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

ERIE — The mother of a child rape victim trembled in the courtroom as she read her daughter’s description of shattered trust and night terrors that have consumed her life.

She was in Neosho County District Court to hear the judge determine a prison sentence she feared would be insufficient under a plea deal made by prosecutor Linus Thuston. She made her own plea: Send the rapist to prison for the maximum time possible.

“I do not believe that the current plea agreement accurately represents the crimes that were done to my daughter,” she told the judge Wednesday. “My daughter deserves justice.”

Judge Daryl Ahlquist stuck with Thuston’s deal, sentencing the man who confessed to repeatedly raping an 11-year-old to seven years in state prison. With good behavior, he could be free in less than six years, before the victim turns 18.

The mother, who cried during sentencing, was prepared to be disappointed. She revealed in court that she had secretly recorded a conversation with Thuston in case he later betrayed her trust.

In the recording — which Kansas Reflector obtained and verified by the file’s date stamp — Thuston outlines a deal that would require a longer prison sentence than the one the rapist received, and includes a conversation about Thuston representing the rapist’s family members in unrelated cases.

That potential conflict of interest and plea deal in the child rape case raises more questions about Thuston, a Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">who has been under scrutiny for two years</a>&nbsp;amid a state criminal investigation into allegations that he accepted fees for reduced jail time and misused the funds. The status of that investigation is unclear.

In court Wednesday, Thuston denied that he had misled the mother about the terms of the plea agreement when they met in January.

The mother, seated among supporters in the courtroom, stood up and told the judge she had an hour-long recording of&nbsp; that conversation. If the judge were to listen to just the first 10 minutes, she said, he would know she was telling the truth.

Ahlquist appeared troubled by the exchange between Thuston and the mother.

“I appreciate that you have that, but I’m not going to listen to it at this time,” Ahlquist said.

Kansas Reflector doesn’t identify survivors of sexual violence without their consent and is not naming the mother or abuser in order to protect the child’s identity.

Thuston has been scrutinized before for granting diversions or probation in cases involving child sex crimes.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">A 2022 investigation by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;examined concerns about those cases, as well as his handling of finances and alleged conflicts of interest.

In this case, Thuston charged the man last May under a statute known as Jessica’s Law, which applies to an adult sexually assaulting a child younger than 14. If convicted at trial, the sentence would be a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.

Thuston met with the child’s mother on Jan. 5 to discuss the status of the case. She said she recorded the conversation because she was aware of past plea deals made by Thuston involving child sex crimes. She shared a copy of the recording with Kansas Reflector, and allowed a reporter to look at the audio file’s date stamp on her phone.

She said she didn’t tell Thuston she was recording their conversation “because I wanted him to be authentic.”

In the recording, Thuston told her he was working on a plea deal involving a felony that would require 10 years in prison. He said he would rather reach an agreement on a lesser charge than go to trial and “force this kid to get up and describe their first sexual experience in front of a jury.”

Thuston said he was in a strong position to bargain with the defense attorney because the man had confessed to his crimes. Thuston said the offer to enter a plea for aggravated sodomy “has essentially been accepted. We just haven’t done it on the record yet.”

The mother said she was confused because the charge wouldn’t align with the facts of the case.

“Sometimes we will create things, essentially, to go with what we already have, to get to the point where we need to be,” Thuston said in the recording. “So we may say it’s agg sodomy when we know it’s really rape, but just to get us to where we need to get, whether it’s sodomy or rape, it’s getting to the number that we’re looking for.”

In this case, the number would be “essentially right at 10 years,” he said.

The mother also wanted to know about Thuston’s professional relationship with the defendant’s mother and grandmother. She said they have “made it known that they have you hired in private practice.” And she had seen Thuston talking to the defendant’s mother in the hallway of the courthouse.

Thuston said they were talking about an unrelated civil case.

“But from the outside peering in, you could see that that might be misinterpreted,” she said.

“There’s been no conversation with any member of his family,” Thuston said.

The mother was horrified in February when Thuston presented a different deal in court that involved three lower-level felonies — aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and aggravated endangering a child.

During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Thuston told the judge that he had gone over the revised plea deal with the mother when they met in January. He said the deal for a more serious felony was proposed and rejected last August.

He repeated that timeline during a brief interview after the hearing. But after learning that Kansas Reflector had listened to the recording of the Jan. 5 meeting, and that the mother contends there was no other communication about the plea deal, Thuston said he told her about the revised terms in the courtroom on the day the plea was entered.

During the interview for this story, Thuston defended the revised agreement, which lowered the prison sentence from 10 years to 7.

“Without forcing the child to testify, this was the best deal I was going to be able to get,” Thuston said. “He was going to go to prison, and we’re talking about a two-and-a-half-year difference.”

Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City who spent 27 years as a judge in Kansas, said a prosecutor has discretion to offer plea deals that victims don’t like. Victims often want more prison time, Leben said, especially in rape cases. The victim is still entitled to be heard by the court, he added.

The child rapist appeared relaxed Wednesday as he sat in the jury box in black-and-white striped jail garb with flipflops, handcuffs and ankle shackles. He eyed the mother until it was time for him to appear before the judge. He declined to make a statement to the court.

The mother asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed for the crimes included in the plea deal, but the judge declined because the maximum of 87 months wasn’t much different from the 84 months the parties had agreed upon.

The man will get credit for the time he has spent in county jail while the case was being litigated. Upon release, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.

The mother sat in the witness stand to read a statement she had prepared, as well as a letter written by her daughter.

“I have nightmares about it every night,” the girl wrote. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and that is not a good thing. But most of all you made me feel bad for telling on you.”

The mother paused at times to wipe away tears or clear her throat.

