrak has already cancelled several of its long-distance trains because there wouldn’t be enough time for them to reach their destinations before a strike or lockout would be allowed to begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Amtrak already suspended its California Zephyr and Empire Builder lines that run from Chicago to the West Coast, and starting Wednesday it will stop running its City of New Orleans, Starlight and Texas Eagle lines along with several others.

Commuter railroads would also be affected. In Chicago, Metra warned its riders that it wouldn’t be able to run most of its trains if there is a strike.

The railroads have reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative agreements</a>&nbsp;with most of their unions, including a ninth deal announced Tuesday, based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. The deal also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.

But all 12 railroad unions must agree to prevent a strike. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors want the railroads to address some of their concerns about unpredictable work schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance rules</a>&nbsp;in addition to agreeing to the recommended wage increases.

Ron Kaminkow, general secretary of the Railroad Workers United labor coalition that includes workers from a variety of railroad unions, said he doesn't think the unions are demanding much at this point — just the kind of things most U.S. workers already enjoy like the ability to take time off without being penalized.

“We have attendance policies that have gotten more and more and more draconian. That offer very, very little leeway for workers who need to take time off for doctor’s appointments, for time with family, to be rested,” Kaminkow said.

Starting Monday, all the major railroads put a hold on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transportation-strikes-congress-climate-and-environment-90ec66e850dae76a3215a9fcaef71e53">shipments</a>&nbsp;of hazardous materials to ensure those dangerous chemicals wouldn't be stranded along the tracks if there is a strike. Norfolk Southern told its customers that it will also stop accepting shipments of intermodal containers full of goods starting Wednesday evening as it prepares “for a controlled shutdown of the network.”

Some businesses would likely be affected more than others by a rail shutdown. For instance, nearly all ethanol and coal and most grain moves by rail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663119327130.png" alt="A Union Pacific train travels through Kansas on Tuesday Sept. 13, 2022" />
 <figcaption>A Union Pacific train travels through Kansas on Tuesday Sept. 13, 2022</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Business and government officials are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike at the end of this week while talks carry on between the largest U.S. freight railroads and their unions.The railroads have already started to curtail shipments of hazardous materials and have announced plans to stop hauling refrigerated products ahead of Friday's strike deadline. Now businesses that rely on Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products have started planning for the worst.Meanwhile, Biden administration officials are scrambling to develop a plan to use trucks, ships and planes to try to keep the most crucial chemicals and other goods moving if the railroads stop rolling. But the White House is also keeping the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">pressure</a>&nbsp;on the two sides to settle their differences, and a growing number of business groups are lobbying Congress to be prepared to intervene and block a strike if they can't reach an agreement.“We have made crystal clear to the interested parties the harm that American families, business and farmers and communities would experience if they were not to reach a resolution,” White House press secretary Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. She said a shutdown is “not acceptable.”In addition to all the businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their goods, passenger railroads are also affected because many of them operate on tracks owned by one of the freight railroads. Amtrak has already cancelled several of its long-distance trains because there wouldn’t be enough time for them to reach their destinations before a strike or lockout would be allowed to begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday.Amtrak already suspended its California Zephyr and Empire Builder lines that run from Chicago to the West Coast, and starting Wednesday it will stop running its City of New Orleans, Starlight and Texas Eagle lines along with several others.Commuter railroads would also be affected. In Chicago, Metra warned its riders that it wouldn’t be able to run most of its trains if there is a strike.The railroads have reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative agreements</a>&nbsp;with most of their unions, including a ninth deal announced Tuesday, based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. The deal also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.But all 12 railroad unions must agree to prevent a strike. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors want the railroads to address some of their concerns about unpredictable work schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance rules</a>&nbsp;in addition to agreeing to the recommended wage increases.Ron Kaminkow, general secretary of the Railroad Workers United labor coalition that includes workers from a variety of railroad unions, said he doesn't think the unions are demanding much at this point — just the kind of things most U.S. workers already enjoy like the ability to take time off without being penalized.“We have attendance policies that have gotten more and more and more draconian. That offer very, very little leeway for workers who need to take time off for doctor’s appointments, for time with family, to be rested,” Kaminkow said.Starting Monday, all the major railroads put a hold on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transportation-strikes-congress-climate-and-environment-90ec66e850dae76a3215a9fcaef71e53">shipments</a>&nbsp;of hazardous materials to ensure those dangerous chemicals wouldn't be stranded along the tracks if there is a strike. Norfolk Southern told its customers that it will also stop accepting shipments of intermodal containers full of goods starting Wednesday evening as it prepares “for a controlled shutdown of the network.”Some businesses would likely be affected more than others by a rail shutdown. For instance, nearly all ethanol and coal and most grain moves by rail.

