By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Thursday marks the 11th anniversary of a program that was created during the Obama administration to temporarily protect undocumented children from deportation.

But congressional inaction and legal challenges have led to more than a decade of limbo for the 600,000 people enrolled, with no end in sight. They are often called “Dreamers,” based on never-passed legislation in Congress called the Dream Act.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that was meant to be a temporary stopgap is now the only tool that protects those brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. A pending court case out of Texas will determine whether DACA is legal — and what happens next.

“It’s a little bit of a kick in the gut,” Salma Vizcaino Garcia, a 25-year-old DACA recipient who lives in Ellenwood, Georgia, said of the court case.

Vizcaino Garcia, who is preparing to apply to medical school, said she and many DACA recipients aren’t hopeful about the outcome of the Texas case. She said she’s focusing her efforts on advocacy, and educating people about the program.

She said she hopes that through collective action, enough people will urge state and federal lawmakers to create a permanent pathway to citizenship.

“I genuinely am of the opinion, if I was able to talk to every person that was against us, that I could change their minds,” she said. “We’re just regular people. We’re just trying to live our lives.”

For more than two decades, Congress has tried and failed to pass immigration reform.

With the current divided Congress, the only&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/05/24/new-bipartisan-immigration-legislation-proposed-in-u-s-house/">recent bipartisan piece</a>&nbsp;of legislation is from six U.S. House lawmakers called the Dignity Act. The bill doesn’t specifically address DACA recipients, but is aimed at creating a legal pathway to citizenship for the estimated more than 11 million undocumented people in the country.

If the bill manages to clear the House on a bipartisan vote, it would still need to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The last time Congress passed major immigration legislation was during the Reagan administration in 1986.

A case in Texas threatens the legality of the DACA program, prompting immigration advocates and attorneys to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6160a38f44d6a328d59c3e3d/t/64186a9dc39bcd4b2608d743/1679321759261/2023.03.20.PUBLISHED.DED4DACA.LawProf_Letter.pdf">lobby</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration to exert its authority to use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-enforced-departure">Deferred Enforced Departure</a>, which is not a specific immigration status, but allows those covered to be exempt from deportation for a certain period of time.

The Texas challenge is likely to reach the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority. A decision likely would come in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/01/29/lengthy-timeline-for-daca-legal-fight-puts-lives-on-hold-for-years/">spring of 2024, or later.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

President Joe Biden issued a DACA statement on Thursday urging Congress to act.

“While Vice President Harris and I will continue fighting to pass legislation to protect Dreamers and create a path to citizenship, only Congress can provide permanent and lasting stability for these young people and their families,” Biden said. “Congress must act to protect our Dreamers.”

On Thursday evening, the White House is hosting a screening with DACA recipients and immigration advocates of the movie “Flamin’ Hot,” a directorial debut from Latina actress Eva Longoria that tells the legendary origin story of “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos,” a popular snack in the Latino community. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-16/flamin-hot-cheetos-richard-montanez">L.A. Times has debunked the tale</a>, but it’s still a popular rags-to-riches story.

“The Biden-Harris administration continues its effort to lift up and engage the Latino community by showcasing their stories and celebrating their contributions to our country,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday during a press briefing.

Jaime Rangel was part of the first wave of DACA applicants when the program was created. There was a lot of apprehension about applying, but eventually he submitted his high school transcript and went through a background check to enroll.

“There was just a lot of unknowns and uncertainty, but we went for it because it provided me an opportunity to have some lawful presence in the country,” Rangel said. “It was better than being in the shadows.”

Rangel, who is the regional government relations director for a pro-immigration lobbying group called FWD.us, argues that DACA recipients are in every industry across the U.S. and the nation would feel the effect of an immediate loss of hundreds of thousands of employees.

In his home state of Georgia, there are about 20,000 DACA recipients who contribute $100 million in state and local taxes. DACA recipients contribute more than $1.2 billion a year in federal, state and local taxes,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://itep.org/state-local-tax-contributions-of-young-undocumented-immigrants/">according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy</a>, a nonpartisan tax policy organization.

A DACA recipient for more than a decade, Rangel is now 32 and married to another DACA recipient. They have a 3-year-old son.

“It’s great that we can celebrate 11 years, as DACA recipients, of celebrating our contributions to this country, celebrating all that we have achieved in 11 years. But at the same time, we cannot just stick to celebrating on a program that’s ultimately is going to end and go away,” he said of the Texas court case. “We need Congress to act.”

The closest Congress came to bipartisan immigration reform was in 2013, when the “Gang of Eight,” made up of four Republican and four Democratic senators, crafted a bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. It cleared the Senate, but Republican House Speaker John Boehner never brought it to the floor for a vote.

Despite the fight to keep DACA in place, many immigration policy experts have called the program outdated because there are now thousands of undocumented youth who are not eligible for the program, some because they were not even born yet. To qualify, an undocumented youth needs to have continuingly resided in the U.S. since 2007.

“Congress’ continued inaction has led to multiple court challenges to DACA, which put DACA recipients and DACA-eligible youth in limbo,” Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, the deputy director of federal advocacy for United We Dream, said in a statement.

United We Dream is one of the largest youth immigrant-led advocacy groups.

Macedo do Nascimento said that because the program is outdated, it’s led to more than 100,000 undocumented high school graduates who will not be able to qualify for DACA.

The same federal judge who ruled in 2021 that the program the Obama administration created was illegal — preventing any new applications — continues to preside over the case.

It’s estimated that there are 95,000 applicants that are blocked due to a judge’s order blocking new applicants from being accepted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/data/DACA_performancedata_fy2022_qtr4.pdf">according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data.&nbsp;</a>

In addition, it’s estimated that there are 400,000 eligible undocumented youth who are unable to meet DACA eligibility requirements because they came to the U.S. too recently,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fwd.us/news/daca-anniversary/">according to FWD.us research.</a>

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen initially determined that the program was illegal because the Obama administration failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures when it created the program in 2012 through a memorandum.

The Department of Justice appealed the case, and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans sided with Hanen. But because the Biden administration was putting forth a new DACA regulation to replace the Obama-era memo that was set to go into effect in October, the appeals court decided that the case&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/10/06/daca-ruled-unlawful-by-federal-appeals-court-but-program-continues-for-now/">should be returned to Hanen.&nbsp;</a>

Hanen on June 1 heard oral arguments about whether the Biden administration’s new rule, which is nearly identical to the memo creating DACA, is lawful.

The Obama-era memo is being challenged by nine Republican-led states who argue the White House overreached in creating a program that should have been left to Congress. Those nine states also argue that under the Biden administration, they were harmed financially by incurring costs for DACA recipients’ health care and education.

Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.

This Texas case is not the first time the DACA program has been challenged. In 2017, the Trump administration also tried to end the program. Three years later, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the White House inappropriately ended DACA, keeping it in place.

