HARVEY COUNTY— A train derailment in Newton Monday closed a road at the crossing briefly on Monday.

According to Rod Zook, three cars were on their sides with two more off the tracks and SW 14th in Newton was closed at the crossing with the BNSF rail line. 

According to a statement from BNSF, the cars were carrying grain and it was a minor incident and there were no injuries.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702929469387.jpeg" alt="Photo by Rod Zook" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Rod Zook</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY— A train derailment in Newton Monday closed a road at the crossing briefly on Monday.According to Rod Zook, three cars were on their sides with two more off the tracks and SW 14th in Newton was closed at the crossing with the BNSF rail line. According to a statement from BNSF, the cars were carrying grain and it was a minor incident and there were no injuries.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Train derailment briefly closes road in Newton

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– On Sunday, Kansas. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined&nbsp;14&nbsp;of his Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.)&nbsp;requesting a&nbsp;meeting of the&nbsp;Conference the week of January 8, 2024&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;the negotiations&nbsp;with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.&nbsp;

On social media Marshall wrote, "We have 300 Americans dying every single day from fentanyl poisoning, hundreds of terrorists trying to exploit our borders, &amp; millions of ‘gotaways’ here in our communities nationwide."

"Americans deserve a transparent process with REAL, thoughtful solutions - not closed-door rushed negotiations from the same individuals whose policies created the crisis in the first place."

<a href="https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/CA681490-0BC6-493A-86EA-7D1D03162E72">Click here </a>to read the full text of the letter

Sen. Marshall was joined on this letter by Senators&nbsp;Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Ron Johnson (R-WI.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683898210525.png" alt="Migrants at the border -photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Migrants at the border -photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– On Sunday, Kansas. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined&nbsp;14&nbsp;of his Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.)&nbsp;requesting a&nbsp;meeting of the&nbsp;Conference the week of January 8, 2024&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;the negotiations&nbsp;with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.&nbsp;On social media Marshall wrote, "We have 300 Americans dying every single day from fentanyl poisoning, hundreds of terrorists trying to exploit our borders, &amp; millions of ‘gotaways’ here in our communities nationwide.""Americans deserve a transparent process with REAL, thoughtful solutions - not closed-door rushed negotiations from the same individuals whose policies created the crisis in the first place."<a href="https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/CA681490-0BC6-493A-86EA-7D1D03162E72">Click here </a>to read the full text of the letterSen. Marshall was joined on this letter by Senators&nbsp;Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Ron Johnson (R-WI.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Kan. U.S. Senator joins call for a meeting of the Conference on border security 

HARPER COUNTY —Federal officials investigating a small plane crash that occurred just after 7:30p.m. December 11, in Harper County released the name of the pilot as 60-year-old Tracy Copenhaver of Anthony, Kansas, according to the Harper County Sheriff's Office.

A single-engine Piper PA-24 piloted by Copenhaver struck power lines on approach to the Municipal Airport, 15 NW 20 Avenue, Anthony, Kansas, and crashed into a field, according to National Transportation Safety Board.

The pilot was the only person on board.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported him the to Patterson Health Center, according to Sheriff Tracy Chance, where he was treated and released.

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>&nbsp;

HARPER COUNTY —Federal officials investigating a small plane crash that occurred just after 7:30p.m. December 11, in Harper County released the name of the pilot as 60-year-old Tracy Copenhaver of Anthony, Kansas, according to the Harper County Sheriff's Office.A single-engine Piper PA-24 piloted by Copenhaver struck power lines on approach to the Municipal Airport, 15 NW 20 Avenue, Anthony, Kansas, and crashed into a field, according to National Transportation Safety Board.The pilot was the only person on board.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported him the to Patterson Health Center, according to Sheriff Tracy Chance, where he was treated and released.Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>&nbsp;

Authorities release name of Kan. pilot injured in small plane crash

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.

O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.

Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.

Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.

O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.

She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.

Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.

O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.

She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.

She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.

She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.

After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.

She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.

The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702914683695.png" alt="Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Justice Sonia Sotomayor: &quot;Sandra was a living example that women could take on any challenge, could more than hold their own in spaces dominated by men and could do so with grace.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOTUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/oH7ZkE6IuZ">pic.twitter.com/oH7ZkE6IuZ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1736766873826443570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702915002478.png" alt="Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023." />
 <figcaption>Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.

🎥Justice Sandra Day O'Connor lies in repose at Supreme Court

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a deadly shooting made a first court appearance Friday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">Philip Walls,</a> 18 of Derby, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where the two male suspects were in custody.&nbsp; Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail December 13, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">according to online jail records.</a> He is being held on a $750,000 bond.&nbsp;Co-defendant James Sawyer, 19 of Wichita, remains in Oklahoma and is fighting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702588818825.png" alt="Walls-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Walls-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a deadly shooting made a first court appearance Friday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">Philip Walls,</a> 18 of Derby, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where the two male suspects were in custody.&nbsp; Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail December 13, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">according to online jail records.</a> He is being held on a $750,000 bond.&nbsp;Co-defendant James Sawyer, 19 of Wichita, remains in Oklahoma and is fighting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;

Kansas teen charged with murder during robbery 

CHICAGO (AP) — Quaker Oats on Friday recalled several of its granola products, including granola bars and cereals, saying the foods could be contaminated with salmonella.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment">Click here to see </a>the complete list of recalled items

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-salmonella-cantaloupes-outbreak-9a32fba45d330f89fd0f7565d1fcbc10">Salmonella infections</a>&nbsp;can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In rare cases, the bacterial disease can be fatal.