Businesses, White House plan for possible rail strike Friday

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 400 Smoky Valley Public Schools continue investigating an alleged school threat that took place Monday and one student is in custody, according to a media release from police.

Smoky Valley school officials were made aware of information about a potential threat made through social media towards Smoky Valley High School, 1 Viking Boulevard in Lindsborg.

Police were notified of the potential threat and immediately started an investigation into this incident. Through a collaborative effort between USD 400 officials, the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and the Lindsborg Police Department that went late into the morning hours, a juvenile subject was identified and taken into custody without incident.

While the immediate incident has been resolved, the investigation remains active and ongoing. The Lindsborg Police Department takes these incidents seriously and will investigate them accordingly.

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 400-Smoky Valley Public School are investigating an alleged school threat.

Late Monday, school district officials and Lindsborg Police Department were contacted&nbsp;with information about a potential threat made through social media towards Smoky Valley High School, 1 Viking Boulevard in Lindsborg, according to a statement from&nbsp; Superintendent Heath Hogan on the school district web site.

The Lindsborg Police Department immediately started an investigation into the incident and numerous people of interest are being interviewed by police.&nbsp;

Smoky Valley High School is holding classes on its regular schedule on Tuesday.&nbsp; There is an increased law enforcement presence.&nbsp; Anyone who has specific information related to this threat should contact the Lindsborg Police Department, 785-227-2988.

"The school and the district take every threat seriously and all with be investigated.&nbsp;&nbsp;The district encourages you to report any information about any school safety related incidents to administrators or staff at school, or to the Lindsborg Police Department."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573757762937.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 400 Smoky Valley Public Schools continue investigating an alleged school threat that took place Monday and one student is in custody, according to a media release from police.Smoky Valley school officials were made aware of information about a potential threat made through social media towards Smoky Valley High School, 1 Viking Boulevard in Lindsborg.Police were notified of the potential threat and immediately started an investigation into this incident. Through a collaborative effort between USD 400 officials, the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and the Lindsborg Police Department that went late into the morning hours, a juvenile subject was identified and taken into custody without incident.While the immediate incident has been resolved, the investigation remains active and ongoing. The Lindsborg Police Department takes these incidents seriously and will investigate them accordingly.---------MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 400-Smoky Valley Public School are investigating an alleged school threat.Late Monday, school district officials and Lindsborg Police Department were contacted&nbsp;with information about a potential threat made through social media towards Smoky Valley High School, 1 Viking Boulevard in Lindsborg, according to a statement from&nbsp; Superintendent Heath Hogan on the school district web site.The Lindsborg Police Department immediately started an investigation into the incident and numerous people of interest are being interviewed by police.&nbsp;Smoky Valley High School is holding classes on its regular schedule on Tuesday.&nbsp; There is an increased law enforcement presence.&nbsp; Anyone who has specific information related to this threat should contact the Lindsborg Police Department, 785-227-2988."The school and the district take every threat seriously and all with be investigated.&nbsp;&nbsp;The district encourages you to report any information about any school safety related incidents to administrators or staff at school, or to the Lindsborg Police Department."

Police make arrest for alleged threat at Kan. high school

WASHINGTON (AP) — Upending the political debate, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">nationwide abortion ban</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, sending shockwaves through both parties and igniting fresh debate on a fraught issue weeks before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm elections</a>&nbsp;that will determine control of Congress.

Graham's own Republican Party leaders did not immediately embrace his abortion ban bill, which would prohibit the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy with rare exceptions, and has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-held Congress. Democrats torched it as an alarming signal of where “MAGA” Republicans are headed if they win control of the House and Senate in November.

"America’s got to make some decisions," Graham said at a news conference at the Capitol.

The South Carolina Republican said that rather than shying away from the Supreme Court's ruling this summer overturning Roe vs. Wade's nearly 50-year right to abortion access, Republicans are preparing to fight to make a nationwide abortion ban federal law.

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, we’re going nowhere,” the senator said while flanked by female advocates from the anti-abortion movement. “We welcome the debate. We welcome the vote in the United States Senate as to what America should look like in 2022.”

Reaction was swift, fierce and unwavering from Democrats who viewed Graham's legislation as an extreme example of the far-right's hold on the GOP, and as a political gift of self-inflicted pain for Republican candidates now having to answer questions about an abortion ban heading toward the midterm elections.

