KANSAS CITY —One person died from injuries in a fire at home in Kansas City.

Just after 3p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 5400 block of North Cypress, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported light smoke on arrival with civilians performing CPR in the front yard on a woman approximately in her 60s. Crews took over CPR and initiated an interior attack on the fire. 

The fire was extinguished quickly. It was a mattress in the living room. Crews continued to perform CPR on the patient as well as provide EMS for smoke inhalation on two additional patients. 

The CPR patient was transported to a local hospital where she later died, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; A second patient was transported for further evaluation for smoke inhalation and a third treated on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Hopkins. Authorities have not released the name of the woman who died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716238873800.png" alt="Photo KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died from injuries in a fire at home in Kansas City.Just after 3p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 5400 block of North Cypress, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported light smoke on arrival with civilians performing CPR in the front yard on a woman approximately in her 60s. Crews took over CPR and initiated an interior attack on the fire. The fire was extinguished quickly. It was a mattress in the living room. Crews continued to perform CPR on the patient as well as provide EMS for smoke inhalation on two additional patients. The CPR patient was transported to a local hospital where she later died, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; A second patient was transported for further evaluation for smoke inhalation and a third treated on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Hopkins. Authorities have not released the name of the woman who died.

Woman dies from injuries in fire at Kansas City home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cyberattacks against water utilities across the country are becoming more frequent and more severe, the Environmental Protection Agency warned Monday as it issued an enforcement alert urging water systems to take immediate actions to protect the nation's drinking water.

About 70% of utilities inspected by federal officials over the last year violated standards meant to prevent breaches or other intrusions, the agency said. Officials urged even small water systems to improve protections against hacks. Recent cyberattacks by groups affiliated with Russia and Iran have targeted smaller communities.

Some water systems are falling short in basic ways, the alert said, including failure to change default passwords or cut off system access to former employees. Because water utilities often rely on computer software to operate treatment plants and distribution systems, protecting information technology and process controls is crucial, the EPA said. Possible impacts of cyberattacks include interruptions to water treatment and storage; damage to pumps and valves; and alteration of chemical levels to hazardous amounts, the agency said.

“In many cases, systems are not doing what they are supposed to be doing, which is to have completed a risk assessment of their vulnerabilities that includes cybersecurity and to make sure that plan is available and informing the way they do business,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe.

Attempts by private groups or individuals to get into a water provider’s network and take down or deface websites aren’t new. More recently, however, attackers haven’t just gone after websites, they’ve targeted utilities’ operations instead.

Recent attacks are not just by private entities. Some recent hacks of water utilities are linked to geopolitical rivals, and could lead to the disruption of the supply of safe water to homes and businesses.

McCabe named China, Russia and Iran as the countries that are “actively seeking the capability to disable U.S. critical infrastructure, including water and wastewater.”

Late last year, an Iranian-linked group called “Cyber Av3ngers”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/water-utilities-hackers-cybersecurity-1c475f5d2ef3b5d52410c93bdeab3aad">targeted multiple organizations including a small Pennsylvania town's water provider</a>, forcing it to switch from a remote pump to manual operations. They were going after an Israeli-made device used by the utility in the wake of Israel's war against Hamas.

Earlier this year, a Russian-linked “hacktivist”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-muleshoe-water-systems-cyberattacks-russia-5f388bf0d581fc8eb94b1190a7f29c3a#:~:text=A%20hack%20that%20caused%20a,in%20the%20rural%20Texas%20Panhandle.">tried to disrupt operations at several Texas utilities</a>.

A cyber group linked to China and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-china-hacking-us-infrastructure-d4a4faefcc5d4d3c9f72e9acc24a71f9">known as Volt Typhoon has compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems,</a>&nbsp;including drinking water, in the United States and its territories, U.S. officials said. Cybersecurity experts believe the China-aligned group is positioning itself for potential cyberattacks in the event of armed conflict or rising geopolitical tensions.

“By working behind the scenes with these hacktivist groups, now these (nation states) have plausible deniability and they can let these groups carry out destructive attacks. And that to me is a game-changer,” said Dawn Cappelli, a cybersecurity expert with the industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos Inc.

The world’s cyberpowers are believed to have been infiltrating rivals’ critical infrastructure for years planting malware that could be triggered to disrupt basic services.

The enforcement alert is meant to emphasize the seriousness of cyberthreats and inform utilities the EPA will continue its inspections and pursue civil or criminal penalties if they find serious problems.

“We want to make sure that we get the word out to people that ‘Hey, we are finding a lot of problems here,’” McCabe said.

EPA did not say how many cyber incidents have occurred in recent years, and the number of attacks known to be successful so far is few. The agency has issued nearly 100 enforcement actions since 2020 regarding risk assessments and emergency response, but said that’s a small snapshot of the threats water systems face.

Preventing attacks against water providers is part of the Biden administration's broader effort to combat threats against critical infrastructure. In February, President Joe Biden signed an executive order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/port-security-cyber-attack-e3da323aebc80c553663e43b77d430e2">to protect U.S. ports</a>. Health care systems&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyberattack-hospital-system-ambulances-diverted-ascension-728ab2a0e5afaf7c344e46a5ce5ca42c">have been attacked</a>. The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-technology-business-government-and-politics-669f8ae9bb78ff5f5c93cfcb58ae0dfa">has pushed electric utilities to increase their defenses</a>, too. EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have asked states to come up with a plan to combat cyberattacks on drinking water systems.

"Drinking water and wastewater systems are an attractive target for cyberattacks because they are a lifeline critical infrastructure sector but often lack the resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices,'' Regan and Sullivan wrote in a March 18 letter to all 50 U.S. governors.

Some of the fixes are straightforward, McCabe said. Water providers, for example, shouldn't use default passwords. They need to develop a risk assessment plan that addresses cybersecurity and set up backup systems. The EPA says they will train water utilities that need help for free. Larger utilities usually have more resources and the expertise to defend against attacks.

“In an ideal world ... we would like everybody to have a baseline level of cybersecurity and be able to confirm that they have that,” said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. “But that's a long ways away.”

Some barriers are foundational. The water sector is highly fragmented. There are roughly 50,000 community water providers, most of which serve small towns. Modest staffing and anemic budgets in many places make it hard enough to maintain the basics — providing clean water and keeping up with the latest regulations.

“Certainly, cybersecurity is part of that, but that's never been their primary expertise. So, now you're asking a water utility to develop this whole new sort of department" to handle cyberthreats, said Amy Hardberger, a water expert at Texas Tech University.

The EPA has faced setbacks. States periodically review the performance of water providers. In March 2023, the EPA instructed states to add cybersecurity evaluations to those reviews. If they found problems, the state was supposed to force improvements.

But Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa, joined by the American Water Works Association and another water industry group, challenged the instructions in court on the grounds that EPA didn’t have the authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act. After a court setback, the EPA withdrew its requirements but urged states to take voluntary actions anyway.

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires certain water providers to develop plans for some threats and certify they’ve done so. But its power is limited.

“There's just no authority for (cybersecurity) in the law,” Roberson said.

Kevin Morley, manager of federal relations with the American Water Works Association, said some water utilities have components that are connected to the internet — a common, but significant vulnerability. Overhauling those systems can be a significant and costly job. And without substantial federal funding, water systems struggle to find resources.

The industry group has published guidance for utilities and advocates for establishing a new organization of cybersecurity and water experts that would develop new policies and enforce them, in partnership with the EPA.

