CLAY COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Sunday in Clay County has died.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Marion Paul&nbsp;Brenner, 92, Randolph, was southbound on Utah Road and failed to yield right of way at U.S. 24.

A westbound 2007 Ford F150 driven by Jeff Bradley Sells, 44, Mankato, struck the Hyundai in the intersection.

EMS transported Brenner to the Clay County Medical Center. He died early Monday, according to the KHP.

Sells and a passenger in the Ford were not injured. Brenner was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CLAY COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Sunday in Clay County has died.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Marion Paul&nbsp;Brenner, 92, Randolph, was southbound on Utah Road and failed to yield right of way at U.S. 24.A westbound 2007 Ford F150 driven by Jeff Bradley Sells, 44, Mankato, struck the Hyundai in the intersection.EMS transported Brenner to the Clay County Medical Center. He died early Monday, according to the KHP.Sells and a passenger in the Ford were not injured. Brenner was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

92-year-old Kan. man injured in pickup, car crash has died

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Monday confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas — including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging for their release.

The three men, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were all age 80 or older. Looking weak and wary, they appeared in a video in December released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here.”

The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.

Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the four men died together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when Israel was operating there. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Earlier Monday,&nbsp; the Israeli military says the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants had attacked on Oct. 7.

Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">scores of hostages held in Gaza</a>&nbsp;until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body and said he had been killed in the initial attack.

His remains were found at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he lived and worked as a paramedic. Dolev’s wife, Sigal, who was nine months pregnant on Oct. 7, gave birth to their fourth child nine days after the attack, according to Israeli media.

Medical professionals and scientists, including archaeologists, have spent months trying to identify remains found in communities attacked by Palestinian militants in the wide-ranging assault that ignited the war in Gaza.

The surprise attack into Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants abducted around 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a cease-fire last year.

The Israeli government says militants in Gaza are still holding around 85 hostages and the remains of 39 others.

Israel launched a massive offensive in response to the attack that has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their count.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717414263257.png" alt="Dolev Yehud photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Dolev Yehud photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Monday confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas — including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging for their release.The three men, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were all age 80 or older. Looking weak and wary, they appeared in a video in December released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here.”The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the four men died together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when Israel was operating there. The cause of death was not immediately known.Earlier Monday,&nbsp; the Israeli military says the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants had attacked on Oct. 7.Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">scores of hostages held in Gaza</a>&nbsp;until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body and said he had been killed in the initial attack.His remains were found at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he lived and worked as a paramedic. Dolev’s wife, Sigal, who was nine months pregnant on Oct. 7, gave birth to their fourth child nine days after the attack, according to Israeli media.Medical professionals and scientists, including archaeologists, have spent months trying to identify remains found in communities attacked by Palestinian militants in the wide-ranging assault that ignited the war in Gaza.The surprise attack into Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants abducted around 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a cease-fire last year.The Israeli government says militants in Gaza are still holding around 85 hostages and the remains of 39 others.Israel launched a massive offensive in response to the attack that has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their count.

Israeli military says more hostages found dead

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement in Cowley County are investigating a man in connection with multiple vehicle accidents on one evening.&nbsp;

On May 28, the Arkansas City Police Department responded to multiple reports of a reckless driver in a gray Ford truck in the area of Chestnut Avenue and 5th Street, according to a media release.

The vehicle was reportedly struck several vehicles and objects. Officers quickly responded and discovered that the gray Ford truck had been involved in another accident in the 400 block of North 3rd Street, where it had come to a stop. 

Officers identified the driver as Gunner Chase Cravens, 21, Arkansas City, and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. 

A DUI investigation was promptly initiated. Additional officers began working multiple accident scenes at different locations. The incidents included damage to three vehicles in the 200 block of North 5th Street; damage to another vehicle and mailbox in the 400 block of West Birch Avenue; damage to a mailbox in the 700 block of North 3rd Street and damage to a tree and mailbox in the 400 block of North 3rd Street.

The investigation revealed that the gray Ford truck was responsible for all four accidents. Cravens was arrested on requested charges of driving under the influence and three counts of duty to report or give aid. He was taken to the Cowley County Jail and held on a $1,200 bond. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717165597272.png" alt="Cravens photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Cravens photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement in Cowley County are investigating a man in connection with multiple vehicle accidents on one evening.&nbsp;On May 28, the Arkansas City Police Department responded to multiple reports of a reckless driver in a gray Ford truck in the area of Chestnut Avenue and 5th Street, according to a media release.The vehicle was reportedly struck several vehicles and objects. Officers quickly responded and discovered that the gray Ford truck had been involved in another accident in the 400 block of North 3rd Street, where it had come to a stop. Officers identified the driver as Gunner Chase Cravens, 21, Arkansas City, and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. A DUI investigation was promptly initiated. Additional officers began working multiple accident scenes at different locations. The incidents included damage to three vehicles in the 200 block of North 5th Street; damage to another vehicle and mailbox in the 400 block of West Birch Avenue; damage to a mailbox in the 700 block of North 3rd Street and damage to a tree and mailbox in the 400 block of North 3rd Street.The investigation revealed that the gray Ford truck was responsible for all four accidents. Cravens was arrested on requested charges of driving under the influence and three counts of duty to report or give aid. He was taken to the Cowley County Jail and held on a $1,200 bond. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man arrested after 4 truck crashes in 1 evening

GEARY COUNTY —A spring rainstorm kemp sheriff's deputies busy over the weekend in Geary County.

Just after 5a.m. Sunday deputies converged on the Old Highway 40 - Crider Road area to rescue a man later identified as 24-year-old&nbsp;Isaih Arturo-Pedraza who had become stranded after his car became stuck in water during flash flooding, according to a media release from Geary County Emergency Management.

&nbsp;Junction City firefighters used safety line to get to him and walk him to safety, according to&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges.

&nbsp;Just before 8a.m., four other people were also rescued near the Geary State Lake, according to the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; One was in a vehicle and three others had been trapped earlier in the morning. A Sheriff's patrol vehicle was used to cross an inlet to make rescues. There were no injuries reported.

Severe thunderstorms moved through the area during the early morning hours Sunday and there was also a flash flood warning. Rainfall totals ranged from 2.21 inches on the west side of Junction City to 2.74 inches in the Lyons Creek Road area southwest of town to nearly three inches in the Chapman area.

GEARY COUNTY —A spring rainstorm kemp sheriff's deputies busy over the weekend in Geary County.Just after 5a.m. Sunday deputies converged on the Old Highway 40 - Crider Road area to rescue a man later identified as 24-year-old&nbsp;Isaih Arturo-Pedraza who had become stranded after his car became stuck in water during flash flooding, according to a media release from Geary County Emergency Management.&nbsp;Junction City firefighters used safety line to get to him and walk him to safety, according to&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges.&nbsp;Just before 8a.m., four other people were also rescued near the Geary State Lake, according to the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; One was in a vehicle and three others had been trapped earlier in the morning. A Sheriff's patrol vehicle was used to cross an inlet to make rescues. There were no injuries reported.Severe thunderstorms moved through the area during the early morning hours Sunday and there was also a flash flood warning. Rainfall totals ranged from 2.21 inches on the west side of Junction City to 2.74 inches in the Lyons Creek Road area southwest of town to nearly three inches in the Chapman area.

Kansas deputies assist stranded driver in flooded area

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.

Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the KC Fire Station located at 6000 block E. Red Bridge in regard to a shooting, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez

Upon arrival the officers discovered a juvenile male under five suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in critical condition. Preliminary investigation reveals the boy picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.&nbsp;

The Kansas City Police Department reported an accidental shooting on Saturday night that left one boy, under the age of 5, hospitalized with critical injuries.

According to KCPD, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the KC Fire Station at the 6000 block of East Red Bridge Road for a shooting call. When they arrived, officers found a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound

Police said that preliminary investigations revealed the boy had picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.

Emergency responders took the boy to a hospital where he is currently said to be in critical condition.

The investigation is ongoing, KCPD said, and the identity of the victim and owner of the firearm has not been revealed

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the KC Fire Station located at 6000 block E. Red Bridge in regard to a shooting, according to KCPD Officer Alayna GonzalezUpon arrival the officers discovered a juvenile male under five suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in critical condition. Preliminary investigation reveals the boy picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.&nbsp;The Kansas City Police Department reported an accidental shooting on Saturday night that left one boy, under the age of 5, hospitalized with critical injuries.According to KCPD, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the KC Fire Station at the 6000 block of East Red Bridge Road for a shooting call. When they arrived, officers found a young boy suffering from a gunshot woundPolice said that preliminary investigations revealed the boy had picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.Emergency responders took the boy to a hospital where he is currently said to be in critical condition.The investigation is ongoing, KCPD said, and the identity of the victim and owner of the firearm has not been revealed

KCPD: Boy critically injured in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Embracing Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system</a>&nbsp;after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">historic guilty verdict</a>, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wants to take action against President Biden's judicial system.&nbsp; On social media, Marshall shared a letter he and seven other Senators signed.&nbsp;

Marshall wrote, "Joe Biden and his army of partisan hack judges have weaponized our judicial system against his political opponent.

