DENVER (AP) — A judge sentenced a woman convicted of killing her 11-year-old stepson in Colorado and dumping his body over a bridge in Florida to life in prison without parole on Monday, calling her claim that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stepson-stepmother-killing-colorado-suitcase-florida-aa2e46edd072ccd98036479f8644e490">she was insane</a>&nbsp;and that one of her other personalities killed him a disservice to those who are mentally ill.

Earlier in the day, jurors found Letecia Stauch guilty of first-degree murder and other charges she faced in Gannon Stauch’s killing over three years ago. Prosecutors said she stabbed Gannon 18 times as he tried to fight her off before hitting him in the head and then shooting him once.

Prosecutors claimed Stauch killed the boy in January 2020 because she hated him and wanted to hurt his father, Al Stauch, whom she planned to leave and who was away on a National Guard deployment at the time. They said she then put his body in a suitcase and drove over 1,300 miles with it in a rented van.

Authorities arrested Stauch in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 2, 2022. She was held in the Saline County, Kansas jail on her return to Colorado.

Judge Gregory Werner said Stauch was also motivated by “hatred and jealousy” of Gannon’s mother, Landen Bullard, and resentful of being left to take care of Gannon and his younger sister.

Unlike other defendants with mental health problems, Werner said Stauch was never surprised by what her alleged other personality did but instead took conscious steps to cover up her actions.

“There is no time during the minutes, hours and days following the murder where Letecia came out and wondered 'Gee, why am I carrying a body around a body in my luggage?' That just isn't credible," he said.

Al Stauch broke down in court while addressing Gannon, saying he would never would have thought he was leaving him with his “murderer." Both he and Bullard recalled how their severely premature son weighed about a pound and a half when he was born, able to fit into the palms of his dad’s hands, but proved to be a survivor.

“You came into this world fighting. Unfortunately, you left this world fighting,” Bullard said.

Stauch did not deny killing Gannon, but she pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense argued that she killed Gannon during a “psychotic break" caused by trauma from being physically, emotionally and sexually abused during her childhood.

Experts at the state mental hospital concluded that Stauch had a personality disorder with borderline and narcissistic features but was sane at the time Gannon was killed. Under Colorado law, that means understanding the difference between right and wrong and being able to form the intent to commit a crime.

The main defense witness, Dr. Dorothy Lewis, author of the book “Crazy, Not Insane” and featured in an HBO documentary with the same title, concluded Stauch suffered from dissociative identity disorder — when someone has two or more personalities as the result of trauma — and was not sane at the time Gannon was killed.

In the weeks leading up to Gannon's killing, Stauch was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder after she was referred to a psychologist while being treated military health clinic. Therapist Ronda Niederhauser testified that Stauch did not show any signs of being a threat to herself or others and was aware of her surroundings.

Authorities believe Stauch killed Gannon in his bedroom a few hours before reporting him missing on Jan. 27, 2020, saying he had not come home from playing with friends. Dozens of volunteers helped search for the boy in the area around where the family lived near Colorado Springs. However, investigators later revealed that Stauch concocted a variety of stories to mislead them, including that a man she hired to repair a carpet raped her and then abducted Gannon.

After Al Stauch became suspicious of his wife, he allowed the FBI to listen in on his phone calls with Stauch, trying to draw out more information from her about where Gannon was. Hours of audio from those calls along with video recordings of interviews with Stauch about her mental health were a prominent part of the evidence offered during the five-week trial.

Gannon’s body was found in a suitcase below a bridge on the Florida Pandhandle during an inspection done twice a year in what prosecutors called “divine intervention.”

Stauch was convicted of first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree murder of a child by a person in a position of trust, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.

She did not appear to show any reaction to the verdict as it was read, sitting at the defense table between her two lawyers, or as Al Stauch, Bullard and others spoke to the judge about how Gannon's killing had hurt them.