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Thursday marks the 11th anniversary of a program that was created during the Obama administration to temporarily protect undocumented children from deportation.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, on the 11th Anniversary of DACA, I celebrate the Dreamers who enrich our nation every day, and who deserve lasting stability in the only home they have ever known. Dreamers are Americans — and I want them to know they have an advocate and ally with me in the White House.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1669333352053088256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But congressional inaction and legal challenges have led to more than a decade of limbo for the 600,000 people enrolled, with no end in sight. They are often called “Dreamers,” based on never-passed legislation in Congress called the Dream Act.The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that was meant to be a temporary stopgap is now the only tool that protects those brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. A pending court case out of Texas will determine whether DACA is legal — and what happens next.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I believe wholeheartedly in the American Dream. And I believe in our Dreamers. Today, on the 11th anniversary of DACA, I join Byron, Rex, Juana, and Norma in calling on Congress to provide all Dreamers with permanent protections including a pathway to citizenship. <a href="https://t.co/2MxTvzZzmU">pic.twitter.com/2MxTvzZzmU</a>&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1669343317145051137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s a little bit of a kick in the gut,” Salma Vizcaino Garcia, a 25-year-old DACA recipient who lives in Ellenwood, Georgia, said of the court case.Vizcaino Garcia, who is preparing to apply to medical school, said she and many DACA recipients aren’t hopeful about the outcome of the Texas case. She said she’s focusing her efforts on advocacy, and educating people about the program.She said she hopes that through collective action, enough people will urge state and federal lawmakers to create a permanent pathway to citizenship.“I genuinely am of the opinion, if I was able to talk to every person that was against us, that I could change their minds,” she said. “We’re just regular people. We’re just trying to live our lives.”<h2>Stalled in Congress</h2>For more than two decades, Congress has tried and failed to pass immigration reform.With the current divided Congress, the only&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/05/24/new-bipartisan-immigration-legislation-proposed-in-u-s-house/">recent bipartisan piece</a>&nbsp;of legislation is from six U.S. House lawmakers called the Dignity Act. The bill doesn’t specifically address DACA recipients, but is aimed at creating a legal pathway to citizenship for the estimated more than 11 million undocumented people in the country.If the bill manages to clear the House on a bipartisan vote, it would still need to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The last time Congress passed major immigration legislation was during the Reagan administration in 1986.A case in Texas threatens the legality of the DACA program, prompting immigration advocates and attorneys to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6160a38f44d6a328d59c3e3d/t/64186a9dc39bcd4b2608d743/1679321759261/2023.03.20.PUBLISHED.DED4DACA.LawProf_Letter.pdf">lobby</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration to exert its authority to use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-enforced-departure">Deferred Enforced Departure</a>, which is not a specific immigration status, but allows those covered to be exempt from deportation for a certain period of time.The Texas challenge is likely to reach the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority. A decision likely would come in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/01/29/lengthy-timeline-for-daca-legal-fight-puts-lives-on-hold-for-years/">spring of 2024, or later.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>President Joe Biden issued a DACA statement on Thursday urging Congress to act.“While Vice President Harris and I will continue fighting to pass legislation to protect Dreamers and create a path to citizenship, only Congress can provide permanent and lasting stability for these young people and their families,” Biden said. “Congress must act to protect our Dreamers.”On Thursday evening, the White House is hosting a screening with DACA recipients and immigration advocates of the movie “Flamin’ Hot,” a directorial debut from Latina actress Eva Longoria that tells the legendary origin story of “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos,” a popular snack in the Latino community. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-16/flamin-hot-cheetos-richard-montanez">L.A. Times has debunked the tale</a>, but it’s still a popular rags-to-riches story.“The Biden-Harris administration continues its effort to lift up and engage the Latino community by showcasing their stories and celebrating their contributions to our country,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday during a press briefing.<h2>‘Unknowns and uncertainty’</h2>Jaime Rangel was part of the first wave of DACA applicants when the program was created. There was a lot of apprehension about applying, but eventually he submitted his high school transcript and went through a background check to enroll.“There was just a lot of unknowns and uncertainty, but we went for it because it provided me an opportunity to have some lawful presence in the country,” Rangel said. “It was better than being in the shadows.”Rangel, who is the regional government relations director for a pro-immigration lobbying group called FWD.us, argues that DACA recipients are in every industry across the U.S. and the nation would feel the effect of an immediate loss of hundreds of thousands of employees.In his home state of Georgia, there are about 20,000 DACA recipients who contribute $100 million in state and local taxes. DACA recipients contribute more than $1.2 billion a year in federal, state and local taxes,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://itep.org/state-local-tax-contributions-of-young-undocumented-immigrants/">according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy</a>, a nonpartisan tax policy organization.A DACA recipient for more than a decade, Rangel is now 32 and married to another DACA recipient. They have a 3-year-old son.“It’s great that we can celebrate 11 years, as DACA recipients, of celebrating our contributions to this country, celebrating all that we have achieved in 11 years. But at the same time, we cannot just stick to celebrating on a program that’s ultimately is going to end and go away,” he said of the Texas court case. “We need Congress to act.”The closest Congress came to bipartisan immigration reform was in 2013, when the “Gang of Eight,” made up of four Republican and four Democratic senators, crafted a bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. It cleared the Senate, but Republican House Speaker John Boehner never brought it to the floor for a vote.Despite the fight to keep DACA in place, many immigration policy experts have called the program outdated because there are now thousands of undocumented youth who are not eligible for the program, some because they were not even born yet. To qualify, an undocumented youth needs to have continuingly resided in the U.S. since 2007.“Congress’ continued inaction has led to multiple court challenges to DACA, which put DACA recipients and DACA-eligible youth in limbo,” Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, the deputy director of federal advocacy for United We Dream, said in a statement.United We Dream is one of the largest youth immigrant-led advocacy groups.Macedo do Nascimento said that because the program is outdated, it’s led to more than 100,000 undocumented high school graduates who will not be able to qualify for DACA.<h2>Texas case</h2>The same federal judge who ruled in 2021 that the program the Obama administration created was illegal — preventing any new applications — continues to preside over the case.It’s estimated that there are 95,000 applicants that are blocked due to a judge’s order blocking new applicants from being accepted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/data/DACA_performancedata_fy2022_qtr4.pdf">according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data.&nbsp;</a>In addition, it’s estimated that there are 400,000 eligible undocumented youth who are unable to meet DACA eligibility requirements because they came to the U.S. too recently,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fwd.us/news/daca-anniversary/">according to FWD.us research.</a>U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen initially determined that the program was illegal because the Obama administration failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures when it created the program in 2012 through a memorandum.The Department of Justice appealed the case, and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans sided with Hanen. But because the Biden administration was putting forth a new DACA regulation to replace the Obama-era memo that was set to go into effect in October, the appeals court decided that the case&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/10/06/daca-ruled-unlawful-by-federal-appeals-court-but-program-continues-for-now/">should be returned to Hanen.&nbsp;</a>Hanen on June 1 heard oral arguments about whether the Biden administration’s new rule, which is nearly identical to the memo creating DACA, is lawful.The Obama-era memo is being challenged by nine Republican-led states who argue the White House overreached in creating a program that should have been left to Congress. Those nine states also argue that under the Biden administration, they were harmed financially by incurring costs for DACA recipients’ health care and education.Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.This Texas case is not the first time the DACA program has been challenged. In 2017, the Trump administration also tried to end the program. Three years later, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the White House inappropriately ended DACA, keeping it in place.

‘We’re just trying to live our lives’: DACA hits 11-year mark still mired in the courts

WASHINGTON -&nbsp;U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors deployed to U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility as part of a multifaceted show of U.S. support and capability in the wake of increasingly unsafe and unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft in the region, according to a media release.

The Raptors, from Langley Air Force Base, Va.'s 94th Fighter Squadron, are demonstrating the U.S.' ability to re-posture forces and deliver overwhelming power at a moment's notice.

The F-22's combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance, and mission systems make it the best fifth-generation fighter in the world.

While in the CENTCOM area, the 94th Fighter Squadron will integrate with coalition forces on the ground and in the air.

"Russian Forces' unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what we expect from a professional air force. Their regular violation of agreed upon airspace deconfliction measures increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. "Alongside our partners and allies, we are committed to improving the security and stability in the region."