“Let's bring everybody along in a reasonable manner,” Morley said, adding that small and large utilities have different needs and resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636114877089.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Cyberattacks against water utilities across the country are becoming more frequent and more severe, the Environmental Protection Agency warned Monday as it issued an enforcement alert urging water systems to take immediate actions to protect the nation's drinking water.About 70% of utilities inspected by federal officials over the last year violated standards meant to prevent breaches or other intrusions, the agency said. Officials urged even small water systems to improve protections against hacks. Recent cyberattacks by groups affiliated with Russia and Iran have targeted smaller communities.Some water systems are falling short in basic ways, the alert said, including failure to change default passwords or cut off system access to former employees. Because water utilities often rely on computer software to operate treatment plants and distribution systems, protecting information technology and process controls is crucial, the EPA said. Possible impacts of cyberattacks include interruptions to water treatment and storage; damage to pumps and valves; and alteration of chemical levels to hazardous amounts, the agency said.“In many cases, systems are not doing what they are supposed to be doing, which is to have completed a risk assessment of their vulnerabilities that includes cybersecurity and to make sure that plan is available and informing the way they do business,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe.Attempts by private groups or individuals to get into a water provider’s network and take down or deface websites aren’t new. More recently, however, attackers haven’t just gone after websites, they’ve targeted utilities’ operations instead.Recent attacks are not just by private entities. Some recent hacks of water utilities are linked to geopolitical rivals, and could lead to the disruption of the supply of safe water to homes and businesses.McCabe named China, Russia and Iran as the countries that are “actively seeking the capability to disable U.S. critical infrastructure, including water and wastewater.”Late last year, an Iranian-linked group called “Cyber Av3ngers”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/water-utilities-hackers-cybersecurity-1c475f5d2ef3b5d52410c93bdeab3aad">targeted multiple organizations including a small Pennsylvania town's water provider</a>, forcing it to switch from a remote pump to manual operations. They were going after an Israeli-made device used by the utility in the wake of Israel's war against Hamas.Earlier this year, a Russian-linked “hacktivist”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-muleshoe-water-systems-cyberattacks-russia-5f388bf0d581fc8eb94b1190a7f29c3a#:~:text=A%20hack%20that%20caused%20a,in%20the%20rural%20Texas%20Panhandle.">tried to disrupt operations at several Texas utilities</a>.A cyber group linked to China and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-china-hacking-us-infrastructure-d4a4faefcc5d4d3c9f72e9acc24a71f9">known as Volt Typhoon has compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems,</a>&nbsp;including drinking water, in the United States and its territories, U.S. officials said. Cybersecurity experts believe the China-aligned group is positioning itself for potential cyberattacks in the event of armed conflict or rising geopolitical tensions.“By working behind the scenes with these hacktivist groups, now these (nation states) have plausible deniability and they can let these groups carry out destructive attacks. And that to me is a game-changer,” said Dawn Cappelli, a cybersecurity expert with the industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos Inc.The world’s cyberpowers are believed to have been infiltrating rivals’ critical infrastructure for years planting malware that could be triggered to disrupt basic services.The enforcement alert is meant to emphasize the seriousness of cyberthreats and inform utilities the EPA will continue its inspections and pursue civil or criminal penalties if they find serious problems.“We want to make sure that we get the word out to people that ‘Hey, we are finding a lot of problems here,’” McCabe said.EPA did not say how many cyber incidents have occurred in recent years, and the number of attacks known to be successful so far is few. The agency has issued nearly 100 enforcement actions since 2020 regarding risk assessments and emergency response, but said that’s a small snapshot of the threats water systems face.Preventing attacks against water providers is part of the Biden administration's broader effort to combat threats against critical infrastructure. In February, President Joe Biden signed an executive order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/port-security-cyber-attack-e3da323aebc80c553663e43b77d430e2">to protect U.S. ports</a>. Health care systems&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyberattack-hospital-system-ambulances-diverted-ascension-728ab2a0e5afaf7c344e46a5ce5ca42c">have been attacked</a>. The White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-technology-business-government-and-politics-669f8ae9bb78ff5f5c93cfcb58ae0dfa">has pushed electric utilities to increase their defenses</a>, too. EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have asked states to come up with a plan to combat cyberattacks on drinking water systems."Drinking water and wastewater systems are an attractive target for cyberattacks because they are a lifeline critical infrastructure sector but often lack the resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices,'' Regan and Sullivan wrote in a March 18 letter to all 50 U.S. governors.Some of the fixes are straightforward, McCabe said. Water providers, for example, shouldn't use default passwords. They need to develop a risk assessment plan that addresses cybersecurity and set up backup systems. The EPA says they will train water utilities that need help for free. Larger utilities usually have more resources and the expertise to defend against attacks.“In an ideal world ... we would like everybody to have a baseline level of cybersecurity and be able to confirm that they have that,” said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. “But that's a long ways away.”Some barriers are foundational. The water sector is highly fragmented. There are roughly 50,000 community water providers, most of which serve small towns. Modest staffing and anemic budgets in many places make it hard enough to maintain the basics — providing clean water and keeping up with the latest regulations.“Certainly, cybersecurity is part of that, but that's never been their primary expertise. So, now you're asking a water utility to develop this whole new sort of department" to handle cyberthreats, said Amy Hardberger, a water expert at Texas Tech University.The EPA has faced setbacks. States periodically review the performance of water providers. In March 2023, the EPA instructed states to add cybersecurity evaluations to those reviews. If they found problems, the state was supposed to force improvements.But Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa, joined by the American Water Works Association and another water industry group, challenged the instructions in court on the grounds that EPA didn’t have the authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act. After a court setback, the EPA withdrew its requirements but urged states to take voluntary actions anyway.The Safe Drinking Water Act requires certain water providers to develop plans for some threats and certify they’ve done so. But its power is limited.“There's just no authority for (cybersecurity) in the law,” Roberson said.Kevin Morley, manager of federal relations with the American Water Works Association, said some water utilities have components that are connected to the internet — a common, but significant vulnerability. Overhauling those systems can be a significant and costly job. And without substantial federal funding, water systems struggle to find resources.The industry group has published guidance for utilities and advocates for establishing a new organization of cybersecurity and water experts that would develop new policies and enforce them, in partnership with the EPA.“Let's bring everybody along in a reasonable manner,” Morley said, adding that small and large utilities have different needs and resources.

EPA warns US water systems vulnerable to a cyber attack

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal crash during a high-speed chase in Kansas City have identified the victim as 66-year-old Joe W. Williams.

Just before 2:30p.m. Saturday, Independence Police were in pursuit of a white Chevrolet Z71 Pickup truck. The pursuit entered the city limits of Kansas City and traveled westbound on&nbsp;31st Street, according to Officer Phil DiMartino.

In the area of 31st and Wabash, the Chevrolet struck an eastbound black Audi Q5. After striking the Audi, the Chevrolet struck a westbound red KIA Sportage. After impact, the Chevrolet traveled off the roadway to the left, up over the sidewalk, through a wrought iron fence, up a grassy embankment and stuck a large tree. 

The driver of the Chevrolet later identified as Williams was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The driver and rear seat passenger of the KIA were both transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Audi was uninjured in the collision. 

There were no Officers from the Kansas City Police Department directly involved in the pursuit. This is fatality #40 compared to #29 at this time last year.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal crash during a high-speed chase in Kansas City have identified the victim as 66-year-old Joe W. Williams.Just before 2:30p.m. Saturday, Independence Police were in pursuit of a white Chevrolet Z71 Pickup truck. The pursuit entered the city limits of Kansas City and traveled westbound on&nbsp;31st Street, according to Officer Phil DiMartino.In the area of 31st and Wabash, the Chevrolet struck an eastbound black Audi Q5. After striking the Audi, the Chevrolet struck a westbound red KIA Sportage. After impact, the Chevrolet traveled off the roadway to the left, up over the sidewalk, through a wrought iron fence, up a grassy embankment and stuck a large tree. The driver of the Chevrolet later identified as Williams was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The driver and rear seat passenger of the KIA were both transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Audi was uninjured in the collision. There were no Officers from the Kansas City Police Department directly involved in the pursuit. This is fatality #40 compared to #29 at this time last year.

Police ID man who died in 3-vehicle KC crash during chase

HARVEY COUNTY —A severe straight-line wind event called a Derecho moved through Harvey County Sunday night.&nbsp;The National Weather service investigation determined the storm rolled into Harvey County at 7:42p.m.&nbsp; producing winds up to 90 mph and lasted until 8:04p.m.&nbsp;

The winds caused extensive damage across Burrton, Halstead and Newton.&nbsp;

The cities of Burrton and Halstead declared local states of emergency today due to storm damages. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also issued a state disaster declaration today. Harvey County made a verbal disaster declaration Sunday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716248978794.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —A severe straight-line wind event called a Derecho moved through Harvey County Sunday night.&nbsp;The National Weather service investigation determined the storm rolled into Harvey County at 7:42p.m.&nbsp; producing winds up to 90 mph and lasted until 8:04p.m.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716248978794.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The winds caused extensive damage across Burrton, Halstead and Newton.&nbsp;The cities of Burrton and Halstead declared local states of emergency today due to storm damages. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also issued a state disaster declaration today. Harvey County made a verbal disaster declaration Sunday night.There were no injuries or deaths.