Quaker, which is owned by PepsiCo, said in a news release that it has not received any reports of salmonella infections related to the recalled granola products. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-recalls-granola-bars-and-granola-cereals-due-possible-health-risk#recall-announcement">full list</a>&nbsp;of recalled foods includes granola oats cereals and Quaker Chewy Bars, which are also sold in PepsiCo’s snack mixes.

The affected products have been sold in all 50 U.S. states, as well as U.S. territories, Quaker said. The company is asking customers with recalled products to throw them away and contact its customer support line or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quakergranolarecall.com/">recall website</a>&nbsp;for more information and reimbursement.

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1.35 million cases of salmonella infection occur in the U.S. each year, causing approximately 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702823846753.png" alt="Photo Quaker Oats" />
 <figcaption>Photo Quaker Oats</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Quaker Oats on Friday recalled several of its granola products, including granola bars and cereals, saying the foods could be contaminated with salmonella.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment">Click here to see </a>the complete list of recalled items<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-salmonella-cantaloupes-outbreak-9a32fba45d330f89fd0f7565d1fcbc10">Salmonella infections</a>&nbsp;can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In rare cases, the bacterial disease can be fatal.Quaker, which is owned by PepsiCo, said in a news release that it has not received any reports of salmonella infections related to the recalled granola products. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-recalls-granola-bars-and-granola-cereals-due-possible-health-risk#recall-announcement">full list</a>&nbsp;of recalled foods includes granola oats cereals and Quaker Chewy Bars, which are also sold in PepsiCo’s snack mixes.The affected products have been sold in all 50 U.S. states, as well as U.S. territories, Quaker said. The company is asking customers with recalled products to throw them away and contact its customer support line or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quakergranolarecall.com/">recall website</a>&nbsp;for more information and reimbursement.According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1.35 million cases of salmonella infection occur in the U.S. each year, causing approximately 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.

Quaker Oats recalls granola bars, cereals due to possible health risk

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating an armed bank robbery at Great Southern Bank, 5206 W 95th Street in Prairie Village.

Just after 10:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a robbery at the bank, according to a media release..

Bank employees informed officers that the suspect who was armed with a handgun had left the bank and walked north with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as white and was wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, black stocking hat and a black face mask.&nbsp;

There were no injuries during the robbery and no customers were inside the bank at the time, according to police.

Anyone with information to call the Prarie Village Police at 913/642-5151 or call the TIPS Hotline at 816/474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702817029294.png" alt="Security camera image Prairie Village Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image Prairie Village Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating an armed bank robbery at Great Southern Bank, 5206 W 95th Street in Prairie Village.Just after 10:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a robbery at the bank, according to a media release..Bank employees informed officers that the suspect who was armed with a handgun had left the bank and walked north with an undisclosed amount of cash.The suspect is described as white and was wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, black stocking hat and a black face mask.&nbsp;There were no injuries during the robbery and no customers were inside the bank at the time, according to police.Anyone with information to call the Prarie Village Police at 913/642-5151 or call the TIPS Hotline at 816/474-TIPS.

Search underway for Kansas bank robbery suspect

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a deadly shooting at a home in Kansas City have identified the victim as 14-year-old&nbsp;Dadrien Alvarez.

Just after 7p.m. Friday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home near St. John and White Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp;

First responders found the boy inside the home with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702730077462.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a deadly shooting at a home in Kansas City have identified the victim as 14-year-old&nbsp;Dadrien Alvarez.Just after 7p.m. Friday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home near St. John and White Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp; First responders found the boy inside the home with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details or suspect information.

Homicide: Police ID 14-year-old found dead in Kansas City home

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.

Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.

The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today.

"[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."

While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said.

"It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."

In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy.

"We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.

Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation.

"Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.

Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford.

"Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."

The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza.

"What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702861605041.png" alt="The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen" />
 <figcaption>The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen</figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press. On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today."[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said."It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy."We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation."Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford."Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza."What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

Pentagon chief arrives in Middle East as attacks on US forces spike

KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;

The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.

The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702902800728.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

3 dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City home

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.

Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678869408.png" alt="Gonzales-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Gonzales-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678904562.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678932902.png" alt="Porter photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Porter photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Suspect was selling cocaine from Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman was sentenced to prison after embezzling thousands from through her work.

On Thursday, District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michelle King, 41 of Wichita, to 38 months in prison with 24 months post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. 

In November, King pled guilty to one count of theft. King was employed as an accountant for a property management company in Wichita from August 2020 to May of 2022. During that time, she embezzled over $163,600 from five different accounts at the business. King wrote fraudulent checks, adjusted her personal insurance benefit payments, and took money through electronic funds transfers.

In court filings, King argued for probation citing that she was under immense pressure to sustain a certain standard of living. Chief of the Economic Crime Division, Avery Elofsson, argued that was not a “substantial and compelling” basis to grant probation.

King was previously convicted of embezzlement from a prior employer and as part of this case admitted she was liable to a more recent third employer owing them over $36,000. 

