NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials said Thursday that there's no evidence bird flu is spreading between people after investigating a mysterious infection in Missouri.

The illness reported last month was different from the 30 other bird flu infections in people in the U.S. so far this year. Those cases have been in farmworkers who had contact with infected dairy cows or chickens.

There was no known contact with an infected animal in the Missouri case, but health officials said Thursday that’s the only remaining explanation.

"There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The H5N1 bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-humans-animals-deaths-ae01d3717783f0cf41e23f3fedb97017">has been spreading widely</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. among wild birds, poultry, cows and a number of other animals. Its growing presence increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials say.

The most recent of the 31 confirmed human cases are two workers at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County, in southeast Washington state. The rest: 15 in California, 10 in Colorado, two in Michigan, one in Texas and the unusual one in Missouri. Symptoms have been mostly mild, including eye redness.

Few details have been released about the Missouri case. The person had preexisting health problems and was hospitalized in late August. The patient was given a test for flu that was positive for influenza A, a broad virus category. Further testing found partial genetic sequences similar to bird flu viruses from U.S. dairy cows.

Because the Missouri person did not work at a farm and had no known contact with an infected animal, health officials have been looking into the possibility it had come from another person with an undetected infection. That kind of spread would be a worrisome sign the virus might be turning into a more common threat to humans.

They did complicated blood testing of the patient, five hospital workers, and a person described as a “household contact” of the patient — looking for antibodies that would serve as proof of a past infection. The household contact got a stomach illness at the same time as the patient, but was not initially tested.

On Thursday, CDC officials said test results were negative for the health care workers. The patient and the household contact showed signs of past infection in one round of testing, but not in others. Neither met the World Health Organization's blood testing threshold for a bird flu case. The household contact is not part of the U.S. tally.

Since they both got sick at the same time, officials believe the patient and the contact were exposed together to some unknown animal or animal product — ruling out spread of the virus from one of them to the other, Daskalakis said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725718440042.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials said Thursday that there's no evidence bird flu is spreading between people after investigating a mysterious infection in Missouri.The illness reported last month was different from the 30 other bird flu infections in people in the U.S. so far this year. Those cases have been in farmworkers who had contact with infected dairy cows or chickens.There was no known contact with an infected animal in the Missouri case, but health officials said Thursday that’s the only remaining explanation."There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The H5N1 bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-humans-animals-deaths-ae01d3717783f0cf41e23f3fedb97017">has been spreading widely</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. among wild birds, poultry, cows and a number of other animals. Its growing presence increases the chances that people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials say.The most recent of the 31 confirmed human cases are two workers at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County, in southeast Washington state. The rest: 15 in California, 10 in Colorado, two in Michigan, one in Texas and the unusual one in Missouri. Symptoms have been mostly mild, including eye redness.Few details have been released about the Missouri case. The person had preexisting health problems and was hospitalized in late August. The patient was given a test for flu that was positive for influenza A, a broad virus category. Further testing found partial genetic sequences similar to bird flu viruses from U.S. dairy cows.Because the Missouri person did not work at a farm and had no known contact with an infected animal, health officials have been looking into the possibility it had come from another person with an undetected infection. That kind of spread would be a worrisome sign the virus might be turning into a more common threat to humans.They did complicated blood testing of the patient, five hospital workers, and a person described as a “household contact” of the patient — looking for antibodies that would serve as proof of a past infection. The household contact got a stomach illness at the same time as the patient, but was not initially tested.On Thursday, CDC officials said test results were negative for the health care workers. The patient and the household contact showed signs of past infection in one round of testing, but not in others. Neither met the World Health Organization's blood testing threshold for a bird flu case. The household contact is not part of the U.S. tally.Since they both got sick at the same time, officials believe the patient and the contact were exposed together to some unknown animal or animal product — ruling out spread of the virus from one of them to the other, Daskalakis said.

Health officials update on bird flu spreading between people 

BAGHDAD –&nbsp;During the early morning of Oct. 22, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), enabled by Coalition Forces as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), conducted strikes and follow raids on multiple ISIS locations in Central Iraq, targeting several senior ISIS leaders and killing at least seven ISIS operatives, according to a media release from the U.S. Central Command.

 During the Iraqi-led operation, two U.S. military personnel were wounded while assisting Iraqi forces with site exploitation. They are in stable condition.&nbsp; U.S. officials have released no additional details on them.

