MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A bear at a Kansas zoo caused some excitement over the weekend.

On Sunday, the staff at Ralph Mitchell Zoo, 400 Mickey Mantle Way in Independence,&nbsp; discovered one of its three Siberian bear sisters had apparently decided zoo life had become unbearable and made an unsuccessful attempt to tunnel out of her enclosure, according to a media release from the city.

While the bear never made it out of the enclosure confines, she did manage to dig under the viewing platform and slip barely out of sight of staff for very brief period of time. Staff quickly responded to the situation, coaxed the bear back into the security of her pen and are taking steps to reinforce the enclosure to eliminate any chance of a future breakout.

   To fully ensure public safety while the bear was misbehaving, staff cleared the zoo of all visitors and locked the secondary enclosure within five minutes of discovering the dig, and within 10 minutes, had the bear back safely secured in the enclosure. Per protocol, the Independence Police Department was notified of the issue and responded to the zoo to provide any necessary assistance.

   “Safety of our visitors is always our number one priority, followed by the well-being of our animals, so I am very thankful for the quick actions of the zoo staff and responding officers to avert danger,” said Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer.

    The bear sisters will be off public exhibit for the next few days as staff continue to make modifications and reinforcements to their enclosure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717981520148.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A bear at a Kansas zoo caused some excitement over the weekend.On Sunday, the staff at Ralph Mitchell Zoo, 400 Mickey Mantle Way in Independence,&nbsp; discovered one of its three Siberian bear sisters had apparently decided zoo life had become unbearable and made an unsuccessful attempt to tunnel out of her enclosure, according to a media release from the city.While the bear never made it out of the enclosure confines, she did manage to dig under the viewing platform and slip barely out of sight of staff for very brief period of time. Staff quickly responded to the situation, coaxed the bear back into the security of her pen and are taking steps to reinforce the enclosure to eliminate any chance of a future breakout. To fully ensure public safety while the bear was misbehaving, staff cleared the zoo of all visitors and locked the secondary enclosure within five minutes of discovering the dig, and within 10 minutes, had the bear back safely secured in the enclosure. Per protocol, the Independence Police Department was notified of the issue and responded to the zoo to provide any necessary assistance. “Safety of our visitors is always our number one priority, followed by the well-being of our animals, so I am very thankful for the quick actions of the zoo staff and responding officers to avert danger,” said Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer. The bear sisters will be off public exhibit for the next few days as staff continue to make modifications and reinforcements to their enclosure.

Bear attempted to tunnel out of enclosure at Kansas zoo

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating incidents that disrupted the annual Downtown Days festival in Lee's Summit.

&nbsp;During the weekend Downtown Days festival, the Lee’s Summit Police Department had a large contingent of officers present during all hours of the festival. 

Just after 10p.m. Saturday, po lice were alerted to the sound of shots fired in the area of SW 3rd and Jefferson just outside of the festival boundary. 

 Officers responded quickly to the area and did not locate any suspects or victims; all parties involved had quickly left the area.  In addition to this incident, officers did handle several small disturbance calls within the festival.

  Officers also observed several members of the juvenile crowd attempting to create artificial panic incidents by running and acting as if an emergency was occurring. 

 During one of these incidents, an elderly woman was pushed to the ground by the running crowd; she was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.  Officers worked the festival through its conclusion on Sunday.&nbsp; No other injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718015072324.png" alt="Downtown Days in Lee's Summit -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Days in Lee's Summit -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating incidents that disrupted the annual Downtown Days festival in Lee's Summit.&nbsp;During the weekend Downtown Days festival, the Lee’s Summit Police Department had a large contingent of officers present during all hours of the festival. Just after 10p.m. Saturday, po lice were alerted to the sound of shots fired in the area of SW 3rd and Jefferson just outside of the festival boundary. Officers responded quickly to the area and did not locate any suspects or victims; all parties involved had quickly left the area. In addition to this incident, officers did handle several small disturbance calls within the festival. Officers also observed several members of the juvenile crowd attempting to create artificial panic incidents by running and acting as if an emergency was occurring. During one of these incidents, an elderly woman was pushed to the ground by the running crowd; she was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Officers worked the festival through its conclusion on Sunday.&nbsp; No other injuries were reported.

Shots fired, woman injured during incidents at KC area festival

JERUSALEM —Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. 

One missile struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned  and operated container ship. M/V Tavvishi reported damage but has continued  underway. The second missile was successfully destroyed by a coalition ship. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. 

Separately, Iranian terrorists&nbsp; launched one ballistic missile and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship. M/V Norderney reported damage but has continued underway. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. 

Additionally, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one drone over the Gulf of Aden. Later, US forces successfully destroyed two Houthi land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702740562018.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. One missile struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container ship. M/V Tavvishi reported damage but has continued underway. The second missile was successfully destroyed by a coalition ship. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. Separately, Iranian terrorists&nbsp; launched one ballistic missile and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship. M/V Norderney reported damage but has continued underway. There were no injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. Additionally, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one drone over the Gulf of Aden. Later, US forces successfully destroyed two Houthi land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and one missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Iran-backed terrorist's missiles damage ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a drug sale death.

&nbsp;Last week, Mason Duane Robinson, 28, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 49 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for distribution of a controlled substance in a case related to the fentanyl-overdose death of a Lawrence woman, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

“One fentanyl-laced pill can have a devastating impact on so many,” District Attorney Valdez said. “The resolve to stem the tide of this epidemic by my office and our law enforcement partners remains steadfast.”

Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Robinson, who pleaded no contest in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. Robinson must register as a drug offender for 15 years.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 14, 2022, when a 23-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive in front of a home in the 1900 block of Miller Drive in Lawrence.&nbsp;

For those seeking substance abuse treatment resources in Kansas, call 211. Visit the website for Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA, which provides free naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray, fentanyl test strips and training to community organizations and Kansas residents, at http://bit.ly/3xyc9lU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717791959218.png" alt="Robinson-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Robinson-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a drug sale death.&nbsp;Last week, Mason Duane Robinson, 28, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 49 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for distribution of a controlled substance in a case related to the fentanyl-overdose death of a Lawrence woman, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.“One fentanyl-laced pill can have a devastating impact on so many,” District Attorney Valdez said. “The resolve to stem the tide of this epidemic by my office and our law enforcement partners remains steadfast.”Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Robinson, who pleaded no contest in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. Robinson must register as a drug offender for 15 years.Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 14, 2022, when a 23-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive in front of a home in the 1900 block of Miller Drive in Lawrence.&nbsp;For those seeking substance abuse treatment resources in Kansas, call 211. Visit the website for Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA, which provides free naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray, fentanyl test strips and training to community organizations and Kansas residents, at http://bit.ly/3xyc9lU.

