SEDGWICK COUNTY — A woman injured in an accident on Wednesday has died. 

Just after 7p.m., a car driven by 51-year-old&nbsp;Christene Traina was northbound&nbsp; on Meridian Avenue at Main Street in Valley Center, acording to Valley Center Director of Public Safety Director/Police Chief Lloyd Newman.

The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a southbound van.&nbsp; EMS transported Traina to a local hospital where she died, according to Newman. Police reported no other injuries.

&nbsp;The case is still under investigation and the cause of death is pending an autopsy and toxicology results, according to Newman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680802058552.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the crash-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the crash-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A woman injured in an accident on Wednesday has died. Just after 7p.m., a car driven by 51-year-old&nbsp;Christene Traina was northbound&nbsp; on Meridian Avenue at Main Street in Valley Center, acording to Valley Center Director of Public Safety Director/Police Chief Lloyd Newman.The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a southbound van.&nbsp; EMS transported Traina to a local hospital where she died, according to Newman. Police reported no other injuries.&nbsp;The case is still under investigation and the cause of death is pending an autopsy and toxicology results, according to Newman.

Police investigate Kansas woman's death in crash

Bollinger County, Mo. (AP) —The five people who were killed when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midwest-south-storms-tornadoes-2783b74e077740b3c253ce30632ff04d">tornado barreled through their Missouri village</a>&nbsp;were inside a mobile home or adjacent camper that were obliterated, authorities said Thursday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol released the names of the victims. Glenn Burcks, 62, lived in the mobile home. Susan Sullivan, 57, also lived there along with her 37-year-old nephew, James Skaggs. Also killed were Sullivan's 16-year-old granddaughter, Destinee Nicole Koenig of Sikeston, Missouri, and 18-year-old Michael McCoy. Koenig's obituary said McCoy was her boyfriend.

The tornado strafed a 22-mile (35-kilometer) stretch of southeastern Missouri, including Glenallen, starting shortly after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. It came during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-arkansas-storm-concert-79fe2da8a6b8bd92970032530b760d20">a week of violent storms</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-storms-deaths-damage-tennessee-arkansas-1931cb7510deab7ad26890d033fb32e1">tornadoes</a>&nbsp;in the central and southern U.S., including Kentucky, where National Weather Service said Thursday that it was surveying damage from three EF-1 twisters that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-tornado-louisville-storm-damage-db19a3320a1674cf4900026c035c51dc">touched down</a>.

Glenallen, which is home to only about 60 people and sits in a hilly and isolated area of southeastern Missouri, got the worst of Wednesday's tornado, which the weather service characterized as an EF-2, with winds of 130 mph (209 kph). A fire station and church were destroyed, and dozens of homes were damaged, many beyond repair. The mobile home and camper where the five people were smashed beyond recognition.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott said investigators aren't sure if any of the victims were in the camper when the tornado hit.

The mobile home essentially exploded, leaving only scattered debris and a rusted metal chassis. Some shards of metal stuck to tree limbs. Tattered remains of furniture sat in a field. A few old photos, videotapes and even baseball cards dotted the mud near the home's concrete pad.

Koenig was a sophomore at New Madrid High School and loved animals, especially cats and dogs. A message seeking comment from the school district wasn’t immediately returned.

Sullivan worked as a teacher for Head Start for about 15 years, according to her obituary. She had a fondness for her dog, “Baby,” and for pigs.

Skaggs “loved to take pictures, have fun and be the life of the party,” his obituary stated.

Obituaries for Burcks and McCoy had not been posted as of midday Thursday.

In Kentucky, preliminary findings on Thursday indicated that tornadoes struck the Pleasure Ridge Park and Newburg sections of Louisville, meteorologist Brian Neudorff said. The storm toppled trees and power lines and tore the roof off an apartment building.

A separate tornado with maximum winds of 110 mph (177 kph) touched down in the Brandonburg area of Mead County, less than an hour southwest of Louisville, Neudorff said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Bob Oravec, a lead weather service forecaster, said more severe weather was possible Thursday in an area stretching from eastern Texas to the mid-Atlantic states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680804825268.png" alt="Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>Bollinger County, Mo. (AP) —The five people who were killed when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midwest-south-storms-tornadoes-2783b74e077740b3c253ce30632ff04d">tornado barreled through their Missouri village</a>&nbsp;were inside a mobile home or adjacent camper that were obliterated, authorities said Thursday.The Missouri State Highway Patrol released the names of the victims. Glenn Burcks, 62, lived in the mobile home. Susan Sullivan, 57, also lived there along with her 37-year-old nephew, James Skaggs. Also killed were Sullivan's 16-year-old granddaughter, Destinee Nicole Koenig of Sikeston, Missouri, and 18-year-old Michael McCoy. Koenig's obituary said McCoy was her boyfriend.The tornado strafed a 22-mile (35-kilometer) stretch of southeastern Missouri, including Glenallen, starting shortly after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. It came during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-arkansas-storm-concert-79fe2da8a6b8bd92970032530b760d20">a week of violent storms</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-storms-deaths-damage-tennessee-arkansas-1931cb7510deab7ad26890d033fb32e1">tornadoes</a>&nbsp;in the central and southern U.S., including Kentucky, where National Weather Service said Thursday that it was surveying damage from three EF-1 twisters that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-tornado-louisville-storm-damage-db19a3320a1674cf4900026c035c51dc">touched down</a>.Glenallen, which is home to only about 60 people and sits in a hilly and isolated area of southeastern Missouri, got the worst of Wednesday's tornado, which the weather service characterized as an EF-2, with winds of 130 mph (209 kph). A fire station and church were destroyed, and dozens of homes were damaged, many beyond repair. The mobile home and camper where the five people were smashed beyond recognition.Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott said investigators aren't sure if any of the victims were in the camper when the tornado hit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680702085941.jpeg" alt="Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>The mobile home essentially exploded, leaving only scattered debris and a rusted metal chassis. Some shards of metal stuck to tree limbs. Tattered remains of furniture sat in a field. A few old photos, videotapes and even baseball cards dotted the mud near the home's concrete pad.Koenig was a sophomore at New Madrid High School and loved animals, especially cats and dogs. A message seeking comment from the school district wasn’t immediately returned.Sullivan worked as a teacher for Head Start for about 15 years, according to her obituary. She had a fondness for her dog, “Baby,” and for pigs.Skaggs “loved to take pictures, have fun and be the life of the party,” his obituary stated.Obituaries for Burcks and McCoy had not been posted as of midday Thursday.In Kentucky, preliminary findings on Thursday indicated that tornadoes struck the Pleasure Ridge Park and Newburg sections of Louisville, meteorologist Brian Neudorff said. The storm toppled trees and power lines and tore the roof off an apartment building.A separate tornado with maximum winds of 110 mph (177 kph) touched down in the Brandonburg area of Mead County, less than an hour southwest of Louisville, Neudorff said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.Bob Oravec, a lead weather service forecaster, said more severe weather was possible Thursday in an area stretching from eastern Texas to the mid-Atlantic states.

Patrol IDs 2 teens, 3 adults who died in Missouri tornado

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A bill meant to help overburdened county jails is still under debate 
after lawmakers rolled portions of a “women’s bill of rights” into the 
legislation.