NWS: Harvey County storm a Derecho with winds up to 90mph

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.

After 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, deputies were checking the security of a business in the 5500 block of SW Randolph Avenue, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies found indications of recent damage to the property and evidence of a suspected burglary. Evidence was collected and they continued surveillance of the property.

The Sheriff’s Office said around 4:40 a.m., a black 2000 Mercury Mountaineer arrived and parked near the area where deputies observed the damage to the property. Multiple law enforcement officers surrounded the property and deployed a drone. A few minutes later, an individual wearing a face mask and carrying a pry bar emerged from the property and was immediately arrested. A second individual located inside the suspect vehicle was also arrested at the scene.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Zackery W. Slover, 42, and Richard M. Lane, 42, both of Topeka, were booked into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/doc/" target="_blank">Shawnee County Department of Corrections</a>&nbsp;on requested charges of burglary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716151885045.png" alt="Lane-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lane-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.After 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, deputies were checking the security of a business in the 5500 block of SW Randolph Avenue, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies found indications of recent damage to the property and evidence of a suspected burglary. Evidence was collected and they continued surveillance of the property.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716151826361.png" alt="Slover -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Slover -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sheriff’s Office said around 4:40 a.m., a black 2000 Mercury Mountaineer arrived and parked near the area where deputies observed the damage to the property. Multiple law enforcement officers surrounded the property and deployed a drone. A few minutes later, an individual wearing a face mask and carrying a pry bar emerged from the property and was immediately arrested. A second individual located inside the suspect vehicle was also arrested at the scene.According to the Sheriff’s Office, Zackery W. Slover, 42, and Richard M. Lane, 42, both of Topeka, were booked into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/doc/" target="_blank">Shawnee County Department of Corrections</a>&nbsp;on requested charges of burglary.

Kansas burglary suspect caught carrying a pry bar

WICHITA, KAN. – A $23,197.00 default judgment was entered against a Wichita pawnbroker for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable acts under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The matter was investigated by the Office of the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division after receiving a consumer complaint against Ethan Ma, doing business as 1st Gold, 2408 S. Hillside.

The Consumer Protection Division alleged Ethan Ma violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) by acting as an unlicensed pawnbroker and failing to return a consumer’s property offered as surety on a loan. The Court found these alleged violations to be deceptive and unconscionable under the KCPA. As part of the ruling, the Court ordered Ethan Ma to pay $2,000.00 in restitution to the consumer, $20,000.00 in civil penalties, as well as court costs and investigation fees. The court also ordered Ethan Ma to refrain from engaging in consumer transactions in Kansas until he is properly licensed and all restitution, costs and fees are paid.

The District Attorney reminds consumers to exercise care when pawning items of value, especially those with sentimental value, because they may be difficult or impossible to recover. The City of Wichita requires all pawnbrokers to be licensed, and every loan must be evidenced by a written contract, a copy of which must be provided to the borrower. The City of Wichita also requires all pawnbrokers to post their license in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the licensed pawnshop.

The default judgment was ordered on April 30, 2024 by Judge Stephen Ternes. The case was investigated by Kristen Zluticky of the District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716135972435.png" alt="The default judgment was ordered on April 30, by Judge Stephen Ternes. -Google image" />
 <figcaption>The default judgment was ordered on April 30, by Judge Stephen Ternes. -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A $23,197.00 default judgment was entered against a Wichita pawnbroker for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable acts under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The matter was investigated by the Office of the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division after receiving a consumer complaint against Ethan Ma, doing business as 1st Gold, 2408 S. Hillside.The Consumer Protection Division alleged Ethan Ma violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) by acting as an unlicensed pawnbroker and failing to return a consumer’s property offered as surety on a loan. The Court found these alleged violations to be deceptive and unconscionable under the KCPA. As part of the ruling, the Court ordered Ethan Ma to pay $2,000.00 in restitution to the consumer, $20,000.00 in civil penalties, as well as court costs and investigation fees. The court also ordered Ethan Ma to refrain from engaging in consumer transactions in Kansas until he is properly licensed and all restitution, costs and fees are paid.The District Attorney reminds consumers to exercise care when pawning items of value, especially those with sentimental value, because they may be difficult or impossible to recover. The City of Wichita requires all pawnbrokers to be licensed, and every loan must be evidenced by a written contract, a copy of which must be provided to the borrower. The City of Wichita also requires all pawnbrokers to post their license in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the licensed pawnshop.The default judgment was ordered on April 30, 2024 by Judge Stephen Ternes. The case was investigated by Kristen Zluticky of the District Attorney’s Office.

Kansas pawn shop ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines

BEIRUT (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48">helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president</a>&nbsp;and foreign minister has sent shock waves around the region.

Iranian state media on Monday said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ebrahim-raisi">President Ebrahim Raisi</a>, the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others had been found dead after an hourslong search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest. State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash.

WHO WAS ON BOARD AND WHERE WERE THEY GOING?

The helicopter on Sunday was carrying Raisi, Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province and other officials, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Raisi was returning after traveling to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev when the crash occurred in the Dizmar forest in East Azerbaijan province.

IRNA said the crash killed eight people including three crew members aboard the Bell helicopter, which Iran purchased in the early 2000s.

Iranian officials said the mountainous, forested terrain and heavy fog impeded search-and-rescue operations, which continued overnight.

The president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir-Hossein Koulivand, said Sunday evening that 40 search teams were on the ground despite “challenging weather conditions.” Because of the bad weather, it was "impossible to conduct aerial searches” via drones, Koulivand said, according to IRNA.

It was not until early Monday that officials announced the helicopter had been found and all of its occupants were dead.

Early Monday, Turkish authorities released what they described as drone footage showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness that they “suspected to be wreckage of a helicopter.” The coordinates listed in the footage put the fire about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on the side of a steep mountain.

Footage released by IRNA showed what the agency described as the crash site, across a steep valley in a mountain range. Soldiers speaking in the local Azeri language said: “There it is, we found it.” Shortly after that, state TV in an on-screen scrolling text said: “There is no sign of life from people on board.”

Raisi was seen as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-a02630b6dca3cac455cacd16690b710f">protege to Iran’s supreme leader</a>&nbsp;Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor for his position within the country’s Shiite theocracy.

Under the Iranian constitution, if a president dies, the country’s first vice president — in this case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41">Mohammad Mokhber</a>&nbsp;— would become president. Khamenei has publicly assured Iranians that there would be “no disruption to the operations of the country” as a result of the crash.

After news broke of the search operation, countries including Russia, Iraq and Qatar made statements of concern about Raisi’s fate and offered to assist in the search.

Azerbaijani President Aliyev offered any support necessary. Relations between the two countries have been chilly due to Azerbaijan’s diplomatic relations with Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy.

Saudi Arabia, traditionally a rival of Iran although the two countries&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-iran-saudi-diplomatic-relations-beijing-d12dc5dc4049052c6228caceaa2a2b9f">recently made a rapprochement</a>, said it stands by "Iran in these difficult circumstances.”

There was no immediate official reaction from Israel. Last month, following an Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Damascus that killed two Iranian generals, Tehran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-consulate-drones-attack-f3c5ba6491d9c01a84456a2ef3faeb6c">launched hundreds of missiles</a>&nbsp;and drones at Israel. They were mostly shot down and tensions have apparently subsided.