Man going to prison for Kan. woman's fentanyl overdose death

SISTERS, Ore. (AP) — A rodeo bull hopped a fence surrounding an Oregon arena and ran through a concession area into a parking lot, injuring at least three people before wranglers caught up with it, officials said.

The crowd at the 84th Sisters Rodeo in the city of Sisters was singing along with Lee Greenwood's “God Bless the U.S.A." on Saturday night, most with their cellphone flashlights on, as the bull ran around the arena before what was to be the final bull ride of the night, when the bull hopped the fence, according to a video shot by a fan.

Other videos posted online showed the bull running through a concession area, knocking over a garbage can and sending people scrambling. The bull lifted one person off the ground, spun them end over end, and bounced them off its horns before the person hit the ground.

The Sisters Rodeo Association issued a statement Sunday saying three people were injured “as a direct result of the bull, two of whom were transported to a local hospital,"&nbsp;<a href="https://ktvz.com/cnn-regional/2024/06/09/bull-jumps-sisters-rodeo-arena-fence-escapes-3-struck-injured-by-bull-as-crowd-scrambles-out-of-the-way/">KTVZ-TV reported</a>. Rodeo livestock professionals secured the bull next to livestock holding pens and placed it in a pen, the association said.

Deschutes County sheriff’s Sergeant Joshua Spano said several ambulances were called to the scene. Deputies transported one patient with non-life-threatening injuries to a hospital, and a deputy also sustained minor injuries when responding to the bull's escape, Lt. Jayson Janes told KTVZ on Sunday.

Danielle Smithers was among the rodeo fans with her cellphone flashlight on as the bull named Party Bus was moving around the ring with two riders on horseback as the crowd sang and swayed to the music.

“And about 30 seconds into it I stopped and I looked at it and I thought to myself, ‘this is just too beautiful not to have a video,’" Smithers said. She shut off her flashlight and “started recording the bull, just following him, making his loop and as he started coming around his second loop in my video, he goes right over” the fence, she said.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association said Saturday's incident is a reminder that “while rodeo is a highly-entertaining sport, on very rare occasions it can also pose some risk.”

“PRCA sends our thoughts and well wishes to those who were injured or otherwise impacted by this frightening and very rare incident," the association said.

Officials with the Sisters Rodeo couldn’t be reached to ask if an investigation is planned.

The rodeo's final performance on Sunday went on as scheduled.

SISTERS, Ore. (AP) — A rodeo bull hopped a fence surrounding an Oregon arena and ran through a concession area into a parking lot, injuring at least three people before wranglers caught up with it, officials said.The crowd at the 84th Sisters Rodeo in the city of Sisters was singing along with Lee Greenwood's “God Bless the U.S.A." on Saturday night, most with their cellphone flashlights on, as the bull ran around the arena before what was to be the final bull ride of the night, when the bull hopped the fence, according to a video shot by a fan.Other videos posted online showed the bull running through a concession area, knocking over a garbage can and sending people scrambling. The bull lifted one person off the ground, spun them end over end, and bounced them off its horns before the person hit the ground.The Sisters Rodeo Association issued a statement Sunday saying three people were injured “as a direct result of the bull, two of whom were transported to a local hospital,"&nbsp;<a href="https://ktvz.com/cnn-regional/2024/06/09/bull-jumps-sisters-rodeo-arena-fence-escapes-3-struck-injured-by-bull-as-crowd-scrambles-out-of-the-way/">KTVZ-TV reported</a>. Rodeo livestock professionals secured the bull next to livestock holding pens and placed it in a pen, the association said.Deschutes County sheriff’s Sergeant Joshua Spano said several ambulances were called to the scene. Deputies transported one patient with non-life-threatening injuries to a hospital, and a deputy also sustained minor injuries when responding to the bull's escape, Lt. Jayson Janes told KTVZ on Sunday.Danielle Smithers was among the rodeo fans with her cellphone flashlight on as the bull named Party Bus was moving around the ring with two riders on horseback as the crowd sang and swayed to the music.“And about 30 seconds into it I stopped and I looked at it and I thought to myself, ‘this is just too beautiful not to have a video,’" Smithers said. She shut off her flashlight and “started recording the bull, just following him, making his loop and as he started coming around his second loop in my video, he goes right over” the fence, she said.The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association said Saturday's incident is a reminder that “while rodeo is a highly-entertaining sport, on very rare occasions it can also pose some risk.”“PRCA sends our thoughts and well wishes to those who were injured or otherwise impacted by this frightening and very rare incident," the association said.Officials with the Sisters Rodeo couldn’t be reached to ask if an investigation is planned.The rodeo's final performance on Sunday went on as scheduled.

Bull hops fence at rodeo arena, injures 3 before being captured

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

Jusst after 11p.m. June 6,&nbsp;a Sheriff’s Deputy near Mayetta, observed a gray Honda Accord with a Kansas license plate and the vehicle’s registration was expired. However, the plate contained a current 2025 sticker, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs and or narcotics within the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted and revealed illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and multiple open alcohol containers within the vehicle.

The driver was identified as&nbsp;Earl T Kuhn III,&nbsp;61, of Topeka, and&nbsp;passenger identified&nbsp;as&nbsp;David W Brooks, 58, of Topeka.

Kuhn III was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;transporting an open container, driving while a habitual violator, operating a vehicle with expired registration, improper registration, and&nbsp;no proof of insurance.

Brooks was arrested on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and&nbsp;transporting an open container.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717793395255.png" alt="Kuhn-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Kuhn-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.Jusst after 11p.m. June 6,&nbsp;a Sheriff’s Deputy near Mayetta, observed a gray Honda Accord with a Kansas license plate and the vehicle’s registration was expired. However, the plate contained a current 2025 sticker, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.A Jackson County K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs and or narcotics within the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted and revealed illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and multiple open alcohol containers within the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717793359173.png" alt="Brooks" />
 <figcaption>Brooks</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver was identified as&nbsp;Earl T Kuhn III,&nbsp;61, of Topeka, and&nbsp;passenger identified&nbsp;as&nbsp;David W Brooks, 58, of Topeka.Kuhn III was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;transporting an open container, driving while a habitual violator, operating a vehicle with expired registration, improper registration, and&nbsp;no proof of insurance.Brooks was arrested on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and&nbsp;transporting an open container.

Kan. deputy found multiple open alcohol containers in car

By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>

A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.

It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.

While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.

Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.

It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.

The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.

The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.

The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.

The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.

Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.

Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.

That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.

Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a>

“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.

The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.

Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.

The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”

In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717934001181.png" alt=" From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency)." />
 <figcaption> From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.<h2>What tests were affected?</h2>The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.<h2>What does a falsely low result mean?</h2>Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a><h2>What should parents do now?</h2>“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

Thousands of children got tested for lead with faulty devices: What parents should know

KANSAS CITY (AP) —For retirees Tom and Beverly McAdam, the good news is the value of their two-bedroom home in suburban Denver has risen 45% since they purchased it more than six years ago.