Words are not enough. Call on your Senator to join our fight - We will block every single Biden judicial nomination until America votes on November 5th."

Almost no&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-verdict-republicans-guilty-reaction-congress-election-c8193404866565c55b093086890cbef8">Republican official</a>&nbsp;has stood up to suggest Trump should not be the party's presidential candidate for the November election — in fact, some have sought to hasten his nomination. Few others dared to defend the legitimacy of the New York state court that heard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">the hush money case</a>&nbsp;against the former president or the 12 jurors who unanimously rendered their verdict.

In fact, any Republicans who expressed doubts about Trump's innocence or political viability, including his former hawkish national security adviser John Bolton or top-tier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/larry-hogan">Senate candidate Larry Hogan</a>&nbsp;of Maryland, were instantly bullied by the former president’s enforcers and told to “leave the party.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she's voting for Trump “whether he is a free man or a prisoner of the Biden regime.”

She also posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cee6-d3a3-a7ef-fef77d600000">upside-down American flag</a>&nbsp;that has come to symbolize the “Stop the Steal” movement Trump started with allies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol.

The swift, strident and deepening commitment to Trump despite his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">felony conviction</a>&nbsp;shows how fully Republican leaders and lawmakers have been infused with his unfounded grievances of a “rigged” system and dangerous conspiracies of “weaponized" government into their own attacks on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and the Democrats.

Rather than shunning Trump's escalating authoritarian language or ensuring they will provide checks and balances for a second Trump term, the Republican senators and representatives are upturning longstanding faith in U.S. governance and setting the stage for what they plan to do if Trump regains power.

On Friday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded the prosecutors Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo appear for a June hearing on the “weaponization of the federal government” and “the unprecedented political prosecution” of Trump — despite the fact that Biden, as president, has no authority over the state courts in New York.

“What we’re gearing up for is if Trump wins, he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents,” said Jason Stanley, a professor at Yale and the author of “How Fascism Works.”

Stanley said history is full of examples of people not believing the rhetoric of authoritarians. “Believe what they say,” he said. “He's literally telling you he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents."

At his Trump Tower on Friday in New York, the former president returned to the kinds of attacks he has repeatedly lodged in campaign speeches, portraying Biden as the one who is a “corrupt” and the U.S. as a “fascist” nation.

Trump called the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol “thugs” and said Biden was a “Manchurian candidate,” a phrase inspired by the 1960s movie portraying a puppet of a U.S. political enemy.

A Trump campaign memo contained talking points for Republican lawmakers, suggesting they call the case a “sham,” “hoax,” “witch hunt,” “election interference" and “lawfare” designed by Biden, whom it called “crooked."

Biden faces no such charges, and the House GOP's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-invite-congress-hunter-republicans-a2ffd73660b71cbb31b97ad4bfe44c07">impeach the president</a>&nbsp;over his son Hunter Biden's business dealings, have largely stalled out. Hunter Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-case-trial-61ae47f6c9296f02d1462d82b1a47897">due in court next week</a>&nbsp;on an unrelated firearms charge in Wilmington, Delaware.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-response-trump-convictions-hush-money-case-52d14817f4e715f9bc4c188a766d5738">Joe Biden said Friday</a>&nbsp;that “it’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible, for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”

Asked later at the White House if this could happen to him, Biden said: “Not at all. I didn’t do anything wrong. The system still works.”

As for Trump's claims the case is being orchestrated by the Democratic president to hurt him politically, Biden quipped: “I didn’t know I was that powerful.”

In the hush money case, Trump was found guilty of trying to influence the 2016 election by falsifying payment to a porn actor to bury her story of an affair. He faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other felony indictments</a>, including the federal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election. But they are not likely to be heard before November’s expected election rematch with Biden.

Thursday's verdict came after a jury in 2023 found Trump to be liable for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">sexual abuse against advice columnist E. Jean Carroll</a>&nbsp;and a judge in a 2024 business fraud case determined that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4">lied about his wealth for years,</a>&nbsp;ordering him to pay a staggering $355 million in penalties.

Almost to a person, the Republicans in Congress who spoke out provided a singular voice for Trump.

Speaker Mike Johnson on “Fox &amp; Friends” amplified the claim, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to hurt Trump. Johnson, R-La., said he thinks the Supreme Court should “step in” to resolve the case.

“The justices on the court, I know many of them personally, I think they're deeply concerned about that as we are,” Johnson said.

The outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he expected Trump would win the hush money case on appeal, but the three senators seeking to replace McConnell as leader echoed Trump with stronger criticisms of the judicial system.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune said the case was “politically motivated." Texas Sen. John Cornyn called the verdict “a disgrace." Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said that everyone who calls themselves a party leader “must stand up and condemn” what he called “lawless election interference.”

Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is known as a bipartisan leader, said the prosecutor “brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct.”

With sentencing in the hush money case expected in July before the Republican National Convention, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said the GOP should move up the convention to speed up Trump’s nomination as the party’s presidential pick.

Republican judicial advocate Mike Davis, a former top Senate aide mentioned for a future Trump administration position, circulated a letter outlining the next steps.

