KANSAS CITY—A&nbsp; jury convicted a Kansas City man of the murder of Donald Moore in October 2022 near 12th and Grand in Downtown KC, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

The jury convicted Toney Lamong Powell, 22, of Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to 12th and Grand in Downtown Kansas City on a reported shooting. They found the victim, 22-year-old Donald Moore.

 He suffered what appeared to be a gunshot to the abdomen. Witnesses said the victim and Powell&nbsp; were once friends until the suspect accused the victim of “ratting” on him to police in a different shooting investigation. 

Detectives found surveillance video that showed the suspect in the area and a witness, the victim's mother, told detectives her son contacted her and told her who shot him.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Jeannette Wolpink and Eric Honea prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680864381274.png" alt="Powell-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Powell-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A&nbsp; jury convicted a Kansas City man of the murder of Donald Moore in October 2022 near 12th and Grand in Downtown KC, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.The jury convicted Toney Lamong Powell, 22, of Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to 12th and Grand in Downtown Kansas City on a reported shooting. They found the victim, 22-year-old Donald Moore. He suffered what appeared to be a gunshot to the abdomen. Witnesses said the victim and Powell&nbsp; were once friends until the suspect accused the victim of “ratting” on him to police in a different shooting investigation. Detectives found surveillance video that showed the suspect in the area and a witness, the victim's mother, told detectives her son contacted her and told her who shot him.Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Jeannette Wolpink and Eric Honea prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.

KC man killed friend for allegedly 'ratting' on him to police

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities and officials at Worlds of Fun are investigating after a difficult opening weekend at the theme park.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a sheriff's deputy working off-duty security at the Kansas City theme park heard on the radio from park security about a fight involving multiple juveniles and a large crowd inside the park, according to the Clay County Sheriff's office.

 There were an estimated 100 to 150 teenagers involved, none of whom appeared to be accompanied by an adult. Deputies working off duty, Worlds of Fun security officers, and KCPD officers working off duty attempted to break up the crowd and move them out of the park.

Multiple fights continued to break out among the juveniles as officials tried to move them out. More Clay County Sheriff deputies and KCPD officers arrived to assist. Some juveniles said another juvenile had displayed a gun, but law enforcement was never able to verify that claim.

As a Clay County deputy escorted a group of juveniles from the park, a teenage girl refused to leave and punched him in the face. She was arrested and turned over to her parents. He had only superficial injuries.

Once the group had been pushed out to the parking lot, fights broke out in the parking lot. Deputies and KCPD officers then broke up those fights and dispersed the crowd. The park was cleared by about 8:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681167293215.png" alt="Worlds of Fun-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Worlds of Fun-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities and officials at Worlds of Fun are investigating after a difficult opening weekend at the theme park.Just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a sheriff's deputy working off-duty security at the Kansas City theme park heard on the radio from park security about a fight involving multiple juveniles and a large crowd inside the park, according to the Clay County Sheriff's office. There were an estimated 100 to 150 teenagers involved, none of whom appeared to be accompanied by an adult. Deputies working off duty, Worlds of Fun security officers, and KCPD officers working off duty attempted to break up the crowd and move them out of the park.Multiple fights continued to break out among the juveniles as officials tried to move them out. More Clay County Sheriff deputies and KCPD officers arrived to assist. Some juveniles said another juvenile had displayed a gun, but law enforcement was never able to verify that claim.As a Clay County deputy escorted a group of juveniles from the park, a teenage girl refused to leave and punched him in the face. She was arrested and turned over to her parents. He had only superficial injuries.Once the group had been pushed out to the parking lot, fights broke out in the parking lot. Deputies and KCPD officers then broke up those fights and dispersed the crowd. The park was cleared by about 8:30 p.m.

Sheriff: Multiple fights, deputy punched at Worlds of Fun

JUDD WEIL and NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON— A former Hutchinson police officer pleaded guilty to twelve felony charges related to sex crimes and five misdemeanors related to breach of privacy Monday afternoon in Reno County District Court. 

Todd W. Allen, 51, will receive 282 months in prison, according to the plea agreement. The plea hearing was before Judge Jeff Newsum.

The formal charges originally filed against Allen had included 17 felonies and seven misdemeanors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d6da7f11-fb3b-4d3d-ae8a-a4039b6e92bd">Allen was arrested Aug. 17, 2022 </a>&nbsp;for crimes that stretched back as far as 2012.

Allen is scheduled for sentencing May 22 before Judge Keith Schroeder.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The rape case against a former Hutchinson police officer will have its pretrial hearing in April.

Following a Wednesday status conference, Judge Daniel Gilligan set the pretrial hearing for Todd W. Allen for April 10 at 8:30 a.m.