That's also the bad news, costing them thousands more in real estate taxes and leaving less for discretionary spending.

“To pay the higher property taxes, it just means we’ve got to take more money out of our investments when it comes time to hit those big bills,” Beverly McAdam said.

She backs a Colorado ballot proposal that could cap the growth of property tax revenue. It's one of several measures in states this year to limit, cut or offset escalating property taxes in response to complaints.

Over the past five years, single-family home prices have risen about 54% nationally, according to S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices.

That means higher tax bills for homeowners when governments don’t offset higher real estate values by reducing tax rates. And with offices seeing higher vacancies as people still work from home after the coronavirus pandemic, some commercial property values are declining, putting even more pressure on residential properties to deliver revenues.

“With assessed values skyrocketing over the past few years,” said Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the nonprofit Tax Foundation, “homeowners are clamoring for relief, and state policymakers are increasingly exploring ways to provide it.”

Colorado, like Alabama and Wyoming, also has a new law that will limit the growth in tax-assessed values for homeowners. Property tax relief will be part of a special legislative session&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-5db61e7a326e861c7a492122c0615ac6">beginning June 18</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, while Nebraska also could hold a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-special-session-property-tax-ef418445d4d953643f46f57d37ba2642">special session</a>&nbsp;to cut property taxes.

Georgia voters will decide in November whether to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-property-tax-cut-home-values-608e078a59193f4014ea10ae453b3fc6">a new law</a>&nbsp;limiting increases in assessed home values for tax purposes to the rate of inflation, unless local governments or school boards opt out.

Five years ago, Lanell Griffith and her husband paid a little less than $2,700 in property taxes on their Topeka, Kansas, home in a historic neighborhood of tree-lined, brick streets. Their bill last year was more than $3,700.

“The government shouldn’t be able to arbitrarily just increase what they say you owe them without any sort of guardrails on that,” Griffith said.

Kansas lawmakers this year passed three measures that would have reduced the state's property tax levy for public schools. But each was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;because of concerns about other sections to cut income taxes. The special session will mark a fourth attempt at consensus.

In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott has vowed to veto a bill that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vermont-legislature-adjourns-b523fb14564d3c8034c553445e1c9db0">raise property taxes</a>&nbsp;by an average of nearly 14% to provide more money for public schools. Scott said people “simply cannot afford a historic, double digit property tax increase.”

In many states, property taxes are primarily a function of local governments such as counties, cities, school boards and special districts for libraries, fire departments and water systems. Each entity sets its own property tax rate, which is added to the others to come up with an overall tax bill for property owners.

State legislatures can intervene in a variety of ways. They can establish statewide limits on how much assessed property values can rise, create partial tax exemptions for all homeowners or provide income tax credits to help offset property taxes for certain people, such as those 65 and older.

But any relief carries consequences. Limits on the growth of assessed property values may provide a greater benefit to the wealthy. Exemptions for homes used as primary residences can shift a greater tax burden to rental properties and businesses.

"If you do this too much, you can now start tying the hands of your local government and cutting them off from the ability to raise revenue," said Richard Auxier, a principal policy associate at the nonprofit Tax Policy Center.

While signing several&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.wyo.gov/news-releases/governor-gordon-signs-four-bills-expanding-and-extending-property-tax-relief-">property tax relief laws</a>&nbsp;this year, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed one that would have exempted 25% of a home's value from property taxes. He said it “jeopardized the financial stability of the state and counties.”

In 1982, voters in Muscogee County, Georgia, approved a local ordinance freezing assessed property values for homes used as primary residences. The result: longtime homeowners pay very little, newcomers pay more and businesses face some of the state's highest property tax rates, said Suzanne Widenhouse, the county’s chief appraiser.

Last year, two similar homes worth around $330,000 had dramatically different tax bills. One, whose assessed value was frozen in the 1980s, owed less than $8. The other, whose assessed value was frozen when purchased about five years ago, owed $3,236, Widenhouse said.

“Anytime you grant an exemption, you create an inequality,” she said.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-income-property-tax-cuts-brian-kemp-53eb92dc76bce0de97e9e7d3749a0ca6">Georgia ballot measure</a>&nbsp;would amend the constitution to allow increases in assessed property values to be capped at the rate of inflation. But it wouldn’t undo past increases.

In the eight years since Rob Romeijn bought a ranch-style house on 10 acres (4 hectares) southeast of Atlanta, Rockdale County has raised the assessed value of his property from $127,000 to $230,000, also bumping up his property tax bill, he said.

As a Dutch immigrant with permanent residency, Romeijn can’t vote in elections in Conyers, but he was so unhappy about the increase that he made a sign urging people to vote out Rockdale’s commissioners and protested outside county offices in April.

Colorado also has been at the center of the property tax debate. The state has experienced decades-long growth in new residents, driving up demand for housing. Meanwhile, it has struggled to find a balance between providing tax relief for homeowners and sufficient funding for local governments.

A 1982 constitutional amendment limited residential properties to 45% of Colorado’s total property tax base while also setting a fixed assessment rate for commercial properties. To keep the ratio in balance as home values rose, residential tax assessments were cut, leaving less revenue for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1640d1cf050b4cf0902f8daf50625c20">essential services such as fire districts</a>.

Colorado voters repealed that constitutional provision in 2020. Since then, assessed home values have risen rapidly and the General Assembly has responded. The latest law, signed in May, is projected to shave over $1 billion annually off future property tax revenue by reducing tax rates and imposing growth limits.

But that’s not enough to satisfy some residents. The conservative group Advance Colorado backed a citizens initiative asking voters in November to cap all property tax revenue growth at 4% per year and is gathering signatures for still another ballot initiative to lower property taxes.

