DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack on his fiancée.

This month, Matthew T. Lee, 59, of Baldwin City, was sentenced to 57 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the 700 block of Chapel Street in Baldwin City on February 6, 2023, when Lee caused eye and neck injuries to a 37-year-old woman who identified herself as Lee’s fiancée. 

The woman, who declined medical attention at the time, also suffered injuries that made it difficult for her to walk.

“This sentence makes clear that violence has no place in our homes or community,” District Attorney Valdez said. “When a survivor steps forward, we will take action to address the harms committed and prevent the infliction of future violence.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711231042724.png" alt="Lee-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Lee-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack on his fiancée.This month, Matthew T. Lee, 59, of Baldwin City, was sentenced to 57 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the 700 block of Chapel Street in Baldwin City on February 6, 2023, when Lee caused eye and neck injuries to a 37-year-old woman who identified herself as Lee’s fiancée. The woman, who declined medical attention at the time, also suffered injuries that made it difficult for her to walk.“This sentence makes clear that violence has no place in our homes or community,” District Attorney Valdez said. “When a survivor steps forward, we will take action to address the harms committed and prevent the infliction of future violence.”

Kansas man sentenced for attack that injured his fiancée

COLUMBIA —The University of Missouri is mourning the loss of 22-year-old Riley Strain, a student at the school.

Strain, a who went missing in Nashville for nearly two weeks, was found dead in a river, police announced Friday. No foul play is suspected, investigators said.

In a statement from the University, President Mun Choi wrote:&nbsp;

"Dear campus community, I write to you with a heavy heart with the news that the search for MU student Riley Strain has ended tragically. After an exhaustive search by authorities and volunteers, Riley’s body was recovered today in Nashville, Tenn., where he had traveled to attend his fraternity’s spring formal event."

"The university is equipped to assist you as you process this loss. Students can contact the MU Counseling Center for support. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff."

"The safety of our community is our highest priority, whether on campus or off campus. If you feel unsafe at any time, please call the MU Police Department at 573-882-7201 or dial 911 in the event of any emergency."

"As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support."

Metro Nashville police officials confirmed that Strain's body had been recovered from the Cumberland River about 8 miles (12.8 kilometers) west of downtown at around 7:30 a.m.

Police Chief John Drake told reporters that workers on the river initially found Strain's body and alerted authorities. Medical examiners later confirmed it was Strain, he said. Police department spokesperson Don Aaron said an autopsy will be conducted Saturday.

“We have reports that normally under these circumstances ... with his height and weight, he could have surfaced between 14 and 20 days,” Drake said. “This is the 14th day. So we were really expecting to find him.”

Police previously said Strain, 22, was last seen just before 10 p.m. on March 8 after drinking downtown. A massive search was quickly launched, with just small clues available to help investigators trying to find him, including finding his bank card along a riverbank and using surveillance footage to track his final moments.

University of Missouri officials said in a statement that Strain was traveling to Nashville to attend a private event.

Members of Strain’s family offered their thanks for everyone’s help and support during remarks to reporters Friday in Nashville.

“I just ask that you mommas out there, hug your babies tight tonight please,” his mother, Michelle Whiteid, said through tears. “Please, for me, just hug your babies tight tonight. And again, thank you. Thank you for sharing our story.”

Drake said that his “heart and prayers" were going to Strain's family “for this very unfortunate and tragic accident.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711121657770.jpeg" alt="This undated photo provided by Chris Whiteid show Riley Strain on Jan. 2, 2024. (Chris Whiteid via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This undated photo provided by Chris Whiteid show Riley Strain on Jan. 2, 2024. (Chris Whiteid via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA —The University of Missouri is mourning the loss of 22-year-old Riley Strain, a student at the school.Strain, a who went missing in Nashville for nearly two weeks, was found dead in a river, police announced Friday. No foul play is suspected, investigators said.In a statement from the University, President Mun Choi wrote:&nbsp;"Dear campus community, I write to you with a heavy heart with the news that the search for MU student Riley Strain has ended tragically. After an exhaustive search by authorities and volunteers, Riley’s body was recovered today in Nashville, Tenn., where he had traveled to attend his fraternity’s spring formal event.""The university is equipped to assist you as you process this loss. Students can contact the MU Counseling Center for support. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program is available to faculty and staff.""The safety of our community is our highest priority, whether on campus or off campus. If you feel unsafe at any time, please call the MU Police Department at 573-882-7201 or dial 911 in the event of any emergency.""As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support."Metro Nashville police officials confirmed that Strain's body had been recovered from the Cumberland River about 8 miles (12.8 kilometers) west of downtown at around 7:30 a.m.Police Chief John Drake told reporters that workers on the river initially found Strain's body and alerted authorities. Medical examiners later confirmed it was Strain, he said. Police department spokesperson Don Aaron said an autopsy will be conducted Saturday.“We have reports that normally under these circumstances ... with his height and weight, he could have surfaced between 14 and 20 days,” Drake said. “This is the 14th day. So we were really expecting to find him.”Police previously said Strain, 22, was last seen just before 10 p.m. on March 8 after drinking downtown. A massive search was quickly launched, with just small clues available to help investigators trying to find him, including finding his bank card along a riverbank and using surveillance footage to track his final moments.University of Missouri officials said in a statement that Strain was traveling to Nashville to attend a private event.Members of Strain’s family offered their thanks for everyone’s help and support during remarks to reporters Friday in Nashville.“I just ask that you mommas out there, hug your babies tight tonight please,” his mother, Michelle Whiteid, said through tears. “Please, for me, just hug your babies tight tonight. And again, thank you. Thank you for sharing our story.”Drake said that his “heart and prayers" were going to Strain's family “for this very unfortunate and tragic accident.”

Univ. of Missouri statement on death of student Riley Strain

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug allegations.

Just after 9p.m. March 19, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

  During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered drug contraband that was inside the vehicle. The driver, Stacy L. Ripple, 37, of Topeka was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and&nbsp; booked on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711199532043.png" alt="Ripple-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ripple-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug allegations.Just after 9p.m. March 19, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix near 110th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered drug contraband that was inside the vehicle. The driver, Stacy L. Ripple, 37, of Topeka was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and&nbsp; booked on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.

Deputy found meth in Kansas woman's car 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards this week that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.

The new rules relax initial tailpipe limits proposed last year but eventually get close to the same strict standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The rules come as sales of electric vehicles, which are needed to meet the standards,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-sales-prices-chip-shortage-interest-rates-7e07b5d1b1362d1394514bfd0d6f4c0d">have begun to slow.</a>&nbsp;The auto industry cited lower sales growth in objecting to the EPA’s preferred standards unveiled last April as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-electric-vehicles-epa-tailpipe-emissions-climate-406d74e18459bc135f089c681ba9e224">its ambitious plan</a>&nbsp;to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.

The EPA said that under its final rule, the industry could meet the limits if 56% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032, along with at least 13% plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars, as well as more efficient gasoline-powered cars that get more miles to the gallon.