The case was investigated by the Financial Crimes Unit of the Wichita Police Department. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702662982250.png" alt="King-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>King-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman was sentenced to prison after embezzling thousands from through her work.On Thursday, District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michelle King, 41 of Wichita, to 38 months in prison with 24 months post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In November, King pled guilty to one count of theft. King was employed as an accountant for a property management company in Wichita from August 2020 to May of 2022. During that time, she embezzled over $163,600 from five different accounts at the business. King wrote fraudulent checks, adjusted her personal insurance benefit payments, and took money through electronic funds transfers.In court filings, King argued for probation citing that she was under immense pressure to sustain a certain standard of living. Chief of the Economic Crime Division, Avery Elofsson, argued that was not a “substantial and compelling” basis to grant probation.King was previously convicted of embezzlement from a prior employer and as part of this case admitted she was liable to a more recent third employer owing them over $36,000. The case was investigated by the Financial Crimes Unit of the Wichita Police Department.

Kansas woman guilty of embezzlement a second time

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health) continues to explain the circumstances surrounding the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer who had changed his name to hide his true identity and previous felony convictions.

According to a statement on the hospital web site, "As we have previously reported, LMH Health announced on October 30, 2023, that Mike Rogers was no longer in his role as Chief Financial Officer. On October 26, 2023, we became aware of inconsistencies regarding his identity."

"The next day, we confirmed he had legally changed his name, and that he had been convicted of felonies in 2007 and 2005 under his given name of Michael Patrick Brunton.&nbsp;Rogers did not disclose this and other important information in his application or during the interview process."

"We have also disclosed that Rogers was immediately placed on administrative leave, and LMH Health launched an internal process to identify gaps that allowed the fraudulent information to escape identification. This analysis is consistent with being a High Reliability Organization— an organization that operates in complex, high-hazard domains for extended periods without serious accidents or catastrophic failures."

"The findings of that process were presented to the LMH Health Board of Trustees at its November meeting. Due to the nature of the report, it was discussed in an executive session with legal counsel. While the report itself will not be made public because it contains records protected by K.S.A. 45-221, LMH Health continues to place a strong emphasis on candor, trust, and accountability."

"To that end, we want our staff and the community to know we are making process improvements as a result of our findings.&nbsp; This was a very concerning situation, yet because it was caught quickly, and because of existing security protocol, it posed no risk to patient safety or to our finances."

"In her comments at the November 29, 2023, board meeting, Board of Trustees Chair Pat Miller said that high reliability organizations are not without mistakes or missteps, but they are transparent about their errors and take appropriate actions to ensure the mistakes do not happen again."

“The Trustees supported Senior Leadership’s decision to publicly disclose the reason for firing the CFO,” said Miller. “An organization that asks its employees to be open and honest about identifying and correcting mistakes and potential problems must demonstrate these same qualities. Additionally, through our transparency, it may protect other organizations that encounter this individual and/or similar circumstances.”

“Apparently, LMH Health was not the first hospital that hired then quickly fired Mr. Rogers this calendar year,” said Miller. “Had the other hospital disclosed its experience, this person would have been easily excluded during LMH’s CFO search process.”

"We have already made several changes in light of the findings and will make more over the next several months. Included are actions in the following three areas:

"During the meeting, Miller expressed the board’s appreciation for the thoroughness of the assessment and the recommended actions.&nbsp; She noted that the organization’s strong institutional controls protected its financial resources."

“The former CFO never had access to LMH Health’s funds, not even a credit card,” said Miller. “LMH undergoes a rigorous independent financial audit each year, the results of which are publicly disclosed. This event will undergo very close scrutiny during the audit and will be included in the audit findings.”

LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson said, “Even the best organizations will make mistakes along the way; it’s how we respond that defines us. I am grateful to and proud of the staff who quickly identified this situation and addressed it. They acted courageously and raised this issue to ensure we could take immediate action.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702821734129.png" alt="LMH Health -Google image" />
 <figcaption>LMH Health -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health) continues to explain the circumstances surrounding the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer who had changed his name to hide his true identity and previous felony convictions.According to a statement on the hospital web site, "As we have previously reported, LMH Health announced on October 30, 2023, that Mike Rogers was no longer in his role as Chief Financial Officer. On October 26, 2023, we became aware of inconsistencies regarding his identity.""The next day, we confirmed he had legally changed his name, and that he had been convicted of felonies in 2007 and 2005 under his given name of Michael Patrick Brunton.&nbsp;Rogers did not disclose this and other important information in his application or during the interview process.""We have also disclosed that Rogers was immediately placed on administrative leave, and LMH Health launched an internal process to identify gaps that allowed the fraudulent information to escape identification. This analysis is consistent with being a High Reliability Organization— an organization that operates in complex, high-hazard domains for extended periods without serious accidents or catastrophic failures.""The findings of that process were presented to the LMH Health Board of Trustees at its November meeting. Due to the nature of the report, it was discussed in an executive session with legal counsel. While the report itself will not be made public because it contains records protected by K.S.A. 45-221, LMH Health continues to place a strong emphasis on candor, trust, and accountability.""To that end, we want our staff and the community to know we are making process improvements as a result of our findings.&nbsp; This was a very concerning situation, yet because it was caught quickly, and because of existing security protocol, it posed no risk to patient safety or to our finances.""In her comments at the November 29, 2023, board meeting, Board of Trustees Chair Pat Miller said that high reliability organizations are not without mistakes or missteps, but they are transparent about their errors and take appropriate actions to ensure the mistakes do not happen again."“The Trustees supported Senior Leadership’s decision to publicly disclose the reason for firing the CFO,” said Miller. “An organization that asks its employees to be open and honest about identifying and correcting mistakes and potential problems must demonstrate these same qualities. Additionally, through our transparency, it may protect other organizations that encounter this individual and/or similar circumstances.”“Apparently, LMH Health was not the first hospital that hired then quickly fired Mr. Rogers this calendar year,” said Miller. “Had the other hospital disclosed its experience, this person would have been easily excluded during LMH’s CFO search process.”"We have already made several changes in light of the findings and will make more over the next several months. Included are actions in the following three areas:<ul>
 <li>Communication. We will reduce communication gaps through a formalized system with checks and balances and ensure a single point of contact for hiring information.</li><li>Application process. In addition to third-party online application portals, applicants will be asked to submit a formal resume along with answers to screening questions.</li><li>Documentation of credentials. We will use primary source verification and other direct methods for required elements of the position under consideration. We will also extend the timeframe for background checks beyond industry standards for key positions.</li>
 </ul>"During the meeting, Miller expressed the board’s appreciation for the thoroughness of the assessment and the recommended actions.&nbsp; She noted that the organization’s strong institutional controls protected its financial resources."“The former CFO never had access to LMH Health’s funds, not even a credit card,” said Miller. “LMH undergoes a rigorous independent financial audit each year, the results of which are publicly disclosed. This event will undergo very close scrutiny during the audit and will be included in the audit findings.”LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson said, “Even the best organizations will make mistakes along the way; it’s how we respond that defines us. I am grateful to and proud of the staff who quickly identified this situation and addressed it. They acted courageously and raised this issue to ensure we could take immediate action.”