Sheriffs and elected officials from Sedgwick and Finney Counties <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/03/kansas-inmates-wait-months-for-treatment-due-to-shortage-of-mental-health-hospital-beds/">repeatedly asked lawmakers</a>
 to help with ongoing county jail workforce shortages and mental health 
crises. In many cases, people deemed a danger to themselves or others 
are reviewed by the district attorney’s office, and are sent to the 
county jail until a hospital bed is ready. Because
 of shortages of mental health care workers and beds for patients, 
community hospitals and jails in western Kansas have had to pick up the 
slack, housing mentally unstable patients without state reimbursement.

<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/SB228/">The legislation</a>
 provides reimbursement to counties for the costs of&nbsp; housing people 
awaiting examination, evaluation or treatment for competency, giving a 
rate of $100 per day for each person. The bill also has other provisions
 modifying antiquated county jail procedures and contracts.

In negotiations between the two 
chambers, senators amended the bill to clarify men and women should 
always be kept in separate rooms and defined these classifications as 
the “biological state of being female or male based on the individual’s 
sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous hormone profiles.”&nbsp;

Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence 
Democrat, called the changes “problematic” and said senators essentially
 took the definition of sex from <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>.
 That bill uses a politically charged definition of “women” to exclude 
transgender women from gender-specific public spaces. Under the bill, 
only those with female reproductive systems are classified as women.

Highberger said this language would 
require chromosome checking, along with other procedures that jails 
aren’t equipped to handle.

“It doesn’t address the question of 
intersex people, who don’t fall into either category,” Highberger said. 
“This bill amendment is going to create problems where there aren’t any 
now. Our county jails all across the state are dealing with this. They 
didn’t ask for this change, this came from the Senate.”

Republicans executed a procedural move to exclude Democrats from 
working out a compromise on the bill. Negotiations on a final product 
were underway Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680803222688.png" alt="Rep. Boog Highberger, right, says definitions of "female" and "male" that were inserted into proposed legislation are problematic and will cause problems for county jails. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Boog Highberger, right, says definitions of "female" and "male" that were inserted into proposed legislation are problematic and will cause problems for county jails. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A bill meant to help overburdened county jails is still under debate 
after lawmakers rolled portions of a “women’s bill of rights” into the 
legislation.Sheriffs and elected officials from Sedgwick and Finney Counties <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/03/kansas-inmates-wait-months-for-treatment-due-to-shortage-of-mental-health-hospital-beds/">repeatedly asked lawmakers</a>
 to help with ongoing county jail workforce shortages and mental health 
crises. In many cases, people deemed a danger to themselves or others 
are reviewed by the district attorney’s office, and are sent to the 
county jail until a hospital bed is ready. Because
 of shortages of mental health care workers and beds for patients, 
community hospitals and jails in western Kansas have had to pick up the 
slack, housing mentally unstable patients without state reimbursement.<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/SB228/">The legislation</a>
 provides reimbursement to counties for the costs of&nbsp; housing people 
awaiting examination, evaluation or treatment for competency, giving a 
rate of $100 per day for each person. The bill also has other provisions
 modifying antiquated county jail procedures and contracts.In negotiations between the two 
chambers, senators amended the bill to clarify men and women should 
always be kept in separate rooms and defined these classifications as 
the “biological state of being female or male based on the individual’s 
sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous hormone profiles.”&nbsp;Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence 
Democrat, called the changes “problematic” and said senators essentially
 took the definition of sex from <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>.
 That bill uses a politically charged definition of “women” to exclude 
transgender women from gender-specific public spaces. Under the bill, 
only those with female reproductive systems are classified as women.Highberger said this language would 
require chromosome checking, along with other procedures that jails 
aren’t equipped to handle.“It doesn’t address the question of 
intersex people, who don’t fall into either category,” Highberger said. 
“This bill amendment is going to create problems where there aren’t any 
now. Our county jails all across the state are dealing with this. They 
didn’t ask for this change, this came from the Senate.”Republicans executed a procedural move to exclude Democrats from 
working out a compromise on the bill. Negotiations on a final product 
were underway Wednesday night.

Kan. lawmakers debate gender definitions for county jails

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged road rage incident that have made an arrest.

Just before noon Tuesday, police were&nbsp;patrolling near Harry and McLean in Wichita when they came upon a 62-year-old man sitting on the side of the road in pain next to his blue 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle that had rear-end damage, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

The victim stated that&nbsp; Tkeyah Hurd of Wichita intentionally hit him and then fled in her maroon 2013 Chrysler 200. EMS transported the man to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for treatment.

The investigation revealed that Hurd driving her Chrysler 200 and the victim on a motorcycle were westbound on Pawnee when the motorcycle turned northbound onto Broadway from the inside lane and Hurd turned Northbound onto Broadway from the outside lane almost striking the motorcycle A verbal exchange occurred between Hurd and the victim and they continued northbound onto Broadway. 

Several minutes later the victim was approaching Harry and McLean when he glanced into his rear-view mirror and noticed a vehicle approaching him quickly. The vehicle then struck the victim and as he fell off the motorcycle, he was able to see it was the maroon Chrysler 200 driven by Hurd.

Several witnesses saw the collision and followed Hurd until she parked the vehicle and walked away from it at the intersection of Boston and Wichita Streets.

Police took her into custody in the 1400 block of South Wichita. She is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680710840329.png" alt="Hurd-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hurd-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged road rage incident that have made an arrest.Just before noon Tuesday, police were&nbsp;patrolling near Harry and McLean in Wichita when they came upon a 62-year-old man sitting on the side of the road in pain next to his blue 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle that had rear-end damage, according to Officer Chad Ditch.The victim stated that&nbsp; Tkeyah Hurd of Wichita intentionally hit him and then fled in her maroon 2013 Chrysler 200. EMS transported the man to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for treatment.The investigation revealed that Hurd driving her Chrysler 200 and the victim on a motorcycle were westbound on Pawnee when the motorcycle turned northbound onto Broadway from the inside lane and Hurd turned Northbound onto Broadway from the outside lane almost striking the motorcycle A verbal exchange occurred between Hurd and the victim and they continued northbound onto Broadway. Several minutes later the victim was approaching Harry and McLean when he glanced into his rear-view mirror and noticed a vehicle approaching him quickly. The vehicle then struck the victim and as he fell off the motorcycle, he was able to see it was the maroon Chrysler 200 driven by Hurd.Several witnesses saw the collision and followed Hurd until she parked the vehicle and walked away from it at the intersection of Boston and Wichita Streets.Police took her into custody in the 1400 block of South Wichita. She is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

Road Rage: Kansas woman struck motorcyclist with car

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling nearly 564,000 older small SUVs because road salt can cause the frame to rust and rear suspension parts to come loose.

The recall covers certain CR-Vs from 2007 through 2011 that were sold or registered in states where salt is used to clear roads in the winter.

U.S. safety regulators say in documents posted Thursday that salt can accumulate and cause corrosion, and the rear trailing arm can detach. That can cause drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of a crash. Rear trailing arms connect the rear axle to the chassis.

The recalled CR-Vs were either sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.