That would be a huge increase over current EV sales, which rose to 7.6% of new vehicle sales last year, up from 5.8% in 2022.

The new standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming carbon emissions over the next three decades and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, the EPA said, including lower health care costs, fewer deaths and more than $60 billion in reduced annual costs for fuel, maintenance and repairs.

President Joe Biden, who has made fighting climate change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-health-tax-law-economy-inflation-f112d7c78abaa724d22964317d213deb">a hallmark of his presidency</a>, cited “historic progress” on his pledge that half of all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission by 2030.

“We’ll meet my goal for 2030 and race forward in the years ahead,'' Biden said in a statement Wednesday.

The EPA rule applies to model years 2027 to 2032 and will significantly reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, as well as other air pollution such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from new passenger cars, light trucks and pickups.

Transportation makes up the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and cars and trucks account for more than half of those emissions. The EPA said the new rule will help “tackle the climate crisis” while accelerating the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. The agency is finalizing the rule as sales of clean vehicles, including plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, hit record highs last year.

The new rule slows implementation of stricter pollution standards from 2027 through 2029, after the auto industry called proposed benchmarks unworkable. The rule ramps up to nearly reach the level the EPA preferred by 2032.

“Let me be clear: Our final rule delivers the same, if not more, pollution reduction than we set out in our proposal,'' EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters. In addition to carbon pollution, the final standards also will reduce other serious air pollution that contributes to heart attacks, respiratory illnesses, aggravated asthma and decreased lung function, Regan said.

“Folks, these new standards are so important for public health, for American jobs, for our economy and for our planet,'' he said.

The standards are designed to be technology-neutral and performance-based, Regan said, giving car and truck manufacturers the flexibility to choose pollution-control technologies that are best suited for their customers while meeting environmental and public health goals.

The changes appear aimed at addressing strong industry and labor opposition to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-epa-auto-dealers-electric-vehicles-62c173d2be33e05e3405a489e5924e26">accelerated ramp-up of EVs,</a>&nbsp;along with public reluctance to fully embrace the new technology. There is also a legitimate threat of legal challenges before conservative courts.

The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, has increasingly reined in the powers of federal agencies, including the EPA, in recent years. The justices have restricted the EPA’s authority to fight air and water pollution — including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">landmark 2022 ruling</a>&nbsp;that limited the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.

At the same time, the Democratic president needs cooperation from the auto industry and political support from auto workers, a key political voting bloc.

“U.S. workers will lead the world on autos — making clean cars and trucks, each stamped ‘Made in America,’” Biden said Wednesday. “You have my word.''

The United Auto Workers union, which has endorsed Biden, said it supports rules that benefit workers and the environment, not just the industry. The new rule protects workers who build combustion engine vehicles “while providing a path forward for automakers to implement the full range of automotive technologies to reduce emissions,” the union said.

Generally, environmental groups have been optimistic about the new EPA plan, which is aimed at slashing emissions from a source that causes one-fifth of the nation’s carbon pollution.

David Cooke, senior vehicles analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the rule would significantly reduce vehicle pollution from current requirements. But the standards are weaker than those EPA proposed a year ago and make it unlikely that the U.S. will be able to meet its commitments under the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which aims to keep global warming from increasing more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-business-scotland-europe-7b282af7df95b55dff2630e158631a73">since pre-industrial times</a>, he said.

Still, the new rules over time will prevent more carbon pollution “than the entire U.S. economy coughs up in a year,″ said Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. In the short term, the rules “will save drivers money at the pump and cut tailpipe pollution that endangers public health,″ he added.

“In the longer journey to confront the climate crisis, these standards take us in the right direction,″ he said.

But Dan Becker at the Center for Biological Diversity said he fears loopholes will let the industry continue to sell gas burners. He also is afraid the industry will get away with doing little during the first three years of the standards, which could be undone if former President Donald Trump is reelected.

“The bottom line is that the administration is caving to pressure from big oil, big auto and the dealers to stall progress on EVs and now allow more pollution from cars,” Becker said.

Republicans criticized the new standards, saying they essentially decide for the public which vehicles they should buy. “These regulations represent yet another step toward an unrealistic transition to electric vehicles that Americans do not want and cannot afford,” said West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, called the rule a “misguided electric vehicle mandate” that will force the U.S. to rely on China and other foes for critical minerals needed for batteries.

Regan said the government isn’t requiring people to buy EVs or any other technology, adding that there are “multiple pathways companies can choose to comply″ with the rule.

“We are staying well within the confines of the law and our statutory authority by not mandating a specific technology,'' he said.

The EPA could achieve its carbon pollution goals even if sales of battery electric vehicles are as low as 30% in 2032, as long as other standards are met, he said.

U.S. electric vehicle sales grew 47% last year to a record 1.19 million as EV market share rose to 7.6%. But EV sales growth slowed toward the end of the year. In December, they rose 34%.

The Alliance for Auto Innovation, a large industry trade group, praised the EPA’s slower implementation of the standards, saying the pace of the EV transition matters as the industry moves to produce more electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to convert more traveling miles to electricity. The group had complained that the ramp-up to 67% initially proposed by the EPA was too fast for the industry to achieve. The proposal was faster than Biden’s goal of ensuring that EVs account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-business-climate-and-environment-f145b24414ff245f491fd68257b3db60">half of new vehicles in the U.S. by 2030</a>.

“Moderating the pace of EV adoption was the right call because it prioritizes more reasonable electrification targets in the next few, very critical years of the transition,” said John Bozzella, the Alliance CEO.

The adjusted emissions targets will still be a stretch for the industry to achieve, Bozzella said, but they should give the market and parts supply chains a chance to catch up to higher EV sales. The plan also gives the industry more time to set up public charging stations, and it allows government tax incentives for EV manufacturing and for consumers to buy EVs to take hold, he said.

