JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, a sheriff's Deputy stopped a Dodge Neon for alleged traffic infractions near 190th&nbsp;and U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The deputies arrested the driver Jesse Scott Hartter, 29, of Sabetha, on requested charges of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.&nbsp;

 The passenger, Robert Jason Hobbs, 46, of Fairview, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, no drug tax stamp.

Hartter has a previous conviction for selling drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669568346052.jpeg" alt="Hobbs-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hobbs-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop. Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, a sheriff's Deputy stopped a Dodge Neon for alleged traffic infractions near 190th&nbsp;and U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669568284454.jpeg" alt="Hartter -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hartter -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The deputies arrested the driver Jesse Scott Hartter, 29, of Sabetha, on requested charges of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of a hallucinogenic drug.&nbsp; The passenger, Robert Jason Hobbs, 46, of Fairview, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, no drug tax stamp.Hartter has a previous conviction for selling drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Kansas felon caught with drugs, firearm

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The U.S. Soccer Federation briefly displayed Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, saying the move supported protesters in Iran ahead of the two nations'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=featured">World Cup</a>&nbsp;match Tuesday.

Iran's government reacted by accusing America of removing the name of God from its national flag and calling for the U.S. to be removed from the competition.

The USSF decision added yet-another political firestorm to the Middle East's first World Cup, one organizers had hoped would be spared of off-the-field controversies.

It occurred as the U.S. prepared to face Iran in a decisive World Cup match already freighted by the decades of enmity between the countries and the nationwide protests challenging Tehran's theocratic government.

The USSF said in a statement Sunday morning it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”

The Twitter account of the U.S. men's team displayed a banner with the squad's matches in the group stage, with the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors. The same was seen in a post on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZn_crNqlI/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D">Instagram accounts</a>&nbsp;laying out the point totals so far in its group.

By Sunday afternoon, the normal flag with the emblem had been restored in the Twitter banner and the Facebook and Instagram posts with the altered flag had been removed.

“We wanted to show our support for the women in Iran with our graphic for 24 hours,” the federation said.

Federation spokesman Neil Buethe would not say whether the original decision had been cleared by USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone, a former national team player. Buethe said Parlow Cone was not available to discuss the matter.

“This was a decision within the federation,” he said. “I'm not going to get into who knew and who didn't.”

Asked whether there had been discussions with diplomatic entities, Buethe said: “There have been at certain times. I'm not going to talk about those, but, again, this is our decision not anyone else's or pressure from anyone else.”

The USSF&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ussoccer.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022/matches/iran-vs-united-states-11-29-22">displayed the official Iranian flag</a>&nbsp;in a graphic showing Group B standings on its website.

Defender Walker Zimmerman said the U.S. players were unaware of the posts.

"We didn’t know anything about the posts but we are supporters of women’s rights," he said. “We’re focused a lot on Tuesday, on the sporting side, as well. ... I think it’s such a focused group on the task but at the same time we empathize and we are firm believers in women’s rights and support them.”

The brief absence of the emblem came as monthslong demonstrations challenged Iran's government following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-world-cup-sports-soccer-religion-ba78b69f05edebc3e80d1b235ca71324">the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini</a>, who had been detained by the country's morality police.

The protests have seen at least 450 people killed since they started, as well as over 18,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, an advocacy group following the demonstrations.

Iran has not released casualty or arrest figures for months and alleges without providing evidence that the protests have been fomented by its enemies abroad, including the U.S.

Tehran also restricts media access and has detained over 63 reporters and photographers since the demonstrations began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, making covering the unrest that much more difficult.

Iran's mission to the United Nations and its soccer federation did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. As comments raged online, Iranian state television described the U.S. federation as “removing the symbol of Allah” from the Iranian flag.

Iran's semiofficial ISNA news agency quoted Safiollah Fagahanpour, an adviser to the Iranian Football Federation, saying that the “measures taken regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran flag are against the law" of FIFA competitions.

"They must be held responsible,” Fagahanpour said. “Obviously they want to affect Iran’s performance against the U.S by doing this.”

The Islamic Republic emblem, designed in 1980, is four curves with a sword between them. It represents the Islamic saying: “There is no god but God.” It also resembles a tulip or lotus.

At the top and the bottom of the flag, there are 22 inscriptions of “God is Great” as well, which honors the date on the Persian calendar when the Islamic Revolution took hold.

The flag has become a point of contention at the World Cup. Apparent pro-government supporters have waved it, shouting at those demonstrating over Amini's death. Others at matches have waved Iran's lion and sun flag, an emblem of its former ruler, the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

More security forces could be seen at Iran's last match against Wales. In the capital Tehran, anti-riot police — the same ones cracking down on protests — waved the Iranian flag after the Wales win, angering demonstrators.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669654905037.png" alt="The Twitter account of the U.S. men's team displayed a banner with the squad's matches in the group stage, with the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors." />
 <figcaption>The Twitter account of the U.S. men's team displayed a banner with the squad's matches in the group stage, with the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The U.S. Soccer Federation briefly displayed Iran's national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, saying the move supported protesters in Iran ahead of the two nations'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup?utm_source=apnewsnav&amp;utm_medium=featured">World Cup</a>&nbsp;match Tuesday.Iran's government reacted by accusing America of removing the name of God from its national flag and calling for the U.S. to be removed from the competition.The USSF decision added yet-another political firestorm to the Middle East's first World Cup, one organizers had hoped would be spared of off-the-field controversies.It occurred as the U.S. prepared to face Iran in a decisive World Cup match already freighted by the decades of enmity between the countries and the nationwide protests challenging Tehran's theocratic government.The USSF said in a statement Sunday morning it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”The Twitter account of the U.S. men's team displayed a banner with the squad's matches in the group stage, with the Iranian flag only bearing its green, white and red colors. The same was seen in a post on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZn_crNqlI/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D">Instagram accounts</a>&nbsp;laying out the point totals so far in its group.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Two days away. <a href="https://t.co/iPz10sFNto">pic.twitter.com/iPz10sFNto</a>&mdash; U.S. Men&#39;s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1596888638180446209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>By Sunday afternoon, the normal flag with the emblem had been restored in the Twitter banner and the Facebook and Instagram posts with the altered flag had been removed.“We wanted to show our support for the women in Iran with our graphic for 24 hours,” the federation said.Federation spokesman Neil Buethe would not say whether the original decision had been cleared by USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone, a former national team player. Buethe said Parlow Cone was not available to discuss the matter.“This was a decision within the federation,” he said. “I'm not going to get into who knew and who didn't.”Asked whether there had been discussions with diplomatic entities, Buethe said: “There have been at certain times. I'm not going to talk about those, but, again, this is our decision not anyone else's or pressure from anyone else.”The USSF&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ussoccer.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022/matches/iran-vs-united-states-11-29-22">displayed the official Iranian flag</a>&nbsp;in a graphic showing Group B standings on its website.Defender Walker Zimmerman said the U.S. players were unaware of the posts."We didn’t know anything about the posts but we are supporters of women’s rights," he said. “We’re focused a lot on Tuesday, on the sporting side, as well. ... I think it’s such a focused group on the task but at the same time we empathize and we are firm believers in women’s rights and support them.”The brief absence of the emblem came as monthslong demonstrations challenged Iran's government following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-world-cup-sports-soccer-religion-ba78b69f05edebc3e80d1b235ca71324">the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini</a>, who had been detained by the country's morality police.The protests have seen at least 450 people killed since they started, as well as over 18,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, an advocacy group following the demonstrations.Iran has not released casualty or arrest figures for months and alleges without providing evidence that the protests have been fomented by its enemies abroad, including the U.S.Tehran also restricts media access and has detained over 63 reporters and photographers since the demonstrations began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, making covering the unrest that much more difficult.Iran's mission to the United Nations and its soccer federation did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. As comments raged online, Iranian state television described the U.S. federation as “removing the symbol of Allah” from the Iranian flag.Iran's semiofficial ISNA news agency quoted Safiollah Fagahanpour, an adviser to the Iranian Football Federation, saying that the “measures taken regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran flag are against the law" of FIFA competitions."They must be held responsible,” Fagahanpour said. “Obviously they want to affect Iran’s performance against the U.S by doing this.”The Islamic Republic emblem, designed in 1980, is four curves with a sword between them. It represents the Islamic saying: “There is no god but God.” It also resembles a tulip or lotus.At the top and the bottom of the flag, there are 22 inscriptions of “God is Great” as well, which honors the date on the Persian calendar when the Islamic Revolution took hold.The flag has become a point of contention at the World Cup. Apparent pro-government supporters have waved it, shouting at those demonstrating over Amini's death. Others at matches have waved Iran's lion and sun flag, an emblem of its former ruler, the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.More security forces could be seen at Iran's last match against Wales. In the capital Tehran, anti-riot police — the same ones cracking down on protests — waved the Iranian flag after the Wales win, angering demonstrators.