This rapid deployment and integration into coalition operations is a clear demonstration of the commitment shared by partners, allies, and the U.S. to long-term peace and stability in the region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686857402741.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON -&nbsp;U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors deployed to U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility as part of a multifaceted show of U.S. support and capability in the wake of increasingly unsafe and unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft in the region, according to a media release.The Raptors, from Langley Air Force Base, Va.'s 94th Fighter Squadron, are demonstrating the U.S.' ability to re-posture forces and deliver overwhelming power at a moment's notice.The F-22's combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance, and mission systems make it the best fifth-generation fighter in the world.While in the CENTCOM area, the 94th Fighter Squadron will integrate with coalition forces on the ground and in the air."Russian Forces' unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what we expect from a professional air force. Their regular violation of agreed upon airspace deconfliction measures increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. "Alongside our partners and allies, we are committed to improving the security and stability in the region."This rapid deployment and integration into coalition operations is a clear demonstration of the commitment shared by partners, allies, and the U.S. to long-term peace and stability in the region.

American fighter jets deployed to Middle East amid Russian aircraft activity

WASHINGTON (AP) — Moments after Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">pleaded not guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;that he hoarded classified documents and then conspired to obstruct an investigation about it, the Republicans in Congress had his back.

Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;dashed off a fundraising email decrying the “witch hunt" against the former president and urging donors to sign up and “stand with Trump.”

The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell steered clear of criticizing the former president or assuring the nation justice will be impartial, refusing to engage in questions about the unprecedented indictment.

And at a public meeting in the Capitol basement,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-congress-ed7fb114dbe45d0cd703d8800c21bfa3">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>&nbsp;compared the case against Trump to the federal prosecution of people at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection</a>, suggesting in both instances it was the Justice Department, not the defendants, under scrutiny.

The mounting legal jeopardy Trump finds himself in has quickly become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-republicans-weaponization-23fc661b7c4c1d4070538232f4653f2b">a political rallying cry</a>&nbsp;for the Republicans, many of whom acknowledged they had not fully read the 49-page federal indictment but are rushing to stand by the indicted former president, adopting his grievances against the federal justice system as their own.

It’s an unparalleled example of how Trump has transformed the Republican Party that once embraced “law and order” but is now defending, justifying and explaining away the grave charges he faces with multiple counts of violating the Espionage Act involving some of the country's most sensitive national security secrets.

At the same time, Trump is rewriting the job description of what it means to lead a major American political party. Making another run for the White House, Trump is attacking the bedrock system of U.S. justice that is foundational to democracy and molding an emboldened generation of Republican members of Congress to follow along.

“Stand with Trump,” tweeted Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the fourth-ranking House GOP leader.

“I will be standing right next to President Trump tonight in total support,” tweeted Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama before he dashed to join the former president at his private Bedminster golf club for a campaign event after the federal court hearing.

“I stand by him right now,” said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., outside the Capitol. “Ten toes down.”

Despite two impeachment trials, state charges of hush money payments to porn star, a pair of probes into Trump's efforts to undo the 2020 election and now the deepening federal case over his classified documents, Trump has shown an exaggerated ability to not just withstand legal scrutiny but to thrive off it.

As Trump's defenders in Congress see it, he will be rising politically, precisely because of all the investigations against him. Republicans in Congress are working strenuously to reframe the historic indictment of a former president as an unfair political persecution rather than stark federal charges of wrongdoing.

“I’ve been pretty clear on this all the way through: I think the country is very frustrated, when you don’t feel like there’s equal justice.” McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol.

“This president hasn’t even been out of office for four years, but you’re holding him to a standard you’ve never held anybody else to.”

It's an approach that echoed through the halls.

Republican Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida said the case smacks of a “two-tier” justice system, adding that constituents tell her they “never in a million years would have voted for Trump, but this is insane.”

“A bogus investigation,” said Donalds.

“Political hit job,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who said he did read the whole indictment.

Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio said Trump is merely the “latest victim” of the Justice Department. He announced he would be blocking all DOJ nominees unless the attorney general changes course.

“If Merrick Garland wants to use these officials to harass Joe Biden’s political opponents, we will grind his department to a halt,” Vance said in a statement.

Republicans also see the federal case against Trump as a winning political strategy — a way to motivate aggrieved voters to the polls in 2024 elections, when the House and one-third of the Senate will be up for another term alongside the presidential nominees.

House Republicans were fundraising off the indictment, and the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Richard Hudson, joined Trump on the plane from a campaign rally in Georgia to one in North Carolina over the weekend where the congressman introduced the former president on stage.

“A lot of people are going to vote,” Trump told the Bedminster crowd later Wednesday evening. “They know what we’ve gone through.”

The details of 37 counts against Trump in indictment are vivid. The prosecutors laid out explicit evidence how they allege Trump knowingly stored highly sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then schemed to provide false information to investigators who tried to retrieve the government papers.

Trump could face a potentially lengthy prison sentence, if convicted of the charges.

Some Republicans acknowledge that Trump’s hoarding of the documents — in dozens of boxes in the bathroom, on a ballroom stage and spilled in a storage room – was problematic. Prosecutors said the papers included material about nuclear programs, defense and weapons capabilities, among others, some of the most secret information the U.S. government owns.

Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump should have never stored the documents at his home, but said he suggested there was no real harm done since Trump didn’t appear to give away the documents to China, Saudi Arabia or other countries.

Rubio was more worried the indictment of Trump will “release a fury” across a politically divided nation.

Few voices in Congress dared to publicly raise serious questions, concerns or criticism about Trump’s behavior.

“The real question is, why did he do it?” said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, the only Republican senator who voted twice to convict Trump in the impeachment trials. “Why should the country go through all this angst and turmoil when all he had to do is turn in the documents when asked?”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said of what she’s seen in the indictment, “it looks pretty damning to me.”

About the same time Trump was pleading not guilty to the charges, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was leading a panel discussion with Greene and others about the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump supporters trying to challenge and overturn Biden’s election.

Greene opened her remarks saying it was “heavy on my heart that we’re doing this today."

She compared the two historic moments in U.S. history — "when President Trump was being arraigned all because of the weaponized government that has been weaponized against each of you.”

Trump had encouraged the mob to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and fight for his presidency as Congress was certifying the election won by Biden. Some 1,000 people have been charged by the Justice Department in the Capitol riot, including members of extremist groups convicted of sedition.

Many of those defendants were backing Trump’s claims of a stolen election. But the states certified the results, and experts and judges said the election wasn’t rigged – he just lost. Five people died in the siege of the Capitol, including Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt who was shot and killed by Capitol Police.

Greene and the others draw a through-line between the prosecutions of Jan. 6 attendees and the case against Trump as evidence of a “weaponization” of the justice system.

“It all started on the day, on Jan. 6, when we were just doing our constitutional duty to object” to Biden’s election, the congresswoman said.

Asked afterward if they were trying to rewrite Jan. 6 history, Gaetz a top Trump ally said: “We’re trying to correct history.”

Across the Capitol at his weekly press conference, McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate, declined to use his position to take sides.