The formal charges filed against Allen include 17 felonies and seven misdemeanors.&nbsp;

Allen was arrested August 17&nbsp;and is charged with two counts of rape or alternative counts of aggravated sexual battery. &nbsp;

The charges also include three counts of attempted rape or alternative counts of aggravated sexual battery, two more counts of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of attempted aggravated sexual battery. &nbsp;

The two counts of rape are level one person felonies.&nbsp; Allen also faces five counts of breach of privacy and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. &nbsp;He is currently free on a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679423588082.png" alt="Todd W. Allen" />
 <figcaption>Todd W. Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>JUDD WEIL and NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON— A former Hutchinson police officer pleaded guilty to twelve felony charges related to sex crimes and five misdemeanors related to breach of privacy Monday afternoon in Reno County District Court. Todd W. Allen, 51, will receive 282 months in prison, according to the plea agreement. The plea hearing was before Judge Jeff Newsum.The formal charges originally filed against Allen had included 17 felonies and seven misdemeanors.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d6da7f11-fb3b-4d3d-ae8a-a4039b6e92bd">Allen was arrested Aug. 17, 2022 </a>&nbsp;for crimes that stretched back as far as 2012. Allen is scheduled for sentencing May 22 before Judge Keith Schroeder.------------HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The rape case against a former Hutchinson police officer will have its pretrial hearing in April.Following a Wednesday status conference, Judge Daniel Gilligan set the pretrial hearing for Todd W. Allen for April 10 at 8:30 a.m.The formal charges filed against Allen include 17 felonies and seven misdemeanors.&nbsp;Allen was arrested August 17&nbsp;and is charged with two counts of rape or alternative counts of aggravated sexual battery. &nbsp;The charges also include three counts of attempted rape or alternative counts of aggravated sexual battery, two more counts of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of attempted aggravated sexual battery. &nbsp;The two counts of rape are level one person felonies.&nbsp; Allen also faces five counts of breach of privacy and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. &nbsp;He is currently free on a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

Ex-Kansas cop enters plea deal in serial sex assault case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A 23-year-old bank employee armed with a rifle opened fire at his Louisville workplace Monday morning, killing four people — including a close friend of the governor — while livestreaming the attack, authorities said.

“Let’s be clear about what this was,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “This was an evil act of targeted violence.”

The shooting, the 15th&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-shootings-list-us-53011c9a7f052adb4a7254f116e178d3">mass killing</a>&nbsp;in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, about 160 miles&nbsp; to the south. That state's governor and his wife&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">also had friends killed</a>&nbsp;in that shooting.

Police arrived as shots were still being fired inside Old National Bank and killed the shooter in an exchange of gunfire, Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said at a news conference.

“The suspect shot at officers,” the police chief said. “We then returned fire and stopped that threat.”

The chief identified the shooter as Connor Sturgeon, who she said was livestreaming during the attack.

“That’s tragic to know that that incident was out there and captured," she said. “We're hopeful that we can have that incident removed, that footage removed.”

Nine people, including two police officers, were treated for injuries from the shooting, University of Louisville Hospital spokeswoman Heather Fountaine said in an email.

One of the officers, a 26-year-old Nickolas Witt, who had graduated from the police academy on March 31, was in critical condition after being shot in the head and having surgery, the police chief said. At least three patients had been discharged.

An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost one of his closest friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the minor league ballpark Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

“These are irreplaceable, amazing individuals that a terrible act of violence tore from all of us,” the governor said of the victims.

It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.

In late 2021, one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-kentucky-illinois-arkansas-tennessee-missouri-e1ae21e0b7521c28411f8c360b756700">towns devastated by tornadoes</a>&nbsp;that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.

Beshear spoke as the investigation in Louisville continued and police searched for a motive. Crime scene investigators could be seen marking and photographing numerous bullet holes in the windows near the bank’s front door.

As part of the investigation, police descended on a neighborhood about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of the downtown shooting. The street was blocked as federal and local officers talked to residents. One home was cordoned off with caution tape.

“I’m almost speechless. You see it on the news but not at home,” said Kami Cooper, 38, who lives in the neighborhood.

A man who fled the building during the shooting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryo15N5f830">told WHAS-TV</a>&nbsp;that the shooter opened fire with a long rifle in a conference room in the back of the building's first floor.

“Whoever was next to me got shot — blood is on me from it,” he told the news station, pointing to his shirt. He said he fled to a break room and shut the door.

Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the actions of responding police officers undoubtedly saved lives.

“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”

Just a few hours later and blocks away,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shooting-louisville-near-community-college-jctc-32e2762dbb656a66821caebfc515ad88">an unrelated shooting</a>&nbsp;killed one man and wounded a woman outside a community college, police said.