“People are saying this is too much growth; government doesn’t need this much money,” Advance Colorado President Michael Fields said. "People are genuinely scared of losing their houses.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID A. LIEB&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) —For retirees Tom and Beverly McAdam, the good news is the value of their two-bedroom home in suburban Denver has risen 45% since they purchased it more than six years ago.That's also the bad news, costing them thousands more in real estate taxes and leaving less for discretionary spending.“To pay the higher property taxes, it just means we’ve got to take more money out of our investments when it comes time to hit those big bills,” Beverly McAdam said.She backs a Colorado ballot proposal that could cap the growth of property tax revenue. It's one of several measures in states this year to limit, cut or offset escalating property taxes in response to complaints.Over the past five years, single-family home prices have risen about 54% nationally, according to S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices.That means higher tax bills for homeowners when governments don’t offset higher real estate values by reducing tax rates. And with offices seeing higher vacancies as people still work from home after the coronavirus pandemic, some commercial property values are declining, putting even more pressure on residential properties to deliver revenues.“With assessed values skyrocketing over the past few years,” said Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the nonprofit Tax Foundation, “homeowners are clamoring for relief, and state policymakers are increasingly exploring ways to provide it.”Colorado, like Alabama and Wyoming, also has a new law that will limit the growth in tax-assessed values for homeowners. Property tax relief will be part of a special legislative session&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-5db61e7a326e861c7a492122c0615ac6">beginning June 18</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, while Nebraska also could hold a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-special-session-property-tax-ef418445d4d953643f46f57d37ba2642">special session</a>&nbsp;to cut property taxes.Georgia voters will decide in November whether to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-property-tax-cut-home-values-608e078a59193f4014ea10ae453b3fc6">a new law</a>&nbsp;limiting increases in assessed home values for tax purposes to the rate of inflation, unless local governments or school boards opt out.Five years ago, Lanell Griffith and her husband paid a little less than $2,700 in property taxes on their Topeka, Kansas, home in a historic neighborhood of tree-lined, brick streets. Their bill last year was more than $3,700.“The government shouldn’t be able to arbitrarily just increase what they say you owe them without any sort of guardrails on that,” Griffith said.Kansas lawmakers this year passed three measures that would have reduced the state's property tax levy for public schools. But each was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;because of concerns about other sections to cut income taxes. The special session will mark a fourth attempt at consensus.In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott has vowed to veto a bill that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vermont-legislature-adjourns-b523fb14564d3c8034c553445e1c9db0">raise property taxes</a>&nbsp;by an average of nearly 14% to provide more money for public schools. Scott said people “simply cannot afford a historic, double digit property tax increase.”In many states, property taxes are primarily a function of local governments such as counties, cities, school boards and special districts for libraries, fire departments and water systems. Each entity sets its own property tax rate, which is added to the others to come up with an overall tax bill for property owners.State legislatures can intervene in a variety of ways. They can establish statewide limits on how much assessed property values can rise, create partial tax exemptions for all homeowners or provide income tax credits to help offset property taxes for certain people, such as those 65 and older.But any relief carries consequences. Limits on the growth of assessed property values may provide a greater benefit to the wealthy. Exemptions for homes used as primary residences can shift a greater tax burden to rental properties and businesses."If you do this too much, you can now start tying the hands of your local government and cutting them off from the ability to raise revenue," said Richard Auxier, a principal policy associate at the nonprofit Tax Policy Center.While signing several&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.wyo.gov/news-releases/governor-gordon-signs-four-bills-expanding-and-extending-property-tax-relief-">property tax relief laws</a>&nbsp;this year, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed one that would have exempted 25% of a home's value from property taxes. He said it “jeopardized the financial stability of the state and counties.”In 1982, voters in Muscogee County, Georgia, approved a local ordinance freezing assessed property values for homes used as primary residences. The result: longtime homeowners pay very little, newcomers pay more and businesses face some of the state's highest property tax rates, said Suzanne Widenhouse, the county’s chief appraiser.Last year, two similar homes worth around $330,000 had dramatically different tax bills. One, whose assessed value was frozen in the 1980s, owed less than $8. The other, whose assessed value was frozen when purchased about five years ago, owed $3,236, Widenhouse said.“Anytime you grant an exemption, you create an inequality,” she said.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-income-property-tax-cuts-brian-kemp-53eb92dc76bce0de97e9e7d3749a0ca6">Georgia ballot measure</a>&nbsp;would amend the constitution to allow increases in assessed property values to be capped at the rate of inflation. But it wouldn’t undo past increases.In the eight years since Rob Romeijn bought a ranch-style house on 10 acres (4 hectares) southeast of Atlanta, Rockdale County has raised the assessed value of his property from $127,000 to $230,000, also bumping up his property tax bill, he said.As a Dutch immigrant with permanent residency, Romeijn can’t vote in elections in Conyers, but he was so unhappy about the increase that he made a sign urging people to vote out Rockdale’s commissioners and protested outside county offices in April.Colorado also has been at the center of the property tax debate. The state has experienced decades-long growth in new residents, driving up demand for housing. Meanwhile, it has struggled to find a balance between providing tax relief for homeowners and sufficient funding for local governments.A 1982 constitutional amendment limited residential properties to 45% of Colorado’s total property tax base while also setting a fixed assessment rate for commercial properties. To keep the ratio in balance as home values rose, residential tax assessments were cut, leaving less revenue for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1640d1cf050b4cf0902f8daf50625c20">essential services such as fire districts</a>.Colorado voters repealed that constitutional provision in 2020. Since then, assessed home values have risen rapidly and the General Assembly has responded. The latest law, signed in May, is projected to shave over $1 billion annually off future property tax revenue by reducing tax rates and imposing growth limits.But that’s not enough to satisfy some residents. The conservative group Advance Colorado backed a citizens initiative asking voters in November to cap all property tax revenue growth at 4% per year and is gathering signatures for still another ballot initiative to lower property taxes.“People are saying this is too much growth; government doesn’t need this much money,” Advance Colorado President Michael Fields said. "People are genuinely scared of losing their houses.”___

With home prices up more than 50%, some states try to contain property taxes

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 2:30 a.m. June 6, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 405 NW Lyman in Topeka reference a burglary alarm at the business, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Officers saw an individual inside the business committing a burglary. The suspect ran out the side door and was apprehended a short distance from the business.

As a result of the investigation, Donald R. Koch, 46, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal damage to property, Felony Interference with LEO; obstruction, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717716876195.png" alt="Koch-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Koch-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 2:30 a.m. June 6, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 405 NW Lyman in Topeka reference a burglary alarm at the business, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Officers saw an individual inside the business committing a burglary. The suspect ran out the side door and was apprehended a short distance from the business.As a result of the investigation, Donald R. Koch, 46, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal damage to property, Felony Interference with LEO; obstruction, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia

Kansas man caught running from business burglary

KANSAS CITY (AP) —From its towering white steeple and red-brick facade to its Sunday services filled with rousing gospel hymns and evangelistic sermons, First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, bears many of the classic hallmarks of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/religion">Southern Baptist church</a>.

On a recent Sunday, its pastor for women and children, Kim Eskridge, urged members to invite friends and neighbors to an upcoming vacation Bible school — a perennial Baptist activity — to help “reach families in the community with the gospel.”

But because that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-saddleback-vote-women-pastors-new-orleans-7ee6606b57d0bf0c4c7ed91316af12b1">pastor is a woman</a>, First Baptist’s days in the Southern Baptist Convention may be numbered.

At the SBC’s annual meeting June 11-12 in Indianapolis, representatives will vote on whether to amend the denomination’s constitution to essentially ban churches with any women pastors — and not just in the top job. That measure received overwhelming approval in a preliminary vote last year.