Toyota, the top seller of hybrid vehicles in the U.S., said it believes the fastest way to reduce carbon emissions quickly is to give consumers choices of battery electric vehicles and hybrids. The new EPA standards allow for more sales of plug-in hybrids and regular gas-electric hybrids to meet emissions limits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710894346609.png" alt="File&nbsp;President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to the General Motors Factory ZERO electric vehicle assembly plant in Nov. 2021" />
 <figcaption>File&nbsp;President Joe Biden speaks during a visit to the General Motors Factory ZERO electric vehicle assembly plant in Nov. 2021</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards this week that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.The new rules relax initial tailpipe limits proposed last year but eventually get close to the same strict standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency.The rules come as sales of electric vehicles, which are needed to meet the standards,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-sales-prices-chip-shortage-interest-rates-7e07b5d1b1362d1394514bfd0d6f4c0d">have begun to slow.</a>&nbsp;The auto industry cited lower sales growth in objecting to the EPA’s preferred standards unveiled last April as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-electric-vehicles-epa-tailpipe-emissions-climate-406d74e18459bc135f089c681ba9e224">its ambitious plan</a>&nbsp;to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.The EPA said that under its final rule, the industry could meet the limits if 56% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032, along with at least 13% plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars, as well as more efficient gasoline-powered cars that get more miles to the gallon.That would be a huge increase over current EV sales, which rose to 7.6% of new vehicle sales last year, up from 5.8% in 2022.The new standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming carbon emissions over the next three decades and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, the EPA said, including lower health care costs, fewer deaths and more than $60 billion in reduced annual costs for fuel, maintenance and repairs.President Joe Biden, who has made fighting climate change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-health-tax-law-economy-inflation-f112d7c78abaa724d22964317d213deb">a hallmark of his presidency</a>, cited “historic progress” on his pledge that half of all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission by 2030.“We’ll meet my goal for 2030 and race forward in the years ahead,'' Biden said in a statement Wednesday.WHAT IS EPA PROPOSING?The EPA rule applies to model years 2027 to 2032 and will significantly reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, as well as other air pollution such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from new passenger cars, light trucks and pickups.Transportation makes up the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and cars and trucks account for more than half of those emissions. The EPA said the new rule will help “tackle the climate crisis” while accelerating the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies. The agency is finalizing the rule as sales of clean vehicles, including plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, hit record highs last year.The new rule slows implementation of stricter pollution standards from 2027 through 2029, after the auto industry called proposed benchmarks unworkable. The rule ramps up to nearly reach the level the EPA preferred by 2032.“Let me be clear: Our final rule delivers the same, if not more, pollution reduction than we set out in our proposal,'' EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters. In addition to carbon pollution, the final standards also will reduce other serious air pollution that contributes to heart attacks, respiratory illnesses, aggravated asthma and decreased lung function, Regan said.“Folks, these new standards are so important for public health, for American jobs, for our economy and for our planet,'' he said.The standards are designed to be technology-neutral and performance-based, Regan said, giving car and truck manufacturers the flexibility to choose pollution-control technologies that are best suited for their customers while meeting environmental and public health goals.WHY DID EPA CHANGE THE PROPOSED RULE?The changes appear aimed at addressing strong industry and labor opposition to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-epa-auto-dealers-electric-vehicles-62c173d2be33e05e3405a489e5924e26">accelerated ramp-up of EVs,</a>&nbsp;along with public reluctance to fully embrace the new technology. There is also a legitimate threat of legal challenges before conservative courts.The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, has increasingly reined in the powers of federal agencies, including the EPA, in recent years. The justices have restricted the EPA’s authority to fight air and water pollution — including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-epa-ruling-2e893673819a1b6c6aa272a5e814f0b0">landmark 2022 ruling</a>&nbsp;that limited the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.At the same time, the Democratic president needs cooperation from the auto industry and political support from auto workers, a key political voting bloc.“U.S. workers will lead the world on autos — making clean cars and trucks, each stamped ‘Made in America,’” Biden said Wednesday. “You have my word.''The United Auto Workers union, which has endorsed Biden, said it supports rules that benefit workers and the environment, not just the industry. The new rule protects workers who build combustion engine vehicles “while providing a path forward for automakers to implement the full range of automotive technologies to reduce emissions,” the union said.HOW ARE THE NEW RULES BEING RECEIVED?Generally, environmental groups have been optimistic about the new EPA plan, which is aimed at slashing emissions from a source that causes one-fifth of the nation’s carbon pollution.David Cooke, senior vehicles analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the rule would significantly reduce vehicle pollution from current requirements. But the standards are weaker than those EPA proposed a year ago and make it unlikely that the U.S. will be able to meet its commitments under the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which aims to keep global warming from increasing more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-business-scotland-europe-7b282af7df95b55dff2630e158631a73">since pre-industrial times</a>, he said.Still, the new rules over time will prevent more carbon pollution “than the entire U.S. economy coughs up in a year,″ said Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. In the short term, the rules “will save drivers money at the pump and cut tailpipe pollution that endangers public health,″ he added.“In the longer journey to confront the climate crisis, these standards take us in the right direction,″ he said.But Dan Becker at the Center for Biological Diversity said he fears loopholes will let the industry continue to sell gas burners. He also is afraid the industry will get away with doing little during the first three years of the standards, which could be undone if former President Donald Trump is reelected.“The bottom line is that the administration is caving to pressure from big oil, big auto and the dealers to stall progress on EVs and now allow more pollution from cars,” Becker said.WHAT DO REPUBLICANS SAY?Republicans criticized the new standards, saying they essentially decide for the public which vehicles they should buy. “These regulations represent yet another step toward an unrealistic transition to electric vehicles that Americans do not want and cannot afford,” said West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, called the rule a “misguided electric vehicle mandate” that will force the U.S. to rely on China and other foes for critical minerals needed for batteries.Regan said the government isn’t requiring people to buy EVs or any other technology, adding that there are “multiple pathways companies can choose to comply″ with the rule.“We are staying well within the confines of the law and our statutory authority by not mandating a specific technology,'' he said.The EPA could achieve its carbon pollution goals even if sales of battery electric vehicles are as low as 30% in 2032, as long as other standards are met, he said.U.S. electric vehicle sales grew 47% last year to a record 1.19 million as EV market share rose to 7.6%. But EV sales growth slowed toward the end of the year. In December, they rose 34%.WHAT DOES THE CAR INDUSTRY THINK?The Alliance for Auto Innovation, a large industry trade group, praised the EPA’s slower implementation of the standards, saying the pace of the EV transition matters as the industry moves to produce more electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to convert more traveling miles to electricity. The group had complained that the ramp-up to 67% initially proposed by the EPA was too fast for the industry to achieve. The proposal was faster than Biden’s goal of ensuring that EVs account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-business-climate-and-environment-f145b24414ff245f491fd68257b3db60">half of new vehicles in the U.S. by 2030</a>.“Moderating the pace of EV adoption was the right call because it prioritizes more reasonable electrification targets in the next few, very critical years of the transition,” said John Bozzella, the Alliance CEO.The adjusted emissions targets will still be a stretch for the industry to achieve, Bozzella said, but they should give the market and parts supply chains a chance to catch up to higher EV sales. The plan also gives the industry more time to set up public charging stations, and it allows government tax incentives for EV manufacturing and for consumers to buy EVs to take hold, he said.Toyota, the top seller of hybrid vehicles in the U.S., said it believes the fastest way to reduce carbon emissions quickly is to give consumers choices of battery electric vehicles and hybrids. The new EPA standards allow for more sales of plug-in hybrids and regular gas-electric hybrids to meet emissions limits.____

As electric vehicle sales slow, US relaxes plans for stricter auto emissions standards

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department said it has discovered a calculation error in hundreds of thousands of student financial aid applications sent to colleges this month and will need to reprocess them — a blunder that follows a series of others and threatens&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-student-financial-aid-college-b8d126283a53598c24b9567ed97d9138">further delays to this year's college applications</a>.

