SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child in Shawnee County and have arrested the child's mother.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an incident on SW Worwick Town Road, according to Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.

First responders found a 9-year-old child located inside the residence, suffering from multiple wounds to the chest and neck. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives were in the process of executing a search warrant at the&nbsp; home. The mother of the deceased child, Shyla M. Goracke, 29, of Topeka, has been placed into custody in connection with the matter. She is currently at a local hospital. An autopsy examination is scheduled for Friday.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child in Shawnee County.

First responders found&nbsp;a deceased child and took an adult into custody.

SW Worwick Town Road was currently closed between SW Gamwell Road and SW 40th Street while the investigation continues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718926405051.png" alt="Photo Courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child in Shawnee County and have arrested the child's mother.Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an incident on SW Worwick Town Road, according to Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.First responders found a 9-year-old child located inside the residence, suffering from multiple wounds to the chest and neck. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.Detectives were in the process of executing a search warrant at the&nbsp; home. The mother of the deceased child, Shyla M. Goracke, 29, of Topeka, has been placed into custody in connection with the matter. She is currently at a local hospital. An autopsy examination is scheduled for Friday.----------------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child in Shawnee County.Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an incident on SW Worwick Town Road, according to Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.First responders found&nbsp;a deceased child and took an adult into custody.SW Worwick Town Road was currently closed between SW Gamwell Road and SW 40th Street while the investigation continues.

Kan. mother in custody after her 9-year-old child found dead

KANSAS CITY —A woman injured in a shooting in Kansas City has died.

Just before 1a.m. June 17, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting at 3200 E. Linwood, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Upon arrival officers located 29-year-old Taylor Thomas&nbsp;lying in the yard just to the east of a nearby building suffering from apparent gunshot injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.

On Thursday police learned Thomas had died.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide and detectives are making progress identifying a person of interest, according to Gonzalez.

KANSAS CITY —A woman injured in a shooting in Kansas City has died.Just before 1a.m. June 17, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting at 3200 E. Linwood, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Upon arrival officers located 29-year-old Taylor Thomas&nbsp;lying in the yard just to the east of a nearby building suffering from apparent gunshot injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries.On Thursday police learned Thomas had died.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide and detectives are making progress identifying a person of interest, according to Gonzalez.

Homicide: KC woman dies four days after injured in shooting

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) experienced the busiest May in its history last month, according to a statement from the airport.

The Kansas City Aviation Department reports that 1,107,092 passengers arrived and departed through Kansas City International Airport’s gates in May 2024, an 8.1-percent increase from May 2023 and an all-time high for the month of May.

"Passenger traffic at Kansas City International Airport has been steadily growing, and hitting an all-time high in May is an amazing milestone,” said Director of Aviation Melissa Cooper.

 “We feel this is driven by a strong local economy, competitive air fares, and new and enhanced air service by our airline partners. The new terminal, which opened last year, has created an environment for the airlines to add routes and use larger capacity aircraft, which translates to more passengers. Many thanks to the airlines and the Kansas City region for the continued growth.

”Passenger boardings were up 8.4 percent, with a total of 568,183 boarded. Year-to-date passenger boardings are 2,361,129, up 7.6 percent. For the year to date, total passengers in and out total 4,711,870, up 7.6 percent.

Air cargo tonnages, which consist of both freight and mail transported by air, for all carriers at Kansas City International were up 20.9 percent in May with a total of 23.8 million pounds handled. Year to date, 105.6 million pounds of air cargo has been handled, up 9.1 percent. Air freight handled at Kansas City International during May amounted to 23.3 million pounds, up 23.7 percent year-over-year. 

Year to date, air freight is up 11.7 percent with a total of 104.5 million pounds handled. Air mail for May was down 40.3 percent from May 2023 with 513,118 pounds handled. Air mail year to date for 2024 is down 65.6 percent from 2023 with 1.1 million pounds handled.The number of peak-day scheduled aircraft departures for May 2024 was 162. Service was offered to 49 nonstop markets. There was an average of 44,318 arriving and departing scheduled seats in the market each day. The all-cargo carriers reported 11 daily departures for May.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718925599043.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas City International Airport" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas City International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City International Airport (MCI) experienced the busiest May in its history last month, according to a statement from the airport.The Kansas City Aviation Department reports that 1,107,092 passengers arrived and departed through Kansas City International Airport’s gates in May 2024, an 8.1-percent increase from May 2023 and an all-time high for the month of May."Passenger traffic at Kansas City International Airport has been steadily growing, and hitting an all-time high in May is an amazing milestone,” said Director of Aviation Melissa Cooper. “We feel this is driven by a strong local economy, competitive air fares, and new and enhanced air service by our airline partners. The new terminal, which opened last year, has created an environment for the airlines to add routes and use larger capacity aircraft, which translates to more passengers. Many thanks to the airlines and the Kansas City region for the continued growth.”Passenger boardings were up 8.4 percent, with a total of 568,183 boarded. Year-to-date passenger boardings are 2,361,129, up 7.6 percent. For the year to date, total passengers in and out total 4,711,870, up 7.6 percent.Air cargo tonnages, which consist of both freight and mail transported by air, for all carriers at Kansas City International were up 20.9 percent in May with a total of 23.8 million pounds handled. Year to date, 105.6 million pounds of air cargo has been handled, up 9.1 percent. Air freight handled at Kansas City International during May amounted to 23.3 million pounds, up 23.7 percent year-over-year. Year to date, air freight is up 11.7 percent with a total of 104.5 million pounds handled. Air mail for May was down 40.3 percent from May 2023 with 513,118 pounds handled. Air mail year to date for 2024 is down 65.6 percent from 2023 with 1.1 million pounds handled.The number of peak-day scheduled aircraft departures for May 2024 was 162. Service was offered to 49 nonstop markets. There was an average of 44,318 arriving and departing scheduled seats in the market each day. The all-cargo carriers reported 11 daily departures for May.

Kansas City International Airport: Busiest May in airport history

LABETTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Thursday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by Jake R. Westhoff, 35, St. Paul, was eastbound on 27000 Road just east of Rooks Road.

The pickup rear-ended a 2001 Honda motorcycle driven by George WM Shaw, 61, Parsons, that was disabled with no lights on.

Shaw was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Medical. Westhoff was not injured. Shaw was not wearding a helmet, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Thursday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by Jake R. Westhoff, 35, St. Paul, was eastbound on 27000 Road just east of Rooks Road.The pickup rear-ended a 2001 Honda motorcycle driven by George WM Shaw, 61, Parsons, that was disabled with no lights on.Shaw was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Medical. Westhoff was not injured. Shaw was not wearding a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dies after pickup rear-ends broken down motorcycle

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide that occurred Tuesday northeast of Kearney, Missouri, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff.

At 10 p.m. June 18, a 911 caller reported a man had been shot at a home in the 16200 block of Kountry Ridge Drive. 

Ricky Allen, 50, died at the scene. Deputies took the suspect into custody at the home. 

Allen's wife, Melissa I. Hoffner-Allen, has now been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in his death. She is being held in our detention center on a $250,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718879912924.png" alt="Hoffner-Allen photo Clay County&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hoffner-Allen photo Clay County&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide that occurred Tuesday northeast of Kearney, Missouri, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff.At 10 p.m. June 18, a 911 caller reported a man had been shot at a home in the 16200 block of Kountry Ridge Drive. Ricky Allen, 50, died at the scene. Deputies took the suspect into custody at the home. Allen's wife, Melissa I. Hoffner-Allen, has now been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in his death. She is being held in our detention center on a $250,000 bond.