Iran wants US kicked out of 2022 World Cup after social media furor

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping and asking for help to locate a suspect.

Aldrick L. Scott, 47, of Topeka, is wanted by the Douglas County Nebraska Sheriff's Office in connection with the disappearance of 43-year-old Cari Allen.

Nebraska officials are working to locate Allen, according to a social media report from Omaha Police. She is described as a white female, 5-foot-8, 130 pounds, blonde hair and hazel eyes. She&nbsp;was last seen Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 p.m. Scott has ties to Topeka and Shawnee County, according to the sheriff's department. On Monday, the sheriff's office released photos of Scott.

Anyone with information on Allen's whereabouts is encouraged to call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 402-444-6000 or 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669652492930.png" alt="Scott-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Scott-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping and asking for help to locate a suspect.Aldrick L. Scott, 47, of Topeka, is wanted by the Douglas County Nebraska Sheriff's Office in connection with the disappearance of 43-year-old Cari Allen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669587276863.png" alt="Allen-photo Omaha Police" />
 <figcaption>Allen-photo Omaha Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska officials are working to locate Allen, according to a social media report from Omaha Police. She is described as a white female, 5-foot-8, 130 pounds, blonde hair and hazel eyes. She&nbsp;was last seen Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 p.m. Scott has ties to Topeka and Shawnee County, according to the sheriff's department. On Monday, the sheriff's office released photos of Scott.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669652758142.png" alt="Scott-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Scott-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone with information on Allen's whereabouts is encouraged to call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 402-444-6000 or 911.

Arrest warrant issued for Kan. man accused of kidnapping woman

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug distribution allegations.

Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Chevrolet Impala near 330th Road on U.S. Highway 75 for speeding, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. 

The traffic stop resulted in the search of the vehicle.  During the search, deputies found cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  They arrested the driver Gabriella Maria Gonzalez, 42, of Edmond, Oklahoma. 

She remains in custody on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and maximum speed limit, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669585034719.png" alt="Gonzalez-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Gonzalez-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug distribution allegations.Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Chevrolet Impala near 330th Road on U.S. Highway 75 for speeding, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The traffic stop resulted in the search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies found cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. They arrested the driver Gabriella Maria Gonzalez, 42, of Edmond, Oklahoma. She remains in custody on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and maximum speed limit, according to online jail records.

Sheriff: Woman accused of selling meth in Kansas

By DAKE KANG and HUIZHONG WU Associated Press

SHANGHAI — Protesters pushed to the brink by China's strict 
COVID measures in Shanghai called for the removal of the country's 
all-powerful leader and clashed with police Sunday as crowds took to the
 streets in several cities in an <a href="https://apnews.com/4ffc00e5f6761be48f5887d57d66c708">astounding challenge to the government</a>.

Police
 forcibly cleared the demonstrators in China's financial capital who 
called for Xi Jinping's resignation and the end of the Chinese Communist
 Party's rule — but hours later people rallied again in the same spot, 
and social media reports indicated protests also spread to at least 
seven other cities, including the capital of Beijing, and dozens of 
university campuses.

Largescale protests are exceedingly rare in 
China, where public expressions of dissent are routinely stifled — but a
 direct rebuke of Xi, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, is 
extraordinary.

Three years after the virus first emerged, China is
 the only major country still trying to stop transmission of COVID-19 — a
 “zero COVID” policy that regularly sees millions of people confined to 
their homes for weeks at a time and requires near-constant testing. The 
measures were originally widely accepted for minimizing deaths while 
other countries suffered devastating wavs of infections, but that 
consensus has begun to fray in recent weeks.

Then on Friday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-fires-6a1b6902e6ccf87e064f1232045a2848">10 people died in a fire in an apartment building</a>,
 and many believe their rescue was delayed because of excessive lockdown
 measures. That sparked a weekend of protests, as the Chinese public’s 
ability to tolerate the harsh measures has apparently reached breaking 
point.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered late Saturday in Shanghai, which <a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-china-locking-down-shanghai-b406df3a0113b9be99273324fec2c12e">experienced a devastating lockdown</a>
 in the spring in which people struggled to secure groceries and 
medicines and were forcefully taken into centralized quarantine.

On
 a street named for the city in China's far west where the fire 
happened, one group of protesters brought candles, flowers and signs 
honoring those who died in the blaze. Another, according to a protester 
who insisted on anonymity, was more active, shouting slogans and singing
 the national anthem.

In a video of the protest seen by The 
Associated Press, chants sounded loud and clear: “Xi Jinping! Step down!
 CCP! Step down!” Xi, arguably China’s most dominant leader since Mao 
Zedong, was recently named to another term as head of the ruling Chinese
 Communist Party, and some expect him to try to stay in power for life.

The
 protester and another, who gave only his last name, Zhao, confirmed the
 chants. Both insisted on having their identities shielded because they 
fear arrest or retribution.

The atmosphere of the protest 
encouraged people to speak about topics considered taboo, including the 
1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in which the ruling Communist Party had 
ordered troops to fire on pro-democracy student demonstrators, the 
unnamed protester said. Some also called for an official apology for the
 deaths in the fire in Urumqi in the Xinjiang region. One member of the 
Uyghur ethnic group that is native to Xinjiang and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-japan-crime-geneva-72426c36d1a4c0ae83d9520d2f19d840">has been the target of a sweeping security crackdown</a> shared his experiences of discrimination and police violence.

“Everyone
 thinks that Chinese people are afraid to come out and protest, that 
they don’t have any courage,” said the protester, who said it was his 
first time demonstrating. “Actually in my heart, I also thought this 
way. But then when I went there, I found that the environment was such 
that everyone was very brave.”

Initially peaceful, the scene 
turned violent in the early hours of Sunday. Hundreds of police 
surrounded the protesters and broke up the first more active group 
before they came for the second as they tried to move people off the 
main street. The protester said that he saw multiple people being taken 
away, forced by police into vans, but could not identify them.

The
 protester named Zhao said one of his friends was beaten by police and 
two were pepper sprayed. He said police stomped his feet as he tried to 
stop them from taking his friend away. He lost his shoes in the process,
 and left the protest barefoot.

Zhao said protesters yelled 
slogans, including one that has become a frequent rallying cry: “(We) do
 not want PCR (tests), but want freedom.”

On Sunday afternoon, 
crowds returned to the same spot and again railed against PCR tests. 
People stood and filmed as police started shoving at people.

A 
crowdsourced list on social media showed that there were also 
demonstrations at 50 universities. Videos posted on social media that 
said they were filmed in Nanjing in the east, Guangzhou in the south, 
Beijing in the north and at least five other cities showed protesters 
tussling with police in white protective suits or dismantling barricades
 used to seal off neighborhoods. The Associated Press could not 
independently verify all the protests.

In Beijing, students at the
 nation's top college, Tsinghua University, held a demonstration Sunday 
afternoon in front of one of the school's cafeterias. Three young women 
stood there initially with a simple message of condolence for the 
victims of the Urumqi apartment fire, according to a witness, who 
refused to be named out of fear of retribution, and images of the 
protest the AP has seen.

Students shouted “freedom of speech” and 
sang the Internationale, the socialist anthem. The deputy Communist 
Party secretary of the school arrived at the protest, promising to hold a
 schoolwide discussion.

Meanwhile, two cities in China’s 
northwest, where residents have been confined to their homes for up to 
four months, eased some anti-virus controls Sunday after public protests
 Friday.