The U.S., which has its own history of tensions with Tehran, issued condolences in a State Department statement and added that "we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

BEIRUT (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48">helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president</a>&nbsp;and foreign minister has sent shock waves around the region.Iranian state media on Monday said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ebrahim-raisi">President Ebrahim Raisi</a>, the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, and others had been found dead after an hourslong search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest. State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Are you concerned that Iran is going to try and blame Israel or even the United States for the crash that killed the president yesterday? .<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Austin: &quot;The United States had no part to play in that crash and that&#39;s a fact, plain and simple.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eU7ew3NTeS">pic.twitter.com/eU7ew3NTeS</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1792603940665565386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Here’s what we know so far.WHO WAS ON BOARD AND WHERE WERE THEY GOING?The helicopter on Sunday was carrying Raisi, Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province and other officials, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.Raisi was returning after traveling to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev when the crash occurred in the Dizmar forest in East Azerbaijan province.IRNA said the crash killed eight people including three crew members aboard the Bell helicopter, which Iran purchased in the early 2000s.HOW DID THE SEARCH OPERATION GO?Iranian officials said the mountainous, forested terrain and heavy fog impeded search-and-rescue operations, which continued overnight.The president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir-Hossein Koulivand, said Sunday evening that 40 search teams were on the ground despite “challenging weather conditions.” Because of the bad weather, it was "impossible to conduct aerial searches” via drones, Koulivand said, according to IRNA.It was not until early Monday that officials announced the helicopter had been found and all of its occupants were dead.HOW WAS THE CRASH SITE FOUND?Early Monday, Turkish authorities released what they described as drone footage showing what appeared to be a fire in the wilderness that they “suspected to be wreckage of a helicopter.” The coordinates listed in the footage put the fire about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the Azerbaijan-Iranian border on the side of a steep mountain.Footage released by IRNA showed what the agency described as the crash site, across a steep valley in a mountain range. Soldiers speaking in the local Azeri language said: “There it is, we found it.” Shortly after that, state TV in an on-screen scrolling text said: “There is no sign of life from people on board.”HOW WILL RAISI'S DEATH IMPACT IRAN?Raisi was seen as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-president-raisi-helicopter-a02630b6dca3cac455cacd16690b710f">protege to Iran’s supreme leader</a>&nbsp;Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor for his position within the country’s Shiite theocracy.Under the Iranian constitution, if a president dies, the country’s first vice president — in this case,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammad-mokhber-raisi-crash-2cf93c2e6fb11f9c2aff13fed133db41">Mohammad Mokhber</a>&nbsp;— would become president. Khamenei has publicly assured Iranians that there would be “no disruption to the operations of the country” as a result of the crash.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDeptSpox</a> on death of Iranian President Raisi: &quot;We regret any loss of life, we don&#39;t want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash, but that doesn&#39;t change the reality of his record both as a judge and as the president of Iran, the fact that he has blood on his hands...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EbLIS2vqeq">pic.twitter.com/EbLIS2vqeq</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1792620008419233979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>WHAT HAS INTERNATIONAL REACTION BEEN?After news broke of the search operation, countries including Russia, Iraq and Qatar made statements of concern about Raisi’s fate and offered to assist in the search.Azerbaijani President Aliyev offered any support necessary. Relations between the two countries have been chilly due to Azerbaijan’s diplomatic relations with Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy.Saudi Arabia, traditionally a rival of Iran although the two countries&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-iran-saudi-diplomatic-relations-beijing-d12dc5dc4049052c6228caceaa2a2b9f">recently made a rapprochement</a>, said it stands by "Iran in these difficult circumstances.”There was no immediate official reaction from Israel. Last month, following an Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Damascus that killed two Iranian generals, Tehran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-consulate-drones-attack-f3c5ba6491d9c01a84456a2ef3faeb6c">launched hundreds of missiles</a>&nbsp;and drones at Israel. They were mostly shot down and tensions have apparently subsided.The U.S., which has its own history of tensions with Tehran, issued condolences in a State Department statement and added that "we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

🎥 U.S. denies involvment in crash that killed Iran's president

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man drowned Sunday at a Wichita Park.

Just before 1p.m. officers responded to a possible submersion at OJ Watson Park, 3022 S McLean Boulevard, Wichita, according to Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.

It was being reported that a 23-year-old man went into the lake after a ball.&nbsp; A witnesses present at the scene observed the victim’s eyes rolled back in his head and go under water. 

The Wichita Fire Department conducted a water search and located the victim approximately one hour after the time of call. 

Fire and EMS performed CPR on scene. EMS continued life saving measures and transported the victim to St. Francis hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:33p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the man's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716229385004.png" alt="First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man drowned Sunday at a Wichita Park.Just before 1p.m. officers responded to a possible submersion at OJ Watson Park, 3022 S McLean Boulevard, Wichita, according to Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.It was being reported that a 23-year-old man went into the lake after a ball.&nbsp; A witnesses present at the scene observed the victim’s eyes rolled back in his head and go under water. The Wichita Fire Department conducted a water search and located the victim approximately one hour after the time of call. Fire and EMS performed CPR on scene. EMS continued life saving measures and transported the victim to St. Francis hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:33p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the man's name.

Police: Man going after a ball, drowns in Kansas lake

Matt Kleinmann, a Democrat from Wyandotte County, puts emphasis on unity and stability

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

TOPEKA — Matt Kleinmann remembers looking at his phone one day in July 2017 and watching former Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain vote to preserve the Affordable Care Act with his iconic thumbs-down gesture.

Kleinmann, a community developer in Wyandotte County who at the time was working on a park renovation project in Kansas City, Kansas, realized in that moment that it wasn’t enough to build parks, grocery stores and affordable housing if half of his community lost health insurance. He needed to take a more holistic approach.

“That was sort of a an epiphany for me that I needed to be more engaged politically,” Kleinmann said. “And as I started following a little closer and learning a little more, I started realizing that part of the role of Congress is to bring resources back to the community.”

On Monday, Kleinmann filed as a Democrat in the 2nd District race for the U.S. House.

He was born and raised in Overland Park and appeared in 70 games as a member of the University of Kansas basketball team from 2004-2009, a span that included a national championship. He studied architecture and worked at a firm in Kansas City before pivoting to the nonprofit sector.

Most recently, he was the director of community development for Vibrant Health, a nonprofit working to provide access to high-quality health care for those in Wyandotte County. He is taking a leave of absence to run for Congress.

So far, he is the only Democrat to file or announce a campaign for the 2nd District seat ahead of the June 3 deadline. Former Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former congressional staffer Jeff Kahrs are seeking the GOP nomination.

Kleinmann, who said he grew up a Republican but is now “a little terrified of a vision of America that wants to take the rights away from people,” identified a number of ways he believes he is different from his GOP rivals.

“I don’t believe the 2020 election was stolen,” Kleinmann said. “I believe climate change is real. I believe working families deserve a raise. I believe we need to take care of our children with better child care options, and I believe we need to take care of our seniors so that they can age in place with dignity.

“I believe that local issues we can find common ground on. I know the immigration system is broken, but I don’t believe Kansas is a border state. I believe we have things in our own backyard that we need to fix. And I think that working on what unites us is better than trying to divide us.”

He acknowledged that he faces long odds in a district that appears to be reliably Republican and supportive of former president Donald Trump — especially after the Legislature gerrymandered districts in 2022 in a failed effort to drive Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids out of office.

The new map split the northern half of Kansas City out of Davids’ 3rd District and placed it into the 2nd District, which now snakes from the Nebraska border in the northeast corner of the state to Marion in east-central Kansas and back down to the Oklahoma border in the southeast corner. Legislators preserved the Republican advantage by relocating Lawrence, where Kleinmann played basketball, into the 1st District, which covers the western third of the state and north-central Kansas.

But “there are basketball fans outside of Lawrence,” Kleinmann joked, and the odds are not insurmountable.

The seat is being vacated by incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who won reelection in 2022 with 57.6% of the vote.

Kleinmann hopes that his message appeals to rural voters as well as those in Kansas City.

“I think there are pockets of folks who just want to see normalcy,” Kleinmann said. “They want to see community building. They just want to have a sense of stability so they can go on about their lives. And I think that is true in Wyandotte, and it’s true in southeast Kansas, and it’s true in the Flint Hills, and it’s true in Atchison. You know, it’s not radical to say we can work together and build up our community. I think that is actually what every person should be saying.”

Kleinmann also pointed out the district’s voters rejected a constitutional amendment in August 2022 that would have taken away the right to terminate a pregnancy.

“I firmly believe in a woman’s right to choose,” he said. “I believe that health care is a human right. And like most Republicans, I believe in small government. I just believe that government should not be in the doctor’s room making decisions about a woman’s body. I’m also very concerned with the push among Republicans for a national abortion ban.”

“I believe that abortion access is critical because it is health care,” he added. “There are people who need abortions to survive. And I don’t believe as a Christian that we should allow people to die because they cannot have access to health care.”