Leaders of First Baptist – which has given millions to Southern Baptist causes and has been involved with the convention since its 19th century founding — are bracing for a possible expulsion.

“We are grieved at the direction the SBC has taken,” the church said in a statement.

By some estimates, the proposed ban could affect hundreds of congregations and have a disproportionate impact on predominantly Black churches.

The vote is partly the culmination of events set in motion two years ago.

That’s when a Virginia pastor contacted SBC officials to contend that First Baptist and four nearby churches were “out of step” with denominational doctrine that says only men can be pastors. The SBC Credentials Committee launched a formal inquiry in April.

Southern Baptists disagree on which ministry jobs this doctrine refers to. Some say it’s just the senior pastor, others that a pastor is anyone who preaches and exercises spiritual authority.

And in a Baptist tradition that prizes local church autonomy, critics say the convention shouldn’t enshrine a constitutional rule based on one interpretation of its non-binding doctrinal statement.

By some estimates, women are working in pastoral roles in hundreds of SBC-linked churches, a fraction of the nearly 47,000 across the denomination.

But critics say the amendment would amount to a further narrowing in numbers and mindset for the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, which has moved steadily rightward in recent decades.

They also wonder if the SBC has better things to do.

It has struggled to respond to sexual abuse cases in its churches. A former professor at a Southern Baptist seminary in Texas was indicted in May on a charge of falsifying a record about alleged sexual abuse by a student in order to obstruct a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptist-convention-sex-abuse-investigation-58b037e49e8f305978596c3836db5329">federal investigation</a>&nbsp;into sexual misconduct in the convention.

SBC membership has dipped below 13 million, nearly a half-century low. Baptismal rates are in long-term decline.

The amendment, if passed, wouldn’t prompt an immediate purge. But it could keep the denomination’s leaders busy for years, investigating and ousting churches.

Many predominantly Black churches have men as lead pastors but assign pastor titles to women in other areas, such as worship and children’s ministries.

“To disfellowship like-minded churches ... based on a local-church governance decision dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination,” wrote Pastor Gregory Perkins, president of the SBC’s National African American Fellowship, to denominational officials.

The controversy complicates the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/racial-injustice-baptist-race-and-ethnicity-religion-900a3edd93c6ab0e7836a48751048c91">already-choppy efforts</a>&nbsp;by the mostly white denomination to diversify and overcome its legacy of slavery and segregation.

Amendment proponents say the convention needs to reinforce its doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message, which says the office of pastor is “limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

“If we won’t stand on this issue and be unapologetically biblical, then we won’t stand on anything,” said amendment proponent Mike Law, pastor of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia.

Since Baptist churches are independent, the convention can’t tell them what to do or whom to appoint as a pastor.

But the convention can decide which churches are in and which are out. And even without a formal amendment, its Executive Committee has begun telling churches with women pastors that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-women-pastors-sex-abuse-45439f49cead56de4d363765409f486c">they’re out</a>. That included one of its largest, Saddleback Church of California.

When Saddleback and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptist-convention-women-pastors-church-appeals-7c2d7f248b2156721616387d77528cb5">small Kentucky church</a>&nbsp;appealed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-saddleback-vote-women-pastors-new-orleans-7ee6606b57d0bf0c4c7ed91316af12b1">annual meeting in 2023,</a>&nbsp;delegates overwhelmingly refused to take them back.

The amendment would give such enforcement actions more teeth.

Some churches with women pastors quit on their own in the past year. They range from Elevation Church, a North Carolina megachurch, to First Baptist of Richmond, Virginia, which had close SBC ties from the convention’s founding.

Law contended the issue has been a “canary in the coalmine” for liberal denominations, several of which began ordaining women and later LGBTQ+ people.

“Southern Baptists are facing a decisive moment,” he said in a video on a pro-amendment website. “Here’s the trajectory of doing nothing: Soon Southern Baptist churches will start openly supporting homosexual clergy, same-sex marriage and eventually transgenderism.”

Others point out that Pentecostal and other denominations have had women pastors for generations and remain theologically conservative.

Some SBC churches with women pastors are heavily involved with the convention, while others have minimal connections and identify more closely with historically Black or other progressive denominations.

Also, some SBC churches interpret the 2000 faith statement as only applying to senior pastors. As long as a the church leader is male, women can serve other pastoral roles, they say.

Such churches may leave if SBC leaders interfere with congregations following “their conscience, biblical convictions, and values by recognizing women can receive a pastoral gift from God in partnership with male leadership,” said Dwight McKissic, a pastor from Arlington, Texas, on the social media platform X.

Other churches say women can be in any role, including senior pastor, and churches can agree to disagree if they embrace most of the SBC faith statement.

That category includes First Baptist of Alexandria. Though its current senior pastor is male, it recognizes “God’s calling to ordain any qualified individual, male or female, for pastoral ministry,” the church said in a statement.

First Baptist leaders declined interview requests, but it has posted extensively about the issue on its website.

It said while it plans to send representatives to the SBC annual meeting, it was warned to expect a motion to deny them voting privileges.

“I do believe we need to be heard and represented,” Senior Pastor Robert Stephens told members in a video-recorded meeting.

The SBC’s top administrative body opposes the amendment. Investigating churches’ compliance would consume an unsustainable amount of time and energy over something that shouldn’t be a litmus test for fellowship, wrote Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, in a Baptist Press commentary.

Baptist Women in Ministry, which began within the SBC in the 1980s but now works in multiple Baptist denominations, has taken note. The Rev. Meredith Stone, its executive director, said some women pastors within the SBC have reached out for support.

The group plans to release a documentary, “Midwives of a Movement,” about 20th century trailblazers for women in Baptist ministry, on the eve of the SBC meeting.

