KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City day care owner was sentenced in federal court this week for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in a $653,329 tax loss to the federal government, as well as fraudulently collecting almost $120,000 in government benefits she was not entitled to receive, according to the United State's Attorney.

Patricia L. Johnson-Rushing, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to two years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson-Rushing to pay $772,861in restitution and to forfeit to the government $95,704.

On Sept. 7, 2023, Johnson-Rushing pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money, one count of benefits fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Johnson-Rushing admitted that she fraudulently received $83,394 in public funding for her childcare center, Granny’s Pray &amp; Play, located at 3714 E. 27th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Mo., and that she unlawfully received food stamps. Johnson-Rushing also admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to obstruct the collection of federal employment taxes by failing to pay over to the government $154,186 in federal income tax and FICA contributions collected from the paychecks of Granny’s Pray &amp; Play employees. This was part of a total tax loss to the government, including the employer’s share of payroll taxes, of $653,329.

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City day care owner was sentenced in federal court this week for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in a $653,329 tax loss to the federal government, as well as fraudulently collecting almost $120,000 in government benefits she was not entitled to receive, according to the United State's Attorney.Patricia L. Johnson-Rushing, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to two years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson-Rushing to pay $772,861in restitution and to forfeit to the government $95,704.On Sept. 7, 2023, Johnson-Rushing pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money, one count of benefits fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.Johnson-Rushing admitted that she fraudulently received $83,394 in public funding for her childcare center, Granny’s Pray &amp; Play, located at 3714 E. 27th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Mo., and that she unlawfully received food stamps. Johnson-Rushing also admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to obstruct the collection of federal employment taxes by failing to pay over to the government $154,186 in federal income tax and FICA contributions collected from the paychecks of Granny’s Pray &amp; Play employees. This was part of a total tax loss to the government, including the employer’s share of payroll taxes, of $653,329.

KC daycare owner sentenced for $700K fraud scheme

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City are investigating a man's murder.

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 a man was located in the front yard unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

EMS responded and transported the victim 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 Daryle Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryle Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City are investigating a man's murder.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 a man was located in the front yard unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.EMS responded and transported the victim 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: Argument led to man's murder in front yard of KC home

TOPEKA (AP) —The Kansas Supreme Court offered a mixed bag in a ruling Friday that combined several challenges to a 2021 election law, siding with state officials on one provision, reviving challenges to others and offering the possibility that at least one will be halted before this year's general election.

But it was the ballot signature verification measure's majority opinion — which stated there is no right to vote enshrined in the Kansas Constitution's Bill of Rights — that drew fiery dissent from three of the court's seven justices.

The measure requires election officials to match the signatures on advance mail ballots to a person’s voter registration record. The state Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s dismissal of that lawsuit, but the majority rejected arguments from voting rights groups that the measure violates state constitutional voting rights.

In fact, Justice Caleb Stegall, writing for the majority, said that the dissenting justices wrongly accused the majority of ignoring past precedent, holding that the court has not identified a “fundamental right to vote” within the state constitution.

“It simply is not there,” Stegall wrote.

Justice Eric Rosen, one of the three who dissented, shot back: “It staggers my imagination to conclude Kansas citizens have no fundamental right to vote under their state constitution.”

"I cannot and will not condone this betrayal of our constitutional duty to safeguard the foundational rights of Kansans,” Rosen added.

Conversely, the high court unanimously sided with the challengers of a different provision that makes it a crime for someone to give the appearance of being an election official. Voting rights groups, including Kansas League of Women Voters and the nonprofit Loud Light, argued the measure suppresses free speech and their ability to register voters as some might wrongly assume volunteers are election workers, putting them at risk of criminal prosecution.

A Shawnee County District Court judge had earlier rejected the groups' request for an emergency injunction, saying that impersonation of a public official is not protected speech.

But the high court faulted the new law, noting that it doesn't include any requirement that prosecutors show intent by a voter registration volunteer to misrepresent or deceive people into believing they're an election official, and it thus “criminalizes honest speech” where “occasional misunderstandings” are bound to occur, Stegall wrote in the majority opinion.

“As such, it sweeps up protected speech in its net,” Stegall said.

Because the lawsuit over the false impersonation law's constitutionality is likely to succeed, the state Supreme Court ordered the lower court to reconsider issuing an emergency injunction against it.

“For three years now, Kansas League of Women Voters volunteers have been forced to severely limit their assistance of voters due to this ambiguous and threatening law," said Martha Pint, president of the chapter. "The League’s critical voter assistance work is not a crime, and we are confident this provision will be quickly blocked when the case returns to the district court.”

Loud Light executive director Davis Hammet said he hopes the lower court “will stop the irreparable harm caused daily by the law and allow us to resume voter registration before the general election."

Neither Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab nor state Attorney General Kris Kobach responded to requests for comment on that portion of the high court's ruling.

Instead, in a joint statement, Schwab and Kobach focus on the high court's language bolstering the signature verification law and its upholding of a provision that says individuals may collect no more than 10 advance ballots to submit to election officials.

"This ruling allows us to preserve reasonable election security laws in Kansas,” Schwab said.

Supporters have argued the ballot collection restriction combats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-topeka-kansas-voting-rights-elections-4b5b5a6334ce145c0421bf574d5c9479">“ballot harvesting”</a>&nbsp;and limits voter fraud. The GOP-led Legislature passed it over a veto by Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Critics have said it's a Republican reaction to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 election was not valid, which prompted a wave of misinformation and voter suppression laws across the country.

Last year, the Kansas Court of Appeals reinstated a lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-voting-laws-lawsuit-appeal-2a5d1a74884c0b4a7f9062191ce03e79">challenging the ballot collection limitation</a>&nbsp;and the signature verification, saying both impair the right to vote. But the high court upheld the limit on ballot collections, saying “voters have numerous avenues available to deliver their ballots” and that ballot collecting doesn't fall within the parameters of free speech.

Kobach defended the majority's opinion as “well-reasoned” and confirms that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to establish proofs “to ensure voters are who they say they are.”

“And that is exactly what Kansas’s signature verification requirement is," Kobach said.