Questioned about Trump’s indictment he said: “I’m not going to start commenting on the various candidates we have for president.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Moments after Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">pleaded not guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;that he hoarded classified documents and then conspired to obstruct an investigation about it, the Republicans in Congress had his back.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There is corruption happening at the highest levels within the FBI and DOJ. The law should be applied equally to everyone. <a href="https://t.co/h5hnk4tBDm">pic.twitter.com/h5hnk4tBDm</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1669346676799307778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;dashed off a fundraising email decrying the “witch hunt" against the former president and urging donors to sign up and “stand with Trump.”The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell steered clear of criticizing the former president or assuring the nation justice will be impartial, refusing to engage in questions about the unprecedented indictment.And at a public meeting in the Capitol basement,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-congress-ed7fb114dbe45d0cd703d8800c21bfa3">Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>&nbsp;compared the case against Trump to the federal prosecution of people at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection</a>, suggesting in both instances it was the Justice Department, not the defendants, under scrutiny.The mounting legal jeopardy Trump finds himself in has quickly become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-republicans-weaponization-23fc661b7c4c1d4070538232f4653f2b">a political rallying cry</a>&nbsp;for the Republicans, many of whom acknowledged they had not fully read the 49-page federal indictment but are rushing to stand by the indicted former president, adopting his grievances against the federal justice system as their own.It’s an unparalleled example of how Trump has transformed the Republican Party that once embraced “law and order” but is now defending, justifying and explaining away the grave charges he faces with multiple counts of violating the Espionage Act involving some of the country's most sensitive national security secrets.At the same time, Trump is rewriting the job description of what it means to lead a major American political party. Making another run for the White House, Trump is attacking the bedrock system of U.S. justice that is foundational to democracy and molding an emboldened generation of Republican members of Congress to follow along.“Stand with Trump,” tweeted Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the fourth-ranking House GOP leader.“I will be standing right next to President Trump tonight in total support,” tweeted Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama before he dashed to join the former president at his private Bedminster golf club for a campaign event after the federal court hearing.“I stand by him right now,” said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., outside the Capitol. “Ten toes down.”Despite two impeachment trials, state charges of hush money payments to porn star, a pair of probes into Trump's efforts to undo the 2020 election and now the deepening federal case over his classified documents, Trump has shown an exaggerated ability to not just withstand legal scrutiny but to thrive off it.As Trump's defenders in Congress see it, he will be rising politically, precisely because of all the investigations against him. Republicans in Congress are working strenuously to reframe the historic indictment of a former president as an unfair political persecution rather than stark federal charges of wrongdoing.“I’ve been pretty clear on this all the way through: I think the country is very frustrated, when you don’t feel like there’s equal justice.” McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol.“This president hasn’t even been out of office for four years, but you’re holding him to a standard you’ve never held anybody else to.”It's an approach that echoed through the halls.Republican Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida said the case smacks of a “two-tier” justice system, adding that constituents tell her they “never in a million years would have voted for Trump, but this is insane.”“A bogus investigation,” said Donalds.“Political hit job,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who said he did read the whole indictment.Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio said Trump is merely the “latest victim” of the Justice Department. He announced he would be blocking all DOJ nominees unless the attorney general changes course.“If Merrick Garland wants to use these officials to harass Joe Biden’s political opponents, we will grind his department to a halt,” Vance said in a statement.Republicans also see the federal case against Trump as a winning political strategy — a way to motivate aggrieved voters to the polls in 2024 elections, when the House and one-third of the Senate will be up for another term alongside the presidential nominees.House Republicans were fundraising off the indictment, and the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Richard Hudson, joined Trump on the plane from a campaign rally in Georgia to one in North Carolina over the weekend where the congressman introduced the former president on stage.“A lot of people are going to vote,” Trump told the Bedminster crowd later Wednesday evening. “They know what we’ve gone through.”The details of 37 counts against Trump in indictment are vivid. The prosecutors laid out explicit evidence how they allege Trump knowingly stored highly sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then schemed to provide false information to investigators who tried to retrieve the government papers.Trump could face a potentially lengthy prison sentence, if convicted of the charges.Some Republicans acknowledge that Trump’s hoarding of the documents — in dozens of boxes in the bathroom, on a ballroom stage and spilled in a storage room – was problematic. Prosecutors said the papers included material about nuclear programs, defense and weapons capabilities, among others, some of the most secret information the U.S. government owns.Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Trump should have never stored the documents at his home, but said he suggested there was no real harm done since Trump didn’t appear to give away the documents to China, Saudi Arabia or other countries.Rubio was more worried the indictment of Trump will “release a fury” across a politically divided nation.Few voices in Congress dared to publicly raise serious questions, concerns or criticism about Trump’s behavior.“The real question is, why did he do it?” said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, the only Republican senator who voted twice to convict Trump in the impeachment trials. “Why should the country go through all this angst and turmoil when all he had to do is turn in the documents when asked?”Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said of what she’s seen in the indictment, “it looks pretty damning to me.”About the same time Trump was pleading not guilty to the charges, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was leading a panel discussion with Greene and others about the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump supporters trying to challenge and overturn Biden’s election.Greene opened her remarks saying it was “heavy on my heart that we’re doing this today."She compared the two historic moments in U.S. history — "when President Trump was being arraigned all because of the weaponized government that has been weaponized against each of you.”Trump had encouraged the mob to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and fight for his presidency as Congress was certifying the election won by Biden. Some 1,000 people have been charged by the Justice Department in the Capitol riot, including members of extremist groups convicted of sedition.Many of those defendants were backing Trump’s claims of a stolen election. But the states certified the results, and experts and judges said the election wasn’t rigged – he just lost. Five people died in the siege of the Capitol, including Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt who was shot and killed by Capitol Police.Greene and the others draw a through-line between the prosecutions of Jan. 6 attendees and the case against Trump as evidence of a “weaponization” of the justice system.“It all started on the day, on Jan. 6, when we were just doing our constitutional duty to object” to Biden’s election, the congresswoman said.Asked afterward if they were trying to rewrite Jan. 6 history, Gaetz a top Trump ally said: “We’re trying to correct history.”Across the Capitol at his weekly press conference, McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate, declined to use his position to take sides.Questioned about Trump’s indictment he said: “I’m not going to start commenting on the various candidates we have for president.”___

🎥'Stand with Trump': Republicans amplify attacks on US justice system

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after an investigation.

On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 1800 Block SE 22nd Street and 1100 Block SE 33rd Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrants, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Maria Garcia-Carrillo, 54 years of age, Estefany Rivera Garcia, 23 years of age, Daniel Rivera Ruiz, 19 years of age, and Antonio Arreola, 26 years of age, were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for the following charges:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686773985582.png" alt="Garcia-Carrillo-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Garcia-Carrillo-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug allegations after an investigation.On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 1800 Block SE 22nd Street and 1100 Block SE 33rd Street in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686773812312.png" alt="Rivera-Ruiz-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rivera-Ruiz-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>While conducting the search warrants, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686773928814.png" alt="Rivera-Garcia-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rivera-Garcia-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686774126282.png" alt="Arreola-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Arreola-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result, Maria Garcia-Carrillo, 54 years of age, Estefany Rivera Garcia, 23 years of age, Daniel Rivera Ruiz, 19 years of age, and Antonio Arreola, 26 years of age, were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for the following charges:

Drug bust at Kan. home reveals meth, marijuana and firearms

LOCKWOOD, Mo. (AP) — A man found hiding in a Missouri barn died in an exchange of gunfire with deputies, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday near the small town of Lockwood in southwestern Missouri. Names of the man killed and the deputies involved in the shooting were not immediately released.

Deputies from Barton and Cedar counties responded to a home as part of an investigation of a stolen truck after the homeowner found the vehicle in his barn, according to a news release from the Western Missouri Sheriff's Critical Incident Investigation Team. The truck had been stolen earlier Wednesday in Barton County.

The news release said an armed man was found in the barn, and deputies and the man exchanged gunfire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputies were unhurt.