 Also as previously released, Iraqi Security Forces, enabled by&nbsp;Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, conducted precision airstrikes in Northeastern Iraq, Oct. 14-15, that killed four members of ISIS, including an ISIS senior leader. Both Iraqi-led strikes were conducted to disrupt and degrade ISIS attack networks in Iraq.&nbsp;

Also in the past week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed 15 drones, Land Attack Cruise Missiles and Surface-to-Air Missiles in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). T

These Iranian-supplied weapons, launched episodically by the Houthis and Iranian-Aligned Militia Groups (IAMGs) over several days during the week, posed a significant risk to United States, allies, and partner forces, as well as civilians in the region. The weapons systems were downed by a combination of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets deployed to the region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707001115180.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BAGHDAD –&nbsp;During the early morning of Oct. 22, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), enabled by Coalition Forces as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), conducted strikes and follow raids on multiple ISIS locations in Central Iraq, targeting several senior ISIS leaders and killing at least seven ISIS operatives, according to a media release from the U.S. Central Command. During the Iraqi-led operation, two U.S. military personnel were wounded while assisting Iraqi forces with site exploitation. They are in stable condition.&nbsp; U.S. officials have released no additional details on them. Also as previously released, Iraqi Security Forces, enabled by&nbsp;Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, conducted precision airstrikes in Northeastern Iraq, Oct. 14-15, that killed four members of ISIS, including an ISIS senior leader. Both Iraqi-led strikes were conducted to disrupt and degrade ISIS attack networks in Iraq.&nbsp;Also in the past week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed 15 drones, Land Attack Cruise Missiles and Surface-to-Air Missiles in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). TThese Iranian-supplied weapons, launched episodically by the Houthis and Iranian-Aligned Militia Groups (IAMGs) over several days during the week, posed a significant risk to United States, allies, and partner forces, as well as civilians in the region. The weapons systems were downed by a combination of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets deployed to the region.

U.S. military personnel injured during raid in Iraq continue recovery

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-sick-onions-d4a37726f2669016decedcf9f928a9d9">deadly outbreak of E. coli poisoning</a>&nbsp;tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounders has expanded, with at least 75 people sick in 13 states, federal health officials said Friday.

A total of 22 people have now been hospitalized, and two have developed a dangerous kidney disease complication, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One person has died in Colorado.

No definitive source of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-boars-head-ecoli-listeria-food-safety-1256564e2ec8baf6a96b27c7102e833e">the outbreak</a>&nbsp;has been identified, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Early information analyzed by the FDA showed that uncooked slivered onions used on the burgers “are a likely source of contamination,” the agency said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-outbreak-e-coli-onions-2bc3fc2d4198d9a5bad52c0028316165">McDonald’s has confirmed</a>&nbsp;that Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, was the supplier of the fresh onions used in the restaurants involved in the outbreak, and that they had come from a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“We have made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility indefinitely,” McDonald's said in a statement released late Friday.

Taylor Farms said Friday it had preemptively recalled yellow onions sent to its customers from its Colorado facility and continues to work with the CDC and the FDA as they investigate.

“It saddens us to see the illnesses and affected individuals and families,” from the outbreak, the family-owned company said.

McDonald's pulled the Quarter Pounder burger from menus in several states — mostly in the Midwest and Mountain states — when the outbreak was announced Tuesday. McDonald's said Friday that slivered onions from the Colorado Springs facility were distributed to approximately 900 of its restaurants, including some in transportation hubs like airports.

The new cases reported Friday were a sharp increase from the original tally of 49 in 10 states. Most illnesses were reported in Colorado, with 26 cases. At least 13 people were sickened in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, 5 each in New Mexico and Utah, 4 each in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan and one each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington, the CDC reported.

McDonald's said Friday it didn't pull the Quarter Pounder from any additional restaurants due to the increase in the CDC's illness count. The company noted that some cases in states outside the original region were tied to travel.

The CDC said some people who got sick reported traveling to other states before their symptoms started. At least three people said they ate at McDonald's during their travel. Illnesses were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11.

Taylor Farms notified its customers directly about the onion recall but did not tell the public about it, an FDA official said. Companies often issue press releases and the FDA sends public notifications for recalls, but they are not required.

While it remains unclear if the recalled onions were the source of the outbreak, several other fast-food restaurants — including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King — pulled onions from some menus in certain areas this week.

Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, said that 5% of its restaurants use whole onions distributed by Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility. They are washed, peeled and sliced by employees.

Even though it wasn’t contacted by health officials and it had no indications of illness, Restaurant Brands said it asked the restaurants that received onions from the Colorado facility to get rid of them.

The outbreak involves infections&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e-coli-mcdonalds-outbreak-bacteria-quarter-pounder-080847096a6b7062b4fb17037393fc99">with E. coli 0157:H7, a type of bacteria</a>&nbsp;that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to CDC.