By MARGERY A. BECKTOPEKA (AP) —The Kansas Supreme Court offered a mixed bag in a ruling Friday that combined several challenges to a 2021 election law, siding with state officials on one provision, reviving challenges to others and offering the possibility that at least one will be halted before this year's general election.But it was the ballot signature verification measure's majority opinion — which stated there is no right to vote enshrined in the Kansas Constitution's Bill of Rights — that drew fiery dissent from three of the court's seven justices.The measure requires election officials to match the signatures on advance mail ballots to a person’s voter registration record. The state Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s dismissal of that lawsuit, but the majority rejected arguments from voting rights groups that the measure violates state constitutional voting rights.In fact, Justice Caleb Stegall, writing for the majority, said that the dissenting justices wrongly accused the majority of ignoring past precedent, holding that the court has not identified a “fundamental right to vote” within the state constitution.“It simply is not there,” Stegall wrote.Justice Eric Rosen, one of the three who dissented, shot back: “It staggers my imagination to conclude Kansas citizens have no fundamental right to vote under their state constitution.”"I cannot and will not condone this betrayal of our constitutional duty to safeguard the foundational rights of Kansans,” Rosen added.Conversely, the high court unanimously sided with the challengers of a different provision that makes it a crime for someone to give the appearance of being an election official. Voting rights groups, including Kansas League of Women Voters and the nonprofit Loud Light, argued the measure suppresses free speech and their ability to register voters as some might wrongly assume volunteers are election workers, putting them at risk of criminal prosecution.A Shawnee County District Court judge had earlier rejected the groups' request for an emergency injunction, saying that impersonation of a public official is not protected speech.But the high court faulted the new law, noting that it doesn't include any requirement that prosecutors show intent by a voter registration volunteer to misrepresent or deceive people into believing they're an election official, and it thus “criminalizes honest speech” where “occasional misunderstandings” are bound to occur, Stegall wrote in the majority opinion.“As such, it sweeps up protected speech in its net,” Stegall said.Because the lawsuit over the false impersonation law's constitutionality is likely to succeed, the state Supreme Court ordered the lower court to reconsider issuing an emergency injunction against it.“For three years now, Kansas League of Women Voters volunteers have been forced to severely limit their assistance of voters due to this ambiguous and threatening law," said Martha Pint, president of the chapter. "The League’s critical voter assistance work is not a crime, and we are confident this provision will be quickly blocked when the case returns to the district court.”Loud Light executive director Davis Hammet said he hopes the lower court “will stop the irreparable harm caused daily by the law and allow us to resume voter registration before the general election."Neither Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab nor state Attorney General Kris Kobach responded to requests for comment on that portion of the high court's ruling.Instead, in a joint statement, Schwab and Kobach focus on the high court's language bolstering the signature verification law and its upholding of a provision that says individuals may collect no more than 10 advance ballots to submit to election officials."This ruling allows us to preserve reasonable election security laws in Kansas,” Schwab said.Supporters have argued the ballot collection restriction combats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-topeka-kansas-voting-rights-elections-4b5b5a6334ce145c0421bf574d5c9479">“ballot harvesting”</a>&nbsp;and limits voter fraud. The GOP-led Legislature passed it over a veto by Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Critics have said it's a Republican reaction to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 election was not valid, which prompted a wave of misinformation and voter suppression laws across the country.Last year, the Kansas Court of Appeals reinstated a lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-voting-laws-lawsuit-appeal-2a5d1a74884c0b4a7f9062191ce03e79">challenging the ballot collection limitation</a>&nbsp;and the signature verification, saying both impair the right to vote. But the high court upheld the limit on ballot collections, saying “voters have numerous avenues available to deliver their ballots” and that ballot collecting doesn't fall within the parameters of free speech.Kobach defended the majority's opinion as “well-reasoned” and confirms that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to establish proofs “to ensure voters are who they say they are.”“And that is exactly what Kansas’s signature verification requirement is," Kobach said.

Court: Kansas Constitution does not include a right to vote

KANSAS CITY –Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a Kansas home.

Just after 9a.m. Friday, the Overland Park Police Department, assisted by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, responded to the 500 block of Barnett Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. as part of a criminal investigation involving stolen property, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, a resident of the home granted officers consent to enter. Once inside, they observed a weapon and heard noises indicating that another individual remained inside the home. 

Police then exited and Kansas City Kansas Police Department’s Special Operation Unit responded to the scene to execute a search warrant. 

Traffic to the block was then temporarily closed to through traffic as a safety precaution. After approximately three hours, the suspect, wanted on federal charges, exited the home and was taken into custody without incident at approximately 12:45 p.m. 

No use of force was employed, and neither the suspect nor officers were injured during the operation.

KCK Police and KCK Animal Services were called to the same address on May 5, on the report of a vicious dog attack on a pedestrian. At the time the dog was taken into custody by Animal Services and the residents of the home were cited for various city code violations related to the attack. These incidents remains under investigation by the Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717240442282.png" alt="Photo KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY –Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a Kansas home.Just after 9a.m. Friday, the Overland Park Police Department, assisted by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, responded to the 500 block of Barnett Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. as part of a criminal investigation involving stolen property, according to a media release.Upon arrival, a resident of the home granted officers consent to enter. Once inside, they observed a weapon and heard noises indicating that another individual remained inside the home. Police then exited and Kansas City Kansas Police Department’s Special Operation Unit responded to the scene to execute a search warrant. Traffic to the block was then temporarily closed to through traffic as a safety precaution. After approximately three hours, the suspect, wanted on federal charges, exited the home and was taken into custody without incident at approximately 12:45 p.m. No use of force was employed, and neither the suspect nor officers were injured during the operation.KCK Police and KCK Animal Services were called to the same address on May 5, on the report of a vicious dog attack on a pedestrian. At the time the dog was taken into custody by Animal Services and the residents of the home were cited for various city code violations related to the attack. These incidents remains under investigation by the Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Suspect in Kan. stolen property investigation jailed after standoff

WASHINGTON (AP) — A string of security, logistical and weather problems has battered the plan to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-humanitarian-aid-pier-israel-us-7fd8cf63c60e4155479e761f3c79914d">a U.S. military-built pier</a>.

Broken apart by strong winds and heavy seas just over a week after it became operational, the project faces criticism that it hasn’t lived up to its initial billing or its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e">$320 million</a>&nbsp;price tag.

U.S. officials say, however, that the steel causeway connected to the beach in Gaza and the floating pier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-pier-damage-weather-seas-boats-f45634fb85e2ac6aec9b814c36ea3526">are being repaired</a>&nbsp;and reassembled at a port in southern Israel, then will be reinstalled and working again next week.

While early Pentagon estimates suggested the pier could deliver up to 150 truckloads of aid a day when in full operation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-d993fc0cdc31365e4e4514153a590955">that has yet to happen</a>. Bad weather has hampered progress getting aid into Gaza from the pier, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-05-13-2024-6fae60f33d3664c282d5f535beb13c98">Israeli offensive in the southern city of Rafah</a>&nbsp;has made it difficult, if not impossible at times, to get aid into the region by land routes.

Aid groups have had mixed reactions — both welcoming any amount of aid for starving Palestinians besieged by the nearly eight-month-old Israel-Hamas war and decrying the pier as a distraction that took pressure off Israel to open more border crossings, which are far more productive.

It’s “a side-show,” said Bob Kitchen, a top official of the International Rescue Committee.

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

“Nobody said at the outset that it was going to be a panacea for all the humanitarian assistance problems that still exist in Gaza,” national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. “I think sometimes there’s an expectation of the U.S. military — because they’re so good — that everything that they touch is just going to turn to gold in an instant."

“We knew going in that this was going to be tough stuff,” he added. "And it has proven to be tough stuff.”

Before the war, Gaza was getting about 500 truckloads of aid on average every day. The United States Agency for International Development says it needs a steady flow of 600 trucks a day to ease the struggle for food and bring people back from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">the brink of famine</a>.

The aid brought through the pier was enough to feed thousands for a month, but U.N. data shows it barely made a dent in the overall need of Gaza’s 2.3 million people.

Here's a look at the timeline of the pier, the problems it faced and what may come next:

MARCH 7:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">President Joe Biden announces</a>&nbsp;his plan for the U.S. military to build a pier during his State of the Union address.

“Tonight, I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters,” he said.

But even in those first few moments, he noted the pier would increase the amount of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza but that Israel “must do its part” and let more aid in.

MARCH 8: Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, tells reporters it will take “up to 60 days” to deploy the forces and build the project.

MARCH 12: Four U.S. Army boats loaded with tons of equipment and steel pier segments leave Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia and head to the Atlantic Ocean for what is expected to be a monthlong voyage to Gaza.

The brigade's commander, Army Col. Sam Miller, warns that the transit and construction will be heavily dependent on the weather and any high seas they encounter.