Kleinmann said he has serious concerns about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, attacked police officers and disrupted the counting of electoral votes.

He said “an extremist wing” of the Republican Party is trying to undermine democracy.

“The moment somebody loses an election and decides the right thing to do is to attack a police officer in the Capitol building, we’ve crossed a line,” Kleinmann said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716227266782.png" alt=" Matt Kleinmann finishes paperwork to file for office on May 20, 2024, at the Secretary of State’s Office. He is running as a Democrat in the 2nd District race for an open U.S. House seat. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Matt Kleinmann finishes paperwork to file for office on May 20, 2024, at the Secretary of State’s Office. He is running as a Democrat in the 2nd District race for an open U.S. House seat. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Matt Kleinmann, a Democrat from Wyandotte County, puts emphasis on unity and stability</h2>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Matt Kleinmann remembers looking at his phone one day in July 2017 and watching former Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain vote to preserve the Affordable Care Act with his iconic thumbs-down gesture.Kleinmann, a community developer in Wyandotte County who at the time was working on a park renovation project in Kansas City, Kansas, realized in that moment that it wasn’t enough to build parks, grocery stores and affordable housing if half of his community lost health insurance. He needed to take a more holistic approach.“That was sort of a an epiphany for me that I needed to be more engaged politically,” Kleinmann said. “And as I started following a little closer and learning a little more, I started realizing that part of the role of Congress is to bring resources back to the community.”On Monday, Kleinmann filed as a Democrat in the 2nd District race for the U.S. House.He was born and raised in Overland Park and appeared in 70 games as a member of the University of Kansas basketball team from 2004-2009, a span that included a national championship. He studied architecture and worked at a firm in Kansas City before pivoting to the nonprofit sector.Most recently, he was the director of community development for Vibrant Health, a nonprofit working to provide access to high-quality health care for those in Wyandotte County. He is taking a leave of absence to run for Congress.So far, he is the only Democrat to file or announce a campaign for the 2nd District seat ahead of the June 3 deadline. Former Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former congressional staffer Jeff Kahrs are seeking the GOP nomination.Kleinmann, who said he grew up a Republican but is now “a little terrified of a vision of America that wants to take the rights away from people,” identified a number of ways he believes he is different from his GOP rivals.“I don’t believe the 2020 election was stolen,” Kleinmann said. “I believe climate change is real. I believe working families deserve a raise. I believe we need to take care of our children with better child care options, and I believe we need to take care of our seniors so that they can age in place with dignity.“I believe that local issues we can find common ground on. I know the immigration system is broken, but I don’t believe Kansas is a border state. I believe we have things in our own backyard that we need to fix. And I think that working on what unites us is better than trying to divide us.”He acknowledged that he faces long odds in a district that appears to be reliably Republican and supportive of former president Donald Trump — especially after the Legislature gerrymandered districts in 2022 in a failed effort to drive Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids out of office.The new map split the northern half of Kansas City out of Davids’ 3rd District and placed it into the 2nd District, which now snakes from the Nebraska border in the northeast corner of the state to Marion in east-central Kansas and back down to the Oklahoma border in the southeast corner. Legislators preserved the Republican advantage by relocating Lawrence, where Kleinmann played basketball, into the 1st District, which covers the western third of the state and north-central Kansas.But “there are basketball fans outside of Lawrence,” Kleinmann joked, and the odds are not insurmountable.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716227204462.png" alt=" Matt Kleinmann kisses his wife, Sangeeta Shastry, after filing for office on May 20, 2024, at the Secretary of State’s Office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Matt Kleinmann kisses his wife, Sangeeta Shastry, after filing for office on May 20, 2024, at the Secretary of State’s Office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The seat is being vacated by incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who won reelection in 2022 with 57.6% of the vote.Kleinmann hopes that his message appeals to rural voters as well as those in Kansas City.“I think there are pockets of folks who just want to see normalcy,” Kleinmann said. “They want to see community building. They just want to have a sense of stability so they can go on about their lives. And I think that is true in Wyandotte, and it’s true in southeast Kansas, and it’s true in the Flint Hills, and it’s true in Atchison. You know, it’s not radical to say we can work together and build up our community. I think that is actually what every person should be saying.”Kleinmann also pointed out the district’s voters rejected a constitutional amendment in August 2022 that would have taken away the right to terminate a pregnancy.“I firmly believe in a woman’s right to choose,” he said. “I believe that health care is a human right. And like most Republicans, I believe in small government. I just believe that government should not be in the doctor’s room making decisions about a woman’s body. I’m also very concerned with the push among Republicans for a national abortion ban.”“I believe that abortion access is critical because it is health care,” he added. “There are people who need abortions to survive. And I don’t believe as a Christian that we should allow people to die because they cannot have access to health care.”Kleinmann said he has serious concerns about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, attacked police officers and disrupted the counting of electoral votes.He said “an extremist wing” of the Republican Party is trying to undermine democracy.“The moment somebody loses an election and decides the right thing to do is to attack a police officer in the Capitol building, we’ve crossed a line,” Kleinmann said.

Community developer who played basketball at KU enters 2nd District race

NEW YORK (AP) —A former OpenAI leader who resigned from the company earlier this week said Friday that safety has “taken a backseat to shiny products” at the influential artificial intelligence company.

Jan Leike, who ran OpenAI’s “Superalignment” team alongside a company co-founder who also resigned this week, wrote in a series of posts on the social media platform X that he joined the San Francisco-based company because he thought it would be the best place to do AI research.

“However, I have been disagreeing with OpenAI leadership about the company’s core priorities for quite some time, until we finally reached a breaking point,” wrote Leike, whose last day was Thursday.

An AI researcher by training, Leike said he believes there should be more focus on preparing for the next generation of AI models, including on things like safety and analyzing the societal impacts of such technologies. He said building “smarter-than-human machines is an inherently dangerous endeavor” and that the company “is shouldering an enormous responsibility on behalf of all of humanity.”

“OpenAI must become a safety-first AGI company,” wrote Leike, using the abbreviated version of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/agi-artificial-general-intelligence-existential-risk-meta-openai-deepmind-science-ff5662a056d3cf3c5889a73e929e5a34">artificial general intelligence</a>, a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can.

Open AI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a reply to Leike’s posts that he was “super appreciative” of Leike’s contributions to the company was “very sad to see him leave.”

Leike is “right we have a lot more to do; we are committed to doing it,” Altman said, pledging to write a longer post on the subject in the coming days.

The company also confirmed Friday that it had disbanded Leike’s&nbsp;<a href="https://openai.com/index/introducing-superalignment/" target="_blank">Superalignment team</a>, which was launched last year to focus on AI risks, and is integrating the team’s members across its research efforts.

Leike’s resignation came after OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever said Tuesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-ilya-sutskever-leaving-chatgpt-cofounder-419276b50007ad41adfd27764da3188c">he was leaving the company</a>&nbsp;after nearly a decade. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/altman-ai-chatgpt-murati-893e4a460c10eb3a8f1afefa6156eca3">push out Altman</a>&nbsp;— only to quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/altman-openai-chatgpt-31187f7f6eca8ff9d0eef7585aac6ace">reinstate him</a>. It was Sutskever who told Altman last November that he was being fired, but he later said he regretted doing so.

Sutskever said he is working on a new project that’s meaningful to him without offering additional details. He will be replaced by&nbsp;<a href="https://openai.com/index/jakub-pachocki-announced-as-chief-scientist/" target="_blank">Jakub Pachocki&nbsp;</a>as chief scientist. Altman called Pachocki “also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation” and said he is “very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone.”

On Monday, OpenAI showed off the latest update to its artificial intelligence model, which can mimic human cadences in its verbal responses and can even try to detect people’s moods.