“As they are saying women have less value to God than men in the church, we want to make sure that women know they do have equal value and that there are no limits to how they follow Christ in the work of the church,” Stone said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660444151062.png" alt="Photo courtesy Southern Baptist Convention" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Southern Baptist Convention</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —From its towering white steeple and red-brick facade to its Sunday services filled with rousing gospel hymns and evangelistic sermons, First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, bears many of the classic hallmarks of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/religion">Southern Baptist church</a>.On a recent Sunday, its pastor for women and children, Kim Eskridge, urged members to invite friends and neighbors to an upcoming vacation Bible school — a perennial Baptist activity — to help “reach families in the community with the gospel.”But because that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-saddleback-vote-women-pastors-new-orleans-7ee6606b57d0bf0c4c7ed91316af12b1">pastor is a woman</a>, First Baptist’s days in the Southern Baptist Convention may be numbered.At the SBC’s annual meeting June 11-12 in Indianapolis, representatives will vote on whether to amend the denomination’s constitution to essentially ban churches with any women pastors — and not just in the top job. That measure received overwhelming approval in a preliminary vote last year.Leaders of First Baptist – which has given millions to Southern Baptist causes and has been involved with the convention since its 19th century founding — are bracing for a possible expulsion.“We are grieved at the direction the SBC has taken,” the church said in a statement.And it’s not alone.By some estimates, the proposed ban could affect hundreds of congregations and have a disproportionate impact on predominantly Black churches.The vote is partly the culmination of events set in motion two years ago.That’s when a Virginia pastor contacted SBC officials to contend that First Baptist and four nearby churches were “out of step” with denominational doctrine that says only men can be pastors. The SBC Credentials Committee launched a formal inquiry in April.Southern Baptists disagree on which ministry jobs this doctrine refers to. Some say it’s just the senior pastor, others that a pastor is anyone who preaches and exercises spiritual authority.And in a Baptist tradition that prizes local church autonomy, critics say the convention shouldn’t enshrine a constitutional rule based on one interpretation of its non-binding doctrinal statement.By some estimates, women are working in pastoral roles in hundreds of SBC-linked churches, a fraction of the nearly 47,000 across the denomination.But critics say the amendment would amount to a further narrowing in numbers and mindset for the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, which has moved steadily rightward in recent decades.They also wonder if the SBC has better things to do.It has struggled to respond to sexual abuse cases in its churches. A former professor at a Southern Baptist seminary in Texas was indicted in May on a charge of falsifying a record about alleged sexual abuse by a student in order to obstruct a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptist-convention-sex-abuse-investigation-58b037e49e8f305978596c3836db5329">federal investigation</a>&nbsp;into sexual misconduct in the convention.SBC membership has dipped below 13 million, nearly a half-century low. Baptismal rates are in long-term decline.The amendment, if passed, wouldn’t prompt an immediate purge. But it could keep the denomination’s leaders busy for years, investigating and ousting churches.Many predominantly Black churches have men as lead pastors but assign pastor titles to women in other areas, such as worship and children’s ministries.“To disfellowship like-minded churches ... based on a local-church governance decision dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination,” wrote Pastor Gregory Perkins, president of the SBC’s National African American Fellowship, to denominational officials.The controversy complicates the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/racial-injustice-baptist-race-and-ethnicity-religion-900a3edd93c6ab0e7836a48751048c91">already-choppy efforts</a>&nbsp;by the mostly white denomination to diversify and overcome its legacy of slavery and segregation.Amendment proponents say the convention needs to reinforce its doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message, which says the office of pastor is “limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”“If we won’t stand on this issue and be unapologetically biblical, then we won’t stand on anything,” said amendment proponent Mike Law, pastor of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia.Since Baptist churches are independent, the convention can’t tell them what to do or whom to appoint as a pastor.But the convention can decide which churches are in and which are out. And even without a formal amendment, its Executive Committee has begun telling churches with women pastors that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-women-pastors-sex-abuse-45439f49cead56de4d363765409f486c">they’re out</a>. That included one of its largest, Saddleback Church of California.When Saddleback and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptist-convention-women-pastors-church-appeals-7c2d7f248b2156721616387d77528cb5">small Kentucky church</a>&nbsp;appealed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-saddleback-vote-women-pastors-new-orleans-7ee6606b57d0bf0c4c7ed91316af12b1">annual meeting in 2023,</a>&nbsp;delegates overwhelmingly refused to take them back.The amendment would give such enforcement actions more teeth.Some churches with women pastors quit on their own in the past year. They range from Elevation Church, a North Carolina megachurch, to First Baptist of Richmond, Virginia, which had close SBC ties from the convention’s founding.Law contended the issue has been a “canary in the coalmine” for liberal denominations, several of which began ordaining women and later LGBTQ+ people.“Southern Baptists are facing a decisive moment,” he said in a video on a pro-amendment website. “Here’s the trajectory of doing nothing: Soon Southern Baptist churches will start openly supporting homosexual clergy, same-sex marriage and eventually transgenderism.”Others point out that Pentecostal and other denominations have had women pastors for generations and remain theologically conservative.Some SBC churches with women pastors are heavily involved with the convention, while others have minimal connections and identify more closely with historically Black or other progressive denominations.Also, some SBC churches interpret the 2000 faith statement as only applying to senior pastors. As long as a the church leader is male, women can serve other pastoral roles, they say.Such churches may leave if SBC leaders interfere with congregations following “their conscience, biblical convictions, and values by recognizing women can receive a pastoral gift from God in partnership with male leadership,” said Dwight McKissic, a pastor from Arlington, Texas, on the social media platform X.Other churches say women can be in any role, including senior pastor, and churches can agree to disagree if they embrace most of the SBC faith statement.That category includes First Baptist of Alexandria. Though its current senior pastor is male, it recognizes “God’s calling to ordain any qualified individual, male or female, for pastoral ministry,” the church said in a statement.First Baptist leaders declined interview requests, but it has posted extensively about the issue on its website.It said while it plans to send representatives to the SBC annual meeting, it was warned to expect a motion to deny them voting privileges.“I do believe we need to be heard and represented,” Senior Pastor Robert Stephens told members in a video-recorded meeting.The SBC’s top administrative body opposes the amendment. Investigating churches’ compliance would consume an unsustainable amount of time and energy over something that shouldn’t be a litmus test for fellowship, wrote Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, in a Baptist Press commentary.Baptist Women in Ministry, which began within the SBC in the 1980s but now works in multiple Baptist denominations, has taken note. The Rev. Meredith Stone, its executive director, said some women pastors within the SBC have reached out for support.The group plans to release a documentary, “Midwives of a Movement,” about 20th century trailblazers for women in Baptist ministry, on the eve of the SBC meeting.“As they are saying women have less value to God than men in the church, we want to make sure that women know they do have equal value and that there are no limits to how they follow Christ in the work of the church,” Stone said.

Southern Baptists are poised to ban churches with women pastors

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged strong-armed robbery in Overland Park.

Just after 8p.m. Saturday, police responded to Shawnee Mission Parkway and Foster Street in Overland Park, according to Police Captain Ray Tisinger.&nbsp;

Officers found a robbery victim who&nbsp;received minor injuries. A suspect fled the area in a Gray SUV. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged strong-armed robbery in Overland Park.Just after 8p.m. Saturday, police responded to Shawnee Mission Parkway and Foster Street in Overland Park, according to Police Captain Ray Tisinger.&nbsp;Officers found a robbery victim who&nbsp;received minor injuries. A suspect fled the area in a Gray SUV. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Police searching for suspect in Kansas strong-armed robbery 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first aid from an American-built pier arrived in Gaza on Saturday since storm damage required repairs to the project, the U.S. military said, relaunching an effort to bring supplies to Palestinians by sea that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-humanitarian-aid-us-pier-77d0cf1c1bd420042dc4cb6f4ad76ccb">plagued with problems</a>.