People sickened in the outbreak have already moved to sue McDonald's, according to court records. According to her lawsuit, Clarissa DeBock ate food from a local McDonald's in Nebraska on Sept. 18, fell ill on Sept. 23 and sought emergency care two days later before she was diagnosed with an E. coli infection.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can occur quickly, within a day or two of eating contaminated food. They typically include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration — little or no peeing, increased thirst and dizziness. The infection is especially dangerous for children younger than 5, people who are elderly, pregnant or who have weakened immune systems.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729872051879.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-sick-onions-d4a37726f2669016decedcf9f928a9d9">deadly outbreak of E. coli poisoning</a>&nbsp;tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounders has expanded, with at least 75 people sick in 13 states, federal health officials said Friday.A total of 22 people have now been hospitalized, and two have developed a dangerous kidney disease complication, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One person has died in Colorado.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729882011911.png" alt="CDC map" />
 <figcaption>CDC map</figcaption>
 </figure>No definitive source of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-boars-head-ecoli-listeria-food-safety-1256564e2ec8baf6a96b27c7102e833e">the outbreak</a>&nbsp;has been identified, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Early information analyzed by the FDA showed that uncooked slivered onions used on the burgers “are a likely source of contamination,” the agency said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-outbreak-e-coli-onions-2bc3fc2d4198d9a5bad52c0028316165">McDonald’s has confirmed</a>&nbsp;that Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, was the supplier of the fresh onions used in the restaurants involved in the outbreak, and that they had come from a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.“We have made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility indefinitely,” McDonald's said in a statement released late Friday.Taylor Farms said Friday it had preemptively recalled yellow onions sent to its customers from its Colorado facility and continues to work with the CDC and the FDA as they investigate.“It saddens us to see the illnesses and affected individuals and families,” from the outbreak, the family-owned company said.McDonald's pulled the Quarter Pounder burger from menus in several states — mostly in the Midwest and Mountain states — when the outbreak was announced Tuesday. McDonald's said Friday that slivered onions from the Colorado Springs facility were distributed to approximately 900 of its restaurants, including some in transportation hubs like airports.The new cases reported Friday were a sharp increase from the original tally of 49 in 10 states. Most illnesses were reported in Colorado, with 26 cases. At least 13 people were sickened in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, 5 each in New Mexico and Utah, 4 each in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan and one each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington, the CDC reported.McDonald's said Friday it didn't pull the Quarter Pounder from any additional restaurants due to the increase in the CDC's illness count. The company noted that some cases in states outside the original region were tied to travel.The CDC said some people who got sick reported traveling to other states before their symptoms started. At least three people said they ate at McDonald's during their travel. Illnesses were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11.Taylor Farms notified its customers directly about the onion recall but did not tell the public about it, an FDA official said. Companies often issue press releases and the FDA sends public notifications for recalls, but they are not required.While it remains unclear if the recalled onions were the source of the outbreak, several other fast-food restaurants — including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King — pulled onions from some menus in certain areas this week.Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, said that 5% of its restaurants use whole onions distributed by Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility. They are washed, peeled and sliced by employees.Even though it wasn’t contacted by health officials and it had no indications of illness, Restaurant Brands said it asked the restaurants that received onions from the Colorado facility to get rid of them.The outbreak involves infections&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e-coli-mcdonalds-outbreak-bacteria-quarter-pounder-080847096a6b7062b4fb17037393fc99">with E. coli 0157:H7, a type of bacteria</a>&nbsp;that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to CDC.People sickened in the outbreak have already moved to sue McDonald's, according to court records. According to her lawsuit, Clarissa DeBock ate food from a local McDonald's in Nebraska on Sept. 18, fell ill on Sept. 23 and sought emergency care two days later before she was diagnosed with an E. coli infection.Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can occur quickly, within a day or two of eating contaminated food. They typically include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration — little or no peeing, increased thirst and dizziness. The infection is especially dangerous for children younger than 5, people who are elderly, pregnant or who have weakened immune systems.___

Sharp increase in hospitalizations from McDonald's E. coli outbreak

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Two former educators who are vying for a Manhattan-area state Senate seat are drawing lines in the sand on religion and partisan politics ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Incumbent Sen. Usha Reddi, a Democrat and former school teacher, faces a challenge from Republican Brad Starnes, a former district superintendent. In the undercurrent of their race is an effort by Democrats&nbsp; to break Republican supermajorities in the Kansas House and Senate. A Republican hasn’t won the 22nd District seat in Riley County since 2008.

Reddi has expressed concerns about Starnes’ stance on the separation of church and state. He said at a recent forum “there is no such thing in the law.”

“At every forum and discussion, the topic of public education and school vouchers comes up,” Reddi told Kansas Reflector. “One of my concerns is my opponent’s stance on the separation of church and state. He denies this principle, which raises serious questions about the kind of policies he would promote.”

She suggested Starnes would prioritize “his personal beliefs over the constitution” as a decision-maker.

Those are pure speculations, Starnes told Kansas Reflector.

“The bottom line is I’m a constitutionalist,” he said.