LATE MARCH: U.S. Army vessels hit high seas and rough weather as they cross the Atlantic, slowing their pace.

APRIL 1: Seven&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;are killed in an Israeli airstrike as they travel in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel.

The strike fuels ongoing worries about security for relief workers and prompts aid agencies to pause delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

APRIL 19: U.S. officials confirm that the U.N. World Food Program has agreed to help deliver aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route once construction is done.

APRIL 25: Major construction of the port facility on the shore near Gaza City begins to take shape. The onshore site is where aid from the causeway will be delivered and given to aid agencies.

APRIL 30: Satellite photos show the U.S. Navy ship USNS Roy P. Benavidez and Army vessels working on assembling the pier and causeway about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore.

MAY 9: The U.S. vessel Sagamore is the first ship loaded with aid to leave Cyprus and head toward Gaza and ultimately the pier. An elaborate security and inspection station has been built in Cyprus to screen the aid coming from a number of countries.

MAY 16: Well past the 60-day target time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-9414c4148285917f1c858b9590117a84">the construction and assembly of the pier</a>&nbsp;off the Gaza coast and the causeway attached to the shoreline are finished after more than a week of weather and other delays.

MAY 17: The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">first trucks carrying aid</a>&nbsp;for the Gaza Strip roll down the newly built pier and into the secure area on shore, where they will be unloaded and the cargo distributed to aid agencies for delivery by truck into Gaza.

May 18: Crowds of desperate Palestinians overrun a convoy of aid trucks coming from the pier, stripping the cargo from 11 of the 16 vehicles before they reach a U.N. warehouse for distribution.

May 19-20: The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-aid-pier-gaza-israel-war-famine-6730e68854c1d6d57414e5f8017786d0">first food from the pier</a>&nbsp;— a limited number of high-nutrition biscuits — reaches people in need in central Gaza, according to the World Food Program.

Aid organizations suspend deliveries from the pier for two days while the U.S. works with Israel to open alternate land routes from the pier and improve security.

MAY 24: So far, a bit more than 1,000 metric tons of aid has been delivered to Gaza via the U.S.-built pier, and USAID later says all of it has been distributed within Gaza.

MAY 25: High winds and heavy seas damage the pier and cause four U.S. Army vessels operating there to become beached, injuring three service members, including one who is in critical condition.

Two vessels went aground in Gaza near the base of the pier and two went aground near Ashkelon in Israel.

MAY 28: Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh says large portions of the causeway are being pulled from the beach and moved to an Israeli port for repairs. The base of the causeway remains at the Gaza shore.

She also says that aid in Cyprus is being loaded onto vessels and will be ready to unload onto the pier once it is back in place.

MAY 29: Two of the Army vessels that ran aground in the bad weather are now back at sea and the other two near the pier are being freed, with the aid of the Israeli navy.

In the coming days, the sections of the causeway will be put back together, and by the middle of next week will be moved back to the Gaza shore, where the causeway will once again be attached to the beach, the Pentagon says.

“When we are able to re-anchor the pier back in, you’ll be able to see that aid flow off in a pretty steady stream," Singh said Tuesday. "We’re going to continue to operate this temporary pier for as long as we can.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471004272.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A string of security, logistical and weather problems has battered the plan to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-humanitarian-aid-pier-israel-us-7fd8cf63c60e4155479e761f3c79914d">a U.S. military-built pier</a>.Broken apart by strong winds and heavy seas just over a week after it became operational, the project faces criticism that it hasn’t lived up to its initial billing or its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e">$320 million</a>&nbsp;price tag.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715970334608.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. officials say, however, that the steel causeway connected to the beach in Gaza and the floating pier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-pier-damage-weather-seas-boats-f45634fb85e2ac6aec9b814c36ea3526">are being repaired</a>&nbsp;and reassembled at a port in southern Israel, then will be reinstalled and working again next week.While early Pentagon estimates suggested the pier could deliver up to 150 truckloads of aid a day when in full operation,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-d993fc0cdc31365e4e4514153a590955">that has yet to happen</a>. Bad weather has hampered progress getting aid into Gaza from the pier, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-05-13-2024-6fae60f33d3664c282d5f535beb13c98">Israeli offensive in the southern city of Rafah</a>&nbsp;has made it difficult, if not impossible at times, to get aid into the region by land routes.Aid groups have had mixed reactions — both welcoming any amount of aid for starving Palestinians besieged by the nearly eight-month-old Israel-Hamas war and decrying the pier as a distraction that took pressure off Israel to open more border crossings, which are far more productive.It’s “a side-show,” said Bob Kitchen, a top official of the International Rescue Committee.The Biden administration has said from the start that the pier wasn't meant to be a total solution and that any amount of aid helps.“Nobody said at the outset that it was going to be a panacea for all the humanitarian assistance problems that still exist in Gaza,” national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. “I think sometimes there’s an expectation of the U.S. military — because they’re so good — that everything that they touch is just going to turn to gold in an instant."“We knew going in that this was going to be tough stuff,” he added. "And it has proven to be tough stuff.”Before the war, Gaza was getting about 500 truckloads of aid on average every day. The United States Agency for International Development says it needs a steady flow of 600 trucks a day to ease the struggle for food and bring people back from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">the brink of famine</a>.The aid brought through the pier was enough to feed thousands for a month, but U.N. data shows it barely made a dent in the overall need of Gaza’s 2.3 million people.Here's a look at the timeline of the pier, the problems it faced and what may come next:MARCH: ANNOUNCEMENT AND PREPMARCH 7:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">President Joe Biden announces</a>&nbsp;his plan for the U.S. military to build a pier during his State of the Union address.“Tonight, I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters,” he said.But even in those first few moments, he noted the pier would increase the amount of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza but that Israel “must do its part” and let more aid in.MARCH 8: Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, tells reporters it will take “up to 60 days” to deploy the forces and build the project.MARCH 12: Four U.S. Army boats loaded with tons of equipment and steel pier segments leave Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia and head to the Atlantic Ocean for what is expected to be a monthlong voyage to Gaza.The brigade's commander, Army Col. Sam Miller, warns that the transit and construction will be heavily dependent on the weather and any high seas they encounter.LATE MARCH: U.S. Army vessels hit high seas and rough weather as they cross the Atlantic, slowing their pace.APRIL: CONSTRUCTION AND HOPEAPRIL 1: Seven&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;are killed in an Israeli airstrike as they travel in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel.The strike fuels ongoing worries about security for relief workers and prompts aid agencies to pause delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.APRIL 19: U.S. officials confirm that the U.N. World Food Program has agreed to help deliver aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route once construction is done.APRIL 25: Major construction of the port facility on the shore near Gaza City begins to take shape. The onshore site is where aid from the causeway will be delivered and given to aid agencies.APRIL 30: Satellite photos show the U.S. Navy ship USNS Roy P. Benavidez and Army vessels working on assembling the pier and causeway about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore.MAY: THE PIER OPENS … THEN CLOSESMAY 9: The U.S. vessel Sagamore is the first ship loaded with aid to leave Cyprus and head toward Gaza and ultimately the pier. An elaborate security and inspection station has been built in Cyprus to screen the aid coming from a number of countries.MAY 16: Well past the 60-day target time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-9414c4148285917f1c858b9590117a84">the construction and assembly of the pier</a>&nbsp;off the Gaza coast and the causeway attached to the shoreline are finished after more than a week of weather and other delays.MAY 17: The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-aid-us-pier-05-17-2024-336c810724d107a41bb6628c721aea7c">first trucks carrying aid</a>&nbsp;for the Gaza Strip roll down the newly built pier and into the secure area on shore, where they will be unloaded and the cargo distributed to aid agencies for delivery by truck into Gaza.May 18: Crowds of desperate Palestinians overrun a convoy of aid trucks coming from the pier, stripping the cargo from 11 of the 16 vehicles before they reach a U.N. warehouse for distribution.May 19-20: The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-aid-pier-gaza-israel-war-famine-6730e68854c1d6d57414e5f8017786d0">first food from the pier</a>&nbsp;— a limited number of high-nutrition biscuits — reaches people in need in central Gaza, according to the World Food Program.Aid organizations suspend deliveries from the pier for two days while the U.S. works with Israel to open alternate land routes from the pier and improve security.MAY 24: So far, a bit more than 1,000 metric tons of aid has been delivered to Gaza via the U.S.-built pier, and USAID later says all of it has been distributed within Gaza.MAY 25: High winds and heavy seas damage the pier and cause four U.S. Army vessels operating there to become beached, injuring three service members, including one who is in critical condition.Two vessels went aground in Gaza near the base of the pier and two went aground near Ashkelon in Israel.MAY 28: Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh says large portions of the causeway are being pulled from the beach and moved to an Israeli port for repairs. The base of the causeway remains at the Gaza shore.She also says that aid in Cyprus is being loaded onto vessels and will be ready to unload onto the pier once it is back in place.MAY 29: Two of the Army vessels that ran aground in the bad weather are now back at sea and the other two near the pier are being freed, with the aid of the Israeli navy.WHAT'S NEXT?In the coming days, the sections of the causeway will be put back together, and by the middle of next week will be moved back to the Gaza shore, where the causeway will once again be attached to the beach, the Pentagon says.“When we are able to re-anchor the pier back in, you’ll be able to see that aid flow off in a pretty steady stream," Singh said Tuesday. "We’re going to continue to operate this temporary pier for as long as we can.”