Meanwhile, Urumqi, where the fire occurred, as well as 
the smaller city of Korla were preparing to reopen markets and other 
businesses in areas deemed at low risk of virus transmission and to 
restart bus, train and airline service, state media reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669566905365.jpeg" alt="Chinese police officers block off access to a site where protesters had gathered in Shanghai on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Protests against China's strict "zero-COVID" policies resurfaced in Shanghai and Beijing on Sunday afternoon, continuing a round of demonstrations that have spread across the country since a deadly apartment fire in the northwestern city of Urumqi led to questions over such rigid anti-virus measures. (AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>Chinese police officers block off access to a site where protesters had gathered in Shanghai on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. Protests against China's strict "zero-COVID" policies resurfaced in Shanghai and Beijing on Sunday afternoon, continuing a round of demonstrations that have spread across the country since a deadly apartment fire in the northwestern city of Urumqi led to questions over such rigid anti-virus measures. (AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAKE KANG and HUIZHONG WU Associated PressSHANGHAI — Protesters pushed to the brink by China's strict 
COVID measures in Shanghai called for the removal of the country's 
all-powerful leader and clashed with police Sunday as crowds took to the
 streets in several cities in an <a href="https://apnews.com/4ffc00e5f6761be48f5887d57d66c708">astounding challenge to the government</a>.Police
 forcibly cleared the demonstrators in China's financial capital who 
called for Xi Jinping's resignation and the end of the Chinese Communist
 Party's rule — but hours later people rallied again in the same spot, 
and social media reports indicated protests also spread to at least 
seven other cities, including the capital of Beijing, and dozens of 
university campuses.Largescale protests are exceedingly rare in 
China, where public expressions of dissent are routinely stifled — but a
 direct rebuke of Xi, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, is 
extraordinary.Three years after the virus first emerged, China is
 the only major country still trying to stop transmission of COVID-19 — a
 “zero COVID” policy that regularly sees millions of people confined to 
their homes for weeks at a time and requires near-constant testing. The 
measures were originally widely accepted for minimizing deaths while 
other countries suffered devastating wavs of infections, but that 
consensus has begun to fray in recent weeks.Then on Friday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-fires-6a1b6902e6ccf87e064f1232045a2848">10 people died in a fire in an apartment building</a>,
 and many believe their rescue was delayed because of excessive lockdown
 measures. That sparked a weekend of protests, as the Chinese public’s 
ability to tolerate the harsh measures has apparently reached breaking 
point.Hundreds of demonstrators gathered late Saturday in Shanghai, which <a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-china-locking-down-shanghai-b406df3a0113b9be99273324fec2c12e">experienced a devastating lockdown</a>
 in the spring in which people struggled to secure groceries and 
medicines and were forcefully taken into centralized quarantine.On
 a street named for the city in China's far west where the fire 
happened, one group of protesters brought candles, flowers and signs 
honoring those who died in the blaze. Another, according to a protester 
who insisted on anonymity, was more active, shouting slogans and singing
 the national anthem.In a video of the protest seen by The 
Associated Press, chants sounded loud and clear: “Xi Jinping! Step down!
 CCP! Step down!” Xi, arguably China’s most dominant leader since Mao 
Zedong, was recently named to another term as head of the ruling Chinese
 Communist Party, and some expect him to try to stay in power for life.The
 protester and another, who gave only his last name, Zhao, confirmed the
 chants. Both insisted on having their identities shielded because they 
fear arrest or retribution.The atmosphere of the protest 
encouraged people to speak about topics considered taboo, including the 
1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in which the ruling Communist Party had 
ordered troops to fire on pro-democracy student demonstrators, the 
unnamed protester said. Some also called for an official apology for the
 deaths in the fire in Urumqi in the Xinjiang region. One member of the 
Uyghur ethnic group that is native to Xinjiang and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-japan-crime-geneva-72426c36d1a4c0ae83d9520d2f19d840">has been the target of a sweeping security crackdown</a> shared his experiences of discrimination and police violence.“Everyone
 thinks that Chinese people are afraid to come out and protest, that 
they don’t have any courage,” said the protester, who said it was his 
first time demonstrating. “Actually in my heart, I also thought this 
way. But then when I went there, I found that the environment was such 
that everyone was very brave.”Initially peaceful, the scene 
turned violent in the early hours of Sunday. Hundreds of police 
surrounded the protesters and broke up the first more active group 
before they came for the second as they tried to move people off the 
main street. The protester said that he saw multiple people being taken 
away, forced by police into vans, but could not identify them.The
 protester named Zhao said one of his friends was beaten by police and 
two were pepper sprayed. He said police stomped his feet as he tried to 
stop them from taking his friend away. He lost his shoes in the process,
 and left the protest barefoot.Zhao said protesters yelled 
slogans, including one that has become a frequent rallying cry: “(We) do
 not want PCR (tests), but want freedom.”On Sunday afternoon, 
crowds returned to the same spot and again railed against PCR tests. 
People stood and filmed as police started shoving at people.A 
crowdsourced list on social media showed that there were also 
demonstrations at 50 universities. Videos posted on social media that 
said they were filmed in Nanjing in the east, Guangzhou in the south, 
Beijing in the north and at least five other cities showed protesters 
tussling with police in white protective suits or dismantling barricades
 used to seal off neighborhoods. The Associated Press could not 
independently verify all the protests.In Beijing, students at the
 nation's top college, Tsinghua University, held a demonstration Sunday 
afternoon in front of one of the school's cafeterias. Three young women 
stood there initially with a simple message of condolence for the 
victims of the Urumqi apartment fire, according to a witness, who 
refused to be named out of fear of retribution, and images of the 
protest the AP has seen.Students shouted “freedom of speech” and 
sang the Internationale, the socialist anthem. The deputy Communist 
Party secretary of the school arrived at the protest, promising to hold a
 schoolwide discussion.Meanwhile, two cities in China’s 
northwest, where residents have been confined to their homes for up to 
four months, eased some anti-virus controls Sunday after public protests
 Friday.Meanwhile, Urumqi, where the fire occurred, as well as 
the smaller city of Korla were preparing to reopen markets and other 
businesses in areas deemed at low risk of virus transmission and to 
restart bus, train and airline service, state media reported.

Crowds angered by lockdowns call for China's Xi to step down

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A federal judge has denied a new trial request by two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Lawyers for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. alleged misconduct by a juror and unfairness by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker following their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-presidential-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-grand-rapids-9ad8f100d32e7d5883b1be9d6c4cb8d5">conviction by a federal jury in August.</a>

Jonker in a written ruling Friday shot down claims of juror misconduct and said he found “no constitutional violation and no credible evidence” to convene a new hearing.

Fox and Croft face up to life in prison when they’re sentenced Dec. 28.

Whitmer, who was reelected Nov. 8 to a second term, was never physically harmed in the plot, which led to more than a dozen arrests in 2020.

Fox and Croft's first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this year when the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-grand-rapids-adam-fox-whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial-d49fb2fbc25cb150117f154fe42a72c5">A motion for a third trial</a>&nbsp;was filed in September.

Defense lawyers said a juror seated in the second trial was described by a co-worker as “far-left leaning,” was eager to get on the jury and poised to convict before hearing evidence.

The defense team’s investigator said he interviewed two co-workers who said they had heard about it but had no firsthand knowledge. A third person declined to speak to him in the parking lot.

The allegation first was raised early in the second trial. Jonker said he spoke privately to the juror, who denied saying that a vote to convict was already settled.

Separately, defense lawyers said the judge violated the rights of Fox and Croft by imposing a time limit on the cross-examination of a star government witness.

“Defendants have neither demonstrated that the jury verdict is ‘against the manifest weight of the evidence’ nor that a ‘substantial legal error has occurred’ such that the interests of justice demand a new trial,” Jonker wrote in Friday's ruling.

Croft is from Bear, Delaware. Fox lived in the Grand Rapids area in western Michigan.

Two other men have pleaded guilty in the federal case, while two more were acquitted.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-jackson-adam-fox-kidnap-plot-trial-0a5a930cf86e74f8a1365040b783de0d">Three other men accused of supporting terrorism in the kidnapping plot were convicted in October</a>&nbsp;in state court.