He said no state should dictate what religion ought to be practiced or how and where someone should worship, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Instead, he sees the topic of religion in campaign conversations as a way to “educate people about their constitutional rights,” he said.

However, he added the United States is “founded on Judeo-Christian values. We pledge allegiance to the republic under God.”

While superintendent of Wabaunsee public schools, Starnes supported a program focused on religion in education. The RESPECT&nbsp;<a href="https://whschargercom.wordpress.com/2022/05/10/329-board-approves-staff-changes-6th-grade-sports-respect-program/" target="_blank">project</a>, which stands for Religious Expression Supports Positive Equity-Centered Teaching, was aimed at educating teachers and students about their First Amendment right to freedom of religion, Starnes said.

Reddi called out the project as problematic at an Oct. 9 candidate debate at Kansas State University.

“My concern is this blurs the lines between separation of church especially when there are private schools and churches that are set up for this purpose,” she wrote in an email.

Reddi, a Hindu, told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article234491367.html" target="_blank">Kansas City Star in 2019</a>&nbsp;that religion rarely came up in her campaign for Manhattan City Commission. Now, as she seeks to retain her state senate seat, religion and the separation of church and state have differentiated her and her opponent.

Reddi was an Ogden Elementary School teacher. She was first elected to the city commission in 2013. She served as Manhattan’s mayor between 2016 and 2017 and again in 2020 before unsuccessfully seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. She was appointed to the Riley County district seat in the Kansas Senate in 2023 after her predecessor, Tom Hawk, retired on the first day of the session.&nbsp;

In the 2024 session, Reddi co-sponsored a bill to abolish the death penalty and a bill to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage rates, both of which died in committee. She has promised to support Medicaid expansion if reelected.

Starnes, who is active in K-State’s Catholic student center, was the superintendent of the Wabaunsee Unified School District 329 from 2015 until 2022 after serving as superintendent of Riley County Unified School District 328. He lost a 2022 primary bid for the district’s House seat. He has said he’s in favor of less government and more local control.

He and Reddi have both made promises on the campaign trail to fully fund public schools and defend abortion. Starnes also said he supports “school choice” but is against tax dollars following students from public to private schools.&nbsp;

Starnes said in an interview Republicans and Democrats can often agree on 60-80% of issues.&nbsp;

“We’re so caught in these political gains,” he said. “We’ve got to move things forward.”&nbsp;

If Reddi retains her seat, Democrats could break the veto-proof Republican supermajority in the Senate by flipping three other districts. Starnes said retaining the Republican supermajority has been on the back of his mind but that he is focused on “running to help people.”

Reddi said breaking the supermajority ensures “good governance.”&nbsp;

“If the supermajority remains intact, we are likely to see more&nbsp;extreme legislation, including expanded voucher programs that undermine public education, zero corporate income tax, blocked Medicaid expansion, and additional restrictions on women’s health care,” she said. “Without the need to work across the aisle, the majority party would have little incentive to compromise, making it difficult to stop harmful legislation.“