$320 million U.S. plan to delver aid to Gaza is not working 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a convicted felon on new allegations after an incident involving a gun.

Just before 9 a.m. May 29, police responded to a reported disturbance at Planet Smokes located at 101 SE 37th Street in Topeka, according Police Lt. Michael Hren. Upon arrival, it was alleged an individual entered the business and an employee, later identified as Angel L. Baatrup, 33, of Topeka, had pointed a firearm at them.

Officers made contact with Baatrup and learned she was prohibited from possessing a firearm. As a result of the investigation, Baatrup was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon and Felon in possession of a firearm

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717118554722.png" alt="Baatrup photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Baatrup photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a convicted felon on new allegations after an incident involving a gun.Just before 9 a.m. May 29, police responded to a reported disturbance at Planet Smokes located at 101 SE 37th Street in Topeka, according Police Lt. Michael Hren. Upon arrival, it was alleged an individual entered the business and an employee, later identified as Angel L. Baatrup, 33, of Topeka, had pointed a firearm at them.Officers made contact with Baatrup and learned she was prohibited from possessing a firearm. As a result of the investigation, Baatrup was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon and Felon in possession of a firearm

Kansas woman accused of pointing gun at smoke shop customer

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, as Jason A. Burk, 41, of Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just before 7&nbsp;p.m. May 27, a citizen reported to the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) that two male suspects carjacked her blue 2010 GMC Terrain at gunpoint from the area of East 24th&nbsp;Street and Highland Avenue, in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the KBI.

 Just after 8 p.m., KCPD spotted the stolen SUV in the 1500 block of Paseo, and a pursuit began when the driver refused to stop.

Around 8:10 p.m., the pursuit entered Kansas City, Kansas where officers from KCKPD joined. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) and the Mission Police Department also joined the pursuit.

At 8:17 p.m., a 21-year-old male passenger exited the stolen GMC and fled in the area of 18th&nbsp;and Steele. He was quickly apprehended. At around 8:20 p.m., a KHP trooper conducted a tactical vehicle intervention causing the SUV to spin around and strike a guard rail, ending the pursuit along U.S. Highway 69 and the 18th&nbsp;Street Expressway.

Preliminary information indicates that once the vehicle stopped, the 41-year-old male driver later identified as Burk began firing rounds from the SUV at responding officers. It is believed two officers from KCKPD, and five officers from KCPD returned fire. The man was struck multiple times.&nbsp;

Officers rendered aid and EMS transported Burk to an area hospital. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717180981486.png" alt="Burk from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Burk from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, as Jason A. Burk, 41, of Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the KBI.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716977677856.png" alt="View of the investigation -photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>View of the investigation -photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7&nbsp;p.m. May 27, a citizen reported to the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) that two male suspects carjacked her blue 2010 GMC Terrain at gunpoint from the area of East 24th&nbsp;Street and Highland Avenue, in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the KBI. Just after 8 p.m., KCPD spotted the stolen SUV in the 1500 block of Paseo, and a pursuit began when the driver refused to stop.Around 8:10 p.m., the pursuit entered Kansas City, Kansas where officers from KCKPD joined. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) and the Mission Police Department also joined the pursuit.At 8:17 p.m., a 21-year-old male passenger exited the stolen GMC and fled in the area of 18th&nbsp;and Steele. He was quickly apprehended. At around 8:20 p.m., a KHP trooper conducted a tactical vehicle intervention causing the SUV to spin around and strike a guard rail, ending the pursuit along U.S. Highway 69 and the 18th&nbsp;Street Expressway.Preliminary information indicates that once the vehicle stopped, the 41-year-old male driver later identified as Burk began firing rounds from the SUV at responding officers. It is believed two officers from KCKPD, and five officers from KCPD returned fire. The man was struck multiple times.&nbsp;Officers rendered aid and EMS transported Burk to an area hospital. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.&nbsp;

KBI IDs carjacking suspect killed in gunfight with police

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday, lauding the back-to-back Super Bowl champion team for its sportsmanship on and off the field, and breaking an unofficial political rule about headwear. He tried on a Chiefs helmet the team gave him as a gift.

(click below to watch the brief ceremony)

“It was cool to see him put the helmet on,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters after the celebration held on the South Lawn. “We didn't expect that. But it was really cool to see him throw that Chiefs helmet on and you get that Chiefs kingdom kind of for the rest of the nation to see.”

The Democratic president recalled that he said at last year's celebration for the Chiefs that they are building a “dynasty.” He noted the struggles they overcame last season on the road to the Super Bowl and said, “I don't think anybody's doubting you know.”

He noted the shooting in February at Kansas City's parade and rally honoring the team, which killed a mother of two and host of a local radio program.

“We saw pride give way to tragedy,” Biden said, adding that, “amid the chaos this team stepped up.”

“‘This team is exceptional,” the president said, adding that the country as a whole must “do more to stop the tragic shootings before they happen.”

Biden recognized the Chiefs after their come-from-behind overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February. It's a longstanding tradition for championship sports teams, both professional and collegiate, to be invited to the White House.

In 2023, the Chiefs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">defeated the Philadelphia Eagles</a>, first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-mlb-politics-256e15924e43fde60e476d011afa078d">Jill Biden's favorite football team</a>. She grew up near Philadelphia and attended the game. Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e2b6d350723336289026a9b2329f2a3">defeated San Francisco</a>&nbsp;to claim the 2020 Super Bowl title.

