WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-drug-enforcement-administration">The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</a>&nbsp;will move to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country.

The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-health-schumer-becerra-dea-c00db5dabbeb9efd94cf17baff241e85">the medical uses of cannabis</a>&nbsp;and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.

The agency’s move, confirmed to the AP on Tuesday by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive regulatory review, clears the last significant regulatory hurdle before the agency’s biggest policy change in more than 50 years can take effect.

Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-federal-regulation-reclassifying-health-b0b5fc3d34a83d2c95db1665f8149d42">following a recommendation</a>&nbsp;from the federal Health and Human Services Department. After the public-comment period the agency would publish the final rule.

It comes after President Joe Biden called for a review of federal marijuana law in October 2022 and moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of Americans</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of the drug. He has also called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in December. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-campaign-oldest-president-young-voters-152d11d3090518a2e5eee63b9a596673">younger voters</a>.

Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.

Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.

Jack Riley, a former deputy administrator of the DEA, said he had concerns about the proposed change because he thinks marijuana remains a possible “gateway drug," one that may lead to the use of other drugs.

“But in terms of us getting clear to use our resources to combat other major drugs, that’s a positive,” Riley said, noting that fentanyl alone accounts for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. a year.

On the other end of the spectrum, others argue marijuana should be treated the way alcohol is.

Last week, 21 Democrats led by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing marijuana should be dropped from the controlled-substances list and instead regulated like alcohol.

“It is time for the DEA to act,” the lawmakers wrote. “Right now, the Administration has the opportunity to resolve more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory marijuana policy.”

Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 having already legalized medical marijuana and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-marijuana-legalization-election-2023-6d15efb27fdcd41e7364f2b7cd3177f4">24 legalizing its recreational use</a>.

That’s helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion. Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for businesses, according to industry groups. It could also make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.

The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system would likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.

But loosening restrictions could carry a host of unintended consequences in the drug war and beyond.

Critics point out that as a Schedule III drug, marijuana would remain regulated by the DEA. That means the roughly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. would have to register with the DEA like regular pharmacies and fulfill strict reporting requirements, something that they are loath to do and that the DEA is ill equipped to handle

Then there’s the United States' international treaty obligations, chief among them the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which requires the criminalization of cannabis. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the DEA cited the U.S.’ international obligations and the findings of a federal court of appeals in Washington in denying a similar request to reschedule marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. file photo by Rebecca Rivas" />
 <figcaption>Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. file photo by Rebecca Rivas</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-drug-enforcement-administration">The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</a>&nbsp;will move to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country.The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-health-schumer-becerra-dea-c00db5dabbeb9efd94cf17baff241e85">the medical uses of cannabis</a>&nbsp;and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.The agency’s move, confirmed to the AP on Tuesday by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive regulatory review, clears the last significant regulatory hurdle before the agency’s biggest policy change in more than 50 years can take effect.Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-federal-regulation-reclassifying-health-b0b5fc3d34a83d2c95db1665f8149d42">following a recommendation</a>&nbsp;from the federal Health and Human Services Department. After the public-comment period the agency would publish the final rule.It comes after President Joe Biden called for a review of federal marijuana law in October 2022 and moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of Americans</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of the drug. He has also called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in December. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-campaign-oldest-president-young-voters-152d11d3090518a2e5eee63b9a596673">younger voters</a>.Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.Jack Riley, a former deputy administrator of the DEA, said he had concerns about the proposed change because he thinks marijuana remains a possible “gateway drug," one that may lead to the use of other drugs.“But in terms of us getting clear to use our resources to combat other major drugs, that’s a positive,” Riley said, noting that fentanyl alone accounts for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. a year.On the other end of the spectrum, others argue marijuana should be treated the way alcohol is.Last week, 21 Democrats led by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing marijuana should be dropped from the controlled-substances list and instead regulated like alcohol.“It is time for the DEA to act,” the lawmakers wrote. “Right now, the Administration has the opportunity to resolve more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory marijuana policy.”Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 having already legalized medical marijuana and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-marijuana-legalization-election-2023-6d15efb27fdcd41e7364f2b7cd3177f4">24 legalizing its recreational use</a>.That’s helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion. Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for businesses, according to industry groups. It could also make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system would likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.But loosening restrictions could carry a host of unintended consequences in the drug war and beyond.Critics point out that as a Schedule III drug, marijuana would remain regulated by the DEA. That means the roughly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. would have to register with the DEA like regular pharmacies and fulfill strict reporting requirements, something that they are loath to do and that the DEA is ill equipped to handleThen there’s the United States' international treaty obligations, chief among them the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which requires the criminalization of cannabis. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the DEA cited the U.S.’ international obligations and the findings of a federal court of appeals in Washington in denying a similar request to reschedule marijuana.___

Biden administration plans to reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide

SHAWNEE COUNTY – A suspect wounded in an officer involved shooting in Topeka remains hospitalized, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

At around 3:10 p.m. on April 20, police received a 911 call reporting that a suspect connected to an armed carjacking that occurred in Topeka earlier in the day, was in the area of 16th&nbsp;and Harrison Street.

Preliminary information indicates that police responded and observed the suspect, Terrell D. Hayes-Osby, 34, of Topeka, running from police.

 Officers engaged in a foot pursuit heading west on 16th&nbsp;St., across Topeka Blvd. During the pursuit, Hayes-Osby fired in the direction of officers. Four officers returned fire. Hayes-Osby was struck. The shooting occurred around 3:25 p.m. near 16th&nbsp;and Tyler Street.

Medical aid was rendered. EMS responded and transported Hayes-Osby to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

Hayes-Osby was hospitalized in serious condition. He is improving and is expected to survive. He has previous convictions for 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713698320085.png" alt="Hayes-Osby has previous convictions for 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hayes-Osby has previous convictions for 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – A suspect wounded in an officer involved shooting in Topeka remains hospitalized, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.At around 3:10 p.m. on April 20, police received a 911 call reporting that a suspect connected to an armed carjacking that occurred in Topeka earlier in the day, was in the area of 16th&nbsp;and Harrison Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713660808243.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary information indicates that police responded and observed the suspect, Terrell D. Hayes-Osby, 34, of Topeka, running from police. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit heading west on 16th&nbsp;St., across Topeka Blvd. During the pursuit, Hayes-Osby fired in the direction of officers. Four officers returned fire. Hayes-Osby was struck. The shooting occurred around 3:25 p.m. near 16th&nbsp;and Tyler Street.Medical aid was rendered. EMS responded and transported Hayes-Osby to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.Hayes-Osby was hospitalized in serious condition. He is improving and is expected to survive. He has previous convictions for 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. ---------------

Kan. carjacking suspect shot by police remains hospitalized

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.

Prosecutors had alleged 10 violations, but New York Judge Juan M. Merchan found there were nine. The ruling was a stinging rebuke for the presumptive Republican nominee, who had insisted he was exercising his free speech rights. Trump stared down at the table in front of him as the judge read the ruling, frowning slightly.

Merchan wrote that he is “keenly aware of, and protective of,” Trump’s First Amendment rights, “particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.”

“It is critically important that defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote.