The 15 mass shootings this year are the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681158692747.png" alt="Officer Nickolas Wilt, 26, is listed in critical condition and just graduated from the LMPD Police Academy on March 31.(LMPD)" />
 <figcaption>Officer Nickolas Wilt, 26, is listed in critical condition and just graduated from the LMPD Police Academy on March 31.(LMPD)</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A 23-year-old bank employee armed with a rifle opened fire at his Louisville workplace Monday morning, killing four people — including a close friend of the governor — while livestreaming the attack, authorities said.“Let’s be clear about what this was,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “This was an evil act of targeted violence.”The shooting, the 15th&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-shootings-list-us-53011c9a7f052adb4a7254f116e178d3">mass killing</a>&nbsp;in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, about 160 miles&nbsp; to the south. That state's governor and his wife&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">also had friends killed</a>&nbsp;in that shooting.Police arrived as shots were still being fired inside Old National Bank and killed the shooter in an exchange of gunfire, Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said at a news conference.“The suspect shot at officers,” the police chief said. “We then returned fire and stopped that threat.”The chief identified the shooter as Connor Sturgeon, who she said was livestreaming during the attack.“That’s tragic to know that that incident was out there and captured," she said. “We're hopeful that we can have that incident removed, that footage removed.”Nine people, including two police officers, were treated for injuries from the shooting, University of Louisville Hospital spokeswoman Heather Fountaine said in an email.One of the officers, a 26-year-old Nickolas Witt, who had graduated from the police academy on March 31, was in critical condition after being shot in the head and having surgery, the police chief said. At least three patients had been discharged.An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost one of his closest friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the minor league ballpark Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.“These are irreplaceable, amazing individuals that a terrible act of violence tore from all of us,” the governor said of the victims.It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.In late 2021, one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-kentucky-illinois-arkansas-tennessee-missouri-e1ae21e0b7521c28411f8c360b756700">towns devastated by tornadoes</a>&nbsp;that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.Beshear spoke as the investigation in Louisville continued and police searched for a motive. Crime scene investigators could be seen marking and photographing numerous bullet holes in the windows near the bank’s front door.As part of the investigation, police descended on a neighborhood about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of the downtown shooting. The street was blocked as federal and local officers talked to residents. One home was cordoned off with caution tape.“I’m almost speechless. You see it on the news but not at home,” said Kami Cooper, 38, who lives in the neighborhood.A man who fled the building during the shooting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryo15N5f830">told WHAS-TV</a>&nbsp;that the shooter opened fire with a long rifle in a conference room in the back of the building's first floor.“Whoever was next to me got shot — blood is on me from it,” he told the news station, pointing to his shirt. He said he fled to a break room and shut the door.Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the actions of responding police officers undoubtedly saved lives.“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”Just a few hours later and blocks away,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shooting-louisville-near-community-college-jctc-32e2762dbb656a66821caebfc515ad88">an unrelated shooting</a>&nbsp;killed one man and wounded a woman outside a community college, police said.The 15 mass shootings this year are the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.___

Officer critical after Louisville mass killing that was livestreamed 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xavier-becerra">top health official</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">court ruling</a>&nbsp;threatening the availability of a main drug used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-medication-abortion-works-f913375ec6f8ebcb1f1055e57a3aef63?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=relatedcontentmodule">medication abortion</a>&nbsp;was “not America" and he did not rule out defying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">judge's order</a>&nbsp;if necessary.

“We want the courts to overturn this reckless decision,” Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's health secretary, told CNN's “State of the Union.” “We want, yes, that women continue to have access to a drug that’s proven itself safe. Millions of women have used this drug around the world.”

He stressed that for now, women do have access to the abortion medication mifepristone after a federal judge in Texas, Donald Trump-appointee Matthew Kacsmaryk, put his ruling from Friday on hold for a week so federal officials could file a challenge. The drug was approved in 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration, which is overseen by the Health and Human Services Department headed by Becerra.

“For America's sake and for women's sake, we have to prevail in this,” he said.

Biden has said his administration would fight the Texas ruling. Kacsmaryk's 67-page order gave the government seven days to appeal.

“We intend to do everything to make sure it’s available to them not just in a week, but moving forward, period, because mifepristone is one of the safest and most effective medicines that we have seen over the last 20 years to help women with their health care, especially abortion care,” Becerra said.

Asked whether he might recommend that the FDA ignore a ban, Becerra said, “Everything is on the table."

There is uncertainty about access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the United States following two separate and conflicting court rulings in Texas and Washington over the legality of mifepristone.

Kacsmaryk's decision ordering a hold on federal approval of mifepristone overruled decades of scientific approval. But a ruling at nearly the same time in Washington state from that U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice, a Barack Obama appointee, directed U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.

Becerra said Kacsmaryk's order could have dire ramifications for the legality of any FDA-approved drug, such as vaccines, insulin or new Alzheimer's drugs coming onto the market because it seeks to “turn upside down” the entire FDA approval process.

The former California attorney general acknowledged a “good chance” that the case will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Supreme,century%20under%20Roe%20v.%20Wade.">which last year overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and curtailed access to abortion across the country.

“If a judge decides to substitute his preference, his personal opinion for that of scientists and medical professionals, what drug isn’t subject to some kind of legal challenge? So we have to go to court,” he said.