Sheriff: Rural KC-area woman charged with killing her husband

HUTCHINSON, Kan —A man who tried to kill a woman and shot at a car with her and their children in it&nbsp;was sentenced to 240 months in prison with a 36 months post release on Thursday morning.

Reno County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh told Hutch Post on May 3, that the defendant, Kamden Campos, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping, no contest to four separate attempts to kill the woman, guilty to knowingly causing great bodily harm to the 22 month old in the car, as a bullet had entered the license plate, traveled through the car seat and entered the back of the toddler.

Campos also plead no contest to attempted murder in the first degree of a baby who was also in the back seat when the car was shot at and plead guilty to two counts of criminal threat.

The pleas of guilty were admission of guilt. The no contest pleas were admissions that the State of Kansas had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt and that evidence was not contested.&nbsp;

The prosecution informed the Court of the factual basis to support the counts and he was then found guilty.&nbsp;

The prosecution for the case was conducted by Assistant Senior District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh and Assistant District Attorney Sierra Logan.&nbsp;Kampos was represented by Criminal Defense Attorney Kurt P. Kerns.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669822978225.jpeg" alt="Kamden Campos-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Kamden Campos-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>EMMIE BOESE&nbsp;&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan —A man who tried to kill a woman and shot at a car with her and their children in it&nbsp;was sentenced to 240 months in prison with a 36 months post release on Thursday morning.Reno County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh told Hutch Post on May 3, that the defendant, Kamden Campos, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping, no contest to four separate attempts to kill the woman, guilty to knowingly causing great bodily harm to the 22 month old in the car, as a bullet had entered the license plate, traveled through the car seat and entered the back of the toddler.Campos also plead no contest to attempted murder in the first degree of a baby who was also in the back seat when the car was shot at and plead guilty to two counts of criminal threat.The pleas of guilty were admission of guilt. The no contest pleas were admissions that the State of Kansas had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt and that evidence was not contested.&nbsp;The prosecution informed the Court of the factual basis to support the counts and he was then found guilty.&nbsp;The prosecution for the case was conducted by Assistant Senior District Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh and Assistant District Attorney Sierra Logan.&nbsp;Kampos was represented by Criminal Defense Attorney Kurt P. Kerns.

 Kansas man going to prison for abduction, shooting toddler

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged theft and burglary.

Just after 7p.m. June 19, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an enclosed trailer that had been stolen from a rural property near Delia, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

A Jackson County Deputy located the stolen trailer at a residence in Rossville. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Silver Lake Police then located the suspect at a different address in the City of Rossville. 

The suspect, Tanner Joseph Allen, 27, of Rossville, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of theft, burglary and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718727037393.png" alt="Allen-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Allen-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged theft and burglary.Just after 7p.m. June 19, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an enclosed trailer that had been stolen from a rural property near Delia, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.A Jackson County Deputy located the stolen trailer at a residence in Rossville. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Silver Lake Police then located the suspect at a different address in the City of Rossville. The suspect, Tanner Joseph Allen, 27, of Rossville, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of theft, burglary and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of trailer theft from rural property

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement and railroad officials continue investigating a fatal accident in Topeka.

Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, a Union Pacific train struck and killed an individual near N Kansas Ave and NE Norris Street, according to&nbsp;Meg Siffring with Union Pacific.

The train crew was not injured. Union Pacific is working with local authorities to understand what led up to the incident.&nbsp; Train operations resumed about 9:15 p.m. Tuesdayt

 The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718757295503.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement and railroad officials continue investigating a fatal accident in Topeka.Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, a Union Pacific train struck and killed an individual near N Kansas Ave and NE Norris Street, according to&nbsp;Meg Siffring with Union Pacific.The train crew was not injured. Union Pacific is working with local authorities to understand what led up to the incident.&nbsp; Train operations resumed about 9:15 p.m. Tuesdayt The name of the victim has not been released.

Fatal Kan. train, pedestrian incident remains under investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is headed into its final few weeks with about a third of the cases heard this year still undecided, including ones that could reshape the law on everything from guns to abortion to social media. The justices are also still weighing whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution in the election interference case against him, more than a month after hearing arguments.

The court heard 61 cases this term, and 19 remain unresolved.

Here's a look at some of the major undecided cases:

Donald Trump is arguing that former presidents are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;for official acts they took in office and that the indictment he faces on charges of election interference must be dismissed.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled that former presidents can’t be sued in civil cases for what they did in office, but it has never weighed in on criminal immunity.

The timing of the decision may be as important as the outcome. Trump’s trial in Washington, D.C., may not take place before the November election, even if the court rules he is not immune.

A former Pennsylvania police officer is challenging the validity of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-capitol-riot-obstruction-charge-trump-d4b01cb32cdbd2065e802902a90bd9f1">obstruction charges</a>&nbsp;brought against hundreds of people who took part in the violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump faces the same charge of obstructing an official proceeding.

The issue is whether a law meant to discourage tampering with documents sought in investigations can be used against the Capitol rioters.

There’s a second abortion case on the docket this year: whether doctors can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-emergencies-hospitals-doctors-45766f0a1ab576ce0f6515c5a1bd9e2a">provide that medical procedure in emergencies</a>&nbsp;in states that banned abortion after the court overturned Roe v. Wade.

In a case out of Idaho, the Biden administration says abortions must be allowed in emergencies where a woman’s health is at serious risk.

The state argues that its strict abortion ban does allow abortions to save a woman’s life, and doesn’t need to expand exceptions for health risks.

The justices are weighing whether to uphold a federal law that seeks to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-b86948dc6103573898c3757b998a0a6c">protect domestic violence victims</a>&nbsp;by keeping guns away from the people alleged to have abused them. An appeals court struck down a law that prohibits people under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. That court found that the law violated the 2nd Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights and changed how courts are supposed to evaluate gun restrictions.

The most significant Supreme Court case in decades on homelessness centers on whether people can be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homelessness-supreme-court-oregon-fines-camping-ban-334d90536535ebb07ccb6d2dc76009c9">banned from sleeping outdoors</a>&nbsp;when shelter space is lacking.

A San Francisco-based appeals court decision said that amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Leaders from California and across the West say that the ruling makes it harder for them to regulate homeless encampments encroaching on sidewalks and other public places.

Advocates say it would criminalize homelessness just as rising costs have pushed the number of people without a permanent place to live to record levels.

The justices could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-chevron-regulations-environment-fish-e0c83212c892887860f7800c1ae1e02b">overturn a 40-year-old decision</a>&nbsp;that has been cited thousands of times in federal court cases and used to uphold regulations on the environment, public health, workplace safety and consumer protections. The decision colloquially known as Chevron calls on judges to defer to federal regulators when the words of a statute are not crystal clear. The decision has long been targeted by conservative and business interests who say Chevron robs judges of their authority and gives too much power to regulators.

Three cases remain unresolved at the intersection of social media and government.

Two cases involve social media laws in Texas and Florida that would limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users. While the details vary, both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies were liberal-leaning and censored users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right.

In the third case, Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. A federal appeals court sided with the states in finding that administration officials unconstitutionally coerced the platforms to limit conservative points of view.

The Supreme Court controls the fate of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/purdue-pharma-trustee-bankruptcy-sackler-opioid-oxycontin-713134927e34ef071803b3983ddd01ac">nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma</a>&nbsp;that would allocate billions of dollars to combat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opioids">the opioid epidemic</a>, but also provide a legal shield for members of the Sackler family who own the company. The settlement has been on hold since last summer after the Supreme Court agreed to weigh in.