She continued reading the letter: “My mom is a good mom because she cares for us with love and she treats us like a good mom should, and I don’t like seeing her upset, sad or even crying because of how much pressure people make her have. It’s not fair. I think things are not fair.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711725777392.png" alt=" Neosho County prosecutor Linus Thuston exits the courtroom March 27, 2024, in Erie after a sentencing hearing for a child rape case. Under a plea deal offered by Thuston, the man will serve up to seven years in prison. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Neosho County prosecutor Linus Thuston exits the courtroom March 27, 2024, in Erie after a sentencing hearing for a child rape case. Under a plea deal offered by Thuston, the man will serve up to seven years in prison. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>ERIE — The mother of a child rape victim trembled in the courtroom as she read her daughter’s description of shattered trust and night terrors that have consumed her life.She was in Neosho County District Court to hear the judge determine a prison sentence she feared would be insufficient under a plea deal made by prosecutor Linus Thuston. She made her own plea: Send the rapist to prison for the maximum time possible.“I do not believe that the current plea agreement accurately represents the crimes that were done to my daughter,” she told the judge Wednesday. “My daughter deserves justice.”Judge Daryl Ahlquist stuck with Thuston’s deal, sentencing the man who confessed to repeatedly raping an 11-year-old to seven years in state prison. With good behavior, he could be free in less than six years, before the victim turns 18.The mother, who cried during sentencing, was prepared to be disappointed. She revealed in court that she had secretly recorded a conversation with Thuston in case he later betrayed her trust.In the recording — which Kansas Reflector obtained and verified by the file’s date stamp — Thuston outlines a deal that would require a longer prison sentence than the one the rapist received, and includes a conversation about Thuston representing the rapist’s family members in unrelated cases.That potential conflict of interest and plea deal in the child rape case raises more questions about Thuston, a Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">who has been under scrutiny for two years</a>&nbsp;amid a state criminal investigation into allegations that he accepted fees for reduced jail time and misused the funds. The status of that investigation is unclear.In court Wednesday, Thuston denied that he had misled the mother about the terms of the plea agreement when they met in January.The mother, seated among supporters in the courtroom, stood up and told the judge she had an hour-long recording of&nbsp; that conversation. If the judge were to listen to just the first 10 minutes, she said, he would know she was telling the truth.Ahlquist appeared troubled by the exchange between Thuston and the mother.“I appreciate that you have that, but I’m not going to listen to it at this time,” Ahlquist said.Kansas Reflector doesn’t identify survivors of sexual violence without their consent and is not naming the mother or abuser in order to protect the child’s identity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711725832560.png" alt=" The sentencing hearing was held March 27, 2024, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The sentencing hearing was held March 27, 2024, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘The best deal’</h2>Thuston has been scrutinized before for granting diversions or probation in cases involving child sex crimes.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/18/neosho-county-attorney-faces-criminal-investigation-by-state-authorities-scrutiny-by-local-leaders/">A 2022 investigation by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;examined concerns about those cases, as well as his handling of finances and alleged conflicts of interest.In this case, Thuston charged the man last May under a statute known as Jessica’s Law, which applies to an adult sexually assaulting a child younger than 14. If convicted at trial, the sentence would be a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.Thuston met with the child’s mother on Jan. 5 to discuss the status of the case. She said she recorded the conversation because she was aware of past plea deals made by Thuston involving child sex crimes. She shared a copy of the recording with Kansas Reflector, and allowed a reporter to look at the audio file’s date stamp on her phone.She said she didn’t tell Thuston she was recording their conversation “because I wanted him to be authentic.”In the recording, Thuston told her he was working on a plea deal involving a felony that would require 10 years in prison. He said he would rather reach an agreement on a lesser charge than go to trial and “force this kid to get up and describe their first sexual experience in front of a jury.”Thuston said he was in a strong position to bargain with the defense attorney because the man had confessed to his crimes. Thuston said the offer to enter a plea for aggravated sodomy “has essentially been accepted. We just haven’t done it on the record yet.”The mother said she was confused because the charge wouldn’t align with the facts of the case.“Sometimes we will create things, essentially, to go with what we already have, to get to the point where we need to be,” Thuston said in the recording. “So we may say it’s agg sodomy when we know it’s really rape, but just to get us to where we need to get, whether it’s sodomy or rape, it’s getting to the number that we’re looking for.”In this case, the number would be “essentially right at 10 years,” he said.The mother also wanted to know about Thuston’s professional relationship with the defendant’s mother and grandmother. She said they have “made it known that they have you hired in private practice.” And she had seen Thuston talking to the defendant’s mother in the hallway of the courthouse.Thuston said they were talking about an unrelated civil case.“But from the outside peering in, you could see that that might be misinterpreted,” she said.“There’s been no conversation with any member of his family,” Thuston said.The mother was horrified in February when Thuston presented a different deal in court that involved three lower-level felonies — aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and aggravated endangering a child.During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Thuston told the judge that he had gone over the revised plea deal with the mother when they met in January. He said the deal for a more serious felony was proposed and rejected last August.He repeated that timeline during a brief interview after the hearing. But after learning that Kansas Reflector had listened to the recording of the Jan. 5 meeting, and that the mother contends there was no other communication about the plea deal, Thuston said he told her about the revised terms in the courtroom on the day the plea was entered.During the interview for this story, Thuston defended the revised agreement, which lowered the prison sentence from 10 years to 7.“Without forcing the child to testify, this was the best deal I was going to be able to get,” Thuston said. “He was going to go to prison, and we’re talking about a two-and-a-half-year difference.”Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City who spent 27 years as a judge in Kansas, said a prosecutor has discretion to offer plea deals that victims don’t like. Victims often want more prison time, Leben said, especially in rape cases. The victim is still entitled to be heard by the court, he added.<h2>‘Things are not fair’</h2>The child rapist appeared relaxed Wednesday as he sat in the jury box in black-and-white striped jail garb with flipflops, handcuffs and ankle shackles. He eyed the mother until it was time for him to appear before the judge. He declined to make a statement to the court.The mother asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence allowed for the crimes included in the plea deal, but the judge declined because the maximum of 87 months wasn’t much different from the 84 months the parties had agreed upon.The man will get credit for the time he has spent in county jail while the case was being litigated. Upon release, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.The mother sat in the witness stand to read a statement she had prepared, as well as a letter written by her daughter.“I have nightmares about it every night,” the girl wrote. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and that is not a good thing. But most of all you made me feel bad for telling on you.”The mother paused at times to wipe away tears or clear her throat.She continued reading the letter: “My mom is a good mom because she cares for us with love and she treats us like a good mom should, and I don’t like seeing her upset, sad or even crying because of how much pressure people make her have. It’s not fair. I think things are not fair.”

Kansas mother hurt by lighter plea deal for man who repeatedly raped her child

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

Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near North Kansas Avenue and NE Gordon Street in Topeka on a white 2014 Lincoln MKZ without a visible license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies arrested Deneile L. Snow, 40, of Topeka and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711558098671.png" alt="Snow-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Snow-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop&nbsp;near North Kansas Avenue and NE Gordon Street in Topeka on a white 2014 Lincoln MKZ without a visible license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies arrested Deneile L. Snow, 40, of Topeka and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container of liquor.

Sheriff: Kan. drug suspect was driving car without a license plate

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A 17-year-old and an adult accused in a deadly shooting have made court appearances in the case.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Tyree Jackson, 41, Wichita,</a> made his first court appearance Wednesday and has been charged with with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; Police arrested him Wednesday.

&nbsp;A 17-year old co-defendant, who turned himself in, has been charged in Juvenile court, according to the district attorney's office.

Just before 5p.m. Thursday,&nbsp; police were alerted to a shooting incident in the 2200 Block of N. Grove in Wichita, according to Police spokesperson Andrew Ford.