“A nationwide abortion ban — that’s the contrast between the two parties, plain and simple,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-congress-government-and-politics-3470f5158353cf2797f8fac4d9330eaf">Patty Murray</a>, a Democrat from Washington who is in her own fight for reelection, said Republicans “want to force” women to stay pregnant and deliver babies.

“To anyone who thought they were safe, here is the painful reality,” she said. “Republicans are coming for your rights.”

The sudden turn of events comes in a razor-tight election season as Republicans hoping to win control of Congress are struggling to recapture momentum, particularly after the Supreme Court's landmark decision sparked deep concerns among some voters, with signs of female voters peeling away from the GOP.

In a midterm election where the party out of the White House traditionally holds an advantage, even more so this year with President Joe Biden's lackluster approval ratings, the Democrats have regained their own momentum pushing back the GOP candidates in House and Senate races.

Tuesday's announcement set up an immediate split screen with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>&nbsp;and Democrats poised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-government-and-politics-89706a04bc727d3e58ab6bb4b2efa995">to celebrate their accomplishments</a>&nbsp;in a ceremony at the White House after passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and Republicans forced to answer for Graham's proposed abortion ban.

"This bill is wildly out of step with what Americans believe," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"While President Biden and Vice President Harris are focused on the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, health care, and energy – and to take unprecedented action to address climate change — Republicans in Congress are focused on taking rights away from millions of women," Jean-Pierre said.

Graham's legislation has almost zero chance of becoming law, but it elevates the abortion issue at a time when other Republicans would prefer to focus on inflation, border security and Biden's leadership.

The Republican bill would ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest or risk to the physical health of the mother. Graham said it would put the U.S. on par with many countries in Europe and around the world.

In particular, Graham's bill would leave in place state laws that are more restrictive. That provision is notable because many Republicans have argued that the Supreme Court's ruling leaves the abortion issue for the states to decide. But the legislation from the Republicans makes it clear states are only allowed to decide the issue if their abortion bans are more stringent.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is one seat away from majority control, declined to embrace Graham's legislation.

“I think every Republican senator running this year in these contested races has an answer as to how they feel about the issue," McConnell said. He said most GOP senators prefer having the issue dealt with by the states, rather than at the federal level. "So I leave it up to our candidates who are quite capable of handling this issue to determine for them what their response is.”

The Democratic senators most at risk this fall and other Democratic candidates running for Congress appeared eager to fight against Graham's proposed nationwide abortion ban.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, tweeted that Graham “and every other anti-choice extremist can take a hike.”

Her Republican opponent, Adam Laxalt, has during his campaign insisted that abortion is protected in the state constitution, which it may no longer be under this bill.

In Colorado, another Democrat up for reelection, Sen. Michael Bennet, tweeted: “A nationwide abortion ban is outrageous. "

Bennet pledged "to defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, no matter what ZIP code she lives in. We cannot afford to let the Republicans take back the Senate.”

His opponent in Colorado, Republican Joe O’Dea, who supports putting abortion access that had been guaranteed under Roe vs. Wade into law, agreed, in part: “A Republican ban is as reckless and tone deaf as is Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer’s hostility to considering any compromise on late term abortion, parental notification or conscience protections for religious hospitals.”

The races for control of Congress are tight in the split 50-50 Senate, where one seat determines majority control, and in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi can afford to lose only a few seats.

Pelosi called Graham's bill the “clearest signal of extreme MAGA Republicans’ intent to criminalize women’s health freedom in all 50 states and arrest doctors for providing basic care. Make no mistake: if Republicans get the chance, they will work to pass laws even more draconian than this bill.”

Republican leaders on Capitol Hill tried to hold the party together amid the differences.

“I think that what it’s attempting to do is probably change the conversation a little bit,” said Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican and second-ranking party leader.