Republican-led, energy-producing states and the steel industry want the court to put the Environmental Protection Agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-good-neighbor-air-pollution-rules-9d29c120d276f4bad5b3ea2c75d107ff">air pollution-fighting “good neighbor” plan</a>&nbsp;on hold while legal challenges continue. The plan aims to protect downwind states that receive unwanted air pollution from other states.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is headed into its final few weeks with about a third of the cases heard this year still undecided, including ones that could reshape the law on everything from guns to abortion to social media. The justices are also still weighing whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution in the election interference case against him, more than a month after hearing arguments.The court heard 61 cases this term, and 19 remain unresolved.Here's a look at some of the major undecided cases:<h2>Presidential immunity</h2>Donald Trump is arguing that former presidents are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;for official acts they took in office and that the indictment he faces on charges of election interference must be dismissed.The Supreme Court has previously ruled that former presidents can’t be sued in civil cases for what they did in office, but it has never weighed in on criminal immunity.The timing of the decision may be as important as the outcome. Trump’s trial in Washington, D.C., may not take place before the November election, even if the court rules he is not immune.<h2>Jan. 6, 2021</h2>A former Pennsylvania police officer is challenging the validity of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-capitol-riot-obstruction-charge-trump-d4b01cb32cdbd2065e802902a90bd9f1">obstruction charges</a>&nbsp;brought against hundreds of people who took part in the violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump faces the same charge of obstructing an official proceeding.The issue is whether a law meant to discourage tampering with documents sought in investigations can be used against the Capitol rioters.<h2>Emergency abortion</h2>There’s a second abortion case on the docket this year: whether doctors can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-emergencies-hospitals-doctors-45766f0a1ab576ce0f6515c5a1bd9e2a">provide that medical procedure in emergencies</a>&nbsp;in states that banned abortion after the court overturned Roe v. Wade.In a case out of Idaho, the Biden administration says abortions must be allowed in emergencies where a woman’s health is at serious risk.The state argues that its strict abortion ban does allow abortions to save a woman’s life, and doesn’t need to expand exceptions for health risks.<h2>Guns</h2>The justices are weighing whether to uphold a federal law that seeks to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-b86948dc6103573898c3757b998a0a6c">protect domestic violence victims</a>&nbsp;by keeping guns away from the people alleged to have abused them. An appeals court struck down a law that prohibits people under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. That court found that the law violated the 2nd Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights and changed how courts are supposed to evaluate gun restrictions.<h2>Homelessness</h2>The most significant Supreme Court case in decades on homelessness centers on whether people can be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homelessness-supreme-court-oregon-fines-camping-ban-334d90536535ebb07ccb6d2dc76009c9">banned from sleeping outdoors</a>&nbsp;when shelter space is lacking.A San Francisco-based appeals court decision said that amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.Leaders from California and across the West say that the ruling makes it harder for them to regulate homeless encampments encroaching on sidewalks and other public places.Advocates say it would criminalize homelessness just as rising costs have pushed the number of people without a permanent place to live to record levels.<h2>Chevron</h2>The justices could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-chevron-regulations-environment-fish-e0c83212c892887860f7800c1ae1e02b">overturn a 40-year-old decision</a>&nbsp;that has been cited thousands of times in federal court cases and used to uphold regulations on the environment, public health, workplace safety and consumer protections. The decision colloquially known as Chevron calls on judges to defer to federal regulators when the words of a statute are not crystal clear. The decision has long been targeted by conservative and business interests who say Chevron robs judges of their authority and gives too much power to regulators.<h2>Social media</h2>Three cases remain unresolved at the intersection of social media and government.Two cases involve social media laws in Texas and Florida that would limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users. While the details vary, both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies were liberal-leaning and censored users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right.In the third case, Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. A federal appeals court sided with the states in finding that administration officials unconstitutionally coerced the platforms to limit conservative points of view.<h2>Purdue Pharma</h2>The Supreme Court controls the fate of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/purdue-pharma-trustee-bankruptcy-sackler-opioid-oxycontin-713134927e34ef071803b3983ddd01ac">nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma</a>&nbsp;that would allocate billions of dollars to combat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opioids">the opioid epidemic</a>, but also provide a legal shield for members of the Sackler family who own the company. The settlement has been on hold since last summer after the Supreme Court agreed to weigh in.<h2>Air pollution</h2>Republican-led, energy-producing states and the steel industry want the court to put the Environmental Protection Agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-good-neighbor-air-pollution-rules-9d29c120d276f4bad5b3ea2c75d107ff">air pollution-fighting “good neighbor” plan</a>&nbsp;on hold while legal challenges continue. The plan aims to protect downwind states that receive unwanted air pollution from other states.<h2>SEC</h2>

Supreme Court still undecided on some very big cases

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-sutherland">Donald Sutherland,</a>&nbsp;the Canadian actor whose wry, arrestingly off-kilter screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games,” has died. He was 88.

Son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f174fc712390468ca3bee33b0e9f24bf">Kiefer Sutherland</a>&nbsp;confirmed the death Thursday. No details were immediately available.

“I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film,” Kiefer Sutherland said on X. “Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that.”

The tall and gaunt Sutherland, who flashed a grin that could be sweet or diabolical, was known for offbeat characters like Hawkeye Pierce in Robert Altman's "M.A.S.H.," the hippie tank commander in "Kelly's Heroes" and the stoned professor in "Animal House."

Before transitioning into a long career as a respected character actor, Sutherland epitomized the unpredictable, antiestablishment cinema of the 1970s. He never stopped working, ultimately appearing in nearly 200 films and series.

Over the decades, Sutherland showed his range in more buttoned-down — but still eccentric — roles in Robert Redford's "Ordinary People" and Oliver Stone's "JFK." More, recently, he starred in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunger-games-suzanne-collins-sunrise-reaping-b30163b4707f4db55eb68513f197affc">the “Hunger Games” films.</a>&nbsp;A memoir, “Made Up, But Still True,” is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-sutherland-memoir-book-hunger-games-b62334825f72f00c4ab4042e5dc24fc3">due out in November.</a>

"I love to work. I passionately love to work," Sutherland told Charlie Rose in 1998. "I love to feel my hand fit into the glove of some other character. I feel a huge freedom — time stops for me. I'm not as crazy as I used to be, but I'm still a little crazy."

Born in St. John, New Brunswick, Donald McNichol Sutherland was the son of a salesman and a mathematics teacher. Raised in Nova Scotia, he was a disc jockey with his own radio station at age 14.

"When I was 13 or 14, I really thought everything I felt was wrong and dangerous, and that God was going to kill me for it," Sutherland told The New York Times in 1981. "My father always said, 'Keep your mouth shut, Donnie, and maybe people will think you have character.'"

Sutherland began as an engineering student at the University of Toronto but switched to English and started acting in school theatrical productions. While studying, he met Lois Hardwick, an aspiring actress. They married in 1959 but divorced seven years later.

After graduating in 1956, Sutherland attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to study acting. He began appearing in West End plays and British television. After a move to Los Angeles, a series of war films changed his trajectory.

His breakthrough was "The Dirty Dozen" (1967), in which he played Vernon Pinkley, the officer-impersonating psychopath. 1970 saw the release of both the World War II yarn "Kelly's Heroes" and "M.A.S.H.," a smash hit that catapulted Sutherland to stardom.

"There is more challenge in character roles," Sutherland told The Washington Post in 1970. "There's longevity. A good character actor can show a different face in every film and not bore the public."