Prosecutors claimed Stauch killed the boy in January 2020 because she hated him and wanted to hurt his father, Al Stauch, whom she planned to leave and who was away on a National Guard deployment at the time. They said she then put his body in a suitcase and drove over 1,300 miles with it in a rented van.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583419148723.jpeg" alt="After her March 2020 arrest in South Carolina, Letecia Stauch was held in the Saline County jail on her return to Colorado -Photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>After her March 2020 arrest in South Carolina, Letecia Stauch was held in the Saline County jail on her return to Colorado -Photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A judge sentenced a woman convicted of killing her 11-year-old stepson in Colorado and dumping his body over a bridge in Florida to life in prison without parole on Monday, calling her claim that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stepson-stepmother-killing-colorado-suitcase-florida-aa2e46edd072ccd98036479f8644e490">she was insane</a>&nbsp;and that one of her other personalities killed him a disservice to those who are mentally ill.Earlier in the day, jurors found Letecia Stauch guilty of first-degree murder and other charges she faced in Gannon Stauch’s killing over three years ago. Prosecutors said she stabbed Gannon 18 times as he tried to fight her off before hitting him in the head and then shooting him once.Prosecutors claimed Stauch killed the boy in January 2020 because she hated him and wanted to hurt his father, Al Stauch, whom she planned to leave and who was away on a National Guard deployment at the time. They said she then put his body in a suitcase and drove over 1,300 miles with it in a rented van.Authorities arrested Stauch in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 2, 2022. She was held in the Saline County, Kansas jail on her return to Colorado.Judge Gregory Werner said Stauch was also motivated by “hatred and jealousy” of Gannon’s mother, Landen Bullard, and resentful of being left to take care of Gannon and his younger sister.Unlike other defendants with mental health problems, Werner said Stauch was never surprised by what her alleged other personality did but instead took conscious steps to cover up her actions.“There is no time during the minutes, hours and days following the murder where Letecia came out and wondered 'Gee, why am I carrying a body around a body in my luggage?' That just isn't credible," he said.Al Stauch broke down in court while addressing Gannon, saying he would never would have thought he was leaving him with his “murderer." Both he and Bullard recalled how their severely premature son weighed about a pound and a half when he was born, able to fit into the palms of his dad’s hands, but proved to be a survivor.“You came into this world fighting. Unfortunately, you left this world fighting,” Bullard said.Stauch did not deny killing Gannon, but she pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense argued that she killed Gannon during a “psychotic break" caused by trauma from being physically, emotionally and sexually abused during her childhood.Experts at the state mental hospital concluded that Stauch had a personality disorder with borderline and narcissistic features but was sane at the time Gannon was killed. Under Colorado law, that means understanding the difference between right and wrong and being able to form the intent to commit a crime.The main defense witness, Dr. Dorothy Lewis, author of the book “Crazy, Not Insane” and featured in an HBO documentary with the same title, concluded Stauch suffered from dissociative identity disorder — when someone has two or more personalities as the result of trauma — and was not sane at the time Gannon was killed.In the weeks leading up to Gannon's killing, Stauch was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder after she was referred to a psychologist while being treated military health clinic. Therapist Ronda Niederhauser testified that Stauch did not show any signs of being a threat to herself or others and was aware of her surroundings.Authorities believe Stauch killed Gannon in his bedroom a few hours before reporting him missing on Jan. 27, 2020, saying he had not come home from playing with friends. Dozens of volunteers helped search for the boy in the area around where the family lived near Colorado Springs. However, investigators later revealed that Stauch concocted a variety of stories to mislead them, including that a man she hired to repair a carpet raped her and then abducted Gannon.After Al Stauch became suspicious of his wife, he allowed the FBI to listen in on his phone calls with Stauch, trying to draw out more information from her about where Gannon was. Hours of audio from those calls along with video recordings of interviews with Stauch about her mental health were a prominent part of the evidence offered during the five-week trial.Gannon’s body was found in a suitcase below a bridge on the Florida Pandhandle during an inspection done twice a year in what prosecutors called “divine intervention.”Stauch was convicted of first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree murder of a child by a person in a position of trust, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.She did not appear to show any reaction to the verdict as it was read, sitting at the defense table between her two lawyers, or as Al Stauch, Bullard and others spoke to the judge about how Gannon's killing had hurt them.-----------------DENVER (AP) — A judge sentenced a woman convicted of killing her 11-year-old stepson in Colorado and dumping his body over a bridge in Florida to life in prison without parole on Monday, calling her claim that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stepson-stepmother-killing-colorado-suitcase-florida-aa2e46edd072ccd98036479f8644e490">she was insane</a>&nbsp;and that one of her other personalities killed him a disservice to those who are mentally ill.Earlier in the day, jurors found Letecia Stauch guilty of first-degree murder and other charges she faced in Gannon Stauch’s killing over three years ago. Prosecutors said she stabbed Gannon 18 times as he tried to fight her off before hitting him in the head and then shooting him once.Prosecutors claimed Stauch killed the boy in January 2020 because she hated him and wanted to hurt his father, Al Stauch, whom she planned to leave and who was away on a National Guard deployment at the time. They said she then put his body in a suitcase and drove over 1,300 miles with it in a rented van.&nbsp;Authorities arrested Stauch in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 2, 2022. She was held in the Saline County, Kansas jail on her return to Colorado.Judge Gregory Werner said Stauch was also motivated by “hatred and jealousy” of Gannon’s mother, Landen Bullard, and resentful of being left to take care of Gannon and his younger sister.Unlike other defendants with mental health problems, Werner said Stauch was never surprised by what her alleged other personality did but instead took conscious steps to cover up her actions.“There is no time during the minutes, hours and days following the murder where Letecia came out and wondered 'Gee, why am I carrying a body around a body in my luggage?' That just isn't credible," he said.Al Stauch broke down in court while addressing Gannon, saying he would never would have thought he was leaving him with his “murderer." Both he and Bullard recalled how their severely premature son weighed about a pound and a half when he was born, able to fit into the palms of his dad’s hands, but proved to be a survivor.“You came into this world fighting. Unfortunately, you left this world fighting,” Bullard said.Stauch did not deny killing Gannon, but she pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense argued that she killed Gannon during a “psychotic break" caused by trauma from being physically, emotionally and sexually abused during her childhood.Experts at the state mental hospital concluded that Stauch had a personality disorder with borderline and narcissistic features but was sane at the time Gannon was killed. Under Colorado law, that means understanding the difference between right and wrong and being able to form the intent to commit a crime.The main defense witness, Dr. Dorothy Lewis, author of the book “Crazy, Not Insane” and featured in an HBO documentary with the same title, concluded Stauch suffered from dissociative identity disorder — when someone has two or more personalities as the result of trauma — and was not sane at the time Gannon was killed.In the weeks leading up to Gannon's killing, Stauch was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder after she was referred to a psychologist while being treated military health clinic. Therapist Ronda Niederhauser testified that Stauch did not show any signs of being a threat to herself or others and was aware of her surroundings.Authorities believe Stauch killed Gannon in his bedroom a few hours before reporting him missing on Jan. 27, 2020, saying he had not come home from playing with friends. Dozens of volunteers helped search for the boy in the area around where the family lived near Colorado Springs. However, investigators later revealed that Stauch concocted a variety of stories to mislead them, including that a man she hired to repair a carpet raped her and then abducted Gannon.After Al Stauch became suspicious of his wife, he allowed the FBI to listen in on his phone calls with Stauch, trying to draw out more information from her about where Gannon was. Hours of audio from those calls along with video recordings of interviews with Stauch about her mental health were a prominent part of the evidence offered during the five-week trial.Gannon’s body was found in a suitcase below a bridge on the Florida Pandhandle during an inspection done twice a year in what prosecutors called “divine intervention.”Stauch was convicted of first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree murder of a child by a person in a position of trust, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.She did not appear to show any reaction to the verdict as it was read, sitting at the defense table between her two lawyers, or as Al Stauch, Bullard and others spoke to the judge about how Gannon's killing had hurt them.

Woman briefly held in Kan. jail sentenced for killing stepson 

FRANKLIN COUNTY—Law enforcement officers in Franklin County Kansas had an interesting traffic stop.

On May 5, deputies were notified of a possible intoxicated driver traveling northbound on Interstate 35, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's office. 

A deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on a driver wearing a beer can costume. 

The driver was eventually placed under arrest on a requested charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and transported to the Franklin County Jail.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683587104112.png" alt="Photo Franklin County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Franklin County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FRANKLIN COUNTY—Law enforcement officers in Franklin County Kansas had an interesting traffic stop.On May 5, deputies were notified of a possible intoxicated driver traveling northbound on Interstate 35, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's office. A deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on a driver wearing a beer can costume. The driver was eventually placed under arrest on a requested charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and transported to the Franklin County Jail.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff: Kan. man wearing beer can costume accused of DUI

LINN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Monday in Linn County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Dodge Dakota driven by Jody N. Russell, 67, Mound City, was southbound on Kansas 7 one mile north of Mound City. The driver failed to negotiate a curve and the pickup struck a tree head-on.

Russell was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

LINN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Monday in Linn County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Dodge Dakota driven by Jody N. Russell, 67, Mound City, was southbound on Kansas 7 one mile north of Mound City. The driver failed to negotiate a curve and the pickup struck a tree head-on.Russell was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after pickup strikes a tree head-on

NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp;_&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office located the body of missing 23-year-old Dakota A. Patton, and arrested two subjects connected to his death, according to a media release from the KBI.

On Monday, May 8 around 11:40 a.m., deputies from the Labette County Sheriff’s Office and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office were searching an area northeast of Parsons in rural Neosho County. They discovered Patton’s remains in a field near 20th&nbsp;Road and Xavier Road.

The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area. They collected evidence and determined Patton died from an apparent gunshot wound.

Arrest warrants for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder were secured for Clint W. Nibarger, 32, of Parsons, and Kimberly J. Thomas, 47, of Parsons.&nbsp;

At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, Thomas was observed leaving a residence in Hollister, Missouri when she was arrested by the Taney County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the Taney County Sheriff’s Office then arrested Nibarger at the same residence at around 6:30 p.m.

Nibarger and Thomas were booked into the Taney County Jail.

LABETTE COUNTY — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office continue their search for Dakota A. Patton, the 23-year-old man who was last seen the evening of April 25, in Parsons, Kansas. Foul play is suspected in Patton’s disappearance, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance on April 27, after Patton’s vehicle was located abandoned in a field in rural Labette County. Patton was also reported missing on April 27.

Patton is a white male. He is 5 feet- 11, weighs around 230 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes, and facial hair. Patton was likely wearing blue jeans, a grey sweatshirt and boots.

KBI agents believe Patton may have last been in an area along the Neosho River,&nbsp; between 20th Road and Wallace Road and 60th Road and Wallace Road. 