Still, he warned, that the court would not tolerate "willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”

The ruling came at the start of the second week of testimony in the historic case. Manhattan prosecutors say Trump and his associates took part in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by burying negative stories. He has pleaded not guilty.

Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday, Merchan ruled, and he must remove seven offending posts from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Merchan said. The judge is also weighing other alleged gag order violations by Trump and will hear arguments Thursday.

Of the 10 posts, the one Merchan ruled was not a violation came on April 10, a post referring to witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels as “sleaze bags." Merchan said Trump’s contention that he was responding to previous posts by Cohen “is sufficient to give” him pause on whether the post was a violation.

Among those he found to be violations, Merchan ruled that a Trump post quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters’ claim that liberal activists were lying to infiltrate the jury “constitutes a clear violation” of the gag order. Merchan noted that the words contained within the quotation marks in Trump’s April 17 post misstated what Watters actually said.

“Thus, in this court’s view, this post constitutes the words of defendant himself,” Merchan wrote.

Merchan cautioned that the gag order “not be used as a sword instead of a shield by potential witnesses” and that if people who are protected by the order, like Cohen, continue to attack Trump “it becomes apparent” they don’t need the gag order’s protection. Cohen has said he will refrain from commenting about Trump until after he testifies at the trial.

Meanwhile, testimony resumed Tuesday with Gary Farro, a banker who helped Cohen, Trump's former attorney, open accounts, including one that Cohen used to buy the silence of porn performer Stormy Daniels. She alleged a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies.

Jurors so far have heard from two other witnesses. Trump’s former longtime executive assistant, Rhona Graff, recounted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">she recalled once seeing Daniels at Trump's office suite</a>&nbsp;in Trump Tower and figured she was a potential contestant for one of Trump’s “Apprentice”-brand shows.

Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">National Enquirer publisher David Pecker</a>&nbsp;laid out how he agreed to serve as the Trump campaign's “eyes and ears” by helping to squelch unflattering rumors and claims about Trump and women.

Through detailed testimony on email exchanges, business transactions and bank accounts, prosecutors are forming the foundation of their argument that Trump is guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments. The prosecution is leading up to crucial testimony from Cohen himself, who went to federal prison after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">pleading guilty to campaign finance violations</a>&nbsp;and other crimes. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

It's unclear when Cohen will take the stand; the trial is expected to go on another month or more. And with every moment Trump is in court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">as the first of his four criminal trials plays out</a>, he's growing increasingly frustrated while the November election moves ever closer.

For his part, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee has been campaigning in his off-hours, but is required to be in court when it is in session, four days a week. Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Trump criticized prosecutors again.

“This is a case that should have never been brought,” he said.

Prosecutors used Pecker, Trump's longtime friend, to detail a “catch-and-kill” arrangement in which he collected seamy stories about the candidate so the National Enquirer or Trump's associates could buy and bury the claims.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">Pecker described how he paid $180,000</a>&nbsp;to scoop up and sit on stories from a doorman and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. He didn't involve himself in the Daniels payout, he said. He testified for parts of four days.

Trump says all the stories were false. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">used cross-examination to suggest Trump</a>&nbsp;was really engaged in an effort to protect his name and his family — not to influence the outcome of the presidential election.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">Farro first took the stand Friday</a>. While a senior managing director at First Republic Bank, he was assigned to work with Trump's lawyer for about three years, in part because of his “ability to handle individuals who may be a little challenging," Farro said, adding that he didn't find Cohen difficult.

Farro detailed to jurors the process of helping Cohen create accounts for two limited-liability companies — corporate-speak for a business account that protects the person behind the account from liability, debt and other issues. Farro testified that Cohen indicated the companies, Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.

Prosecutors showed jurors emails in which Cohen describes the opening of the Resolution Consultants account as an “important matter.”

Cohen acknowledged when he pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 that it had been formed to send money to American Media Inc., the Enquirer publisher. It was meant as a payback for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-5fdc819697a76536ed83cbf28d4a523c">their purchase of McDougal's story.</a>&nbsp;But the deal never went through.

Farro said that since the account was never funded, it was never technically opened. Instead, Cohen pivoted to starting up the Essential Consultants account, which he later used to pay Daniels $130,000.

When asked whether Cohen seemed anxious to get the bank accounts set up, Farro testified: “Every time Michael Cohen spoke to me, he gave a sense of urgency.”

Farro told the 12-person panel that the bank’s policy prohibited doing business with entities tied to “adult entertainment,” including pornography and strip clubs. Trump’s lawyers have not yet had a chance to cross-examine Farro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713921168558.png" alt="File-Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File-Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.Prosecutors had alleged 10 violations, but New York Judge Juan M. Merchan found there were nine. The ruling was a stinging rebuke for the presumptive Republican nominee, who had insisted he was exercising his free speech rights. Trump stared down at the table in front of him as the judge read the ruling, frowning slightly.Merchan wrote that he is “keenly aware of, and protective of,” Trump’s First Amendment rights, “particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.”“It is critically important that defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote.Still, he warned, that the court would not tolerate "willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”The ruling came at the start of the second week of testimony in the historic case. Manhattan prosecutors say Trump and his associates took part in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by burying negative stories. He has pleaded not guilty.Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday, Merchan ruled, and he must remove seven offending posts from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Merchan said. The judge is also weighing other alleged gag order violations by Trump and will hear arguments Thursday.Of the 10 posts, the one Merchan ruled was not a violation came on April 10, a post referring to witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels as “sleaze bags." Merchan said Trump’s contention that he was responding to previous posts by Cohen “is sufficient to give” him pause on whether the post was a violation.Among those he found to be violations, Merchan ruled that a Trump post quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters’ claim that liberal activists were lying to infiltrate the jury “constitutes a clear violation” of the gag order. Merchan noted that the words contained within the quotation marks in Trump’s April 17 post misstated what Watters actually said.“Thus, in this court’s view, this post constitutes the words of defendant himself,” Merchan wrote.Merchan cautioned that the gag order “not be used as a sword instead of a shield by potential witnesses” and that if people who are protected by the order, like Cohen, continue to attack Trump “it becomes apparent” they don’t need the gag order’s protection. Cohen has said he will refrain from commenting about Trump until after he testifies at the trial.Meanwhile, testimony resumed Tuesday with Gary Farro, a banker who helped Cohen, Trump's former attorney, open accounts, including one that Cohen used to buy the silence of porn performer Stormy Daniels. She alleged a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies.Jurors so far have heard from two other witnesses. Trump’s former longtime executive assistant, Rhona Graff, recounted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">she recalled once seeing Daniels at Trump's office suite</a>&nbsp;in Trump Tower and figured she was a potential contestant for one of Trump’s “Apprentice”-brand shows.Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">National Enquirer publisher David Pecker</a>&nbsp;laid out how he agreed to serve as the Trump campaign's “eyes and ears” by helping to squelch unflattering rumors and claims about Trump and women.Through detailed testimony on email exchanges, business transactions and bank accounts, prosecutors are forming the foundation of their argument that Trump is guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments. The prosecution is leading up to crucial testimony from Cohen himself, who went to federal prison after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">pleading guilty to campaign finance violations</a>&nbsp;and other crimes. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.It's unclear when Cohen will take the stand; the trial is expected to go on another month or more. And with every moment Trump is in court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">as the first of his four criminal trials plays out</a>, he's growing increasingly frustrated while the November election moves ever closer.For his part, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee has been campaigning in his off-hours, but is required to be in court when it is in session, four days a week. Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Trump criticized prosecutors again.“This is a case that should have never been brought,” he said.Prosecutors used Pecker, Trump's longtime friend, to detail a “catch-and-kill” arrangement in which he collected seamy stories about the candidate so the National Enquirer or Trump's associates could buy and bury the claims.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">Pecker described how he paid $180,000</a>&nbsp;to scoop up and sit on stories from a doorman and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. He didn't involve himself in the Daniels payout, he said. He testified for parts of four days.Trump says all the stories were false. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">used cross-examination to suggest Trump</a>&nbsp;was really engaged in an effort to protect his name and his family — not to influence the outcome of the presidential election.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">Farro first took the stand Friday</a>. While a senior managing director at First Republic Bank, he was assigned to work with Trump's lawyer for about three years, in part because of his “ability to handle individuals who may be a little challenging," Farro said, adding that he didn't find Cohen difficult.Farro detailed to jurors the process of helping Cohen create accounts for two limited-liability companies — corporate-speak for a business account that protects the person behind the account from liability, debt and other issues. Farro testified that Cohen indicated the companies, Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.Prosecutors showed jurors emails in which Cohen describes the opening of the Resolution Consultants account as an “important matter.”Cohen acknowledged when he pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 that it had been formed to send money to American Media Inc., the Enquirer publisher. It was meant as a payback for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-5fdc819697a76536ed83cbf28d4a523c">their purchase of McDougal's story.</a>&nbsp;But the deal never went through.Farro said that since the account was never funded, it was never technically opened. Instead, Cohen pivoted to starting up the Essential Consultants account, which he later used to pay Daniels $130,000.When asked whether Cohen seemed anxious to get the bank accounts set up, Farro testified: “Every time Michael Cohen spoke to me, he gave a sense of urgency.”Farro told the 12-person panel that the bank’s policy prohibited doing business with entities tied to “adult entertainment,” including pornography and strip clubs. Trump’s lawyers have not yet had a chance to cross-examine Farro.