The pier constructed by the U.S. military was operational for only about a week before it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-pier-damage-weather-seas-boats-f45634fb85e2ac6aec9b814c36ea3526">blown apart in high winds and heavy seas</a>&nbsp;on May 25. A damaged section was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-hamas-3db724ef590b4d056e81a1bac1b9c13f">reconnected to the beach</a>&nbsp;in Gaza on Friday after being repaired at an Israeli port.

About 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza through the pier on Saturday, U.S. Central Command&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1799582358829474206" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>. It reiterated that no U.S. military personnel went ashore in Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development works with the U.N. World Food Program and their humanitarian partners in Gaza to distribute food and other aid coming from the U.S.-operated pier.

The deliveries came the same day that Israel mounted a heavy air and ground&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-8-6-2024-a5d1ef04763a5ed17de2d050ebc5d490">assault that rescued four hostages</a>, who had been taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack that launched the war in Gaza. At least 210 Palestinians, including children, were killed, a Gaza health official said.

Pushing back against social media claims, U.S. Central Command&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1799578307001717226" target="_blank">said in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that neither the pier nor any of its equipment, personnel or other assets were used in the Israeli operation. It noted that Israel used an area south of the pier “to safely return hostages.”

“The temporary pier on the coast of Gaza was put in place for one purpose only, to help move additional, urgently needed lifesaving assistance into Gaza,” the U.S. military said.

USAID said in a separate statement that no humanitarian workers were involved in the Israeli operation.

“Humanitarian aid workers in Gaza are operating in extremely difficult and insecure conditions and must be protected,” the agency said by email. “Aid workers operate under the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.”

The movement of aid through the pier brings back online one way to get desperately needed food and other emergency supplies to Palestinians trapped by the eight-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>. Israeli restrictions on land crossings, and fighting, have greatly limited the flow of food and other vital supplies into the territory.

The damage to the pier had been the latest stumbling block for the project and the persistent struggle to get food to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-hamas-muwasi-humanitarian-2de77ea9095d2c680f57f77ad395917c">starving Palestinians</a>. Three U.S. service members were injured, one critically, and four vessels were beached due to heavy seas.

Early efforts to get aid from the pier into the Gaza Strip also were disrupted as crowds&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">overran a convoy of trucks</a>&nbsp;that aid agencies were using to transport the food, stripping the cargo from many of them before they could reach a U.N. warehouse. Officials responded by altering the travel routes, and aid began reaching those in need.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters on Friday that the lessons learned from that initial week of operations made him confident greater amounts of aid could be delivered now.

He said the goal was to get to 1 million pounds of food and other supplies moving through the pier into Gaza every two days. To date, about 3.5 million pounds of humanitarian aid has been delivered through the maritime route, Central Command said Saturday.

Relief agencies have pressed Israel to reopen land routes that could bring in all the needed aid. Israel says it has allowed hundreds of trucks to enter through a southern checkpoint and pointed the finger at the U.N. for not distributing aid. The U.N. says it is often unable to retrieve the aid because of the security situation.

U.N. agencies have warned that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza could experience the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hunger-un-07afb7fe4a1654f54b81b944a0dab535">highest level of starvation</a>&nbsp;by the middle of next month if hostilities continue.

President Joe Biden’s administration has said from the start that the pier wasn’t meant to be a total solution and that any amount of aid helps.

Biden, a Democrat, announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">his plan for the U.S. military to build a pier</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-biden-gaza-ukraine-israel-1a42ff9d4ef3e0f2753e43ac8d39fc18">his State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;in early March, and the military said it would take about 60 days to get it installed and operational. It took a bit longer than planned, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">the first trucks carrying aid</a>&nbsp;for the Gaza Strip rolling down the pier on May 17.

The initial cost was estimated at $320 million, but the Pentagon said this past week that the price had dropped to $230 million, due to contributions from Britain and because the cost of contracting trucks and other equipment was less than expected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717900174192.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The first aid from an American-built pier arrived in Gaza on Saturday since storm damage required repairs to the project, the U.S. military said, relaunching an effort to bring supplies to Palestinians by sea that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-humanitarian-aid-us-pier-77d0cf1c1bd420042dc4cb6f4ad76ccb">plagued with problems</a>.The pier constructed by the U.S. military was operational for only about a week before it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-pier-damage-weather-seas-boats-f45634fb85e2ac6aec9b814c36ea3526">blown apart in high winds and heavy seas</a>&nbsp;on May 25. A damaged section was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-hamas-3db724ef590b4d056e81a1bac1b9c13f">reconnected to the beach</a>&nbsp;in Gaza on Friday after being repaired at an Israeli port.About 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza through the pier on Saturday, U.S. Central Command&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1799582358829474206" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>. It reiterated that no U.S. military personnel went ashore in Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development works with the U.N. World Food Program and their humanitarian partners in Gaza to distribute food and other aid coming from the U.S.-operated pier.The deliveries came the same day that Israel mounted a heavy air and ground&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-8-6-2024-a5d1ef04763a5ed17de2d050ebc5d490">assault that rescued four hostages</a>, who had been taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack that launched the war in Gaza. At least 210 Palestinians, including children, were killed, a Gaza health official said.Pushing back against social media claims, U.S. Central Command&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1799578307001717226" target="_blank">said in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that neither the pier nor any of its equipment, personnel or other assets were used in the Israeli operation. It noted that Israel used an area south of the pier “to safely return hostages.”“The temporary pier on the coast of Gaza was put in place for one purpose only, to help move additional, urgently needed lifesaving assistance into Gaza,” the U.S. military said.USAID said in a separate statement that no humanitarian workers were involved in the Israeli operation.“Humanitarian aid workers in Gaza are operating in extremely difficult and insecure conditions and must be protected,” the agency said by email. “Aid workers operate under the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.”The movement of aid through the pier brings back online one way to get desperately needed food and other emergency supplies to Palestinians trapped by the eight-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>. Israeli restrictions on land crossings, and fighting, have greatly limited the flow of food and other vital supplies into the territory.The damage to the pier had been the latest stumbling block for the project and the persistent struggle to get food to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-hamas-muwasi-humanitarian-2de77ea9095d2c680f57f77ad395917c">starving Palestinians</a>. Three U.S. service members were injured, one critically, and four vessels were beached due to heavy seas.Early efforts to get aid from the pier into the Gaza Strip also were disrupted as crowds&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">overran a convoy of trucks</a>&nbsp;that aid agencies were using to transport the food, stripping the cargo from many of them before they could reach a U.N. warehouse. Officials responded by altering the travel routes, and aid began reaching those in need.Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters on Friday that the lessons learned from that initial week of operations made him confident greater amounts of aid could be delivered now.He said the goal was to get to 1 million pounds of food and other supplies moving through the pier into Gaza every two days. To date, about 3.5 million pounds of humanitarian aid has been delivered through the maritime route, Central Command said Saturday.Relief agencies have pressed Israel to reopen land routes that could bring in all the needed aid. Israel says it has allowed hundreds of trucks to enter through a southern checkpoint and pointed the finger at the U.N. for not distributing aid. The U.N. says it is often unable to retrieve the aid because of the security situation.U.N. agencies have warned that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza could experience the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hunger-un-07afb7fe4a1654f54b81b944a0dab535">highest level of starvation</a>&nbsp;by the middle of next month if hostilities continue.President Joe Biden’s administration has said from the start that the pier wasn’t meant to be a total solution and that any amount of aid helps.Biden, a Democrat, announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">his plan for the U.S. military to build a pier</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-biden-gaza-ukraine-israel-1a42ff9d4ef3e0f2753e43ac8d39fc18">his State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;in early March, and the military said it would take about 60 days to get it installed and operational. It took a bit longer than planned, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">the first trucks carrying aid</a>&nbsp;for the Gaza Strip rolling down the pier on May 17.The initial cost was estimated at $320 million, but the Pentagon said this past week that the price had dropped to $230 million, due to contributions from Britain and because the cost of contracting trucks and other equipment was less than expected.

