JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate an accident that sent a woman to the hospital just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.

According to Leawood Police, a Kia compact vehicle driven by a 28-year-old woman traveled southbound through a red light at State Line Road just off Interstate 435.&nbsp;

The car struck the right rear of a westbound Freightliner semi driven by a 70-year-old Overland Park man. The truck continued to the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 435 and dragged the car underneath for the next eight miles. Both vehicles finally came to rest near Lackman Road in Lenexa.

EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Leawood Police.

The truck driver is cooperating with the investigation. Anyone with knowledge of the event is asked to contact Leawood police at 913-642-7700 or tips@leawood.org

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674852927068.png" alt="The semi dragged the car eight miles on the interstate before the driver noticed -photo Leawood Police" />
 <figcaption>The semi dragged the car eight miles on the interstate before the driver noticed -photo Leawood Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate an accident that sent a woman to the hospital just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County. According to Leawood Police, a Kia compact vehicle driven by a 28-year-old woman traveled southbound through a red light at State Line Road just off Interstate 435.&nbsp;The car struck the right rear of a westbound Freightliner semi driven by a 70-year-old Overland Park man. The truck continued to the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 435 and dragged the car underneath for the next eight miles. Both vehicles finally came to rest near Lackman Road in Lenexa.EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Leawood Police.The truck driver is cooperating with the investigation. Anyone with knowledge of the event is asked to contact Leawood police at 913-642-7700 or tips@leawood.org

Car dragged 8 miles on Kan. highway before the semi driver noticed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives has asked former U.S. presidents and vice presidents to recheck their personal records for any classified documents following the news that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-classified-documents-president-33df0355c72e9ae8fa4cb6ead13f6521">President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;had such documents in their possession.

The Archives sent a letter Thursday to representatives of former presidents and vice presidents extending back to Ronald Reagan to ensure compliance with the Presidential Records Act, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. The act states that any records created or received by the president are the property of the U.S. government and will be managed by the Archives at the end of an administration.

The Archives sent the letter to representatives of former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, and former Vice Presidents Pence, Biden, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Dan Quayle.

Responsibility to comply with the Presidential Records Act "does not diminish after the end of an administration,” the Archives wrote in the letter. “Therefore, we request that you conduct an assessment of any materials held outside of (the Archives) that relate to the administration for which you serve as a designated representative under the PRA, to determine whether bodies of materials previously assumed to be personal in nature might inadvertently contain Presidential or Vice Presidential records subject to the PRA, whether classified or unclassified.”

Spokespeople for former Presidents Trump, Obama, Clinton and former Vice Presidents Pence, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Dan Quayle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Freddy Ford, chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, suggested in his response to the Archives that Bush's office did not believe a search was necessary, saying, “Thank you for your note. We understand its purpose and remain confident that no such materials are in our possession.”

Biden’s lawyers came across classified documents from his time as vice president in a locked cabinet as they were packing up an office he no longer uses in November. Since then,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-delaware-0827b59ee141b33af95023377713e075">subsequent searches by the FBI</a>&nbsp;and Biden’s lawyers have turned up more documents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">Former Vice President Pence, too, this week,</a>&nbsp;discovered documents and turned them in after saying previously he did not believe he had any.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment but the searches by Biden’s attorneys and the FBI appear to fulfill the Archives’ request.

Handling of classified documents has been a problem off and on for decades, from presidents to Cabinet members and staff across multiple administrations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-classified-documents-ronald-reagan-50e221ea424392b3582cd0d305cab0ee">stretching as far back as Jimmy Carter.</a>&nbsp;But the issue has taken on greater significance since former President Donald Trump willfully retained classified material at his Florida estate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-department-of-justice-michael-pence-7e616d65db8a76a078d1ec9268c13a77">prompting the unprecedented FBI seizure of thousands of pages of records last year.</a>

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate Trump’s handling of the documents, and also Biden’s.

It turns out that officials from all levels of government discover they are in possession of classified material and turn it over to authorities at least several times a year, according to another person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of classified documents.

Current and former officials involved in the handling of classified information say that while there are clear policies for how such information should be reviewed and stored, those policies are sometimes pushed aside at the highest levels. Teams of national security officials, secretaries and military aides who share responsibility for keeping top-level executives informed — and the executives themselves — may bend the rules for convenience, expediency or sometimes simple carelessness.