Dealers will inspect the SUVs and install a support brace or repair the rear frame if needed. If the frame is badly damaged, Honda may offer to buy the vehicle. Owners will be notified by letter starting May 8.

The CR-Vs already have been recalled in Canada. Honda says in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 61 customer complaints in the U.S. but no deaths or injuries.

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling nearly 564,000 older small SUVs because road salt can cause the frame to rust and rear suspension parts to come loose.The recall covers certain CR-Vs from 2007 through 2011 that were sold or registered in states where salt is used to clear roads in the winter.U.S. safety regulators say in documents posted Thursday that salt can accumulate and cause corrosion, and the rear trailing arm can detach. That can cause drivers to lose control, increasing the risk of a crash. Rear trailing arms connect the rear axle to the chassis.The recalled CR-Vs were either sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.Dealers will inspect the SUVs and install a support brace or repair the rear frame if needed. If the frame is badly damaged, Honda may offer to buy the vehicle. Owners will be notified by letter starting May 8.The CR-Vs already have been recalled in Canada. Honda says in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 61 customer complaints in the U.S. but no deaths or injuries.

Honda recalls CR-Vs to fix frame rust problem

TOPEKA –&nbsp; Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach praises legislators for their actions eliminating the burdensome state fee for Kansans to obtain a concealed carry permit, according to a statement from the AG's office. The measure now goes to the governor for signature.

“Kansans should not have to pay the state a fee in order to exercise a constitutional right. We don’t have to buy a license to exercise our right to speak. Church goers do not pay the state in order to attend church, and lawful gun owners shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege of bearing arms in a manner that is the most common way of carrying in the 21st Century,” Kobach said.

During his run in 2022 for attorney general, Kobach made elimination of the $100 fee charged by the Office of the Attorney General to process the application for a CCL a priority. Today’s vote fulfills that campaign promise, making Kansas the second state in the U.S. to eliminate the CCL fee.

Eliminating the fee also will encourage more Kansans to obtain training and get their CCL. When Kansas became a constitutional carry state, many worried that doing so would reduce the number of people who go through the training to get their CCL. Eliminating the $100 fee will do much to encourage more people to do so. County sheriffs will continue to collect a $32.50 fee for their part in the CCL process.

TOPEKA –&nbsp; Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach praises legislators for their actions eliminating the burdensome state fee for Kansans to obtain a concealed carry permit, according to a statement from the AG's office. The measure now goes to the governor for signature.“Kansans should not have to pay the state a fee in order to exercise a constitutional right. We don’t have to buy a license to exercise our right to speak. Church goers do not pay the state in order to attend church, and lawful gun owners shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege of bearing arms in a manner that is the most common way of carrying in the 21st Century,” Kobach said.During his run in 2022 for attorney general, Kobach made elimination of the $100 fee charged by the Office of the Attorney General to process the application for a CCL a priority. Today’s vote fulfills that campaign promise, making Kansas the second state in the U.S. to eliminate the CCL fee.Eliminating the fee also will encourage more Kansans to obtain training and get their CCL. When Kansas became a constitutional carry state, many worried that doing so would reduce the number of people who go through the training to get their CCL. Eliminating the $100 fee will do much to encourage more people to do so. County sheriffs will continue to collect a $32.50 fee for their part in the CCL process.

Kansas to eliminate state fee for concealed carry permit

WICHITA, KAN. – A former police officer has been sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court. 

Judge David Kaufman sentenced&nbsp; 32-year-old Victor Heiar of Park City to a controlling term of 24 months in jail from which he was granted probation for 18 months.

&nbsp;The former lieutenant of the Kechi Police Department pled guilty to computer crime and stalking, both misdemeanors. Heiar took advantage of his position in the department to use the Flock License Plate Reader system to monitor his estranged wife’s location. The woman had told a friend that she was scared and thought Heiar was somehow tracking her whereabouts. 

The friend later contacted a Wichita Police officer and asked how someone could get a protection from stalking order. Heiar was arrested by Wichita Police on October 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667210771238.png" alt="Heiar-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Heiar-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A former police officer has been sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court. Judge David Kaufman sentenced&nbsp; 32-year-old Victor Heiar of Park City to a controlling term of 24 months in jail from which he was granted probation for 18 months.&nbsp;The former lieutenant of the Kechi Police Department pled guilty to computer crime and stalking, both misdemeanors. Heiar took advantage of his position in the department to use the Flock License Plate Reader system to monitor his estranged wife’s location. The woman had told a friend that she was scared and thought Heiar was somehow tracking her whereabouts. The friend later contacted a Wichita Police officer and asked how someone could get a protection from stalking order. Heiar was arrested by Wichita Police on October 26..

Kan. police officer admits to computer crime, stalking 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is banning transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports from kindergarten through college, the first of several possible new laws restricting the rights of transgender people pushed through by Republican legislators over the wishes of the Democratic governor.

The Legislature on Wednesday overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes, and came a day after state lawmakers passed a broad bathroom bill. Nineteen other states have imposed restrictions on transgender athletes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-transgender-athletes-ban-e0d957ea5f4b57ab48752b2ecad432ec">most recently Wyoming.</a>

Kelly told reporters in the Kansas City area that she believes legislators eventually will regret voting for "this really awful bill.”

“It breaks my heart and certainly is disappointing," Kelly said.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2238_enrolled.pdf">The Kansas law</a>&nbsp;takes effect July 1 and is among several hundred proposals that Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have pursued this year to push back on LGBTQ rights. Kansas lawmakers who back the ban are also pursuing proposals to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reynolds-iowa-transgender-ban-bathroom-e1651a8785586274f66819dad28b471e">end gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huckabee-sanders-schools-bathroom-transgender-lgbtq-6fc56daa21e1ce7f8189248dcc37588b">restrict restroom use</a>.

The measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-bill-kansas-cbdc14be5bf1fb6e1a0749cad52e8ebc">approved by Kansas lawmakers Tuesday</a>&nbsp;would prevent transgender people from using public restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities, and bars them from changing their name or gender on their driver’s licenses. Kelly is expected to veto that.

“It’s a scary time to be raising a trans child in Kansas,” said Cat Poland, a lifelong Kansas resident and mother of three who coordinates a Gay-Straight Alliance at her 13-year-old trans son’s school about 40 miles&nbsp; northwest of Wichita. “We may face the very real threat of having to move, and it’s heartbreaking."

The ban demonstrates the clout of religious conservatives, reflected in&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.gop/assets/uploads/2022/04/KSGOP-2022-Platform-Adopted-March-12-2022.pdf">the 2022 platform</a>&nbsp;of the Kansas Republican Party — “We believe God created man and woman” — and echoes many Republicans’ beliefs that their constituents don’t like any cultural shift toward acceptance.

“I wish it was 1960, and, you know, little Johnny’s a boy and Mary’s a girl, and that’s how it is, period,” Republican state Rep. John Eplee, a 70-year-old doctor, said during a committee discussion of the bathroom bill.

LGBTQ-rights advocates say its part of a national campaign from right-wing traditionalists&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">to erase</a>&nbsp;transgender, non-binary, gender-queer and gender-fluid people from American society.