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729943477064.jpeg" alt="Sen. Usha Reddi, D-Manhattan, talks with Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, left, and Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, on Jan. 17, 2024, on the Senate floor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Usha Reddi, D-Manhattan, talks with Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, left, and Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, on Jan. 17, 2024, on the Senate floor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Two former educators who are vying for a Manhattan-area state Senate seat are drawing lines in the sand on religion and partisan politics ahead of the Nov. 5 election.Incumbent Sen. Usha Reddi, a Democrat and former school teacher, faces a challenge from Republican Brad Starnes, a former district superintendent. In the undercurrent of their race is an effort by Democrats&nbsp; to break Republican supermajorities in the Kansas House and Senate. A Republican hasn’t won the 22nd District seat in Riley County since 2008.Reddi has expressed concerns about Starnes’ stance on the separation of church and state. He said at a recent forum “there is no such thing in the law.”“At every forum and discussion, the topic of public education and school vouchers comes up,” Reddi told Kansas Reflector. “One of my concerns is my opponent’s stance on the separation of church and state. He denies this principle, which raises serious questions about the kind of policies he would promote.”She suggested Starnes would prioritize “his personal beliefs over the constitution” as a decision-maker.Those are pure speculations, Starnes told Kansas Reflector.“The bottom line is I’m a constitutionalist,” he said.He said no state should dictate what religion ought to be practiced or how and where someone should worship, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Instead, he sees the topic of religion in campaign conversations as a way to “educate people about their constitutional rights,” he said.However, he added the United States is “founded on Judeo-Christian values. We pledge allegiance to the republic under God.”While superintendent of Wabaunsee public schools, Starnes supported a program focused on religion in education. The RESPECT&nbsp;<a href="https://whschargercom.wordpress.com/2022/05/10/329-board-approves-staff-changes-6th-grade-sports-respect-program/" target="_blank">project</a>, which stands for Religious Expression Supports Positive Equity-Centered Teaching, was aimed at educating teachers and students about their First Amendment right to freedom of religion, Starnes said.Reddi called out the project as problematic at an Oct. 9 candidate debate at Kansas State University.“My concern is this blurs the lines between separation of church especially when there are private schools and churches that are set up for this purpose,” she wrote in an email.Reddi, a Hindu, told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article234491367.html" target="_blank">Kansas City Star in 2019</a>&nbsp;that religion rarely came up in her campaign for Manhattan City Commission. Now, as she seeks to retain her state senate seat, religion and the separation of church and state have differentiated her and her opponent.Reddi was an Ogden Elementary School teacher. She was first elected to the city commission in 2013. She served as Manhattan’s mayor between 2016 and 2017 and again in 2020 before unsuccessfully seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. She was appointed to the Riley County district seat in the Kansas Senate in 2023 after her predecessor, Tom Hawk, retired on the first day of the session.&nbsp;In the 2024 session, Reddi co-sponsored a bill to abolish the death penalty and a bill to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage rates, both of which died in committee. She has promised to support Medicaid expansion if reelected.Starnes, who is active in K-State’s Catholic student center, was the superintendent of the Wabaunsee Unified School District 329 from 2015 until 2022 after serving as superintendent of Riley County Unified School District 328. He lost a 2022 primary bid for the district’s House seat. He has said he’s in favor of less government and more local control.He and Reddi have both made promises on the campaign trail to fully fund public schools and defend abortion. Starnes also said he supports “school choice” but is against tax dollars following students from public to private schools.&nbsp;Starnes said in an interview Republicans and Democrats can often agree on 60-80% of issues.&nbsp;“We’re so caught in these political gains,” he said. “We’ve got to move things forward.”&nbsp;If Reddi retains her seat, Democrats could break the veto-proof Republican supermajority in the Senate by flipping three other districts. Starnes said retaining the Republican supermajority has been on the back of his mind but that he is focused on “running to help people.”Reddi said breaking the supermajority ensures “good governance.”&nbsp;“If the supermajority remains intact, we are likely to see more&nbsp;extreme legislation, including expanded voucher programs that undermine public education, zero corporate income tax, blocked Medicaid expansion, and additional restrictions on women’s health care,” she said. “Without the need to work across the aisle, the majority party would have little incentive to compromise, making it difficult to stop harmful legislation.“

Manhattan-area state Senate race defined by religion, education and GOP control of Statehouse

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;centered their attention on Texas on Friday with both presidential candidates holding events in the staunchly Republican state. The vice president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-abortion-rights-2024-election-democrats-f228eedd3308dab2e1125fdf6029a4a2">teamed up with Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;for a rally aimed at highlighting the perilous medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban and putting the blame squarely on Trump.

Meanwhile, the former president held a news conference in Austin on Friday afternoon and sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan later in the day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;visited a reservation in Arizona, a long-promised trip to Indian Country that Democrats hope could boost Harris' turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Trump’s three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan has been released

The nation’s most listened-to podcaster pressed the former president on whether he’s “completely committed” to bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., into his administration.

“Oh, I completely am,” Trump responded. “But the only thing I want to be a little careful about with him is the environmental. Because he doesn’t like oil, I love oil and gas.”

He said he’ll tell Kennedy to “focus on health, do whatever you want.” Trump said he’s faced pressure not to work with Kennedy, citing “big Pharma” as one example.

Kennedy has been instrumental in spreading skepticism about vaccines, rejecting the overwhelming consensus among scientists that the benefits of inoculations outweigh the rare risk of side effects.

He also claims pharmaceutical companies conspire to prevent health improvements because they make so much money selling drugs to people with chronic illnesses.

Rogan also is skeptical of vaccines. Trump noted that “they’ve come up with some amazing things” such as the polio vaccine.

After embracing Beyoncé and Rowland, Harris took her spot at the mic, as the crowd cheered her name.

“It’s good to be back in Texas,” she said.

Harris started speaking at 10:20p ET, nearly an hour later than scheduled.

In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé gave the city’s neighborhoods shoutouts, to raucous cheers from the crowd.

“We are all part of something much bigger,” she said. “We must vote, and we need you.”

“Our moment right now. it’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” she said, casting her remarks forward, and introducing Harris. “Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? So let’s do this, ladies and gentlemen.”

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland take stage at Harris rally

Hometown hero&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/beyonce-knowles">Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;showed up at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris’</a>&nbsp;presidential campaign rally in Houston on Friday night. Her mother, Tina Knowles, introduced Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, who took the stage.

Rowland kicked things off, describing this as “a moment where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” she said. “We are grabbing back the pen.” She concluded, “Now Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do, and do this thing again.”

Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred takes stage at Harris rally

Allred thanked Harris for “coming to Texas and shining a light on what’s happening to Texas families and Texas women.”

The crowd broke out in cheers of “beat Ted Cruz” after the Democratic congressman said that, “with y’all’s help and God’s grace, we’re gonna beat Ted Cruz.”

“Do you hear that, Ted?” Allred asked.

Allred likened both his opponent and Trump to being too “small” to be effective leaders.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, but Ted Cruz is too small for Texas,” Allred said, eliciting cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Allred also remembered being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he said he “was going to defend the House floor from that mob,” while “Ted Cruz was hiding in a supply closet.

“I went to public school in Texas,” the former football linebacker said. “I’m not just going to sit there.”

Actress Jessica Alba kicks off Harris’ rally in Houston

Actress Jessica Alba kicked off Harris’ star-studded rally in Houston on Friday evening to praise the Democratic nominee as someone who “protects our freedoms and creates a brighter future, a more inclusive future for all.”

Harris is expected to focus her rally on abortion restrictions in the state and the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

Alba said: “As a woman I know we need a leader like Kamala Harris who is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom, ensuring that decisions about your body are made by you, never by the government, because Kamala Harris understands that protecting reproductive freedom isn’t about politics, it’s about our right to choose.”

There doesn’t seem to be an empty seat at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, the site of Harris’ rally with Beyonce.

The more than 20,000-seat stadium is awash in light: flashing red, white and blue lights held by supporters in the stands and strobe lights. Large screens are flashing messages that say “Reproductive Freedom,” “Vote, “Trust Women,” Freedom” and “Vote for Reproductive Freedom.”

Harris is scheduled to speak at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Attendees are leaving Trump’s rally en masse as word spread the former president will be arriving late

Trump’s plane did not leave Austin, where he was taping a podcast interview, until not long before the rally was set to start.

It’s a chilly night, with temperatures in the low 50’s.

“Well, we rather they were on time,” said Medine Dahlquist from Bay City, Michigan. But, she said, it’s “worth the wait.”

Roughly 35 million people have voted early as of today

About 35 million people have voted early in the 2024 presidential election.

That’s roughly one-fifth the number of people who cast ballots in 2020. The robust total is due to Republicans voting ahead of time after largely refusing to do so the prior two elections because former President Donald Trump criticized the process.

Now, Trump wants his supporters to vote early.

Remember, early vote statistics don’t tell you who won, merely who showed up. We won’t see who they picked until votes are tallied after polls close on Nov. 5.

▶ Find out how many early votes have been cast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">in your state</a>

Appeals court in Georgia declines to expedite review election ruling

An appeals court in the battleground state of Georgia has declined Friday to expedite the review of an appeal of a judge’s order that county election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-rules-certification-03f6bc623d9f6aeeb3f9dc47823d03f9">must vote to certify results</a>&nbsp;by the deadline set in law.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled this month that county election officials cannot refuse to certify election results. His ruling came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-fulton-county-julie-adams-79c93a5820eb8a9ecf6856171db72c10">lawsuit filed by Julie Adams</a>&nbsp;a Republican member of the election board in Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta and is a Democratic stronghold.

Adams appealed that order Wednesday and asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hear it on an expedited basis.

But the appeals court’s decision means that McBurney’s order will almost certainly remain in effect through the deadline for county officials to certify results, which this year falls on Nov. 12.

South Carolina judge rules it’s too late to re-open voter registration after DMV mishap

A judge in South Carolina ruled Friday it is too late for the state to reopen voter registration for nearly 1,900 teens after the state Department of Motor Vehicles failed to notify election officials that they checked the box to register as they got their driver’s licenses.

The teens were 17 at the time they went to the DMV, but would be 18 by Election Day.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to reopen registration Tuesday, a day after early voting started in South Carolina.

Lawyers for the DMV, election officials and lawmakers say they are sympathetic toward the teens, but it would be chaotic to reopen registration this close to Election Day.

Judge Daniel Coble’s decision came about six hours after he heard arguments in the case.

Early voting started on Monday in South Carolina and in the first four days, more than 500,000 votes have been cast.

“Our government failed these young voters, and now the same government is making excuses rather than making things right. When ‘It’s too hard to fix’ becomes an acceptable reason to disenfranchise voters, we know that there’s work to do,” ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney said in a statement after the ruling.

Trump meets execs from Bezos-owned Blue Origin

After he spoke in Austin, Trump greeted executives from Blue Origin, the space exploration company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Bezos is the founder of Amazon and the owner of The Washington Post, which reported Friday that its editorial board won’t endorse a candidate for president. The decision was framed as a return to earlier tradition, but it sparked speculation that Bezos wants to avoid antagonizing Trump, who has vowed retribution against his enemies and critics if he returns to the White House.