While much of the attention has been on classified information, the Presidential Records Act actually requires that, from the Reagan administration onward, all records must be transferred to the Archives regardless of classification.

It’s against federal law to have classified documents at an unauthorized location, but it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-classified-information-8dd6297eaebc358ffc15c153dc1b000e">only a crime if it was done intentionally.</a>

Speaking Thursday at an unrelated news conference, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that though he could not discuss any specific ongoing investigation, “We have had for quite a number of years any number of mishandling investigations. That is unfortunately a regular part of our counterintelligence division’s and counterintelligence program’s work.”

He said there was a need for people to be conscious of laws and rules governing the handling of classified information. “Those rules,” he said, “are there for a reason.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674832670808.png" alt="George W. Bush during a campaign speech in 2000 -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>George W. Bush during a campaign speech in 2000 -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives has asked former U.S. presidents and vice presidents to recheck their personal records for any classified documents following the news that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-classified-documents-president-33df0355c72e9ae8fa4cb6ead13f6521">President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;had such documents in their possession.The Archives sent a letter Thursday to representatives of former presidents and vice presidents extending back to Ronald Reagan to ensure compliance with the Presidential Records Act, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. The act states that any records created or received by the president are the property of the U.S. government and will be managed by the Archives at the end of an administration.The Archives sent the letter to representatives of former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, and former Vice Presidents Pence, Biden, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Dan Quayle.Responsibility to comply with the Presidential Records Act "does not diminish after the end of an administration,” the Archives wrote in the letter. “Therefore, we request that you conduct an assessment of any materials held outside of (the Archives) that relate to the administration for which you serve as a designated representative under the PRA, to determine whether bodies of materials previously assumed to be personal in nature might inadvertently contain Presidential or Vice Presidential records subject to the PRA, whether classified or unclassified.”Spokespeople for former Presidents Trump, Obama, Clinton and former Vice Presidents Pence, Dick Cheney, Al Gore and Dan Quayle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Freddy Ford, chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, suggested in his response to the Archives that Bush's office did not believe a search was necessary, saying, “Thank you for your note. We understand its purpose and remain confident that no such materials are in our possession.”Biden’s lawyers came across classified documents from his time as vice president in a locked cabinet as they were packing up an office he no longer uses in November. Since then,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-delaware-0827b59ee141b33af95023377713e075">subsequent searches by the FBI</a>&nbsp;and Biden’s lawyers have turned up more documents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">Former Vice President Pence, too, this week,</a>&nbsp;discovered documents and turned them in after saying previously he did not believe he had any.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment but the searches by Biden’s attorneys and the FBI appear to fulfill the Archives’ request.The Archives had no comment.Handling of classified documents has been a problem off and on for decades, from presidents to Cabinet members and staff across multiple administrations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-district-of-columbia-classified-documents-ronald-reagan-50e221ea424392b3582cd0d305cab0ee">stretching as far back as Jimmy Carter.</a>&nbsp;But the issue has taken on greater significance since former President Donald Trump willfully retained classified material at his Florida estate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-department-of-justice-michael-pence-7e616d65db8a76a078d1ec9268c13a77">prompting the unprecedented FBI seizure of thousands of pages of records last year.</a>Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate Trump’s handling of the documents, and also Biden’s.It turns out that officials from all levels of government discover they are in possession of classified material and turn it over to authorities at least several times a year, according to another person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of classified documents.Current and former officials involved in the handling of classified information say that while there are clear policies for how such information should be reviewed and stored, those policies are sometimes pushed aside at the highest levels. Teams of national security officials, secretaries and military aides who share responsibility for keeping top-level executives informed — and the executives themselves — may bend the rules for convenience, expediency or sometimes simple carelessness.While much of the attention has been on classified information, the Presidential Records Act actually requires that, from the Reagan administration onward, all records must be transferred to the Archives regardless of classification.It’s against federal law to have classified documents at an unauthorized location, but it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-classified-information-8dd6297eaebc358ffc15c153dc1b000e">only a crime if it was done intentionally.</a>Speaking Thursday at an unrelated news conference, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that though he could not discuss any specific ongoing investigation, “We have had for quite a number of years any number of mishandling investigations. That is unfortunately a regular part of our counterintelligence division’s and counterintelligence program’s work.”He said there was a need for people to be conscious of laws and rules governing the handling of classified information. “Those rules,” he said, “are there for a reason.”___

Past US presidents, VPs asked to recheck for classified docs

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A 74-year-old woman was able to escape with her dogs from a fire in her residence north of Salina Thursday afternoon.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that deputies and Rural Fire District No. 7 personnel were sent to the 5800 block of N. Bartley Road at approximately 2:24 p.m. Thursday for the report of a structure fire.