First responders discovered 20-year-old Jaden Wilson outside of a gold Buick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at 5:46 p.m. by Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services.

A witness in the vehicle at the time of the incident was able to provide officers with details that quickly led to the identification of the suspect.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were acquainted and involved in an ongoing dispute, the specifics of which remain under investigation.

A short time after the shooting occurred, the teen suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Jackson remains jailed </a>on a $750,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; He is scheduled back in court on April 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711631518712.png" alt="Jackson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A 17-year-old and an adult accused in a deadly shooting have made court appearances in the case.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Tyree Jackson, 41, Wichita,</a> made his first court appearance Wednesday and has been charged with with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; Police arrested him Wednesday.&nbsp;A 17-year old co-defendant, who turned himself in, has been charged in Juvenile court, according to the district attorney's office.Just before 5p.m. Thursday,&nbsp; police were alerted to a shooting incident in the 2200 Block of N. Grove in Wichita, according to Police spokesperson Andrew Ford.First responders discovered 20-year-old Jaden Wilson outside of a gold Buick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at 5:46 p.m. by Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services.A witness in the vehicle at the time of the incident was able to provide officers with details that quickly led to the identification of the suspect.A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were acquainted and involved in an ongoing dispute, the specifics of which remain under investigation.A short time after the shooting occurred, the teen suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=259220">Jackson remains jailed </a>on a $750,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; He is scheduled back in court on April 5.

Teen who turned himself in and Kan. man charged in killing

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — In-vitro fertilization in Kansas remains unprotected after a Democrat-driven measure to hear guardrail legislation on the Senate floor failed Tuesday.

Senators held a brief discussion of in-vitro fertilization after approving legislation that would force abortion providers to ask women a series of invasive questions before receiving an abortion.&nbsp;

Immediately following the abortion measure’s passage — during which Republican senators opined on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/26/kansas-bill-limiting-privacy-advances-as-lawmakers-opine-on-regret-and-emptiness-of-abortion/">“emptiness of abortion,</a>” and characterized the procedure as one that “kills innocent children” — Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, tried to pull&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb554/">Senate Bill 554</a>&nbsp;out of committee for a floor debate. The measure would protect IVF treatments by declaring that “a fertilized human ovum or embryo existing outside the uterus of a human body shall not be considered an unborn child or human.”

“Women across this country are concerned and scared and they don’t know what is the future for their reproductive rights,” Sykes said. “This was one step in showing that the Kansas Legislature cares about women who have trouble getting pregnant and that we stand behind them, and we support their rights.”

Typically bills are passed out by committee approval before reaching the Senate floor, but lawmakers can also force bills to floor debate by gathering 24 votes approving the motion. During Tuesday’s debate, Sykes’ attempt failed on a 12-27 vote.&nbsp;

Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, introduced SB 554 bill earlier this month in response to an Alabama Supreme Court decision that led to IVF providers stopping treatment in the state.&nbsp;

IVF treatment involves retrieving a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm and combining the two in a laboratory to create a fertilized embryo. In February, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2024/02/19/alabama-supreme-court-ruling-could-end-ivf-treatments-in-state/">Alabama Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that frozen embryos were people with rights. The move is part of a wave of restrictions since the end of Roe v. Wade in 2022 rolled back abortion rights nationwide.&nbsp;

While Kansas remains one of the few states in the region to protect abortion rights — allowing abortions up to 22 weeks after gestation and after that if the mother’s life is in danger — Kansas legislative Republicans continue to attempt to chip away at these protections.&nbsp;

This campaign includes attempts to introduce the anti-abortion concept of “fetal personhood” into the state.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/12/new-legislation-would-redefine-fetuses-as-kansas-children/">Fetal personhood</a>&nbsp;is the idea that life begins at the fertilization of an egg and that fetuses should be given legal rights and protections – similar logic to that of the Alabama Supreme Court.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2653/">House Bill 2653</a>, which passed 83-40 in the House and is now under consideration by a Senate committee, would allow pregnant women to claim child support for medical and pregnancy-related expenses, starting any time after the date of conception. Under the bill, a fetus at any stage of gestation, including a fertilized egg, would be considered an “unborn child.”&nbsp;

Holscher sounded the alarm on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/05/august-was-not-a-fluke-kansas-advocates-warn-against-raft-of-bills-limiting-reproductive-rights/">these sorts of bills</a>.&nbsp;

“For now, IVF remains safe and legal in Kansas,” Holscher said in a March announcement of SB 554. “But it’s hanging by a thread and Kansas Republicans are working hard to take away our rights. This bill would mark an important step in protecting the rights of families and safeguarding IVF.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711716221083.png" alt=" Sen. Dinah Sykes said the Kansas Legislature needs to show support for Kansas women by passing IVF protections. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Dinah Sykes said the Kansas Legislature needs to show support for Kansas women by passing IVF protections. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — In-vitro fertilization in Kansas remains unprotected after a Democrat-driven measure to hear guardrail legislation on the Senate floor failed Tuesday.Senators held a brief discussion of in-vitro fertilization after approving legislation that would force abortion providers to ask women a series of invasive questions before receiving an abortion.&nbsp;Immediately following the abortion measure’s passage — during which Republican senators opined on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/26/kansas-bill-limiting-privacy-advances-as-lawmakers-opine-on-regret-and-emptiness-of-abortion/">“emptiness of abortion,</a>” and characterized the procedure as one that “kills innocent children” — Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, tried to pull&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb554/">Senate Bill 554</a>&nbsp;out of committee for a floor debate. The measure would protect IVF treatments by declaring that “a fertilized human ovum or embryo existing outside the uterus of a human body shall not be considered an unborn child or human.”“Women across this country are concerned and scared and they don’t know what is the future for their reproductive rights,” Sykes said. “This was one step in showing that the Kansas Legislature cares about women who have trouble getting pregnant and that we stand behind them, and we support their rights.”Typically bills are passed out by committee approval before reaching the Senate floor, but lawmakers can also force bills to floor debate by gathering 24 votes approving the motion. During Tuesday’s debate, Sykes’ attempt failed on a 12-27 vote.&nbsp;Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, introduced SB 554 bill earlier this month in response to an Alabama Supreme Court decision that led to IVF providers stopping treatment in the state.&nbsp;IVF treatment involves retrieving a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm and combining the two in a laboratory to create a fertilized embryo. In February, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2024/02/19/alabama-supreme-court-ruling-could-end-ivf-treatments-in-state/">Alabama Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that frozen embryos were people with rights. The move is part of a wave of restrictions since the end of Roe v. Wade in 2022 rolled back abortion rights nationwide.&nbsp;While Kansas remains one of the few states in the region to protect abortion rights — allowing abortions up to 22 weeks after gestation and after that if the mother’s life is in danger — Kansas legislative Republicans continue to attempt to chip away at these protections.&nbsp;This campaign includes attempts to introduce the anti-abortion concept of “fetal personhood” into the state.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/12/new-legislation-would-redefine-fetuses-as-kansas-children/">Fetal personhood</a>&nbsp;is the idea that life begins at the fertilization of an egg and that fetuses should be given legal rights and protections – similar logic to that of the Alabama Supreme Court.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2653/">House Bill 2653</a>, which passed 83-40 in the House and is now under consideration by a Senate committee, would allow pregnant women to claim child support for medical and pregnancy-related expenses, starting any time after the date of conception. Under the bill, a fetus at any stage of gestation, including a fertilized egg, would be considered an “unborn child.”&nbsp;Holscher sounded the alarm on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/05/august-was-not-a-fluke-kansas-advocates-warn-against-raft-of-bills-limiting-reproductive-rights/">these sorts of bills</a>.&nbsp;“For now, IVF remains safe and legal in Kansas,” Holscher said in a March announcement of SB 554. “But it’s hanging by a thread and Kansas Republicans are working hard to take away our rights. This bill would mark an important step in protecting the rights of families and safeguarding IVF.”&nbsp;