A vendor working for the federal government incorrectly calculated a financial aid formula for more than 200,000 students, the department said Friday. The information was sent to colleges to help them&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-admissions">prepare financial aid packages</a>&nbsp;but now needs to be recalculated — even as the department works through a backlog of more than 4 million other financial aid applications.

A statement from the Education Department says the problem won't affect 1.3 million applications that were processed correctly and distributed to colleges this month. Officials said they have fixed the error and it “will not affect future records."

It's unlikely that many students, if any, received financial aid offers based on the incorrect information since the department only began sending records in the last two weeks. Once colleges receive that information, it usually takes several weeks to assemble financial aid packages.

Students applying for college have been left in limbo this year as they await the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-financial-aid-college-education-faf16cf14fb69a20e373d3ada1b63dca">overhaul</a>&nbsp;of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form, known as FAFSA, is used to determine eligibility for federal Pell Grants, and colleges and states use it to award their own financial aid to students.

The update was meant to simplify the form but took months longer than expected. It gives colleges less time to make financial aid offers to students, and it gives students less time to decide where to enroll.

“This is another unforced error that will likely cause more processing delays for students,” said Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

After so many delays, he added, “Every error adds up and will be felt acutely by every student who is counting on need-based financial aid to make their postsecondary dreams a reality.”

The latest misstep has to do with the Student Aid Index, a new formula used to determine students' level of financial need after they submit the FAFSA application. For some students, the department forgot to factor in certain financial assets including investments, savings and total cash, according to an agency memo sent to colleges on Friday.

It resulted in a lower Student Aid Index for those students — indicating they have more financial need than they do in reality.

While the department fixes those students' records, it's encouraging colleges to make their own calculations and craft “a tentative aid package."

Draeger pushed against that idea, saying colleges can only work with “valid and correct data.”

“It is not feasible or realistic to send out incorrect FAFSA data and ask thousands of schools to make real-time calculations and adjustments to the federal formula,” he said.

Advocates fear that the chaos of this year’s process could deter students from going to college at all, especially those for whom finances are a key part of the decision.

Senate Republicans are requesting a hearing with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to discuss their “serious concerns” about the FAFSA rollout.

The notoriously time-consuming FAFSA form was targeted for an overhaul in 2020 through bipartisan legislation in Congress. The bill promised to simplify the form, going from 100 questions to fewer than 40, and it also changed the underlying formula for student aid, promising to expand it to more low-income students.

But the update has been marred by delays and technical glitches.

The form is typically available to fill out in October, but the Education Department didn’t have it ready until late December. Even then, the agency wasn’t ready to begin processing the forms and sending them to states and colleges, which only started this month.

Along the way, the department has scrambled to fix numerous bugs. Early on, the process failed to account for inflation properly. Another glitch blocked parents from filling out the form if they did not have a Social Security number. That meant many students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but whose parents are not could not apply.

The department says those problems have been fixed, and it's now rushing to process millions of student applications and send them to colleges and states. The agency says it has processed 1.5 million applications out of about 6 million received so far.

The department “will continue delivering large volumes” of records in the coming weeks, its statement said. "We remain focused on helping students and families through this process and supporting colleges produce aid offers as quickly as possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700516528497.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department said it has discovered a calculation error in hundreds of thousands of student financial aid applications sent to colleges this month and will need to reprocess them — a blunder that follows a series of others and threatens&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-student-financial-aid-college-b8d126283a53598c24b9567ed97d9138">further delays to this year's college applications</a>.A vendor working for the federal government incorrectly calculated a financial aid formula for more than 200,000 students, the department said Friday. The information was sent to colleges to help them&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-admissions">prepare financial aid packages</a>&nbsp;but now needs to be recalculated — even as the department works through a backlog of more than 4 million other financial aid applications.A statement from the Education Department says the problem won't affect 1.3 million applications that were processed correctly and distributed to colleges this month. Officials said they have fixed the error and it “will not affect future records."It's unlikely that many students, if any, received financial aid offers based on the incorrect information since the department only began sending records in the last two weeks. Once colleges receive that information, it usually takes several weeks to assemble financial aid packages.Students applying for college have been left in limbo this year as they await the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-financial-aid-college-education-faf16cf14fb69a20e373d3ada1b63dca">overhaul</a>&nbsp;of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form, known as FAFSA, is used to determine eligibility for federal Pell Grants, and colleges and states use it to award their own financial aid to students.The update was meant to simplify the form but took months longer than expected. It gives colleges less time to make financial aid offers to students, and it gives students less time to decide where to enroll.“This is another unforced error that will likely cause more processing delays for students,” said Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.After so many delays, he added, “Every error adds up and will be felt acutely by every student who is counting on need-based financial aid to make their postsecondary dreams a reality.”The latest misstep has to do with the Student Aid Index, a new formula used to determine students' level of financial need after they submit the FAFSA application. For some students, the department forgot to factor in certain financial assets including investments, savings and total cash, according to an agency memo sent to colleges on Friday.It resulted in a lower Student Aid Index for those students — indicating they have more financial need than they do in reality.While the department fixes those students' records, it's encouraging colleges to make their own calculations and craft “a tentative aid package."Draeger pushed against that idea, saying colleges can only work with “valid and correct data.”“It is not feasible or realistic to send out incorrect FAFSA data and ask thousands of schools to make real-time calculations and adjustments to the federal formula,” he said.Advocates fear that the chaos of this year’s process could deter students from going to college at all, especially those for whom finances are a key part of the decision.Senate Republicans are requesting a hearing with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to discuss their “serious concerns” about the FAFSA rollout.The notoriously time-consuming FAFSA form was targeted for an overhaul in 2020 through bipartisan legislation in Congress. The bill promised to simplify the form, going from 100 questions to fewer than 40, and it also changed the underlying formula for student aid, promising to expand it to more low-income students.But the update has been marred by delays and technical glitches.The form is typically available to fill out in October, but the Education Department didn’t have it ready until late December. Even then, the agency wasn’t ready to begin processing the forms and sending them to states and colleges, which only started this month.Along the way, the department has scrambled to fix numerous bugs. Early on, the process failed to account for inflation properly. Another glitch blocked parents from filling out the form if they did not have a Social Security number. That meant many students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but whose parents are not could not apply.The department says those problems have been fixed, and it's now rushing to process millions of student applications and send them to colleges and states. The agency says it has processed 1.5 million applications out of about 6 million received so far.The department “will continue delivering large volumes” of records in the coming weeks, its statement said. "We remain focused on helping students and families through this process and supporting colleges produce aid offers as quickly as possible.”___

Thousands of financial aid applications need to be fixed after latest calculation error

KANSAS CITY —One person died and three others were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Mazda Protégé was eastbound on 63rd Street in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to Officer Jake Becchina. At 63rd and 350 Highway, the Mazda traveled off the roadway to the left, continued up over the concrete center median and struck a concrete bridge support. 

The impact caused the Mazda to rotate into the westbound lanes of 63rd Street and strike a westbound Buick Century. 