Investigators ask fisherman, hunters, farmers, and hikers who frequent this area to report anything suspicious they encounter that may be connected to Patton’s disappearance.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Dakota Patton, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Labette County Sheriff’s Office at 620-795-2565. Anonymous tips can be made online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683598458148.png" alt="Thomas-photo Taney Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Taney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp;_&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office located the body of missing 23-year-old Dakota A. Patton, and arrested two subjects connected to his death, according to a media release from the KBI.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683326201347.png" alt="Image KBI" />
 <figcaption>Image KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, May 8 around 11:40 a.m., deputies from the Labette County Sheriff’s Office and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office were searching an area northeast of Parsons in rural Neosho County. They discovered Patton’s remains in a field near 20th&nbsp;Road and Xavier Road.The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area. They collected evidence and determined Patton died from an apparent gunshot wound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683627777629.png" alt="Nibarger-photo Taney Co." />
 <figcaption>Nibarger-photo Taney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Arrest warrants for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder were secured for Clint W. Nibarger, 32, of Parsons, and Kimberly J. Thomas, 47, of Parsons.&nbsp;At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, Thomas was observed leaving a residence in Hollister, Missouri when she was arrested by the Taney County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the Taney County Sheriff’s Office then arrested Nibarger at the same residence at around 6:30 p.m.Nibarger and Thomas were booked into the Taney County Jail.---------------LABETTE COUNTY — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Labette County Sheriff’s Office continue their search for Dakota A. Patton, the 23-year-old man who was last seen the evening of April 25, in Parsons, Kansas. Foul play is suspected in Patton’s disappearance, according to a media release from the KBI.The Labette County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance on April 27, after Patton’s vehicle was located abandoned in a field in rural Labette County. Patton was also reported missing on April 27.Patton is a white male. He is 5 feet- 11, weighs around 230 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes, and facial hair. Patton was likely wearing blue jeans, a grey sweatshirt and boots.KBI agents believe Patton may have last been in an area along the Neosho River,&nbsp; between 20th Road and Wallace Road and 60th Road and Wallace Road. Investigators ask fisherman, hunters, farmers, and hikers who frequent this area to report anything suspicious they encounter that may be connected to Patton’s disappearance.If you have any information about the disappearance of Dakota Patton, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME, or the Labette County Sheriff’s Office at 620-795-2565. Anonymous tips can be made online at https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

KBI: Body of missing Kansas man located, 2 jailed in Missouri

ALLEN, Texas — Officials have have positively identified the victims killed in&nbsp; the Dallas-area mall shooting on Sunday. They include a 3-year-old boy and two grade-school girls.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, "it is with great sorrow that we share this information. Each of these individuals were members of our North Texas community and their loss is felt with heavy hearts. No agency will release the name of anyone under 18 or victims who are injured."

The victims are 11-year-old girl, Sachse, Texas

Kyu Song Cho, male, age 37, Dallas, Texas

Cindy&nbsp;Cho, female, age 35, Dallas, Texas

Christian LaCour, male, age 20, Nevada, Texas

 Elio Cumana-Rivas, male, age 32, Dallas, Texas

Aishwarya Thatikonda, female, age 26, McKinney, Texas.

Several verified funds have been established to support victims’ families. <a href="https://www.cityofallen.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5028&amp;fbclid=IwAR1bVBXta2-vYy8ZcOmdfPqXuJSq0hTUFITLQXQHPQW-k9rqWIKj5Gxp_ck">Click here for details</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683592555152.png" alt="A memorial outside the Allen Premium Outlet Mall-Photo Allen, Texas Police" />
 <figcaption>A memorial outside the Allen Premium Outlet Mall-Photo Allen, Texas Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ALLEN, Texas — Officials have have positively identified the victims killed in&nbsp; the Dallas-area mall shooting on Sunday. They include a 3-year-old boy and two grade-school girls.According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, "it is with great sorrow that we share this information. Each of these individuals were members of our North Texas community and their loss is felt with heavy hearts. No agency will release the name of anyone under 18 or victims who are injured."The victims are 11-year-old girl, Sachse, Texas8-year-old girl Sachse, Texas3-year-old boy Dallas, TexasKyu Song Cho, male, age 37, Dallas, TexasCindy&nbsp;Cho, female, age 35, Dallas, TexasChristian LaCour, male, age 20, Nevada, Texas Elio Cumana-Rivas, male, age 32, Dallas, TexasAishwarya Thatikonda, female, age 26, McKinney, Texas.Several verified funds have been established to support victims’ families. <a href="https://www.cityofallen.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5028&amp;fbclid=IwAR1bVBXta2-vYy8ZcOmdfPqXuJSq0hTUFITLQXQHPQW-k9rqWIKj5Gxp_ck">Click here for details</a>

Officials ID victims killed in Texas mall shooting

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man is under investigation after a violent incident on Interstate 70 just east of the N. Ohio Street exit Sunday afternoon.

Jeremiah John Bastin, 40, of Salina, was driving westbound on I-70 with his wife and three children when he and his wife allegedly got into an argument,&nbsp; according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. 

While the vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 mph, Bastin allegedly pushed his wife out of the car. She was caught in the seatbelt and drug along for a while, Soldan said.

Bastin then stopped the car and allegedly made his wife's two children, an 11-year-old girl and a nine-year-old girl, get out of the car and left them on the shoulder of the interstate, taking off with his two-year-old son, Soldan said.

The incident, which was witnessed by several people, occurred at approximately 4:57 p.m. Sunday just east of the N. Ohio Street exit.

Bastin was later found and taken into custody at his residence in the 1900 block of Haskett Avenue in Salina on requested charges of Aggravated battery and Aggravated endangering a child.

The woman sustained road rash, but otherwise was not injured, Soldan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683550281665.jpeg" alt="Jeremiah John Bastin-photo&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Jeremiah John Bastin-photo&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man is under investigation after a violent incident on Interstate 70 just east of the N. Ohio Street exit Sunday afternoon.Jeremiah John Bastin, 40, of Salina, was driving westbound on I-70 with his wife and three children when he and his wife allegedly got into an argument,&nbsp; according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. While the vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 mph, Bastin allegedly pushed his wife out of the car. She was caught in the seatbelt and drug along for a while, Soldan said.Bastin then stopped the car and allegedly made his wife's two children, an 11-year-old girl and a nine-year-old girl, get out of the car and left them on the shoulder of the interstate, taking off with his two-year-old son, Soldan said.The incident, which was witnessed by several people, occurred at approximately 4:57 p.m. Sunday just east of the N. Ohio Street exit.Bastin was later found and taken into custody at his residence in the 1900 block of Haskett Avenue in Salina on requested charges of Aggravated battery and Aggravated endangering a child.The woman sustained road rash, but otherwise was not injured, Soldan said.

Kan. man allegedly shoved wife from car traveling on I-70

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 6-year-old girl.

Just after 9:00 pm. on Sunday, police in the 100 Block S. Mt. Carmel when they heard several gunshots nearby, according to Officer Kris Guplian

Officers located a crime scene and found the 6-year-old victim with non-life-threatening injuries. EMS transported her to a local hospital for treatment.

The investigation revealed a maroon color vehicle drove by and fired several rounds at the residence. The victim was struck with shrapnel in her right arm while inside the residence. Investigators have a person of interest they are speaking to, and this was not a random incident.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a 6-year-old girl.Just after 9:00 pm. on Sunday, police in the 100 Block S. Mt. Carmel when they heard several gunshots nearby, according to Officer Kris GuplianOfficers located a crime scene and found the 6-year-old victim with non-life-threatening injuries. EMS transported her to a local hospital for treatment.The investigation revealed a maroon color vehicle drove by and fired several rounds at the residence. The victim was struck with shrapnel in her right arm while inside the residence. Investigators have a person of interest they are speaking to, and this was not a random incident.

Police: 6-year-old Kan. girl injured after drive-by shooting

SUMNER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a crash that left a Kansas man dead.

Just before 8am. Sunday, Wellington officers and Fire/EMS responded to the westside of Woods Park in the 1100 block West 4th street, regarding a vehicle being submerged in Slate Creek, according to Police Chief Tracy Heath. A Wellington citizen had alerted Sumner E911.