If Sutherland had had his way, Altman would have been fired from “M.A.S.H.” He was unhappy with the director’s unorthodox, improvisational style. But the film caught on beyond anyone’s expectations.

Sutherland identified personally with its anti-war message. Outspoken against the Vietnam War, he along with actress Jane Fonda and others founded the Free Theater Associates in 1971. Banned by the Army because of their political views, they performed in venues near military bases in Southeast Asia in 1973.

“I thought I was going to be part of a revolution that was going to change movies and its influence on people,” Sutherland told the Los Angeles Times.

His career as a leading man peaked in the 1970s, when he starred in films by the era's top directors — even if they didn't always do their best work with him. Sutherland, who frequently said he considered himself at the service of a director's vision, worked with Federico Fellini (1976's "Fellini's Casanova"), Bernardo Bertolucci (1976's "1900"), Claude Chabrol (1978's "Blood Relatives") and John Schlesinger (1975's "The Day of the Locust").

One of his finest performances came as a detective in Alan Pakula's "Klute" (1971). It was during filming that he met Fonda, with whom he had a three-year relationship that began at the end of his second marriage to actor Shirley Douglas. He and Douglas divorced in 1971 after having twins: Rachel and Kiefer, who was named after Warren Kiefer, the writer of Sutherland's first film, “Castle of the Living Dead.”

Nicolas Roeg's psychological horror film “Don't Look Now” (1973) was another high point. Sutherland starred with Julie Christie as a grieving married couple who move to Venice after their daughter's death. The film included a famous, explicit sex scene, artfully edited.

“Nic and I thought that maybe I would die in the process of it, so much were we committed,” Sutherland once said. His admiration for the film and Roeg was such that he and his next wife, actress Francine Racette, named their first-born child Roeg.

Sutherland married Racette in 1972 and remained with her the rest of his life. She survives him. They had two other children together: Rossif, named after the director Frederic Rossif; and Angus Redford, named after Redford.

Robert Redford's “Ordinary People" (1980) also dealt with the loss of a child. His directorial debut, starring Sutherland as the father of a family destroyed by tragedy, won four Oscars, including best picture.

Sutherland was never nominated for an Oscar but received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-arts-and-entertainment-movies-ae3919aa51e942a8ba6458ebd15daf17">an honorary Oscar in 2017.</a>&nbsp;He did win an Emmy in 1995 for the TV film "Citizen X" and won two Golden Globes for "Citizen X" and the 2003 TV film "Path to War."

Sutherland's New York stage debut in 1981, though, went terribly. He played Humbert Humbert in Edward Albee's adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," and the reviews were merciless; it closed after a dozen performances. A down period in the '80s followed, with failures like the 1981 satire "Gas" and the 1984 comedy "Crackers."

But Sutherland continued to work steadily and increasingly worked in television, most memorably in HBO's "Path to War," in which he played President Lyndon Johnson's defense secretary, Clark Clifford.

After son Kiefer emerged as a star, Sutherland appeared in numerous films with him, including the 1996 thriller “A Time to Kill” and 2015’s “Forsaken.” But he turned down the chance to play the father on the hit series “24.”

To a younger generation, Sutherland was most familiar as President Snow in “The Hunger Games” franchise beginning with the 2012 original. Sutherland sought out the part.

“The role of the president had maybe a line in the script. Maybe two. Didn’t make any difference,” Sutherland told GQ. “I thought it was an incredibly important film, and I wanted to be a part of it.” He said he hoped the movie would inspire young people who were “dormant” politically.

In his final years, the nonstop actor mused about dying onscreen, for real.

“I’m really hoping that in some movie I’m doing, I die — but I die, me, Donald — and they’re able to use my funeral and the coffin,” Sutherland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-arts-and-entertainment-movies-ae3919aa51e942a8ba6458ebd15daf17">told the AP</a>. “That would be absolutely ideal. I would love that.”

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-sutherland">Donald Sutherland,</a>&nbsp;the Canadian actor whose wry, arrestingly off-kilter screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games,” has died. He was 88.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more… <a href="https://t.co/3EdJB03KKT">pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT</a>&mdash; Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealKiefer/status/1803837822677225581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f174fc712390468ca3bee33b0e9f24bf">Kiefer Sutherland</a>&nbsp;confirmed the death Thursday. No details were immediately available.“I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film,” Kiefer Sutherland said on X. “Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that.”The tall and gaunt Sutherland, who flashed a grin that could be sweet or diabolical, was known for offbeat characters like Hawkeye Pierce in Robert Altman's "M.A.S.H.," the hippie tank commander in "Kelly's Heroes" and the stoned professor in "Animal House."Before transitioning into a long career as a respected character actor, Sutherland epitomized the unpredictable, antiestablishment cinema of the 1970s. He never stopped working, ultimately appearing in nearly 200 films and series.Over the decades, Sutherland showed his range in more buttoned-down — but still eccentric — roles in Robert Redford's "Ordinary People" and Oliver Stone's "JFK." More, recently, he starred in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunger-games-suzanne-collins-sunrise-reaping-b30163b4707f4db55eb68513f197affc">the “Hunger Games” films.</a>&nbsp;A memoir, “Made Up, But Still True,” is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-sutherland-memoir-book-hunger-games-b62334825f72f00c4ab4042e5dc24fc3">due out in November.</a>"I love to work. I passionately love to work," Sutherland told Charlie Rose in 1998. "I love to feel my hand fit into the glove of some other character. I feel a huge freedom — time stops for me. I'm not as crazy as I used to be, but I'm still a little crazy."Born in St. John, New Brunswick, Donald McNichol Sutherland was the son of a salesman and a mathematics teacher. Raised in Nova Scotia, he was a disc jockey with his own radio station at age 14."When I was 13 or 14, I really thought everything I felt was wrong and dangerous, and that God was going to kill me for it," Sutherland told The New York Times in 1981. "My father always said, 'Keep your mouth shut, Donnie, and maybe people will think you have character.'"Sutherland began as an engineering student at the University of Toronto but switched to English and started acting in school theatrical productions. While studying, he met Lois Hardwick, an aspiring actress. They married in 1959 but divorced seven years later.After graduating in 1956, Sutherland attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to study acting. He began appearing in West End plays and British television. After a move to Los Angeles, a series of war films changed his trajectory.His breakthrough was "The Dirty Dozen" (1967), in which he played Vernon Pinkley, the officer-impersonating psychopath. 1970 saw the release of both the World War II yarn "Kelly's Heroes" and "M.A.S.H.," a smash hit that catapulted Sutherland to stardom."There is more challenge in character roles," Sutherland told The Washington Post in 1970. "There's longevity. A good character actor can show a different face in every film and not bore the public."If Sutherland had had his way, Altman would have been fired from “M.A.S.H.” He was unhappy with the director’s unorthodox, improvisational style. But the film caught on beyond anyone’s expectations.Sutherland identified personally with its anti-war message. Outspoken against the Vietnam War, he along with actress Jane Fonda and others founded the Free Theater Associates in 1971. Banned by the Army because of their political views, they performed in venues near military bases in Southeast Asia in 1973.“I thought I was going to be part of a revolution that was going to change movies and its influence on people,” Sutherland told the Los Angeles Times.His career as a leading man peaked in the 1970s, when he starred in films by the era's top directors — even if they didn't always do their best work with him. Sutherland, who frequently said he considered himself at the service of a director's vision, worked with Federico Fellini (1976's "Fellini's Casanova"), Bernardo Bertolucci (1976's "1900"), Claude Chabrol (1978's "Blood Relatives") and John Schlesinger (1975's "The Day of the Locust").One of his finest performances came as a detective in Alan Pakula's "Klute" (1971). It was during filming that he met Fonda, with whom he had a three-year relationship that began at the end of his second marriage to actor Shirley Douglas. He and Douglas divorced in 1971 after having twins: Rachel and Kiefer, who was named after Warren Kiefer, the writer of Sutherland's first film, “Castle of the Living Dead.”Nicolas Roeg's psychological horror film “Don't Look Now” (1973) was another high point. Sutherland starred with Julie Christie as a grieving married couple who move to Venice after their daughter's death. The film included a famous, explicit sex scene, artfully edited.“Nic and I thought that maybe I would die in the process of it, so much were we committed,” Sutherland once said. His admiration for the film and Roeg was such that he and his next wife, actress Francine Racette, named their first-born child Roeg.Sutherland married Racette in 1972 and remained with her the rest of his life. She survives him. They had two other children together: Rossif, named after the director Frederic Rossif; and Angus Redford, named after Redford.Robert Redford's “Ordinary People" (1980) also dealt with the loss of a child. His directorial debut, starring Sutherland as the father of a family destroyed by tragedy, won four Oscars, including best picture.Sutherland was never nominated for an Oscar but received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-arts-and-entertainment-movies-ae3919aa51e942a8ba6458ebd15daf17">an honorary Oscar in 2017.</a>&nbsp;He did win an Emmy in 1995 for the TV film "Citizen X" and won two Golden Globes for "Citizen X" and the 2003 TV film "Path to War."Sutherland's New York stage debut in 1981, though, went terribly. He played Humbert Humbert in Edward Albee's adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," and the reviews were merciless; it closed after a dozen performances. A down period in the '80s followed, with failures like the 1981 satire "Gas" and the 1984 comedy "Crackers."But Sutherland continued to work steadily and increasingly worked in television, most memorably in HBO's "Path to War," in which he played President Lyndon Johnson's defense secretary, Clark Clifford.After son Kiefer emerged as a star, Sutherland appeared in numerous films with him, including the 1996 thriller “A Time to Kill” and 2015’s “Forsaken.” But he turned down the chance to play the father on the hit series “24.”To a younger generation, Sutherland was most familiar as President Snow in “The Hunger Games” franchise beginning with the 2012 original. Sutherland sought out the part.“The role of the president had maybe a line in the script. Maybe two. Didn’t make any difference,” Sutherland told GQ. “I thought it was an incredibly important film, and I wanted to be a part of it.” He said he hoped the movie would inspire young people who were “dormant” politically.In his final years, the nonstop actor mused about dying onscreen, for real.“I’m really hoping that in some movie I’m doing, I die — but I die, me, Donald — and they’re able to use my funeral and the coffin,” Sutherland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-arts-and-entertainment-movies-ae3919aa51e942a8ba6458ebd15daf17">told the AP</a>. “That would be absolutely ideal. I would love that.”