The driver of the Mazda was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the front seat passenger of the of the Mazda to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver and front seat passenger of the Buick were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

&nbsp;This is fatality number 24 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to 13 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —One person died and three others were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Mazda Protégé was eastbound on 63rd Street in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to Officer Jake Becchina. At 63rd and 350 Highway, the Mazda traveled off the roadway to the left, continued up over the concrete center median and struck a concrete bridge support. The impact caused the Mazda to rotate into the westbound lanes of 63rd Street and strike a westbound Buick Century. The driver of the Mazda was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the front seat passenger of the of the Mazda to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver and front seat passenger of the Buick were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;This is fatality number 24 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to 13 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

1 dead, 3 injured after 2-vehicle crash in Kansas City

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Friday night, continuing a stretch of more than three months without a big winner.

The numbers drawn were: 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, 16.

The jackpot increased after a drawing for an estimated $977 million failed to produce a jackpot winner.

No one has won the game’s jackpot since Dec. 8, a string of 30 consecutive drawings without anyone taking home the top prize. That has enabled the jackpot to slowly grow, week after week.

The $1.1 billion prize is for a sole winner who chooses to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">paid through an annuity</a>&nbsp;over 30 years. Winners almost always opt for a cash payment, which for the next drawing Tuesday night is an estimated $525.8 million.

A lucky player winning the $1.1 billion jackpot would take home the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/largest-lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-cb473805c48cd3b74a84d7ee4127450d">eighth largest in U.S. lottery</a>&nbsp;history.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Friday night, continuing a stretch of more than three months without a big winner.The numbers drawn were: 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, 16.The jackpot increased after a drawing for an estimated $977 million failed to produce a jackpot winner.No one has won the game’s jackpot since Dec. 8, a string of 30 consecutive drawings without anyone taking home the top prize. That has enabled the jackpot to slowly grow, week after week.The $1.1 billion prize is for a sole winner who chooses to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">paid through an annuity</a>&nbsp;over 30 years. Winners almost always opt for a cash payment, which for the next drawing Tuesday night is an estimated $525.8 million.A lucky player winning the $1.1 billion jackpot would take home the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/largest-lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-cb473805c48cd3b74a84d7ee4127450d">eighth largest in U.S. lottery</a>&nbsp;history.

Mega Millions jackpot rises to $1.1 billion after another drawing with no big winner

SEDGWICK COUNTY —With a heavy heart, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday the passing of Police Service Dog Turbo. 

Police Service Dog Turbo was diagnosed with a fast moving and terminal form of cancer, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Turbo joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and was a vital contributor to detention operations. Turbo played a key role in the elimination of contraband from the detention facility.

On Friday morning,&nbsp; Turbo passed away peacefully with his handler and several other co-workers by his side.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711137994266.png" alt="Turbo photo Sedgwick County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Turbo photo Sedgwick County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —With a heavy heart, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday the passing of Police Service Dog Turbo. Police Service Dog Turbo was diagnosed with a fast moving and terminal form of cancer, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Turbo joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and was a vital contributor to detention operations. Turbo played a key role in the elimination of contraband from the detention facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711138067390.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Friday morning,&nbsp; Turbo passed away peacefully with his handler and several other co-workers by his side.

Kansas sheriff announces death of police service dog 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City, Kansas.

According to police, two vehicles were involved in the crash in the 1000 Block of Southwest Boulevard. Two men were pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported two other men to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation. Police reported no additional details late Friday.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City, Kansas.According to police, two vehicles were involved in the crash in the 1000 Block of Southwest Boulevard. Two men were pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported two other men to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The accident remains under investigation. Police reported no additional details late Friday.

2 dead, 2 hospitalized after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-government-shutdown-johnson-3b4e61cf5eaaf0f7fbeeddbacdf57212">$1.2 trillion package of spending bills</a>&nbsp;in the early morning hours Saturday, a long overdue action nearly six months into the budget year that will push any threats of a government shutdown to the fall. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The vote was 74-24. Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran voted in favor of the bill. Kansas Junior Senator Roger Marshall voted no along with Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts.

It came after funding had expired for the agencies at midnight, but the White House sent out a notice shortly after the deadline announcing the Office of Management and Budget had ceased shutdown preparations because there was a high degree of confidence that Congress would pass the legislation and the president would sign it on Saturday.

“Because obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, agencies will not shut down and may continue their normal operations,” the White House statement said.

Prospects for a short-term government shutdown had appeared to grow Friday evening after Republicans and Democrats battled over proposed amendments to the bill. Any successful amendments to the bill would have sent the legislation back to the House, which had already left town for a two-week recess.

But shortly before midnight Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a breakthrough.

“It's been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government,” Schumer said. “It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal. It wasn't easy, but tonight our persistence has been worth it."

While Congress has already approved money for Veterans Affairs, Interior, Agriculture and other agencies, the bill approved this week is much larger, providing funding for the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments and other aspects of general government.

The House passed the bill Friday morning by a vote of 286-134, narrowly gaining the two-thirds majority needed for approval. More than 70% of the money would go to defense.

The vote tally in the House reflected anger among Republicans over the content of the package and the speed with which it was brought to a vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson brought the measure to the floor even though a majority of Republicans ended up voting against it. He said afterward that the bill “represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government.”

In sign of the conservative frustration, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., initiated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-johnson-motion-vacate-marjorie-taylor-greene-3461bd8b95e718e178132ac16f36562a">an effort to oust Johnson</a>&nbsp;as the House began the vote but held off on further action until the House returns in two weeks. It's the same tool that was used last year to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-3542dd134dccf35bc67db3463baec53b">remove the last Republican speaker</a>, Kevin McCarthy of California.

The vote breakdown showed 101 Republicans voting for the bill and 112 voting against it. Meanwhile, 185 Democrats voted for the bill and 22 against.

Rep. Kay Granger, the Republican chair of the House Appropriations Committee that helped draft the package, stepped down from that role after the vote. She said she would stay on the committee to provide advice and lead as a teacher for colleagues when needed.

Johnson broke up this fiscal year's spending bills into two parts as House Republicans revolted against what has become an annual practice of asking them to vote for one massive, complex bill called an omnibus with little time to review it or face a shutdown. Johnson viewed that as a breakthrough, saying the two-part process was “an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory.”

Still, the latest package was clearly unpopular with most Republicans, who viewed it as containing too few of their policy priorities and as spending too much.

“The bottom line is that this is a complete and utter surrender," said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.

It took lawmakers six months into the current fiscal year to get near the finish line on government funding, the process slowed by conservatives who pushed for more policy mandates and steeper spending cuts than a Democratic-led Senate or White House would consider. The impasse required several short-term, stopgap spending bills to keep agencies funded.

The first package of full-year spending bills, which funded the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and the Interior, among others,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-senate-congress-budget-spending-7dfcb8d8682d5dc28c91af3702489d89">cleared Congress</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago with just hours to spare before funding expired for those agencies.