Kan. hospital making changes after CFO hid previous crimes

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination during a five-year window, closing this month, that authorized departures for congregations over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">disputes</a>&nbsp;involving the church's LGBTQ-related policies.

This year alone, 5,641 congregations received permission from their regional conferences to leave the denomination as of Thursday, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News. In total, 7,658 have received permission since 2019. Thursday marked the last scheduled regional vote, according to the news service, when the Texas Annual Conference authorized four congregations’ departures.

The vast major are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.

The new year is expected to bring more changes.

The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, slated for spring 2024, will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">calls to liberalize</a>&nbsp;policies on marriage and ordination. It will also debate rival proposals, either to decentralize the international church — which has at least as many members outside the United States as in — or provide overseas congregations with the same exit option their U.S. counterparts had.

The schism marks a historic shift in a denomination that was until recently the third largest in the United States, and perhaps the closest to the mainstream of American religious culture — its steeples prominent in rural crossroads and urban squares, scenes of countless potluck suppers, earnest social outreach, and warm yet decorous worship.

Many departing congregations have joined the more conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">Global Methodist Church</a>, with others joining smaller denominations, going independent or still considering their options.

United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” but progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">increasingly been defying</a>&nbsp;these rules.

Conservatives have mobilized like-minded congregations to exit. The Global Methodist Church has declared its intention to enforce such rules.

“We are sad about losing anybody,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the United Methodists’ Council of Bishops. “There’s also — at the end of the year — grief and trauma, parishioners that have said goodbye to friends, pastors who have had relationships over the years that have ended.”

He depicted the debates in the church as difficult, and said some who urged churches to disaffiliate used “falsehoods."

“This whole disaffiliation process has in large measure not been about human sexuality, it’s been about power, control and money. That’s surprising and disappointing,” Bickerton said. “It’s time for this denomination to pivot” to focusing on mission rather than disaffiliation votes.

The United Methodists reported having 30,543 U.S. churches as of 2019 and 6 million U.S. members as of 2021. It had at least one church in 95% of U.S. counties, more than any other religious group, according to the 2020 Religion Census, produced by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.

There's no immediate estimate on how many individual members are leaving the UMC, since some members of departing congregations are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">joining other UMC churches,</a>&nbsp;but the departing churches include some of the largest in their states. UMC officials are already preparing historic budget cuts to denominational agencies in anticipation of lower revenue from fewer churches.

The UMC also reports having 7 million members overseas as of 2019, the majority in Africa, where more conservative sexual mores are common.

In 2019, a special legislative gathering of Methodists voted to strengthen longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The votes came from a coalition of conservatives in the U.S. and overseas, particularly from fast-growing African churches. At the same time, that conference offered a five-year window for U.S. churches to leave under somewhat favorable terms, such as being able to keep their properties while compensating the denomination for certain costs.

That measure was expected to be used by progressive congregations dissenting with the letter of the church law, and a handful did take the church up on its offer. But in the end, the vast majority of departing congregations reflect conservative dismay over what they saw as the denomination's failure to discipline those defying church law, as well as other liberal trends.

In the legislative General Conference, scheduled for April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina, efforts to lift bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination are expected to have a strong chance, given the departure of many conservative votes.

The delegates will also consider a decentralization plan favored by progressives — which, among other things, would enable U.S. and overseas churches to set separate standards for ordination and marriage — and another sought by conservatives enabling overseas churches to leave under the same provisions that U.S. churches had.

The Rev. Keith Boyette, who is the Global Methodist Church’s top executive, said it has registered about 4,100 U.S. churches so far — former UMC churches as well as new ones organized by former United Methodists whose congregations voted to stay in the UMC. It has been organizing in other countries where United Methodist churches or individuals left that denomination, he said, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It’s unclear how many U.S. churches are going independent, but “the fact that so many churches have aligned indicates their commitment to wanting to be part of a connectional system,” Boyette said.

The Rev. Scott Field, president of the conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association, which has advocated for churches leaving the UMC, said congregations’ experiences varied in regional conferences, depending on what financial and other conditions they have required of churches. “It’s been punitive in some and it’s worked seamlessly in others,” he said.