Alluding to Kacsmaryk, the Cabinet secretary said: “What you saw by that one judge in that one court, in that one state, that’s not America. America goes by the evidence. America does what’s fair. America does what is transparent and we can show that what we do is for the right reasons.”

Appearing after Becerra on CNN, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, said “it’s important that we take care of women” and have “real discussions on women’s health care” but “get off the abortion conversation. Women have a whole lot more other issues than just abortion. ... Let's talk about the other things that are happening in this world.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Boxes of the drug mifepristone.&nbsp;About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)" />
 <figcaption>Boxes of the drug mifepristone.&nbsp;About 60% of abortions in Kansas involve the abortion pill. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xavier-becerra">top health official</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">court ruling</a>&nbsp;threatening the availability of a main drug used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-medication-abortion-works-f913375ec6f8ebcb1f1055e57a3aef63?utm_source=apnews&amp;utm_medium=relatedcontentmodule">medication abortion</a>&nbsp;was “not America" and he did not rule out defying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">judge's order</a>&nbsp;if necessary.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;We want the courts to overturn this reckless decision.&quot; US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra explains the Biden administration&#39;s plan after a federal judge issued a ruling that could prevent access to an abortion-inducing medication. <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSotu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNNSotu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNSOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CNNSOTU</a> <a href="https://t.co/HnJi5J5M90">pic.twitter.com/HnJi5J5M90</a>&mdash; CNN (@CNN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1645055147419095041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Joined <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBashCNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanaBashCNN</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSotu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNNSotu</a> to talk about our Administration’s efforts to protect access to reproductive health care in the wake of the TX district court ruling. This ruling by a single court in a single state will have a disastrous impact across America if not overturned. <a href="https://t.co/Pfhn5iUu6l">pic.twitter.com/Pfhn5iUu6l</a>&mdash; Secretary Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBecerra/status/1645064158994415620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We want the courts to overturn this reckless decision,” Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's health secretary, told CNN's “State of the Union.” “We want, yes, that women continue to have access to a drug that’s proven itself safe. Millions of women have used this drug around the world.”He stressed that for now, women do have access to the abortion medication mifepristone after a federal judge in Texas, Donald Trump-appointee Matthew Kacsmaryk, put his ruling from Friday on hold for a week so federal officials could file a challenge. The drug was approved in 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration, which is overseen by the Health and Human Services Department headed by Becerra.“For America's sake and for women's sake, we have to prevail in this,” he said.Biden has said his administration would fight the Texas ruling. Kacsmaryk's 67-page order gave the government seven days to appeal.“We intend to do everything to make sure it’s available to them not just in a week, but moving forward, period, because mifepristone is one of the safest and most effective medicines that we have seen over the last 20 years to help women with their health care, especially abortion care,” Becerra said.Asked whether he might recommend that the FDA ignore a ban, Becerra said, “Everything is on the table."There is uncertainty about access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the United States following two separate and conflicting court rulings in Texas and Washington over the legality of mifepristone.Kacsmaryk's decision ordering a hold on federal approval of mifepristone overruled decades of scientific approval. But a ruling at nearly the same time in Washington state from that U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice, a Barack Obama appointee, directed U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats sued in an effort to protect availability.Becerra said Kacsmaryk's order could have dire ramifications for the legality of any FDA-approved drug, such as vaccines, insulin or new Alzheimer's drugs coming onto the market because it seeks to “turn upside down” the entire FDA approval process.The former California attorney general acknowledged a “good chance” that the case will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Supreme,century%20under%20Roe%20v.%20Wade.">which last year overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and curtailed access to abortion across the country.“If a judge decides to substitute his preference, his personal opinion for that of scientists and medical professionals, what drug isn’t subject to some kind of legal challenge? So we have to go to court,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680709134368.png" alt="-Washington state has purchased a three-year supply of a leading abortion medication in anticipation of the court ruling, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>-Washington state has purchased a three-year supply of a leading abortion medication in anticipation of the court ruling, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Alluding to Kacsmaryk, the Cabinet secretary said: “What you saw by that one judge in that one court, in that one state, that’s not America. America goes by the evidence. America does what’s fair. America does what is transparent and we can show that what we do is for the right reasons.”Appearing after Becerra on CNN, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, said “it’s important that we take care of women” and have “real discussions on women’s health care” but “get off the abortion conversation. Women have a whole lot more other issues than just abortion. ... Let's talk about the other things that are happening in this world.”

🎥 FDA may ignore judge's ruling to ban abortion pill 

SALINA —Grammy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge is bringing her North American tour to Salina in June.

The Kansas native is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Melissa Etheridge courtesy Stiefel Theatre

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as&nbsp;Bring Me Some Water,&nbsp;No Souvenirs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ain't It Heavy, for which she won a Grammy® in 1992.

Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album,&nbsp;Yes I Am&nbsp;(1993). The collection featured the massive hits,&nbsp;I'm the Only One&nbsp;and&nbsp;Come to My Window, a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album,&nbsp;Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single,&nbsp;I Want to Come Over. Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. Since her notable rise to fame, Etheridge has continued to release several critically acclaimed recordings including,&nbsp;This Is M.E.,&nbsp;Memphis Rock &amp; Soul, and&nbsp;The Medicine Show. On Sept. 17, 2021, Etheridge released her most recent studio project, titled&nbsp;One Way Out. The nine-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late '80s and early '90s that never made the cut...until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse to who Etheridge was then.

October 2022 saw Etheridge’s return to the theatre with her one-woman show,&nbsp;My Window – A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on Oct. 13, 2022, and has plans to move to Broadway in 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681155732593.jpeg" alt="Melissa Etheridge is scheduled to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre on June 29.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Melissa Etheridge is scheduled to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre on June 29.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Grammy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge is bringing her North American tour to Salina in June.The Kansas native is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About Melissa Etheridge courtesy Stiefel TheatreMelissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as&nbsp;Bring Me Some Water,&nbsp;No Souvenirs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ain't It Heavy, for which she won a Grammy® in 1992.Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album,&nbsp;Yes I Am&nbsp;(1993). The collection featured the massive hits,&nbsp;I'm the Only One&nbsp;and&nbsp;Come to My Window, a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album,&nbsp;Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single,&nbsp;I Want to Come Over. Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. Since her notable rise to fame, Etheridge has continued to release several critically acclaimed recordings including,&nbsp;This Is M.E.,&nbsp;Memphis Rock &amp; Soul, and&nbsp;The Medicine Show. On Sept. 17, 2021, Etheridge released her most recent studio project, titled&nbsp;One Way Out. The nine-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late '80s and early '90s that never made the cut...until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse to who Etheridge was then.October 2022 saw Etheridge’s return to the theatre with her one-woman show,&nbsp;My Window – A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on Oct. 13, 2022, and has plans to move to Broadway in 2023.

Melissa Etheridge to perform in Salina in June

WASHINGTON (AP) — Not even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is safe from presidential politics.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, the host of Monday's festivities on the South Lawn, said he plans to participate in “at least three or four more Easter egg rolls, maybe five.”

Biden was alluding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-democratic-b6a4d89a5629e768e92485067a220797">his expected reelection bid</a>&nbsp;but when pressed for news by Al Roker of NBC's “Today” show, the president gave no ground. He repeated what he's been saying for months.

“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told Roker.

After making an early appearance on the lawn to speak with Roker after the gates opened at 7 a.m., Biden and first lady Jill Biden will also address the crowd from the White House balcony before joining the “egg-citement.” Some 30,000 people, mostly children, were expected, in nine waves of participants, ending at 7 p.m.

“Anything’s possible in America," Biden said in brief remarks welcoming guests to the South Lawn, “if we remember who we are and we do it together.”

The first lady's theme is “EGGucation.” Jill Biden is a teacher and she has incorporated numerous learning opportunities into the event. “Learning doesn't only happen in a classroom, there are so many fun opportunities to learn around us every day,” she said, explaining that's why they turned the South Lawn into a “school community.”

The White House Easter Egg Roll dates to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681139726547.png" alt="“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told&nbsp; Al Roker.-White House image" />
 <figcaption>“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told&nbsp; Al Roker.-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Not even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is safe from presidential politics.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, the host of Monday's festivities on the South Lawn, said he plans to participate in “at least three or four more Easter egg rolls, maybe five.”Biden was alluding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-democratic-b6a4d89a5629e768e92485067a220797">his expected reelection bid</a>&nbsp;but when pressed for news by Al Roker of NBC's “Today” show, the president gave no ground. He repeated what he's been saying for months.“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told Roker.After making an early appearance on the lawn to speak with Roker after the gates opened at 7 a.m., Biden and first lady Jill Biden will also address the crowd from the White House balcony before joining the “egg-citement.” Some 30,000 people, mostly children, were expected, in nine waves of participants, ending at 7 p.m.“Anything’s possible in America," Biden said in brief remarks welcoming guests to the South Lawn, “if we remember who we are and we do it together.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, the 2023 White House Easter EGGucation Roll is here. <a href="https://t.co/216uciD6te">pic.twitter.com/216uciD6te</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1645489330977161217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The first lady's theme is “EGGucation.” Jill Biden is a teacher and she has incorporated numerous learning opportunities into the event. “Learning doesn't only happen in a classroom, there are so many fun opportunities to learn around us every day,” she said, explaining that's why they turned the South Lawn into a “school community.”The White House Easter Egg Roll dates to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

Biden talks re-election bid during annual Easter egg roll 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Monday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a United State Postal Service semi driven by Timothy Wilson,&nbsp; 51, Kansas City was southbound on Interstate 35 at Cambridge Circle in lane the number 2 lane.

The vehicle struck a&nbsp;pedestrian identified as&nbsp;Kirwan, Jacqueline R. Kirwan, 30, Topeka, who was standing in the number 2 lane.