The incident investigation team is “working to determine the series of events that led up to the shooting,” the release said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686844568828.png" alt="Investigators on the scene photo courtesy KYTV" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene photo courtesy KYTV</figcaption>
 </figure>LOCKWOOD, Mo. (AP) — A man found hiding in a Missouri barn died in an exchange of gunfire with deputies, authorities said.The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday near the small town of Lockwood in southwestern Missouri. Names of the man killed and the deputies involved in the shooting were not immediately released.Deputies from Barton and Cedar counties responded to a home as part of an investigation of a stolen truck after the homeowner found the vehicle in his barn, according to a news release from the Western Missouri Sheriff's Critical Incident Investigation Team. The truck had been stolen earlier Wednesday in Barton County.The news release said an armed man was found in the barn, and deputies and the man exchanged gunfire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputies were unhurt.The incident investigation team is “working to determine the series of events that led up to the shooting,” the release said.

Man dies in gunfight with deputies inside SW Missouri barn

KANSAS CITY —A juvenile was injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

The juvenile was walking in the construction zone next to the #2 lane of southbound Interstate 29, according to Officer Corey Lisle.&nbsp;

Just past the bridge that crosses over NW 72nd Street, a southbound semi truck, struck the juvenile.

 The semi-truck failed to stop and left the scene and continues southbound. EMS transported the juvenile to a local hospital in critical condition.&nbsp; Police have released no additional details as they continue to investigate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686838013146.png" alt="Image KC Scout just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Image KC Scout just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A juvenile was injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.The juvenile was walking in the construction zone next to the #2 lane of southbound Interstate 29, according to Officer Corey Lisle.&nbsp;Just past the bridge that crosses over NW 72nd Street, a southbound semi truck, struck the juvenile. The semi-truck failed to stop and left the scene and continues southbound. EMS transported the juvenile to a local hospital in critical condition.&nbsp; Police have released no additional details as they continue to investigate.

Juvenile struck by semi while walking in KC construction zone

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; multiple car burglaries at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel located at 2033 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka have made an arrest. 

Just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Topeka police investigators identified a vehicle involved in the incident in the 2400 block of SE 25th Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols

 A short time later, officers located the driver, identified as Travis D. Munsell, 33, of Topeka., Munsell was determined to have been involved, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charge that include Possession of stolen property, Burglary; Vehicle to commit felony, theft or sexually motivated crime, Theft and Criminal Use Of A Financial Card.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686773425903.png" alt="Munsell-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Munsell-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; multiple car burglaries at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel located at 2033 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka have made an arrest. Just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Topeka police investigators identified a vehicle involved in the incident in the 2400 block of SE 25th Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols A short time later, officers located the driver, identified as Travis D. Munsell, 33, of Topeka., Munsell was determined to have been involved, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charge that include Possession of stolen property, Burglary; Vehicle to commit felony, theft or sexually motivated crime, Theft and Criminal Use Of A Financial Card.

Kansas man accused of multiple car burglaries at hotel

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has been diagnosed with breast cancer and expects to make a full recovery, she announced Wednesday.

Schmidt said her doctor discovered the disease after a routine mammogram. She plans to continue her work at the Insurance Department and undergo treatment in the coming weeks at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

“I am encouraged by the support of my friends and family, but what I ask is that you schedule your yearly mammogram or encourage the women in your life to do so,” Schmidt said. “While uncomfortable, awkward and let’s be honest, painful, I am proof this preventative procedure can save lives.”

Schmidt, a Republican from Topeka, was reelected to a second four-year term as insurance commissioner in November. The 67-year-old pharmacist previously served in the Kansas Senate from 2005 to 2019.

In a statement released on social media, Schmidt said she has often played a supporting role in Kansans’ fight against cancer through her work as a pharmacist and as insurance commissioner.

“Now that I’m on the other side, their stories, their determination and their strength are the foundation on which I face this fight,” she said.

“I’m not a very good patient,” Schmidt said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686833952101.png" alt="Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt takes the oath of office on Jan. 9, 2023, for her second term. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt takes the oath of office on Jan. 9, 2023, for her second term. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has been diagnosed with breast cancer and expects to make a full recovery, she announced Wednesday.Schmidt said her doctor discovered the disease after a routine mammogram. She plans to continue her work at the Insurance Department and undergo treatment in the coming weeks at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.“I am encouraged by the support of my friends and family, but what I ask is that you schedule your yearly mammogram or encourage the women in your life to do so,” Schmidt said. “While uncomfortable, awkward and let’s be honest, painful, I am proof this preventative procedure can save lives.”Schmidt, a Republican from Topeka, was reelected to a second four-year term as insurance commissioner in November. The 67-year-old pharmacist previously served in the Kansas Senate from 2005 to 2019.In a statement released on social media, Schmidt said she has often played a supporting role in Kansans’ fight against cancer through her work as a pharmacist and as insurance commissioner.“Now that I’m on the other side, their stories, their determination and their strength are the foundation on which I face this fight,” she said.She requested prayers for her husband.“I’m not a very good patient,” Schmidt said.

Kansas insurance commissioner has breast cancer, expects full recovery

MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sexual assault and have made an arrest.

On May 25, police in Paola received information of alleged sexual assault that occurred at the Lake Miola Swim Beach involving a juvenile victim, according to Police Captain Eric Jenkins.

Following an investigation, police on Wednesday arrested 18-year-old Hayden West on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child by the Miami County Attorney's office.&nbsp;

During the investigation, police discovered additional victims. Police want any other potential victims to also come forward and speak to Police Lt. Marc Miller.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686826428712.png" alt="West-photo Paola police" />
 <figcaption>West-photo Paola police</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sexual assault and have made an arrest.On May 25, police in Paola received information of alleged sexual assault that occurred at the Lake Miola Swim Beach involving a juvenile victim, according to Police Captain Eric Jenkins.Following an investigation, police on Wednesday arrested 18-year-old Hayden West on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child by the Miami County Attorney's office.&nbsp;During the investigation, police discovered additional victims. Police want any other potential victims to also come forward and speak to Police Lt. Marc Miller.

Kansas teen charged with child sex crimes at swim beach

COFFEY COUNTY —Two people died during in an accident just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford F150 northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit.

The pickup was reported stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.

The vehicle driven by Trevell D. Moore, 24, Omaha, fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound semi five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.

A 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Keith L. Coffey, 52, Vale, North Carolina, struck the pickup. The pickup continued into the southbound lanes of U.S. 75 and a 2015 Peterbilt semi driven by Logan T.&nbsp;Perrodin, 26, El Dorado Springs, Missouri also struck the pickup and caught fire.

Moore and a passenger in the pickup identified as Gale Wright, Jr., 20, Omaha, were pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Coffey to the hospital in Burlington.&nbsp;Perrodin was not injured.

COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit.

The vehicle, a red Ford F-150, was stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.

The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound commercial vehicle five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.

While passing, the Ford truck was involved in a crash with two commercial vehicles.

As a result of the collision, the driver and passenger of the Ford F-150 were pronounced deceased. There were no injuries reported to either commercial vehicle driver.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene. Authorities released no additional details including names of those who died.