Senate Democrats’ attempt to protect IVF in Kansas voted down

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is warning taxpayers that they may be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.

The federal tax collector said Monday that roughly 940,000 people in the U.S. have until May 17 to submit tax returns for unclaimed refunds for tax year 2020, which total more than $1 billion nationwide.

The average median refund is $932 for 2020. Texas (93,400), California (88,200), Florida (53,200) and New York (51,400) have the largest amount of people potentially eligible for these refunds.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement: "We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out for people who may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds. There’s a May 17 deadline to file these returns so taxpayers should start soon to make sure they don’t miss out.”

For people who need to file a return, the IRS advises taxpayers to request their W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 from their employer or bank — or order a free wage and income transcript using the “Get Transcript Online” tool at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/">IRS.gov</a>.

Taxpayers typically have three years to file and claim tax refunds, otherwise the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Generally the deadline to claim old refunds falls around the April 15 tax deadline, but this year the three-year window for 2020 unfiled returns was postponed to May 17, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But if taxpayers haven't filed a return for tax year 2021 and 2022, any 2020 refunds would be withheld until they file for those years as well to make sure they don't owe.

Werfel said "some people may not realize they may be owed a refund. We encourage people to review their files and start gathering records now, so they don’t run the risk of missing the May deadline.”

Tax season officially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-treasury-filing-7b318296e34315a4dd584dc2b221bc54">began on January 29</a>.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-march-15-2024">latest tax season statistics</a>, more than 71.5 million individual tax filings have been submitted to the IRS this season.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is warning taxpayers that they may be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.The federal tax collector said Monday that roughly 940,000 people in the U.S. have until May 17 to submit tax returns for unclaimed refunds for tax year 2020, which total more than $1 billion nationwide.The average median refund is $932 for 2020. Texas (93,400), California (88,200), Florida (53,200) and New York (51,400) have the largest amount of people potentially eligible for these refunds.IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement: "We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out for people who may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds. There’s a May 17 deadline to file these returns so taxpayers should start soon to make sure they don’t miss out.”For people who need to file a return, the IRS advises taxpayers to request their W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 from their employer or bank — or order a free wage and income transcript using the “Get Transcript Online” tool at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/">IRS.gov</a>.Taxpayers typically have three years to file and claim tax refunds, otherwise the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.Generally the deadline to claim old refunds falls around the April 15 tax deadline, but this year the three-year window for 2020 unfiled returns was postponed to May 17, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But if taxpayers haven't filed a return for tax year 2021 and 2022, any 2020 refunds would be withheld until they file for those years as well to make sure they don't owe.Werfel said "some people may not realize they may be owed a refund. We encourage people to review their files and start gathering records now, so they don’t run the risk of missing the May deadline.”Tax season officially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-treasury-filing-7b318296e34315a4dd584dc2b221bc54">began on January 29</a>.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-march-15-2024">latest tax season statistics</a>, more than 71.5 million individual tax filings have been submitted to the IRS this season.

IRS has 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds about to expire

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are looking for the owner of swords left on Interstate 70 in Geary County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, on Friday, KHP Lieutenant Baquero discovered two Black and Gold Katana Type Samurai Swords just east of the Milford Lake Road exit on easbound Interstate 70.

Along with these swords, there was a third item found, which the KHP believe is helpful in determining the rightful owner.  After thorough investigation with local authorities, the KHP confirmed these items are not connected to any ongoing investigations. They’re now in KHP possession as Found Property, located at the KHP central evidence facility near Salina. 

 If you believe these swords belong to you, please contact the KHP directly by calling KHP dispatch at 785-827-4437.&nbsp; To ensure rightful ownership, The KHP kindly ask you to describe the third item associated with the swords. Your help is important in reuniting these items with their rightful owner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711815174098.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are looking for the owner of swords left on Interstate 70 in Geary County.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, on Friday, KHP Lieutenant Baquero discovered two Black and Gold Katana Type Samurai Swords just east of the Milford Lake Road exit on easbound Interstate 70.Along with these swords, there was a third item found, which the KHP believe is helpful in determining the rightful owner. After thorough investigation with local authorities, the KHP confirmed these items are not connected to any ongoing investigations. They’re now in KHP possession as Found Property, located at the KHP central evidence facility near Salina. If you believe these swords belong to you, please contact the KHP directly by calling KHP dispatch at 785-827-4437.&nbsp; To ensure rightful ownership, The KHP kindly ask you to describe the third item associated with the swords. Your help is important in reuniting these items with their rightful owner.

KHP: Samurai swords found on side of Interstate 70

Six-year commitment mandates match from six Board of Regents universities

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate approved a bill pledging a six-year infusion of $32.7 million annually to finance building maintenance projects on campuses of Kansas’ public universities, community colleges and technical colleges.

The original version of Senate Bill 552 would have authorized the program for a decade, but an amendment trimmed the commitment to six years. The legislation has yet to be passed by the Kansas House and the final version of the bill would need the signature of Gov. Laura Kelly.

“Basically, this will give the universities six years to use this program and at that time we’ll be able to look and see how much has been handled as far as deferred maintenance, how much has been done as far as demolition. It gives us an opportunity at that time to look and see if we need to adjust the number,” said Sen. Rick Billinger, a Goodland Republican and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The state’s public higher education system contained nearly 500 buildings with an average age of 51 years. The deferred maintenance backlog has been estimated at $1.3 billion.