NEW YORK (AP) —A former OpenAI leader who resigned from the company earlier this week said Friday that safety has “taken a backseat to shiny products” at the influential artificial intelligence company.Jan Leike, who ran OpenAI’s “Superalignment” team alongside a company co-founder who also resigned this week, wrote in a series of posts on the social media platform X that he joined the San Francisco-based company because he thought it would be the best place to do AI research.“However, I have been disagreeing with OpenAI leadership about the company’s core priorities for quite some time, until we finally reached a breaking point,” wrote Leike, whose last day was Thursday.An AI researcher by training, Leike said he believes there should be more focus on preparing for the next generation of AI models, including on things like safety and analyzing the societal impacts of such technologies. He said building “smarter-than-human machines is an inherently dangerous endeavor” and that the company “is shouldering an enormous responsibility on behalf of all of humanity.”“OpenAI must become a safety-first AGI company,” wrote Leike, using the abbreviated version of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/agi-artificial-general-intelligence-existential-risk-meta-openai-deepmind-science-ff5662a056d3cf3c5889a73e929e5a34">artificial general intelligence</a>, a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can.Open AI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a reply to Leike’s posts that he was “super appreciative” of Leike’s contributions to the company was “very sad to see him leave.”Leike is “right we have a lot more to do; we are committed to doing it,” Altman said, pledging to write a longer post on the subject in the coming days.The company also confirmed Friday that it had disbanded Leike’s&nbsp;<a href="https://openai.com/index/introducing-superalignment/" target="_blank">Superalignment team</a>, which was launched last year to focus on AI risks, and is integrating the team’s members across its research efforts.Leike’s resignation came after OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever said Tuesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-ilya-sutskever-leaving-chatgpt-cofounder-419276b50007ad41adfd27764da3188c">he was leaving the company</a>&nbsp;after nearly a decade. Sutskever was one of four board members last fall who voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/altman-ai-chatgpt-murati-893e4a460c10eb3a8f1afefa6156eca3">push out Altman</a>&nbsp;— only to quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/altman-openai-chatgpt-31187f7f6eca8ff9d0eef7585aac6ace">reinstate him</a>. It was Sutskever who told Altman last November that he was being fired, but he later said he regretted doing so.Sutskever said he is working on a new project that’s meaningful to him without offering additional details. He will be replaced by&nbsp;<a href="https://openai.com/index/jakub-pachocki-announced-as-chief-scientist/" target="_blank">Jakub Pachocki&nbsp;</a>as chief scientist. Altman called Pachocki “also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation” and said he is “very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone.”On Monday, OpenAI showed off the latest update to its artificial intelligence model, which can mimic human cadences in its verbal responses and can even try to detect people’s moods.——

No safeguards: OpenAI disbands high-profile safety team

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of shooting a teen in a Walmart parking lot made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is now out of jail.

Ruben Contreras, 47 of Wichita, is charged with attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;He met the condition of a $300-thousand bond and is out of jail, according to online records. 

Just before 5p.m. May 11, officers were dispatched to a call involving a weapon at Walmart, 18631 W. Kellogg in Goddard, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office. 

First responders located an 18-year-old in a vehicle&nbsp;suffering from a gunshot wound, in the Walmart parking lot.&nbsp; EMS transported the teen to the hospital in serious condition. He has since been upgraded to stable condition.&nbsp;

A suspect identified as&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=748186">Contreras,</a>&nbsp;remained on the scene when law enforcement arrived and was taken into custody.

Contreras was transported to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation to be interviewed. He was later booked into Sedgwick County Detention Facility.

&nbsp;His next court date is May 28, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715641692899.png" alt="Contreras-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Contreras-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of shooting a teen in a Walmart parking lot made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is now out of jail.Ruben Contreras, 47 of Wichita, is charged with attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;He met the condition of a $300-thousand bond and is out of jail, according to online records. Just before 5p.m. May 11, officers were dispatched to a call involving a weapon at Walmart, 18631 W. Kellogg in Goddard, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office. First responders located an 18-year-old in a vehicle&nbsp;suffering from a gunshot wound, in the Walmart parking lot.&nbsp; EMS transported the teen to the hospital in serious condition. He has since been upgraded to stable condition.&nbsp;A suspect identified as&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=748186">Contreras,</a>&nbsp;remained on the scene when law enforcement arrived and was taken into custody. Contreras was transported to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation to be interviewed. He was later booked into Sedgwick County Detention Facility.&nbsp;His next court date is May 28, according to the district attorney's office.

Man charged in Kan. Walmart parking lot shooting is out of jail

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation Monday due to severe weather that impacted the state during the day on Sunday and overnight into Monday, according to a media release from the Kansas Adjutant General's office.

This declaration activates the Kansas Response Plan and the ability to expedite state agency assistance to communities in need.

The spring thunderstorms brought flooding rain, large hail and extreme winds Sunday afternoon and evening across Kansas. There are no injuries reported.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating requests for support from impact counties. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716159390070.jpeg" alt="Halstead and Pleasent Hill Road Outside Salina looking west at 5:35 p.m. on May 19, 2024. " />
 <figcaption>Halstead and Pleasent Hill Road Outside Salina looking west at 5:35 p.m. on May 19, 2024. </figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation Monday due to severe weather that impacted the state during the day on Sunday and overnight into Monday, according to a media release from the Kansas Adjutant General's office.This declaration activates the Kansas Response Plan and the ability to expedite state agency assistance to communities in need.The spring thunderstorms brought flooding rain, large hail and extreme winds Sunday afternoon and evening across Kansas. There are no injuries reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716198838451.png" alt="Storm damage photo Harvey County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage photo Harvey County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating requests for support from impact counties. &nbsp;

Gov. issues disaster declaration for storm on Sunday, Monday

GOODHOPE, Mo. (AP) — Four people in rural Missouri died when an explosion that could be heard 10 miles away occurred at a house.

The explosion happened Saturday night near the unincorporated town of Goodhope. Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said the home was undergoing renovations and a propane leak was found. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri Fire Marshal's Office and local officials continue investigating.

Names of those killed have not been released.

Degase said the explosion was unusual because it didn't cause a fire,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2024/05/19/propane-leak-causes-explosion-killing-four-douglas-county-house/">KYTV-TV</a>&nbsp;reported. An official with the fire marshal's office described it as a “flash” that happened so quickly the house didn't burn.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716217028482.png" alt="Photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>GOODHOPE, Mo. (AP) — Four people in rural Missouri died when an explosion that could be heard 10 miles away occurred at a house.The explosion happened Saturday night near the unincorporated town of Goodhope. Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said the home was undergoing renovations and a propane leak was found. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri Fire Marshal's Office and local officials continue investigating.Names of those killed have not been released.Degase said the explosion was unusual because it didn't cause a fire,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2024/05/19/propane-leak-causes-explosion-killing-four-douglas-county-house/">KYTV-TV</a>&nbsp;reported. An official with the fire marshal's office described it as a “flash” that happened so quickly the house didn't burn.

Four killed in southwest Missouri house explosion 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Agriculture Committee Friday released the draft bill text of the long-awaited $1.5 trillion farm bill, which is likely to face opposition in the Senate from Democrats because of disagreements over federal anti-hunger programs and climate change requirements.

The chair of the committee, GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, said in a statement that the bill, which will set farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation policy for the next five years, is a “product of extensive feedback from stakeholders and all Members of the House, and is responsive to the needs of farm country through the incorporation of hundreds of bipartisan policies.”

The legislation funds programs across 12 titles for five years.

It would boost rural farming, promote a new global market for farmers to sell their products abroad, require new reporting requirements for the foreign purchase of farmland, increase funding for specialty crops and expand eligibility for disaster assistance, among other initiatives.

“The markup is one step in a greater House process, that should not be compromised by misleading arguments, false narratives, or edicts from the Senate,” Thompson said.

The House Agriculture Committee plans to mark up the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/discussion_draft_ffns.pdf">942-page bill</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. It is expected to cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years. A title-by-title summary can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/detailed_summary_final.pdf">here</a>.

In a statement, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. David Scott of Georgia, slammed the draft bill for “taking food out of the mouths of America’s hungry children, restricting farmers from receiving the climate-smart conservation funding they so desperately need, and barring the USDA from providing financial assistance to farmers in times of crisis.”

Scott warned that the current draft bill is unlikely to pass the House. Although Republicans have a slim majority, any piece of legislation will have to be bipartisan in order to make it through the Senate, which Democrats control.

The current farm bill extension expires Sept. 30.

On the Senate side, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who leads the Committee on Agriculture, released Democrats’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/dem/press/release/chairwoman-stabenow-unveils-the-rural-prosperity-and-food-security-act">own proposal</a>&nbsp;in early May. Among other things, it would boost eligibility for nutrition programs for low-income people like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Stabenow made public a summary of the bill, but not legislative text.