Judge fines Trump thousands over violating gag order

JOHNSON COUNTY —A driver involved in a deadly wrong-way crash that occurred&nbsp;just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Johnson County has been charged with murder.

The Johnson County District Attorney charged Matthew E. Karabas, 27, Monroe, New Jersey&nbsp; with first degree murder, second degree murder, driving under the influence, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding police.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Gladiator driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Karabas was southbound&nbsp;&nbsp;in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just northeast&nbsp; from Edgerton Road.

The Jeep struck a 2024 Freightliner semi driven by Garrido S. Chinea, 29, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.

A passenger in the Jeep identified as Eric M. Diaz, 22, Melbourne, Florida, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Karabas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of suspected serious injuries. Chinea was not injured. Karabas also was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

He is due in court on May 1, according to online jail records.

JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Gladiator driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Matthew E. Karabas, 27, Monroe, New Jersey, was southbound&nbsp;&nbsp;in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just northeast&nbsp; from Edgerton Road.

A passenger in the Jeep identified as Eric M. Diaz, 22, Melbourne, Florida, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Karabas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of suspected serious injuries. Chinea was not injured. Karabas was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY —A driver involved in a deadly wrong-way crash that occurred&nbsp;just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Johnson County has been charged with murder.The Johnson County District Attorney charged Matthew E. Karabas, 27, Monroe, New Jersey&nbsp; with first degree murder, second degree murder, driving under the influence, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding police.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Gladiator driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Karabas was southbound&nbsp;&nbsp;in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just northeast&nbsp; from Edgerton Road.The Jeep struck a 2024 Freightliner semi driven by Garrido S. Chinea, 29, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.A passenger in the Jeep identified as Eric M. Diaz, 22, Melbourne, Florida, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Karabas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of suspected serious injuries. Chinea was not injured. Karabas also was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.He is due in court on May 1, according to online jail records.------------JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Gladiator driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Matthew E. Karabas, 27, Monroe, New Jersey, was southbound&nbsp;&nbsp;in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just northeast&nbsp; from Edgerton Road.The Jeep struck a 2024 Freightliner semi driven by Garrido S. Chinea, 29, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.A passenger in the Jeep identified as Eric M. Diaz, 22, Melbourne, Florida, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Karabas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of suspected serious injuries. Chinea was not injured. Karabas was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.&nbsp;

Driver charged in deadly wrong-way crash on Kansas highway

Legislation calls for issuing bonds for sports facilities costing at least $1 billion

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas House and Senate members worked Monday to consider whether to approve an economic development package designed to attract the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals or professional hockey or basketball franchises to Kansas.

The legislation would specifically limit the state’s incentives to sports facility projects costing more than $1 billion and the state Department of Commerce would be authorized to negotiate and make offers to no more than two sports teams.

The bonds issued for the projects could be used for all costs associated with stadiums and other infrastructure and would be repayable over a 30-year period. The incentive packages would be available until June 2025, but the legislation would allow that deadline to be extended for one year.

“Sorry for the short notice,” said Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican and chairman of the House commerce committee, told five other legislators on a negotiating committee. “I think it’s important to have this done before we adjourn the session. It’s just important to send a very positive message to the sports community that we’re here and we’re very serious about this.”

A bipartisan team of three negotiators from both the House and Senate were considering the proposal. The package, if it moves forward, would be amended into House Bill 2663. Majorities in the House and Senate would have to vote for the bill before it was sent to Gov. Laura Kelly.

“We see an incredible opportunity, and exciting opportunity, to put Kansas on the map along with states that have professional sports. However, there is a lot in this bill to be digested,” said Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and chair of the Senate’s commerce committee.

The 2024 Legislature is expected to wrap up the session, perhaps Tuesday, but lawmakers could be called back for a special session if necessary.

In early April, voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a sales tax measure that would have helped fund a downtown Kansas City stadium for the Royals and allow major renovations at Arrowhead Stadium used by the Chiefs. More than 58% of voters opposed the plan for replacing the three-eights of a cent sales tax used to maintain Truman Sports Complex to accommodate investments in the two stadiums.

“We want to make sure that, since Jackson County dropped the ball here, that we’re in a position to do a scoop-and-score,” Tarwater said.

Tarwater said conversations among legislators and others had been ongoing, but without direct negotiations with the Chiefs or Royals.

“We’ve been working on some sort of a solution for them for some time now,” he said. “We just want to make sure that we have the right plan for when the time is right for us to start those negotiations.”

He said the project would involve issuance of state-approved STAR bonds, which would finance construction and be repaid with sales and liquor tax revenue. In addition, the legislation would call for bonds issued through a community improvement district and through tax increment financing.

No Kansan would be asked to approve a sales tax increase for the professional sports facilities, Tarwater said.