Billinger said the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University and Emporia State University would in the upcoming fiscal year receive $20 million for deferred building maintenance and $10 million to pay for building demolition. The first installment in the six-year appropriations plan would be made in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. The series of annual allocations would run through fiscal year 2031.

The legislation required each university to be match the state aid dollar-for-dollar with nonstate resources. None of the state funding could be used to upgrade dormitories, parking structures, student unions or athletic facilities.

Blake Flanders, president of the state Board of Regents, said there would be annual reports on progress of the long-term program to address facilities infrastructure needs in higher education institutions.

“Each postsecondary educational institution would develop and submit to the Board of Regents a plan for the purpose of rehabilitating, remodeling or renovating existing facilities or building new facilities that are mission-critical and to bring the facilities to a state of good repair,” he said. “The institutions’ plans would include a list of facilities for demolition.”

The Senate bill approved 34-6 on Wednesday also would earmark $100,000 annually to each of the state’s 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and Washburn University in Topeka. This group of institutions wouldn’t be required to match state grants.

Heather Moran, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, said the funding would be the first from the state dedicated to deferred maintenance on the community college and technical college campuses.

“The buildings on these campuses are not state buildings,” she said. “They are locally owned and maintained, but mission critical to the state’s need for a trained and skilled workforce.”

<h2>Six-year commitment mandates match from six Board of Regents universities</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate approved a bill pledging a six-year infusion of $32.7 million annually to finance building maintenance projects on campuses of Kansas’ public universities, community colleges and technical colleges.The original version of Senate Bill 552 would have authorized the program for a decade, but an amendment trimmed the commitment to six years. The legislation has yet to be passed by the Kansas House and the final version of the bill would need the signature of Gov. Laura Kelly.“Basically, this will give the universities six years to use this program and at that time we’ll be able to look and see how much has been handled as far as deferred maintenance, how much has been done as far as demolition. It gives us an opportunity at that time to look and see if we need to adjust the number,” said Sen. Rick Billinger, a Goodland Republican and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.The state’s public higher education system contained nearly 500 buildings with an average age of 51 years. The deferred maintenance backlog has been estimated at $1.3 billion.Billinger said the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University and Emporia State University would in the upcoming fiscal year receive $20 million for deferred building maintenance and $10 million to pay for building demolition. The first installment in the six-year appropriations plan would be made in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025. The series of annual allocations would run through fiscal year 2031.The legislation required each university to be match the state aid dollar-for-dollar with nonstate resources. None of the state funding could be used to upgrade dormitories, parking structures, student unions or athletic facilities.Blake Flanders, president of the state Board of Regents, said there would be annual reports on progress of the long-term program to address facilities infrastructure needs in higher education institutions.“Each postsecondary educational institution would develop and submit to the Board of Regents a plan for the purpose of rehabilitating, remodeling or renovating existing facilities or building new facilities that are mission-critical and to bring the facilities to a state of good repair,” he said. “The institutions’ plans would include a list of facilities for demolition.”The Senate bill approved 34-6 on Wednesday also would earmark $100,000 annually to each of the state’s 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and Washburn University in Topeka. This group of institutions wouldn’t be required to match state grants.Heather Moran, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, said the funding would be the first from the state dedicated to deferred maintenance on the community college and technical college campuses.“The buildings on these campuses are not state buildings,” she said. “They are locally owned and maintained, but mission critical to the state’s need for a trained and skilled workforce.”

Kansas Senate adopts annual $32.7 million earmark for higher education building repairs

FINNEY COUNTY —One of two men injured in an&nbsp; oil field accident in southwest Kansas has died, according to the Finney County Sheriff's office.

Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Fire Department responded to the report of an industrial accident, explosion in the area of 3300 West Annie Scheer Road in Finney County, according to a media release.

Deputies and other first responders found that two men from Liberal had been working on an oil tank in the area when their work caused an explosion inside the tank. Both men were severely burned in the blast and were ultimately flown to Wichita for medical care. One of the men succumbed to his injuries in Wichita.&nbsp;

Following the transportation of the victims, fire personnel began firefighting operations on a small fire that was contained to an oil field tank battery. The fire was called under control at just after noon.

This incident is not being investigated as a criminal incident, according to the Sheriff's office.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the names of the men injured.

Mutual aid on scene was provided by Finney County EMS, Finney County Sheriff Department, Finney County Emergency Management, Kansas Highway Patrol, Holcomb Volunteer Fire Department, and Holcomb Police Department.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711584563036.png" alt="Location of the tank battery explosion southwest of Garden City" />
 <figcaption>Location of the tank battery explosion southwest of Garden City</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —One of two men injured in an&nbsp; oil field accident in southwest Kansas has died, according to the Finney County Sheriff's office.Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Fire Department responded to the report of an industrial accident, explosion in the area of 3300 West Annie Scheer Road in Finney County, according to a media release.Deputies and other first responders found that two men from Liberal had been working on an oil tank in the area when their work caused an explosion inside the tank. Both men were severely burned in the blast and were ultimately flown to Wichita for medical care. One of the men succumbed to his injuries in Wichita.&nbsp;Following the transportation of the victims, fire personnel began firefighting operations on a small fire that was contained to an oil field tank battery. The fire was called under control at just after noon.This incident is not being investigated as a criminal incident, according to the Sheriff's office.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the names of the men injured.Mutual aid on scene was provided by Finney County EMS, Finney County Sheriff Department, Finney County Emergency Management, Kansas Highway Patrol, Holcomb Volunteer Fire Department, and Holcomb Police Department.&nbsp;

1 of 2 men burned in Kan. oil field tank battery explosion died

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert to U.S. doctors on Thursday about an increase in cases of one type of invasive meningococcal disease, most of it due to a specific strain of bacteria.

Last year, 422 cases of it were reported in the U.S. — the most in a year since 2014. Already, 143 cases have been reported this year, meaning infections appear to be on track to surpass 2023, the CDC said. Most of the cases last year did not involve meningitis, though at least 17 died. The cases were disproportionately more common in adults ages 30 to 60, in Black people and in people who have HIV, the CDC said.

The bacteria can cause a dangerous brain and spinal cord inflammation called meningitis, with symptoms that may include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. The bacteria also can cause a bloodstream infection with symptoms like chills, fatigue, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a dark purple rash.

There also are vaccines against meningococcal disease.