COFFEY COUNTY —Two people died during in an accident just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford F150 northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit.The pickup was reported stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.The vehicle driven by Trevell D. Moore, 24, Omaha, fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound semi five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.A 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Keith L. Coffey, 52, Vale, North Carolina, struck the pickup. The pickup continued into the southbound lanes of U.S. 75 and a 2015 Peterbilt semi driven by Logan T.&nbsp;Perrodin, 26, El Dorado Springs, Missouri also struck the pickup and caught fire.Moore and a passenger in the pickup identified as Gale Wright, Jr., 20, Omaha, were pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Coffey to the hospital in Burlington.&nbsp;Perrodin was not injured.-------------COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle.Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit.The vehicle, a red Ford F-150, was stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound commercial vehicle five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.While passing, the Ford truck was involved in a crash with two commercial vehicles.As a result of the collision, the driver and passenger of the Ford F-150 were pronounced deceased. There were no injuries reported to either commercial vehicle driver.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene. Authorities released no additional details including names of those who died.

KHP IDs carjacking suspects who died in pursuit crash, fire

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as 19-year-old&nbsp;J'rya H. Cockrell.

Just after&nbsp;&nbsp;8:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a home in the 7400 block of College in Kansas City on a reported shooting, according to Officer Corey Carlisle.

Upon arrival officers were directed inside a residence where they located Cockrell suffering from an apparent gun shot wound.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and declared her deceased. Police have a person of interest in custody.&nbsp; Detectives are not actively looking for any additional subjects of interest. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are still being investigated. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process the scene to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses. &nbsp;Police have not released name of the person of interest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686761294461.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as 19-year-old&nbsp;J'rya H. Cockrell.Just after&nbsp;&nbsp;8:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a home in the 7400 block of College in Kansas City on a reported shooting, according to Officer Corey Carlisle.Upon arrival officers were directed inside a residence where they located Cockrell suffering from an apparent gun shot wound.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and declared her deceased. Police have a person of interest in custody.&nbsp; Detectives are not actively looking for any additional subjects of interest. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are still being investigated. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process the scene to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses. &nbsp;Police have not released name of the person of interest.

Police ID woman who died in shooting at Kansas City home

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans passed a resolution that would repeal a Biden administration rule tightening&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-national-rifle-association-us-republican-party-gun-politics-362e5d6dfc78c896b7a376e5368c770b">federal regulations</a>&nbsp;on stabilizing braces for firearms, an accessory that has been used in several mass shootings in the U.S. over the last decade.

The resolution passed 219-210 nearly on party lines and after a contentious floor debate where Republicans accused the administration of “executive overreach” and Democrats condemned a bill they said would “help kill people.” Two Democrats voted in support and two Republicans voted against it.

The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., will now go to the Senate, which could take up the measure as soon as this week. Should it pass, President Joe Biden has promised a veto. Overriding a presidential veto would require two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.

The new rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in January treats guns with the accessories like short-barreled rifles, a weapon that is like a sawed-off shotgun and has been heavily regulated since the 1930s.

The regulation, which went into effect June 1, was one of several steps Biden announced in 2021 after a man using a stabilizing brace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boulder-supermarket-shooting">killed 10 people at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado</a>. A stabilizing brace was also used in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-el-paso-texas-mass-shooting-us-news-ap-top-news-health-165d6dd66e1b46628a0ffdcc4d27c58b">shooting in Dayton, Ohio</a>, that left nine people dead in 2019 and most recently in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-5da45b469ccb6c9533bbddf20c1bfe16">a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee</a>.

Stabilizing braces transform a pistol into a weapon that’s powerful and easy to conceal, Attorney General Merrick Garland said when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-national-rifle-association-us-republican-party-gun-politics-362e5d6dfc78c896b7a376e5368c770b">he announced the rule</a>. Originally developed for disabled veterans, gun-control groups have said the accessories have became a loophole exploited by gunmakers to make weapons more deadly.

Since taking effect earlier this month, the rule requires anyone who has a gun with an arm-stabilizing brace to register the weapon with the federal government and pay a fee, or remove the brace from their weapons.

Republicans employed the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recently enacted executive branch regulations, to try and nullify the new rule that they claim has turned millions of gun owners into felons.

“This rule doesn’t just infringe upon Americans' Second Amendment liberties. It represents a dangerous government overreach by the administration,” Clyde said during debate Tuesday. “Congress maintains sole legislative authority, not government agencies, not the executive branch.”

Several lawsuits have been filed against the regulations by gun owners and state attorneys general. They say it violates Second Amendment protections by requiring millions of people to alter or register their weapons. In some cases, judges have recently agreed to temporarily block enforcement of the rule for the plaintiffs in a setback for the Biden administration.

House Democrats defended the rule on Tuesday, saying it could save lives.

“How many more mass shootings need to happen, how many more kids need to die before my Republican colleagues pull their heads out of the sand and realize that the NRA money is not worth the damage that’s been done to our country,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

The main sponsor for the measure, Clyde, is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and the owner of a gun store in his district in Georgia. His proposal to overturn the ATF rule first came to the House Judiciary Committee in late March for markup. But House Republicans postponed debate of the measure after a gunman used a weapon with a stabilizing brace to fatally shoot three children and three adults at an elementary school in Nashville, Tenn.

Last week, Clyde claimed GOP leadership had blocked his resolution from reaching the floor as retribution for his no vote on a bipartisan agreement to lift the debt ceiling, which leaders denied.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he and Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP's chief vote-counter, had been working intensely to ensure enough support to pass the legislation in the narrowly divided House.

“We’ve been moving people every week on this bill,” Scalise said. “It has not been easy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686790900641.png" alt="The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., will now go to the Senate, which could take up the measure as soon as this week. courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., will now go to the Senate, which could take up the measure as soon as this week. courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans passed a resolution that would repeal a Biden administration rule tightening&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-national-rifle-association-us-republican-party-gun-politics-362e5d6dfc78c896b7a376e5368c770b">federal regulations</a>&nbsp;on stabilizing braces for firearms, an accessory that has been used in several mass shootings in the U.S. over the last decade.The resolution passed 219-210 nearly on party lines and after a contentious floor debate where Republicans accused the administration of “executive overreach” and Democrats condemned a bill they said would “help kill people.” Two Democrats voted in support and two Republicans voted against it.The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., will now go to the Senate, which could take up the measure as soon as this week. Should it pass, President Joe Biden has promised a veto. Overriding a presidential veto would require two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.The new rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in January treats guns with the accessories like short-barreled rifles, a weapon that is like a sawed-off shotgun and has been heavily regulated since the 1930s.The regulation, which went into effect June 1, was one of several steps Biden announced in 2021 after a man using a stabilizing brace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boulder-supermarket-shooting">killed 10 people at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado</a>. A stabilizing brace was also used in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-el-paso-texas-mass-shooting-us-news-ap-top-news-health-165d6dd66e1b46628a0ffdcc4d27c58b">shooting in Dayton, Ohio</a>, that left nine people dead in 2019 and most recently in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-5da45b469ccb6c9533bbddf20c1bfe16">a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee</a>.Stabilizing braces transform a pistol into a weapon that’s powerful and easy to conceal, Attorney General Merrick Garland said when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-national-rifle-association-us-republican-party-gun-politics-362e5d6dfc78c896b7a376e5368c770b">he announced the rule</a>. Originally developed for disabled veterans, gun-control groups have said the accessories have became a loophole exploited by gunmakers to make weapons more deadly.Since taking effect earlier this month, the rule requires anyone who has a gun with an arm-stabilizing brace to register the weapon with the federal government and pay a fee, or remove the brace from their weapons.Republicans employed the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recently enacted executive branch regulations, to try and nullify the new rule that they claim has turned millions of gun owners into felons.“This rule doesn’t just infringe upon Americans' Second Amendment liberties. It represents a dangerous government overreach by the administration,” Clyde said during debate Tuesday. “Congress maintains sole legislative authority, not government agencies, not the executive branch.”Several lawsuits have been filed against the regulations by gun owners and state attorneys general. They say it violates Second Amendment protections by requiring millions of people to alter or register their weapons. In some cases, judges have recently agreed to temporarily block enforcement of the rule for the plaintiffs in a setback for the Biden administration.House Democrats defended the rule on Tuesday, saying it could save lives.“How many more mass shootings need to happen, how many more kids need to die before my Republican colleagues pull their heads out of the sand and realize that the NRA money is not worth the damage that’s been done to our country,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.The main sponsor for the measure, Clyde, is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and the owner of a gun store in his district in Georgia. His proposal to overturn the ATF rule first came to the House Judiciary Committee in late March for markup. But House Republicans postponed debate of the measure after a gunman used a weapon with a stabilizing brace to fatally shoot three children and three adults at an elementary school in Nashville, Tenn.Last week, Clyde claimed GOP leadership had blocked his resolution from reaching the floor as retribution for his no vote on a bipartisan agreement to lift the debt ceiling, which leaders denied.House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he and Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP's chief vote-counter, had been working intensely to ensure enough support to pass the legislation in the narrowly divided House.“We’ve been moving people every week on this bill,” Scalise said. “It has not been easy.”