Joe Morrison; Morrison's father-in-law, Pete Musico; and Paul Bellar were found guilty of supplying “material support” for a terrorist act as members of a group known as the Wolverine Watchmen. They await sentencing on Dec. 15.

They held gun training in rural Jackson County with Fox who was disgusted with Whitmer and other officials and said he wanted to snatch her.

Associated PressGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A federal judge has denied a new trial request by two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.Lawyers for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. alleged misconduct by a juror and unfairness by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker following their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-presidential-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-grand-rapids-9ad8f100d32e7d5883b1be9d6c4cb8d5">conviction by a federal jury in August.</a>Jonker in a written ruling Friday shot down claims of juror misconduct and said he found “no constitutional violation and no credible evidence” to convene a new hearing.Fox and Croft face up to life in prison when they’re sentenced Dec. 28.Whitmer, who was reelected Nov. 8 to a second term, was never physically harmed in the plot, which led to more than a dozen arrests in 2020.Fox and Croft's first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this year when the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-grand-rapids-adam-fox-whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial-d49fb2fbc25cb150117f154fe42a72c5">A motion for a third trial</a>&nbsp;was filed in September.Defense lawyers said a juror seated in the second trial was described by a co-worker as “far-left leaning,” was eager to get on the jury and poised to convict before hearing evidence.The defense team’s investigator said he interviewed two co-workers who said they had heard about it but had no firsthand knowledge. A third person declined to speak to him in the parking lot.The allegation first was raised early in the second trial. Jonker said he spoke privately to the juror, who denied saying that a vote to convict was already settled.Separately, defense lawyers said the judge violated the rights of Fox and Croft by imposing a time limit on the cross-examination of a star government witness.“Defendants have neither demonstrated that the jury verdict is ‘against the manifest weight of the evidence’ nor that a ‘substantial legal error has occurred’ such that the interests of justice demand a new trial,” Jonker wrote in Friday's ruling.Croft is from Bear, Delaware. Fox lived in the Grand Rapids area in western Michigan.Two other men have pleaded guilty in the federal case, while two more were acquitted.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-jackson-adam-fox-kidnap-plot-trial-0a5a930cf86e74f8a1365040b783de0d">Three other men accused of supporting terrorism in the kidnapping plot were convicted in October</a>&nbsp;in state court.Joe Morrison; Morrison's father-in-law, Pete Musico; and Paul Bellar were found guilty of supplying “material support” for a terrorist act as members of a group known as the Wolverine Watchmen. They await sentencing on Dec. 15.They held gun training in rural Jackson County with Fox who was disgusted with Whitmer and other officials and said he wanted to snatch her.

Judge denies bid for new trial in Whitmer kidnapping case

WASHINGTON (AP) — State-level law enforcement units created after the
 2020 presidential election to investigate voter fraud are looking into 
scattered complaints more than two weeks after the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterms</a> but have provided no indication of systemic problems.

That's
 just what election experts had expected and led critics to suggest that
 the new units were more about politics than rooting out widespread 
abuses. Most election-related fraud cases already are investigated and 
prosecuted at the local level.

Florida, Georgia and Virginia 
created special state-level units after the 2020 election, all pushed by
 Republican governors, attorneys general or legislatures.

“I am 
not aware of any significant detection of fraud on Election Day, but 
that’s not surprising,” said Paul Smith, senior vice president of the 
Campaign Legal Center. “The whole concept of voter impersonation fraud 
is such a horribly exaggerated problem. It doesn’t change the outcome of
 the election, it's a felony, you risk getting put in jail and you have a
 high possibility of getting caught. It's a rare phenomena.”

The absence of widespread fraud is important because <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">the lies</a> surrounding the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-claims-biden-won-explained-bd53b14ce871412b462cb3fe2c563f18">2020 presidential election</a>
 spread by former President Donald Trump and his allies have penetrated 
deeply into the Republican Party and eroded trust in elections. In the 
run-up to this year's elections, 45% of Republicans had <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-election-2020-democracy-33823de7f22a601a192fc82eeb88e630">little to no confidence</a> that votes would be counted accurately.

An Associated Press investigation found there was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">no widespread fraud</a> in Georgia or the five other <a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arizona-donald-trump-voter-registration-tucson-c64bba90b8c074bf8bdfd2c751b6b0f2">battleground states</a> where Trump disputed his 2020 loss, and so far there is no indication of that in this year's elections. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-nevada-michigan-election-recounts-a2df6e14df54c99d6398985ebf465692">Certification of the results</a> is going smoothly in most states, with few complaints.

In
 Georgia, where Trump tried to pressure state officials to “find” enough
 votes to overturn his loss, a new law gives the state’s top law 
enforcement agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, authority to 
initiate investigations of alleged election fraud without a request from
 election officials. The alleged violation would have to be significant 
enough to change or create doubt about the outcome of an election.

GBI
 spokesperson Nelly Miles said the agency has not initiated any 
investigations under the statute. The agency is assisting the secretary 
of state’s office in an investigation of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-technology-lawsuits-donald-trump-voting-6a1324cc6cf45c95ca086a5c81617b15">a breach of voting equipment in Coffee County</a> in 2021, but that is its only recent election fraud investigation, she said in an email.

That
 breach, which came to light earlier this year, involved local officials
 in a county that voted for Trump by nearly 40 percentage points in 2020
 and some high-profile supporters of the former president.

State 
Rep. Jasmine Clark, a Democrat who opposed the additional authority for 
the bureau, said the lack of investigations validates the criticism that
 the law was unnecessary. But she said just the prospect of a GBI 
investigation could intimidate people who want to serve as poll workers 
or take on some other role in the voting process.

“In this 
situation, there was no actual problem to be solved,” Clark said. “This 
was a solution looking for a problem, and that’s never the way that we 
should legislate.”

Florida has been the most visible state, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-covid-health-crime-florida-5fad57fac85e0944b6e8eeb423b195b7">creating its Office of Election Crimes and Security</a> amid much fanfare this year and keeping <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crime-police-florida-voting-6faba6b361ef699eb3f90988a849d33c">a pledge that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis made</a> in 2021 to combat unspecified election fraud.

The
 office is under the Florida Department of State. It reviews allegations
 and then tasks state law enforcement with pursuing violations.

DeSantis this summer announced the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-florida-presidential-bfbf3d7d4f5dea4fa2a11589e4235c71">election unit had arrested 20</a>
 people for illegally voting in the 2020 election, when the state had 
14.4 million registered voters. That was the first major election since a
 state constitutional amendment restored voting rights for felons, 
except for those convicted of murder or felony sex crimes or those who 
still owe fines, fees or restitution.

Court records show the 20 
people were able to register to vote despite prior felony convictions, 
apparently leading them to believe they could legally cast ballots. At 
least part of the confusion stems from language in the voter 
registration forms that requires applicants to swear they are not a 
felon — or if they are, that they have had their rights restored. The 
forms do not inquire specifically about past convictions for murder and 
felony sexual assault.

One of the people charged, 56-year-old 
Robert Lee Wood, had his home surrounded early one morning by law 
enforcement officers who banged on his door and arrested him. He spent 
two days in jail. Wood’s lawyer, Larry Davis, said his client did not 
think he was breaking the law because he was able to register to vote 
without issue. Davis called the law enforcement reaction “over the top” 
in this case.

Wood’s case was dismissed by a Miami judge in late 
October on jurisdictional grounds, because it was brought by the Office 
of the Statewide Prosecutor rather than local prosecutors in Miami. The 
state is appealing the ruling.

Andrea Mercado, executive director 
of Florida Rising, an independent political activist organization 
focused on economic and racial justice in the state, said the 
disproportionate targeting of such would-be voters was sending a 
“chilling message to all returning citizens who want to register to 
vote.” She said her group found that many of them were confused about 
the requirements.

“You have to go to 67 counties' websites and 
find their individual county processes to see if you have a fine or 
fee,” she said. “It’s a labyrinthian ordeal.”

Weeks before the 
Nov. 8 election, the Office of Election Crimes and Security began 
notifying Florida counties of hundreds of registered voters who 
potentially were ineligible to vote because of prior convictions. In 
letters to the counties, state officials asked that election officials 
verify the information and then take action to prevent ineligible voters
 from casting ballots.