Alex Poland, an eighth-grade cross-country runner who hopes to play baseball next year, said legislators are pursuing “bills against children” who “haven’t done anything to harm anyone.”

Alex, who lobbied for trans rights with his mother at the Statehouse last week, said it’s good for trans kids' mental health to play on teams associated with their gender identities, and that most other kids just don't care.

It’s largely adults who “care so much about what the trans kids are doing,” Alex said.

The first state law on transgender athletes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/301b65cf83f4e958a196a45f43c912c4">in Idaho in 2020,</a>&nbsp;came after conservatives retrenched from the national backlash over a short-lived 2016 bathroom law in North Carolina. In Kansas, conservatives’ biggest obstacle has been Kelly, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">narrowly won reelection</a>&nbsp;last year after pitching herself as a political centrist.

Conservative Republicans in Kansas fell short of the two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers needed to override Kelly’s vetoes of the transgender athlete bills in 2021 and 2022. But this year, the House&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230405105243_749284/">voted 84-40</a>&nbsp;to override her veto, exactly the two-thirds majority needed. The vote&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230405145207_393815/">was 28-12</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, one more than a two-thirds majority.

Supporters of the ban could not have overriden Kelly's veto this year but for the only Democrat to side with them against the governor. Rep. Marvin Robinson, of Kansas City, told reporters that he had wanted to “meet in the middle” but found the debate “all or none out there.” He said he prayed for guidance before the vote.

Two LGBTQ Democratic lawmakers from the Kansas City area were especially upset because they believed Republicans were gloating over the House vote.

Rep. Heather Meyer stood up, opened her jacket and displayed a “Protect Trans Youth” T-shirt before making a rude gesture as she left the chamber. Rep. Susan Ruiz yelled at GOP members, briefly cursing at them before being told she was out of order.

“We're tired of putting up with it, and I'm tired of putting up with it,” she said later. “There needs to be some respect.”

Across the U.S., supporters of such bans argue that they keep competition fair. Track and field last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3499b00b932948f96838adb3b010f11">barred transgender athletes from international competition,</a>&nbsp;adopting the same rules that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-swimmers-new-rules-fina-world-governing-body-c17e99d3121fa964336458b57ae266f7">swimming did last year.</a>

Supporters argue that they’re also making sure cisgendered girls and women don’t lose the scholarships and other opportunities that didn’t exist for them decades ago.

“Over the past 50 years, females have finally been able to celebrate our differences and create a division that enabled us to achieve athletic endeavors similar to our male counterparts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshof.org/team/caroline-bruce-mcandrew">Caroline Bruce McAndrew,</a>&nbsp;a former Olympic swimmer and member from the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame from Wichita, testified to lawmakers.

LGBTQ-rights advocates acknowledge that arguments about competition resonate outside Republicans’ conservative base because of the longstanding assumption that men and boys are naturally stronger than women and girls.

They’re also frustrated that the debate often focuses on whether transgender athletes have or can win championships.

Hudson Taylor, a three-time All-American collegiate wrestler said youth sports should be about learning discipline, “healthy habits,” and having fun in a supportive environment. He founded and leads the pro-LGBTQ group Athlete Ally.

“There’s been a professionalization of youth sports over the last 40 years,” Taylor said. “So often, the legislators and people who oppose trans-athlete inclusion really go directly to the most elite, top talent, Olympic-hopeful athletes.”

The Kansas measure bans transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ teams starting in kindergarten, even though sports and other extra-curricular activities aren’t overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association until the seventh grade.

That’s one reason LGBTQ-rights advocates are skeptical that the true issue is fair competition. Another is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawmakers-unable-to-cite-local-trans-girls-sports-914a982545e943ecc1e265e8c41042e7">the scarcity of transgender female athletes</a>.

The state association said three transgender girls competed in sports in grades 7-12 this year, two of them seniors. Taylor said transgender athletes in college likely number fewer than 500. The NCAA says&nbsp;<a href="https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/research/sportpart/2021RES_SportsSponsorshipParticipationRatesReport.pdf">about 219,000 women</a>&nbsp;play collegiate sports.

The international track and field ban doesn’t affect a single transgender female athlete.