House passes resolution to overturn controversial gun regulation

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for allegedly driving under the influence and one who was involved in an accident with a police officer.

Just after 2a.m. Wednesday, a Traffic Officer was investigating a suspected DUI at West and University in Wichita when his vehicle was rear ended by another suspected DUI, according to a media release.

 Both the initial DUI involving Ruben D. Roble and the driver identified as Dallas Marques Ligons that rear-ended the police car&nbsp; were arrested on multiple traffic allegations.

The Police vehicle had significant damage and had to be towed from the scene.  There were no injuries involved during the crash.&nbsp;

Roble was arrested on requested charge of: DRIVING UNDER THE INFL
OF DRUGS/ALCOHOL; 1ST CONV;COMPETENT EVIDENCE OF BLOOD/BREATH .08+ and driving without a license, according to police booking records.

Ligons was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;DRIVING
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS/ALC; 1ST CONV; INCAPABLE OF SAFELY Driving, Driving while suspended and VEHICLE
LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED, according to police booking records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686760168415.png" alt="Roble-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Roble-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for allegedly driving under the influence and one who was involved in an accident with a police officer.(click below to watch)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F769454641534515%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Just after 2a.m. Wednesday, a Traffic Officer was investigating a suspected DUI at West and University in Wichita when his vehicle was rear ended by another suspected DUI, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686760234186.png" alt="Ligons-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ligons-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure> Both the initial DUI involving Ruben D. Roble and the driver identified as Dallas Marques Ligons that rear-ended the police car&nbsp; were arrested on multiple traffic allegations.The Police vehicle had significant damage and had to be towed from the scene. There were no injuries involved during the crash.&nbsp;Roble was arrested on requested charge of: DRIVING UNDER THE INFL
OF DRUGS/ALCOHOL; 1ST CONV;COMPETENT EVIDENCE OF BLOOD/BREATH .08+ and driving without a license, according to police booking records.Ligons was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;DRIVING
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS/ALC; 1ST CONV; INCAPABLE OF SAFELY Driving, Driving while suspended and VEHICLE
LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED, according to police booking records.

🎥 While pulling over DUI suspect, Kan. officer rear-ended by another DUI suspect

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas man is back on jail again for alleged stalking.

On Tuesday, police arrested 34-year-old&nbsp;Howard L. Hooper IV of Atchison on a District Court warrant for stalking and violation of a protective order, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In December of 2020, Hooper was jailed on requested charges of stalking, harassment by phone and violation of a protection order, according to online jail records.&nbsp; 

Hooper has been in custody over two dozen times since 2007 and convicted for stalking, criminal threat and violation of a protection order, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686750068282.png" alt="Hooper-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Hooper-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas man is back on jail again for alleged stalking.On Tuesday, police arrested 34-year-old&nbsp;Howard L. Hooper IV of Atchison on a District Court warrant for stalking and violation of a protective order, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.In December of 2020, Hooper was jailed on requested charges of stalking, harassment by phone and violation of a protection order, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Hooper has been in custody over two dozen times since 2007 and convicted for stalking, criminal threat and violation of a protection order, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas man convicted of stalking is accused of it again

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The parents of a 6-year-old girl who drowned at a popular Kansas City water park last year allege in a lawsuit that the park repeatedly hires young, inexperienced lifeguards and does not adequately train them.

Therron and Debra Stewart, of Grandview, Missouri, filed the lawsuit against Oceans of Fun and its parent company, Cedar Fair. Their daughter, Adeline Stewart,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-b70e96c29e3d51f0edd17c56fc6cd319">died at a Kansas City hospital</a>&nbsp;days after she was pulled from the Coconut Cove pool on July 5, 2022, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article276384826.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

Brian McGannon, a spokesman for the park, said Wednesday the company does not respond to pending litigation.

Lawyers for the family say in the lawsuit that pool lifeguards did not detect Adeline for several minutes, even while park patrons made “frantic attempts” to get their attention.

After she was pulled from the pool, the lifeguards were not equipped to give her first aid, according to the lawsuit.

After Adeline's death, the water park made some changes to improve safety, including increasing height requirements for wearing life jackets in the pool, and requiring children shorter than 3½ feet (1.07 meters) to be accompanied by a supervisor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657644313184.png" alt="First responders on the scene at the park in August 0f 2022-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene at the park in August 0f 2022-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The parents of a 6-year-old girl who drowned at a popular Kansas City water park last year allege in a lawsuit that the park repeatedly hires young, inexperienced lifeguards and does not adequately train them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686775643941.png" alt="Adeline Stewart photo courtesy Cooley-Marcom and Harvey" />
 <figcaption>Adeline Stewart photo courtesy Cooley-Marcom and Harvey</figcaption>
 </figure>Therron and Debra Stewart, of Grandview, Missouri, filed the lawsuit against Oceans of Fun and its parent company, Cedar Fair. Their daughter, Adeline Stewart,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-b70e96c29e3d51f0edd17c56fc6cd319">died at a Kansas City hospital</a>&nbsp;days after she was pulled from the Coconut Cove pool on July 5, 2022, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article276384826.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.Brian McGannon, a spokesman for the park, said Wednesday the company does not respond to pending litigation.Lawyers for the family say in the lawsuit that pool lifeguards did not detect Adeline for several minutes, even while park patrons made “frantic attempts” to get their attention.After she was pulled from the pool, the lifeguards were not equipped to give her first aid, according to the lawsuit.The Stewarts are seeking a jury trial.After Adeline's death, the water park made some changes to improve safety, including increasing height requirements for wearing life jackets in the pool, and requiring children shorter than 3½ feet (1.07 meters) to be accompanied by a supervisor.

Parents of girl who drowned at Oceans of Fun file lawsuit

SEDGWICK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) announced that their newly formed task force, the Joint Fentanyl Impact Team (JFIT), made its first major seizure of fentanyl pills, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 12:30p.m. Monday, a JFIT investigation into suspicious activity led to the seizure of an estimated 25,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, commonly referred to as “dirty 30s.” The pills are suspected to contain fentanyl, and in total weighed approximately 11 ½ pounds. The seizure occurred near the intersection of Central and Oliver, in Wichita.

A 27-year-old male from Wichita was detained and questioned for being in possession of the pills. He was later arrested on outstanding warrants and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Charges related to the fentanyl seizure are pending. The investigation is ongoing.