Kicker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">Harrison Butker</a>, who made headlines by assailing some of Biden's policies during a commencement speech earlier this month, accompanied his teammates to the White House.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-9da2604b6d37fb491a70b5048e1688b4">Butker recently defended his comments</a>, saying he had no regrets about expressing his beliefs.

In the May 16 speech at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-college-conservative-commencement-harrison-butker-a40b881fe41ac489853fb67e58ed20d1">Benedictine College</a>, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, Butker congratulated the women who were receiving degrees and said most of them were probably more excited about getting married and having children.

He criticized some of Biden's policy positions, including the president's condemnation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court’s reversal</a>&nbsp;of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion is an issue that Biden and his fellow Democrats hope to use to their advantage in the November elections.

Butker also tackled Biden’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Swift has been traveling abroad on her Eras tour and had a show on Thursday in Madrid.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717188649722.png" alt="President Biden tried on the Chiefs helmet presented to him during the ceremony at the White House- images from the White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Biden tried on the Chiefs helmet presented to him during the ceremony at the White House- images from the White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;welcomed the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday, lauding the back-to-back Super Bowl champion team for its sportsmanship on and off the field, and breaking an unofficial political rule about headwear. He tried on a Chiefs helmet the team gave him as a gift.(click below to watch the brief ceremony)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1166729814753600%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=10" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“It was cool to see him put the helmet on,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters after the celebration held on the South Lawn. “We didn't expect that. But it was really cool to see him throw that Chiefs helmet on and you get that Chiefs kingdom kind of for the rest of the nation to see.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717188857065.png" alt="President Biden teasing with Travis Kelce during Friday's ceremon" />
 <figcaption>President Biden teasing with Travis Kelce during Friday's ceremon</figcaption>
 </figure>The Democratic president recalled that he said at last year's celebration for the Chiefs that they are building a “dynasty.” He noted the struggles they overcame last season on the road to the Super Bowl and said, “I don't think anybody's doubting you know.”He noted the shooting in February at Kansas City's parade and rally honoring the team, which killed a mother of two and host of a local radio program.“We saw pride give way to tragedy,” Biden said, adding that, “amid the chaos this team stepped up.”“‘This team is exceptional,” the president said, adding that the country as a whole must “do more to stop the tragic shootings before they happen.”Biden recognized the Chiefs after their come-from-behind overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February. It's a longstanding tradition for championship sports teams, both professional and collegiate, to be invited to the White House.In 2023, the Chiefs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">defeated the Philadelphia Eagles</a>, first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-mlb-politics-256e15924e43fde60e476d011afa078d">Jill Biden's favorite football team</a>. She grew up near Philadelphia and attended the game. Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e2b6d350723336289026a9b2329f2a3">defeated San Francisco</a>&nbsp;to claim the 2020 Super Bowl title.Kicker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">Harrison Butker</a>, who made headlines by assailing some of Biden's policies during a commencement speech earlier this month, accompanied his teammates to the White House.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-9da2604b6d37fb491a70b5048e1688b4">Butker recently defended his comments</a>, saying he had no regrets about expressing his beliefs.In the May 16 speech at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-college-conservative-commencement-harrison-butker-a40b881fe41ac489853fb67e58ed20d1">Benedictine College</a>, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, Butker congratulated the women who were receiving degrees and said most of them were probably more excited about getting married and having children.He criticized some of Biden's policy positions, including the president's condemnation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court’s reversal</a>&nbsp;of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion is an issue that Biden and his fellow Democrats hope to use to their advantage in the November elections.Butker also tackled Biden’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Swift has been traveling abroad on her Eras tour and had a show on Thursday in Madrid.

🎥 Kansas City Chiefs - minus Taylor Swift - honored at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.

Mrs. Robinson’s death was announced by Michelle Obama and other family members in a statement that said “there was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life.”

She was a widow and lifelong Chicago resident when she moved to the executive mansion in 2009 to help care for granddaughters Malia and Sasha. In her early 70s, Mrs. Robinson initially resisted the idea of starting over in Washington, and Michelle Obama had to enlist her brother, Craig, to help persuade their mother to move.

“There were many good and valid reasons that Michelle raised with me, not the least of which was the opportunity to continue spending time with my granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, and to assist in giving them a sense of normalcy that is a priority for both of their parents, as has been from the time Barack began his political career,” Mrs. Robinson wrote in the foreword to “A Game of Character,” a memoir by her son, formerly the head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University.

“My feeling, however, was that I could visit periodically without actually moving in and still be there for the girls,” she said.

Mrs. Robinson wrote that her son understood why she wanted to stay in Chicago but still used a line of reasoning on her that she often used on him and his sister. He asked her to see the move as a chance to grow and try something new. As a compromise, she agreed to move, at least temporarily.

Granddaughters Malia and Sasha were just 10 and 7, respectively, when the White House became home in 2009. In Chicago, Mrs. Robinson had become almost a surrogate parent to the girls during the 2008 presidential campaign. She retired from her job as a bank secretary to help shuttle them around.

At the White House, Mrs. Robinson provided a reassuring presence for the girls as their parents settled into their new roles, and her lack of Secret Service protection made it possible for her to accompany them to and from school daily without fanfare.

“I would not be who I am today without the steady hand and unconditional love of my mother, Marian Shields Robinson,” Michelle Obama wrote in her 2018 memoir, “Becoming.” “She has always been my rock, allowing me the freedom to be who I am, while never allowing my feet to get too far off the ground. Her boundless love for my girls, and her willingness to put our needs before her own, gave me the comfort and confidence to venture out into the world knowing they were safe and cherished at home.”

Mrs. Robinson gave a few media interviews but never to White House press. Aides guarded her privacy, and, as result, she enjoyed a level of anonymity openly envied by the president and first lady. It allowed her to come and go from the White House as often as she pleased on shopping runs around town, to the president’s box at the Kennedy Center and for trips to Las Vegas or to visit her other grandchildren in Portland, Oregon.

She attended some White House events, including concerts, the annual Easter Egg Roll and National Christmas Tree lighting, and some state dinners.

White House residency also opened up the world to Mrs. Robinson, who had been a widow for nearly 20 years when she moved to a room on the third floor of the White House, one floor above the first family. She had never traveled outside the U.S. until she moved to Washington.

Her first flight out of the country was aboard Air Force One in 2009 when the Obamas visited France. She joined the Obamas on a trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana later that year, during which she got to meet Pope Benedict, tour Rome’s ancient Colosseum and view a former slave-holding compound on the African coast. She also accompanied her daughter and granddaughters on two overseas trips without the president: to South Africa and Botswana in 2011, and China in 2014.

Craig Robinson wrote in the memoir that he and his parents doubted whether his sister’s relationship with Barack Obama would last, though Fraser Robinson III and his wife thought the young lawyer was a worthy suitor for their daughter, also a lawyer. Without explanation, Craig Robinson said his mother gave the relationship six months.

Barack and Michelle Obama were married on Oct. 3, 1992.

One of seven children, Marian Lois Shields Robinson was born in Chicago on July 30, 1937. She attended two years of teaching college, married in 1960 and, as a stay-at-home mom, stressed the importance of education to her children. Both were educated at Ivy League schools, each with a bachelor’s degree from Princeton. Michelle Obama also has a law degree from Harvard.