When combining the two packages, discretionary spending for the budget year will come to about $1.66 trillion. That does not include programs such as Social Security and Medicare, or financing the country’s rising debt.

To win over support from Republicans, Johnson touted some of the spending increases secured for about 8,000 more detention beds for migrants awaiting their immigration proceedings or removal from the country. That's about a 24% increase from current levels. Also, GOP leadership highlighted more money to hire about 2,000 Border Patrol agents.

Democrats, meanwhile, are boasting of a $1 billion increase for Head Start programs and new child care centers for military families. They also played up a $120 million increase in funding for cancer research and a $100 million increase for Alzheimer’s research.

“Make no mistake, we had to work under very difficult top-line numbers and fight off literally hundreds of extreme Republican poison pills from the House, not to mention some unthinkable cuts,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on that committee, appealed to her GOP colleagues by stating that the bill's spending on non-defense programs actually decreases even before accounting for inflation. She called the package “conservative” and “carefully drafted.”

“These bills are not big spending bills that are wildly out of scope,” Collins said.

The spending package largely tracks with an agreement that then-Speaker McCarthy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-9375cce9b7526b2d0a5728f8d4a18a0a">worked out</a>&nbsp;with the White House in May 2023, which restricted spending for two years and suspended the debt ceiling into January 2025 so the federal government could continue paying its bills.

Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers that last year’s agreement, which became the Fiscal Responsibility Act, will save the federal government about $1 trillion over the coming decade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695393380394.jpeg" alt="photo Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom" />
 <figcaption>photo Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-government-shutdown-johnson-3b4e61cf5eaaf0f7fbeeddbacdf57212">$1.2 trillion package of spending bills</a>&nbsp;in the early morning hours Saturday, a long overdue action nearly six months into the budget year that will push any threats of a government shutdown to the fall. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My statement on my ‘No’ vote on the Minibus that will nosedive America deeper into crippling debt: <a href="https://t.co/moGYQUdI1A">pic.twitter.com/moGYQUdI1A</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1771508709769789669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The vote was 74-24. Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran voted in favor of the bill. Kansas Junior Senator Roger Marshall voted no along with Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri and Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts.It came after funding had expired for the agencies at midnight, but the White House sent out a notice shortly after the deadline announcing the Office of Management and Budget had ceased shutdown preparations because there was a high degree of confidence that Congress would pass the legislation and the president would sign it on Saturday.“Because obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, agencies will not shut down and may continue their normal operations,” the White House statement said.Prospects for a short-term government shutdown had appeared to grow Friday evening after Republicans and Democrats battled over proposed amendments to the bill. Any successful amendments to the bill would have sent the legislation back to the House, which had already left town for a two-week recess.But shortly before midnight Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a breakthrough.“It's been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government,” Schumer said. “It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal. It wasn't easy, but tonight our persistence has been worth it."While Congress has already approved money for Veterans Affairs, Interior, Agriculture and other agencies, the bill approved this week is much larger, providing funding for the Defense, Homeland Security and State departments and other aspects of general government.The House passed the bill Friday morning by a vote of 286-134, narrowly gaining the two-thirds majority needed for approval. More than 70% of the money would go to defense.The vote tally in the House reflected anger among Republicans over the content of the package and the speed with which it was brought to a vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson brought the measure to the floor even though a majority of Republicans ended up voting against it. He said afterward that the bill “represents the best achievable outcome in a divided government.”In sign of the conservative frustration, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., initiated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-johnson-motion-vacate-marjorie-taylor-greene-3461bd8b95e718e178132ac16f36562a">an effort to oust Johnson</a>&nbsp;as the House began the vote but held off on further action until the House returns in two weeks. It's the same tool that was used last year to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-3542dd134dccf35bc67db3463baec53b">remove the last Republican speaker</a>, Kevin McCarthy of California.The vote breakdown showed 101 Republicans voting for the bill and 112 voting against it. Meanwhile, 185 Democrats voted for the bill and 22 against.Rep. Kay Granger, the Republican chair of the House Appropriations Committee that helped draft the package, stepped down from that role after the vote. She said she would stay on the committee to provide advice and lead as a teacher for colleagues when needed.Johnson broke up this fiscal year's spending bills into two parts as House Republicans revolted against what has become an annual practice of asking them to vote for one massive, complex bill called an omnibus with little time to review it or face a shutdown. Johnson viewed that as a breakthrough, saying the two-part process was “an important step in breaking the omnibus muscle memory.”Still, the latest package was clearly unpopular with most Republicans, who viewed it as containing too few of their policy priorities and as spending too much.“The bottom line is that this is a complete and utter surrender," said Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo.It took lawmakers six months into the current fiscal year to get near the finish line on government funding, the process slowed by conservatives who pushed for more policy mandates and steeper spending cuts than a Democratic-led Senate or White House would consider. The impasse required several short-term, stopgap spending bills to keep agencies funded.The first package of full-year spending bills, which funded the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and the Interior, among others,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-senate-congress-budget-spending-7dfcb8d8682d5dc28c91af3702489d89">cleared Congress</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago with just hours to spare before funding expired for those agencies.When combining the two packages, discretionary spending for the budget year will come to about $1.66 trillion. That does not include programs such as Social Security and Medicare, or financing the country’s rising debt.To win over support from Republicans, Johnson touted some of the spending increases secured for about 8,000 more detention beds for migrants awaiting their immigration proceedings or removal from the country. That's about a 24% increase from current levels. Also, GOP leadership highlighted more money to hire about 2,000 Border Patrol agents.Democrats, meanwhile, are boasting of a $1 billion increase for Head Start programs and new child care centers for military families. They also played up a $120 million increase in funding for cancer research and a $100 million increase for Alzheimer’s research.“Make no mistake, we had to work under very difficult top-line numbers and fight off literally hundreds of extreme Republican poison pills from the House, not to mention some unthinkable cuts,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on that committee, appealed to her GOP colleagues by stating that the bill's spending on non-defense programs actually decreases even before accounting for inflation. She called the package “conservative” and “carefully drafted.”“These bills are not big spending bills that are wildly out of scope,” Collins said.The spending package largely tracks with an agreement that then-Speaker McCarthy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-9375cce9b7526b2d0a5728f8d4a18a0a">worked out</a>&nbsp;with the White House in May 2023, which restricted spending for two years and suspended the debt ceiling into January 2025 so the federal government could continue paying its bills.Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers that last year’s agreement, which became the Fiscal Responsibility Act, will save the federal government about $1 trillion over the coming decade.

Moran yes, Marshall no: Senate passes $1.2 trillion spending bill 

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

&nbsp;Just after 8a.m. Friday, police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting at 67th and Cleveland in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.

Police were directed to an adult male shooting victim who was unresponsive in a parking lot next to a business there. 

Officers called for EMS to come to the scene, EMS transported the victim to the hospital for treatment. The victim was declared deceased at the hospital.

Preliminary indication is the victim was across the street from the business, near the corner of the intersection when the unknown suspect fired shots at the victim striking him.