Under the slogan, “Fair for some, fair for all,” the group will be advocating for overseas churches to have the same option to leave.

Field predicted “an African wave” of churches seeking to leave.

Several African bishops, however, issued a statement in 2022 denouncing efforts to get churches to leave as false and destructive.

Field also predicted many U.S. churches, despite missing the 2023 deadline, may try to exit under other church law provisions.

“We’d like every congregation, whether it’s a liberationist church or a solidly evangelical church, to end up where they’d like to be,” Field said. “It makes no sense for our United Methodist Church to attempt locking the gate.”

Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, said the personal toll of the schism is deep.

She knew members of a church that had an acrimonious break after it chose to disaffiliate. “It really broke relationships,” she said.

She expressed hope that the 2024 General Conference will open ordination and marriage rites to LGBTQ persons — realizing a decades-long goal for the network.

“Those churches that are disaffiliating and joining the Global Methodist Church, I hope they find what they’re looking for and they’re able to thrive as a new denomination,” she said. "I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want everybody to live into what they believe God is calling them to do.”

Bickerton said he particularly laments the departure of many churches that are longtime, rural-area fixtures.

“When Methodism came to the United States, it went to where the people were. It was carried in the saddlebags of the circuit riders,” he said.

A return to informal ministry may be needed to maintain a presence in many regions, he said.

“The hallmarks of United Methodism is a theology based on grace, hope, joy, love and justice,” he said. “Where do we send people strategically so that message can be heard?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702820221196.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) —A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination during a five-year window, closing this month, that authorized departures for congregations over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">disputes</a>&nbsp;involving the church's LGBTQ-related policies.This year alone, 5,641 congregations received permission from their regional conferences to leave the denomination as of Thursday, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News. In total, 7,658 have received permission since 2019. Thursday marked the last scheduled regional vote, according to the news service, when the Texas Annual Conference authorized four congregations’ departures.The vast major are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.The new year is expected to bring more changes.The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, slated for spring 2024, will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">calls to liberalize</a>&nbsp;policies on marriage and ordination. It will also debate rival proposals, either to decentralize the international church — which has at least as many members outside the United States as in — or provide overseas congregations with the same exit option their U.S. counterparts had.The schism marks a historic shift in a denomination that was until recently the third largest in the United States, and perhaps the closest to the mainstream of American religious culture — its steeples prominent in rural crossroads and urban squares, scenes of countless potluck suppers, earnest social outreach, and warm yet decorous worship.Many departing congregations have joined the more conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">Global Methodist Church</a>, with others joining smaller denominations, going independent or still considering their options.United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” but progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">increasingly been defying</a>&nbsp;these rules.Conservatives have mobilized like-minded congregations to exit. The Global Methodist Church has declared its intention to enforce such rules.“We are sad about losing anybody,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the United Methodists’ Council of Bishops. “There’s also — at the end of the year — grief and trauma, parishioners that have said goodbye to friends, pastors who have had relationships over the years that have ended.”He depicted the debates in the church as difficult, and said some who urged churches to disaffiliate used “falsehoods."“This whole disaffiliation process has in large measure not been about human sexuality, it’s been about power, control and money. That’s surprising and disappointing,” Bickerton said. “It’s time for this denomination to pivot” to focusing on mission rather than disaffiliation votes.The United Methodists reported having 30,543 U.S. churches as of 2019 and 6 million U.S. members as of 2021. It had at least one church in 95% of U.S. counties, more than any other religious group, according to the 2020 Religion Census, produced by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.There's no immediate estimate on how many individual members are leaving the UMC, since some members of departing congregations are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">joining other UMC churches,</a>&nbsp;but the departing churches include some of the largest in their states. UMC officials are already preparing historic budget cuts to denominational agencies in anticipation of lower revenue from fewer churches.The UMC also reports having 7 million members overseas as of 2019, the majority in Africa, where more conservative sexual mores are common.In 2019, a special legislative gathering of Methodists voted to strengthen longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The votes came from a coalition of conservatives in the U.S. and overseas, particularly from fast-growing African churches. At the same time, that conference offered a five-year window for U.S. churches to leave under somewhat favorable terms, such as being able to keep their properties while compensating the denomination for certain costs.That measure was expected to be used by progressive congregations dissenting with the letter of the church law, and a handful did take the church up on its offer. But in the end, the vast majority of departing congregations reflect conservative dismay over what they saw as the denomination's failure to discipline those defying church law, as well as other liberal trends.In the legislative General Conference, scheduled for April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina, efforts to lift bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination are expected to have a strong chance, given the departure of many conservative votes.The delegates will also consider a decentralization plan favored by progressives — which, among other things, would enable U.S. and overseas churches to set separate standards for ordination and marriage — and another sought by conservatives enabling overseas churches to leave under the same provisions that U.S. churches had.The Rev. Keith Boyette, who is the Global Methodist Church’s top executive, said it has registered about 4,100 U.S. churches so far — former UMC churches as well as new ones organized by former United Methodists whose congregations voted to stay in the UMC. It has been organizing in other countries where United Methodist churches or individuals left that denomination, he said, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.It’s unclear how many U.S. churches are going independent, but “the fact that so many churches have aligned indicates their commitment to wanting to be part of a connectional system,” Boyette said.The Rev. Scott Field, president of the conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association, which has advocated for churches leaving the UMC, said congregations’ experiences varied in regional conferences, depending on what financial and other conditions they have required of churches. “It’s been punitive in some and it’s worked seamlessly in others,” he said.Under the slogan, “Fair for some, fair for all,” the group will be advocating for overseas churches to have the same option to leave.Field predicted “an African wave” of churches seeking to leave.Several African bishops, however, issued a statement in 2022 denouncing efforts to get churches to leave as false and destructive.Field also predicted many U.S. churches, despite missing the 2023 deadline, may try to exit under other church law provisions.“We’d like every congregation, whether it’s a liberationist church or a solidly evangelical church, to end up where they’d like to be,” Field said. “It makes no sense for our United Methodist Church to attempt locking the gate.”Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, said the personal toll of the schism is deep.She knew members of a church that had an acrimonious break after it chose to disaffiliate. “It really broke relationships,” she said.She expressed hope that the 2024 General Conference will open ordination and marriage rites to LGBTQ persons — realizing a decades-long goal for the network.“Those churches that are disaffiliating and joining the Global Methodist Church, I hope they find what they’re looking for and they’re able to thrive as a new denomination,” she said. "I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want everybody to live into what they believe God is calling them to do.”Bickerton said he particularly laments the departure of many churches that are longtime, rural-area fixtures.“When Methodism came to the United States, it went to where the people were. It was carried in the saddlebags of the circuit riders,” he said.A return to informal ministry may be needed to maintain a presence in many regions, he said.“The hallmarks of United Methodism is a theology based on grace, hope, joy, love and justice,” he said. “Where do we send people strategically so that message can be heard?”____