Donald Sutherland, star of ‘MASH,’ ‘Klute’ and ‘Hunger Games,’ dies at 88 

MARION COUNTY —First responders are on the scene of a double-fatal crash in Marion County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash involving two vehicles occurred just after 6:30 a.m. on Highway 50 just west of Florence. Each vehicle had a single occupant.

Authorities released no additional details just before 9 a.m. Thursday.

The roadway continues to experience traffic issues as first responders remain on scene to further investigate this tragic event. Please continue to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Check the Post for additional details as they are released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718907171392.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>MARION COUNTY —First responders are on the scene of a double-fatal crash in Marion County.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash involving two vehicles occurred just after 6:30 a.m. on Highway 50 just west of Florence. Each vehicle had a single occupant.Authorities released no additional details just before 9 a.m. Thursday.The roadway continues to experience traffic issues as first responders remain on scene to further investigate this tragic event. Please continue to avoid the area and use alternative routes.Check the Post for additional details as they are released.

KHP IDs two Kansas men who died after head-on crash

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey accusing Planned Parenthood of transporting minors out of state for abortions will move forward, a judge ruled Tuesday evening.

The lawsuit is based on conversations between Planned Parenthood staff and a man with Project Veritas who secretly filmed the staff while<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289159614.html">&nbsp;inquiring about an abortion for his fake 13-year-old niece.&nbsp;</a>

Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which runs the Kansas City area clinic where the video was taken, asked that the judge dismiss the lawsuit shortly after it was filed.&nbsp;

“We’re reviewing all our options and will continue to vigorously defend this case based on hypotheticals and fictitious patients,” Erin Thompson, general counsel with Planned Parenthood Great Plain, said in a statement Wednesday.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/10/planned-parenthood-andrew-bailey-project-veritas/">At a hearing in early June,</a>&nbsp;John Andrew Hirth, an attorney for Planned Parenthood, said there was no proof the Kansas City area clinic broke the law.

“There’s no allegation that any abortion has been performed either in Missouri or outside of Missouri, with or without parental consent here,” Hirth said. “The whole conversation is hypothetical.”

But Boone County Judge Brouck Jacobs found merit for moving forward with the case. He did not issue an opinion along with his ruling explaining his reasoning.

“This is the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood in the State of Missouri,” Bailey said in a statement Tuesday following the ruling.

The video, captured in December, was posted on social media by Project Veritas, a self-proclaimed right wing news organization that often conducts undercover stings.&nbsp;

The man filming in the clinic told staff that the made-up girl’s parents couldn’t know about the abortion. Staff then directed him to their affiliate clinics in Kansas where they said he could “bypass” parental consent.&nbsp; When the man asked how often girls go out of state for abortions, the Planned Parenthood employee said it happens “every day.”

Kathryn Monroe, who represented the attorney general’s office at the hearing, said while the man’s questions were hypothetical, the employee at Planned Parenthood thought the situation was real.&nbsp;

“There was admitted conduct about what they would do in this actual situation,” she said.

The attorney general’s office in its arguments before the court pointed to Missouri law which states: “No one shall intentionally cause aid or assist a minor to obtain an abortion.”&nbsp;

That law was written before the state’s trigger law went into place in June 2022, effectively making all abortions — with the exception of life-threatening situations — illegal.

Missouri doesn’t have explicit laws requiring parental consent for minors getting abortions in other states, nor does it prohibit minors from going to other states to get abortions.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0005_section/065_067_0005_k/">Kansas law</a>&nbsp;requires physicians to either obtain parental consent or to go through the judicial bypass process where a judge can authorize a minor to get an abortion without parental consent.