“We are using tomorrow’s money. It’s tomorrow’s money we otherwise wouldn’t receive because these structures will bring in the business and they will cause development around them and the sales tax from those developments is what funds these bonds,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714481561841.png" alt="House and Senate lawmakers worked Monday on a proposed bill that would allow issuance of bonds to attract the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals or other professional sports franchise to Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>House and Senate lawmakers worked Monday on a proposed bill that would allow issuance of bonds to attract the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals or other professional sports franchise to Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Legislation calls for issuing bonds for sports facilities costing at least $1 billion</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas House and Senate members worked Monday to consider whether to approve an economic development package designed to attract the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals or professional hockey or basketball franchises to Kansas.The legislation would specifically limit the state’s incentives to sports facility projects costing more than $1 billion and the state Department of Commerce would be authorized to negotiate and make offers to no more than two sports teams.The bonds issued for the projects could be used for all costs associated with stadiums and other infrastructure and would be repayable over a 30-year period. The incentive packages would be available until June 2025, but the legislation would allow that deadline to be extended for one year.“Sorry for the short notice,” said Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican and chairman of the House commerce committee, told five other legislators on a negotiating committee. “I think it’s important to have this done before we adjourn the session. It’s just important to send a very positive message to the sports community that we’re here and we’re very serious about this.”A bipartisan team of three negotiators from both the House and Senate were considering the proposal. The package, if it moves forward, would be amended into House Bill 2663. Majorities in the House and Senate would have to vote for the bill before it was sent to Gov. Laura Kelly.“We see an incredible opportunity, and exciting opportunity, to put Kansas on the map along with states that have professional sports. However, there is a lot in this bill to be digested,” said Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and chair of the Senate’s commerce committee.The 2024 Legislature is expected to wrap up the session, perhaps Tuesday, but lawmakers could be called back for a special session if necessary.In early April, voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a sales tax measure that would have helped fund a downtown Kansas City stadium for the Royals and allow major renovations at Arrowhead Stadium used by the Chiefs. More than 58% of voters opposed the plan for replacing the three-eights of a cent sales tax used to maintain Truman Sports Complex to accommodate investments in the two stadiums.“We want to make sure that, since Jackson County dropped the ball here, that we’re in a position to do a scoop-and-score,” Tarwater said.Tarwater said conversations among legislators and others had been ongoing, but without direct negotiations with the Chiefs or Royals.“We’ve been working on some sort of a solution for them for some time now,” he said. “We just want to make sure that we have the right plan for when the time is right for us to start those negotiations.”He said the project would involve issuance of state-approved STAR bonds, which would finance construction and be repaid with sales and liquor tax revenue. In addition, the legislation would call for bonds issued through a community improvement district and through tax increment financing.No Kansan would be asked to approve a sales tax increase for the professional sports facilities, Tarwater said.“We are using tomorrow’s money. It’s tomorrow’s money we otherwise wouldn’t receive because these structures will bring in the business and they will cause development around them and the sales tax from those developments is what funds these bonds,” he said.

Jackson Co. dropped the ball; Kansas making last-minute drive to lure Chiefs, Royals

KANSAS CITY —There were no injuries after a water rescue Monday in Kansas City.

Just after 6p.m.,&nbsp; the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported stranded boater on the Missouri River, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 The boater was able to call 911 and reported that their motor had quit and that they were floating down river with no control over the vessel. 

The boat managed to make its way to the south bank just west of the Broadway bridge. 

KCFD launched two rescue boats and crews and made their way to the stranded boaters. The high river and the excessive debris in the river from the weekend storms made this a particularly dangerous operation. After locating the stranded boat, KCFD rescue boat towed the boat and its passengers to the Kaw Point boat ramp. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714474102580.png" alt="Kaw Point Boat ramp area on the river -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Kaw Point Boat ramp area on the river -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —There were no injuries after a water rescue Monday in Kansas City.Just after 6p.m.,&nbsp; the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported stranded boater on the Missouri River, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. The boater was able to call 911 and reported that their motor had quit and that they were floating down river with no control over the vessel. The boat managed to make its way to the south bank just west of the Broadway bridge. KCFD launched two rescue boats and crews and made their way to the stranded boaters. The high river and the excessive debris in the river from the weekend storms made this a particularly dangerous operation. After locating the stranded boat, KCFD rescue boat towed the boat and its passengers to the Kaw Point boat ramp.

Fire crews rescue stranded boater on river near Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have recovered the remains of a man in the 11400 Block of W 167th, according to Overland&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Park Police Officer John Lacy.

On April 27, 2024 local park volunteers located a backpack near a walking trail while cleaning debris in the 11400 block of W.167th.  The identification of a missing person reported out of Overland Park in May of 2023, and his contents were discovered inside the backpack. 

Just after noon Monday, the Overland Park Police Department search team discovered human remains of an individual located in close proximity to the backpack.

This case is being investigated by the Johnson County Park Patrol, Johnson County Medical Examiners Office and the Overland Park Police Department. 

 The Police Department is working with the Johnson Medical Examiner’s Office to positively identify the remains prior to releasing the name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714430790207.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have recovered the remains of a man in the 11400 Block of W 167th, according to Overland&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Park Police Officer John Lacy.On April 27, 2024 local park volunteers located a backpack near a walking trail while cleaning debris in the 11400 block of W.167th. The identification of a missing person reported out of Overland Park in May of 2023, and his contents were discovered inside the backpack. Just after noon Monday, the Overland Park Police Department search team discovered human remains of an individual located in close proximity to the backpack.This case is being investigated by the Johnson County Park Patrol, Johnson County Medical Examiners Office and the Overland Park Police Department. The Police Department is working with the Johnson Medical Examiner’s Office to positively identify the remains prior to releasing the name.

Search team in Kansas found human remains of missing man

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement and USD 457 officials are investigating a bomb threat and have made an arrest.

On February 20, Garden City High School received a phone call from an unknown individual indicating there was a bomb inside the school, according to Garden City Police. All students and staff were immediately evacuated, and local law enforcement and first responders responded accordingly and searched the school.

After a thorough investigation by law enforcement, no threats to the students, staff, or school were discovered, and no explosives were located. Through further investigation, Officers were able to determine that 16-year-old Villegas of Syracuse, Kansas, was the individual who made the bomb threat.

On April 26, police located Villegas at his residence and took him into custody without incident. A search of the residence was conducted, where Officers located evidence of the crime.

 The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office also assisted with the arrest. Villegas has no direct ties to Garden City Public Schools.

Villegas is being held in the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center on requested charges of Aggravated Criminal Threat and Unlawful Use of a Communication Device.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714428332065.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement and USD 457 officials are investigating a bomb threat and have made an arrest.On February 20, Garden City High School received a phone call from an unknown individual indicating there was a bomb inside the school, according to Garden City Police. All students and staff were immediately evacuated, and local law enforcement and first responders responded accordingly and searched the school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708478304551.png" alt="First responders at the school the day of the phone threat-photo Garden City Police." />
 <figcaption>First responders at the school the day of the phone threat-photo Garden City Police.</figcaption>
 </figure>After a thorough investigation by law enforcement, no threats to the students, staff, or school were discovered, and no explosives were located. Through further investigation, Officers were able to determine that 16-year-old Villegas of Syracuse, Kansas, was the individual who made the bomb threat.On April 26, police located Villegas at his residence and took him into custody without incident. A search of the residence was conducted, where Officers located evidence of the crime. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office also assisted with the arrest. Villegas has no direct ties to Garden City Public Schools.Villegas is being held in the Southwest Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center on requested charges of Aggravated Criminal Threat and Unlawful Use of a Communication Device.