“We’ve heard stories about voters who are 
eligible to vote but have a criminal conviction in their past, and they 
are now scared to register and vote," said Michael Pernick, a voting 
rights attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He called it “deeply 
concerning.”

A spokesman for the new office did not provide 
information related to any other actions it might have taken or 
investigations it might have underway related to this year’s primary and
 general elections.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares 
announced he was forming his own Election Integrity Unit in September, 
saying it would “work to help restore confidence in our democratic 
process in the Commonwealth.”

The formation of the unit came in a state where Republicans <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-2021-virginia-2bbad4e99c1a9bd4b5b943551b0ba303">swept the three statewide offices</a> in 2021 elections, including Miyares' defeat of a Democratic incumbent.

His
 spokeswoman, Victoria LaCivita, said in a written response to questions
 from The Associated Press that the office had received complaints 
connected to this month's elections, but she could not comment on 
whether any investigations had resulted.

In addition, “the EIU 
successfully got a demurrer and a motion to dismiss” an attempt to force
 the state to abandon its use of electronic voting machines to count 
ballots and institute a statewide hand count.

Miyares' office said
 he was not available for an interview, but in a letter to the editor in
 The Washington Post in October he stated there was no widespread fraud 
in Virginia or anywhere else during the 2020 election. He said his 
office already had jurisdiction in election-related issues but that he 
was restructuring it into a unit to work more cooperatively with the 
election community to allay any doubts about the fairness of elections.

Smith,
 of the Campaign Legal Center, said there are real issues related to 
election security, including protecting voters, poll workers and 
elections staff, and securing voting equipment. But he said Republican 
steps to boost what they often refer to as “election integrity” to 
combat voter fraud often are about something else.

“It’s a myth that’s created so they can justify making it harder for people to vote,” he said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — State-level law enforcement units created after the
 2020 presidential election to investigate voter fraud are looking into 
scattered complaints more than two weeks after the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterms</a> but have provided no indication of systemic problems.That's
 just what election experts had expected and led critics to suggest that
 the new units were more about politics than rooting out widespread 
abuses. Most election-related fraud cases already are investigated and 
prosecuted at the local level.Florida, Georgia and Virginia 
created special state-level units after the 2020 election, all pushed by
 Republican governors, attorneys general or legislatures.“I am 
not aware of any significant detection of fraud on Election Day, but 
that’s not surprising,” said Paul Smith, senior vice president of the 
Campaign Legal Center. “The whole concept of voter impersonation fraud 
is such a horribly exaggerated problem. It doesn’t change the outcome of
 the election, it's a felony, you risk getting put in jail and you have a
 high possibility of getting caught. It's a rare phenomena.”The absence of widespread fraud is important because <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">the lies</a> surrounding the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-claims-biden-won-explained-bd53b14ce871412b462cb3fe2c563f18">2020 presidential election</a>
 spread by former President Donald Trump and his allies have penetrated 
deeply into the Republican Party and eroded trust in elections. In the 
run-up to this year's elections, 45% of Republicans had <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-election-2020-democracy-33823de7f22a601a192fc82eeb88e630">little to no confidence</a> that votes would be counted accurately.An Associated Press investigation found there was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">no widespread fraud</a> in Georgia or the five other <a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-arizona-donald-trump-voter-registration-tucson-c64bba90b8c074bf8bdfd2c751b6b0f2">battleground states</a> where Trump disputed his 2020 loss, and so far there is no indication of that in this year's elections. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-nevada-michigan-election-recounts-a2df6e14df54c99d6398985ebf465692">Certification of the results</a> is going smoothly in most states, with few complaints.In
 Georgia, where Trump tried to pressure state officials to “find” enough
 votes to overturn his loss, a new law gives the state’s top law 
enforcement agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, authority to 
initiate investigations of alleged election fraud without a request from
 election officials. The alleged violation would have to be significant 
enough to change or create doubt about the outcome of an election.GBI
 spokesperson Nelly Miles said the agency has not initiated any 
investigations under the statute. The agency is assisting the secretary 
of state’s office in an investigation of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-technology-lawsuits-donald-trump-voting-6a1324cc6cf45c95ca086a5c81617b15">a breach of voting equipment in Coffee County</a> in 2021, but that is its only recent election fraud investigation, she said in an email.That
 breach, which came to light earlier this year, involved local officials
 in a county that voted for Trump by nearly 40 percentage points in 2020
 and some high-profile supporters of the former president.State 
Rep. Jasmine Clark, a Democrat who opposed the additional authority for 
the bureau, said the lack of investigations validates the criticism that
 the law was unnecessary. But she said just the prospect of a GBI 
investigation could intimidate people who want to serve as poll workers 
or take on some other role in the voting process.“In this 
situation, there was no actual problem to be solved,” Clark said. “This 
was a solution looking for a problem, and that’s never the way that we 
should legislate.”Florida has been the most visible state, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-covid-health-crime-florida-5fad57fac85e0944b6e8eeb423b195b7">creating its Office of Election Crimes and Security</a> amid much fanfare this year and keeping <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crime-police-florida-voting-6faba6b361ef699eb3f90988a849d33c">a pledge that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis made</a> in 2021 to combat unspecified election fraud.The
 office is under the Florida Department of State. It reviews allegations
 and then tasks state law enforcement with pursuing violations.DeSantis this summer announced the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-florida-presidential-bfbf3d7d4f5dea4fa2a11589e4235c71">election unit had arrested 20</a>
 people for illegally voting in the 2020 election, when the state had 
14.4 million registered voters. That was the first major election since a
 state constitutional amendment restored voting rights for felons, 
except for those convicted of murder or felony sex crimes or those who 
still owe fines, fees or restitution.Court records show the 20 
people were able to register to vote despite prior felony convictions, 
apparently leading them to believe they could legally cast ballots. At 
least part of the confusion stems from language in the voter 
registration forms that requires applicants to swear they are not a 
felon — or if they are, that they have had their rights restored. The 
forms do not inquire specifically about past convictions for murder and 
felony sexual assault.One of the people charged, 56-year-old 
Robert Lee Wood, had his home surrounded early one morning by law 
enforcement officers who banged on his door and arrested him. He spent 
two days in jail. Wood’s lawyer, Larry Davis, said his client did not 
think he was breaking the law because he was able to register to vote 
without issue. Davis called the law enforcement reaction “over the top” 
in this case.Wood’s case was dismissed by a Miami judge in late 
October on jurisdictional grounds, because it was brought by the Office 
of the Statewide Prosecutor rather than local prosecutors in Miami. The 
state is appealing the ruling.Andrea Mercado, executive director 
of Florida Rising, an independent political activist organization 
focused on economic and racial justice in the state, said the 
disproportionate targeting of such would-be voters was sending a 
“chilling message to all returning citizens who want to register to 
vote.” She said her group found that many of them were confused about 
the requirements.“You have to go to 67 counties' websites and 
find their individual county processes to see if you have a fine or 
fee,” she said. “It’s a labyrinthian ordeal.”Weeks before the 
Nov. 8 election, the Office of Election Crimes and Security began 
notifying Florida counties of hundreds of registered voters who 
potentially were ineligible to vote because of prior convictions. In 
letters to the counties, state officials asked that election officials 
verify the information and then take action to prevent ineligible voters
 from casting ballots.“We’ve heard stories about voters who are 
eligible to vote but have a criminal conviction in their past, and they 
are now scared to register and vote," said Michael Pernick, a voting 
rights attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He called it “deeply 
concerning.”A spokesman for the new office did not provide 
information related to any other actions it might have taken or 
investigations it might have underway related to this year’s primary and
 general elections.Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares 
announced he was forming his own Election Integrity Unit in September, 
saying it would “work to help restore confidence in our democratic 
process in the Commonwealth.”The formation of the unit came in a state where Republicans <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-2021-virginia-2bbad4e99c1a9bd4b5b943551b0ba303">swept the three statewide offices</a> in 2021 elections, including Miyares' defeat of a Democratic incumbent.His
 spokeswoman, Victoria LaCivita, said in a written response to questions
 from The Associated Press that the office had received complaints 
connected to this month's elections, but she could not comment on 
whether any investigations had resulted.In addition, “the EIU 
successfully got a demurrer and a motion to dismiss” an attempt to force
 the state to abandon its use of electronic voting machines to count 
ballots and institute a statewide hand count.Miyares' office said
 he was not available for an interview, but in a letter to the editor in
 The Washington Post in October he stated there was no widespread fraud 
in Virginia or anywhere else during the 2020 election. He said his 
office already had jurisdiction in election-related issues but that he 
was restructuring it into a unit to work more cooperatively with the 
election community to allay any doubts about the fairness of elections.Smith,
 of the Campaign Legal Center, said there are real issues related to 
election security, including protecting voters, poll workers and 
elections staff, and securing voting equipment. But he said Republican 
steps to boost what they often refer to as “election integrity” to 
combat voter fraud often are about something else.“It’s a myth that’s created so they can justify making it harder for people to vote,” he said.