“Dear Republicans,” he said in a Friday post. If their response to the guilty verdict was “we must respect the process” or “we are too principled to retaliate,” he suggested they do two things: One was an expletive, the other: “Leave the party.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, circulated his own letter in which he suggested it was the White House that “made a mockery” of the rule of law and altered politics in “un-American” ways. He and other senators threatened to stall Senate business until Republicans take action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717183772115.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Embracing Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system</a>&nbsp;after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">historic guilty verdict</a>, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wants to take action against President Biden's judicial system.&nbsp; On social media, Marshall shared a letter he and seven other Senators signed.&nbsp;Marshall wrote, "Joe Biden and his army of partisan hack judges have weaponized our judicial system against his political opponent.Words are not enough. Call on your Senator to join our fight - We will block every single Biden judicial nomination until America votes on November 5th."Almost no&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-verdict-republicans-guilty-reaction-congress-election-c8193404866565c55b093086890cbef8">Republican official</a>&nbsp;has stood up to suggest Trump should not be the party's presidential candidate for the November election — in fact, some have sought to hasten his nomination. Few others dared to defend the legitimacy of the New York state court that heard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">the hush money case</a>&nbsp;against the former president or the 12 jurors who unanimously rendered their verdict.In fact, any Republicans who expressed doubts about Trump's innocence or political viability, including his former hawkish national security adviser John Bolton or top-tier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/larry-hogan">Senate candidate Larry Hogan</a>&nbsp;of Maryland, were instantly bullied by the former president’s enforcers and told to “leave the party.”Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she's voting for Trump “whether he is a free man or a prisoner of the Biden regime.”She also posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cee6-d3a3-a7ef-fef77d600000">upside-down American flag</a>&nbsp;that has come to symbolize the “Stop the Steal” movement Trump started with allies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol.The swift, strident and deepening commitment to Trump despite his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">felony conviction</a>&nbsp;shows how fully Republican leaders and lawmakers have been infused with his unfounded grievances of a “rigged” system and dangerous conspiracies of “weaponized" government into their own attacks on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and the Democrats.Rather than shunning Trump's escalating authoritarian language or ensuring they will provide checks and balances for a second Trump term, the Republican senators and representatives are upturning longstanding faith in U.S. governance and setting the stage for what they plan to do if Trump regains power.On Friday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded the prosecutors Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo appear for a June hearing on the “weaponization of the federal government” and “the unprecedented political prosecution” of Trump — despite the fact that Biden, as president, has no authority over the state courts in New York.“What we’re gearing up for is if Trump wins, he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents,” said Jason Stanley, a professor at Yale and the author of “How Fascism Works.”Stanley said history is full of examples of people not believing the rhetoric of authoritarians. “Believe what they say,” he said. “He's literally telling you he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents."At his Trump Tower on Friday in New York, the former president returned to the kinds of attacks he has repeatedly lodged in campaign speeches, portraying Biden as the one who is a “corrupt” and the U.S. as a “fascist” nation.Trump called the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol “thugs” and said Biden was a “Manchurian candidate,” a phrase inspired by the 1960s movie portraying a puppet of a U.S. political enemy.A Trump campaign memo contained talking points for Republican lawmakers, suggesting they call the case a “sham,” “hoax,” “witch hunt,” “election interference" and “lawfare” designed by Biden, whom it called “crooked."Biden faces no such charges, and the House GOP's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-invite-congress-hunter-republicans-a2ffd73660b71cbb31b97ad4bfe44c07">impeach the president</a>&nbsp;over his son Hunter Biden's business dealings, have largely stalled out. Hunter Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-case-trial-61ae47f6c9296f02d1462d82b1a47897">due in court next week</a>&nbsp;on an unrelated firearms charge in Wilmington, Delaware.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-response-trump-convictions-hush-money-case-52d14817f4e715f9bc4c188a766d5738">Joe Biden said Friday</a>&nbsp;that “it’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible, for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”Asked later at the White House if this could happen to him, Biden said: “Not at all. I didn’t do anything wrong. The system still works.”As for Trump's claims the case is being orchestrated by the Democratic president to hurt him politically, Biden quipped: “I didn’t know I was that powerful.”In the hush money case, Trump was found guilty of trying to influence the 2016 election by falsifying payment to a porn actor to bury her story of an affair. He faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other felony indictments</a>, including the federal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election. But they are not likely to be heard before November’s expected election rematch with Biden.Thursday's verdict came after a jury in 2023 found Trump to be liable for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">sexual abuse against advice columnist E. Jean Carroll</a>&nbsp;and a judge in a 2024 business fraud case determined that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4">lied about his wealth for years,</a>&nbsp;ordering him to pay a staggering $355 million in penalties.Almost to a person, the Republicans in Congress who spoke out provided a singular voice for Trump.Speaker Mike Johnson on “Fox &amp; Friends” amplified the claim, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to hurt Trump. Johnson, R-La., said he thinks the Supreme Court should “step in” to resolve the case.“The justices on the court, I know many of them personally, I think they're deeply concerned about that as we are,” Johnson said.The outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he expected Trump would win the hush money case on appeal, but the three senators seeking to replace McConnell as leader echoed Trump with stronger criticisms of the judicial system.South Dakota Sen. John Thune said the case was “politically motivated." Texas Sen. John Cornyn called the verdict “a disgrace." Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said that everyone who calls themselves a party leader “must stand up and condemn” what he called “lawless election interference.”Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is known as a bipartisan leader, said the prosecutor “brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct.”With sentencing in the hush money case expected in July before the Republican National Convention, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said the GOP should move up the convention to speed up Trump’s nomination as the party’s presidential pick.Republican judicial advocate Mike Davis, a former top Senate aide mentioned for a future Trump administration position, circulated a letter outlining the next steps.“Dear Republicans,” he said in a Friday post. If their response to the guilty verdict was “we must respect the process” or “we are too principled to retaliate,” he suggested they do two things: One was an expletive, the other: “Leave the party.”Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, circulated his own letter in which he suggested it was the White House that “made a mockery” of the rule of law and altered politics in “un-American” ways. He and other senators threatened to stall Senate business until Republicans take action.

Kan. U.S. Senator wants to block Biden judicial nominations until Nov. 5

KANSAS CITY —A tree trimmer is safe after he was unable to get down from a tall tree in a Kansas City suburb.

Just after 10a.m. Friday, the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;Rescue Division responded to a mutual aid request in the 9800 block of 81st Terrace in Raytown, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

A tree trimmer lost his rope system and was unable to get himself down from approximately 65 ft in the air.

With the aid of the KCFD drone, a rope and harness system were raised to the man.&nbsp; After securing the ropes and harness under the instruction of the Rescue Captain, the man was lowered to safety, uninjured. 

Once the victim was secured safely, a member of the Rescue Division was hoisted up the tree to retrieve the equipment. In this instance it worked in KCFD's favor that the man was familiar with rope systems and harnesses because of his profession. No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717187533663.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A tree trimmer is safe after he was unable to get down from a tall tree in a Kansas City suburb.Just after 10a.m. Friday, the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;Rescue Division responded to a mutual aid request in the 9800 block of 81st Terrace in Raytown, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717187347198.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A tree trimmer lost his rope system and was unable to get himself down from approximately 65 ft in the air.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717187650339.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With the aid of the KCFD drone, a rope and harness system were raised to the man.&nbsp; After securing the ropes and harness under the instruction of the Rescue Captain, the man was lowered to safety, uninjured. Once the victim was secured safely, a member of the Rescue Division was hoisted up the tree to retrieve the equipment. In this instance it worked in KCFD's favor that the man was familiar with rope systems and harnesses because of his profession. No injuries were reported.

65-feet in the air: Tree trimmer rescued by KC Fire Department

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>&nbsp;and allied oil producing countries on Sunday extended output cuts through next year, a move aimed at supporting slack prices that haven’t risen even amid turmoil in the Middle East and the start of the summer travel season.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opec">The OPEC+ alliance</a>, made up of members of the producers cartel and allied countries including Russia, extended three different sets of cuts totaling 5.8 million barrels a day.

International benchmark Brent has loitered in the $81-$83 per barrel range for the past month. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;in Yemen have not pushed prices up toward the $100 per barrel level last seen in September 2022. Reasons include higher interest rates, concerns about demand due to slower than desired economic growth in Europe and China, and rising non-OPEC supply including from U.S. shale producers,

Yet the Saudis need higher oil prices to fund ambitious plans by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the country’s economy away from fossil fuel exports. Higher oil prices would also help Russia maintain economic growth and stability as it spends heavily on its war against Ukraine.

Analysts say the cuts could push oil prices higher in coming months, but much depends on demand for oil going forward. The summer usually sees a spike in demand through the July-September quarter, but uncertainty about demand grows after that.

U.S. motorists have benefitted from weaker oil prices. Gasoline prices have been quiescent recently, averaging $3.56 per gallon last week, a penny less than a year ago. That is down from a record national average high of $5 per gallon in June 2022. U.S. prices can vary by region and Western states have been paying more, with gas hitting an average $5.05 per gallon in California.

U.S. gas prices rise along with crude because the price of oil makes up half the cost of a gallon of gasoline. The price swings are much smaller in Europe because there taxes make up a bigger proportion of the price of fuel.

The cuts that are being extended break down as follows: 2 billion barrels a day agreed among all 23 OPEC+ members were extended through the end of 2025, according to an OPEC statement.

Then, voluntary reductions of 1.65 million barrels a day by a smaller group of members was extended until end 2025 as well, according to a report on the official Saudi Press Agency.

And another 2.2 million barrels a day in voluntary cuts, due to expire at the end of this month, were extended until September but would then be gradually reduced month by month until they are eliminated by September 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716170126757.png" alt="File photo Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from a meeting with Sec. of State Blinken in 2023-photo U.S. Dept. of State" />
 <figcaption>File photo Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from a meeting with Sec. of State Blinken in 2023-photo U.S. Dept. of State</figcaption>
 </figure>FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>&nbsp;and allied oil producing countries on Sunday extended output cuts through next year, a move aimed at supporting slack prices that haven’t risen even amid turmoil in the Middle East and the start of the summer travel season.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/opec">The OPEC+ alliance</a>, made up of members of the producers cartel and allied countries including Russia, extended three different sets of cuts totaling 5.8 million barrels a day.International benchmark Brent has loitered in the $81-$83 per barrel range for the past month. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;in Yemen have not pushed prices up toward the $100 per barrel level last seen in September 2022. Reasons include higher interest rates, concerns about demand due to slower than desired economic growth in Europe and China, and rising non-OPEC supply including from U.S. shale producers,Yet the Saudis need higher oil prices to fund ambitious plans by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the country’s economy away from fossil fuel exports. Higher oil prices would also help Russia maintain economic growth and stability as it spends heavily on its war against Ukraine.Analysts say the cuts could push oil prices higher in coming months, but much depends on demand for oil going forward. The summer usually sees a spike in demand through the July-September quarter, but uncertainty about demand grows after that.U.S. motorists have benefitted from weaker oil prices. Gasoline prices have been quiescent recently, averaging $3.56 per gallon last week, a penny less than a year ago. That is down from a record national average high of $5 per gallon in June 2022. U.S. prices can vary by region and Western states have been paying more, with gas hitting an average $5.05 per gallon in California.U.S. gas prices rise along with crude because the price of oil makes up half the cost of a gallon of gasoline. The price swings are much smaller in Europe because there taxes make up a bigger proportion of the price of fuel.The cuts that are being extended break down as follows: 2 billion barrels a day agreed among all 23 OPEC+ members were extended through the end of 2025, according to an OPEC statement.Then, voluntary reductions of 1.65 million barrels a day by a smaller group of members was extended until end 2025 as well, according to a report on the official Saudi Press Agency.And another 2.2 million barrels a day in voluntary cuts, due to expire at the end of this month, were extended until September but would then be gradually reduced month by month until they are eliminated by September 2025.