16-year-old accused of calling in bomb threat to SW Kansas school

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City.

Just after 8:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 11th and Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Officers were directed to a shooting victim later identified as 33-year-old&nbsp;Shamra Whitney. She was unresponsive in the street near a vehicle. Officers rendered aid to her and called for EMS to the scene.&nbsp; EMS declared Whitney deceased at the scene.

Responding officers also detained an adult female subject of interest at the scene for further investigation. The shooting was in close proximity to an elementary school nearby. 

Responding officers advised that school was placed on lockdown as a preventive measure. However there was never any active threat to the school or the surrounding neighborhood.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Whitney and the subject of interest had an interaction near the intersection of 11th and Washington. 

That interaction escalated and shots were fired and Whitney was struck. Detectives spoke&nbsp; with people who were at the scene when officers arrived and have canvassed for witnesses. Additionally crime scene investigators processed the scene for evidence.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714419543166.png" alt="View at the scene of the investigation - photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>View at the scene of the investigation - photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City.Just after 8:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 11th and Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Officers were directed to a shooting victim later identified as 33-year-old&nbsp;Shamra Whitney. She was unresponsive in the street near a vehicle. Officers rendered aid to her and called for EMS to the scene.&nbsp; EMS declared Whitney deceased at the scene.Responding officers also detained an adult female subject of interest at the scene for further investigation. The shooting was in close proximity to an elementary school nearby. Responding officers advised that school was placed on lockdown as a preventive measure. However there was never any active threat to the school or the surrounding neighborhood.Preliminary investigation indicates that Whitney and the subject of interest had an interaction near the intersection of 11th and Washington. That interaction escalated and shots were fired and Whitney was struck. Detectives spoke&nbsp; with people who were at the scene when officers arrived and have canvassed for witnesses. Additionally crime scene investigators processed the scene for evidence.&nbsp;

KCPD: Suspect in custody after woman found dead in street

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas failed Monday to override the Democratic governor's veto of a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

The vote was 82-43 in the state House to reverse Gov. Laura Kelly's veto, but that was two votes shy of the necessary two-thirds majority.

Two Republicans who'd backed the bill earlier voted against overriding the veto, citing their concerns about provisions that included one that would have barred state employees from advocating social transitioning for transgender youth.

The House's vote came after the Senate voted 27-13 to override the veto, with the exact two-thirds majority required in that chamber.

Under the bill, social transitioning includes “the changing of an individual’s preferred pronouns or manner of dress,” and the rule against promoting it would have applied to state workers who care for children. The measure doesn’t spell out what constitutes promoting it.

The vote in the House was expected to be close after LGBTQ+ rights advocates raised questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gender-affirming-care-ban-minors-kansas-8c7492f64136d90d830f97ace98a138b">the provision against promoting social transitioning</a>&nbsp;is written broadly enough to apply to public school teachers who show empathy for transgender students.

The bill is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-sports-courts-idaho-4bbba11d7cd60916715ba230fa986c88">a broader push</a>&nbsp;to roll back transgender rights from Republican lawmakers in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas would have been the 25th state to restrict or ban such care for minors, and this week the South Carolina Senate expected to debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-missouri-transgender-bills-9f58b8678da99e5a340faf8a2896b23d">a similar measure</a>&nbsp;that already has passed the state House.

“Unfortunately, in today’s society, the predator in particular is a woke health care system,” said Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen, a central Kansas anesthesiologist and pain management specialist.

Like other Republicans across the U.S., Steffen and other GOP lawmakers in Kansas argued that they're protecting children struggling with their gender identities from being pushed into health care that the lawmakers see as experimental and potentially harmful. But that puts them at odds with the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other major U.S. medical groups.

LGBTQ+ rights groups such as Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union and Equality Kansas have stopped short of saying they would challenge the new law in court, but they've said they believe the provisions preventing state employees from advocating social transitioning violates their free speech rights. They've said that provision makes the Kansas law more sweeping than laws in other states.

Other critics argued that enacting such a ban sends a message that transgender residents aren't welcome. When Kelly vetoed a similar ban last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb26_enrolled.pdf">she suggested</a>&nbsp;that it would hurt the state's business climate.

“This is not the message we want to send to Americans about the welcoming opportunities that Kansas has,” said state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat.

About 300,000 youths ages 13 to 17 identify as transgender in the U.S., according to estimates by the Williams Institute, an LGBTQ+ research center at UCLA Law. It estimates that in Kansas, about 2,100 youths in that age group identify as transgender.

Republican lawmakers last year enacted laws&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-ban-kansas-08604c663518fb2538565f3e1ac3d4ba">barring transgender girls and women</a>&nbsp;from female college and K-12 sports teams and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-define-sex-transgender-dc8c48669aef760c68d2fb7abde10e8c">ending legal recognition</a>&nbsp;of transgender residents' gender identities. Transgender residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-8424f36613c05d03b7d4eb8f82229ee6">no longer can change</a>&nbsp;the listing for “sex” on their driver's licenses or birth certificates to match their gender identities, something Kelly's administration had allowed.

“I do feel like there’s a genuine fear about me and what my body means, when I’m very happy,” Issac Johnson, who is transgender and just finished a social work internship in Topeka’s public schools, said during a recent Statehouse news conference.