New state voter fraud units finding few cases from midterms

GREAT BEND — On Oct. 3, deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded
 to a reported theft in the 2300 block of Railroad Avenue just south the
 city of Great Bend. 

The person reporting the theft advised law 
enforcement that a 2018 Jayco Jayflight bumper-pull camper had been 
stolen sometime the night before. The estimated value of the camper was 
$20,500.

On Nov. 22, detectives obtained a search warrant to 
retrieve the camper. Detectives went to a location in Hutchinson where 
they located the camper and it was seized. Deputies transported it back 
to Barton County. 

This investigation is continuing, and 
additional search warrants and arrest warrants are expected in the near 
future. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Reno 
County Sheriff’s Office.

Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — On Oct. 3, deputies with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded
 to a reported theft in the 2300 block of Railroad Avenue just south the
 city of Great Bend. The person reporting the theft advised law 
enforcement that a 2018 Jayco Jayflight bumper-pull camper had been 
stolen sometime the night before. The estimated value of the camper was 
$20,500.On Nov. 22, detectives obtained a search warrant to 
retrieve the camper. Detectives went to a location in Hutchinson where 
they located the camper and it was seized. Deputies transported it back 
to Barton County. This investigation is continuing, and 
additional search warrants and arrest warrants are expected in the near 
future. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Reno 
County Sheriff’s Office.

Kansas police recover camper missing since early October

MARSHALL COUNTY - A Marysville man was arrested in connection to the death of his wife early Thursday morning.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Marshall County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday from a man in the 1000 block of Granite Road who requested medical assistance for his wife. When deputies arrived, they found Jennifer Brown, 57, inside the residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds, the KBI reported.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Thursday.

After further investigation, Brown's husband, Gerald L. Brown, 66, was arrested on a requested charge of first-degree murder, the KBI noted. He was booked into the Marshall County Jail.

MARSHALL COUNTY - A Marysville man was arrested in connection to the death of his wife early Thursday morning.According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Marshall County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday from a man in the 1000 block of Granite Road who requested medical assistance for his wife. When deputies arrived, they found Jennifer Brown, 57, inside the residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds, the KBI reported.The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Thursday.After further investigation, Brown's husband, Gerald L. Brown, 66, was arrested on a requested charge of first-degree murder, the KBI noted. He was booked into the Marshall County Jail.The investigation is ongoing.

KBI: Marysville man arrested in connection to death of his wife

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/23/new-kansas-crime-tracking-system-halfway-completed-officials-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation director said the agency’s new 
data tracking system is about halfway complete and will create a better 
overview of the state’s crime problem, including a potential rise in 
fentanyl cases.

During a Tuesday legislative budget 
hearing, KBI director Kirk Thompson said the new system would store 
details about criminals that the old system isn’t equipped for, 
including socioeconomic conditions, geographic details and other 
relevant case features.

“We’ll know a lot more about each 
individual case. Whether it was homicide by knife, homicide by firearm 
and much, much more granular information about crime in our state,” 
Thompson said.

The old data system, the Kansas 
Incident Based Reporting System, hasn’t been changed in decades. It 
contains all the data from criminal reports submitted by law enforcement
 agencies across the state. Thompson said more than 250,000 offense and 
arrest reports are added into the system each year, and are used to gain
 a sense of Kansas crime rates and areas of concern.

Thompson said he was concerned the 
old system would break down, because it was built with technology that 
is no longer used today, and that it can only provide basic crime 
statistics. KIBRS was created in 1993 and was last updated in 2001.

“This particular system is well 
beyond its effective lifecycle, and the technologies it’s built upon are
 no longer supported,” Thompson said. “The data security of those 
technologies is questionable, and it’s absolutely inflexible as to 
questions regarding what is going on in our state.”

Thompson said the new information 
system being developed will provide much more detailed and timely crime 
data. The system was funded through an $3 million federal grant, along 
with some internal funding for an assessment of system priorities and 
needs.

Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, said the KBI needs to examine data surrounding fentanyl cases.

“I think this is just coming into 
Kansas like water, and I think if we don’t get a handle on it, we’re 
going to have so many young people dead, it’s going to be a sad day,” 
Billinger said.

Thompson said the update was urgently needed for examining data in all criminal cases.

“There’s really nothing we can do with this antiquated system,” Thompson said. “It can’t be changed.”

During the hearing, predictions of 
revenue for the upcoming year also were discussed. Forecasts show rough 
times ahead for farmers across the state.

Kansas has experienced steady growth 
in farm income over the past few years, according to the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department and Kansas Division of the Budget, which
 released estimates ahead of Tuesday’s budget hearing.

But drought and rising material costs
 are predicted to negatively impact farmers, especially with western 
Kansas struggling with drought since early 2019.

“We’ve seen some declines in 2022, 
and it’s really all around drought conditions and lack of rain in other 
places as well,” said J.G. Scott, director of legislative research. 
“We’re not projecting that we’re going to be able to keep up with that 
production as much as we would like, though it’s still high.”

Corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum crop
 yields decreased by 20% compared to 2021. Overall, Kansas’ agricultural
 exports for this year are still expected to have the same value as last
 year, in the range of $5 billion.

Kansas’ unemployment rate decreased 
by 0.6% percentage points from 2021 to 2022, shifting from 3.2% to 2.6%.
 In 2023, unemployment rates are predicted to have a slight increase, 
rising to 3.5% overall unemployment.

Job recovery is also on the rise — 
Kansas lost 157,400 jobs between February and April of 2020 and has 
recovered more than 80% of these lost jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669223938744.jpg" alt="The new Kansas crime-tracking system will give officers a better sense of problem areas, official say. Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>The new Kansas crime-tracking system will give officers a better sense of problem areas, official say. Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/23/new-kansas-crime-tracking-system-halfway-completed-officials-say/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation director said the agency’s new 
data tracking system is about halfway complete and will create a better 
overview of the state’s crime problem, including a potential rise in 
fentanyl cases.During a Tuesday legislative budget 
hearing, KBI director Kirk Thompson said the new system would store 
details about criminals that the old system isn’t equipped for, 
including socioeconomic conditions, geographic details and other 
relevant case features.“We’ll know a lot more about each 
individual case. Whether it was homicide by knife, homicide by firearm 
and much, much more granular information about crime in our state,” 
Thompson said.The old data system, the Kansas 
Incident Based Reporting System, hasn’t been changed in decades. It 
contains all the data from criminal reports submitted by law enforcement
 agencies across the state. Thompson said more than 250,000 offense and 
arrest reports are added into the system each year, and are used to gain
 a sense of Kansas crime rates and areas of concern.Thompson said he was concerned the 
old system would break down, because it was built with technology that 
is no longer used today, and that it can only provide basic crime 
statistics. KIBRS was created in 1993 and was last updated in 2001.“This particular system is well 
beyond its effective lifecycle, and the technologies it’s built upon are
 no longer supported,” Thompson said. “The data security of those 
technologies is questionable, and it’s absolutely inflexible as to 
questions regarding what is going on in our state.”Thompson said the new information 
system being developed will provide much more detailed and timely crime 
data. The system was funded through an $3 million federal grant, along 
with some internal funding for an assessment of system priorities and 
needs.Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, said the KBI needs to examine data surrounding fentanyl cases.“I think this is just coming into 
Kansas like water, and I think if we don’t get a handle on it, we’re 
going to have so many young people dead, it’s going to be a sad day,” 
Billinger said.Thompson said the update was urgently needed for examining data in all criminal cases.“There’s really nothing we can do with this antiquated system,” Thompson said. “It can’t be changed.”During the hearing, predictions of 
revenue for the upcoming year also were discussed. Forecasts show rough 
times ahead for farmers across the state.Kansas has experienced steady growth 
in farm income over the past few years, according to the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department and Kansas Division of the Budget, which
 released estimates ahead of Tuesday’s budget hearing.But drought and rising material costs
 are predicted to negatively impact farmers, especially with western 
Kansas struggling with drought since early 2019.“We’ve seen some declines in 2022, 
and it’s really all around drought conditions and lack of rain in other 
places as well,” said J.G. Scott, director of legislative research. 
“We’re not projecting that we’re going to be able to keep up with that 
production as much as we would like, though it’s still high.”Corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum crop
 yields decreased by 20% compared to 2021. Overall, Kansas’ agricultural
 exports for this year are still expected to have the same value as last
 year, in the range of $5 billion.Kansas’ unemployment rate decreased 
by 0.6% percentage points from 2021 to 2022, shifting from 3.2% to 2.6%.
 In 2023, unemployment rates are predicted to have a slight increase, 
rising to 3.5% overall unemployment.Job recovery is also on the rise — 
Kansas lost 157,400 jobs between February and April of 2020 and has 
recovered more than 80% of these lost jobs.