First responders entered the water and subsequently removed a man later identified as 42-year-old Ralph Lee Pingry of Wellington from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Heath.

Strickland Tow Service removed the black 2014 Ford Mustang from the water.&nbsp; Officers suspect the vehicle was westbound through Woods Park at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the car. It left the roadway struck a metal post and flipped upside down when entering the water.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683583052253.png" alt="The car left the roadway struck a metal post and flipped upside down when entering the creek -Google image" />
 <figcaption>The car left the roadway struck a metal post and flipped upside down when entering the creek -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a crash that left a Kansas man dead.Just before 8am. Sunday, Wellington officers and Fire/EMS responded to the westside of Woods Park in the 1100 block West 4th street, regarding a vehicle being submerged in Slate Creek, according to Police Chief Tracy Heath. A Wellington citizen had alerted Sumner E911.First responders entered the water and subsequently removed a man later identified as 42-year-old Ralph Lee Pingry of Wellington from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Heath.Strickland Tow Service removed the black 2014 Ford Mustang from the water.&nbsp; Officers suspect the vehicle was westbound through Woods Park at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the car. It left the roadway struck a metal post and flipped upside down when entering the water.

Fatal crash: Car flipped upside down into Kansas creek

DICKINSON COUNTY –&nbsp; On Monday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Herington man on a warrant, according to a media release from the agency.

Russell L. Thomas, 61, of Herington, was arrested on requested charges that include three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and misdemeanor battery.

The arrest occurred at 9:50 a.m. at 434 Union Road in Herington, Kansas, according to the KBI.&nbsp;Thomas is a middle school science teacher at Herington USD 487,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heringtonschools.org/staff?search=Thomas">according to the district web site.</a>

Agents arrested Thomas in April for aggravated intimidation of a witness connected to the investigation. He was released after bond was posted.

Following Monday’s arrest, Thomas was booked into the Dickinson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681400869626.png" alt="Thomas-photo Dickinson Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Dickinson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY –&nbsp; On Monday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Herington man on a warrant, according to a media release from the agency.Russell L. Thomas, 61, of Herington, was arrested on requested charges that include three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and misdemeanor battery.The arrest occurred at 9:50 a.m. at 434 Union Road in Herington, Kansas, according to the KBI.&nbsp;Thomas is a middle school science teacher at Herington USD 487,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heringtonschools.org/staff?search=Thomas">according to the district web site.</a>Agents arrested Thomas in April for aggravated intimidation of a witness connected to the investigation. He was released after bond was posted.Following Monday’s arrest, Thomas was booked into the Dickinson County Jail.

Kansas teacher now accused of child sex crime

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a scam that led to a woman losing $200,000 last week, according to the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff.

A man called the victim saying her cyber security service had expired. He spoofed the phone number of the cyber security company the victim actually used and knew her account information. 

The victim reported the scammer did not sound like he was from the United States.

The victim allowed the scammer remote access to her computer. The scammer said he would refund her $1,500 for her security service subscription, but he accidentally sent the money twice. 

He asked the victim to return the money to him via a Bitcoin kiosk in Liberty. Over the course of several days, he continued to say he was working on her computer and requesting the victim make deposits at various Bitcoin kiosks. The victim soon discovered $200,000 was missing from her bank accounts.

The sheriff's office provided some tips to avoid being a victim:

* Never allow anyone to access your computer remotely unless you have initiated the interaction with a member of a trusted business or organization.

* If something seems suspicious, call the company directly before providing any information or access.

* Do not provide information about financial accounts over the phone on a call you did not initiate.

* Legitimate businesses will not request payment via Bitcoin kiosk, gift card or similar unconventional methods. They also won’t “accidentally” deposit too much money in your account.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a scam that led to a woman losing $200,000 last week, according to the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff.A man called the victim saying her cyber security service had expired. He spoofed the phone number of the cyber security company the victim actually used and knew her account information. The victim reported the scammer did not sound like he was from the United States.The victim allowed the scammer remote access to her computer. The scammer said he would refund her $1,500 for her security service subscription, but he accidentally sent the money twice. He asked the victim to return the money to him via a Bitcoin kiosk in Liberty. Over the course of several days, he continued to say he was working on her computer and requesting the victim make deposits at various Bitcoin kiosks. The victim soon discovered $200,000 was missing from her bank accounts.The sheriff's office provided some tips to avoid being a victim:* Never allow anyone to access your computer remotely unless you have initiated the interaction with a member of a trusted business or organization.* If something seems suspicious, call the company directly before providing any information or access.* Do not provide information about financial accounts over the phone on a call you did not initiate.* Legitimate businesses will not request payment via Bitcoin kiosk, gift card or similar unconventional methods. They also won’t “accidentally” deposit too much money in your account.

Sheriff: KC-area woman lost $200,000 in cyber security scam

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices are staying slightly above the $3 a gallon mark, depending on where you are in the Sunflower State, says Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.

"I think the fear of a global economic recession is leading to some of these falling prices we're seeing at the pumps," Steward said. "Crude oil dropped in the middle of last week to about $66 a barrel, which is pretty low for what we've seen recently. I see today, we're back up to about $73 dollars per barrel on the global market."

"There's lots of oil market volatility, as we've seen throughout much of this year," Steward said. "In the past week or so, we saw sort of a pre-summer driving season lull in domestic gasoline demand. Maybe people are just kind of saving up until the kids get out of school. We should be seeing a pretty robust summer driving season starting soon."

It's also important to note that summer blend gasoline is more expensive to produce than winter blend and that factors like an additional ethanol percentage in those cars that can use it, like flex fuel vehicles, can have an impact.

"The summer blend gasoline should be out in the market now, which does typically raise the price of gas a little bit," Steward said. "Ethanol is able to put a little bit of a limit on the price at the pumps. It does have some effect of keeping costs down. That's one thing for drivers and something that we can expect going forward."&nbsp;

The Environmental Protection Agency&nbsp;(EPA)&nbsp;has granted Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy9FMTUtTGV0dGVyLTAzLjMwLjIzLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA1MDMuNzYxNzE5NjEifQ.O0UpSwiHwJdFzwzDkwcCxqu5Ebcwj-Py6UM2uAk-7Ys/s/2958202315/br/174611144107-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;request to allow the sale of E15 products</a>&nbsp;– gasoline blended with 15%&nbsp;ethanol&nbsp;– during the summer months&nbsp;through&nbsp;an emergency waiver.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683569425684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices are staying slightly above the $3 a gallon mark, depending on where you are in the Sunflower State, says Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas."I think the fear of a global economic recession is leading to some of these falling prices we're seeing at the pumps," Steward said. "Crude oil dropped in the middle of last week to about $66 a barrel, which is pretty low for what we've seen recently. I see today, we're back up to about $73 dollars per barrel on the global market.""There's lots of oil market volatility, as we've seen throughout much of this year," Steward said. "In the past week or so, we saw sort of a pre-summer driving season lull in domestic gasoline demand. Maybe people are just kind of saving up until the kids get out of school. We should be seeing a pretty robust summer driving season starting soon."It's also important to note that summer blend gasoline is more expensive to produce than winter blend and that factors like an additional ethanol percentage in those cars that can use it, like flex fuel vehicles, can have an impact."The summer blend gasoline should be out in the market now, which does typically raise the price of gas a little bit," Steward said. "Ethanol is able to put a little bit of a limit on the price at the pumps. It does have some effect of keeping costs down. That's one thing for drivers and something that we can expect going forward."&nbsp;The Environmental Protection Agency&nbsp;(EPA)&nbsp;has granted Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy9FMTUtTGV0dGVyLTAzLjMwLjIzLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA1MDMuNzYxNzE5NjEifQ.O0UpSwiHwJdFzwzDkwcCxqu5Ebcwj-Py6UM2uAk-7Ys/s/2958202315/br/174611144107-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;request to allow the sale of E15 products</a>&nbsp;– gasoline blended with 15%&nbsp;ethanol&nbsp;– during the summer months&nbsp;through&nbsp;an emergency waiver.&nbsp; &nbsp;

AAA: Gas prices still well below last year

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-interest-rate-hikes-recession-aba096229d327d8abeb4bc13d85d1b2b">raised its key interest rate</a>&nbsp;yet again in its drive to cool inflation, a move that will directly affect most Americans.