The 74-year-old woman who lived in the residence noticed smoke coming into the house from the garage. She grabbed her dogs and was able to escape with them without injury, Soldan said. She also was able to get her vehicle out of the garage before it burned.

Soldan said the fire destroyed the attached garage and burned part of the kitchen and pantry. Additionally, there was smoke damage throughout the house. No damage estimate was available.

It appeared that the fire began in a garage wall, however, the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674838642469.jpeg" alt="Rural Fire District No. 7 firefighters work to extinguish the blaze. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Rural Fire District No. 7 firefighters work to extinguish the blaze. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA 74-year-old woman was able to escape with her dogs from a fire in her residence north of Salina Thursday afternoon.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that deputies and Rural Fire District No. 7 personnel were sent to the 5800 block of N. Bartley Road at approximately 2:24 p.m. Thursday for the report of a structure fire.The 74-year-old woman who lived in the residence noticed smoke coming into the house from the garage. She grabbed her dogs and was able to escape with them without injury, Soldan said. She also was able to get her vehicle out of the garage before it burned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674838814023.jpeg" alt="The fire is believed to have started in a garage wall." />
 <figcaption>The fire is believed to have started in a garage wall.</figcaption>
 </figure>Soldan said the fire destroyed the attached garage and burned part of the kitchen and pantry. Additionally, there was smoke damage throughout the house. No damage estimate was available.It appeared that the fire began in a garage wall, however, the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

Kan. woman, dogs escape fire that damaged rural home

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran– co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus and member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation with jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) introduced legislation this week to study and help prevent FAA system outages, according to a statement from his office.

On January 11, 2023, the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system failed, grounding flights nationwide. The senator’s legislation, the&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act,&nbsp;would require the FAA to establish a task force to strengthen the resiliency and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of safety and location hazards on flight routes. U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this month.

“The FAA has a responsibility to make certain air travel in the U.S. is as safe and efficient as possible,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “The complete failure of the NOTAM system stranded millions of Americans and was a warning of the need to strengthen and modernize our air travel system. This legislation will help meet the demands of 21st century travel and help prevent a similar failure in the future.”

“Travelers in the United States deserve safe and dependable air travel service, not nationwide ground stops caused by system failures,”&nbsp;said Sen. Klobuchar.&nbsp;“By upgrading and modernizing the FAA’s NOTAM system, our bipartisan legislation would improve aviation safety and prevent system outages from derailing travel. As co-chair of the bipartisan Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with Representative Stauber and my colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill and strengthen our air travel infrastructure.”

“After the Notice to Air Missions system failure grounded air traffic in the United States on January 11th, it is imperative that a group of aviation experts be assembled to look at ways to improve this vital safety system,”&nbsp;said Sen. Capito.&nbsp;“That’s exactly what our legislation would do, and I am proud to help lead this effort that will help strengthen the NOTAM system for pilots and essential personnel. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill passed quickly and sent to the president’s desk.”

The task force would be comprised of representatives from air carriers, airports, airline pilots, aircraft dispatchers, air traffic control specialists and FAA personnel unions, general and business aviation representatives, as well as aviation safety and cybersecurity experts.

Earlier this month, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2EE3818C-74BA-46CC-9E0D-1B36A4B9E9E8" target="_blank">spoke</a>&nbsp;with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen following the NOTAM system failure to discuss his agency’s efforts to identify the factors behind the system outage and prevent similar breakdowns from happening again.