Officials: New Kan. crime-tracking system halfway complete

GARDEN CITY — At approximately 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers of the Garden City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado in the 1200 block of North Eighth. Officers had prior knowledge that the license plate was stolen out of Garden City, according to a media release.

Officers made contact with Emilio Gomez, 27, and Sarah Paz, 41, both of Garden City. After investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, where suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm were located. Gomez and Paz were arrested at the scene.

Gomez and Paz were lodged in the Finney County jail on suspicion of: • Distribution of methamphetamine • Distribution of marijuana • Distribution of drug paraphernalia • Criminal use of a weapon by a person addicted to a controlled substance • Driving while suspended

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669233577945.jpeg" alt="Gomez" />
 <figcaption>Gomez</figcaption>
 </figure>GARDEN CITY — At approximately 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers of the Garden City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado in the 1200 block of North Eighth. Officers had prior knowledge that the license plate was stolen out of Garden City, according to a media release.Officers made contact with Emilio Gomez, 27, and Sarah Paz, 41, both of Garden City. After investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, where suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm were located. Gomez and Paz were arrested at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669233599933.jpeg" alt="Paz" />
 <figcaption>Paz</figcaption>
 </figure>Gomez and Paz were lodged in the Finney County jail on suspicion of: • Distribution of methamphetamine • Distribution of marijuana • Distribution of drug paraphernalia • Criminal use of a weapon by a person addicted to a controlled substance • Driving while suspended

Two from Garden City arrested for alleged drug distribution

PHILADELPHIA
 (AP) — Four students were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting 
shortly after their Philadelphia high school let out early for the day 
late Wednesday morning, a city schools spokesperson said.

City 
police said a 15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder and thigh, a 
15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, a 16-year-old boy suffered a 
graze wound to the face and a gunshot wound to the hand, and a 
16-year-old boy was shot in the leg. All four were getting hospital 
treatment and were in stable condition.

Police said no arrest has been made and no weapon was recovered.

The
 shooting took place about a block from Overbrook High School in West 
Philadelphia, where school let out early because of parent-teacher 
conferences, the district’s deputy chief of communications, Monique 
Braxton, said in a phone interview.

Braxton said the district's Office of School Safety told her the students were at a corner store when the shooting occurred.

“We
 don't know who was targeted, if any of the four of them were targeted,”
 Braxton said. Parents were being notified early Wednesday afternoon.

“This is outrageous, that young people would be shot shortly after being dismissed from their high school,” Braxton said.

Officer
 Miguel Torres, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, 
said that the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. He said victims were 
taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Lankenau Medical Center.

PHILADELPHIA
 (AP) — Four students were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting 
shortly after their Philadelphia high school let out early for the day 
late Wednesday morning, a city schools spokesperson said.City 
police said a 15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder and thigh, a 
15-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, a 16-year-old boy suffered a 
graze wound to the face and a gunshot wound to the hand, and a 
16-year-old boy was shot in the leg. All four were getting hospital 
treatment and were in stable condition.Police said no arrest has been made and no weapon was recovered.The
 shooting took place about a block from Overbrook High School in West 
Philadelphia, where school let out early because of parent-teacher 
conferences, the district’s deputy chief of communications, Monique 
Braxton, said in a phone interview.Braxton said the district's Office of School Safety told her the students were at a corner store when the shooting occurred.“We
 don't know who was targeted, if any of the four of them were targeted,”
 Braxton said. Parents were being notified early Wednesday afternoon.“This is outrageous, that young people would be shot shortly after being dismissed from their high school,” Braxton said.Officer
 Miguel Torres, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, 
said that the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. He said victims were 
taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Lankenau Medical Center.

Officials: 4 Philly high school students shot near school

Authorities seeking father in connection to the investigation

GARDEN CITY — At approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, Finney County Sheriff's deputies responses to the 6000 block of Skyline Drive to a report of a choking, unresponsive infant.

Upon arrival, deputies found the infant on the floor barely breathing and immediately noticed drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home, the smell of burnt marijuana. They suspected the infant could be suffering from a drug overdose, according to a news release Wednesday. 

The infant was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and deputies secured the home. The infant has since been released from the hsopital. 

After a search warrant for the residence was secured, a search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of the following:

• Approximately 5500 counterfeit pills that tested presumptively positive for Fentanyl

• Approximately 59.5 grams of suspected Marijuana packaged for distribution

The infant’s mother, Johanna Martinez, 21, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment, fentanyl distribution, marijuana distribution, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;The Finney County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the infant’s father, Carlos Rascon, 20, in relation to this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669224563801.png" alt="Finney County photo" />
 <figcaption>Finney County photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Authorities seeking father in connection to the investigation</h2>GARDEN CITY — At approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, Finney County Sheriff's deputies responses to the 6000 block of Skyline Drive to a report of a choking, unresponsive infant.Upon arrival, deputies found the infant on the floor barely breathing and immediately noticed drugs and drug paraphernalia in the home, the smell of burnt marijuana. They suspected the infant could be suffering from a drug overdose, according to a news release Wednesday. The infant was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and deputies secured the home. The infant has since been released from the hsopital. After a search warrant for the residence was secured, a search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of the following:• Approximately 5500 counterfeit pills that tested presumptively positive for Fentanyl• Approximately 59.5 grams of suspected Marijuana packaged for distribution• THC products• Several items of drug paraphernaliaThe infant’s mother, Johanna Martinez, 21, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment, fentanyl distribution, marijuana distribution, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.The investigation is ongoing.&nbsp;The Finney County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the infant’s father, Carlos Rascon, 20, in relation to this case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669225953928.png" alt="Finney County photo" />
 <figcaption>Finney County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

After infant hospitalized, mother arrested on suspicion of drug crimes

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man 
was arrested on multiple requested charges including aggravated battery 
and abuse of a child after alleged incidents over a three-week period.

Officers
 were sent to the apartments at 1310 E. North Street on Monday after a 
neighbor reported hearing banging and screaming, Salina Police Captain 
Paul Forrester said this morning.

When officers arrived, they made contact with a 42-year-old woman  
who lives in the apartment with her two children - ages four and two - 
and her fiance, identified as Quincy Williams, 29, of Salina. Forrester 
said the woman told officers that over the past three weeks, she had 
several altercations with Williams.

She said the first incident 
occurred approximately three weeks ago in the basement of their 
apartment when Williams allegedly punched her in the face and ripped an 
earring from her ear, Forrester said. 

On Saturday, Williams 
allegedly punched her in the face again, this time while they were in a 
car at a southwest Salina convenience store. The woman was in the 
driver's seat, Williams was in the passenger seat, and the children were
 in the back seat, Forrester said. On Monday, she still appeared to have
 injuries from the Saturday incident, he added.

On Monday, the 
woman and Williams got into an argument over gas money. Williams 
allegedly got upset after making some phone calls and the woman tried to
 calm him down, Forrester said.