Fraser Robinson was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department who had multiple sclerosis. He died in 1991.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example. <a href="https://t.co/2gH0DPQYVb">https://t.co/2gH0DPQYVb</a>&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1796663169919709256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Mrs. Robinson’s death was announced by Michelle Obama and other family members in a statement that said “there was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life.”She was a widow and lifelong Chicago resident when she moved to the executive mansion in 2009 to help care for granddaughters Malia and Sasha. In her early 70s, Mrs. Robinson initially resisted the idea of starting over in Washington, and Michelle Obama had to enlist her brother, Craig, to help persuade their mother to move.“There were many good and valid reasons that Michelle raised with me, not the least of which was the opportunity to continue spending time with my granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, and to assist in giving them a sense of normalcy that is a priority for both of their parents, as has been from the time Barack began his political career,” Mrs. Robinson wrote in the foreword to “A Game of Character,” a memoir by her son, formerly the head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University.“My feeling, however, was that I could visit periodically without actually moving in and still be there for the girls,” she said.Mrs. Robinson wrote that her son understood why she wanted to stay in Chicago but still used a line of reasoning on her that she often used on him and his sister. He asked her to see the move as a chance to grow and try something new. As a compromise, she agreed to move, at least temporarily.Granddaughters Malia and Sasha were just 10 and 7, respectively, when the White House became home in 2009. In Chicago, Mrs. Robinson had become almost a surrogate parent to the girls during the 2008 presidential campaign. She retired from her job as a bank secretary to help shuttle them around.At the White House, Mrs. Robinson provided a reassuring presence for the girls as their parents settled into their new roles, and her lack of Secret Service protection made it possible for her to accompany them to and from school daily without fanfare.“I would not be who I am today without the steady hand and unconditional love of my mother, Marian Shields Robinson,” Michelle Obama wrote in her 2018 memoir, “Becoming.” “She has always been my rock, allowing me the freedom to be who I am, while never allowing my feet to get too far off the ground. Her boundless love for my girls, and her willingness to put our needs before her own, gave me the comfort and confidence to venture out into the world knowing they were safe and cherished at home.”Mrs. Robinson gave a few media interviews but never to White House press. Aides guarded her privacy, and, as result, she enjoyed a level of anonymity openly envied by the president and first lady. It allowed her to come and go from the White House as often as she pleased on shopping runs around town, to the president’s box at the Kennedy Center and for trips to Las Vegas or to visit her other grandchildren in Portland, Oregon.She attended some White House events, including concerts, the annual Easter Egg Roll and National Christmas Tree lighting, and some state dinners.White House residency also opened up the world to Mrs. Robinson, who had been a widow for nearly 20 years when she moved to a room on the third floor of the White House, one floor above the first family. She had never traveled outside the U.S. until she moved to Washington.Her first flight out of the country was aboard Air Force One in 2009 when the Obamas visited France. She joined the Obamas on a trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana later that year, during which she got to meet Pope Benedict, tour Rome’s ancient Colosseum and view a former slave-holding compound on the African coast. She also accompanied her daughter and granddaughters on two overseas trips without the president: to South Africa and Botswana in 2011, and China in 2014.Craig Robinson wrote in the memoir that he and his parents doubted whether his sister’s relationship with Barack Obama would last, though Fraser Robinson III and his wife thought the young lawyer was a worthy suitor for their daughter, also a lawyer. Without explanation, Craig Robinson said his mother gave the relationship six months.Barack and Michelle Obama were married on Oct. 3, 1992.One of seven children, Marian Lois Shields Robinson was born in Chicago on July 30, 1937. She attended two years of teaching college, married in 1960 and, as a stay-at-home mom, stressed the importance of education to her children. Both were educated at Ivy League schools, each with a bachelor’s degree from Princeton. Michelle Obama also has a law degree from Harvard.Fraser Robinson was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department who had multiple sclerosis. He died in 1991.

Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86

RILEY COUNTY–Authorities are investigating a fire at a home in rural Riley County.

Just after 3a.m. Friday, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to a reported a house fire at 1819 Kientz Drive, in the Hunter’s Island area south of Manhattan. 

Crews found a home with smoke and flames showing. Two adults and three young children were asleep at the time of the fire. The family reports they were sleeping with bedroom doors closed and were awakened by the sound of the smoke alarm. 

They were able to escape safely through a bedroom window without injury. Unfortunately, three of the family’s four pet cats perished in the fire.

The damage estimate is not yet available, but firefighters on the scene report the kitchen area was destroyed and the rest of the home had extensive smoke damage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The fire appears to have started in the kitchen, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Russel Stukey.

Sam Foster, who is also a volunteer firefighter with RCFD#1, and his family are the occupants who rent&nbsp;the home.&nbsp;

“The family will be displaced for at least several weeks while the significant damage is repaired."

 If anyone would like to help them out, donations to the Sam Foster family can be sent via the Riley County Firefighters Association,” said Stukey.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717165376278.jpeg" alt="Damage from the Friday morning fire- Photo RCFD #1." />
 <figcaption>Damage from the Friday morning fire- Photo RCFD #1.</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY–Authorities are investigating a fire at a home in rural Riley County.Just after 3a.m. Friday, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to a reported a house fire at 1819 Kientz Drive, in the Hunter’s Island area south of Manhattan. Crews found a home with smoke and flames showing. Two adults and three young children were asleep at the time of the fire. The family reports they were sleeping with bedroom doors closed and were awakened by the sound of the smoke alarm. They were able to escape safely through a bedroom window without injury. Unfortunately, three of the family’s four pet cats perished in the fire.The damage estimate is not yet available, but firefighters on the scene report the kitchen area was destroyed and the rest of the home had extensive smoke damage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The fire appears to have started in the kitchen, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Russel Stukey.Sam Foster, who is also a volunteer firefighter with RCFD#1, and his family are the occupants who rent&nbsp;the home.&nbsp;“The family will be displaced for at least several weeks while the significant damage is repaired." If anyone would like to help them out, donations to the Sam Foster family can be sent via the Riley County Firefighters Association,” said Stukey.

3 pets die in fire at home of Kansas volunteer firefighter

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden said that Donald Trump’s response to the jury’s guilty verdict is “irresponsible.”

(click below to watch the statement from President Biden)

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cf36-da40-adbf-fffe7e130000">claimed falsely</a>&nbsp;the trial against him was rigged and connected to the Biden administration.

Biden said from the White House on Friday that the jury was chosen like any other in the U.S., and they heard five weeks of testimony and Trump had “every opportunity” to defend himself. He said no one is above the law.

“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden said.

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden said that Donald Trump’s response to the jury’s guilty verdict is “irresponsible.”(click below to watch the statement from President Biden)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F3674261789500094%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=68" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cf36-da40-adbf-fffe7e130000">claimed falsely</a>&nbsp;the trial against him was rigged and connected to the Biden administration.Biden said from the White House on Friday that the jury was chosen like any other in the U.S., and they heard five weeks of testimony and Trump had “every opportunity” to defend himself. He said no one is above the law.“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden said.

🎥Biden criticizes Trump's response to guilty verdict 

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a 2021 murder has entered a plea in the case.

On May 28, Kyle Anthony Gutierres, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder in the death of 35-year-old Jeren Hinton in Overland Park, according the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In May of 2021, police responded to report of a shooting in an apartment complex in the 8500 block of Greenbrier Drive in Overland Park.