Scott and Stabenow released a joint statement Tuesday following a meeting with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats on the House Agriculture committee. They advocated for Republicans to craft a bipartisan farm bill.

“House Republicans are undermining this goal by proposing policies that split the broad, bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful farm bill,” they wrote.

“We need a farm bill that holds the coalition together and upholds the historic tradition of providing food assistance to our most vulnerable Americans while keeping our commitment to our farmers battling the effects of the climate crisis every day,” they continued.

The House bill has a few provisions that Democrats oppose.

One would remove climate-smart policy requirements for about $13 billion in conservation projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Another&nbsp; would limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the formula that calculates benefits for SNAP. “The economic impact of the SNAP cuts alone would be staggering,” Scott said.

A freeze in the Thrifty Food Plan would result in a roughly $30 billion SNAP cut over the next decade,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chair-thompsons-plan-would-cut-snap-benefits-and-ignore-scientific">according</a>&nbsp;to the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. There are more than 41 million people who use SNAP benefits,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research/#:~:text=The%20Supplemental%20Nutrition%20Assistance%20Program,fiscal%20year%20(FY)%202022.&amp;text=Download%20chart%20data%20in%20Excel,41.2%20million%20participants%20per%20month.">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;</a>

However, the House farm bill would remove the ban on low-income Americans who have a drug conviction felony from obtaining SNAP benefits.

Environmental groups are also opposing the draft of the farm bill, raising concerns about reallocating IRA money and including a bill relating to how states regulate animal practices.

A watchdog group that focuses on government and corporate accountability in water, food and corporate overreach, Food &amp; Water Watch Managing Director of Policy and Litigation Mitch Jones said in a statement that the draft bill would gut important climate-smart provisions.

“Some of leadership’s more dangerous proposals would take us backwards on animal welfare, and climate-smart agriculture,” Jones said. “It’s time Congress put the culture wars aside and got back to work on a Farm Bill that puts consumers, farmers, and the environment above politicking and Big Ag handouts.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716210763832.png" alt=" Doug Goyings, a fifth-generation farmer in northwestern Ohio, received a USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant in 2023 to install a 288-panel solar array (seen at left) at his family grain farm, meeting 100 percent of the farm’s energy needs and saving money that he can re-invest back into the operation. (Mark McCann/USDA)" />
 <figcaption> Doug Goyings, a fifth-generation farmer in northwestern Ohio, received a USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant in 2023 to install a 288-panel solar array (seen at left) at his family grain farm, meeting 100 percent of the farm’s energy needs and saving money that he can re-invest back into the operation. (Mark McCann/USDA)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Agriculture Committee Friday released the draft bill text of the long-awaited $1.5 trillion farm bill, which is likely to face opposition in the Senate from Democrats because of disagreements over federal anti-hunger programs and climate change requirements.The chair of the committee, GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, said in a statement that the bill, which will set farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation policy for the next five years, is a “product of extensive feedback from stakeholders and all Members of the House, and is responsive to the needs of farm country through the incorporation of hundreds of bipartisan policies.”The legislation funds programs across 12 titles for five years.It would boost rural farming, promote a new global market for farmers to sell their products abroad, require new reporting requirements for the foreign purchase of farmland, increase funding for specialty crops and expand eligibility for disaster assistance, among other initiatives.“The markup is one step in a greater House process, that should not be compromised by misleading arguments, false narratives, or edicts from the Senate,” Thompson said.The House Agriculture Committee plans to mark up the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/discussion_draft_ffns.pdf">942-page bill</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. It is expected to cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years. A title-by-title summary can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/detailed_summary_final.pdf">here</a>.In a statement, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. David Scott of Georgia, slammed the draft bill for “taking food out of the mouths of America’s hungry children, restricting farmers from receiving the climate-smart conservation funding they so desperately need, and barring the USDA from providing financial assistance to farmers in times of crisis.”Scott warned that the current draft bill is unlikely to pass the House. Although Republicans have a slim majority, any piece of legislation will have to be bipartisan in order to make it through the Senate, which Democrats control.The current farm bill extension expires Sept. 30.On the Senate side, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who leads the Committee on Agriculture, released Democrats’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/dem/press/release/chairwoman-stabenow-unveils-the-rural-prosperity-and-food-security-act">own proposal</a>&nbsp;in early May. Among other things, it would boost eligibility for nutrition programs for low-income people like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Stabenow made public a summary of the bill, but not legislative text.Scott and Stabenow released a joint statement Tuesday following a meeting with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats on the House Agriculture committee. They advocated for Republicans to craft a bipartisan farm bill.“House Republicans are undermining this goal by proposing policies that split the broad, bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful farm bill,” they wrote.“We need a farm bill that holds the coalition together and upholds the historic tradition of providing food assistance to our most vulnerable Americans while keeping our commitment to our farmers battling the effects of the climate crisis every day,” they continued.The House bill has a few provisions that Democrats oppose.One would remove climate-smart policy requirements for about $13 billion in conservation projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Another&nbsp; would limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the formula that calculates benefits for SNAP. “The economic impact of the SNAP cuts alone would be staggering,” Scott said.A freeze in the Thrifty Food Plan would result in a roughly $30 billion SNAP cut over the next decade,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chair-thompsons-plan-would-cut-snap-benefits-and-ignore-scientific">according</a>&nbsp;to the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. There are more than 41 million people who use SNAP benefits,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research/#:~:text=The%20Supplemental%20Nutrition%20Assistance%20Program,fiscal%20year%20(FY)%202022.&amp;text=Download%20chart%20data%20in%20Excel,41.2%20million%20participants%20per%20month.">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;</a>However, the House farm bill would remove the ban on low-income Americans who have a drug conviction felony from obtaining SNAP benefits.Environmental groups are also opposing the draft of the farm bill, raising concerns about reallocating IRA money and including a bill relating to how states regulate animal practices.A watchdog group that focuses on government and corporate accountability in water, food and corporate overreach, Food &amp; Water Watch Managing Director of Policy and Litigation Mitch Jones said in a statement that the draft bill would gut important climate-smart provisions.“Some of leadership’s more dangerous proposals would take us backwards on animal welfare, and climate-smart agriculture,” Jones said. “It’s time Congress put the culture wars aside and got back to work on a Farm Bill that puts consumers, farmers, and the environment above politicking and Big Ag handouts.”

Farm bill text released in U.S. House, setting up fight with Senate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office has identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest.

 One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;

On Friday, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.

The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715979738614.png" alt="Williams photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office has identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest. One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715980197399.png" alt="Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>On Friday, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Police ID suspects after 2 bodies found in rural Kansas homicide

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection days after shuttering dozens of restaurants.

The seafood chain has been struggling with rising lease and labor costs in recent years and also promotions like its iconic all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that backfired.

Demand for one such recent promotion overwhelmed restaurants,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/11/27/red-lobster-endless-shrimp-earnings-report/71723659007/">reportedly</a>&nbsp;contributing to millions in losses.

The seafood restaurant chain said in a court filing late Sunday that it has more than 100,000 creditors and estimated assets between $1 billion and $10 billion. The company's estimated liabilities are between $1 billion and $10 billion.

The bankruptcy petition is signed by CEO Jonathan Tibus, a corporate restructuring specialist who took the top post at Red Lobster in March.

Restaurant liquidator TAGeX Brands announced last week that it would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-lobster-closures-endless-shrimp-bankruptcy-c0cad9fde7d39e479674ea497ac9a36f">auctioning</a>&nbsp;off the equipment of over 50 Red Lobster locations that were recently closed. The store closures span across more than 20 states — reducing Red Lobster’s presence in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tagexbrands.com/red-lobster/">cities like</a>&nbsp;Denver, San Antonio, Indianapolis and Sacramento, California.

Maintaining stability at the Florida chain has been problematic due to multiple ownership changes over its 56-year history. Earlier this year, Red Lobster co-owner Thai Union Group, one of the world’s largest seafood suppliers, announced its intention to exit its minority investment in the dining chain.

Thai Union first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-6e252dbd4ff84eb1b44ba97809ca49ee">invested in Red Lobster in 2016</a>&nbsp;and upped its stake in 2020. At the time of the January announcement on its plans to divest, CEO Thiraphong Chansiri said the COVID-19 pandemic, industry headwinds and rising operating costs had hit the dining chain hard and caused “prolonged negative financial contributions to Thai Union and its shareholders.”