Transgender youth, parents of transgender children and dozens of medical and mental health providers all described gender-affirming care as life-saving and argued that it lessens severe depression and suicidal tendencies among transgender youth. At least 200 health care providers signed&nbsp;<a href="https://neartail.com/public/112018621399901727788/all/form/1FAIpQLSf1w14R3ppyupWRBiaMbwQT1e4Y8TzLR0Xz0mjXp2o-yRz7lA">a letter to lawmakers</a>&nbsp;opposing a veto override.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618325105640.jpeg" alt="“This is not the message we want to send to Americans about the welcoming opportunities that Kansas has,” said state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat.&nbsp; -photo by Sherman Smith" />
 <figcaption>“This is not the message we want to send to Americans about the welcoming opportunities that Kansas has,” said state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat.&nbsp; -photo by Sherman Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas failed Monday to override the Democratic governor's veto of a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.The vote was 82-43 in the state House to reverse Gov. Laura Kelly's veto, but that was two votes shy of the necessary two-thirds majority.Two Republicans who'd backed the bill earlier voted against overriding the veto, citing their concerns about provisions that included one that would have barred state employees from advocating social transitioning for transgender youth.The House's vote came after the Senate voted 27-13 to override the veto, with the exact two-thirds majority required in that chamber.Under the bill, social transitioning includes “the changing of an individual’s preferred pronouns or manner of dress,” and the rule against promoting it would have applied to state workers who care for children. The measure doesn’t spell out what constitutes promoting it.The vote in the House was expected to be close after LGBTQ+ rights advocates raised questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gender-affirming-care-ban-minors-kansas-8c7492f64136d90d830f97ace98a138b">the provision against promoting social transitioning</a>&nbsp;is written broadly enough to apply to public school teachers who show empathy for transgender students.The bill is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-sports-courts-idaho-4bbba11d7cd60916715ba230fa986c88">a broader push</a>&nbsp;to roll back transgender rights from Republican lawmakers in statehouses across the U.S. Kansas would have been the 25th state to restrict or ban such care for minors, and this week the South Carolina Senate expected to debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-missouri-transgender-bills-9f58b8678da99e5a340faf8a2896b23d">a similar measure</a>&nbsp;that already has passed the state House.“Unfortunately, in today’s society, the predator in particular is a woke health care system,” said Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen, a central Kansas anesthesiologist and pain management specialist.Like other Republicans across the U.S., Steffen and other GOP lawmakers in Kansas argued that they're protecting children struggling with their gender identities from being pushed into health care that the lawmakers see as experimental and potentially harmful. But that puts them at odds with the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other major U.S. medical groups.LGBTQ+ rights groups such as Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union and Equality Kansas have stopped short of saying they would challenge the new law in court, but they've said they believe the provisions preventing state employees from advocating social transitioning violates their free speech rights. They've said that provision makes the Kansas law more sweeping than laws in other states.Other critics argued that enacting such a ban sends a message that transgender residents aren't welcome. When Kelly vetoed a similar ban last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb26_enrolled.pdf">she suggested</a>&nbsp;that it would hurt the state's business climate.“This is not the message we want to send to Americans about the welcoming opportunities that Kansas has,” said state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat.About 300,000 youths ages 13 to 17 identify as transgender in the U.S., according to estimates by the Williams Institute, an LGBTQ+ research center at UCLA Law. It estimates that in Kansas, about 2,100 youths in that age group identify as transgender.Republican lawmakers last year enacted laws&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-ban-kansas-08604c663518fb2538565f3e1ac3d4ba">barring transgender girls and women</a>&nbsp;from female college and K-12 sports teams and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-define-sex-transgender-dc8c48669aef760c68d2fb7abde10e8c">ending legal recognition</a>&nbsp;of transgender residents' gender identities. Transgender residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-8424f36613c05d03b7d4eb8f82229ee6">no longer can change</a>&nbsp;the listing for “sex” on their driver's licenses or birth certificates to match their gender identities, something Kelly's administration had allowed.“I do feel like there’s a genuine fear about me and what my body means, when I’m very happy,” Issac Johnson, who is transgender and just finished a social work internship in Topeka’s public schools, said during a recent Statehouse news conference.Transgender youth, parents of transgender children and dozens of medical and mental health providers all described gender-affirming care as life-saving and argued that it lessens severe depression and suicidal tendencies among transgender youth. At least 200 health care providers signed&nbsp;<a href="https://neartail.com/public/112018621399901727788/all/form/1FAIpQLSf1w14R3ppyupWRBiaMbwQT1e4Y8TzLR0Xz0mjXp2o-yRz7lA">a letter to lawmakers</a>&nbsp;opposing a veto override.

Backers of a ban on gender care for minors in Kansas fail to override the governor's veto

JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. Navy ship and several Army vessels involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">the besieged Gaza Strip are offshore</a>&nbsp;of the enclave and building out a floating platform for the operation that the Pentagon has said will cost at least $320 million.

Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters the cost is a rough estimate for the project and includes the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday show the USNS Roy P. Benavidez about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore, where the base of operations for the project is being built by the Israeli military. The USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr., an Army logistics vessel, and several other Army boats are with the Benavidez and working on the construction of what the military calls the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system.

Satellite images from Sunday and Monday by Planet Labs PBC showed pieces of the floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea, alongside the Benavidez. Measurements of the vessel match known features of the Benavidez, a Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo ship operated by the Military Sealift Command.

A U.S. military official confirmed late last week that the Benavidez had begun construction and that it was far enough off shore to ensure that the troops building the platform would be safe. Singh said on Monday that next will come the construction of the causeway, which will then be anchored to the beach.

The U.S. military’s Central Command early Tuesday published images of the floating pier’s construction online, after the AP’s publication of the satellite photos.

“The pier will support USAID and humanitarian partners to receive and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the statement on the social platform X said.

U.S. and Israeli officials have said they hope to have the floating pier in place, the causeway attached to the shore and operations underway by early May. The Pentagon said on Monday the operation will cost at least $320 million. The cost was first reported by Reuters.

Under the plan by the U.S. military, aid will be loaded onto commercial ships in Cyprus to sail to the floating platform now under construction off Gaza. The pallets will be loaded onto trucks, which will be loaded onto smaller ships that will travel to a metal, floating two-lane causeway. The 550-meter (1,800-foot) causeway will be attached to the shore by the Israeli Defense Forces.

The U.S. military official said an American Army engineering unit has teamed with an Israeli military engineering unit in recent weeks to practice the installation of the causeway, training on an Israeli beach just up the coast.

The new port sits southwest of Gaza City and a bit north of a road bisecting Gaza that the Israeli military built during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">current war against Hamas</a>. The area was the territory’s most populous before the Israeli ground offensive rolled through and pushed more than 1 million people south toward the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.

Now Israeli military positions are on either side of the port, which initially had been built — as part of an effort led by World Central Kitchen — out of the rubble of buildings leveled by Israel. That effort halted after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;on April 1 as they traveled in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel. The organization says it is resuming its work in Gaza.

Aid has been slow to get into Gaza, with long backups of trucks awaiting Israeli inspections. The U.S. and other nations also have used air drops to send food into Gaza. The U.S. military official said deliveries on the sea route initially will total about 90 trucks a day and could quickly increase to about 150 trucks daily.

Aid organizations have said several hundred such trucks are needed to enter Gaza every day.

In the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage, Israel cut off or heavily restricted food, water, medicine, electricity and other aid from entering the Gaza Strip. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-israel-hamas-war-gaza-saudi-arabia-c0425791dc59e745021d3dd726dc8f09">pressure from the U.S. and others</a>, Israel says the situation is improving, though United Nations agencies have said much more aid needs to enter.

Gaza, slightly more than twice the size of the city of Washington and home to 2.3 million people, has found itself on the brink of famine. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, local health authorities say.

On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the amount of aid going into Gaza would continue to scale up.

“This temporary pier will provide a ship-to-shore distribution system that will further increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said in a statement.

However, high-ranking Hamas political official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-khalil-alhayya-qatar-ceasefire-1967-borders-4912532b11a9cec29464eab234045438">Khalil al-Hayya told the AP</a>&nbsp;last week that the group would consider Israeli forces — or forces from any other country — stationed by the pier to guard it as “an occupying force and aggression,” and that the militant group would resist it.