Oil production cuts: Expect higher gas prices ahead of the U.S. election

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City&nbsp; investigating a murder have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Ja’carious I. McKissic, Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 11:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a sound of gunshots the 600 block of E 110th Terrace in Kansas City, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;

When officers arrived, they were summoned to a nearby residence where McKissic was located in the front yard unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Gonzalez.

EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred over an argument. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717241922116.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City&nbsp; investigating a murder have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Ja’carious I. McKissic, Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 11:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a sound of gunshots the 600 block of E 110th Terrace in Kansas City, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;When officers arrived, they were summoned to a nearby residence where McKissic was located in the front yard unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Gonzalez.EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred over an argument. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

Police ID victim killed during argument in front yard of KC home

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement in Butler County are investigating a bomb threat.

On Saturday, police were dispatched to for a bomb threat that had been called into the YMCA, 300 N. Main Street in El Dorado. according to a social media report.

With the assistance of the El Dorado Fire Department and the Butler County Sheriff’s Department the business was evacuated and searched. No explosive devices were located.

During the investigation, it was determined that 67-year-old Ramon Jay Pratt, of El Dorado had called in the threat to the YMCA. Pratt was arrested for aggravated criminal threat and booked into the Butler County Detention Facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717368024135.png" alt="Pratt photo El Dorado Police" />
 <figcaption>Pratt photo El Dorado Police</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement in Butler County are investigating a bomb threat.On Saturday, police were dispatched to for a bomb threat that had been called into the YMCA, 300 N. Main Street in El Dorado. according to a social media report.With the assistance of the El Dorado Fire Department and the Butler County Sheriff’s Department the business was evacuated and searched. No explosive devices were located.During the investigation, it was determined that 67-year-old Ramon Jay Pratt, of El Dorado had called in the threat to the YMCA. Pratt was arrested for aggravated criminal threat and booked into the Butler County Detention Facility.

Police: Kansas man accused of calling in bomb threat

&nbsp;JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for the death of his 26-year-old step-son Bryson Smith.

Last month, a judge sentenced 52-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2024/04/12/man-52-found-guilty-first-degree-murder-2023-olathe-shooting/" target="_blank">Christopher M. Barwick</a>&nbsp;to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50-years, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred just after 6 p.m. April 23, 2023 at a home in the 800 Block of South Windsor Road. Smith died two days after the shooting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716935394373.png" alt="Barwick-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Barwick-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for the death of his 26-year-old step-son Bryson Smith.Last month, a judge sentenced 52-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2024/04/12/man-52-found-guilty-first-degree-murder-2023-olathe-shooting/" target="_blank">Christopher M. Barwick</a>&nbsp;to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50-years, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.According to court documents, the shooting occurred just after 6 p.m. April 23, 2023 at a home in the 800 Block of South Windsor Road. Smith died two days after the shooting.&nbsp;

Prison for Kansas man who killed his step-son

KANSAS CITY—One person died in a four-vehicle crash just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp;&nbsp;Chevrolet Equinox was eastbound on Interstate 70 at a high rate of speed. As the Chevy approached Manchester, the vehicle struck a Toyota Camry, a Ford Expedition and a Ford F150 that were all traveling eastbound, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The impact caused the Expedition to go into a broad slide and overturn. The Expedition rolled over the top of the Toyota and down an embankment, ejecting the unrestrained driver and sole occupant out of the Expedition and onto the shoulder of the highway.

 The driver of the Expedition was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

EMS transported the driver of the Chevy Equinox to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Toyota and the driver and front seat passenger of the F150 were all uninjured in the collision. 

The driver of the Chevrolet is currently in stable condition and the investigation, to include suspected impairment, is ongoing. 

All lanes of eastbound I-70 were closed to traffic at Manchester for approximately three hours. This is fatality #45 compared to #32 at this time last year, according to Gonzalez.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in a four-vehicle crash just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Kansas City.A&nbsp;&nbsp;Chevrolet Equinox was eastbound on Interstate 70 at a high rate of speed. As the Chevy approached Manchester, the vehicle struck a Toyota Camry, a Ford Expedition and a Ford F150 that were all traveling eastbound, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The impact caused the Expedition to go into a broad slide and overturn. The Expedition rolled over the top of the Toyota and down an embankment, ejecting the unrestrained driver and sole occupant out of the Expedition and onto the shoulder of the highway. The driver of the Expedition was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the driver of the Chevy Equinox to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Toyota and the driver and front seat passenger of the F150 were all uninjured in the collision. The driver of the Chevrolet is currently in stable condition and the investigation, to include suspected impairment, is ongoing. All lanes of eastbound I-70 were closed to traffic at Manchester for approximately three hours. This is fatality #45 compared to #32 at this time last year, according to Gonzalez.

Speeding driver blamed for deadly, 4-vehicle I-70 crash

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — Taxpayers across the United States could be guaranteed a free public option to file federal tax returns online as the Internal Revenue Service announced plans Thursday to make its Direct File program permanent.

The pilot program&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/irs-testing-free-method-directly-file-taxes-not-everyone-thrilled">offered</a>&nbsp;in 12 states from March to April drew roughly 140,000 accepted returns this filing season and saved participants $5.6 million in tax preparation costs and helped filers receive $90 million in refunds, according to the IRS.

The states involved in this year’s pilot included Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

The agency is now inviting all 50 states to participate and will accommodate however many sign on, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters on a call Thursday morning.

“We heard directly from hundreds of organizations across the country, more than 100 members of Congress, individual direct file users and those that are interested in using direct file. The clear message is that many taxpayers across the nation want the IRS to provide options for filing electronically at no cost,” Werfel said.

Yellen touted results of a user&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5969.pdf">survey</a>&nbsp;that showed 90% of participants rate their experience as excellent or above average.

“They appreciated that it allowed them to quickly fix mistakes and there were no fees or upsells. The success of the Direct File pilot means there’s now strong demand for direct file from taxpayers across the country,” Yellen said.

The average American spends $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes, according to the agency’s Taxpayer Burden Survey.

The left-leaning Economic Security Project, which advocates for tax credits for low-income and middle class households, praised the IRS decision to make permanent the program that “delivered on the promise of free and simplified tax filing for taxpayers.”

“It was evident that taxpayers saw the value of Direct File, both in making their lives easier and demonstrating what great government customer service looks like,” Adam Ruben, the organization’s vice president of campaigns and political strategy, said in a statement Thursday.

“We are already working with our partners in states across the nation to support the expansion of Direct File next year so more taxpayers can take advantage of free and simplified tax filing in the next tax season,” he said.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top tax writer of the upper chamber, praised the IRS announcement in a statement Thursday as “tremendous news for taxpayers all over the country who are tired of getting ripped off by the big tax prep companies that routinely upcharge for unnecessary services, oversell the quality of their products and offer crummy customer service.”

Werfel said the IRS cannot provide an estimated cost of expanding the program because the agency has yet to learn how many states will jump on board.

The cost to run the program this year totaled $31.8 million, breaking down to $24.6 million in IRS costs, and $7.2 million in U.S. Digital Service costs to create the online platform, Werfel said.

Among the tens of billions of dollars Congress authorized for the IRS in its 2022 budget reconciliation law, otherwise known as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text">Inflation Reduction Act</a>, $15 million was earmarked for exploring a way for the public to electronically file federal returns for free directly to the government, rather than through a third party.

This year’s pilot program was only available to taxpayers with basic tax situations, including W-2 income or simple credits and deductions, like the child tax credit or student loan interest.

“Our goal is to gradually expand the scope of Direct File to support most common tax situations, focusing in particular on tax situations that impact working families,” Werfel said.

When asked on the call whether the success of the program depends on who is in the Oval Office next year, Werfel responded, “I truly believe that the vision that the IRS has for the future tax administration is a nonpartisan one.”

The free public program was met with fierce opposition from congressional Republicans and GOP state officials who&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/hearing-with-commissioner-of-the-internal-revenue-service-daniel-werfel/">criticized</a>&nbsp;it as redundant, “<a target="_blank" href="https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRS-Direct-File-Letter-Final.pdf">unconstitutional</a>” and a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/cfo-news-libraries/news-documents/2024/irs-direct-file-letter.pdf">threat</a>&nbsp;to state tax revenue.