Thousands of United Methodist churches in the US quit the denomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you're getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-infection-cvs-rite-aid-a9471104de34efd152137d3fdba9c260">repeated recalls</a>&nbsp;involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-warning-india-11624105e31a68102d414594c85766f0">conditions</a>&nbsp;at some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1edfda229b11bf9f9181ff6a1271a6bc">manufacturing plants</a>&nbsp;on the other side of the world — and the limited tools they have to intervene when there's a problem.

The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S. But experts say those capabilities will do little without more staff and resources for foreign inspections, which were a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced regulators to skip thousands of visits.

“The FDA is not getting its job done in terms of drug quality assurance inspections abroad,” said David Ridley of Duke University and co-author of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00686">recent paper</a>&nbsp;tracking the downturn in inspections. “Very few foreign drugmakers have been inspected in the past four years.”

In 2022, FDA foreign inspections were down 79% from 2019, according to agency records collected by Ridley's group. Inspections increased this year but are still far below pre-pandemic levels.

FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn said: “The FDA works to inspect as many facilities possible, but ultimately industry is responsible for the quality of their products."

An October recall of two dozen eyedrop brands came after FDA staff found cracked floors, barefoot workers and other unsanitary conditions at a Mumbai plant that supplied products to CVS, Walmart and other major retailers. It was the first time FDA staff had visited the site.

That inspection was prompted by an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">earlier recall</a>&nbsp;of tainted eyedrops from a different Indian plant that's been linked to four&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezicare-delsam-outbreak-2a0f0cc1273cc71b122702e6180492ca">deaths</a>&nbsp;and more than a dozen cases of vision loss. That&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-infection-outbreak-fda-1e266befa854dc7c0ce65def0da9a0bc">plant</a>&nbsp;had also never been previously inspected.

“These are very rare instances, but what we’ve seen is that these products can cause real harm,” said Dr. Timothy Janetos, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern University. “Something needs to change.”

Prescription medicines are highly regulated. Before a drugmaker can sell one in the U.S., it must undergo FDA review to establish its safety and effectiveness. As part of the process, the FDA typically inspects the factory where the drug will be made.

But eyedrops and other over-the-counter products don’t undergo preliminary review or inspections. Instead, they are governed by a different system called a monograph, essentially a generic recipe for all medicines in a particular class. So long as drugmakers attest that they are using the standard recipe, they can launch a product within days of filing with the FDA.

“It’s nothing more than electronic paperwork,” said Dr. Sandra Brown of the Dry Eye Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for increased regulation. “There’s no requirement for the facility to be inspected prior to shipping for sale.”

The FDA says it has flexibility to adjust its review process “to ensure safety."

But the agency is asking Congress for the power to require manufacturers of eyedrops and other sterile products to give at least six months notice before shipping products from a new factory. That would give inspectors time to visit facilities that aren’t on their radar.

The proposal could face pushback from some over-the-counter drugmakers, who aren’t accustomed to preapproval inspections.

But Brown says the unique risks of tainted eyedrops require a different approach from pills and tablets.

“Anything you swallow is going to meet up with your stomach acid, which is going to kill most bacteria," Brown said. “It’s much more dangerous to put a product in your eye.”

The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye">warned consumers</a>&nbsp;in late October not to use the eyedrops sold at CVS, Rite-Aid and other stores. But the products weren’t officially recalled until Nov. 15, almost three weeks later.

That's because Indian manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kilitch-healthcare-india-limited-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-various-eye-drops-potential">Kilitch Healthcare</a>, initially declined to cooperate. The FDA can force recalls of food, medical devices and many other products, but it lacks the same authority for drugs and instead must ask companies to voluntarily take action.

The FDA recently asked Congress for mandatory recall authority over drugs.

Since the 1990s, drug manufacturing has increasingly moved to India, China and other lower-cost countries.