On Wednesday, the central bank boosted its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to 5.1%. Rates on credit cards, mortgages and auto loans, which have been surging since the Fed began raising rates last year, all stand to rise even more. The result will be more burdensome loan costs for both consumers and businesses.

On the other hand, many banks are now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rate-banks-saving-high-yield-cd-e44a5c704006035187a2c487a8817dd6">offering higher rates on savings accounts</a>, giving savers the opportunity to earn more interest.

Economists worry, though, that the Fed’s streak of 10 rate hikes since March 2022 could eventually cause the economy to slow too much and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recession-gdp-economy-inflation-interest-rates-growth-b6276997368000bdd2bb12bdcf34f3b8">cause a recession</a>.

The short answer: inflation. Inflation has been slowing in recent months, but it's still high. Measured over a year earlier, consumer prices were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-recession-prices-d933973089cce63f07cceb6da1e5dbc9">up 5% in March</a>, down sharply from February’s 6% year-over-year increase.

The Fed’s goal is to slow consumer spending, thereby reducing demand for homes, cars and other goods and services, eventually cooling the economy and lowering prices.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has acknowledged in the past that aggressively raising rates would bring “some pain” for households but said that doing so is necessary to crush high inflation.

Anyone borrowing money to make a large purchase, such as a home, car or large appliance, will likely take a hit. The new rate will also increase monthly payments and costs for any consumer who is already paying interest on credit card debt.

“Consumers should focus on building up emergency savings and paying down debt,” said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst. “Even if this proves to be the final Fed rate hike, interest rates are still high and will remain that way.”

Even before the Fed’s latest move,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-credit-card-debt-interest-rates-a2e1d35cb957153058d188652570c48e">credit card borrowing</a>&nbsp;had reached the highest level since 1996, according to Bankrate.com.

The most recent data available showed that 46% of people were carrying debt from month to month, up from 39% a year ago. Total credit card balances were $986 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the Fed, a record high, though that amount isn’t adjusted for inflation.

For those who don’t qualify for low-rate credit cards because of weak credit scores, the higher interest rates are already affecting their balances.

HOW WILL AN INCREASE AFFECT CREDIT CARD RATES?

The Fed doesn’t directly dictate how much interest you pay on your&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-0a536993ce494fc8d6fe2c5d637da5b5">credit card debt</a>. But the Fed’s rate is the basis for your bank’s prime rate. In combination with other factors, such as your credit score, the prime rate helps determine the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, on your credit card.

The latest increase will likely raise the APR on your credit card 0.25%. So, if you have a 20.9% rate, which is the average according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/">the Fed's data</a>, it might increase to 21.15%.

If you don’t carry a balance from month to month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rates-credit-cards-a1a5c342b60b63f45d1a700798b70b3a">the APR is less important</a>.

But suppose you have a $4,000 credit balance and your interest rate is 20%. If you made only a fixed payment of $110 per month, it would take you a bit under five years to pay off your credit card debt, and you would pay about $2,200 in interest.

If your APR increased by a percentage point, paying off your balance would take two months longer and cost an additional $215.

After years of paying low rates for savers, some banks are finally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rate-banks-saving-high-yield-cd-e44a5c704006035187a2c487a8817dd6">offering better interest on deposits</a>. Though the increases may seem small, compounding interest adds up over the years.

Interest on savings accounts doesn't always track what the Fed does. But as rates have continued to rise, some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-savings-cds-money-markets-deposits-08cde0e6bb4263c9194fa6544851a78f">banks have improved their terms</a>&nbsp;for savers as well. Even if you’re only keeping modest savings in your bank account, you could make more significant gains over the long term by finding an account with a better rate.

While the biggest national banks have yet to dramatically change the rates on their savings accounts (clocking in at an average of just 0.23%, according to Bankrate), some mid-size and smaller banks have made changes more in line with the Fed’s moves.

Online banks in particular — which save money by not having brick-and-mortar branches and associated expenses — are now offering savings accounts with annual percentage yields of between 3% and 4%, or even higher, as well as 4% or higher on one-year Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Some promotional rates can reach as high as 5%.

Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-interest-home-loan-real-estate-6357ce36e617f387fb99679b6060f6a9">mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported</a>&nbsp;that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage edged up to 6.43% from 6.39% the week prior. A year ago, the average rate was lower: 5.10%. Higher rates can add hundreds of dollars a month to mortgage payments.

Rates for 30-year mortgages usually track the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield. Rates can also be influenced by investors’ expectations for future inflation, global demand for U.S. Treasuries and what the Fed does.

Most mortgages last for decades, so if you already have a mortgage, you won't be impacted. But if you're looking to buy and already paying more for food, gas and other necessities, a higher mortgage rate could put home ownership out of reach.

With shortages of computer chips and other parts easing, automakers are producing more vehicles. Many are even reducing prices or offering limited discounts. But rising loan rates and lower used-vehicle trade-in values have erased much of the savings on monthly payments.

Since the Fed began raising rates in March 2022, the average new-vehicle loan rate has jumped from 4.5% to 7%, according to Edmunds data. Used vehicle loans dropped slightly to 11.1%. Loan durations average around 70 months — nearly six years — for new and used vehicles.

Largely because of rate increases, the average monthly payment for both new and used vehicles has risen since March 2022, Edmunds says. The average new vehicle payment is up $72 to $729, Edmunds says. For used vehicles, the payment rose $20 a month to $546.

The higher rates will keep out of the market people who have the ability to wait for more favorable terms, said Joseph Yoon, Edmunds’ consumer insights analyst.

“But with inventory levels improving, it’s a matter of time before discounts and incentives start coming back into the equation," attracting more buyers, Yoon said.

New vehicle average prices are down from the end of last year to $47,749. But they're still high compared with even a year ago. The average used vehicle price dropped 7% from last May's peak, to $28,729, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/used-cars-prices-new-vehicles-supply-522266dc94e089859f6eb393a4a786e1">prices are edging back up</a>.

Financing a new vehicle now costs $8,655 in interest. Analysts say that's enough to chase many out of the auto market.

Any Fed rate increase is typically passed through to auto borrowers, though it will be offset a bit by subsidized rates from manufacturers.

The nation’s employers kept hiring in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-40add7d390eca72a0294c8d5c80b2dd6">adding a healthy 236,000 jobs</a>. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, just above the 53-year low of 3.4% set in January. At the same time, the report from the Labor Department suggested a slowdown, with pay growth also easing.

Some economists argue that layoffs could help slow rising prices, and that a tight labor market fuels wage growth and higher inflation.

Economists expect the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-employment-labor-31bb6127bb22135711bee3834f47e4be">unemployment rate to go up</a>&nbsp;to 3.6% in April, a slight increase from January's half-century low of 3.4%.