Cat Poland, the Kansas mother with a trans son, said: “They just keep taking the next, the next step, the next step, until where are trans people supposed to go? Where can they can exist to be safe and live happy and fulfilling lives?”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is banning transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports from kindergarten through college, the first of several possible new laws restricting the rights of transgender people pushed through by Republican legislators over the wishes of the Democratic governor.The Legislature on Wednesday overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes, and came a day after state lawmakers passed a broad bathroom bill. Nineteen other states have imposed restrictions on transgender athletes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-transgender-athletes-ban-e0d957ea5f4b57ab48752b2ecad432ec">most recently Wyoming.</a>Kelly told reporters in the Kansas City area that she believes legislators eventually will regret voting for "this really awful bill.”“It breaks my heart and certainly is disappointing," Kelly said.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2238_enrolled.pdf">The Kansas law</a>&nbsp;takes effect July 1 and is among several hundred proposals that Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have pursued this year to push back on LGBTQ rights. Kansas lawmakers who back the ban are also pursuing proposals to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reynolds-iowa-transgender-ban-bathroom-e1651a8785586274f66819dad28b471e">end gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huckabee-sanders-schools-bathroom-transgender-lgbtq-6fc56daa21e1ce7f8189248dcc37588b">restrict restroom use</a>.The measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-bill-kansas-cbdc14be5bf1fb6e1a0749cad52e8ebc">approved by Kansas lawmakers Tuesday</a>&nbsp;would prevent transgender people from using public restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities associated with their gender identities, and bars them from changing their name or gender on their driver’s licenses. Kelly is expected to veto that.“It’s a scary time to be raising a trans child in Kansas,” said Cat Poland, a lifelong Kansas resident and mother of three who coordinates a Gay-Straight Alliance at her 13-year-old trans son’s school about 40 miles&nbsp; northwest of Wichita. “We may face the very real threat of having to move, and it’s heartbreaking."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">To everyone in Kansas who is a member of the Trans community, and to everyone with a loved one who is Trans: we see you and stand with you. <a href="https://t.co/DoMeHFnMUK">pic.twitter.com/DoMeHFnMUK</a>&mdash; Kansas Dems (@KansasDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasDems/status/1643906419891240961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The ban demonstrates the clout of religious conservatives, reflected in&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.gop/assets/uploads/2022/04/KSGOP-2022-Platform-Adopted-March-12-2022.pdf">the 2022 platform</a>&nbsp;of the Kansas Republican Party — “We believe God created man and woman” — and echoes many Republicans’ beliefs that their constituents don’t like any cultural shift toward acceptance.“I wish it was 1960, and, you know, little Johnny’s a boy and Mary’s a girl, and that’s how it is, period,” Republican state Rep. John Eplee, a 70-year-old doctor, said during a committee discussion of the bathroom bill.LGBTQ-rights advocates say its part of a national campaign from right-wing traditionalists&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">to erase</a>&nbsp;transgender, non-binary, gender-queer and gender-fluid people from American society.Alex Poland, an eighth-grade cross-country runner who hopes to play baseball next year, said legislators are pursuing “bills against children” who “haven’t done anything to harm anyone.”Alex, who lobbied for trans rights with his mother at the Statehouse last week, said it’s good for trans kids' mental health to play on teams associated with their gender identities, and that most other kids just don't care.It’s largely adults who “care so much about what the trans kids are doing,” Alex said.The first state law on transgender athletes,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/301b65cf83f4e958a196a45f43c912c4">in Idaho in 2020,</a>&nbsp;came after conservatives retrenched from the national backlash over a short-lived 2016 bathroom law in North Carolina. In Kansas, conservatives’ biggest obstacle has been Kelly, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">narrowly won reelection</a>&nbsp;last year after pitching herself as a political centrist.Conservative Republicans in Kansas fell short of the two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers needed to override Kelly’s vetoes of the transgender athlete bills in 2021 and 2022. But this year, the House&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230405105243_749284/">voted 84-40</a>&nbsp;to override her veto, exactly the two-thirds majority needed. The vote&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230405145207_393815/">was 28-12</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, one more than a two-thirds majority.Supporters of the ban could not have overriden Kelly's veto this year but for the only Democrat to side with them against the governor. Rep. Marvin Robinson, of Kansas City, told reporters that he had wanted to “meet in the middle” but found the debate “all or none out there.” He said he prayed for guidance before the vote.Two LGBTQ Democratic lawmakers from the Kansas City area were especially upset because they believed Republicans were gloating over the House vote.Rep. Heather Meyer stood up, opened her jacket and displayed a “Protect Trans Youth” T-shirt before making a rude gesture as she left the chamber. Rep. Susan Ruiz yelled at GOP members, briefly cursing at them before being told she was out of order.“We're tired of putting up with it, and I'm tired of putting up with it,” she said later. “There needs to be some respect.”Across the U.S., supporters of such bans argue that they keep competition fair. Track and field last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3499b00b932948f96838adb3b010f11">barred transgender athletes from international competition,</a>&nbsp;adopting the same rules that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-swimmers-new-rules-fina-world-governing-body-c17e99d3121fa964336458b57ae266f7">swimming did last year.</a>Supporters argue that they’re also making sure cisgendered girls and women don’t lose the scholarships and other opportunities that didn’t exist for them decades ago.“Over the past 50 years, females have finally been able to celebrate our differences and create a division that enabled us to achieve athletic endeavors similar to our male counterparts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshof.org/team/caroline-bruce-mcandrew">Caroline Bruce McAndrew,</a>&nbsp;a former Olympic swimmer and member from the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame from Wichita, testified to lawmakers.LGBTQ-rights advocates acknowledge that arguments about competition resonate outside Republicans’ conservative base because of the longstanding assumption that men and boys are naturally stronger than women and girls.They’re also frustrated that the debate often focuses on whether transgender athletes have or can win championships.Hudson Taylor, a three-time All-American collegiate wrestler said youth sports should be about learning discipline, “healthy habits,” and having fun in a supportive environment. He founded and leads the pro-LGBTQ group Athlete Ally.“There’s been a professionalization of youth sports over the last 40 years,” Taylor said. “So often, the legislators and people who oppose trans-athlete inclusion really go directly to the most elite, top talent, Olympic-hopeful athletes.”The Kansas measure bans transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ teams starting in kindergarten, even though sports and other extra-curricular activities aren’t overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association until the seventh grade.That’s one reason LGBTQ-rights advocates are skeptical that the true issue is fair competition. Another is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawmakers-unable-to-cite-local-trans-girls-sports-914a982545e943ecc1e265e8c41042e7">the scarcity of transgender female athletes</a>.The state association said three transgender girls competed in sports in grades 7-12 this year, two of them seniors. Taylor said transgender athletes in college likely number fewer than 500. The NCAA says&nbsp;<a href="https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/research/sportpart/2021RES_SportsSponsorshipParticipationRatesReport.pdf">about 219,000 women</a>&nbsp;play collegiate sports.The international track and field ban doesn’t affect a single transgender female athlete.Cat Poland, the Kansas mother with a trans son, said: “They just keep taking the next, the next step, the next step, until where are trans people supposed to go? Where can they can exist to be safe and live happy and fulfilling lives?”

Governor disappointed with ban on trans athletes from girls sports

OTTAWA COUNTY —A small earthquake shook north-central Kansas Thursday.

The 3.2 magnitude quake was recorded just after 4:30a.m. and was centered approximately 2 and one half miles north of Bennington, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Kansas Geological Survey initially recorded the quake as a magnitude 3.6.&nbsp;

Just before 4a.m. Thursday, the USGS reported a magnitude 4.0 quake near Chandler Oklahoma, approximately 250 miles south of Salina.

The Ottawa County, Kansas Sheriff received one phone call asking about the quake. They have not received any report of damage or injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680787881103.png" alt="The quake was centered approximately 2 and one half miles north of Bennington. -USGS image" />
 <figcaption>The quake was centered approximately 2 and one half miles north of Bennington. -USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>OTTAWA COUNTY —A small earthquake shook north-central Kansas Thursday.The 3.2 magnitude quake was recorded just after 4:30a.m. and was centered approximately 2 and one half miles north of Bennington, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The Kansas Geological Survey initially recorded the quake as a magnitude 3.6.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680788227302.png" alt="Location of the Oklahoma quake -USGS image" />
 <figcaption>Location of the Oklahoma quake -USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 4a.m. Thursday, the USGS reported a magnitude 4.0 quake near Chandler Oklahoma, approximately 250 miles south of Salina.The Ottawa County, Kansas Sheriff received one phone call asking about the quake. They have not received any report of damage or injuries.

Small earthquake shakes north-central Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Multiple police officers and suspects were shot Wednesday in a gunbattle during an undercover fentanyl trafficking investigation in Kansas City, Kansas, authorities said. All were expected to survive.

Three officers were wounded, along with three men who were alleged targets of the sting, authorities said.

Undercover investigators had previously bought fentanyl from the suspects and were trying to make another purchase Wednesday, Police Chief Karl Oakman said. But, he said, it fell through, and a shootout erupted between the heavily armed suspects and the agents.

The three officers who were shot had arrived in marked police cars to help their undercover colleagues, Oakman said.

Police believe all the suspects are in custody.

The chief said police have been investigating a fentanyl influx into the city for months, but the operation that resulted in the shootout began a few days ago.

Dr. Sean Kumer, associate chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said the officers who were brought to the hospital and all of the shooting patients the facility treated were in stable condition with injuries that were not life-threatening. They were able to converse with their doctors.