Kirwan was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681148916057.png" alt="Monday morning traffic backed up due to the fatal crash investigation- Image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>Monday morning traffic backed up due to the fatal crash investigation- Image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Monday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a United State Postal Service semi driven by Timothy Wilson,&nbsp; 51, Kansas City was southbound on Interstate 35 at Cambridge Circle in lane the number 2 lane.The vehicle struck a&nbsp;pedestrian identified as&nbsp;Kirwan, Jacqueline R. Kirwan, 30, Topeka, who was standing in the number 2 lane.Kirwan was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp;

Postal Service semi strikes, kills Kansas woman on interstate

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —A man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash during an early Sunday morning armed robbery in north Salina.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a man described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes and a facemask entered the Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, according Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The man approached two clerks - a 53-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man - who were in the soda machine area. The masked man displayed a handgun and demanded the money from the register.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the man left on foot toward N. Ohio Street. Forrester said one of the clerks reported seeing a black car pull out of one of the fuel lanes and drive across the street to where the robber had gone.

Forrester said police are checking on surveillance video from the area.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —A man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash during an early Sunday morning armed robbery in north Salina.Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a man described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes and a facemask entered the Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, according Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The man approached two clerks - a 53-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man - who were in the soda machine area. The masked man displayed a handgun and demanded the money from the register.After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the man left on foot toward N. Ohio Street. Forrester said one of the clerks reported seeing a black car pull out of one of the fuel lanes and drive across the street to where the robber had gone.Forrester said police are checking on surveillance video from the area.

Police: Armed robbery at Salina travel center Easter Sunday

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The bodies of a jam band musician and his adult son were recovered from an Arkansas lake more than three weeks after the two went missing during a kayaking trip, authorities said.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that the bodies were identified as those of Chuck Morris, 47, and his 20-year-old son, Charley Morris. Chuck Morris was a percussionist who for more than two decades had been a member of the instrumental jam band Lotus.

The father and son from Kansas City, Missouri, were last seen on March 16 while on a kayaking trip to Beaver Lake,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/10/bodies-of-father-and-son-recovered-from-beaver/">The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported</a>. A search crew found their bodies over the weekend while searching the lake with an underwater drone, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Lotus posted a statement from the Morris family on its Facebook page saying relatives had spoken with Arkansas authorities and were told the men drowned.

A Facebook statement from the band said proceeds from upcoming concerts in Denver; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Port Chester, New York, will go to benefit the Morris family.

“Thank you all for the outpouring of support from around the world — we feel it and love you just as much,” the band posted.

BENTON COUNTY —On March 16, law enforcement authorities began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake, according to the Benton County, Arkansas sheriff.

Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. On Sunday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180 feet.

After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV and his son Charles Morris V have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel.   

Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office SAR unit, Marine division, Aviation unit, Dive team, and K9 division along with Arkansas Game and Fish SAR and Dive team, Tennessee CAM SAR (Christian Aid Ministries), Arkansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Services), Tri-County SAR, Grassy Knob Fire, Inspiration Fire, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and K9 units out of Illinois (John Blevins), Oklahoma (Quapaw Nation K9) Louisiana (Cajun Coast).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681131420524.png" alt="Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son)Courtesy Benton Co." />
 <figcaption>Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son)Courtesy Benton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The bodies of a jam band musician and his adult son were recovered from an Arkansas lake more than three weeks after the two went missing during a kayaking trip, authorities said.The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that the bodies were identified as those of Chuck Morris, 47, and his 20-year-old son, Charley Morris. Chuck Morris was a percussionist who for more than two decades had been a member of the instrumental jam band Lotus.The father and son from Kansas City, Missouri, were last seen on March 16 while on a kayaking trip to Beaver Lake,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/10/bodies-of-father-and-son-recovered-from-beaver/">The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported</a>. A search crew found their bodies over the weekend while searching the lake with an underwater drone, the sheriff's office said in a news release.Lotus posted a statement from the Morris family on its Facebook page saying relatives had spoken with Arkansas authorities and were told the men drowned.A Facebook statement from the band said proceeds from upcoming concerts in Denver; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Port Chester, New York, will go to benefit the Morris family.“Thank you all for the outpouring of support from around the world — we feel it and love you just as much,” the band posted.-------------BENTON COUNTY —On March 16, law enforcement authorities began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake, according to the Benton County, Arkansas sheriff.Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. On Sunday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180 feet.After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV and his son Charles Morris V have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel. Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men.The Benton County Sheriff’s Office SAR unit, Marine division, Aviation unit, Dive team, and K9 division along with Arkansas Game and Fish SAR and Dive team, Tennessee CAM SAR (Christian Aid Ministries), Arkansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Services), Tri-County SAR, Grassy Knob Fire, Inspiration Fire, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and K9 units out of Illinois (John Blevins), Oklahoma (Quapaw Nation K9) Louisiana (Cajun Coast).