The Government Accountability Office has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-103611">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;for years about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-china-us-news-medication-health-care-industry-699f56acec5542ffbc4aa95b8ce6a0cf">FDA’s oversight</a>&nbsp;of the global supply chain, flagging it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-23-106203/index.html#appendix26">“high-risk” issue</a>&nbsp;for more than a decade.

The FDA said in a statement it uses “all available tools” to ensure Americans get “high quality, safe and effective” medications.

The agency generally prioritizes factories that have never been inspected or haven’t been inspected in the last five years. It halted most routine, in-person foreign inspections in March 2020 and did not resume them until 2022. The agency didn’t conduct any inspections in India during the first year of COVID-19.

FDA leaders have long said it's challenging to recruit and keep overseas inspectors.

Experts say Congress can and should address that.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you're getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-infection-cvs-rite-aid-a9471104de34efd152137d3fdba9c260">repeated recalls</a>&nbsp;involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-warning-india-11624105e31a68102d414594c85766f0">conditions</a>&nbsp;at some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1edfda229b11bf9f9181ff6a1271a6bc">manufacturing plants</a>&nbsp;on the other side of the world — and the limited tools they have to intervene when there's a problem.The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S. But experts say those capabilities will do little without more staff and resources for foreign inspections, which were a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced regulators to skip thousands of visits.“The FDA is not getting its job done in terms of drug quality assurance inspections abroad,” said David Ridley of Duke University and co-author of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00686">recent paper</a>&nbsp;tracking the downturn in inspections. “Very few foreign drugmakers have been inspected in the past four years.”In 2022, FDA foreign inspections were down 79% from 2019, according to agency records collected by Ridley's group. Inspections increased this year but are still far below pre-pandemic levels.FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn said: “The FDA works to inspect as many facilities possible, but ultimately industry is responsible for the quality of their products."An October recall of two dozen eyedrop brands came after FDA staff found cracked floors, barefoot workers and other unsanitary conditions at a Mumbai plant that supplied products to CVS, Walmart and other major retailers. It was the first time FDA staff had visited the site.That inspection was prompted by an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">earlier recall</a>&nbsp;of tainted eyedrops from a different Indian plant that's been linked to four&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezicare-delsam-outbreak-2a0f0cc1273cc71b122702e6180492ca">deaths</a>&nbsp;and more than a dozen cases of vision loss. That&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-infection-outbreak-fda-1e266befa854dc7c0ce65def0da9a0bc">plant</a>&nbsp;had also never been previously inspected.“These are very rare instances, but what we’ve seen is that these products can cause real harm,” said Dr. Timothy Janetos, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern University. “Something needs to change.”Experts point to three possible changes:EARLIER INSPECTIONSPrescription medicines are highly regulated. Before a drugmaker can sell one in the U.S., it must undergo FDA review to establish its safety and effectiveness. As part of the process, the FDA typically inspects the factory where the drug will be made.But eyedrops and other over-the-counter products don’t undergo preliminary review or inspections. Instead, they are governed by a different system called a monograph, essentially a generic recipe for all medicines in a particular class. So long as drugmakers attest that they are using the standard recipe, they can launch a product within days of filing with the FDA.“It’s nothing more than electronic paperwork,” said Dr. Sandra Brown of the Dry Eye Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for increased regulation. “There’s no requirement for the facility to be inspected prior to shipping for sale.”The FDA says it has flexibility to adjust its review process “to ensure safety."But the agency is asking Congress for the power to require manufacturers of eyedrops and other sterile products to give at least six months notice before shipping products from a new factory. That would give inspectors time to visit facilities that aren’t on their radar.The proposal could face pushback from some over-the-counter drugmakers, who aren’t accustomed to preapproval inspections.But Brown says the unique risks of tainted eyedrops require a different approach from pills and tablets.“Anything you swallow is going to meet up with your stomach acid, which is going to kill most bacteria," Brown said. “It’s much more dangerous to put a product in your eye.”REQUIRING RECALLSThe FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye">warned consumers</a>&nbsp;in late October not to use the eyedrops sold at CVS, Rite-Aid and other stores. But the products weren’t officially recalled until Nov. 15, almost three weeks later.That's because Indian manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kilitch-healthcare-india-limited-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-various-eye-drops-potential">Kilitch Healthcare</a>, initially declined to cooperate. The FDA can force recalls of food, medical devices and many other products, but it lacks the same authority for drugs and instead must ask companies to voluntarily take action.The FDA recently asked Congress for mandatory recall authority over drugs.FUNDING FOREIGN INSPECTORSSince the 1990s, drug manufacturing has increasingly moved to India, China and other lower-cost countries.The Government Accountability Office has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-103611">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;for years about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-china-us-news-medication-health-care-industry-699f56acec5542ffbc4aa95b8ce6a0cf">FDA’s oversight</a>&nbsp;of the global supply chain, flagging it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-23-106203/index.html#appendix26">“high-risk” issue</a>&nbsp;for more than a decade.The FDA said in a statement it uses “all available tools” to ensure Americans get “high quality, safe and effective” medications.The agency generally prioritizes factories that have never been inspected or haven’t been inspected in the last five years. It halted most routine, in-person foreign inspections in March 2020 and did not resume them until 2022. The agency didn’t conduct any inspections in India during the first year of COVID-19.FDA leaders have long said it's challenging to recruit and keep overseas inspectors.Experts say Congress can and should address that.

After recalls and infections, experts say safer eyedrops will require new FDA powers

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury trial scheduled to begin last week for a Kansas woman accused in a fatal shooting is now delayed until February, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

La’Niha Banks, 19 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm, and four counts of aggravated assault, according to the district attorney's office.