Many cited the already established IRS Free File program, a regularly evolving partnership between the federal agency and private tax prep software companies that provide a free federal return filing option.

That 22-year-old program has been riddled with issues, including low participation and “confusion and complexity” that led millions of eligible taxpayers to actually pay the commercial partners who were supposed to offer the free service, according to a 2019 Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/6768599/TIGTA-Free-File-audit.pdf">report</a>.

A 2019 ProPublica investigation&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free">revealed</a>&nbsp;deliberate tactics by Free File participant Intuit, maker of TurboTax, to cloud access to the free option.

Nearly two dozen state auditors, comptrollers and treasurers from 18 states urged the IRS to “shut down” the new Direct File pilot program because users could be confused about having to file a state return separately, therefore resulting in a loss in state revenue.

This argument is based on the fact that many commercial tax prep software companies and private tax preparers automatically prompt taxpayers to complete their state returns after filing the federal one.

The state officials who signed on to the March 25&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/cfo-news-libraries/news-documents/2024/irs-direct-file-letter.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to the IRS hailed from Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Two of the Direct File pilot program states — Arizona and New York — worked with the nonprofit Code for America to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/yellen-touts-success-irs-direct-free-file-pilot-program-which-includes-sd">integrate</a>&nbsp;a free state tax return filing option in concert with Direct File. The nonprofit reported that of the state returns filed through its tool, 98% were accepted.

Several state governments already offer free public electronic filing for state income tax returns that users must access separately through dedicated state websites, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/individual-corporate/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options/">Alabama</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/iiwebfile.html">Kansas</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.ky.gov/Individual/Pages/Free-Electronic-Filing.aspx">Kentucky</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/mypath/Individuals/Pages/PIT.aspx">Pennsylvania</a>, which offer the service regardless of income level. Some states, like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calfile-qualifications.html">California</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tax.iowa.gov/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options">Iowa</a>, have income thresholds for free filing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704465937849.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — Taxpayers across the United States could be guaranteed a free public option to file federal tax returns online as the Internal Revenue Service announced plans Thursday to make its Direct File program permanent.The pilot program&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/irs-testing-free-method-directly-file-taxes-not-everyone-thrilled">offered</a>&nbsp;in 12 states from March to April drew roughly 140,000 accepted returns this filing season and saved participants $5.6 million in tax preparation costs and helped filers receive $90 million in refunds, according to the IRS.The states involved in this year’s pilot included Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.The agency is now inviting all 50 states to participate and will accommodate however many sign on, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters on a call Thursday morning.“We heard directly from hundreds of organizations across the country, more than 100 members of Congress, individual direct file users and those that are interested in using direct file. The clear message is that many taxpayers across the nation want the IRS to provide options for filing electronically at no cost,” Werfel said.Yellen touted results of a user&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5969.pdf">survey</a>&nbsp;that showed 90% of participants rate their experience as excellent or above average.“They appreciated that it allowed them to quickly fix mistakes and there were no fees or upsells. The success of the Direct File pilot means there’s now strong demand for direct file from taxpayers across the country,” Yellen said.The average American spends $270 and 13 hours filing their taxes, according to the agency’s Taxpayer Burden Survey.<h2>The program ‘delivered’</h2>The left-leaning Economic Security Project, which advocates for tax credits for low-income and middle class households, praised the IRS decision to make permanent the program that “delivered on the promise of free and simplified tax filing for taxpayers.”“It was evident that taxpayers saw the value of Direct File, both in making their lives easier and demonstrating what great government customer service looks like,” Adam Ruben, the organization’s vice president of campaigns and political strategy, said in a statement Thursday.“We are already working with our partners in states across the nation to support the expansion of Direct File next year so more taxpayers can take advantage of free and simplified tax filing in the next tax season,” he said.Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top tax writer of the upper chamber, praised the IRS announcement in a statement Thursday as “tremendous news for taxpayers all over the country who are tired of getting ripped off by the big tax prep companies that routinely upcharge for unnecessary services, oversell the quality of their products and offer crummy customer service.”Werfel said the IRS cannot provide an estimated cost of expanding the program because the agency has yet to learn how many states will jump on board.The cost to run the program this year totaled $31.8 million, breaking down to $24.6 million in IRS costs, and $7.2 million in U.S. Digital Service costs to create the online platform, Werfel said.Among the tens of billions of dollars Congress authorized for the IRS in its 2022 budget reconciliation law, otherwise known as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text">Inflation Reduction Act</a>, $15 million was earmarked for exploring a way for the public to electronically file federal returns for free directly to the government, rather than through a third party.This year’s pilot program was only available to taxpayers with basic tax situations, including W-2 income or simple credits and deductions, like the child tax credit or student loan interest.“Our goal is to gradually expand the scope of Direct File to support most common tax situations, focusing in particular on tax situations that impact working families,” Werfel said.When asked on the call whether the success of the program depends on who is in the Oval Office next year, Werfel responded, “I truly believe that the vision that the IRS has for the future tax administration is a nonpartisan one.”<h2>Opposition from GOP</h2>The free public program was met with fierce opposition from congressional Republicans and GOP state officials who&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/hearing-with-commissioner-of-the-internal-revenue-service-daniel-werfel/">criticized</a>&nbsp;it as redundant, “<a target="_blank" href="https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRS-Direct-File-Letter-Final.pdf">unconstitutional</a>” and a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/cfo-news-libraries/news-documents/2024/irs-direct-file-letter.pdf">threat</a>&nbsp;to state tax revenue.Many cited the already established IRS Free File program, a regularly evolving partnership between the federal agency and private tax prep software companies that provide a free federal return filing option.That 22-year-old program has been riddled with issues, including low participation and “confusion and complexity” that led millions of eligible taxpayers to actually pay the commercial partners who were supposed to offer the free service, according to a 2019 Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/6768599/TIGTA-Free-File-audit.pdf">report</a>.A 2019 ProPublica investigation&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free">revealed</a>&nbsp;deliberate tactics by Free File participant Intuit, maker of TurboTax, to cloud access to the free option.Nearly two dozen state auditors, comptrollers and treasurers from 18 states urged the IRS to “shut down” the new Direct File pilot program because users could be confused about having to file a state return separately, therefore resulting in a loss in state revenue.This argument is based on the fact that many commercial tax prep software companies and private tax preparers automatically prompt taxpayers to complete their state returns after filing the federal one.The state officials who signed on to the March 25&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/cfo-news-libraries/news-documents/2024/irs-direct-file-letter.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to the IRS hailed from Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.Two of the Direct File pilot program states — Arizona and New York — worked with the nonprofit Code for America to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/yellen-touts-success-irs-direct-free-file-pilot-program-which-includes-sd">integrate</a>&nbsp;a free state tax return filing option in concert with Direct File. The nonprofit reported that of the state returns filed through its tool, 98% were accepted.Several state governments already offer free public electronic filing for state income tax returns that users must access separately through dedicated state websites, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/individual-corporate/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options/">Alabama</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/iiwebfile.html">Kansas</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.ky.gov/Individual/Pages/Free-Electronic-Filing.aspx">Kentucky</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/mypath/Individuals/Pages/PIT.aspx">Pennsylvania</a>, which offer the service regardless of income level. Some states, like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calfile-qualifications.html">California</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tax.iowa.gov/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options">Iowa</a>, have income thresholds for free filing.

Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) — Will Donald Trump go to prison? Could he pardon himself? What about the election? The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-conviction-what-to-know-a70941a7cd367f7b2aa3218ea91ad922">first criminal conviction of a former American president</a>&nbsp;raises a host of legal and political questions.

Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted by a Manhattan jury</a>&nbsp;Thursday of 34 felony counts related to a scheme during his 2016 presidential campaign to pay off a porn actor who said the two had sex. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee denies having sex with Stormy Daniels,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">has said he did nothing wrong</a>&nbsp;and slammed the jury's verdict.

Here are answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding Trump's conviction:

Trump remains free on his own recognizance. He will have to be back in the Manhattan courtroom on July 11, when he is set to be sentenced. That is just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders — who remain steadfast in their support of Trump — are expected to formally make him their nominee for the November election.

Before sentencing, Trump will be interviewed for a presentence report that Judge Juan M. Merchan will use to help decide his punishment. The report is typically prepared by a probation officer, a social worker or a psychologist working for the probation department who interviews the defendant and possibly that person's family and friends, as well as people affected by the crime. Presentence reports include a defendant’s personal history, criminal record and recommendations for sentencing. Trump has no prior convictions.

Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">charged in three other criminal cases</a>, but it's possible none of them will go to trial before the election. The 2020 election interference case in Washington, for example, remains on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">weighs Trump's claim</a>&nbsp;that he is immune from prosecution for actions taken as commander in chief.

It's not clear. That will be up to the judge, who Trump has repeatedly accused of being biased against him. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case, refused to say Thursday whether prosecutors will seek prison time.

Each count of falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars, but it's possible that Trump will get only fines or probation. New York court records and newspaper archives show defendants convicted of the charge are seldom sentenced to prison for that offense alone. Often, the charge is coupled with more serious felonies such as grand larceny.

And even if the judge sentences him to time behind bars, his lawyers would almost certainly push the judge to allow the former president to remain free until he exhausts his appeals.

Trump faces the threat of more serious prison time in the three other cases. For example, the most serious charges in Trump’s Washington and Georgia election interference cases carry maximum 20-year sentences.

Yes. There's nothing barring Trump from continuing his bid to reclaim the White House or from becoming president. There are only three qualifications for president spelled out in the Constitution: Candidates must be at least 35 years old, be natural born citizens and must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. There are no restrictions on his travel at this point either, so he can continue to campaign normally.

Trump attorney Todd Blanche said on the “Today” show Friday: “We’re going to appeal, and we’re going to win on appeal.” Trump's lawyers laid the groundwork throughout the trial to challenge the verdict on multiple issues.

Blanche suggested they will challenge the judge's decision not to recuse himself. Trump has repeatedly argued Merchan should not have presided over the case, citing cash he's given to Democrats and the fact that his daughter is a party consultant. Merchan has acknowledged making several small donations to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Trump’s Democratic rival, Joe Biden,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-juan-manuel-merchan-recusal-manhattan-e6ea9180af83bf47443b752fec2c518c">but rejected Trump's claims</a>&nbsp;he cannot fairly preside over the case.

Trump's lawyers may also challenge rulings from the judge they claim unfairly hampered his defense, including limiting the testimony of an expert witness they wanted to put on the stand.

No. It's a state conviction, so Trump would not be able to pardon himself if he were to become president again. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. And it's a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/can-donald-trump-pardon-himself-3fcbe6a0e961d8e90e9fc0a48e2ff126">legally untested question</a>&nbsp;as to whether Trump would even have the power to pardon himself if he's convicted in the federal cases. No president has attempted to do so while in office because no president before Trump had ever been charged or convicted.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-felony-conviction-can-he-vote-b95e7b4c9158d999e8bc89b00fbda911">He can,</a>&nbsp;as long as he is not in prison. Trump's home state of Florida defers to other states’ disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. And New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-new-york-lawsuits-racial-disenfranchisement-476e2a64d5f6a9c615a659ede19a5f5b">law</a>&nbsp;removes the right to vote for people convicted of felonies only while they’re incarcerated. Once they’re out of prison, their rights are automatically restored, even if they’re on parole, per a 2021 law passed by the state’s Democratic legislature.

Trump said Thursday that “the real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people,” referring to Election Day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-politics-2024-presidential-race-b8177296ad194f1d3fdbfc2e7628fffe">It's unclear</a>&nbsp;to what extent his guilty verdict will impact his bid to unseat Biden. The election is expected to be incredibly tight, and it’s not clear how voters who are on the fence — especially independents and other key voting blocs — will feel when they go to the polls.

Republican lawmakers who have been divided in the past over their support for Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">lined up behind him</a>&nbsp;in the wake of the conviction, slamming the judge and prosecutors.

Trump's campaign hopes his supporters will be similarly galvanized by the case, which Trump has cast as an effort to tank his White House bid. His campaign immediately began fundraising off the conviction with messages such as: “I WAS JUST CONVICTED IN A RIGGED TRIAL!” Another message to supporters read: “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone.”

Trump’s campaign said Friday morning that it raised a record $34.8 million in small online contributions off his conviction — nearly double its previous largest haul.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717105639201.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Will Donald Trump go to prison? Could he pardon himself? What about the election? The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-conviction-what-to-know-a70941a7cd367f7b2aa3218ea91ad922">first criminal conviction of a former American president</a>&nbsp;raises a host of legal and political questions.Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted by a Manhattan jury</a>&nbsp;Thursday of 34 felony counts related to a scheme during his 2016 presidential campaign to pay off a porn actor who said the two had sex. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee denies having sex with Stormy Daniels,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">has said he did nothing wrong</a>&nbsp;and slammed the jury's verdict.Here are answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding Trump's conviction:WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?Trump remains free on his own recognizance. He will have to be back in the Manhattan courtroom on July 11, when he is set to be sentenced. That is just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders — who remain steadfast in their support of Trump — are expected to formally make him their nominee for the November election.Before sentencing, Trump will be interviewed for a presentence report that Judge Juan M. Merchan will use to help decide his punishment. The report is typically prepared by a probation officer, a social worker or a psychologist working for the probation department who interviews the defendant and possibly that person's family and friends, as well as people affected by the crime. Presentence reports include a defendant’s personal history, criminal record and recommendations for sentencing. Trump has no prior convictions.Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">charged in three other criminal cases</a>, but it's possible none of them will go to trial before the election. The 2020 election interference case in Washington, for example, remains on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">weighs Trump's claim</a>&nbsp;that he is immune from prosecution for actions taken as commander in chief.WILL HE GO TO PRISON?It's not clear. That will be up to the judge, who Trump has repeatedly accused of being biased against him. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case, refused to say Thursday whether prosecutors will seek prison time.Each count of falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars, but it's possible that Trump will get only fines or probation. New York court records and newspaper archives show defendants convicted of the charge are seldom sentenced to prison for that offense alone. Often, the charge is coupled with more serious felonies such as grand larceny.And even if the judge sentences him to time behind bars, his lawyers would almost certainly push the judge to allow the former president to remain free until he exhausts his appeals.Trump faces the threat of more serious prison time in the three other cases. For example, the most serious charges in Trump’s Washington and Georgia election interference cases carry maximum 20-year sentences.CAN HE STILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT?Yes. There's nothing barring Trump from continuing his bid to reclaim the White House or from becoming president. There are only three qualifications for president spelled out in the Constitution: Candidates must be at least 35 years old, be natural born citizens and must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. There are no restrictions on his travel at this point either, so he can continue to campaign normally.CAN HE APPEAL?Trump attorney Todd Blanche said on the “Today” show Friday: “We’re going to appeal, and we’re going to win on appeal.” Trump's lawyers laid the groundwork throughout the trial to challenge the verdict on multiple issues.Blanche suggested they will challenge the judge's decision not to recuse himself. Trump has repeatedly argued Merchan should not have presided over the case, citing cash he's given to Democrats and the fact that his daughter is a party consultant. Merchan has acknowledged making several small donations to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Trump’s Democratic rival, Joe Biden,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-juan-manuel-merchan-recusal-manhattan-e6ea9180af83bf47443b752fec2c518c">but rejected Trump's claims</a>&nbsp;he cannot fairly preside over the case.Trump's lawyers may also challenge rulings from the judge they claim unfairly hampered his defense, including limiting the testimony of an expert witness they wanted to put on the stand.COULD HE PARDON HIMSELF?No. It's a state conviction, so Trump would not be able to pardon himself if he were to become president again. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. And it's a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/can-donald-trump-pardon-himself-3fcbe6a0e961d8e90e9fc0a48e2ff126">legally untested question</a>&nbsp;as to whether Trump would even have the power to pardon himself if he's convicted in the federal cases. No president has attempted to do so while in office because no president before Trump had ever been charged or convicted.CAN HE VOTE IN NOVEMBER?<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-felony-conviction-can-he-vote-b95e7b4c9158d999e8bc89b00fbda911">He can,</a>&nbsp;as long as he is not in prison. Trump's home state of Florida defers to other states’ disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies. And New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-new-york-lawsuits-racial-disenfranchisement-476e2a64d5f6a9c615a659ede19a5f5b">law</a>&nbsp;removes the right to vote for people convicted of felonies only while they’re incarcerated. Once they’re out of prison, their rights are automatically restored, even if they’re on parole, per a 2021 law passed by the state’s Democratic legislature.WILL IT HURT HIM POLITICALLY?Trump said Thursday that “the real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people,” referring to Election Day.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-politics-2024-presidential-race-b8177296ad194f1d3fdbfc2e7628fffe">It's unclear</a>&nbsp;to what extent his guilty verdict will impact his bid to unseat Biden. The election is expected to be incredibly tight, and it’s not clear how voters who are on the fence — especially independents and other key voting blocs — will feel when they go to the polls.Republican lawmakers who have been divided in the past over their support for Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">lined up behind him</a>&nbsp;in the wake of the conviction, slamming the judge and prosecutors.Trump's campaign hopes his supporters will be similarly galvanized by the case, which Trump has cast as an effort to tank his White House bid. His campaign immediately began fundraising off the conviction with messages such as: “I WAS JUST CONVICTED IN A RIGGED TRIAL!” Another message to supporters read: “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone.”Trump’s campaign said Friday morning that it raised a record $34.8 million in small online contributions off his conviction — nearly double its previous largest haul.