City police asked their counterparts in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri, to investigate the shootings. That police department said later Wednesday that homicide detectives and crime scene personnel were speaking with witnesses and processing the scene for evidence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680733406803.png" alt="Scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Multiple police officers and suspects were shot Wednesday in a gunbattle during an undercover fentanyl trafficking investigation in Kansas City, Kansas, authorities said. All were expected to survive.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are moved by the flood of support that we have received from the community as word that 3 of our officers were shot today during an operation aimed at taking the deadly drug <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fentanyl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fentanyl</a> off our streets. They remain hospitalized w/serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. <a href="https://t.co/BjPNPzkl7H">pic.twitter.com/BjPNPzkl7H</a>&mdash; Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (@KCKPDChief) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCKPDChief/status/1643772683849433089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Three officers were wounded, along with three men who were alleged targets of the sting, authorities said.Undercover investigators had previously bought fentanyl from the suspects and were trying to make another purchase Wednesday, Police Chief Karl Oakman said. But, he said, it fell through, and a shootout erupted between the heavily armed suspects and the agents.The three officers who were shot had arrived in marked police cars to help their undercover colleagues, Oakman said.Police believe all the suspects are in custody.The chief said police have been investigating a fentanyl influx into the city for months, but the operation that resulted in the shootout began a few days ago.Dr. Sean Kumer, associate chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said the officers who were brought to the hospital and all of the shooting patients the facility treated were in stable condition with injuries that were not life-threatening. They were able to converse with their doctors.City police asked their counterparts in neighboring Kansas City, Missouri, to investigate the shootings. That police department said later Wednesday that homicide detectives and crime scene personnel were speaking with witnesses and processing the scene for evidence.

Fentanyl bust: 3 Kan. officers wounded in gunfight expected to survive

LYON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday in Lyon County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kenworth semi driven by Travis D. Edwards, 46, Marysville, was eastbound on U.S. 50 four miles west of Emporia.&nbsp;

The semi traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2014 Subaru CrossTrek driven by Timothy M.&nbsp;Hoekstra, 67, Chino, California. 

After impact the Subaru rotated counterclockwise into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound 2021 Kenworth semi driven by Quintia M. Rowe, 32, Norfolk, Virginia.

The 2014 Kenworth semi continued westbound over the center line and struck a westbound and struck a 2019 Jeep Renegade driven by Ryan R. Miller, 29, Independence, Missouri and a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Jacob L.&nbsp;Suenram, 32, Lawrence.

Miller and Suenram were pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Edwards and Hoekstra to Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Rowe was not injured.&nbsp;One juvenile was present in 2017 Ford. Juvenile record is protected data by the KHP. All five drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp;U.S. 50 was closed most of the Wednesday night during the accident investigation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680776186464.png" alt="U.S. 50 was closed most of the Wednesday night during the accident investigation- photo by Tagn Trahoon KVOE courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>U.S. 50 was closed most of the Wednesday night during the accident investigation- photo by Tagn Trahoon KVOE courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday in Lyon County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kenworth semi driven by Travis D. Edwards, 46, Marysville, was eastbound on U.S. 50 four miles west of Emporia.&nbsp;The semi traveled left of center and struck a westbound 2014 Subaru CrossTrek driven by Timothy M.&nbsp;Hoekstra, 67, Chino, California. After impact the Subaru rotated counterclockwise into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound 2021 Kenworth semi driven by Quintia M. Rowe, 32, Norfolk, Virginia.The 2014 Kenworth semi continued westbound over the center line and struck a westbound and struck a 2019 Jeep Renegade driven by Ryan R. Miller, 29, Independence, Missouri and a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Jacob L.&nbsp;Suenram, 32, Lawrence.Miller and Suenram were pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Edwards and Hoekstra to Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Rowe was not injured.&nbsp;One juvenile was present in 2017 Ford. Juvenile record is protected data by the KHP. All five drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp;U.S. 50 was closed most of the Wednesday night during the accident investigation

2 dead, 2 hospitalized after 5 vehicle crash on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON —The United State's Defense Department announced Tuesday a critical new security assistance for Ukraine, including ammunition for a wide range of weapons valued at up to $500 million, according to a media release from the agency.

The U.S. and allies have been stepping up the production of munitions to keep Ukraine in the fight as the country tries to repel a Russian invasion and reclaim its territory from Russia, the Pentagon official said.

The war is at an important stage. Fighting continues in the east, but there have not been significant recent shifts in territorial control. The front lines are relatively static, with significant exchanges of artillery, but without appreciable ground gains by either side, the official said.&nbsp;

"Our focus is on supporting the Ukrainians to change the dynamic on the ground. We want to help Ukraine advance and hold its positions in what we expect will be a Ukrainian counteroffensive," the official said. &nbsp;

As a percentage of donor nations’ gross domestic product, the United States is roughly in the middle of the top 20 nations donating to Ukraine’s security assistance, the official said.

The department is in constant talks with Ukraine regarding its needs, be it munitions or other materiel, and continual adjustments are made based on conditions on the battlefield, the official said.

Besides munitions, the department has expanded training of Ukraine's forces to focus on combined arms and joint-maneuver operations. Also, maintenance and sustainment support are being provided, the official said.&nbsp;

"The substantial resources the United States has committed to Ukraine reflects the American interests and values that are at stake. Judging from the significant commitments that our allies and partners have made, the stakes for Europe and the larger world are widely recognized, as well," the official said.

The capabilities in this military aid package, valued at up to $500 million, includes:&nbsp;

In addition, DOD will provide Ukraine with $2.1 billion in assistance from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. Those funds will provide:&nbsp;

Unlike presidential drawdowns, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DOD stocks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680714300536.png" alt="Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Manson, 436th Aerial Port Squadron ramp operation specialist, marshals a K-loader of cargo during a Ukraine security assistance mission at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware" />
 <figcaption>Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Manson, 436th Aerial Port Squadron ramp operation specialist, marshals a K-loader of cargo during a Ukraine security assistance mission at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The United State's Defense Department announced Tuesday a critical new security assistance for Ukraine, including ammunition for a wide range of weapons valued at up to $500 million, according to a media release from the agency.The U.S. and allies have been stepping up the production of munitions to keep Ukraine in the fight as the country tries to repel a Russian invasion and reclaim its territory from Russia, the Pentagon official said.The war is at an important stage. Fighting continues in the east, but there have not been significant recent shifts in territorial control. The front lines are relatively static, with significant exchanges of artillery, but without appreciable ground gains by either side, the official said.&nbsp;"Our focus is on supporting the Ukrainians to change the dynamic on the ground. We want to help Ukraine advance and hold its positions in what we expect will be a Ukrainian counteroffensive," the official said. &nbsp;As a percentage of donor nations’ gross domestic product, the United States is roughly in the middle of the top 20 nations donating to Ukraine’s security assistance, the official said.The department is in constant talks with Ukraine regarding its needs, be it munitions or other materiel, and continual adjustments are made based on conditions on the battlefield, the official said.Besides munitions, the department has expanded training of Ukraine's forces to focus on combined arms and joint-maneuver operations. Also, maintenance and sustainment support are being provided, the official said.&nbsp;"The substantial resources the United States has committed to Ukraine reflects the American interests and values that are at stake. Judging from the significant commitments that our allies and partners have made, the stakes for Europe and the larger world are widely recognized, as well," the official said.The capabilities in this military aid package, valued at up to $500 million, includes:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems.&nbsp;</li><li>Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.&nbsp;</li><li>Artillery rounds: 155 mm and 105 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Mortar rounds: 120 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Tank ammunition: 120 mm and 105 mm.</li><li>Ammunition: 25 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missiles.&nbsp;</li><li>About 400 grenade launchers and 200,000 rounds of ammunition.&nbsp;</li><li>Tactical vehicles to recover equipment: 11.&nbsp;</li><li>Heavy fuel tankers: 61.&nbsp;</li><li>Heavy equipment transport: 10 trucks and 10 trailers.&nbsp;</li><li>Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair.&nbsp;</li><li>Spare parts and other field equipment.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>In addition, DOD will provide Ukraine with $2.1 billion in assistance from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. Those funds will provide:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems.&nbsp;</li><li>Nine counter-unmanned serial system 30 mm gun trucks.&nbsp;</li><li>Mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system, or C-UAS, laser-guided rocket systems: 10.&nbsp;</li><li>Three air surveillance radars.&nbsp;</li><li>Anti-aircraft ammunition: 30 mm and 23 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Artillery rounds: 130 mm and 122 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Grad rockets: 122 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Rocket launchers and ammunition.&nbsp;</li><li>Mortar systems: 120 mm and 81 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Mortar rounds: 120 mm, 81 mm, and 60 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Tank ammunition: 120 mm.&nbsp;</li><li>Javelin anti-armor systems.&nbsp;</li><li>Anti-armor rockets.&nbsp;</li><li>Precision aerial munitions.&nbsp;</li><li>About 3,600 small arms and more than 23,000,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition.&nbsp;</li><li>Seven tactical vehicles to recover equipment.&nbsp;</li><li>Eight heavy fuel tankers and 105 fuel trailers.&nbsp;</li><li>Armored bridging systems.&nbsp;</li><li>Four logistics support vehicles.&nbsp;</li><li>Trucks and 10 trailers to transport heavy equipment.&nbsp;</li><li>Secure communications equipment.&nbsp;</li><li>Satellite communications terminals and services.&nbsp;</li><li>Funding for training, maintenance and sustainment.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Unlike presidential drawdowns, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DOD stocks.