On June 14, police arrested&nbsp; Banks after a 17 day search.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located&nbsp; 19-year-old Lationna Johnson &nbsp;with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.

EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo.

The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

Banks is now being held on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686138861430.png" alt="Banks-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Banks-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury trial scheduled to begin last week for a Kansas woman accused in a fatal shooting is now delayed until February, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.La’Niha Banks, 19 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm, and four counts of aggravated assault, according to the district attorney's office.On June 14, police arrested&nbsp; Banks after a 17 day search.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located&nbsp; 19-year-old Lationna Johnson &nbsp;with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo.The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.Banks is now being held on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

Murder trial delayed for Kan. woman who hid from police for 17 days 

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

TOPEKA — GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion</a>, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.

Their resistance to Medicaid expansion, which would benefit an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes, stands in contrast to support for the program from rank-and-file Republican lawmakers and a majority of Republican voters.

Kelly attempted to address concerns raised by opponents in the past by including a work requirement in her plan, offsetting the state’s cost by taxing the Medicaid funding hospitals receive, allowing individuals to stay on private insurance but receive assistance from the state, and clarifying that abortion services are only covered in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a mother.

“Cloaked in a fake work requirement and a tax scheme, the governor’s proposal to expand the welfare state creates more problems than it solves,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It is poor public policy to push able-bodied adults off of private insurance and onto a government program that was intended for the truly vulnerable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702669425204.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly announces her new Medicaid expansion plan during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly announces her new Medicaid expansion plan during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SHERMAN SMITH&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion</a>, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.Their resistance to Medicaid expansion, which would benefit an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes, stands in contrast to support for the program from rank-and-file Republican lawmakers and a majority of Republican voters.Kelly attempted to address concerns raised by opponents in the past by including a work requirement in her plan, offsetting the state’s cost by taxing the Medicaid funding hospitals receive, allowing individuals to stay on private insurance but receive assistance from the state, and clarifying that abortion services are only covered in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a mother.“Cloaked in a fake work requirement and a tax scheme, the governor’s proposal to expand the welfare state creates more problems than it solves,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It is poor public policy to push able-bodied adults off of private insurance and onto a government program that was intended for the truly vulnerable.”Most of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/gop-leaders-demonize-the-poor-in-medicaid-expansion-debate-while-working-kansans-struggle/">the Kansans who would benefit from Medicaid expansion</a>&nbsp;are workers with low incomes or suffering from chronic illness. They are small business owners and their employees, as well as students, cancer patients and those who need mental health treatment.Under current Medicaid rules in Kansas, a single mother working a minimum wage job earns too much to qualify. The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand eligibility to those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In exchange, the federal government covers 90% of the cost of existing and expanded services. Forty states have expanded Medicaid.Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican who drove five hours to join Kelly for her announcement Thursday, said it was inaccurate to refer to Medicaid as welfare, “but if it was true, so be it.”“And what disturbs me is this is the United States, this is Kansas — if somebody needs health care, they should be able to get health care,” Doll said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702669376782.png" alt="Sen. John Doll, speaks at a Medicaid expansion during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. John Doll, speaks at a Medicaid expansion during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, questioned whether federal regulators in the Biden administration would allow a work requirement to stand. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have blocked work requirements, which impose an administrative barrier and when allowed in Arkansas had&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/journal-article/2019/jun/arkansas-medicaid-work-requirements-higher-uninsured-rate">no effect on employment rates</a>.“While I appreciate the governor’s newly found support for work requirements for welfare benefits, this is nothing more than smoke and mirrors,” Hawkins said.Under Kelly’s proposal, individuals would have to prove they are working when they first enroll in the program, and again when they renew their enrollment each year. The governor said she doesn’t consider the work requirement to be burdensome because every recipient already has to prove income eligibility.Kelly&nbsp;said this approach was different than other states that required individuals to prove employment every month. Her plan also allows for exceptions for full-time students, caretakers, veterans and those with medical conditions.Akeiisa Coleman, senior program officer for Medicaid in the Federal and State Health Policy initiative at the Commonwealth Fund, said the work requirement could still be problematic for seasonal workers, such as those who work at harvest time. She said the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/did-medicaid-work-requirements-achieve-their-goals-arkansas">work requirement in Arkansas</a>&nbsp;resulted in coverage losses without increasing employment, an outcome that could be used to support a legal challenge to a work requirement in Kansas. Coleman also emphasized that almost all of the working-age adults who benefit from Medicaid expansion are already working.Hawkins and Masterson both said they were interested in giving Kansans more options for health care and lowering costs, but neither has proposed legislation to do so.“There’s one word to describe Republican leadership: Cruel,” said House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat.&nbsp;“Kansans across the state are suffering and quite literally dying from a lack of health care. Instead of responding with solutions, the Kansas GOP actively mocks these people in the media.”Miller said Republicans could defend their position in a debate, but GOP leaders refuse to allow a discussion on Medicaid expansion.“Leadership doesn’t like when we point out the blood on their hands, but they are solely responsible,” Miller said. “Republicans need to stop trading Kansas lives in an attempt to score political points against the governor.”This story is part of “<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/the-holdouts/">The Holdouts</a>,” a reporting collaborative focused on the 10 states that have yet to expand Medicaid, which the Affordable Care Act authorized in 2010. The collaborative is a project of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/">Public Health Watch</a>.