On Wednesday, a mortar attack targeted the port site, though no one was hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471004272.png" alt="Photos U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photos U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. Navy ship and several Army vessels involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">the besieged Gaza Strip are offshore</a>&nbsp;of the enclave and building out a floating platform for the operation that the Pentagon has said will cost at least $320 million.Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters the cost is a rough estimate for the project and includes the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday show the USNS Roy P. Benavidez about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore, where the base of operations for the project is being built by the Israeli military. The USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr., an Army logistics vessel, and several other Army boats are with the Benavidez and working on the construction of what the military calls the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system.Satellite images from Sunday and Monday by Planet Labs PBC showed pieces of the floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea, alongside the Benavidez. Measurements of the vessel match known features of the Benavidez, a Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo ship operated by the Military Sealift Command.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471132275.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A U.S. military official confirmed late last week that the Benavidez had begun construction and that it was far enough off shore to ensure that the troops building the platform would be safe. Singh said on Monday that next will come the construction of the causeway, which will then be anchored to the beach.The U.S. military’s Central Command early Tuesday published images of the floating pier’s construction online, after the AP’s publication of the satellite photos.“The pier will support USAID and humanitarian partners to receive and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the statement on the social platform X said.U.S. and Israeli officials have said they hope to have the floating pier in place, the causeway attached to the shore and operations underway by early May. The Pentagon said on Monday the operation will cost at least $320 million. The cost was first reported by Reuters.Under the plan by the U.S. military, aid will be loaded onto commercial ships in Cyprus to sail to the floating platform now under construction off Gaza. The pallets will be loaded onto trucks, which will be loaded onto smaller ships that will travel to a metal, floating two-lane causeway. The 550-meter (1,800-foot) causeway will be attached to the shore by the Israeli Defense Forces.The U.S. military official said an American Army engineering unit has teamed with an Israeli military engineering unit in recent weeks to practice the installation of the causeway, training on an Israeli beach just up the coast.The new port sits southwest of Gaza City and a bit north of a road bisecting Gaza that the Israeli military built during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">current war against Hamas</a>. The area was the territory’s most populous before the Israeli ground offensive rolled through and pushed more than 1 million people south toward the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.Now Israeli military positions are on either side of the port, which initially had been built — as part of an effort led by World Central Kitchen — out of the rubble of buildings leveled by Israel. That effort halted after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;on April 1 as they traveled in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel. The organization says it is resuming its work in Gaza.Aid has been slow to get into Gaza, with long backups of trucks awaiting Israeli inspections. The U.S. and other nations also have used air drops to send food into Gaza. The U.S. military official said deliveries on the sea route initially will total about 90 trucks a day and could quickly increase to about 150 trucks daily.Aid organizations have said several hundred such trucks are needed to enter Gaza every day.In the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage, Israel cut off or heavily restricted food, water, medicine, electricity and other aid from entering the Gaza Strip. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-israel-hamas-war-gaza-saudi-arabia-c0425791dc59e745021d3dd726dc8f09">pressure from the U.S. and others</a>, Israel says the situation is improving, though United Nations agencies have said much more aid needs to enter.Gaza, slightly more than twice the size of the city of Washington and home to 2.3 million people, has found itself on the brink of famine. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, local health authorities say.On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the amount of aid going into Gaza would continue to scale up.“This temporary pier will provide a ship-to-shore distribution system that will further increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said in a statement.However, high-ranking Hamas political official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-khalil-alhayya-qatar-ceasefire-1967-borders-4912532b11a9cec29464eab234045438">Khalil al-Hayya told the AP</a>&nbsp;last week that the group would consider Israeli forces — or forces from any other country — stationed by the pier to guard it as “an occupying force and aggression,” and that the militant group would resist it.On Wednesday, a mortar attack targeted the port site, though no one was hurt.

US military working to build $320M pier for Gaza aid

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former city of Emporia employee on multiple allegations.

On April 16, a&nbsp;criminal investigation began after Emporia Police were notified of suspicious activity on City property, according to Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

 The case led detectives to other parts of Kansas and as far away as Iowa. Ultimately, detectives found probable cause to believe Wiggins engaged in Felony Theft against the City of Emporia.

Following Wiggins' arrest, Emporia Police were notified Wiggins was no longer employed with the City of Emporia.&nbsp; He had been the city Public Works Department Underground Utilities supervisor since 2020, according to the city website.

The City of Emporia has cooperated with the investigation. Wiggins remains jailed with no bond, according to online jail records.

Formal charges are pending review by the Lyon County Attorney's Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714408877416.png" alt="Wiggins-photo Lyon County" />
 <figcaption>Wiggins-photo Lyon County</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former city of Emporia employee on multiple allegations.On April 16, a&nbsp;criminal investigation began after Emporia Police were notified of suspicious activity on City property, according to Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes. The case led detectives to other parts of Kansas and as far away as Iowa. Ultimately, detectives found probable cause to believe Wiggins engaged in Felony Theft against the City of Emporia.Following Wiggins' arrest, Emporia Police were notified Wiggins was no longer employed with the City of Emporia.&nbsp; He had been the city Public Works Department Underground Utilities supervisor since 2020, according to the city website.The City of Emporia has cooperated with the investigation. Wiggins remains jailed with no bond, according to online jail records.Formal charges are pending review by the Lyon County Attorney's Office.

Alleged theft from city of Emporia led detectives beyond Kansas

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Three Senate Republicans joined with Democrats on Monday to sustain Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a massive tax cut package over concerns about reshaping income tax brackets and the state’s long-term fiscal vitality.

The 26-14 override attempt on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2036/">House Bill 2036</a>&nbsp;failed by one vote because two-thirds of the chamber’s 40 members are needed to override a veto.

The legislation includes a number of provisions that have bipartisan support — eliminating the sales tax on food by July 1, exempting Social Security from income taxes, raising the standard deduction on income tax returns and raising the residential property tax emption for the statewide mill levy from $40,000 to $100,000.

But the centerpiece of the legislation is an alteration to the state’s three-tier income tax system. The bill would lower the top bracket’s rate from 5.7% to 5.5% and the middle bracket’s rate from 5.25% to 5.15%. The lowest bracket’s rate, currently at 3.1%, would move into the middle bracket — but increases in standard deductions would ensure those in the lowest bracket still see a net tax reduction.

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said his concerns with the bill were primarily about the income tax cuts. Lower wage earners were going to end up paying more, he said, so the top wage earners could pay less.

“I’m tired of the trickle-down economics,” Olson said. “It doesn’t work. You guys want to keep giving the people at the top these big tax cuts and hope they trickle down to us.”

Kelly has proposed a plan that would lower the rates for each of the three existing income tax brackets, and she promised to bring the Legislature back for a special session if lawmakers failed to provide tax relief.

The House, which had passed the bill 119-0 on April 5, voted 104-15 on Friday to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/04/26/kansas-house-overrides-governors-veto-of-tax-cut-bills-despite-gloomy-five-year-forecast/">override the governor’s veto</a>.

Talking to reporters Monday, Kelly warned against the Legislature’s push to override her veto of tax legislation. Kelly said the plan, which would lower state tax collections by $2.5 billion over five years, would hurt state finances and halt attempts to move forward on addressing the state’s drought issues, along with future funding of state services for disabled Kansans, because there’s not going to “be any money.”