U.S. sending another $500 million in military aid to Ukraine

KANSAS CITY —A judge&nbsp; sentenced Kansas City-area man to four consecutive life sentences in prison for his convictions in multiple sex crimes, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

John Leland Phelps, 44, was sentenced for&nbsp; convictions of Statutory Rape and Sodomy. The judge also sentenced Phelps to seven years and four years for Incest convictions. A Jackson County jury returned guilty verdicts in February on six felony charges.

According to court records, the sexual assaults occurred in September 2018 in an eastern Jackson County residence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680452980356.png" alt="Phelps-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Phelps-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A judge&nbsp; sentenced Kansas City-area man to four consecutive life sentences in prison for his convictions in multiple sex crimes, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.John Leland Phelps, 44, was sentenced for&nbsp; convictions of Statutory Rape and Sodomy. The judge also sentenced Phelps to seven years and four years for Incest convictions. A Jackson County jury returned guilty verdicts in February on six felony charges.According to court records, the sexual assaults occurred in September 2018 in an eastern Jackson County residence.

KC-area man given 4 life sentences for child sex crimes

GLEN ALLEN, Mo. (AP) — A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, killing at least five people and causing widespread destruction as a broad swath of the Midwest and South&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-disasters-extreme-weather-why-af8acdcb330cff39d689efc187cd17b7">kept a wary eye out for further storms</a>&nbsp;that could spawn additional twisters and hail.

Wednesday's severe weather was the third in a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-arkansas-storm-concert-79fe2da8a6b8bd92970032530b760d20">massive storms</a>&nbsp;over the last two weeks that have spawned dozens of tornadoes, mainly in the South and Midwest, killing at least 63 people. Just last weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-storms-deaths-damage-tennessee-arkansas-1931cb7510deab7ad26890d033fb32e1">confirmed or suspected tornadoes in at least eight states</a>&nbsp;laid waste to neighborhoods across a broad swath of the country.

The Missouri tornado touched down around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and moved through a rural area of Bollinger County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of St. Louis, said Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Trees were uprooted and homes turned into piles of splinters. One building was flipped on its side. Drone footage showed emergency crews peering into the wreckage with flashlights.

More than 20 agencies were part of the search for survivors and victims, with the damage so bad that they sometimes were forced to use chainsaws to cut back trees and brush to reach homes, Parrott said.

“It’s just heartbreaking to see it,” Parrott said.

The damage was concentrated around the small rural communities of Glen Allen and Grassy, which are separated by a hunting area, said Bollinger County Sheriff Casey Graham in a Facebook post announcing the five deaths. He didn't immediately release the victims' names.

Charles Collier, 61, said he saw the coroner’s van drive by with its lights on in Glen Allen, where he owns a storage facility.

“That was a sad, sad sight -- knowing there was bodies in there,” said Collier, who wasn’t entirely relieved when he saw his facility was spared. “I was just numb, thinking about all these other people, what they’re going through."

Josh Wells said that the tornado tore half of the roof off his Glen Allen home and pushed in his bedroom wall. Luckily, he fled beforehand with his son to his sister’s home because it has a basement.

“We all ran down and huddled against the wall and my brother-in-law made it down just seconds before we heard the roaring sound of the wind and debris crashing around us,” he said.

While his sister’s home held up, the area reeked of gas because a propane unit was damaged.

Justin Gibbs, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Paducah, Kentucky, said the tornado remained on the ground for roughly 15 minutes, traveling an estimated 15-20 miles (24-32 kilometers).

Based on early data, the tornado received a preliminary EF-2 rating, packing wind speeds of 130 mph (228 kph).

Gibbs noted that tornadoes are especially dangerous when they touch down late at night or early in the morning, as this one did.

“It’s definitely a nightmare from a warning standpoint,” Gibbs said. “It’s bad anytime, but it’s especially bad at 3:30 in the morning.”

A phone weather alert awakened Bobby Masters, who said debris was slamming his Glen Allen home as he took shelter in his basement with his family. He recalled hearing a roar as the tornado passed.

“I had never heard a tornado before. They say it sounds like a freight train and that is exactly what it sounds like,” he said, adding: “The good Lord spared us, our family and our house.”

Keith Lincoln, 56, who also was awakened by a phone alert, huddled in a bathtub with his wife and 18-year-old daughter and prayed: “Just save us and the house.” He spent the afternoon patching his roof but was thankful his prayer was mostly answered.

Chris Green, 35, found a small black dog dead in the debris. “I can’t just leave it here,” he said as he and his father buried the animal.

The area is rural, with residents mostly farming, cutting timber or working construction jobs, said Larry Welker, Bollinger County's public administrator. The entire county's population only totals around 10,500. The battered communities are tiny, little more than a few scattered homes and businesses.

Gov. Mike Parson said he would join emergency personnel on the ground to assess damage and determine what resources are needed. They planned a news conference in the afternoon.

Missouri's U.S. Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley, meanwhile, said they’re in touch with local leaders and ready to help. Schmitt also warned Missouri residents in a statement to stay alert “as there’s more severe weather on the horizon.”

The storms moving through the Midwest and South on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-severe-weather-south-midwest-b6f9db8292e112fa78a9e9ccf462909d">threaten some areas</a>&nbsp;still reeling from the deadly bout of bad weather last weekend. The Storm Prediction Center said up to 40 million people in an area that includes major cities including Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Memphis, Tennessee, were at risk from the storms later Wednesday.

Schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, canceled Wednesday classes because the storms were expected to move through the area during the morning rush,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kfvs12.comhttps//www.kfvs12.com">KFVS-TV</a>&nbsp;reported.

In central Illinois, authorities said five people were hurt and about 300 homes were without power due to a tornado that struck in Fulton County on Tuesday evening. Chris Helle, who directs the county’s Emergency Services Disaster Agency, said one of the people injured was in critical condition.

Helle said the damage was concentrated near the town of Bryant, about 200 mile (322 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. Fire departments and other first responders were still cataloguing the damage there, but Helle said numerous homes had been destroyed. He credited people for listening to advance warnings and taking shelter.

Officials said another tornado touched down Tuesday morning in the western Illinois community of Colona. Local news reports showed wind damage to some businesses there.

Winds of up to 90 mph (145 kph) and baseball-sized hail also caused damage in the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois.

Bollinger County, Mo.(AP) — A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, killing at least five people and causing widespread destruction as a broad swath of the Midwest and South&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-disasters-extreme-weather-why-af8acdcb330cff39d689efc187cd17b7">kept a wary eye out for further storms</a>&nbsp;that could spawn additional twisters and hail.

The tornado touched down around 3:30 a.m. and moved through a rural area of Bollinger County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of St. Louis, said Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

“The damage is pretty widespread. It’s just heartbreaking to see it,” Parrott said.

The twister caused significant destruction in and around the small rural communities of Glen Allen and Grassy, Bollinger County Sheriff Casey A. Graham said in a Facebook post. A hunting area separates the two communities.

At least five people were killed, Graham wrote, noting that he was withholding the names of the dead to make sure their families could be notified first.

“Please understand the scope of this operation," he said. "I know everyone wants updates and news of what happened. As your Sheriff, I am focused on ensuring those who still need help are receiving it, and we account for all our citizens.”

Josh Wells said that the tornado hit his house in Glen Allen, tearing half of his roof off and pushing his bedroom wall in. He added in a text that a propane storage unit in the area got damaged, and gas leaked for about an hour, “making the whole area smell of propane.”

A weather service team was headed to Bollinger County to gather details about the tornado, but Gibbs said it’s clear “it was big. It was a significant tornado.”

He noted that tornadoes are especially dangerous when they touch down late at night or early in the morning, as this one did.

Larry Welker, Bollinger County's public administrator, said the twister traveled along route 34 into Glen Allen, a village of slightly more than 100 people, and that he hasn't been able to inspect the damage firsthand because law enforcement were restricting access to the area.

“I’m getting reports that it was pretty bad,” he said. He described it as a rural area, where residents mostly farmed, cut timber or worked construction jobs.

“There was several trailers there, and I understand that there is still people missing,” Welker said.

The storms moving through the Midwest and South on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-severe-weather-south-midwest-b6f9db8292e112fa78a9e9ccf462909d">threaten some areas</a>&nbsp;still reeling from a deadly bout of bad weather last weekend. The Storm Prediction Center said up to 40 million people in an area that includes major cities including Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Memphis, Tennessee, were at risk from the storms later Wednesday. As of late morning, the the greatest threat appeared to be to an area stretching from lower Michigan into Tennessee and Kentucky.

Fierce storms that started last Friday and continued through the weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-survivors-storm-arkansas-f12fead43d19c0095d42f8a6e61c7a4f">spawned deadly tornadoes</a>&nbsp;in 11 states as the system plodded through Arkansas and into the South, Midwest and Northeast.

The National Weather Service also received reports of semitrailers that had been tipped over by winds in Lee County, about 95 miles (153 km) west of Chicago.

Bollinger Co., Mo.(AP) — A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and killing at least five people as a broad swath of the Midwest and South&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-disasters-extreme-weather-why-af8acdcb330cff39d689efc187cd17b7">kept a wary eye out for further storms</a>&nbsp;that could spawn additional twisters and hail.

Crews from more than 20 agencies were on the scene and clearing debris in search of any others who might have been killed or injured, he said.

The twister caused significant destruction in and around the small rural communities of Glen Allen and Grassy, Bollinger County Sheriff Casey A. Graham said in a Facebook post.

The patrol posted an overhead&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissouriSEMA/posts/pfbid02cHcgzdrHNArjf7Jia7ySFc9n1N5Tc6vja67ziWfzN4A25LWVS7hcLVjWnPG3tzDol">photo</a>&nbsp;of the damage that showed uprooted trees and damaged and destroyed homes. Drone footage showed that some had been turned into piles of debris and splinters. One area that appeared to be hit especially hard was a narrow stretch between a road and a stream where emergency crews could be seen peering into the wreckage with flashlights.

Parrott said that crews had to use chainsaws to cutback trees and brush to reach some of the homes.

“It’s going to be a slow process but for now it’s an active search and rescue” Parrott said.

Gov. Mike Parson said he would join emergency personnel on the ground to assess damage and determine what resources are needed.

Bollinger County, Mo. (AP) — A tornado that swept through southeastern Missouri before dawn Wednesday killed at least four people and injured an unknown number of others, authorities said.

Sgt. Clark Parrott, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the death toll from the early-morning storm might rise as crews sift through the rubble of damaged and destroyed homes in Bollinger County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of St. Louis.

In addition to the deaths, an unknown number of people were injured by the storm, which is part of a larger system that could spawn further twisters and hail as it moves through the Midwest and South on Wednesday.

Bollinger County, Mo. (AP) —&nbsp;A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and killing multiple people as a broad swath of the Midwest and South braced for further storms that could spawn additional twisters and hail.

The tornado touched down around 3:30 a.m. and moved through a rural area of Bollinger County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of St. Louis, said Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He said it caused “multiple injuries and multiple deaths," but he didn't specify how many or say precisely where they occurred.

He said said a search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies was underway and that crews had to use chainsaws to cutback trees and brush to reach some homes.

The patrol posted an overhead&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissouriSEMA/posts/pfbid02cHcgzdrHNArjf7Jia7ySFc9n1N5Tc6vja67ziWfzN4A25LWVS7hcLVjWnPG3tzDol">photo</a>&nbsp;of the damage that showed uprooted trees and homes that had been reduced to rubble.

Missouri tornado kills 5 in latest wave of severe weather

HARVEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating human remains in eastern Harvey County on Monday have confirmed the identity as that of 39-year-old&nbsp;Sasha Kosminski, of Newton, according to County Spokesperson Kyle McCaskey.

Her identity was confirmed through the examination of dental records.

Kosminski’s remains were discovered in a hedge row by a man near East First Street and North Rock Road this past Monday. Identifying information was not found on scene. Kosminski had been reported missing by family in December 2020.

The cause of death is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680734881074.png" alt="Sasha Kosminski- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sasha Kosminski- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating human remains in eastern Harvey County on Monday have confirmed the identity as that of 39-year-old&nbsp;Sasha Kosminski, of Newton, according to County Spokesperson Kyle McCaskey.Her identity was confirmed through the examination of dental records.Kosminski’s remains were discovered in a hedge row by a man near East First Street and North Rock Road this past Monday. Identifying information was not found on scene. Kosminski had been reported missing by family in December 2020.The cause of death is still under investigation.