Officials recommend that all children should get a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects against the rising strain, at around the time they enter a middle school. Since vaccine protection fades, the CDC also recommends a booster dose at age 16. Shots also are recommended for people at higher risk, like those in a place where an outbreak is occurring or those with HIV infection or certain other health conditions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711758215455.png" alt="This 1966 microscope photo showscolonies of Group-B Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the CDC issued an alert to U.S. doctors about an increase in cases of one type of invasive meningococcal disease, mostly due to the serogroup Y strain of the bacteria. Four hundred and twenty two cases were reported in 2023, which was the most in a single year since 2014. There have been 143 reported this year so far. (Dr. Brodsky/CDC via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This 1966 microscope photo showscolonies of Group-B Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the CDC issued an alert to U.S. doctors about an increase in cases of one type of invasive meningococcal disease, mostly due to the serogroup Y strain of the bacteria. Four hundred and twenty two cases were reported in 2023, which was the most in a single year since 2014. There have been 143 reported this year so far. (Dr. Brodsky/CDC via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY MIKE STOBBENEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are warning of an increase in rare bacterial illnesses than can lead to meningitis and possible death.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert to U.S. doctors on Thursday about an increase in cases of one type of invasive meningococcal disease, most of it due to a specific strain of bacteria.Last year, 422 cases of it were reported in the U.S. — the most in a year since 2014. Already, 143 cases have been reported this year, meaning infections appear to be on track to surpass 2023, the CDC said. Most of the cases last year did not involve meningitis, though at least 17 died. The cases were disproportionately more common in adults ages 30 to 60, in Black people and in people who have HIV, the CDC said.The bacteria can cause a dangerous brain and spinal cord inflammation called meningitis, with symptoms that may include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. The bacteria also can cause a bloodstream infection with symptoms like chills, fatigue, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a dark purple rash.There also are vaccines against meningococcal disease.Officials recommend that all children should get a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects against the rising strain, at around the time they enter a middle school. Since vaccine protection fades, the CDC also recommends a booster dose at age 16. Shots also are recommended for people at higher risk, like those in a place where an outbreak is occurring or those with HIV infection or certain other health conditions.

US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A Hyundai Elantra was southbound on U.S. 169 Highway at a very high rate of speed, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

 The driver of the Hyundai, for unknown reasons was passing cars on the shoulder and splitting the two lanes of travel and passing on the center lane line. 

The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the roadway to the left, struck the guardrail and rolled. 

All four of the occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The front right passenger was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver and two passengers were transported to area hospitals, with critical injuries. 

Both directions on US 169 were closed down for approximately three hours.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Kansas City.A Hyundai Elantra was southbound on U.S. 169 Highway at a very high rate of speed, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The driver of the Hyundai, for unknown reasons was passing cars on the shoulder and splitting the two lanes of travel and passing on the center lane line. The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the roadway to the left, struck the guardrail and rolled. All four of the occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The front right passenger was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver and two passengers were transported to area hospitals, with critical injuries. Both directions on US 169 were closed down for approximately three hours.

KCPD: 1 dead, 3 injured in crash of car passing on shoulder 

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged car theft.

Just after 1a.m. Thursday, police a&nbsp;stopped the vehicle at 10th and U.S.59 Highway in Atchison and took&nbsp; 20-year-old Caitlin M. Elias into custody, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

She is accused in the theft of a vehicle from the 1100 block South 10th Street in Atchison.&nbsp; She is being held on requested charges of theft by deception and&nbsp;Failure to Report Accident; Resulting in damage to unattended vehicle or property, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711654779877.png" alt="Elias-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Elias-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged car theft.Just after 1a.m. Thursday, police a&nbsp;stopped the vehicle at 10th and U.S.59 Highway in Atchison and took&nbsp; 20-year-old Caitlin M. Elias into custody, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;She is accused in the theft of a vehicle from the 1100 block South 10th Street in Atchison.&nbsp; She is being held on requested charges of theft by deception and&nbsp;Failure to Report Accident; Resulting in damage to unattended vehicle or property, according to online jail records.

Police: Kansas woman accused of car theft

CRAWFORD COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Friday in Crawford County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, law enforcement was conducting an investigation with emergency lights on at Kansas 126 one half mile west of U.S. 69.

A 2013 Chevy Silverado driven by Austin Leonard&nbsp;Lallemand, 25, Walnut, was westbound on K126 and struck a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Raven Dawn&nbsp;Edwards, 20, Pittsburg and a 2023 Ford F150 driven by Josh J. Myers, 45, Columbus, and fled the scene westbound.

Edwards was treated at Girard Medical Center for a minor injury.

Myers and Lallemand were not injured. The KHP did not report possible charges Lallemand would face.

CRAWFORD COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Friday in Crawford County.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, law enforcement was conducting an investigation with emergency lights on at Kansas 126 one half mile west of U.S. 69.A 2013 Chevy Silverado driven by Austin Leonard&nbsp;Lallemand, 25, Walnut, was westbound on K126 and struck a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Raven Dawn&nbsp;Edwards, 20, Pittsburg and a 2023 Ford F150 driven by Josh J. Myers, 45, Columbus, and fled the scene westbound.Edwards was treated at Girard Medical Center for a minor injury.Myers and Lallemand were not injured. The KHP did not report possible charges Lallemand would face.

Kansas driver fled after crash at scene of police investigation

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.

Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.

“To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Vatican press office said.

It was the first time he had skipped the traditional, evocative event in his 11-year papacy, and recalled the Good Friday that St. John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.

The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-health-flu-gender-ideology-3b83706d19aa42b7998055f17f965927">asked an aide to read aloud</a>&nbsp;his speeches and skipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.

The decision to not attend the Good Friday procession appeared to be very last-minute: Francis’ chair was in place on the platform where he was to preside over the rite. His closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.

But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldn’t show up. The chair was quickly taken away.

The hasty announcement recalled Francis' last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope's homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it, when Francis made clear he was skipping it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711361555231.png" alt="FILE photo Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>FILE photo Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.“To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Vatican press office said.It was the first time he had skipped the traditional, evocative event in his 11-year papacy, and recalled the Good Friday that St. John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-health-flu-gender-ideology-3b83706d19aa42b7998055f17f965927">asked an aide to read aloud</a>&nbsp;his speeches and skipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.The decision to not attend the Good Friday procession appeared to be very last-minute: Francis’ chair was in place on the platform where he was to preside over the rite. His closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldn’t show up. The chair was quickly taken away.The hasty announcement recalled Francis' last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope's homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it, when Francis made clear he was skipping it.

Vatican: Pope skips Good Friday event ahead of Easter

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

GARDEN CITY — Meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Dodge City say the tornado that struck Garden City on Sunday afternoon wasn’t obvious on radar.

NWS Dodge City lead forecaster Bill Turner said the storm which spawned the tornado at 3:30 p.m. indicated embedded rotation on radar as it developed on the southeast side of the Dairy Farmers of America plant. A brief, weak tornado then formed and tracked north, causing damage consistent with an EF-0 or EF-1 rated twister.