Bodies of father, son kayakers from Missouri recovered from lake

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.

The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.

Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.

“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.

An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”

In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.

Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.

This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.

Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”

Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.

“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.

Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.

In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.

“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.

The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.

“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”

Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.

Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”

Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.

Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681145559978.png" alt="Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681137523415.png" alt="Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>------------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

Police: Ex-employee stormed Louisville bank; multiple fatalities

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Accomplished actor, comedian, three-time Emmy nominated screenwriter and director Rob Schneider will perform at the Kansas State Fair, Sunday, September 10 with special guest Byron Kennedy. &nbsp;​ As a stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his world-wide stand-up tour. &nbsp; ​ His TV and film credits include the NBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and starring roles in the feature films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, the Animal, the Hot Chick, The Benchwarmers, Grownups, The Waterboy, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, animated film 8 Crazy Nights, and Netflix’s The Wrong Missy and Hubie Halloween. &nbsp;​ Schneider is currently co-starring in Netflix’s Home Team, starring Kevin James in addition to his stand-up comedy tour. Schneider also recently completed production on the film Daddy Daughter Trip, which he produced, directed and starred in.  &nbsp;​ Kennedy is a rising star in the comedy world and has been featured on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and MTV's Wild 'N Out. ​ Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, April 14 at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8e8ad2f61e&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>. Anyone signed up for Kansas State Fair emails can get access to tickets with a presale code, starting 8 a.m. Thursday, April 13. Sign up for emails at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=c5a4dc3214&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">https://www.kansasstatefair.com/p/general-information1/email-updates​</a> The show will be Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;​ Ticket Options:​ Reserved seating on the Floor is $70 and the Grandstand is $60/$40. &nbsp;​ There are several options for an upgraded Grandstand experience:​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio​ Get all your friends close to the stage! Reserve a table on our Metal &amp; Soul Patio to enjoy the show from a private table that seats six. Each table is $600.​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio with VIP Experience​ Want the ultimate VIP treatment? In addition to a reserved table for six on the Metal &amp; Soul Patio, this package provides three beverage coupons per person, complimentary food within the VIP seating area prior to the show, 2 VIP parking passes, and early entrance to the Grandstand. Each table with VIP experience is $750.​ NOTE: Each grandstand ticket includes a gate admission scan. Ticket will be valid on date of event only. Some exclusions apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8938139cff&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more. ​ To purchase tickets or for more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=46f8db11be&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">kansasstatefair.com</a>&nbsp;or call (620) 669-3618

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681127685633.jpeg" alt="Rob Schneider&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rob Schneider&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Accomplished actor, comedian, three-time Emmy nominated screenwriter and director Rob Schneider will perform at the Kansas State Fair, Sunday, September 10 with special guest Byron Kennedy. &nbsp;​ As a stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his world-wide stand-up tour. &nbsp; ​ His TV and film credits include the NBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and starring roles in the feature films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, the Animal, the Hot Chick, The Benchwarmers, Grownups, The Waterboy, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, animated film 8 Crazy Nights, and Netflix’s The Wrong Missy and Hubie Halloween. &nbsp;​ Schneider is currently co-starring in Netflix’s Home Team, starring Kevin James in addition to his stand-up comedy tour. Schneider also recently completed production on the film Daddy Daughter Trip, which he produced, directed and starred in.  &nbsp;​ Kennedy is a rising star in the comedy world and has been featured on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and MTV's Wild 'N Out. ​ Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, April 14 at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8e8ad2f61e&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>. Anyone signed up for Kansas State Fair emails can get access to tickets with a presale code, starting 8 a.m. Thursday, April 13. Sign up for emails at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=c5a4dc3214&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">https://www.kansasstatefair.com/p/general-information1/email-updates​</a> The show will be Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;​ Ticket Options:​ Reserved seating on the Floor is $70 and the Grandstand is $60/$40. &nbsp;​ There are several options for an upgraded Grandstand experience:​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio​ Get all your friends close to the stage! Reserve a table on our Metal &amp; Soul Patio to enjoy the show from a private table that seats six. Each table is $600.​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio with VIP Experience​ Want the ultimate VIP treatment? In addition to a reserved table for six on the Metal &amp; Soul Patio, this package provides three beverage coupons per person, complimentary food within the VIP seating area prior to the show, 2 VIP parking passes, and early entrance to the Grandstand. Each table with VIP experience is $750.​ NOTE: Each grandstand ticket includes a gate admission scan. Ticket will be valid on date of event only. Some exclusions apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8938139cff&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more. ​ To purchase tickets or for more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=46f8db11be&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">kansasstatefair.com</a>&nbsp;or call (620) 669-3618

'Saturday Night Live' star coming to Kansas State Fair

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a robbery, domestic violence incident made a court appearance last week.