Borrowers who take out new private student loans should prepare to pay more as as rates increase. The current range for federal loans is between about 5% and 7.5%.

That said,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-scotus-what-to-know-06a8ac6187fb39b2edc2cf5a379c22c0">payments on federal student loans</a>&nbsp;are suspended with zero interest until summer 2023 as part of an emergency measure put in place early in the pandemic. President Joe Biden has also announced some loan forgiveness, of up to $10,000 for most borrowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients — a policy that’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-case-explained-8c62622e87c4ebff995f971263d932fc">now being challenged in the courts.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587780450451.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-interest-rate-hikes-recession-aba096229d327d8abeb4bc13d85d1b2b">raised its key interest rate</a>&nbsp;yet again in its drive to cool inflation, a move that will directly affect most Americans.On Wednesday, the central bank boosted its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to 5.1%. Rates on credit cards, mortgages and auto loans, which have been surging since the Fed began raising rates last year, all stand to rise even more. The result will be more burdensome loan costs for both consumers and businesses.On the other hand, many banks are now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rate-banks-saving-high-yield-cd-e44a5c704006035187a2c487a8817dd6">offering higher rates on savings accounts</a>, giving savers the opportunity to earn more interest.Economists worry, though, that the Fed’s streak of 10 rate hikes since March 2022 could eventually cause the economy to slow too much and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recession-gdp-economy-inflation-interest-rates-growth-b6276997368000bdd2bb12bdcf34f3b8">cause a recession</a>.Here’s what to know:WHAT’S PROMPTING THE RATE INCREASES?The short answer: inflation. Inflation has been slowing in recent months, but it's still high. Measured over a year earlier, consumer prices were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-recession-prices-d933973089cce63f07cceb6da1e5dbc9">up 5% in March</a>, down sharply from February’s 6% year-over-year increase.The Fed’s goal is to slow consumer spending, thereby reducing demand for homes, cars and other goods and services, eventually cooling the economy and lowering prices.Fed Chair Jerome Powell has acknowledged in the past that aggressively raising rates would bring “some pain” for households but said that doing so is necessary to crush high inflation.WHO IS MOST AFFECTED?Anyone borrowing money to make a large purchase, such as a home, car or large appliance, will likely take a hit. The new rate will also increase monthly payments and costs for any consumer who is already paying interest on credit card debt.“Consumers should focus on building up emergency savings and paying down debt,” said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst. “Even if this proves to be the final Fed rate hike, interest rates are still high and will remain that way.”WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH CREDIT CARDS?Even before the Fed’s latest move,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-credit-card-debt-interest-rates-a2e1d35cb957153058d188652570c48e">credit card borrowing</a>&nbsp;had reached the highest level since 1996, according to Bankrate.com.The most recent data available showed that 46% of people were carrying debt from month to month, up from 39% a year ago. Total credit card balances were $986 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the Fed, a record high, though that amount isn’t adjusted for inflation.For those who don’t qualify for low-rate credit cards because of weak credit scores, the higher interest rates are already affecting their balances.HOW WILL AN INCREASE AFFECT CREDIT CARD RATES?The Fed doesn’t directly dictate how much interest you pay on your&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-0a536993ce494fc8d6fe2c5d637da5b5">credit card debt</a>. But the Fed’s rate is the basis for your bank’s prime rate. In combination with other factors, such as your credit score, the prime rate helps determine the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, on your credit card.The latest increase will likely raise the APR on your credit card 0.25%. So, if you have a 20.9% rate, which is the average according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/">the Fed's data</a>, it might increase to 21.15%.If you don’t carry a balance from month to month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rates-credit-cards-a1a5c342b60b63f45d1a700798b70b3a">the APR is less important</a>.But suppose you have a $4,000 credit balance and your interest rate is 20%. If you made only a fixed payment of $110 per month, it would take you a bit under five years to pay off your credit card debt, and you would pay about $2,200 in interest.If your APR increased by a percentage point, paying off your balance would take two months longer and cost an additional $215.WHAT IF I HAVE MONEY TO SAVE?After years of paying low rates for savers, some banks are finally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rate-banks-saving-high-yield-cd-e44a5c704006035187a2c487a8817dd6">offering better interest on deposits</a>. Though the increases may seem small, compounding interest adds up over the years.Interest on savings accounts doesn't always track what the Fed does. But as rates have continued to rise, some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-savings-cds-money-markets-deposits-08cde0e6bb4263c9194fa6544851a78f">banks have improved their terms</a>&nbsp;for savers as well. Even if you’re only keeping modest savings in your bank account, you could make more significant gains over the long term by finding an account with a better rate.While the biggest national banks have yet to dramatically change the rates on their savings accounts (clocking in at an average of just 0.23%, according to Bankrate), some mid-size and smaller banks have made changes more in line with the Fed’s moves.Online banks in particular — which save money by not having brick-and-mortar branches and associated expenses — are now offering savings accounts with annual percentage yields of between 3% and 4%, or even higher, as well as 4% or higher on one-year Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Some promotional rates can reach as high as 5%.WILL THIS AFFECT HOME OWNERSHIP?Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-interest-home-loan-real-estate-6357ce36e617f387fb99679b6060f6a9">mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported</a>&nbsp;that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage edged up to 6.43% from 6.39% the week prior. A year ago, the average rate was lower: 5.10%. Higher rates can add hundreds of dollars a month to mortgage payments.Rates for 30-year mortgages usually track the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield. Rates can also be influenced by investors’ expectations for future inflation, global demand for U.S. Treasuries and what the Fed does.Most mortgages last for decades, so if you already have a mortgage, you won't be impacted. But if you're looking to buy and already paying more for food, gas and other necessities, a higher mortgage rate could put home ownership out of reach.WHAT IF I WANT TO BUY A CAR?With shortages of computer chips and other parts easing, automakers are producing more vehicles. Many are even reducing prices or offering limited discounts. But rising loan rates and lower used-vehicle trade-in values have erased much of the savings on monthly payments.Since the Fed began raising rates in March 2022, the average new-vehicle loan rate has jumped from 4.5% to 7%, according to Edmunds data. Used vehicle loans dropped slightly to 11.1%. Loan durations average around 70 months — nearly six years — for new and used vehicles.Largely because of rate increases, the average monthly payment for both new and used vehicles has risen since March 2022, Edmunds says. The average new vehicle payment is up $72 to $729, Edmunds says. For used vehicles, the payment rose $20 a month to $546.The higher rates will keep out of the market people who have the ability to wait for more favorable terms, said Joseph Yoon, Edmunds’ consumer insights analyst.“But with inventory levels improving, it’s a matter of time before discounts and incentives start coming back into the equation," attracting more buyers, Yoon said.New vehicle average prices are down from the end of last year to $47,749. But they're still high compared with even a year ago. The average used vehicle price dropped 7% from last May's peak, to $28,729, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/used-cars-prices-new-vehicles-supply-522266dc94e089859f6eb393a4a786e1">prices are edging back up</a>.Financing a new vehicle now costs $8,655 in interest. Analysts say that's enough to chase many out of the auto market.Any Fed rate increase is typically passed through to auto borrowers, though it will be offset a bit by subsidized rates from manufacturers.WHAT ABOUT MY JOB?The nation’s employers kept hiring in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-40add7d390eca72a0294c8d5c80b2dd6">adding a healthy 236,000 jobs</a>. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, just above the 53-year low of 3.4% set in January. At the same time, the report from the Labor Department suggested a slowdown, with pay growth also easing.Some economists argue that layoffs could help slow rising prices, and that a tight labor market fuels wage growth and higher inflation.Economists expect the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-employment-labor-31bb6127bb22135711bee3834f47e4be">unemployment rate to go up</a>&nbsp;to 3.6% in April, a slight increase from January's half-century low of 3.4%.WILL THIS AFFECT STUDENT LOANS?Borrowers who take out new private student loans should prepare to pay more as as rates increase. The current range for federal loans is between about 5% and 7.5%.That said,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-scotus-what-to-know-06a8ac6187fb39b2edc2cf5a379c22c0">payments on federal student loans</a>&nbsp;are suspended with zero interest until summer 2023 as part of an emergency measure put in place early in the pandemic. President Joe Biden has also announced some loan forgiveness, of up to $10,000 for most borrowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients — a policy that’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-case-explained-8c62622e87c4ebff995f971263d932fc">now being challenged in the courts.</a>___

How the interest rate increase could affect credit card debt, auto loans

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement arrested a Salina man following an incident at a local gentlemen's club early Saturday morning.