“Most of the tornadoes we get, like in May, are more obvious,” Turner said. “This was not that. It was much weaker and formed in a more chaotic environment.”

The tornado swept along the ground for 2.5 miles, with peak winds estimated at 90 mph. After causing minor damage to the roofs and siding of several homes and businesses, the tornado dissipated around 3:55 p.m. near Garden City High School.

Numerous photos and videos of the storm were shared on social media. Turner said his colleagues used a video of the twister striking a car wash to determine the damage path.

“If this thing had happened five miles further east, between the (Garden City Regional) Airport and the city, nobody would’ve known about it,” Turner said. “It happened right where there’s a lot of stuff to hit. We usually don’t get damage indicators (for tornadic storms), but this time we got a lot.”

Finney County Emergency Management officials sounded the outdoor warning sirens in Garden City after receiving 911 calls regarding a tornado. Turner said those 911 calls, even from residents in rural areas, can make a difference when it comes to warning the public of a potential tornado.

“Cows make very poor storm spotters,” Turner said.

For two days, Garden City police and other first responders cordoned off the damaged neighborhood along Spruce Street on the eastern edge of the city. Garden City officials wrote on Facebook immediately after the tornado that public works crews would start clearing debris on Monday.

But on Monday, up to three inches of snow fell across southwest Kansas, while the northwest corner of the state experienced blizzard conditions with wind gusts over 40 mph.

Turner said the weather extremes — from a tornado to snow — were caused by a powerful extra-tropical cyclone that centered over southwest Kansas on Sunday. Behind the cyclone came an area of low pressure along the surface that pulled in more moisture as the cyclone moved out of the region. Turner said a large amount of cold air filled the void created by the surface low, in turn bringing frozen precipitation to Kansas.

“Most places never see something like that,” Turner said. “You get away from the Plains, and it’s near impossible to get a tornado and then snow a little while later.”

Turner said the Easter Sunday forecast looks much more hospitable across western Kansas. Temperatures will reach 80 degrees across much of the state on Sunday. Windy conditions will persist however, and with dried vegetation still present, Turner warned of an increased fire danger for the coming weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711324894171.png" alt="Garden City tornado photo courtesy Millestone Custom Homes" />
 <figcaption>Garden City tornado photo courtesy Millestone Custom Homes</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>GARDEN CITY — Meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Dodge City say the tornado that struck Garden City on Sunday afternoon wasn’t obvious on radar.NWS Dodge City lead forecaster Bill Turner said the storm which spawned the tornado at 3:30 p.m. indicated embedded rotation on radar as it developed on the southeast side of the Dairy Farmers of America plant. A brief, weak tornado then formed and tracked north, causing damage consistent with an EF-0 or EF-1 rated twister.“Most of the tornadoes we get, like in May, are more obvious,” Turner said. “This was not that. It was much weaker and formed in a more chaotic environment.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711497664150.png" alt="-This graphic shows the path of a tornado on March 24 as it struck Garden&nbsp;City. (National Weather Service Dodge City Office)" />
 <figcaption>-This graphic shows the path of a tornado on March 24 as it struck Garden&nbsp;City. (National Weather Service Dodge City Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>The tornado swept along the ground for 2.5 miles, with peak winds estimated at 90 mph. After causing minor damage to the roofs and siding of several homes and businesses, the tornado dissipated around 3:55 p.m. near Garden City High School.Numerous photos and videos of the storm were shared on social media. Turner said his colleagues used a video of the twister striking a car wash to determine the damage path.“If this thing had happened five miles further east, between the (Garden City Regional) Airport and the city, nobody would’ve known about it,” Turner said. “It happened right where there’s a lot of stuff to hit. We usually don’t get damage indicators (for tornadic storms), but this time we got a lot.”Finney County Emergency Management officials sounded the outdoor warning sirens in Garden City after receiving 911 calls regarding a tornado. Turner said those 911 calls, even from residents in rural areas, can make a difference when it comes to warning the public of a potential tornado.“Cows make very poor storm spotters,” Turner said.For two days, Garden City police and other first responders cordoned off the damaged neighborhood along Spruce Street on the eastern edge of the city. Garden City officials wrote on Facebook immediately after the tornado that public works crews would start clearing debris on Monday.But on Monday, up to three inches of snow fell across southwest Kansas, while the northwest corner of the state experienced blizzard conditions with wind gusts over 40 mph.Turner said the weather extremes — from a tornado to snow — were caused by a powerful extra-tropical cyclone that centered over southwest Kansas on Sunday. Behind the cyclone came an area of low pressure along the surface that pulled in more moisture as the cyclone moved out of the region. Turner said a large amount of cold air filled the void created by the surface low, in turn bringing frozen precipitation to Kansas.“Most places never see something like that,” Turner said. “You get away from the Plains, and it’s near impossible to get a tornado and then snow a little while later.”Turner said the Easter Sunday forecast looks much more hospitable across western Kansas. Temperatures will reach 80 degrees across much of the state on Sunday. Windy conditions will persist however, and with dried vegetation still present, Turner warned of an increased fire danger for the coming weekend.

Tornado that hit southwest Kansas ahead of snowstorm wasn’t obvious on radar

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a Kansas boy to the hospital and his mother to jail.

Just before noon Thursday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at the intersection of Hydraulic and Industrial in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

The call to 911 was made by a juvenile in a car who reported he had been shot. Within a minute of the call, a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a&nbsp;gold Chevy Impala driven by 40-year-old Alvina Horner of Wichita who was northbound on Interstate 135 at Kansas 15 with a 10-year-old boy later identified as her son in the front passenger seat. The boy was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper left leg. 

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the deputy called for assistance, prompting a response from additional Wichita Police Officers and Sedgwick County EMS. EMS personnel provided triage at the scene and transported the boy to a nearby hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening.

A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded firearm under the front driver's seat, where the driver, identified as&nbsp; Horner was seated. 

Police took Horner to police headquarters for further questioning. Detectives from the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) were dispatched to interview the boy at the hospital.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=747199">Alvina Horner was booked </a>into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of felony Aggravated Battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great bodily harm and a felony count of Aggravated endangering a child.

The Wichita Police Department continues investigating this incident and urges anyone with information to come forward and contact investigators at 316-268-4407. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711710292646.png" alt="Horner-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Horner-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a Kansas boy to the hospital and his mother to jail.Just before noon Thursday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at the intersection of Hydraulic and Industrial in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.The call to 911 was made by a juvenile in a car who reported he had been shot. Within a minute of the call, a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a&nbsp;gold Chevy Impala driven by 40-year-old Alvina Horner of Wichita who was northbound on Interstate 135 at Kansas 15 with a 10-year-old boy later identified as her son in the front passenger seat. The boy was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper left leg. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the deputy called for assistance, prompting a response from additional Wichita Police Officers and Sedgwick County EMS. EMS personnel provided triage at the scene and transported the boy to a nearby hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening.A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded firearm under the front driver's seat, where the driver, identified as&nbsp; Horner was seated. Police took Horner to police headquarters for further questioning. Detectives from the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) were dispatched to interview the boy at the hospital.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=747199">Alvina Horner was booked </a>into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of felony Aggravated Battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great bodily harm and a felony count of Aggravated endangering a child.The Wichita Police Department continues investigating this incident and urges anyone with information to come forward and contact investigators at 316-268-4407.