Pearl Haynes IV, 40 of Wichita, is charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and battery against a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 9:20 pm, Friday, police dispatched to a Domestic Violence with weapon call in the 6700 block of West Par Lane in Wichita involving Haynes and a 34-year-old woman, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Officers arrived on the scene and spoke to the woman who stated Haynes showed up at her house intoxicated and began breaking several items in her apartment. Officers saw Haynes flee from the front of the apartment and they gave chase on foot. Haynes jumped a privacy fence. 

Once he got over that fence officers heard eight gunshots coming from where he landed placing the officers in fear. They immediately took cover and waited for more officers to arrive.

A short time later officers began to provide security around the area where Haynes was last seen. An abundance of precaution was being utilized due to Haynes firing several rounds. Other law enforcement agencies arrived to provide assistance as well.

At approximately 11:15 pm, a resident in the 1300 block of South Westfield called 911 stating Haynes was at their residence banging on the door saying he was on the run from the police.

Officers made their way to the Westfield location. Unmarked units were in the area when they witnessed Haynes flee on an ATV.

A brief pursuit would occur, and Haynes attempted to turn the ATV in the 200 block of South Byron Court when the vehicle tipped on its side and Haynes fled on foot. Police eventually took into custody in the 300 block of South Keith Street. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault LEO, criminal damage to property/Domestic Violence robbery, evade and elude, DUI, resisting arrest, and battery of a law enforcement officer. Police don't know if he was firing at officers or firing in the air while officers were chasing him in attempts to make officers fall back., according to Ditch.

Haynes knew both the victim at Par Lane and the Westfield location, according to Ditch. He has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections\

He is being held on a bond of $100,000.  His next court appearance is April 13, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680378669885.png" alt="Haynes has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Haynes has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a robbery, domestic violence incident made a court appearance last week.Pearl Haynes IV, 40 of Wichita, is charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and battery against a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 9:20 pm, Friday, police dispatched to a Domestic Violence with weapon call in the 6700 block of West Par Lane in Wichita involving Haynes and a 34-year-old woman, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Officers arrived on the scene and spoke to the woman who stated Haynes showed up at her house intoxicated and began breaking several items in her apartment. Officers saw Haynes flee from the front of the apartment and they gave chase on foot. Haynes jumped a privacy fence. Once he got over that fence officers heard eight gunshots coming from where he landed placing the officers in fear. They immediately took cover and waited for more officers to arrive.A short time later officers began to provide security around the area where Haynes was last seen. An abundance of precaution was being utilized due to Haynes firing several rounds. Other law enforcement agencies arrived to provide assistance as well.At approximately 11:15 pm, a resident in the 1300 block of South Westfield called 911 stating Haynes was at their residence banging on the door saying he was on the run from the police.Officers made their way to the Westfield location. Unmarked units were in the area when they witnessed Haynes flee on an ATV.A brief pursuit would occur, and Haynes attempted to turn the ATV in the 200 block of South Byron Court when the vehicle tipped on its side and Haynes fled on foot. Police eventually took into custody in the 300 block of South Keith Street. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault LEO, criminal damage to property/Domestic Violence robbery, evade and elude, DUI, resisting arrest, and battery of a law enforcement officer. Police don't know if he was firing at officers or firing in the air while officers were chasing him in attempts to make officers fall back., according to Ditch.Haynes knew both the victim at Par Lane and the Westfield location, according to Ditch. He has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections\He is being held on a bond of $100,000. His next court appearance is April 13, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas felon charged after firing weapon during police chase 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend stabbing and have a teen in custody.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of the stabbing at a home in the 2700 block of E 15th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located a 20-year-old victim at the intersection of 15th Street N and Volutsia and two citizens providing first aid to him.

The investigation revealed the 20-year-old victim got into a verbal argument with his brother after he accidentally woke him up. During the verbal argument, the suspect began stabbing his 20-year-old brother. 

The suspect stabbed his brother multiple times in his left upper body, lower back, and left arm.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim underwent surgery and was reported in critical but stable condition.

Police arrested the 17-year-old brother on requested charges of aggravated battery. Police have not released the name of the suspect or brother.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681049208489.png" alt="First responders at the scene early Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene early Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend stabbing and have a teen in custody.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of the stabbing at a home in the 2700 block of E 15th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders located a 20-year-old victim at the intersection of 15th Street N and Volutsia and two citizens providing first aid to him.The investigation revealed the 20-year-old victim got into a verbal argument with his brother after he accidentally woke him up. During the verbal argument, the suspect began stabbing his 20-year-old brother. The suspect stabbed his brother multiple times in his left upper body, lower back, and left arm.EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim underwent surgery and was reported in critical but stable condition.Police arrested the 17-year-old brother on requested charges of aggravated battery. Police have not released the name of the suspect or brother.

Kan. teen stabbed brother who accidentally woke him up

WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.

The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.

Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.

Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.

Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.

“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”

Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.

Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.

“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”

The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.

Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.

“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.

Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.

“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”

Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”

Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.

A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.

The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.

“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.

“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.

Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.

“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”

The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680642960114.png" alt=" Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.___