The Post editorial board endorsed Trump’s Democratic rivals in 2016 and 2020, and the former president has often railed against critical news coverage by the newspaper.

Trump spoke briefly with Blue Origin’s CEO, David Limp, and vice president of government relations, Megan Mitchell, as he left a hangar where he spoke to supporters and journalists at the Austin airport.

The conversation underscores the web of diverse and competing interests in the Bezos business empire. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether the conversation had been planned and whether they had attended the event.

Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and&nbsp;<a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>&nbsp;Inc. was not involved. Bezos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeff-bezos-steps-down-amazon-ceo-a5af30868a90cd300dd616796bc1aec2">stepped down</a>&nbsp;as Amazon CEO in 2021 but remains the company’s executive chairman and largest shareholder.

Officials with Seattle-based Blue Origin did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Several bands, including Mumford &amp; Sons, will join Harris at a get-out-the-vote rally in Wisconsin

Vice President Kamala Harris will be joined by several musicians, including Mumford &amp; Sons, for a get-out-the-vote rally Wednesday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the campaign announced on Friday.

The rally will take place just before former President Donald Trump will be about two hours away for a rally in Green Bay.

Both campaigns are hitting the swing state hard in the final days of the race.

The Harris rally will include two members of the indie rock band The National, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner, along with singer-songwriters Gracie Abrams and Remi Wolf. They are performing as part of the “When We Vote We Win” GOTV Concert and Rally Series, the campaign said.

Trump wraps remarks in Austin without taking questions from reporters

Donald Trump has concluded his remarks in Austin, Texas.

He spoke for about 45 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on immigration.

Trump did not take questions from reporters while speaking, and he didn’t answer shouted questions afterward.

Both major presidential candidates are in Texas on Friday. Kamala Harris took questions from reporters ahead of her rally later this evening with Beyoncé in Houston.

Trump predicts he’ll break records for deportations if he wins the election

Donald Trump is predicting he’ll break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election.

At an appearance in Texas, Trump praised President Dwight D. Eisenhower for overseeing mass deportations as part of a sweeping plan known by the racist title “Operation Wetback.” Trump has made mass deportation a centerpiece of his campaign for a second term in the White House.

“I think we’ll break that record,” Trump said of Eisenhower’s deportations. “Not that I want to break it, but I think we have no choice.”

He said his administration will put “these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them the hell out of the country.”

Leonardo DiCaprio endorses Harris for president

Leonardo DiCaprio is endorsing Kamala Harris for president, with the Oscar-winning actor expressing support for the Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/leonardo-dicaprio-endorses-kamala-harris-election-2024-40bf7286e7219dfd59957bf28d34f578">in a video Friday</a>.

“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy. We need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet and ourselves,” DiCaprio said. “That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

DiCaprio, long an outspoken advocate for addressing the climate crisis, has supported Democratic candidates in the past. In early 2020, he attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden at the home of former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Harris has received the support of many high-profile entertainers including Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock and George Clooney.

Republican nominee Donald Trump’s celebrity supporters include Elon Musk, Dennis Quaid, Roseanne Barr and Kid Rock.

In December 2016, DiCaprio and the head of his eponymous foundation met with Trump, then president-elect, to discuss how jobs centered on preserving the environment could boost the economy.

Trump again likens the US to a ‘garbage can’

AUSTIN, Texas — Former President Donald Trump is doubling — and tripling — down on likening the United States to a trash receptacle.

“We’re like a garbage can. We’re like a garbage can,” he said Friday. He noted that, “The first time I said it was last night.”

During a Thursday night event, Trump had declared that the U.S. was “like a garbage can for the world.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, in response on Friday, called that comment, “Another example of how he really belittles our country.”

Moments after her reaction, Trump said it twice more during an appearance in Texas.

Trump derides Harris’ rally with Beyoncé as ‘rubbing shoulders’ with ‘woke celebrities’

Trump sits down with Joe Rogan, Harris rallies with Beyoncé

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 34th Street and Garfield Avenue on a reported shot spotter, a gunshot detection system activation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

 While officers were enroute to the original call for service an additional call came in of a reported shooting in the same area. Officers located EMS personnel assisting a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Ebony Davis out of a vehicle who was suffering from apparent gunshot trauma.&nbsp; She was immediately transferred to an area where she succumbed to her injuries and was declared deceased, according to Gonzalez.

Preliminary investigation indicates the gunshots came from outside of the vehicle, striking the woman who was inside of a vehicle.