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Great Plains said in February that they do not provide any form of transportation directly to any patients, regardless of age or where they live.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665657486023.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey accusing Planned Parenthood of transporting minors out of state for abortions will move forward, a judge ruled Tuesday evening.The lawsuit is based on conversations between Planned Parenthood staff and a man with Project Veritas who secretly filmed the staff while<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289159614.html">&nbsp;inquiring about an abortion for his fake 13-year-old niece.&nbsp;</a>Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which runs the Kansas City area clinic where the video was taken, asked that the judge dismiss the lawsuit shortly after it was filed.&nbsp;“We’re reviewing all our options and will continue to vigorously defend this case based on hypotheticals and fictitious patients,” Erin Thompson, general counsel with Planned Parenthood Great Plain, said in a statement Wednesday.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/10/planned-parenthood-andrew-bailey-project-veritas/">At a hearing in early June,</a>&nbsp;John Andrew Hirth, an attorney for Planned Parenthood, said there was no proof the Kansas City area clinic broke the law.“There’s no allegation that any abortion has been performed either in Missouri or outside of Missouri, with or without parental consent here,” Hirth said. “The whole conversation is hypothetical.”But Boone County Judge Brouck Jacobs found merit for moving forward with the case. He did not issue an opinion along with his ruling explaining his reasoning.“This is the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood in the State of Missouri,” Bailey said in a statement Tuesday following the ruling.The video, captured in December, was posted on social media by Project Veritas, a self-proclaimed right wing news organization that often conducts undercover stings.&nbsp;The man filming in the clinic told staff that the made-up girl’s parents couldn’t know about the abortion. Staff then directed him to their affiliate clinics in Kansas where they said he could “bypass” parental consent.&nbsp; When the man asked how often girls go out of state for abortions, the Planned Parenthood employee said it happens “every day.”Kathryn Monroe, who represented the attorney general’s office at the hearing, said while the man’s questions were hypothetical, the employee at Planned Parenthood thought the situation was real.&nbsp;“There was admitted conduct about what they would do in this actual situation,” she said.The attorney general’s office in its arguments before the court pointed to Missouri law which states: “No one shall intentionally cause aid or assist a minor to obtain an abortion.”&nbsp;That law was written before the state’s trigger law went into place in June 2022, effectively making all abortions — with the exception of life-threatening situations — illegal.Missouri doesn’t have explicit laws requiring parental consent for minors getting abortions in other states, nor does it prohibit minors from going to other states to get abortions.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0005_section/065_067_0005_k/">Kansas law</a>&nbsp;requires physicians to either obtain parental consent or to go through the judicial bypass process where a judge can authorize a minor to get an abortion without parental consent.A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Great Plains said in February that they do not provide any form of transportation directly to any patients, regardless of age or where they live.

Judge denies Planned Parenthood’s request to dismiss suit based on Project Veritas video

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Independent presidential candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has failed to qualify for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">next week's debate</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta, according to host network CNN, falling shy of benchmarks both for state ballot qualification and necessary polling.

The missed markers mean that the June 27 showdown will be solely between Democratic President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. That denies Kennedy a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-cnn-debate-ballot-access-biden-trump-d3c5466a9a307ea4480508160f660a55">singular opportunity</a>&nbsp;to stand alongside the leading candidates in an attempt to lend legitimacy to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">longshot bid</a>&nbsp;and convince potential supporters that he has a shot at winning.

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns fear that Kennedy could play spoiler in what's anticipated to be a close general election.

According to the criteria set out by CNN, candidates would be invited to participate in the debate if they had secured a place on the ballot in states totaling at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency.

Biden and Trump have easily cleared the polling threshold but won’t be certified for the ballot until their parties formally nominate them later this summer. Both have secured enough delegates to lock in their nominations.

Kennedy’s campaign says he has satisfied the requirements to appear on the ballot in 22 states, with a combined 310 electoral votes, though not all have affirmed his name will be listed. California, the largest prize on the electoral map with 54 votes, will not certify any candidates until Aug. 29.

Candidates were also required to reach a polling threshold of 15% in four reliable national polls by June 20, another metric CNN said Kennedy failed to meet. According to the network, Kennedy has received at least 15% in three qualifying polls so far and is currently on the ballot in six states, making him currently eligible for 89 Electoral College votes.

Last month, Kennedy filed an election complaint alleging CNN is colluding with Biden and Trump to exclude him from the June 27 debate, alleging that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-cnn-debate-ballot-access-biden-trump-d3c5466a9a307ea4480508160f660a55">participation requirements</a>&nbsp;were designed to ensure only Biden and Trump would qualify and claiming that he is being held to a higher standard.

CNN has said the complaint is without merit. Kennedy's campaign did not immediately respond to a message Thursday seeking comment on CNN's announcement and asking if he planned to take any further action about his exclusion.

Last month, Biden and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">agreed to the CNN debate</a>&nbsp;and a second on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC, bypassing the nonpartisan commission that has organized debates for nearly four decades.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715712591224.png" alt="Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Independent presidential candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has failed to qualify for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">next week's debate</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta, according to host network CNN, falling shy of benchmarks both for state ballot qualification and necessary polling.The missed markers mean that the June 27 showdown will be solely between Democratic President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. That denies Kennedy a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-cnn-debate-ballot-access-biden-trump-d3c5466a9a307ea4480508160f660a55">singular opportunity</a>&nbsp;to stand alongside the leading candidates in an attempt to lend legitimacy to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">longshot bid</a>&nbsp;and convince potential supporters that he has a shot at winning.Both the Biden and Trump campaigns fear that Kennedy could play spoiler in what's anticipated to be a close general election.According to the criteria set out by CNN, candidates would be invited to participate in the debate if they had secured a place on the ballot in states totaling at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency.Biden and Trump have easily cleared the polling threshold but won’t be certified for the ballot until their parties formally nominate them later this summer. Both have secured enough delegates to lock in their nominations.Kennedy’s campaign says he has satisfied the requirements to appear on the ballot in 22 states, with a combined 310 electoral votes, though not all have affirmed his name will be listed. California, the largest prize on the electoral map with 54 votes, will not certify any candidates until Aug. 29.Candidates were also required to reach a polling threshold of 15% in four reliable national polls by June 20, another metric CNN said Kennedy failed to meet. According to the network, Kennedy has received at least 15% in three qualifying polls so far and is currently on the ballot in six states, making him currently eligible for 89 Electoral College votes.Last month, Kennedy filed an election complaint alleging CNN is colluding with Biden and Trump to exclude him from the June 27 debate, alleging that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-cnn-debate-ballot-access-biden-trump-d3c5466a9a307ea4480508160f660a55">participation requirements</a>&nbsp;were designed to ensure only Biden and Trump would qualify and claiming that he is being held to a higher standard.CNN has said the complaint is without merit. Kennedy's campaign did not immediately respond to a message Thursday seeking comment on CNN's announcement and asking if he planned to take any further action about his exclusion.Last month, Biden and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">agreed to the CNN debate</a>&nbsp;and a second on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC, bypassing the nonpartisan commission that has organized debates for nearly four decades.

Kennedy fails to qualify for debate. It'll be a Biden, Trump showdown

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved major tax cuts and ended a political stalemate with Gov. Laura Kelly. Yet some of them sounded frustrated as they were doing it.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bill Tuesday to cut income and property taxes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-special-legislative-session-b79d213f1a904dfd7604648ea9d2c454">by a total of $1.23 billion</a>&nbsp;over the next three years. The measure contains the exact terms of a compromise reached by the Democratic governor and the GOP leaders of the House and Senate, and Kelly promised to sign it.

But many lawmakers, particularly Republicans, said they'd wanted more for taxpayers, and legislators in both parties view its property tax relief as meager. The bill decreases what homeowners will pay to the state to help finance public schools, but the 15.6% cut in that tax for the owner of a $250,000 amounts to $76 a year and is lower than previous plans lawmakers considered this year.

The bill cleared the Legislature with huge bipartisan majorities during a one-day special session called by Kelly after she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed three previous tax-cutting plans</a>&nbsp;and lawmakers ended their regular annual session May 1. The GOP leaders who negotiated with her office warned colleagues that they risked another veto if they made any changes — and they didn't. They've worried that failing to cut taxes will anger voters in this year's elections.

“We can absolutely afford more tax cuts," said Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican. "I do support this legislation, but it is not the best we can get.”

The state's coffers have bulged with surplus revenue, but disagreements between Kelly and Republican leaders prevented Kansas from enacting major reductions.

Republican leaders wanted tax cuts worth at least $230 million more over three years, but Kelly argued that those larger cuts would lead to budget shortfalls in five years.