“There would go any prospect of developing a comprehensive water plan,” Kelly said. “We are going to need money to be able to set up dedicated funding sources specifically to look at our critical water crisis. If that bill becomes law, if they override, we’re not going to have that. In the long run, we’re going to have a hard time sustaining our current level of funding.”

During debate Monday, opponents to the tax plan questioned whether the state could afford to fully fund public schools, highway projects or other state services. Financial projections showed the tax plan would burn through a $3 billion surplus and leave the state with a deficit by 2029.

“The income tax portion of this piece is just too rich,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “And when you line this thing up to the budget out years, it sinks like a rock.”

Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, rejected that assessment. Instead of sinking the the state, she said, the tax cuts would do the opposite — lift the state into prosperity.

“This is very elementary, but I would ask that you close your eyes,” Tyson said. “Close your eyes for a minute. Don’t think about the people in the building, or sitting next to you, or the politics. Think about being at home. Think about being at the grocery store, or going to a movie or a ballgame, talking to your friends, your neighbors, your families. That’s who you’re casting this vote for. You’re casting it for Kansans. Please hear me. Please hear your constituents. Please hear all Kansans and send them a tax cut.”

Olson, Sen. Dennis Pyle, R-Hiawatha, and Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, voted with Democrats to send the Legislature back to the drawing board.

Pyle said the Legislature has made progress with its proposed tax cut packages following past vetoes by the governor. If the Legislature has to come back for a special session, Pyle said, “I believe we’ll get a better tax plan.”

He also said there was still time for lawmakers to produce a last-minute plan. The Legislature was expected to finish work by Tuesday but could continue through Wednesday night.

“We don’t have to come back for a special session, but we will,” Pyle said. “The governor said she’d call us back for a tax cut, and I’m taking her at her word.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714432820656.png" alt=" Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, middle, says trickle-down economics doesn't work. He joined Democrats and two other Republicans in sustaining the governor's veto of a tax cut package. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, middle, says trickle-down economics doesn't work. He joined Democrats and two other Republicans in sustaining the governor's veto of a tax cut package. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Three Senate Republicans joined with Democrats on Monday to sustain Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a massive tax cut package over concerns about reshaping income tax brackets and the state’s long-term fiscal vitality.The 26-14 override attempt on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2036/">House Bill 2036</a>&nbsp;failed by one vote because two-thirds of the chamber’s 40 members are needed to override a veto.The legislation includes a number of provisions that have bipartisan support — eliminating the sales tax on food by July 1, exempting Social Security from income taxes, raising the standard deduction on income tax returns and raising the residential property tax emption for the statewide mill levy from $40,000 to $100,000.But the centerpiece of the legislation is an alteration to the state’s three-tier income tax system. The bill would lower the top bracket’s rate from 5.7% to 5.5% and the middle bracket’s rate from 5.25% to 5.15%. The lowest bracket’s rate, currently at 3.1%, would move into the middle bracket — but increases in standard deductions would ensure those in the lowest bracket still see a net tax reduction.Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said his concerns with the bill were primarily about the income tax cuts. Lower wage earners were going to end up paying more, he said, so the top wage earners could pay less.“I’m tired of the trickle-down economics,” Olson said. “It doesn’t work. You guys want to keep giving the people at the top these big tax cuts and hope they trickle down to us.”Kelly has proposed a plan that would lower the rates for each of the three existing income tax brackets, and she promised to bring the Legislature back for a special session if lawmakers failed to provide tax relief.The House, which had passed the bill 119-0 on April 5, voted 104-15 on Friday to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/04/26/kansas-house-overrides-governors-veto-of-tax-cut-bills-despite-gloomy-five-year-forecast/">override the governor’s veto</a>.Talking to reporters Monday, Kelly warned against the Legislature’s push to override her veto of tax legislation. Kelly said the plan, which would lower state tax collections by $2.5 billion over five years, would hurt state finances and halt attempts to move forward on addressing the state’s drought issues, along with future funding of state services for disabled Kansans, because there’s not going to “be any money.”“There would go any prospect of developing a comprehensive water plan,” Kelly said. “We are going to need money to be able to set up dedicated funding sources specifically to look at our critical water crisis. If that bill becomes law, if they override, we’re not going to have that. In the long run, we’re going to have a hard time sustaining our current level of funding.”During debate Monday, opponents to the tax plan questioned whether the state could afford to fully fund public schools, highway projects or other state services. Financial projections showed the tax plan would burn through a $3 billion surplus and leave the state with a deficit by 2029.“The income tax portion of this piece is just too rich,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “And when you line this thing up to the budget out years, it sinks like a rock.”Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, rejected that assessment. Instead of sinking the the state, she said, the tax cuts would do the opposite — lift the state into prosperity.“This is very elementary, but I would ask that you close your eyes,” Tyson said. “Close your eyes for a minute. Don’t think about the people in the building, or sitting next to you, or the politics. Think about being at home. Think about being at the grocery store, or going to a movie or a ballgame, talking to your friends, your neighbors, your families. That’s who you’re casting this vote for. You’re casting it for Kansans. Please hear me. Please hear your constituents. Please hear all Kansans and send them a tax cut.”Olson, Sen. Dennis Pyle, R-Hiawatha, and Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, voted with Democrats to send the Legislature back to the drawing board.Pyle said the Legislature has made progress with its proposed tax cut packages following past vetoes by the governor. If the Legislature has to come back for a special session, Pyle said, “I believe we’ll get a better tax plan.”He also said there was still time for lawmakers to produce a last-minute plan. The Legislature was expected to finish work by Tuesday but could continue through Wednesday night.“We don’t have to come back for a special session, but we will,” Pyle said. “The governor said she’d call us back for a tax cut, and I’m taking her at her word.”

Kansas Senate fails to override governor’s veto of tax cut package

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7316a3.htm">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.

Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.

Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client's own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.

The New Mexico Department of Health began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/28bcd83bc954401baba3446f56022668">investigating</a>&nbsp;the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.

The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-spas-hector-balderas-7c890ba01b8d373f0de952b5258e2c96">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for practicing medicine without a license.

The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.

It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714401990327.png" alt="-This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS.&nbsp; -Credit: Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH" />
 <figcaption>-This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS.&nbsp; -Credit: Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH</figcaption>
 </figure>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7316a3.htm">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client's own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.The New Mexico Department of Health began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/28bcd83bc954401baba3446f56022668">investigating</a>&nbsp;the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-spas-hector-balderas-7c890ba01b8d373f0de952b5258e2c96">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for practicing medicine without a license.The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.

CDC: 1st cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 1p.m. April 23, detectives and deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics search warrant at 633 W. Beech in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

 During the search, authorities took 39-year-old Crystal Blex into custody after discovering evidence of fentanyl use at the location. Upon completion of the search warrant, Blex was transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she remains jailed on requested charges of possession of an opiate (fentanyl) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714356128391.png" alt="Blex-photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Blex-photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 1p.m. April 23, detectives and deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics search warrant at 633 W. Beech in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. During the search, authorities took 39-year-old Crystal Blex into custody after discovering evidence of fentanyl use at the location. Upon completion of the search warrant, Blex was transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she remains jailed on requested charges of possession of an opiate (fentanyl) and possession of drug paraphernalia.