“Democrats are implying that all Republicans are for a ban without exceptions, and that’s not true,” Thune said. “There are Republicans who are in favor of restrictions. And I think this is an attempt to at least put something out there that reflects the views of a lot of Republicans who are in favor of some restrictions.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Upending the political debate, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">nationwide abortion ban</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, sending shockwaves through both parties and igniting fresh debate on a fraught issue weeks before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm elections</a>&nbsp;that will determine control of Congress.Graham's own Republican Party leaders did not immediately embrace his abortion ban bill, which would prohibit the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy with rare exceptions, and has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-held Congress. Democrats torched it as an alarming signal of where “MAGA” Republicans are headed if they win control of the House and Senate in November."America’s got to make some decisions," Graham said at a news conference at the Capitol.The South Carolina Republican said that rather than shying away from the Supreme Court's ruling this summer overturning Roe vs. Wade's nearly 50-year right to abortion access, Republicans are preparing to fight to make a nationwide abortion ban federal law.“Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, we’re going nowhere,” the senator said while flanked by female advocates from the anti-abortion movement. “We welcome the debate. We welcome the vote in the United States Senate as to what America should look like in 2022.”Reaction was swift, fierce and unwavering from Democrats who viewed Graham's legislation as an extreme example of the far-right's hold on the GOP, and as a political gift of self-inflicted pain for Republican candidates now having to answer questions about an abortion ban heading toward the midterm elections.“A nationwide abortion ban — that’s the contrast between the two parties, plain and simple,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-congress-government-and-politics-3470f5158353cf2797f8fac4d9330eaf">Patty Murray</a>, a Democrat from Washington who is in her own fight for reelection, said Republicans “want to force” women to stay pregnant and deliver babies.“To anyone who thought they were safe, here is the painful reality,” she said. “Republicans are coming for your rights.”The sudden turn of events comes in a razor-tight election season as Republicans hoping to win control of Congress are struggling to recapture momentum, particularly after the Supreme Court's landmark decision sparked deep concerns among some voters, with signs of female voters peeling away from the GOP.In a midterm election where the party out of the White House traditionally holds an advantage, even more so this year with President Joe Biden's lackluster approval ratings, the Democrats have regained their own momentum pushing back the GOP candidates in House and Senate races.Tuesday's announcement set up an immediate split screen with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>&nbsp;and Democrats poised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-government-and-politics-89706a04bc727d3e58ab6bb4b2efa995">to celebrate their accomplishments</a>&nbsp;in a ceremony at the White House after passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and Republicans forced to answer for Graham's proposed abortion ban."This bill is wildly out of step with what Americans believe," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement."While President Biden and Vice President Harris are focused on the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, health care, and energy – and to take unprecedented action to address climate change — Republicans in Congress are focused on taking rights away from millions of women," Jean-Pierre said.Graham's legislation has almost zero chance of becoming law, but it elevates the abortion issue at a time when other Republicans would prefer to focus on inflation, border security and Biden's leadership.The Republican bill would ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest or risk to the physical health of the mother. Graham said it would put the U.S. on par with many countries in Europe and around the world.In particular, Graham's bill would leave in place state laws that are more restrictive. That provision is notable because many Republicans have argued that the Supreme Court's ruling leaves the abortion issue for the states to decide. But the legislation from the Republicans makes it clear states are only allowed to decide the issue if their abortion bans are more stringent.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is one seat away from majority control, declined to embrace Graham's legislation.“I think every Republican senator running this year in these contested races has an answer as to how they feel about the issue," McConnell said. He said most GOP senators prefer having the issue dealt with by the states, rather than at the federal level. "So I leave it up to our candidates who are quite capable of handling this issue to determine for them what their response is.”The Democratic senators most at risk this fall and other Democratic candidates running for Congress appeared eager to fight against Graham's proposed nationwide abortion ban.Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, tweeted that Graham “and every other anti-choice extremist can take a hike.”Her Republican opponent, Adam Laxalt, has during his campaign insisted that abortion is protected in the state constitution, which it may no longer be under this bill.In Colorado, another Democrat up for reelection, Sen. Michael Bennet, tweeted: “A nationwide abortion ban is outrageous. "Bennet pledged "to defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, no matter what ZIP code she lives in. We cannot afford to let the Republicans take back the Senate.”His opponent in Colorado, Republican Joe O’Dea, who supports putting abortion access that had been guaranteed under Roe vs. Wade into law, agreed, in part: “A Republican ban is as reckless and tone deaf as is Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer’s hostility to considering any compromise on late term abortion, parental notification or conscience protections for religious hospitals.”The races for control of Congress are tight in the split 50-50 Senate, where one seat determines majority control, and in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi can afford to lose only a few seats.Pelosi called Graham's bill the “clearest signal of extreme MAGA Republicans’ intent to criminalize women’s health freedom in all 50 states and arrest doctors for providing basic care. Make no mistake: if Republicans get the chance, they will work to pass laws even more draconian than this bill.”Republican leaders on Capitol Hill tried to hold the party together amid the differences.“I think that what it’s attempting to do is probably change the conversation a little bit,” said Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican and second-ranking party leader.“Democrats are implying that all Republicans are for a ban without exceptions, and that’s not true,” Thune said. “There are Republicans who are in favor of restrictions. And I think this is an attempt to at least put something out there that reflects the views of a lot of Republicans who are in favor of some restrictions.”