Just before 2a.m. Saturday, deputies were sent to the Shady Lady, 1540 W. Old Highway 40 after a report of people being shot, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. First responders found near the entrance a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old man with gunshot wounds.

Both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center before one was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and the other to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Soldan said.

A third shooting victim who also had been near the entrance, a 23-year-old man, had already been dropped off at Salina Regional Health Center. by his friend, Dyeon Presley, 23, of Salina.&nbsp;

Sheriff's office personnel believed&nbsp; Presley was the shooter..

"Apparently the bouncers were trying to get people out of the club at the end of the night. Somebody bumped into his Presley's girlfriend who was with him and said something that he took offense to, and they exchanged words and he just started shooting at him at the front door of the club," Soldan said.&nbsp; The weapon was a 9mm handgun, he said.

The 25-year-old and the 31-year-old were next to a bouncer when they were shot, Soldan said.

Later on Saturday morning, deputies served a search warrant at Presley's residence in the 2200 block of Roach Street to look for evidence in the case. After they had secured the residence and had begun searching it, Presley showed up on the porch looking for his girlfriend, Soldan said.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Presley on requested charges of Three counts of attempted murder, Aggravated assault, Criminal damage to property and Criminal discharge of a firearm in an occupied building, according to Soldan.&nbsp; &nbsp;The 23-year-old shooting victim was treated and released at Salina Regional, according to Soldan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683464320993.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Presley-Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Presley-Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement arrested a Salina man following an incident at a local gentlemen's club early Saturday morning.Just before 2a.m. Saturday, deputies were sent to the Shady Lady, 1540 W. Old Highway 40 after a report of people being shot, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. First responders found near the entrance a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old man with gunshot wounds.Both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center before one was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and the other to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Soldan said.A third shooting victim who also had been near the entrance, a 23-year-old man, had already been dropped off at Salina Regional Health Center. by his friend, Dyeon Presley, 23, of Salina.&nbsp;Sheriff's office personnel believed&nbsp; Presley was the shooter.."Apparently the bouncers were trying to get people out of the club at the end of the night. Somebody bumped into his Presley's girlfriend who was with him and said something that he took offense to, and they exchanged words and he just started shooting at him at the front door of the club," Soldan said.&nbsp; The weapon was a 9mm handgun, he said.The 25-year-old and the 31-year-old were next to a bouncer when they were shot, Soldan said.Later on Saturday morning, deputies served a search warrant at Presley's residence in the 2200 block of Roach Street to look for evidence in the case. After they had secured the residence and had begun searching it, Presley showed up on the porch looking for his girlfriend, Soldan said.Sheriff's deputies arrested Presley on requested charges of Three counts of attempted murder, Aggravated assault, Criminal damage to property and Criminal discharge of a firearm in an occupied building, according to Soldan.&nbsp; &nbsp;The 23-year-old shooting victim was treated and released at Salina Regional, according to Soldan.

 Sheriff: Man shot 3 at Kansas gentlemen's club 

LAFAYETTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Sunday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge 1500 driven by Sarah M. Dunn, 28, Moundsville, West Virginia, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Concordia exit.

The driver lost control of the pickup when the attached trailer began to fishtail.

The pickup traveled off the sough side of the road, rolled&nbsp; and a passenger identified as Kayla E. Opicka, 29, Fort Riley, was partially ejected.&nbsp;&nbsp;

First responders pronounced her dead at the scene. EMS transported Dunn to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Dunn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Sunday.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge 1500 driven by Sarah M. Dunn, 28, Moundsville, West Virginia, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Concordia exit.The driver lost control of the pickup when the attached trailer began to fishtail.The pickup traveled off the sough side of the road, rolled&nbsp; and a passenger identified as Kayla E. Opicka, 29, Fort Riley, was partially ejected.&nbsp;&nbsp;First responders pronounced her dead at the scene. EMS transported Dunn to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Dunn was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Kansas woman dies after pickup rollover crash 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials have identified elevated levels of liver cancer among people living in several historically Black neighborhoods in Wichita where groundwater was polluted by a rail yard chemical spill.

<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1938/29th-and-Grove-Site">Click here to read details</a> from the KDHE

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment released a study Friday that found a liver and biliary tract cancer diagnosis rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people in the contamination zone, which was more than double the statewide rate of 6.4 per 100,000.

Among non-Hispanic Black residents, the diagnosis rate was even higher, at 23.9 per 100,000.

Experts believe that the spill of trichloroethene (TCE), a common solvent that is used to clean off paint and remove grease, could have happened as early as the 1970s, although it wasn't identified until 1994. It created a plume of polluted groundwater that runs for 2.9 miles from the Union Pacific Railroad rail yard site.

TCE can cause cancer in humans — “especially kidney cancer and possibly liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer Dr. Farah Ahmed cautioned that there is no way to know definitively if TCE is responsible for the outsized number of liver cancer diagnoses.

“The study can only really report on whether an increase was observed, not the cause of the increase,” Ahmed said.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment report, all but one of the nearly 2,800 properties in the contaminated area were connected to city water before the spill is believed to have occurred, meaning it’s unlikely people would have drank directly from contaminated groundwater wells. But there are other risk factors for TCE exposure, which occurs when a person breathes, ingests or touches the chemical.

According to the EPA, water is contaminated if it contains more than 5 parts per billion of TCE.

Two thirds of the 66 water quality tests conducted in May 2021 — 40 to 50 years after the chemical spill — found samples with higher-than-acceptable levels, including samples of as much as 823 TCE parts per billion.

Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty was critical of health officials during a briefing Friday.

After hosting a forum about the contamination site in 2003, the state did not hold another public meeting about it until November 2022, when community members learned about the presence of TCE for the first time and asked for a health study to be conducted.

“This is really a systematic failure of communication,” Baty said.

Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson said the city and county are working to secure free cancer screenings for residents and former residents of the affected area. Officials want Union Pacific to contribute to the cancer screening fund, but the railroad could not be reached for comment by the paper.