Police do not have a person of interest identified and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene to begin collecting evidence and gather witness statements. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729882663816.png" alt="On Friday afternoon, detectives returned to scene homicide to canvass for additional evidence.-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>On Friday afternoon, detectives returned to scene homicide to canvass for additional evidence.-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 34th Street and Garfield Avenue on a reported shot spotter, a gunshot detection system activation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez. While officers were enroute to the original call for service an additional call came in of a reported shooting in the same area. Officers located EMS personnel assisting a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Ebony Davis out of a vehicle who was suffering from apparent gunshot trauma.&nbsp; She was immediately transferred to an area where she succumbed to her injuries and was declared deceased, according to Gonzalez.Preliminary investigation indicates the gunshots came from outside of the vehicle, striking the woman who was inside of a vehicle.Police do not have a person of interest identified and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene to begin collecting evidence and gather witness statements.

Gunshot detection system alerted KCPD to woman's killing 

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.

The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.

Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">backed Republican former President Donald Trump</a>, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies.

The revision in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, and it does not allow troops to use force on U.S. citizens. The timing of its release was not related to the election, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said.

“The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new, and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” Gough said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The Pentagon regularly updates its directives. This update was intended to align the language on use of force from other policies into 5240.01, which only applies to defense intelligence personnel.

It describes what sort of support those personnel can provide to civilian law enforcement in situations where a confrontation or lethal use of force is likely.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">backed Republican former President Donald Trump</a>, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies.The revision in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, and it does not allow troops to use force on U.S. citizens. The timing of its release was not related to the election, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said.“The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new, and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” Gough said in a statement to The Associated Press.The Pentagon regularly updates its directives. This update was intended to align the language on use of force from other policies into 5240.01, which only applies to defense intelligence personnel.It describes what sort of support those personnel can provide to civilian law enforcement in situations where a confrontation or lethal use of force is likely.

Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for setting a house fire that killed his girlfriend and their two daughters.

Kyle Tyler, 33, won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least 25 years of his life sentence for first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. On top of that, he was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 11 years for two arson charges,&nbsp;The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;reported.

Firefighters found Tyler, along with a butane torch lighter, on a rear deck when they rushed to a burning Topeka home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a84602f1180a03e6fa56276316cfec10">in January 2023</a>. They then extinguished a pair of blazes that were determined to be intentionally set in the living room and basement.

His girlfriend, 30-year-old Genny Fitzpatrick, and their 1-year-old daughter, Kourtney Tyler, were found dead on the second floor. His 9-year-old daughter, Peyton Tyler, died after being taken from her first-floor bedroom to a Topeka hospital, the affidavit said.

All three victims’ deaths were likely due to smoke inhalation, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said.

In exchange for entering a guilty plea in August, prosecutors dismissed two other murder charges, along with two aggravated child endangerment counts, court records show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674225989378.png" alt="First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for setting a house fire that killed his girlfriend and their two daughters.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729873597201.png" alt="Genny Fitzpatrick and her two children&nbsp;Peyton Tyler and Kourtney Tyler-photo Mercer Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Genny Fitzpatrick and her two children&nbsp;Peyton Tyler and Kourtney Tyler-photo Mercer Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>Kyle Tyler, 33, won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least 25 years of his life sentence for first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. On top of that, he was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 11 years for two arson charges,&nbsp;The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674361780426.png" alt="Tyler photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Tyler photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters found Tyler, along with a butane torch lighter, on a rear deck when they rushed to a burning Topeka home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a84602f1180a03e6fa56276316cfec10">in January 2023</a>. They then extinguished a pair of blazes that were determined to be intentionally set in the living room and basement.His girlfriend, 30-year-old Genny Fitzpatrick, and their 1-year-old daughter, Kourtney Tyler, were found dead on the second floor. His 9-year-old daughter, Peyton Tyler, died after being taken from her first-floor bedroom to a Topeka hospital, the affidavit said.All three victims’ deaths were likely due to smoke inhalation, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said.In exchange for entering a guilty plea in August, prosecutors dismissed two other murder charges, along with two aggravated child endangerment counts, court records show.

Kansas man sentenced in fire that killed 2 children and his girlfriend

JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.

On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.

According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."

Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729898976418.png" alt="Pitler photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Pitler photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Emporia State University professor accused of child sex crime

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.

The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”

Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.

Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.

But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.

A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713493747235.png" alt="Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates.In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties.Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave.In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more.Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country.The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran.White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation.Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">massive Iranian missile barrage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-conflict-military-strategy-cce53839bbcf0a9a36af45ed2fa7dbb4">attacks against its proxy in Lebanon,</a>&nbsp;Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes.Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program.Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor.But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon.Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response.Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said.In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">offensive against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-generals-plan-eiland-gaza-219d7eb9a3050e281ccc032d5a56263c">sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;over dire humanitarian conditions.In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalists-killed-lebanon-israel-c89cf1109daaf3e6e7b766584710234d">killed three journalists</a>&nbsp;working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-08-2024-0bc0a8970c066c048ee1875bcdc8df79">Hezbollah</a>.