GOP Senator unveils nationwide abortion ban legislation

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who pay 
estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payment 
is Sept. 15.

Taxpayers not subject to withholding, such as those who are self-employed, investors or retirees, may need to make <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>.
 Taxpayers with other income not subject to withholding, including 
interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, cryptocurrency and rental 
income, also normally make estimated tax payments.

In most cases, taxpayers should make estimated tax payments if they expect:

Special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses">disaster victims</a>, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees and those who receive income unevenly during the year. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>, provides more information on estimated tax rules. The worksheet in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es">Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120-w">Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations</a>, has details on who must pay estimated tax.

To figure estimated tax, individuals must figure their expected 
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), taxable income, taxes, deductions and 
credits for the year.

When figuring 2022 estimated tax, it may be helpful to use income, 
deductions and credits for 2021 as a starting point. Use the 2021 
federal tax return as a guide. Taxpayers can use Form 1040-ES to figure 
their estimated tax.

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov offers taxpayers a clear, step-by-step method to have their 
employers withhold the right amount of tax from their paycheck. It also 
has instructions to file a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4</a> to give to their employer to adjust the amount withheld each payday.

Taxpayers who underpaid their taxes may have to pay a penalty. This 
applies whether they paid through withholding or through estimated tax 
payments. A penalty may also apply for late estimated tax payments even 
if someone is due a refund when they file their tax return.

To see if they owe a penalty, taxpayers should use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2210">Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts</a>. Taxpayers can also see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i2210">Form 2210 instructions</a>
 under the "Waiver of Penalty" section. The IRS may waive the penalty if
 someone underpaid because of unusual circumstances and not willful 
neglect. Examples include:

The fourth and final 2022 estimated tax payment is due Jan. 17.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who pay 
estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payment 
is Sept. 15.Taxpayers not subject to withholding, such as those who are self-employed, investors or retirees, may need to make <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>.
 Taxpayers with other income not subject to withholding, including 
interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, cryptocurrency and rental 
income, also normally make estimated tax payments.In most cases, taxpayers should make estimated tax payments if they expect:<ul>
 <li>To owe at least $1,000 in taxes for 2022 after subtracting their withholding and tax credits.</li><li>Their withholding and tax credits to be less than the smaller of:
	90% of the tax to be shown on their 2022 tax return or100% of the tax shown on their 2021 tax return. Their 2021 tax return must cover all 12 months.</li><li>90% of the tax to be shown on their 2022 tax return or</li><li>100% of the tax shown on their 2021 tax return. Their 2021 tax return must cover all 12 months.</li>
 </ul>Special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses">disaster victims</a>, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees and those who receive income unevenly during the year. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p505">Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax</a>, provides more information on estimated tax rules. The worksheet in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es">Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals</a>, or <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120-w">Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations</a>, has details on who must pay estimated tax.<h2>How to figure estimated tax</h2>To figure estimated tax, individuals must figure their expected 
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), taxable income, taxes, deductions and 
credits for the year.When figuring 2022 estimated tax, it may be helpful to use income, 
deductions and credits for 2021 as a starting point. Use the 2021 
federal tax return as a guide. Taxpayers can use Form 1040-ES to figure 
their estimated tax.The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 on IRS.gov offers taxpayers a clear, step-by-step method to have their 
employers withhold the right amount of tax from their paycheck. It also 
has instructions to file a new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4">Form W-4</a> to give to their employer to adjust the amount withheld each payday.<h2>How to avoid an underpayment penalty</h2>Taxpayers who underpaid their taxes may have to pay a penalty. This 
applies whether they paid through withholding or through estimated tax 
payments. A penalty may also apply for late estimated tax payments even 
if someone is due a refund when they file their tax return.To see if they owe a penalty, taxpayers should use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2210">Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts</a>. Taxpayers can also see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i2210">Form 2210 instructions</a>
 under the "Waiver of Penalty" section. The IRS may waive the penalty if
 someone underpaid because of unusual circumstances and not willful 
neglect. Examples include:<ul>
 <li>Casualty, disaster or another unusual situation.</li><li>An individual retired after reaching age 62 during a tax year when estimated tax payments applied.</li><li>An individual became disabled during a tax year when estimated tax payments applied.</li><li>Specific written advice from an IRS agent given in response to a 
specific written request. The taxpayer must provide copies of both.</li>
 </ul>The fourth and final 2022 estimated tax payment is due Jan. 17.