Answers to the many questions about Trump's historic conviction

WASHINGTON&nbsp; —A Chinese national who amassed millions of hijacked residential IP addresses and facilitated billions of dollars in unemployment and pandemic relief fraud is in custody, according to the United State's Department of Justice.

A court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted a botnet used to commit cyber attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations, according to a media release.

As part of this operation, YunHe Wang, 35, a People’s Republic of China national and St. Kitts and Nevis citizen-by-investment, was arrested on May 24 on criminal charges arising from his deployment of malware and the creation and operation of a residential proxy service known as “911 S5.”

According to an indictment unsealed on May 24, from 2014 through July 2022, Wang and others are alleged to have created and disseminated malware to compromise and amass a network of millions of residential Windows computers worldwide. These devices were associated with more than 19 million unique IP addresses, including 613,841 IP addresses located in the United States. Wang then generated millions of dollars by offering cybercriminals access to these infected IP addresses for a fee.

“This Justice Department-led operation brought together law enforcement partners from around the globe to disrupt 911 S5, a botnet that facilitated cyber-attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As a result of this operation, YunHe Wang was arrested on charges that he created and operated the botnet and deployed malware. This case makes clear that the long arm of the law stretches across borders and into the deepest shadows of the dark web, and the Justice Department will never stop fighting to hold cybercriminals to account.”

“Working with our international partners, the FBI conducted a joint, sequenced cyber operation to dismantle the 911 S5 Botnet—likely the world’s largest botnet ever,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp; “We arrested its administrator, Yunhe Wang, seized infrastructure and assets, and levied sanctions against Wang and his co-conspirators. The 911 S5 Botnet infected computers in nearly 200 countries and facilitated a whole host of computer-enabled crimes, including financial frauds, identity theft, and child exploitation. This operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to protect American businesses and the American people, and we will work tirelessly to unmask and arrest the cybercriminals who profit from this illegal activity.”

According to court documents, Wang allegedly propagated his malware through Virtual Private Network (VPN) programs, such as MaskVPN and DewVPN (torrent distribution models that he operated) and pay-per-install services that bundled his malware with other program files, including pirated versions of licensed software or copyrighted materials. Wang then managed and controlled approximately 150 dedicated servers worldwide, approximately 76 of which he leased from U.S. based online service providers. Using the dedicated servers, Wang deployed and managed applications, commanded and controlled the infected devices, operated his 911 S5 service, and provided paying customers with access to proxied IP addresses associated with the infected devices.

“As alleged in the indictment, Wang created malware that compromised millions of residential computers around the world and then sold access to the infected computers to cybercriminals,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These criminals used the hijacked computers to conceal their identities and commit a host of crimes, from fraud to cyberstalking. Cybercriminals should take note. Today’s announcement sends a clear message that the Criminal Division and its law enforcement partners are firm in their resolve to disrupt the most technologically sophisticated criminal tools and hold wrongdoers to account.”

“YunHe Wang created and administered a residential proxy service—a botnet known as 911 S5—that affected millions of computers all over the world,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “He will now be held accountable. Proxy services like 911 S5 are pervasive threats that shield criminals behind the compromised IP addresses of residential computers worldwide. Successfully tackling a problem of this scale is only possible with strong collaboration and exceptional investigative work between our law enforcement partners at home and abroad, and we stand ready to hold accountable anyone—no matter where they are located—who exploits our telecommunications infrastructure for their own criminal purpose.”

Cybercriminals then used proxied IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to conceal their true originating IP addresses and locations, and anonymously commit a wide array of offenses. These offenses including financial crimes, stalking, transmitting bomb threats and threats of harm, illegal exportation of goods, and receiving and sending child exploitation materials. Since 2014, 911 S5 allegedly enabled cybercriminals to bypass financial fraud detection systems and steal billions of dollars from financial institutions, credit card issuers, and federal lending programs.

911 S5 customers allegedly targeted certain pandemic relief programs. For example, the United States estimates that 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originated from compromised IP addresses, resulting in a confirmed fraudulent loss exceeding $5.9 billion. Additionally, in evaluating suspected fraud loss to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, the United States estimates that more than 47,000 EIDL applications originated from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5. Millions of dollars more were similarly identified by financial institutions in the United States as loss originating from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5.

The 911 S5 client interface software, which was hosted on U.S.-based servers, enabled cybercriminals located outside of the United States to purchase goods with stolen credit cards or criminally derived proceeds, and illegally export them outside of the United States contrary to U.S. export laws, such as the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The 911 S5 client interface may also contain encryption or other features which subject it to export controls detailed in the EAR. Accordingly, downloads of the 911 S5 client interface software by certain foreign nationals without a license may constitute violations of the EAR.

“The disruption, seizure, and arrest of the perpetrator(s) responsible for the 911 S5 cybercriminal enterprise demonstrates the forward leaning posture of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Cyber Field Office,” said DCIS Director Kelly P. Mayo. “This investigation showcases the critical import of identifying and pursuing emerging threats and technologies targeting our warfighters, and the industrial base that supports them. Today’s announcement illustrates the magnitude of cooperation within federal law enforcement and our foreign partners pursuing criminals in the rapidly evolving cybercrime arena.”

The indictment further alleges that from 2018 until July 2022, Wang received approximately $99 million from his sales of the hijacked proxied IP addresses through his 911 S5 operation, either in cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Wang used the illicitly gained proceeds to purchase real property in the United States, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The indictment identifies dozens of assets and properties subject to forfeiture, including a 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider S-A, a BMW i8, a BMW X7 M50d, a Rolls Royce, more than a dozen domestic and international bank accounts, over two dozen cryptocurrency wallets, several luxury wristwatches, 21 residential or investment properties (across Thailand, Singapore, the U.A.E., St. Kitts and Nevis, and the United States), and 20 domains.

Law enforcement initially focused on 911 S5 during an investigation of a money laundering and smuggling scheme, where criminal actors in Ghana and the United States used hijacked IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to place fraudulent orders using stolen credit cards on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) online e-commerce platform known as ShopMyExchange. Although approximately 2,525 fraudulent orders valued at $5.5 million were submitted, credit card fraud detection systems and federal investigators were able to thwart the bulk of the attempted purchases, reducing the actual loss to approximately $254,000.

“The conduct alleged here reads like it’s ripped from a screenplay: A scheme to sell access to millions of malware-infected computers worldwide, enabling criminals over the world to steal billions of dollars, transmit bomb threats, and exchange child exploitation materials—then using the scheme’s nearly $100 million in profits to buy luxury cars, watches, and real estate,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “What they don’t show in the movies though is the painstaking work it takes by domestic and international law enforcement, working closely with industry partners, to take down such a brazen scheme and make an arrest like this happen.”&nbsp;

Wang is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, substantive computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Wang faces a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison.

This operation was a coordinated multiagency effort led by law enforcement in the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. Agents and officers searched residences, seized assets valued at approximately $30 million, and identified additional forfeitable property valued at approximately $30 million. The operation also seized 23 domains and over 70 servers constituting the backbone of Wang’s prior residential proxy service and the recent incarnation of the service. By seizing multiple domains tied to the historical 911 S5, as well as several new domains and services directly linked to an effort to reconstitute the service, the government has successfully terminated Wang’s efforts to further victimize individuals through his newly formed service Clourouter.io and closed the existing malicious backdoors.

On May 28, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2375" target="_blank">issued financial sanctions</a>&nbsp;against Wang, Jingping Liu, and Yanni Zheng, for their activities associated with 911 S5, and three entities for being owned or controlled by Wang.