The railroad is already on the hook to pay $13.9 million for the cleanup, which started nearly a decade ago.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683478491393.png" alt="Rail line near the spill site -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Rail line near the spill site -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials have identified elevated levels of liver cancer among people living in several historically Black neighborhoods in Wichita where groundwater was polluted by a rail yard chemical spill.<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1938/29th-and-Grove-Site">Click here to read details</a> from the KDHEThe Kansas Department of Health and Environment released a study Friday that found a liver and biliary tract cancer diagnosis rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people in the contamination zone, which was more than double the statewide rate of 6.4 per 100,000.Among non-Hispanic Black residents, the diagnosis rate was even higher, at 23.9 per 100,000.Experts believe that the spill of trichloroethene (TCE), a common solvent that is used to clean off paint and remove grease, could have happened as early as the 1970s, although it wasn't identified until 1994. It created a plume of polluted groundwater that runs for 2.9 miles from the Union Pacific Railroad rail yard site.TCE can cause cancer in humans — “especially kidney cancer and possibly liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.But State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer Dr. Farah Ahmed cautioned that there is no way to know definitively if TCE is responsible for the outsized number of liver cancer diagnoses.“The study can only really report on whether an increase was observed, not the cause of the increase,” Ahmed said.According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment report, all but one of the nearly 2,800 properties in the contaminated area were connected to city water before the spill is believed to have occurred, meaning it’s unlikely people would have drank directly from contaminated groundwater wells. But there are other risk factors for TCE exposure, which occurs when a person breathes, ingests or touches the chemical.According to the EPA, water is contaminated if it contains more than 5 parts per billion of TCE.Two thirds of the 66 water quality tests conducted in May 2021 — 40 to 50 years after the chemical spill — found samples with higher-than-acceptable levels, including samples of as much as 823 TCE parts per billion.Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty was critical of health officials during a briefing Friday.After hosting a forum about the contamination site in 2003, the state did not hold another public meeting about it until November 2022, when community members learned about the presence of TCE for the first time and asked for a health study to be conducted.“This is really a systematic failure of communication,” Baty said.Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson said the city and county are working to secure free cancer screenings for residents and former residents of the affected area. Officials want Union Pacific to contribute to the cancer screening fund, but the railroad could not be reached for comment by the paper.The railroad is already on the hook to pay $13.9 million for the cleanup, which started nearly a decade ago.

Elevated cancer rates found near Kansas chemical spill

BUTLER COUNTY—Two people including a registered Kansas offender were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Sunday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Mazda 6 driven by Sheldon Tyler Flyingout, 30, a registered violent offender from Wichita, was westbound on U.S. 54 just east of southwest Diamond Road fleeing law enforcement.

A westbound 2017 Ford F150 driven by Melodee Denise Brown, 68, Douglas, was in the outside lane and attempted to yield to law enforcement by moving to the right shoulder. 

The Mazda attempted to pass the pickup on the right shoulder and rear-ended the Ford.&nbsp; EMS transported Brown to&nbsp;Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital. Flyingout was not transported for treatment of a minor injury. He has been listed as a Registered Kansas Violent Offender since 2013 for convictions that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, according to the offender registry. He has additional convictions for burglary, theft and violations of the offender registration act, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He was discharged from prison in February.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683502173794.png" alt="Flyingout-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Flyingout-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Two people including a registered Kansas offender were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Sunday in Butler County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Mazda 6 driven by Sheldon Tyler Flyingout, 30, a registered violent offender from Wichita, was westbound on U.S. 54 just east of southwest Diamond Road fleeing law enforcement.A westbound 2017 Ford F150 driven by Melodee Denise Brown, 68, Douglas, was in the outside lane and attempted to yield to law enforcement by moving to the right shoulder. The Mazda attempted to pass the pickup on the right shoulder and rear-ended the Ford.&nbsp; EMS transported Brown to&nbsp;Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital. Flyingout was not transported for treatment of a minor injury. He has been listed as a Registered Kansas Violent Offender since 2013 for convictions that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, according to the offender registry. He has additional convictions for burglary, theft and violations of the offender registration act, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He was discharged from prison in February.

Woman injured in crash with Kan. offender fleeing police

BOWERS: Senate Scene 2023 legislative wrap-up

WASHINGTON— The Department of Defense announced&nbsp; additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs, according to a statement from the agency.

 This authorization is the Biden Administration’s thirty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp;

<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/03/2003214586/-1/-1/1/UKRAINE-FACT-SHEET-MAY-3.PDF">Click here to read more </a>on the U.S. security assistance spending in Ukraine.

The latest assistance includes additional ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS, additional howitzers, artillery and mortar rounds, and anti-armor capabilities that Ukraine is using to push back against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression valued at up to $300 million.

The capabilities in this package include:

The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.

In total, the United States has committed more than $36.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including more than $35.7 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661277535073.png" alt="In total, the United States has committed more than $36.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In total, the United States has committed more than $36.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— The Department of Defense announced&nbsp; additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs, according to a statement from the agency. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s thirty-seventh drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/May/03/2003214586/-1/-1/1/UKRAINE-FACT-SHEET-MAY-3.PDF">Click here to read more </a>on the U.S. security assistance spending in Ukraine.The latest assistance includes additional ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS, additional howitzers, artillery and mortar rounds, and anti-armor capabilities that Ukraine is using to push back against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression valued at up to $300 million.The capabilities in this package include:<ul>
 <li>Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);</li><li>155mm Howitzers;&nbsp;</li><li>155mm artillery rounds;</li><li>120mm, 81mm, and 60mm mortar rounds;</li><li>Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;</li><li>AT-4 and Carl Gustaf anti-armor weapon systems;</li><li>Hydra-70 aircraft rockets;&nbsp;</li><li>Small arms and small arms ammunition;&nbsp;</li><li>Demolition munitions for obstacle clearing;</li><li>Trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment;&nbsp;</li><li>Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair;</li><li>Spare parts and other field equipment.</li>
 </ul>The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.In total, the United States has committed more than $36.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including more than $35.7 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022.

U.S. sending another $300 million military aid to Ukraine

GRUNDY COUNTY—&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather survey team reported they found tracks from three tornadoes in northwest Missouri Saturday.

The supercell produced large hail, a few stones up to the size of baseball and softball size. In addition to the tornado damage, there were also areas of non-tornadic wind damage.

&nbsp;The tornado in Trenton started a 7:30p.m. and was rated EF-0 with peak winds of 85 mph, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp; The first of two tornadoes in Linn County started at 8:22p.m., was rated EF-2 with peak winds of 135 mph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683543344479.png" alt="Most of the roof of the Wesley United Methodist Church in downtown Trenton was damaged-photo Grundy Co. Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Most of the roof of the Wesley United Methodist Church in downtown Trenton was damaged-photo Grundy Co. Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>GRUNDY COUNTY—&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather survey team reported they found tracks from three tornadoes in northwest Missouri Saturday.The supercell produced large hail, a few stones up to the size of baseball and softball size. In addition to the tornado damage, there were also areas of non-tornadic wind damage.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgrundycountymoema%2Fposts%2Fpfbid034GxDcCr7fNgewH2oVwyDfkAC4VrzPxtTZFjvR446uD5XSfEHBYv1DtSk7TQSJTTsl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="562" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>&nbsp;The tornado in Trenton started a 7:30p.m. and was rated EF-0 with peak winds of 85 mph, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp; The first of two tornadoes in Linn County started at 8:22p.m., was rated EF-2 with peak winds of 135 mph.The second tornado in Linn County started at 8:57p.m. and was rated an EF-1 with max winds of 99 mph.Grundy County Emergency Manager Glen Briggs told KSHB television that several buildings in Trenton, about 100 miles north of Kansas City, sustained serious wind damage when the storm moved through Saturday night. Hail nearly 4-inches (10 centimeters) in diameter was also reported in the area, according to the National Weather Service.No injuries were reported.&nbsp; Most of the roof of the Wesley United Methodist Church in downtown Trenton was damaged. Pastor Steve Martin said people used tarps to cover the “big gaping holes” in the sanctuary.Briggs said at least five other structures on the west side of Trenton sustained major roof damage, and several windows were blown out of buildings downtown.Large hail and strong winds were also reported in neighboring Harrison and Daviess counties. In one case, hail penetrated the roof of a steel building in Daviess County-The Associated Press contributed to this report.