Williams allegedly threw a metal 
shelf causing a ceramic jar to break. He also allegedly damaged an air 
conditioning vent, Forrester said.

At that point, the woman went 
upstairs to where the children were and Williams followed her. Forrester
 said Williams allegedly began punching the four-year-old girl, and when
 the woman tried to intervene, Williams allegedly pushed her to the 
ground. At some point during the altercation, Williams allegedly went to
 the kitchen and retrieved what was possibly a steak knife.

Forrester
 said the girl had bruising on her face and a scratch on her chest. She 
told officers that the scratch came from a knife.

Williams was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester said:

●Abuse of a child ●Aggravated battery ●Three counts of domestic battery ●Criminal damage to property

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man 
was arrested on multiple requested charges including aggravated battery 
and abuse of a child after alleged incidents over a three-week period.Officers
 were sent to the apartments at 1310 E. North Street on Monday after a 
neighbor reported hearing banging and screaming, Salina Police Captain 
Paul Forrester said this morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669139980210.jpeg" alt="Quincy Williams. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Quincy Williams. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, they made contact with a 42-year-old woman 
who lives in the apartment with her two children - ages four and two - 
and her fiance, identified as Quincy Williams, 29, of Salina. Forrester 
said the woman told officers that over the past three weeks, she had 
several altercations with Williams.She said the first incident 
occurred approximately three weeks ago in the basement of their 
apartment when Williams allegedly punched her in the face and ripped an 
earring from her ear, Forrester said. On Saturday, Williams 
allegedly punched her in the face again, this time while they were in a 
car at a southwest Salina convenience store. The woman was in the 
driver's seat, Williams was in the passenger seat, and the children were
 in the back seat, Forrester said. On Monday, she still appeared to have
 injuries from the Saturday incident, he added.On Monday, the 
woman and Williams got into an argument over gas money. Williams 
allegedly got upset after making some phone calls and the woman tried to
 calm him down, Forrester said.Williams allegedly threw a metal 
shelf causing a ceramic jar to break. He also allegedly damaged an air 
conditioning vent, Forrester said.At that point, the woman went 
upstairs to where the children were and Williams followed her. Forrester
 said Williams allegedly began punching the four-year-old girl, and when
 the woman tried to intervene, Williams allegedly pushed her to the 
ground. At some point during the altercation, Williams allegedly went to
 the kitchen and retrieved what was possibly a steak knife.Forrester
 said the girl had bruising on her face and a scratch on her chest. She 
told officers that the scratch came from a knife.Williams was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester said:●Abuse of a child ●Aggravated battery ●Three counts of domestic battery ●Criminal damage to property

Alleged battery, child abuse incidents land Kansas man in jail

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.

On Friday, police responded to St. Catherine Hospital for a report of a gunshot wound victim, according to a media release.

Officers learned that a man with a gunshot wound had been brought to the hospital by 20-year-old David Oliver of Garden City. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument occurred between Oliver and the victim at Oliver’s residence in the 900 block of N. 9th Street in Garden City.

 Following the argument, Oliver was handling a firearm while intoxicated when the firearm discharged and struck the victim. The victim was flown to Wichita due to the extent of his injuries.

Police arrested Oliver on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Discharge of Firearm, and Interference with law enforcement; falsely report a felony intending to obstruct, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669047875849.png" alt="Oliver-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Oliver-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.On Friday, police responded to St. Catherine Hospital for a report of a gunshot wound victim, according to a media release.Officers learned that a man with a gunshot wound had been brought to the hospital by 20-year-old David Oliver of Garden City. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument occurred between Oliver and the victim at Oliver’s residence in the 900 block of N. 9th Street in Garden City. Following the argument, Oliver was handling a firearm while intoxicated when the firearm discharged and struck the victim. The victim was flown to Wichita due to the extent of his injuries.Police arrested Oliver on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Discharge of Firearm, and Interference with law enforcement; falsely report a felony intending to obstruct, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Police: SW Kansas man was handling firearm while intoxicated

Bonne Terre, Missouri (AP)—&nbsp;A 19-year-old woman is asking a federal court to allow her to watch her father's death by injection, despite a Missouri law barring anyone under 21 from witnessing an execution.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-executions-missouri-3c5c00c2e09cc3d4639b827e374e45a1">Kevin Johnson faces execution Nov. 29</a>&nbsp;for killing Kirkwood, Missouri, Police Officer William McEntee in 2005. Johnson's lawyers have appeals pending that seek to spare his life.

Meanwhile, Johnson has requested that his daughter, Khorry Ramey, attend the execution, and she wants to be there. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed an emergency motion with a federal court in Kansas City. The ACLU's court filing said the law barring under 21s serves no safety purpose and violates Ramey's Constitutional rights.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661445268889.png" alt="Johnson-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonne Terre, Missouri (AP)—&nbsp;A 19-year-old woman is asking a federal court to allow her to watch her father's death by injection, despite a Missouri law barring anyone under 21 from witnessing an execution.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-executions-missouri-3c5c00c2e09cc3d4639b827e374e45a1">Kevin Johnson faces execution Nov. 29</a>&nbsp;for killing Kirkwood, Missouri, Police Officer William McEntee in 2005. Johnson's lawyers have appeals pending that seek to spare his life.Meanwhile, Johnson has requested that his daughter, Khorry Ramey, attend the execution, and she wants to be there. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed an emergency motion with a federal court in Kansas City. The ACLU's court filing said the law barring under 21s serves no safety purpose and violates Ramey's Constitutional rights.Ramey, in a court declaration, called Johnson “the most important person in my life.”“If my father were dying in the hospital, I would sit by his bed holding his hand and praying for him until his death, both as a source of support for him, and as a support for me as a necessary part of my grieving process and for my peace of mind," Ramey said.Johnson, now 37, has been incarcerated since Ramey was 2. The ACLU said the two have been able to built a bond through visits, phone calls, emails and letters. Last month, she brought her newborn son to the prison to meet his grandfather.ACLU attorney Anthony Rothert said if Ramey can't attend the execution it will cause her “irreparable harm.”Meanwhile, Johnson's lawyers have filed appeals seeking to halt the execution. They don't challenge his guilt but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-st-louis-missouri-814be73066ab19b7d7ae52dcad6cd0b7">claim racism played a role</a>&nbsp;in the decision to seek the death penalty, and in the jury's decision to sentence him to die. Johnson is Black and McEntee was white.Johnson’s lawyers also have asked the courts to intervene for other reasons, including a history of mental illness and his age — he was 19 at the time of the crime. Courts have increasingly moved away from sentencing teen offenders to death since the Supreme Court in 2005 banned the execution of offenders who were younger than 18 at the time of their crime.In a court filing last week to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office stated there were no grounds for court intervention.“The surviving victims of Johnson’s crimes have waited long enough for justice, and every day longer that they must wait is a day they are denied the chance to finally make peace with their loss,” the state petition stated.McEntee, a husband and father of three, was among the police officers sent to Johnson’s home on July 5, 2005, to serve a warrant for his arrest. Johnson was on probation for assaulting his girlfriend, and police believed he had violated probation.Johnson saw officers arrive and awoke his 12-year-old brother, Joseph “Bam Bam” Long, who ran next door to their grandmother’s house. Once there, the boy, who suffered from a congenital heart defect, collapsed and began having a seizure.Johnson testified at trial that McEntee kept his mother from entering the house to aid his brother, who died a short time later at a hospital.Later that evening, McEntee returned to the neighborhood to check on unrelated reports of fireworks being shot off. That’s when he encountered Johnson.Johnson pulled a gun and shot the officer. He then approached the wounded, kneeling officer and shot him again, killing him.The execution would be the first of three in the coming months in Missouri. The state plans to execute convicted killers Scott McLaughlin on Jan. 3 and Leonard Taylor on Feb. 7.Sixteen men have been executed in the U.S. this year. Alabama inmate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-executions-fd4937918b0529c07c005ace7a357b84">Kenneth Eugene Smith</a>&nbsp;had been scheduled to die Thursday for killing a preacher's wife in a murder-for-hire plot, but the execution was halted because state officials couldn't find a suitable vein to inject the lethal drugs.