If anyone was in this area Friday morning and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711126163049.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another deadly Kansas City shooting.&nbsp;Just after 8a.m. Friday, police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting at 67th and Cleveland in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.Police were directed to an adult male shooting victim who was unresponsive in a parking lot next to a business there. Officers called for EMS to come to the scene, EMS transported the victim to the hospital for treatment. The victim was declared deceased at the hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711126135011.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary indication is the victim was across the street from the business, near the corner of the intersection when the unknown suspect fired shots at the victim striking him.If anyone was in this area Friday morning and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Man shot, killed outside business in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY—A Jackson judge on Tuesday sentenced a Kansas man to 30 years in prison for the fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, 32, pleaded guilty to Murder in the 2nd Degree and Assault 1st Degree.

Escalante-Corchado pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 30 years on each conviction. The sentences were set to run concurrently.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old victim deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. &nbsp;

A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to&nbsp;Escalante-Corchado.

 Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a man in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the man to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710878135430.png" alt="Escalante-Corchado-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Escalante-Corchado-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Jackson judge on Tuesday sentenced a Kansas man to 30 years in prison for the fatal beating of a 24-year-old Kansas City woman and the assault of a 4-year-old, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, 32, pleaded guilty to Murder in the 2nd Degree and Assault 1st Degree.Escalante-Corchado pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 30 years on each conviction. The sentences were set to run concurrently.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on Jan. 15, 2022 to &nbsp;the 7300 block of Wabash to check the welfare of a resident. Officers discovered a 24-year-old victim deceased in a bathtub and a 4-year-old who suffered severe trauma to her head. &nbsp;A previous 911 call had come that day from the victim's phone number. Blood was found throughout the residence's main floor. Police found the print of a specific type of boot and later found a matching pair of boots that were identified as belonging to&nbsp;Escalante-Corchado. Detectives found that the defendant's truck was in the area of the crime scene on the day of the crime. Surveillance video also showed a man in the area of the victim's residence running south from the residence, then getting into a white truck that soon pulls into a gas station. Surveillance video revealed the man to appear to be a Hispanic male with black hair. The defendant told detectives that was him at the gas station. He acknowledged he knew the victim and her daughter.

Kan. man admits brutal killing of woman, assaulting 4-year-old

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas are investigating a suspect wanted in Georgia on multiple allegations.

Just before 9a.m. Thursday a police officer on patrol attempted to stop a Chevrolet Malibu passenger car in the 1000 block South 5th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wildon.

The vehicle continued north on 5th and failed to stop for the officer as the car proceeded to an apartment complex in the 200 block North 3rd where 32-year-old Aaron Bentley III of Atchison was taken into custody. It was subsequently determined that Bentley was wanted on outstanding warrants in Clayton County and Henry County Georgia charging him with robbery and burglary.

Bentley is being held on requested charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, no insurance, expired tag, and a Clayton County Georgia warrant for robbery and a Henry County Georgia warrant for burglary, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711116378962.png" alt="Bentley-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Bentley-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas are investigating a suspect wanted in Georgia on multiple allegations.Just before 9a.m. Thursday a police officer on patrol attempted to stop a Chevrolet Malibu passenger car in the 1000 block South 5th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wildon.The vehicle continued north on 5th and failed to stop for the officer as the car proceeded to an apartment complex in the 200 block North 3rd where 32-year-old Aaron Bentley III of Atchison was taken into custody. It was subsequently determined that Bentley was wanted on outstanding warrants in Clayton County and Henry County Georgia charging him with robbery and burglary.Bentley is being held on requested charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, no insurance, expired tag, and a Clayton County Georgia warrant for robbery and a Henry County Georgia warrant for burglary, according to Wilson.

Kansas man accused of burglary and robbery in Georgia

DOUGLAS COUNTY —The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office searched numerous locations at Clinton State Park since late Wednesday night after locating a vehicle associated with a 53-year-old David Kyle Kempker of Overland P ark.

Kempker was reported missing by family members to Overland Park police late on March 19, and a deputy located the vehicle 24 hours later at Clinton State Park. 

The nature of the report was to check his welfare and locate him safely. Deputies concluded an extensive search at Clinton State Park Friday afternoon, and the Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information about Kempker’s location to contact DGSO, 785-841-0007.

Kansas Search and Rescue provided K9 teams during the search. The Lawrence Police Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff also assisted in the search.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711141157937.png" alt="David Kempker-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>David Kempker-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office searched numerous locations at Clinton State Park since late Wednesday night after locating a vehicle associated with a 53-year-old David Kyle Kempker of Overland P ark.Kempker was reported missing by family members to Overland Park police late on March 19, and a deputy located the vehicle 24 hours later at Clinton State Park. The nature of the report was to check his welfare and locate him safely. Deputies concluded an extensive search at Clinton State Park Friday afternoon, and the Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information about Kempker’s location to contact DGSO, 785-841-0007.Kansas Search and Rescue provided K9 teams during the search. The Lawrence Police Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff also assisted in the search.

Game wardens, deputies search state park for missing Kan. man 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.

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 suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail. The juvenile suspect has been arrested on a requested charge of First Degree Murder and Criminal Discharge into an Occupied Vehicle, according to Ford. The teen is currently held at the Juvenile Detention Facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711136979725.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.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 suspect voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement at the Sedgwick County Jail. The juvenile suspect has been arrested on a requested charge of First Degree Murder and Criminal Discharge into an Occupied Vehicle, according to Ford. The teen is currently held at the Juvenile Detention Facility.

17-year-old turns himself in for killing Kansas man

LONDON (AP) — Kate, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-william-uk-royals-prince-shopping-video-c7f3483e8850b859845897a1433b60c0">Princess of Wales</a>, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she revealed Friday in a stunning announcement that followed weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.

The princess disclosed her condition in a video message recorded Wednesday in Windsor and broadcast Friday. It came after relentless speculation on social media ever since January, when she was hospitalized for unspecified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-princess-of-wales-operation-uk-royals-eea1a111a295152b8820b94fd257c12d">abdominal surgery</a>.

Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while she is treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered after what she described as “major” surgery.

Wearing a casual striped sweater and jeans, Kate sat on a wooden bench in front of a lawn dotted with daffodils. The flowers, which bloom in early spring, are often used as a symbol of hope for people fighting cancer.

“I am well," she said. "I am getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal.”

Kate, 42, hadn’t been seen publicly since Christmas until video surfaced this week of her with her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne. It showed them walking from a shop that sells produce grown on the royal family's Windsor estate.

The news is another jolt for the royal family since the announcement last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-cancer-britain-e0408a7c9bb86ad2af8754ce4b37d65e">King Charles III</a>&nbsp;was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered while undergoing a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate.

Charles said he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace. The king, who received prostate treatment in the same hospital and at the same time Kate had her surgery, remained in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law" in the past weeks.

The king and Queen Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time," the palace said.