“Although this package is not perfect and emphasizes income tax reductions instead of property tax relief, it does provide significant relief,” she said in a statement.

Personal income tax cuts account for nearly 87% of the bill's relief, even though legislators repeatedly said their constituents' biggest concern is rising property taxes fueled in part by rising home values. But most property taxes are levied by local officials, and the state's school tax is a small portion of what people pay.

The bill moves Kansas from three personal income tax rates to two and cuts the highest rate from 5.7% to 5.58%. Other changes will increase the amount of income automatically exempted from taxes so that a married couple filing jointly will not pay any tax until they earn more than $25,000, whether they have children or not.

Kansas also will stop taxing retirees' Social Security benefits instead of taxing the entire amount once someone earns more than $75,000. The state also will double an income tax credit for child care expenses.

The measure also provides a 14% cut in the tax paid by banks, savings and loans and other financial institutions instead of the corporate income tax. That mirrors past cuts for other businesses.

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved major tax cuts and ended a political stalemate with Gov. Laura Kelly. Yet some of them sounded frustrated as they were doing it.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bill Tuesday to cut income and property taxes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-cuts-kansas-special-legislative-session-b79d213f1a904dfd7604648ea9d2c454">by a total of $1.23 billion</a>&nbsp;over the next three years. The measure contains the exact terms of a compromise reached by the Democratic governor and the GOP leaders of the House and Senate, and Kelly promised to sign it.But many lawmakers, particularly Republicans, said they'd wanted more for taxpayers, and legislators in both parties view its property tax relief as meager. The bill decreases what homeowners will pay to the state to help finance public schools, but the 15.6% cut in that tax for the owner of a $250,000 amounts to $76 a year and is lower than previous plans lawmakers considered this year.The bill cleared the Legislature with huge bipartisan majorities during a one-day special session called by Kelly after she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed three previous tax-cutting plans</a>&nbsp;and lawmakers ended their regular annual session May 1. The GOP leaders who negotiated with her office warned colleagues that they risked another veto if they made any changes — and they didn't. They've worried that failing to cut taxes will anger voters in this year's elections.“We can absolutely afford more tax cuts," said Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican. "I do support this legislation, but it is not the best we can get.”The state's coffers have bulged with surplus revenue, but disagreements between Kelly and Republican leaders prevented Kansas from enacting major reductions.Republican leaders wanted tax cuts worth at least $230 million more over three years, but Kelly argued that those larger cuts would lead to budget shortfalls in five years.“Although this package is not perfect and emphasizes income tax reductions instead of property tax relief, it does provide significant relief,” she said in a statement.Personal income tax cuts account for nearly 87% of the bill's relief, even though legislators repeatedly said their constituents' biggest concern is rising property taxes fueled in part by rising home values. But most property taxes are levied by local officials, and the state's school tax is a small portion of what people pay.The bill moves Kansas from three personal income tax rates to two and cuts the highest rate from 5.7% to 5.58%. Other changes will increase the amount of income automatically exempted from taxes so that a married couple filing jointly will not pay any tax until they earn more than $25,000, whether they have children or not.Kansas also will stop taxing retirees' Social Security benefits instead of taxing the entire amount once someone earns more than $75,000. The state also will double an income tax credit for child care expenses.The measure also provides a 14% cut in the tax paid by banks, savings and loans and other financial institutions instead of the corporate income tax. That mirrors past cuts for other businesses.

Major tax cuts in Kansas but relief for home owners isn't seen as enough

KANSAS CITY- KC Scout, a bi-state initiative between Kansas and Missouri  Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25.

After more than a week of successful testing, motorists in Kansas City are seeing real-time messages on the highway digital signs.&nbsp; Returning real-time information is considered the first step in restoring all KC Scout systems and services.

Additional restoration efforts continue and include having the website operational and camera views available online.

The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction.

MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through&nbsp;<a href="http://modot.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR09GLiozaM6T2M7ml6P9tPbFHXdqYtwrCawElwvj05vcTT7adsVux2-FbA_aem_AU_Pj1jPyIyhQQIuX9YBs7g64rJIJI0zcUP74BHHUcUWGNKr5V6JSNOc6OQKB_t2rPjMX4Npb6h1Ha9EekcQfDIV" target="_blank">modot.org</a>&nbsp;in Missouri and&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3xuYCQar7psg-4ovMKcjcjBnRurW9rZldPmJ8X4lSJruvNuClp4umCYgM_aem_AU93-LO_i4ikP37x8LdPD_NjgMMznedT8Z-TrwECmO1VSb-acK5dm1uNIeD2ZrGd4C2VNsQ6uRiZa20B6c9XiRkd&amp;h=AT3BvUtWPvA4w1Im4fah0k5j48u8IsudQy_HbogRx8mOPjt34IOQtB8a4tWUFjAomjHWnlcBtVDrWy32nrIZDgnu7IQNgHDpry6zW0IXU0TqtvsHctzxaRzE2Q3O5UFCX_RXBxY&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT2zLeQexISXF2s50qRhcxTGlrpA-O9NFCwI4JPBpA2BimQ9_NkpKAGYXZYOHl5rQcX7i6wZ2se4pk3WgCdfK-McTm9Tfa6tKz2_2fpuHkUcNOyxA6XiAboYbAqHxCSQ2yPJS0382FQbMQIKSYtdkztZ6lpjKF7QxRqlB4qZPACsKZTFZkcav_cmQDxFXacrAjyGuEAOF3svFc25dOxNIinoSsU5jmzmnTmtyzetW9AFIhzb2b0MOEdqiC48UAcn-56NL4WzhQGIf3CiVt7f" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718886993366.png" alt="Image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>Image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY- KC Scout, a bi-state initiative between Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25.After more than a week of successful testing, motorists in Kansas City are seeing real-time messages on the highway digital signs.&nbsp; Returning real-time information is considered the first step in restoring all KC Scout systems and services.Additional restoration efforts continue and include having the website operational and camera views available online.The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction.MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through&nbsp;<a href="http://modot.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR09GLiozaM6T2M7ml6P9tPbFHXdqYtwrCawElwvj05vcTT7adsVux2-FbA_aem_AU_Pj1jPyIyhQQIuX9YBs7g64rJIJI0zcUP74BHHUcUWGNKr5V6JSNOc6OQKB_t2rPjMX4Npb6h1Ha9EekcQfDIV" target="_blank">modot.org</a>&nbsp;in Missouri and&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3xuYCQar7psg-4ovMKcjcjBnRurW9rZldPmJ8X4lSJruvNuClp4umCYgM_aem_AU93-LO_i4ikP37x8LdPD_NjgMMznedT8Z-TrwECmO1VSb-acK5dm1uNIeD2ZrGd4C2VNsQ6uRiZa20B6c9XiRkd&amp;h=AT3BvUtWPvA4w1Im4fah0k5j48u8IsudQy_HbogRx8mOPjt34IOQtB8a4tWUFjAomjHWnlcBtVDrWy32nrIZDgnu7IQNgHDpry6zW0IXU0TqtvsHctzxaRzE2Q3O5UFCX_RXBxY&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT2zLeQexISXF2s50qRhcxTGlrpA-O9NFCwI4JPBpA2BimQ9_NkpKAGYXZYOHl5rQcX7i6wZ2se4pk3WgCdfK-McTm9Tfa6tKz2_2fpuHkUcNOyxA6XiAboYbAqHxCSQ2yPJS0382FQbMQIKSYtdkztZ6lpjKF7QxRqlB4qZPACsKZTFZkcav_cmQDxFXacrAjyGuEAOF3svFc25dOxNIinoSsU5jmzmnTmtyzetW9AFIhzb2b0MOEdqiC48UAcn-56NL4WzhQGIf3CiVt7f" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.