Gun under Kan. woman's car seat fired and injured 10-year-old son 

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Republican lawmakers in Topeka are trying to snuff out liberal Lawrence’s reign as a plastic bag-free city. If history is a guide, the GOP likely won’t have enough votes to overturn a veto from the governor.

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers worked to prohibit municipalities from regulating the bags, straws, cups, bottles and other single-use containers through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2446/">House Bill 2446</a>.&nbsp;The bill passed the House 72-51 last year, and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday voted 24-16 to send the legislation to the governor’s desk.&nbsp;

Lawrence implemented a plastic bag ban March 1 due to environmental concerns over the state’s plastic pollution, potential microplastic contamination from bags degrading and animal deaths from eating the bags, among other concerns. The city allows exemptions for other plastic products, such as produce bags and garment bags.&nbsp;

Lawrence’s ban added urgency to Republican-driven efforts to prevent similar bans from going into effect.

“It can take thousands of years for a plastic bag to decompose and that seems to be the case for this bill as well,” Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat said. “Citizens want local governments to make decisions that reflect their local and unique communities. This bill violates the spirit of local control that is ingrained in our constitution.”

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed the bill last year, and is likely to do so again. With 27 votes in the Senate and 84 in the House needed to override her veto, Republican lawmakers likely won’t have the support to force through the ban.&nbsp;

Another bill bound for the governor’s desk would increase criminal and financial penalties for people who injure or kill a police dog or horse.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>,&nbsp;given final approval Wednesday by a 25-15 Senate vote, would make inflicting harm on law enforcement dogs or horses a felony punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000. Kansas statute currently requires a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for this crime.&nbsp;

In previous debate, other lawmakers have pointed out the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/28/as-black-history-month-ends-wichita-democrat-condemns-racism-in-kansas-statehouse/">potential race-based implications</a>&nbsp;of the bill. Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement.&nbsp;

In addition, the House bill would make the perpetrator who harmed or killed a police horse or dog responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency, such as paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal.&nbsp;

House lawmakers approved the bill 107-4&nbsp; in early February. The bill now goes to Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711638564022.png" alt=" Senate lawmakers on Wednesday approved a ban that would stop local governments from regulating plastic use. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate lawmakers on Wednesday approved a ban that would stop local governments from regulating plastic use. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — Republican lawmakers in Topeka are trying to snuff out liberal Lawrence’s reign as a plastic bag-free city. If history is a guide, the GOP likely won’t have enough votes to overturn a veto from the governor.For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers worked to prohibit municipalities from regulating the bags, straws, cups, bottles and other single-use containers through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2446/">House Bill 2446</a>.&nbsp;The bill passed the House 72-51 last year, and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday voted 24-16 to send the legislation to the governor’s desk.&nbsp;Lawrence implemented a plastic bag ban March 1 due to environmental concerns over the state’s plastic pollution, potential microplastic contamination from bags degrading and animal deaths from eating the bags, among other concerns. The city allows exemptions for other plastic products, such as produce bags and garment bags.&nbsp;Lawrence’s ban added urgency to Republican-driven efforts to prevent similar bans from going into effect.“It can take thousands of years for a plastic bag to decompose and that seems to be the case for this bill as well,” Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat said. “Citizens want local governments to make decisions that reflect their local and unique communities. This bill violates the spirit of local control that is ingrained in our constitution.”Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed the bill last year, and is likely to do so again. With 27 votes in the Senate and 84 in the House needed to override her veto, Republican lawmakers likely won’t have the support to force through the ban.&nbsp;<h2>Police animals</h2>Another bill bound for the governor’s desk would increase criminal and financial penalties for people who injure or kill a police dog or horse.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>,&nbsp;given final approval Wednesday by a 25-15 Senate vote, would make inflicting harm on law enforcement dogs or horses a felony punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000. Kansas statute currently requires a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for this crime.&nbsp;In previous debate, other lawmakers have pointed out the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/28/as-black-history-month-ends-wichita-democrat-condemns-racism-in-kansas-statehouse/">potential race-based implications</a>&nbsp;of the bill. Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement.&nbsp;In addition, the House bill would make the perpetrator who harmed or killed a police horse or dog responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency, such as paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal.&nbsp;House lawmakers approved the bill 107-4&nbsp; in early February. The bill now goes to Kelly.

Kansas senators pass plastic bag ban that would nullify Lawrence order

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess.

“We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,” Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.speaker.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Schumer-Letter-from-Impeachment-Managers.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.

“The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible,” said Johnson. “To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve.”

With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, it’s unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/what-happens-next-impeachment-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas">The process for a trial</a>&nbsp;in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10.

“As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day,” Schumer’s office said in a statement.

Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumer’s office said.

According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented.

For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution.

The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690419772316.png" alt="File photo Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess.“We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,” Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.speaker.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Schumer-Letter-from-Impeachment-Managers.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sec. Mayorkas has played an active role in peddling Joe Biden’s deliberate destruction of America’s borders. I look forward to holding a full impeachment trial in the Senate. <a href="https://t.co/X469F9doFr">https://t.co/X469F9doFr</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1773747429101203853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible,” said Johnson. “To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve.”With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, it’s unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/what-happens-next-impeachment-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas">The process for a trial</a>&nbsp;in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10.“As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day,” Schumer’s office said in a statement.Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumer’s office said.According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented.For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution.The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.The White House has in the past condemned House Republicans’ efforts to impeach Mayorkas, calling it “shameless,” and an “unconstitutional stunt.”“This political and unconstitutional exercise is also drawing broad condemnation by conservatives in the U.S. Senate, where the impeachment will now be sent and where Republican senators have sharply dismissed it as baseless and a waste of time,” the White House said in mid-February.House Republicans, who hold a slim majority,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/02/13/u-s-house-republicans-impeach-homeland-security-chief-mayorkas-on-second-try/">impeached Mayorkas on their second try</a>, on the grounds that Mayorkas willfully ignored immigration law and lied to Congress about the status of border security.Following Mayorkas’ impeachment on Feb. 13, Schumer called the efforts a “sham.”“House Republicans failed to present any evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb. 13.