Before Friday, Kensington Palace had given little detail about Kate’s condition beyond saying it wasn’t cancer-related, the surgery was successful and recuperation would keep the princess away from public duties until April. Kate said it had been thought that her condition was non-cancerous until post-surgery tests revealed the diagnosis.

“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," she said.

By choosing to speak directly to the country and the world about her condition, rather than issuing a statement through the palace, Kate offered a level of intimacy and transparency atypical of a member of the royal family and may help tamp down runaway conjecture. The king’s disclosure of his condition was also notably open by royal standards.

Kate said it had taken her time to recover from the surgery before starting “preventative” treatment, which she said was in the early stages.

Dr. Shivan Sivakumar, associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham, said it’s unclear what the princess meant by “preventative” chemotherapy but he presumed that it’s what is known as “adjuvant” chemotherapy in the medical profession.

“This is chemotherapy after an operation to prevent recurrence,” he said. “This is to attempt to destroy any circulating cancer cells.”

Kate said it has been “an incredibly tough couple of months” for her family. She said it had taken time to tell her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a way “appropriate for them” and reassure them she will be OK.

The announcement came after the start of the Easter holidays, which will shield the children from media coverage of the news.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that Kate “has shown tremendous bravery.” He added: “In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.”

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, also sent his best wishes to the princess at this “distressing time.”

“We are incredibly sad to hear of the news,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who opened her briefing with reporters moments after news of cancer treatment broke. “We are taking this in, this terrible news, as all of you are.”

Charles, 75, has withdrawn from public duties while he has cancer treatment, though he's appeared frequently in photos carrying on meetings with government officials and dignitaries and was even seen going to church.

Kate, on the other hand, had been out of view instead of appearing at charity events and promoting causes such as supporting children early in life, leading to weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-princess-of-wales-trooping-color-britain-d55d1e8bbf1a9357b116e8b38a16e92d">speculation and gossip</a>. Attempts to put rumors to bed by releasing a photo of her on Mother's Day in the U.K. surrounded by her three smiling children backfired when The Associated Press and other news agencies retracted the image because it had been manipulated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711131728044.png" alt="File- Kate, Princess of Wales, with her children during the Coronation in May of 2023-image from AP video" />
 <figcaption>File- Kate, Princess of Wales, with her children during the Coronation in May of 2023-image from AP video</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Kate, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-william-uk-royals-prince-shopping-video-c7f3483e8850b859845897a1433b60c0">Princess of Wales</a>, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she revealed Friday in a stunning announcement that followed weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales <a href="https://t.co/5LQT1qGarK">pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK</a>&mdash; The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1771235267837321694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The princess disclosed her condition in a video message recorded Wednesday in Windsor and broadcast Friday. It came after relentless speculation on social media ever since January, when she was hospitalized for unspecified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-princess-of-wales-operation-uk-royals-eea1a111a295152b8820b94fd257c12d">abdominal surgery</a>.Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while she is treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered after what she described as “major” surgery.Wearing a casual striped sweater and jeans, Kate sat on a wooden bench in front of a lawn dotted with daffodils. The flowers, which bloom in early spring, are often used as a symbol of hope for people fighting cancer.“I am well," she said. "I am getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal.”Kate, 42, hadn’t been seen publicly since Christmas until video surfaced this week of her with her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne. It showed them walking from a shop that sells produce grown on the royal family's Windsor estate.The news is another jolt for the royal family since the announcement last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-cancer-britain-e0408a7c9bb86ad2af8754ce4b37d65e">King Charles III</a>&nbsp;was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered while undergoing a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate.Charles said he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace. The king, who received prostate treatment in the same hospital and at the same time Kate had her surgery, remained in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law" in the past weeks.The king and Queen Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time," the palace said.Before Friday, Kensington Palace had given little detail about Kate’s condition beyond saying it wasn’t cancer-related, the surgery was successful and recuperation would keep the princess away from public duties until April. Kate said it had been thought that her condition was non-cancerous until post-surgery tests revealed the diagnosis.“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," she said.By choosing to speak directly to the country and the world about her condition, rather than issuing a statement through the palace, Kate offered a level of intimacy and transparency atypical of a member of the royal family and may help tamp down runaway conjecture. The king’s disclosure of his condition was also notably open by royal standards.Kate said it had taken her time to recover from the surgery before starting “preventative” treatment, which she said was in the early stages.Dr. Shivan Sivakumar, associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham, said it’s unclear what the princess meant by “preventative” chemotherapy but he presumed that it’s what is known as “adjuvant” chemotherapy in the medical profession.“This is chemotherapy after an operation to prevent recurrence,” he said. “This is to attempt to destroy any circulating cancer cells.”Kate said it has been “an incredibly tough couple of months” for her family. She said it had taken time to tell her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a way “appropriate for them” and reassure them she will be OK.The announcement came after the start of the Easter holidays, which will shield the children from media coverage of the news.British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that Kate “has shown tremendous bravery.” He added: “In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.”Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, also sent his best wishes to the princess at this “distressing time.”“We are incredibly sad to hear of the news,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who opened her briefing with reporters moments after news of cancer treatment broke. “We are taking this in, this terrible news, as all of you are.”Charles, 75, has withdrawn from public duties while he has cancer treatment, though he's appeared frequently in photos carrying on meetings with government officials and dignitaries and was even seen going to church.Kate, on the other hand, had been out of view instead of appearing at charity events and promoting causes such as supporting children early in life, leading to weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-princess-of-wales-trooping-color-britain-d55d1e8bbf1a9357b116e8b38a16e92d">speculation and gossip</a>. Attempts to put rumors to bed by releasing a photo of her on Mother's Day in the U.K. surrounded by her three smiling children backfired when The Associated Press and other news agencies retracted the image because it had been manipulated.Kate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/princess-kate-manipulated-photo-482fda64281b4a63ccf30364d96b2622">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;the next day acknowledging she liked to “experiment with editing” and apologizing for “any confusion” the photo had caused. But that did little to quell the speculation.Even the footage published by The Sun and TMZ that appeared to show Kate and William shopping sparked a new flurry of rumor-mongering, with some armchair sleuths refusing to believe the video showed Kate at all.Earlier this week, a British privacy watchdog said it was investigating a report that staff at the private London hospital where she was treated tried to snoop on her medical records while she was a patient for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-princess-of-wales-operation-uk-royals-eea1a111a295152b8820b94fd257c12d">abdominal surgery.</a>The former Kate Middleton, who married William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011, has boosted the popularity and appeal of the British monarchy worldwide more than any royal since Princess Diana.The princess is the oldest of three children brought up in a well-to-do neighborhood in Berkshire, west of London. The Middletons have no aristocratic background, and the British press often referred to Kate as a “commoner” marrying into royalty.Her brother James Middleton posted on Instagram: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”Kate attended the private school Marlborough College and then University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met William around 2001. Friends and housemates at first, their relationship became widely publicized when they were pictured together on a skiing holiday in Switzerland in 2004.Kate graduated in 2005 with a degree in art history and a budding relationship with the prince.___