Aid delivered to Gaza from newly repaired U.S. military built pier

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the attempted armed robberies of postal carriers in the Kansas City community of Westport and are offering a reward, according to a bulletin from the The United States Postal Inspection Service.

A $150,000 reward has been offered for information into the attempted armed robberies of two postal carriers in Westport.

On Wednesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uspis.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Postal Inspection Service</a>&nbsp;announced that a $150,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the attempted armed robbery of two separate postal carriers at different locations in Westport.

Just before 5:30p.m. May 29, law enforcement officials reported three black men were seen approaching postal carriers in the 200 block of Westport Road and in the 3900 block of Warwick Boulevard.

One suspects was armed with a handgun and pointed the weapon at both victims. The suspects were observed in a red 2011 Dodge Charger.&nbsp; The car was reported stolen. The vehicle’s rear passenger window is also broken.

The Postal Service warned residents not to take any steps to apprehend any of the suspects. If you have information on the crime you are to call the Postal Service at 1-877-876-2455 and say “law enforcement.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717620135282.png" alt="-Photo USPIS" />
 <figcaption>-Photo USPIS</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the attempted armed robberies of postal carriers in the Kansas City community of Westport and are offering a reward, according to a bulletin from the The United States Postal Inspection Service.A $150,000 reward has been offered for information into the attempted armed robberies of two postal carriers in Westport.On Wednesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uspis.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Postal Inspection Service</a>&nbsp;announced that a $150,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the attempted armed robbery of two separate postal carriers at different locations in Westport.Just before 5:30p.m. May 29, law enforcement officials reported three black men were seen approaching postal carriers in the 200 block of Westport Road and in the 3900 block of Warwick Boulevard.One suspects was armed with a handgun and pointed the weapon at both victims. The suspects were observed in a red 2011 Dodge Charger.&nbsp; The car was reported stolen. The vehicle’s rear passenger window is also broken.The Postal Service warned residents not to take any steps to apprehend any of the suspects. If you have information on the crime you are to call the Postal Service at 1-877-876-2455 and say “law enforcement.”

Large reward offered for info on robberies of KC area postal carriers

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A large chunk of a twisting mountain pass road collapsed in Wyoming, authorities said Saturday, leaving a gaping chasm in the highway and severing a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho and the tourist destination of Jackson.

Aerial photos and drone video of the collapse show the Teton Pass road riven with deep cracks, and a big section of the pavement disappeared altogether. Part of the guardrail dangled into the void, and orange traffic drums marked off the danger area. The road was closed at the time of the collapse.

The section that failed first drew attention Thursday when a crack and drop in the road contributed to the crash of a motorcycle.

Geologists and engineers who were sent to the area that day noticed “that crack and that drop started to move a lot,” said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. A paving crew temporarily patched the road, and traffic began moving again that night.

But that was short-lived as maintenance crews were sent to respond to a mudslide a couple of miles away in the pre-dawn hours of Friday, prompting the road to be closed once again.

Crews then noticed that the damage to the pavement had become more pronounced. Workers trying to figure out a detour around that section left for the night, “and by 5 a.m., this morning, WYDOT had discovered that the road had completely failed,” Harsha said Saturday.

“We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,” she said. “So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. They’ve been looking at it all day.”

The transportation department said via social media that the road “catastrophically failed” at milepost 12.8.

It was not immediately clear how long it will take to reopen the road, a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in pricey Jackson, which is also close to the popular Grand Teton National Park.

Harsha said an alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) out of the way and adds “quite a bit to any commute.”

Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring an emergency, which his office said would help the state access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration to begin repair work.

In a statement, the governor said the transportation department is working on “a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway.”

“I recognize the significant impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy,” Gordon said.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A large chunk of a twisting mountain pass road collapsed in Wyoming, authorities said Saturday, leaving a gaping chasm in the highway and severing a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho and the tourist destination of Jackson.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid02d3KkVXHJ8nz34Z7yq8PaUYwK1Po1kM2wREtPi5qbev6b9vSaVtwUZQXByfnasJarl%26id%3D100064414940924&show_text=true&width=500&preview=comet_preview" width="500" height="771" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Aerial photos and drone video of the collapse show the Teton Pass road riven with deep cracks, and a big section of the pavement disappeared altogether. Part of the guardrail dangled into the void, and orange traffic drums marked off the danger area. The road was closed at the time of the collapse.The section that failed first drew attention Thursday when a crack and drop in the road contributed to the crash of a motorcycle.Geologists and engineers who were sent to the area that day noticed “that crack and that drop started to move a lot,” said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. A paving crew temporarily patched the road, and traffic began moving again that night.But that was short-lived as maintenance crews were sent to respond to a mudslide a couple of miles away in the pre-dawn hours of Friday, prompting the road to be closed once again.Crews then noticed that the damage to the pavement had become more pronounced. Workers trying to figure out a detour around that section left for the night, “and by 5 a.m., this morning, WYDOT had discovered that the road had completely failed,” Harsha said Saturday.“We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,” she said. “So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. They’ve been looking at it all day.”The transportation department said via social media that the road “catastrophically failed” at milepost 12.8.It was not immediately clear how long it will take to reopen the road, a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in pricey Jackson, which is also close to the popular Grand Teton National Park.Harsha said an alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) out of the way and adds “quite a bit to any commute.”Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring an emergency, which his office said would help the state access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration to begin repair work.In a statement, the governor said the transportation department is working on “a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway.”“I recognize the significant impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy,” Gordon said.