Cyberattack: Real-time info returns to highway message boards in KC

HALL COUNTY, Neb. —Authorities investigating a a deadly attempted robbery at a highway rest area in Nebraska have identified the victims as Gary and Mary Weaver of Eureka, Missouri, according to the Hall County, Nebraska Sheriff's office.

James Thompson, Jr., 22,&nbsp;Elyria, Ohio, is being held in the Hall County jail on requested charges of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, robbery, fleeing in a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and traffic violations.

The Hall County Sheriff's office said deputies were called to an Interstate 80 rest area shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday and found both victims with knife wounds.

Gary Weaver, 72,&nbsp; died at a Grand Island hospital. Mary Weaver, 71, is in critical condition at the hospital with life-threatening injuries, authorities said.&nbsp;

Thompson fled the rest area in a vehicle before authorities arrived, but Grand Island Police Captain Dean Elliott told television station KSNB that officers were able to get a description.

The Nebraska State Patrol tried to stop a vehicle matching that description near Wood River before that vehicle exited the interstate and turned south. Elliott said the vehicle eventually drove into the Platte River before the Thompson was arrested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718822090654.png" alt="Photo Nebraska State Patrol courtesy NTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nebraska State Patrol courtesy NTV</figcaption>
 </figure>HALL COUNTY, Neb. —Authorities investigating a a deadly attempted robbery at a highway rest area in Nebraska have identified the victims as Gary and Mary Weaver of Eureka, Missouri, according to the Hall County, Nebraska Sheriff's office.James Thompson, Jr., 22,&nbsp;Elyria, Ohio, is being held in the Hall County jail on requested charges of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, robbery, fleeing in a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and traffic violations.The Hall County Sheriff's office said deputies were called to an Interstate 80 rest area shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday and found both victims with knife wounds.Gary Weaver, 72,&nbsp; died at a Grand Island hospital. Mary Weaver, 71, is in critical condition at the hospital with life-threatening injuries, authorities said.&nbsp;Thompson fled the rest area in a vehicle before authorities arrived, but Grand Island Police Captain Dean Elliott told television station KSNB that officers were able to get a description.The Nebraska State Patrol tried to stop a vehicle matching that description near Wood River before that vehicle exited the interstate and turned south. Elliott said the vehicle eventually drove into the Platte River before the Thompson was arrested.

Sheriff IDs couple in deadly knife attack at Nebraska highway rest area

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a&nbsp;violent attack on a Kansas teen is due in court Thursday.

Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a physical fight.&nbsp;

Immediately following the incident, investigators with the WPD Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for three suspects. 

On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested two 18-year-old suspects. Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins and Tayronnia Jontashia West were jailed in connection with the crime.

On June 7, West was charged with Aggravated Battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Hollins met the requirement of bond and is scheduled for court Thursday morning, according to the district attorney's office.

Investigators are still attempting to locate a third suspect, a 16-year-old black female of Topeka.

If you have information related to this case, please call investigators at 316-268-4407 or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690911383.png" alt="Hollins-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Hollins-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a&nbsp;violent attack on a Kansas teen is due in court Thursday.Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a physical fight.&nbsp;Immediately following the incident, investigators with the WPD Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for three suspects. On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested two 18-year-old suspects. Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins and Tayronnia Jontashia West were jailed in connection with the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690818288.png" alt="West photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>West photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On June 7, West was charged with Aggravated Battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Hollins met the requirement of bond and is scheduled for court Thursday morning, according to the district attorney's office.Investigators are still attempting to locate a third suspect, a 16-year-old black female of Topeka.If you have information related to this case, please call investigators at 316-268-4407 or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Suspect accused of throwing acid in face of Kan. teen is due in court

DAMASCUS —A U.S. airstrike in Syria killed a Senior ISIS Official, according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. Central Command.

On June 16, U.S. Central Command conducted an airstrike in Syria, killing Usamah Jamal Muhammad Ibrahim al-Janabi, a senior ISIS official and facilitator. His death will disrupt ISIS’s ability to resource and conduct terror attacks.

CENTCOM, alongside allies and partners in the region, will continue to execute operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities and ensure its enduring defeat.

There is no indication any civilians were harmed in this strike.

In addition, U.S. forces destroyed a ground control station, command and control node in an area of Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and destroyed two Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea.according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

DAMASCUS —A U.S. airstrike in Syria killed a Senior ISIS Official, according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. Central Command.On June 16, U.S. Central Command conducted an airstrike in Syria, killing Usamah Jamal Muhammad Ibrahim al-Janabi, a senior ISIS official and facilitator. His death will disrupt ISIS’s ability to resource and conduct terror attacks.CENTCOM, alongside allies and partners in the region, will continue to execute operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities and ensure its enduring defeat.There is no indication any civilians were harmed in this strike.In addition, U.S. forces destroyed a ground control station, command and control node in an area of Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and destroyed two Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea.according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

U.S. Airstrike in Syria kills senior ISIS official

KANSAS CITY —A driver who died in an accident that occurred June 7, in Kansas City has been identified as 53-year-old Lashan Townsend-Gunnels, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 8a.m. June 7, a Chevrolet Silverado was speeding northbound on Troost from 89th Street when a Honda passenger vehicle pulled out into the first lane of Troost from 85th Street. This caused the pickup to swerve into southbound lanes of oncoming traffic.

At 83rd Terrace, the Chevrolet’s driver locked the pickup’s brakes as a GMC Terrain pulled into the southbound lanes of Troost. The pickup struck the GMC on the driver’s side and forced it into a metal utility pole on the passenger side. The pickup then overturned onto its passenger side.

EMS transported the driver of the GMC, later identified as Townsend-Gunnels, to an area hospital. She had life-threatening injuries. EMS transported the driver of the&nbsp;pickup to a local hospital for treatment of&nbsp; serious injuries.&nbsp; The driver of the GMC was properly restrained, according to KCPD. Police did not have details on the seat belt usage by the driver of the pickup.

On June 15, the KCPD reported Townsend-Gunnels died shortly before midnight on Friday, according to staff at&nbsp;Research Hospital. This is fatality #48 compared to #35 at this time in 2023.

KANSAS CITY —A driver who died in an accident that occurred June 7, in Kansas City has been identified as 53-year-old Lashan Townsend-Gunnels, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 8a.m. June 7, a Chevrolet Silverado was speeding northbound on Troost from 89th Street when a Honda passenger vehicle pulled out into the first lane of Troost from 85th Street. This caused the pickup to swerve into southbound lanes of oncoming traffic.At 83rd Terrace, the Chevrolet’s driver locked the pickup’s brakes as a GMC Terrain pulled into the southbound lanes of Troost. The pickup struck the GMC on the driver’s side and forced it into a metal utility pole on the passenger side. The pickup then overturned onto its passenger side.EMS transported the driver of the GMC, later identified as Townsend-Gunnels, to an area hospital. She had life-threatening injuries. EMS transported the driver of the&nbsp;pickup to a local hospital for treatment of&nbsp; serious injuries.&nbsp; The driver of the GMC was properly restrained, according to KCPD. Police did not have details on the seat belt usage by the driver of the pickup.On June 15, the KCPD reported Townsend-Gunnels died shortly before midnight on Friday, according to staff at&nbsp;Research Hospital. This is fatality #48 compared to #35 at this time in 2023.