For the first nine months of 2023, the Thailand company reported a $19 million share of loss from Red Lobster.

Red Lobster’s roots date back to 1968, when the first restaurant <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-9b65b21164c445ac89e134f2165efecf">opened</a>&nbsp;in Lakeland, Florida. The chain expanded rapidly since then and runs more than 700 locations worldwide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715638363133.jpeg" alt="Sign on the entrance to the Red Lobster Restaurant in Salina, Kansas-photo by Nathan King" />
 <figcaption>Sign on the entrance to the Red Lobster Restaurant in Salina, Kansas-photo by Nathan King</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection days after shuttering dozens of restaurants.The seafood chain has been struggling with rising lease and labor costs in recent years and also promotions like its iconic all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that backfired.Demand for one such recent promotion overwhelmed restaurants,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/11/27/red-lobster-endless-shrimp-earnings-report/71723659007/">reportedly</a>&nbsp;contributing to millions in losses.The seafood restaurant chain said in a court filing late Sunday that it has more than 100,000 creditors and estimated assets between $1 billion and $10 billion. The company's estimated liabilities are between $1 billion and $10 billion.The bankruptcy petition is signed by CEO Jonathan Tibus, a corporate restructuring specialist who took the top post at Red Lobster in March.Restaurant liquidator TAGeX Brands announced last week that it would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-lobster-closures-endless-shrimp-bankruptcy-c0cad9fde7d39e479674ea497ac9a36f">auctioning</a>&nbsp;off the equipment of over 50 Red Lobster locations that were recently closed. The store closures span across more than 20 states — reducing Red Lobster’s presence in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tagexbrands.com/red-lobster/">cities like</a>&nbsp;Denver, San Antonio, Indianapolis and Sacramento, California.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715638338504.jpeg" alt="Red Lobster in Salina, Kansas -photo by Nathan King" />
 <figcaption>Red Lobster in Salina, Kansas -photo by Nathan King</figcaption>
 </figure>Maintaining stability at the Florida chain has been problematic due to multiple ownership changes over its 56-year history. Earlier this year, Red Lobster co-owner Thai Union Group, one of the world’s largest seafood suppliers, announced its intention to exit its minority investment in the dining chain.Thai Union first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-6e252dbd4ff84eb1b44ba97809ca49ee">invested in Red Lobster in 2016</a>&nbsp;and upped its stake in 2020. At the time of the January announcement on its plans to divest, CEO Thiraphong Chansiri said the COVID-19 pandemic, industry headwinds and rising operating costs had hit the dining chain hard and caused “prolonged negative financial contributions to Thai Union and its shareholders.”For the first nine months of 2023, the Thailand company reported a $19 million share of loss from Red Lobster.Red Lobster’s roots date back to 1968, when the first restaurant <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-9b65b21164c445ac89e134f2165efecf">opened</a>&nbsp;in Lakeland, Florida. The chain expanded rapidly since then and runs more than 700 locations worldwide.

Red Lobster files for bankruptcy days after unlimited shrimp deal

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

Just before 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 34th and Wyoming on a recovered stolen auto, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

  Call was later upgraded to a shooting. First responders found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three subjects were questioned.&nbsp;

Police indicated that a preliminary investigation found a fight broke out among multiple individuals. Several individuals fired shots before the victim was hit. Three suspects were taken into custody.

Detectives and crime scene investigators said they continue to speak with witnesses as they continue to process the scene. Anyone with information about the incident should report it to KCPD at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716088530027.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just before 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 34th and Wyoming on a recovered stolen auto, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'. Call was later upgraded to a shooting. First responders found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three subjects were questioned.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716119122322.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police indicated that a preliminary investigation found a fight broke out among multiple individuals. Several individuals fired shots before the victim was hit. Three suspects were taken into custody.Detectives and crime scene investigators said they continue to speak with witnesses as they continue to process the scene. Anyone with information about the incident should report it to KCPD at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Police investigate deadly shooting at KC apartment complex

RUSSELL COUNTY — Spring thunderstorms brought flooding rain, large hail and extreme winds Sunday afternoon and evening across Kansas. There are no injuries reported.

The storms started tracking across the state just after 2p.m. and prompted numerous watches and tornado warnings.

Just before 5p.m. the Salina Airport recorded winds of of 100 miles per hour. Heavy rain caused flooding over Highway 14 in Ellsworth County.

The storms in Harvey and Sedgwick counties produced 80-90mph winds that caused structural damage, downed power lines, and turned over semis, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716159390070.jpeg" alt="Halstead and Pleasent Hill Road Outside Salina looking west at 5:35 p.m. on Sunday May 19." />
 <figcaption>Halstead and Pleasent Hill Road Outside Salina looking west at 5:35 p.m. on Sunday May 19.</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELL COUNTY — Spring thunderstorms brought flooding rain, large hail and extreme winds Sunday afternoon and evening across Kansas. There are no injuries reported.The storms started tracking across the state just after 2p.m. and prompted numerous watches and tornado warnings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716165740455.png" alt="Photo city of Russell" />
 <figcaption>Photo city of Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 5p.m. the Salina Airport recorded winds of of 100 miles per hour. Heavy rain caused flooding over Highway 14 in Ellsworth County.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At 5:55PM, quarter to golf ball sized hail was reported in Salina. A 100 mph measured wind gust was just reported at Salina Airport at 6PM. Get into shelter now if you are in Salina! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1792331022694338766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716162978638.png" alt="Drivers parking under the overpass at I-70 and I-135 in Salina during the storm-image KanDrive camera" />
 <figcaption>Drivers parking under the overpass at I-70 and I-135 in Salina during the storm-image KanDrive camera</figcaption>
 </figure>The storms in Harvey and Sedgwick counties produced 80-90mph winds that caused structural damage, downed power lines, and turned over semis, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716168322617.png" alt="Storm damage photo city of Russell" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage photo city of Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Russell experienced golf ball-sized hail and 82 mph wind gusts as a tornado-warned storm passed through the area causing significant damage across the community.&nbsp; Power was out in most of the community and at least three structures were leveled, according to a report on the city's social media page. Power lines are down and trees are blocking roadways in Russell and many communities across the region.Newton USD 373 canceled school for Monday at Chisholm Middle School due to weather damage.&nbsp;Unified School District 407, Russell also cancelled classes due to weather related issues.There were over 18,000 residents in Hutchinson without power Sunday night according to the Evergy outage map, after a severe thunderstorm with 86 mile per hour winds, measured at 7:40p.m. at the Hutchinson Airport.The storm caused significant damage in Burrton, with Highway 50 shut down between Yoder Road and the Harvey County line Sunday night due to a chemical leak. Haven Road was also closed due to power poles down east of town.&nbsp;Burrton residents were temporarily asked to shelter in place due to a the possible chemical leak at the damaged oil facility west of the city. The alert was issued just after 9 p.m and lifted at approximately 11 p.m. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716198838451.png" alt="Photo Harvey County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photo Harvey County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>Several damaged buildings were reported throughout Harvey county.Other roadways in Harvey were closed as of Sunday night due to flooding, tree damage or power line damage include:· North Burmac Road from U.S. 50 to Northwest 24th Street· Southwest 36th Street between Halstead Road and Old Settlers Road· North Spring Lake Road from U.S. 50 to West First Street· North Golden Prairie Road from U.S. 50 to Northwest 24th Street· North River Park Road from U.S. 50 to West First StreetPower outages were numerous throughout Harvey county. Evergy reported more than 10,000 customers affected in Harvey County, and Butler Electric reported 98 customers without power.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716202728350.png" alt="-Photo Harvey County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>-Photo Harvey County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>Harvey County issued a verbal disaster declaration due to the weather damage. Disaster declarations aid with coordination of resources if needed.Haven Police reported that there is damage to various structures throughout that city. The Senior Center is open for those who need power as of Sunday night, but if you don't have to get out, travel is not recommended until at least sunrise.According to the Evergy&nbsp;<a href="https://outagemap.evergy.com/" target="_blank">outage map</a>, at least 20,000 people living in and around Overland Park, Kansas, had experienced a power outage. About 20,000 people in and around Kansas City, Missouri, also were without power.