After asking the public for help to locate a suspect, police arrested Gutierres. He is scheduled for sentencing August 7, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716935604176.png" alt="Gutierres -photo&nbsp; Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Gutierres -photo&nbsp; Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a 2021 murder has entered a plea in the case.On May 28, Kyle Anthony Gutierres, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder in the death of 35-year-old Jeren Hinton in Overland Park, according the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In May of 2021, police responded to report of a shooting in an apartment complex in the 8500 block of Greenbrier Drive in Overland Park.After asking the public for help to locate a suspect, police arrested Gutierres. He is scheduled for sentencing August 7, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect enters plea for murder of 35-year-old Kansas man

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run that critically injured a pedestrian just after 7:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was possibly crossing 18th Street when an unknown vehicle struck and dragged the pedestrian, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The vehicle was possibly traveling westbound on 18th Street or making a left turn from southbound Indiana onto westbound 18th Street and fled the scene.

EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital with critical injuries. Police released no additional details Friday morning.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run that critically injured a pedestrian just after 7:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.Preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was possibly crossing 18th Street when an unknown vehicle struck and dragged the pedestrian, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The vehicle was possibly traveling westbound on 18th Street or making a left turn from southbound Indiana onto westbound 18th Street and fled the scene.EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital with critical injuries. Police released no additional details Friday morning.

Hit-and-run: Pedestrian in KC struck, dragged by vehicle 

NEW YORK (AP) —Donald Trump’s campaign said it has raised a record $34.8 million in small-dollar online contributions off his hush money conviction — nearly double its previous largest haul.

“From just minutes after the sham trial verdict was announced, our digital fundraising system was overwhelmed with support, and despite temporary delays online because of the amount of traffic, President Trump raised $34.8 million dollars from small dollar donors,” said Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles in a statement.

Fundraising emails have employed stark language, including “I am a Political Prisoner” and “JUSTICE IS DEAD IN AMERICA!”

The campaign advisors said nearly 30% of Thursday’s donors were new to the fundraising platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717106123766.png" alt="Former President Trump following the guilty verdict on Thursday -Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former President Trump following the guilty verdict on Thursday -Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —Donald Trump’s campaign said it has raised a record $34.8 million in small-dollar online contributions off his hush money conviction — nearly double its previous largest haul.“From just minutes after the sham trial verdict was announced, our digital fundraising system was overwhelmed with support, and despite temporary delays online because of the amount of traffic, President Trump raised $34.8 million dollars from small dollar donors,” said Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles in a statement.Fundraising emails have employed stark language, including “I am a Political Prisoner” and “JUSTICE IS DEAD IN AMERICA!”The campaign advisors said nearly 30% of Thursday’s donors were new to the fundraising platform.

Trump raises $34.8 million following conviction 

BARBER COUNTY—A woman who died in fire at a home in Medicine Lodge has been identified as 51-year-old Cynthia M. Hull, according to the Lance Feyh with the Office of the State Fire Marshall.

Just after 6:30p.m. Thursday, police were asked to make a welfare check on a woman at a home at 745 North Elm, according to Police Chief John Defore.

Officers noticed smoke around a window. They gained entry into the residence and found the homeowner later identified as Hull deceased from apparent smoke inhalation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

First responders found there had been an interior fire that had self-extinguished due to lack of oxygen. Two state fire marshal investigators as well as the Sedgwick County Fire Department Canine Team responded to the scene to assist with this investigation and conduct interviews.

Investigators determined the fire originated and was contained to the master bedroom.&nbsp; The fire is classified as accidental due to careless smoking and or discarding of smoking material.&nbsp;&nbsp;

BARBER COUNTY—A woman who died in fire at a home in Medicine Lodge has been identified as 51-year-old Cynthia M. Hull, according to the Lance Feyh with the Office of the State Fire Marshall.Just after 6:30p.m. Thursday, police were asked to make a welfare check on a woman at a home at 745 North Elm, according to Police Chief John Defore.Officers noticed smoke around a window. They gained entry into the residence and found the homeowner later identified as Hull deceased from apparent smoke inhalation.&nbsp; &nbsp;First responders found there had been an interior fire that had self-extinguished due to lack of oxygen. Two state fire marshal investigators as well as the Sedgwick County Fire Department Canine Team responded to the scene to assist with this investigation and conduct interviews.Investigators determined the fire originated and was contained to the master bedroom.&nbsp; The fire is classified as accidental due to careless smoking and or discarding of smoking material.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire Marshal IDs woman found dead after fire at Kansas home

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Germany joined the United States on Friday in authorizing Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil with the long-range weapons they are supplying — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/czechia-ukraine-russia-nato-blinken-441c9624d95f8193e99cf08effced44f">significant policy change</a>&nbsp;that comes as depleted Ukrainian troops are losing ground in the war.

On Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weaponry to strike&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">inside Russia</a>&nbsp;for the limited purpose of defending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kharkiv-attacks-5023c3e67af30fc95b954a6f044112dc">Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;according to three U.S. officials familiar with the matter.&nbsp;Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Biden has been steadfast in his opposition to Ukraine's offensive use of American-made weaponry, concerned that the action could be seen as provocative and lead to Moscow widening the war.

Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration over restrictions on the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-hungary-ae48c473927d54f5053f3cc276f5493e">Western weapons</a>&nbsp;— especially as the border region of Kharkiv has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kharkiv-attacks-751d368a403127f2cc0e6e6e5fd43d15">endured a Russian onslaught</a>&nbsp;this month that has stretched Kyiv's outgunned and outmanned forces.

Both Germany and the U.S. specifically authorized defense of Kharkiv, whose capital city of the same name lies only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Russia. Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment building in the city overnight, killing at least four people.

Beyond offering Ukraine a chance of better protecting Kharkiv, it’s not clear what effect the easing of restrictions might have on the direction of the conflict in what is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-mobilization-kharkiv-599753d08518b46e22bf38d1360cce86">proving to be a critical period</a>.

The German government said Ukraine can use weapons it supplies against positions just over the border, from where Russia launches its attacks on Kharkiv. A day earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/czechia-ukraine-russia-nato-blinken-441c9624d95f8193e99cf08effced44f">gave Kyiv a green light</a>&nbsp;to strike back with American weapons at Russian military assets targeting the region, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The German announcement brought a furious response from Moscow, where Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said that “Ukraine and its NATO allies will receive such a devastating response that the alliance won’t be able to avoid entering the conflict” — an eventuality that Western governments have ruled out.

Western leaders have hesitated to ease the restrictions on their weapons because of the risk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-nuclear-drills-b007cffdc4fc57922042a35fbe47907f">it would provoke</a>&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly warned that the West’s direct involvement could put the world on a path to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-nuclear-weapons-82ced2419d93ae733161b56fbd9b477d">nuclear conflict</a>.

But as Russia has recently gained the battlefield initiative in some parts of the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, some Western leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-macron-weapons-e308755a31716ee0123b441bb9b548b0">have pushed</a>&nbsp;for a policy change allowing Kyiv to strike military bases inside Russia with sophisticated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-long-range-missiles-4d2254639eb5a503d8b0a291ed0680e9">long-range weapons</a>&nbsp;provided by its Western partners.

The Kremlin’s bigger and better-equipped army is exploiting Ukrainian shortages in troops and ammunition after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mike-johnson-ukraine-israel-b72aed9b195818735d24363f2bc34ea4">lengthy delay in U.S. military aid</a>. Western Europe’s inadequate military production has also slowed crucial deliveries to Ukraine.

The German government statement noted that, in recent weeks, Russia has prepared, coordinated and carried out attacks on the Kharkiv region, in particular from areas just over the border in Russia.