The FBI Dallas and Denver Field Offices, DCIS Cyber Field Office, and BIS Office of Export Enforcement’s Dallas field office are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Candy Heath and Lydia Lichlyter of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camelia Lopez and William Tatum for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON&nbsp; —A Chinese national who amassed millions of hijacked residential IP addresses and facilitated billions of dollars in unemployment and pandemic relief fraud is in custody, according to the United State's Department of Justice.A court-authorized international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department disrupted a botnet used to commit cyber attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations, according to a media release.As part of this operation, YunHe Wang, 35, a People’s Republic of China national and St. Kitts and Nevis citizen-by-investment, was arrested on May 24 on criminal charges arising from his deployment of malware and the creation and operation of a residential proxy service known as “911 S5.”According to an indictment unsealed on May 24, from 2014 through July 2022, Wang and others are alleged to have created and disseminated malware to compromise and amass a network of millions of residential Windows computers worldwide. These devices were associated with more than 19 million unique IP addresses, including 613,841 IP addresses located in the United States. Wang then generated millions of dollars by offering cybercriminals access to these infected IP addresses for a fee.“This Justice Department-led operation brought together law enforcement partners from around the globe to disrupt 911 S5, a botnet that facilitated cyber-attacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As a result of this operation, YunHe Wang was arrested on charges that he created and operated the botnet and deployed malware. This case makes clear that the long arm of the law stretches across borders and into the deepest shadows of the dark web, and the Justice Department will never stop fighting to hold cybercriminals to account.”“Working with our international partners, the FBI conducted a joint, sequenced cyber operation to dismantle the 911 S5 Botnet—likely the world’s largest botnet ever,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp; “We arrested its administrator, Yunhe Wang, seized infrastructure and assets, and levied sanctions against Wang and his co-conspirators. The 911 S5 Botnet infected computers in nearly 200 countries and facilitated a whole host of computer-enabled crimes, including financial frauds, identity theft, and child exploitation. This operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to protect American businesses and the American people, and we will work tirelessly to unmask and arrest the cybercriminals who profit from this illegal activity.”According to court documents, Wang allegedly propagated his malware through Virtual Private Network (VPN) programs, such as MaskVPN and DewVPN (torrent distribution models that he operated) and pay-per-install services that bundled his malware with other program files, including pirated versions of licensed software or copyrighted materials. Wang then managed and controlled approximately 150 dedicated servers worldwide, approximately 76 of which he leased from U.S. based online service providers. Using the dedicated servers, Wang deployed and managed applications, commanded and controlled the infected devices, operated his 911 S5 service, and provided paying customers with access to proxied IP addresses associated with the infected devices.“As alleged in the indictment, Wang created malware that compromised millions of residential computers around the world and then sold access to the infected computers to cybercriminals,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These criminals used the hijacked computers to conceal their identities and commit a host of crimes, from fraud to cyberstalking. Cybercriminals should take note. Today’s announcement sends a clear message that the Criminal Division and its law enforcement partners are firm in their resolve to disrupt the most technologically sophisticated criminal tools and hold wrongdoers to account.”“YunHe Wang created and administered a residential proxy service—a botnet known as 911 S5—that affected millions of computers all over the world,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “He will now be held accountable. Proxy services like 911 S5 are pervasive threats that shield criminals behind the compromised IP addresses of residential computers worldwide. Successfully tackling a problem of this scale is only possible with strong collaboration and exceptional investigative work between our law enforcement partners at home and abroad, and we stand ready to hold accountable anyone—no matter where they are located—who exploits our telecommunications infrastructure for their own criminal purpose.”Cybercriminals then used proxied IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to conceal their true originating IP addresses and locations, and anonymously commit a wide array of offenses. These offenses including financial crimes, stalking, transmitting bomb threats and threats of harm, illegal exportation of goods, and receiving and sending child exploitation materials. Since 2014, 911 S5 allegedly enabled cybercriminals to bypass financial fraud detection systems and steal billions of dollars from financial institutions, credit card issuers, and federal lending programs.911 S5 customers allegedly targeted certain pandemic relief programs. For example, the United States estimates that 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originated from compromised IP addresses, resulting in a confirmed fraudulent loss exceeding $5.9 billion. Additionally, in evaluating suspected fraud loss to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, the United States estimates that more than 47,000 EIDL applications originated from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5. Millions of dollars more were similarly identified by financial institutions in the United States as loss originating from IP addresses compromised by 911 S5.The 911 S5 client interface software, which was hosted on U.S.-based servers, enabled cybercriminals located outside of the United States to purchase goods with stolen credit cards or criminally derived proceeds, and illegally export them outside of the United States contrary to U.S. export laws, such as the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The 911 S5 client interface may also contain encryption or other features which subject it to export controls detailed in the EAR. Accordingly, downloads of the 911 S5 client interface software by certain foreign nationals without a license may constitute violations of the EAR.“The disruption, seizure, and arrest of the perpetrator(s) responsible for the 911 S5 cybercriminal enterprise demonstrates the forward leaning posture of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Cyber Field Office,” said DCIS Director Kelly P. Mayo. “This investigation showcases the critical import of identifying and pursuing emerging threats and technologies targeting our warfighters, and the industrial base that supports them. Today’s announcement illustrates the magnitude of cooperation within federal law enforcement and our foreign partners pursuing criminals in the rapidly evolving cybercrime arena.”The indictment further alleges that from 2018 until July 2022, Wang received approximately $99 million from his sales of the hijacked proxied IP addresses through his 911 S5 operation, either in cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Wang used the illicitly gained proceeds to purchase real property in the United States, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The indictment identifies dozens of assets and properties subject to forfeiture, including a 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider S-A, a BMW i8, a BMW X7 M50d, a Rolls Royce, more than a dozen domestic and international bank accounts, over two dozen cryptocurrency wallets, several luxury wristwatches, 21 residential or investment properties (across Thailand, Singapore, the U.A.E., St. Kitts and Nevis, and the United States), and 20 domains.Law enforcement initially focused on 911 S5 during an investigation of a money laundering and smuggling scheme, where criminal actors in Ghana and the United States used hijacked IP addresses purchased from 911 S5 to place fraudulent orders using stolen credit cards on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) online e-commerce platform known as ShopMyExchange. Although approximately 2,525 fraudulent orders valued at $5.5 million were submitted, credit card fraud detection systems and federal investigators were able to thwart the bulk of the attempted purchases, reducing the actual loss to approximately $254,000.“The conduct alleged here reads like it’s ripped from a screenplay: A scheme to sell access to millions of malware-infected computers worldwide, enabling criminals over the world to steal billions of dollars, transmit bomb threats, and exchange child exploitation materials—then using the scheme’s nearly $100 million in profits to buy luxury cars, watches, and real estate,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “What they don’t show in the movies though is the painstaking work it takes by domestic and international law enforcement, working closely with industry partners, to take down such a brazen scheme and make an arrest like this happen.”&nbsp;Wang is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, substantive computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Wang faces a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison.This operation was a coordinated multiagency effort led by law enforcement in the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. Agents and officers searched residences, seized assets valued at approximately $30 million, and identified additional forfeitable property valued at approximately $30 million. The operation also seized 23 domains and over 70 servers constituting the backbone of Wang’s prior residential proxy service and the recent incarnation of the service. By seizing multiple domains tied to the historical 911 S5, as well as several new domains and services directly linked to an effort to reconstitute the service, the government has successfully terminated Wang’s efforts to further victimize individuals through his newly formed service Clourouter.io and closed the existing malicious backdoors.On May 28, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2375" target="_blank">issued financial sanctions</a>&nbsp;against Wang, Jingping Liu, and Yanni Zheng, for their activities associated with 911 S5, and three entities for being owned or controlled by Wang.The FBI Dallas and Denver Field Offices, DCIS Cyber Field Office, and BIS Office of Export Enforcement’s Dallas field office are investigating the case.Trial Attorneys Candy Heath and Lydia Lichlyter of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camelia Lopez and William Tatum for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

DOJ charged man with theft of $5.9 billion in Covid relief funds

KANSAS CITY —Detectives in Kansas City&nbsp; are warning residents of a scam that has cost at least one person more than $1 million, according to an online statement from KCPD.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717162861568.png" alt="Image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Detectives in Kansas City&nbsp; are warning residents of a scam that has cost at least one person more than $1 million, according to an online statement from KCPD.The scam begins with a pop-up on a computer screen with an error message stating the computer is not working properly. The pop-up provides a phone number to call for tech support. A scammer then tells the victim their computer and financial information has been compromised. Someone impersonating a government official then contacts the victim, urging him or her to liquidate their assets into gold bars or to wire transfer funds to a Bitcoin machine. The scammers will even send a courier to pick up the gold, claiming they’re safeguarding assets. So far, the victims police know of range from 65 to 80 years of age. KCPD detectives are working with other agencies across the country to solve this. In the meantime, police want you to be safe. If you see this scam and have not experienced a loss,<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/"> click here to</a> report it.If you have suffered a loss, call your police department.