“Pills containing fentanyl, like those taken off the streets this week, are causing extreme harm to our communities,” said KBI Director Mattivi. “This seizure will likely prevent many poisoning deaths, but we still have much work to do.”

“I have made clear that the resources and energy of the KBI will be focused on the fentanyl threat. This seizure is a result of that focus, in cooperation with KHP,” said Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. “This is a significant victory for Kansas law enforcement in the battle against fentanyl. We will continue to escalate our efforts in the months ahead.”

JFIT was formed in June as the enforcement component of Attorney General Kris Kobach’s strategy to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths. The objective of the JFIT is to identify and disrupt fentanyl trafficking and distribution networks, and remove this deadly drug from Kansas streets. The team is comprised of KBI special agents and KHP troopers experienced in complex narcotics investigations. Team members are embedded alongside KBI agents operating across the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686770906639.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) announced that their newly formed task force, the Joint Fentanyl Impact Team (JFIT), made its first major seizure of fentanyl pills, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 12:30p.m. Monday, a JFIT investigation into suspicious activity led to the seizure of an estimated 25,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, commonly referred to as “dirty 30s.” The pills are suspected to contain fentanyl, and in total weighed approximately 11 ½ pounds. The seizure occurred near the intersection of Central and Oliver, in Wichita.A 27-year-old male from Wichita was detained and questioned for being in possession of the pills. He was later arrested on outstanding warrants and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Charges related to the fentanyl seizure are pending. The investigation is ongoing.“Pills containing fentanyl, like those taken off the streets this week, are causing extreme harm to our communities,” said KBI Director Mattivi. “This seizure will likely prevent many poisoning deaths, but we still have much work to do.”“I have made clear that the resources and energy of the KBI will be focused on the fentanyl threat. This seizure is a result of that focus, in cooperation with KHP,” said Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. “This is a significant victory for Kansas law enforcement in the battle against fentanyl. We will continue to escalate our efforts in the months ahead.”JFIT was formed in June as the enforcement component of Attorney General Kris Kobach’s strategy to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths. The objective of the JFIT is to identify and disrupt fentanyl trafficking and distribution networks, and remove this deadly drug from Kansas streets. The team is comprised of KBI special agents and KHP troopers experienced in complex narcotics investigations. Team members are embedded alongside KBI agents operating across the state.

KBI, KHP task force seizes 25K fentanyl-laced pills

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday after having raised it 10 straight times to combat high inflation. But in a surprise move, the Fed signaled that it may raise rates twice more this year, beginning as soon as next month.

The Fed’s move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.1%, its highest level in 16 years, suggests that it believes the much higher borrowing rates it’s engineered have made some progress in taming inflation. But top Fed officials want to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rates-inflation-federal-reserve-hike-pause-71a4d82e338437a599eef8427b98894f">take time to more fully assess</a>&nbsp;how their rate hikes have affected inflation and the economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday after having raised it 10 straight times to combat high inflation. But in a surprise move, the Fed signaled that it may raise rates twice more this year, beginning as soon as next month.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fed Chair Powell: &quot;In light of how far we&#39;ve come in tightening policy, the uncertain lags with which monetary policy affects the economy and potential headwinds from credit tightening, today we decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FOMC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FOMC</a> <a href="https://t.co/XYDbWk7gb7">pic.twitter.com/XYDbWk7gb7</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1669052448881664010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Fed’s move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.1%, its highest level in 16 years, suggests that it believes the much higher borrowing rates it’s engineered have made some progress in taming inflation. But top Fed officials want to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rates-inflation-federal-reserve-hike-pause-71a4d82e338437a599eef8427b98894f">take time to more fully assess</a>&nbsp;how their rate hikes have affected inflation and the economy.The central bank’s 18 policymakers envision raising their key rate by an additional half-point this year, to about 5.6%, according to economic forecasts they issued Wednesday.The economic projections revealed a more hawkish Fed than many analysts had expected. Twelve of the 18 policymakers forecast at least two more quarter-point rate increases. Four supported a quarter-point increase. Only two envisioned keeping rates unchanged. The policymakers also predicted that their benchmark rate will stay higher for longer than they did three months ago.“We understand the hardship that high inflation is causing, and we remain strongly committed to bring inflation back down to our 2% goal," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. "The process of getting inflation down is going to be a gradual one — it’s going to take some time.”Still, Powell stopped short of saying the Fed's policymakers have committed to resuming their rate hikes when they next meet in late July.One reason why the officials may be predicting additional rate hikes is that they foresee a modestly healthier economy and more persistent inflation that might require higher rates to cool. Their updated forecasts show them predicting economic growth of 1% for 2023, an upgrade from a meager 0.4% forecast in March. And they expect “core” inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, of 3.9% by year’s end, higher than they expected three months ago.At his news conference, Powell made clear that the Fed still regards the still-robust job market and the wage growth that has accompanied it as contributing to high inflation. At the same time, he expressed optimism that lower apartment rental costs, among other items, may help slow inflation in the coming months. He stressed that the Fed wants to see an inflation slowdown actually materialize before holding off on further rate hikes.“We want to see inflation coming down decisively,” he said.Immediately after the Fed's announcement, which followed its latest policy meeting, stocks sank and Treasury yields surged. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which tends to track market expectations for future Fed actions, jumped from 4.62% to 4.77%.The Fed’s aggressive streak of rate hikes, which have made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rate-hike-pause-consumers-d44a6f58eb03ec5edeff78294a167053">mortgages, auto loans, credit cards</a>&nbsp;and business borrowing costlier, have been intended to slow spending and defeat the worst bout of inflation in four decades. Average credit card rates have surpassed 20% to a record high.The central bank’s rate hikes have coincided with a steady drop in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-4c0ea8315ab90c1b832ef6fa67dc0c7a">consumer inflation</a>, from a peak of 9.1% last June to 4% as of May. But core inflation remains chronically high.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-4c0ea8315ab90c1b832ef6fa67dc0c7a">Core inflation</a>&nbsp;clocked in at 5.3% in May compared with 12 months earlier, well above the Fed’s 2% target.Powell and other top policymakers have also indicated that they want to assess how much a pullback in bank lending might be weakening the economy. Banks have been slowing their lending — and demand for loans has fallen — as interest rates have risen. Some analysts have expressed concern that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/first-republic-bank-silicon-valley-fdic-5ab48702b7136d42f73ac13e0a20955d">the collapse of three large banks</a>&nbsp;last spring could cause nervous lenders to sharply tighten their loan qualifications.The Fed has raised its benchmark rate by a substantial 5 percentage points since March of last year — the fastest pace of increases in 40 years. “Skipping” a rate hike now might have been the most effective way for Powell to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-hikes-recession-130884fbb44313b567096efc33bf00a9">unite a fractious policymaking committee</a>.The 18 members of the committee have appeared divided between those who favor one or two more rate hikes and those who would like to leave the Fed’s key rate where it is for at least a few months and see whether inflation further moderates. This group is concerned that hiking too aggressively would heighten the risk of causing a deep recession.In an encouraging sign, inflation data that the government issued this week showed that most of the rise in core prices reflected high rents and used car prices. Those costs are expected to ease later this year.Wholesale used car prices, for example, fell in May, raising the prospect that retail prices will follow suit. And rents are expected to ease in the coming months as new leases are signed with milder price increases. Those lower prices, though, will take time to feed into the government’s measure.The economy has so far fared better than the central bank and most economists had expected at the beginning of the year. Companies are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-e1ec3c376117935a0d85e466e3a20af4">still hiring at a robust pace</a>, which has helped encourage many people to keep spending, particularly on travel, dining out and entertainment.