“Together we are convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks,” the statement said. “For this, it can also use the weapons delivered for that purpose in accordance with its international legal commitments, including the ones delivered by us,” it added.

Biden’s decision allows for U.S.-supplied weapons to be used for “counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” one official told The Associated Press.

But the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, stressed that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike offensively inside Russia has not changed.

The question of whether to allow Ukraine to hit targets on Russian soil with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-hungary-ae48c473927d54f5053f3cc276f5493e">Western-supplied weaponry</a>&nbsp;has been a delicate issue since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he supported lifting the limits on Ukraine's use of Western weaponry, saying it's “a matter of upholding international law — Ukraine’s right to self-defense."

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström noted that his country had not restricted Ukraine's use of its weapons at all, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome won’t let Kyiv use Italian weapons outside its territory.

In Moscow, Medvedev repeated Russian warnings that the steps being taken could set NATO and Russia on the path to a nuclear conflict. “It’s not an attempt to scare or any sort of a nuclear bluff,” he said.

Russia’s newly appointed defense minister, Andrei Belousov, claimed Friday that Russian troops are “advancing in all tactical directions,” including in the Kharkiv region where he said they have pushed Ukrainian forces back by as much as 9 kilometers (5 miles). Russian forces captured 28 towns and villages over the past month, he said.

Overall since the start of the year, Russian forces have taken control of 880 square kilometers (340 square miles) of territory, he added.

It was not possible to verify his battlefield claims.

Overnight into Friday, Russia launched five ballistic missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraine’s air force said. One of them struck a residential building close to midnight and was followed by another missile 25 minutes later that hit first responders, according to regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. At least 25 people were injured, he said.

Ukrainian officials have previously accused Russia of targeting rescue workers by hitting residential buildings with two consecutive missiles — the first one to draw emergency crews to the scene and the second one to wound or kill them. Russia used the method in Syria’s civil war.

Apart from Kharkiv, Moscow's troops are pressing in the Donetsk region further south and are assembling a force for an expected attack in the Sumy region further north, according to Ukrainian officials.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684686647430.png" alt="White House File photo&nbsp;Biden's directive allows for U.S.-supplied weapons to be used for "counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them," one official said." />
 <figcaption>White House File photo&nbsp;Biden's directive allows for U.S.-supplied weapons to be used for "counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them," one official said.</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Germany joined the United States on Friday in authorizing Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil with the long-range weapons they are supplying — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/czechia-ukraine-russia-nato-blinken-441c9624d95f8193e99cf08effced44f">significant policy change</a>&nbsp;that comes as depleted Ukrainian troops are losing ground in the war.On Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weaponry to strike&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">inside Russia</a>&nbsp;for the limited purpose of defending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kharkiv-attacks-5023c3e67af30fc95b954a6f044112dc">Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;according to three U.S. officials familiar with the matter.&nbsp;Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Biden has been steadfast in his opposition to Ukraine's offensive use of American-made weaponry, concerned that the action could be seen as provocative and lead to Moscow widening the war.Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration over restrictions on the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-hungary-ae48c473927d54f5053f3cc276f5493e">Western weapons</a>&nbsp;— especially as the border region of Kharkiv has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kharkiv-attacks-751d368a403127f2cc0e6e6e5fd43d15">endured a Russian onslaught</a>&nbsp;this month that has stretched Kyiv's outgunned and outmanned forces.Both Germany and the U.S. specifically authorized defense of Kharkiv, whose capital city of the same name lies only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Russia. Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment building in the city overnight, killing at least four people.Beyond offering Ukraine a chance of better protecting Kharkiv, it’s not clear what effect the easing of restrictions might have on the direction of the conflict in what is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-mobilization-kharkiv-599753d08518b46e22bf38d1360cce86">proving to be a critical period</a>.The German government said Ukraine can use weapons it supplies against positions just over the border, from where Russia launches its attacks on Kharkiv. A day earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/czechia-ukraine-russia-nato-blinken-441c9624d95f8193e99cf08effced44f">gave Kyiv a green light</a>&nbsp;to strike back with American weapons at Russian military assets targeting the region, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.The German announcement brought a furious response from Moscow, where Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said that “Ukraine and its NATO allies will receive such a devastating response that the alliance won’t be able to avoid entering the conflict” — an eventuality that Western governments have ruled out.Western leaders have hesitated to ease the restrictions on their weapons because of the risk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-nuclear-drills-b007cffdc4fc57922042a35fbe47907f">it would provoke</a>&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly warned that the West’s direct involvement could put the world on a path to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-nuclear-weapons-82ced2419d93ae733161b56fbd9b477d">nuclear conflict</a>.But as Russia has recently gained the battlefield initiative in some parts of the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, some Western leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-macron-weapons-e308755a31716ee0123b441bb9b548b0">have pushed</a>&nbsp;for a policy change allowing Kyiv to strike military bases inside Russia with sophisticated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-long-range-missiles-4d2254639eb5a503d8b0a291ed0680e9">long-range weapons</a>&nbsp;provided by its Western partners.The Kremlin’s bigger and better-equipped army is exploiting Ukrainian shortages in troops and ammunition after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mike-johnson-ukraine-israel-b72aed9b195818735d24363f2bc34ea4">lengthy delay in U.S. military aid</a>. Western Europe’s inadequate military production has also slowed crucial deliveries to Ukraine.The German government statement noted that, in recent weeks, Russia has prepared, coordinated and carried out attacks on the Kharkiv region, in particular from areas just over the border in Russia.“Together we are convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks,” the statement said. “For this, it can also use the weapons delivered for that purpose in accordance with its international legal commitments, including the ones delivered by us,” it added.Biden’s decision allows for U.S.-supplied weapons to be used for “counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” one official told The Associated Press.But the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, stressed that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike offensively inside Russia has not changed.The question of whether to allow Ukraine to hit targets on Russian soil with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-hungary-ae48c473927d54f5053f3cc276f5493e">Western-supplied weaponry</a>&nbsp;has been a delicate issue since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he supported lifting the limits on Ukraine's use of Western weaponry, saying it's “a matter of upholding international law — Ukraine’s right to self-defense."Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström noted that his country had not restricted Ukraine's use of its weapons at all, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome won’t let Kyiv use Italian weapons outside its territory.In Moscow, Medvedev repeated Russian warnings that the steps being taken could set NATO and Russia on the path to a nuclear conflict. “It’s not an attempt to scare or any sort of a nuclear bluff,” he said.Russia’s newly appointed defense minister, Andrei Belousov, claimed Friday that Russian troops are “advancing in all tactical directions,” including in the Kharkiv region where he said they have pushed Ukrainian forces back by as much as 9 kilometers (5 miles). Russian forces captured 28 towns and villages over the past month, he said.Overall since the start of the year, Russian forces have taken control of 880 square kilometers (340 square miles) of territory, he added.It was not possible to verify his battlefield claims.Overnight into Friday, Russia launched five ballistic missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraine’s air force said. One of them struck a residential building close to midnight and was followed by another missile 25 minutes later that hit first responders, according to regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. At least 25 people were injured, he said.Ukrainian officials have previously accused Russia of targeting rescue workers by hitting residential buildings with two consecutive missiles — the first one to draw emergency crews to the scene and the second one to wound or kill them. Russia used the method in Syria’s civil war.Apart from Kharkiv, Moscow's troops are pressing in the Donetsk region further south and are assembling a force for an expected attack in the Sumy region further north, according to Ukrainian officials.--------------------