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran– co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus and member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation with jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) introduced legislation this week to study and help prevent FAA system outages, according to a statement from his office.On January 11, 2023, the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system failed, grounding flights nationwide. The senator’s legislation, the&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act,&nbsp;would require the FAA to establish a task force to strengthen the resiliency and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of safety and location hazards on flight routes. U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this month.“The FAA has a responsibility to make certain air travel in the U.S. is as safe and efficient as possible,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran. “The complete failure of the NOTAM system stranded millions of Americans and was a warning of the need to strengthen and modernize our air travel system. This legislation will help meet the demands of 21st century travel and help prevent a similar failure in the future.”“Travelers in the United States deserve safe and dependable air travel service, not nationwide ground stops caused by system failures,”&nbsp;said Sen. Klobuchar.&nbsp;“By upgrading and modernizing the FAA’s NOTAM system, our bipartisan legislation would improve aviation safety and prevent system outages from derailing travel. As co-chair of the bipartisan Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with Representative Stauber and my colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill and strengthen our air travel infrastructure.”“After the Notice to Air Missions system failure grounded air traffic in the United States on January 11th, it is imperative that a group of aviation experts be assembled to look at ways to improve this vital safety system,”&nbsp;said Sen. Capito.&nbsp;“That’s exactly what our legislation would do, and I am proud to help lead this effort that will help strengthen the NOTAM system for pilots and essential personnel. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill passed quickly and sent to the president’s desk.”The task force would be comprised of representatives from air carriers, airports, airline pilots, aircraft dispatchers, air traffic control specialists and FAA personnel unions, general and business aviation representatives, as well as aviation safety and cybersecurity experts.Earlier this month, Sens. Moran and Klobuchar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2EE3818C-74BA-46CC-9E0D-1B36A4B9E9E8" target="_blank">spoke</a>&nbsp;with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen following the NOTAM system failure to discuss his agency’s efforts to identify the factors behind the system outage and prevent similar breakdowns from happening again.

Moran introduces bill to help prevent FAA system outages

San Francisco (AP) —Video released publicly Friday shows the husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi fighting for control of a hammer with his assailant during a brutal attack in the couple's San Francisco home last year.

The body-camera footage shows suspect David DePape wrest the tool from 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and lunge toward him the hammer over his head. The blow to Pelosi occurs out of view and the officers — one of them cursing — rush into the house and jump on DePape.

Pelosi, apparently unconscious, can be seen lying face down on the floor in his pajama top and underwear. Officials later said he woke up in a pool of his own blood.

The release comes after a coalition of news agencies, including The Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/news-media-nancy-pelosi-san-francisco-1ea0bd79973f319ba2b28ed5bb74ab8e">sought access to the evidence that prosecutors played in open court</a>&nbsp;last month. The San Francisco District Attorney's Office had refused to make the exhibits available to journalists.

A state court judge Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/assault-nancy-pelosi-paul-san-francisco-5a028836901e172998f67efa8c12b7eb">ruled there was no reason to keep the video secret</a>.

The evidence includes portions of Paul Pelosi’s 911 call on Oct. 28, as well as video images from Capitol police surveillance cameras, a body camera worn by one of the two police officers who arrived at the house and video from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-government-and-politics-paul-985a574966438975ec9ccdc39061d83c">suspect DePape’s interview with police</a>.

The Capitol Police video shows DePape walk up to a glass-panel door, leave and then return wearing a large backpack and carrying two other bags. He set all the items down and pulled out a hammer, pausing to put on gloves, and used it to smash the door glass so he could step through an opening.

DePape has pleaded not guilty in ongoing state and federal cases. He is being held in jail without bail.

Members of Congress have faced a sharp rise in threats in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Paul Pelosi was asleep at the couple’s home when DePape allegedly broke in. Nancy Pelosi was in Washington at the time and under the protection of her security detail, which does not extend to family members.

Her husband of nearly 60 years later underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands. He has since appeared in public wearing a hat and a glove that covered his wounds.

Nancy Pelosi on Thursday told reporters her husband’s well-being was paramount and she did not know if she would view the video once it was released.

“I don’t even know if I will see that,” she said. “I mean, it would be a very hard thing to see an assault on my husband’s life, but I don’t know.”

Police have said DePape told them there was “evil in Washington” and he wanted to harm Nancy Pelosi because she was second in line to the presidency at the time.

DePape told police he was on a “suicide mission,” court documents say, and authorities have said he was drawn to conspiracy theories.

Misinformation about the attack has been rampant.

The San Francisco police officer's body-camera video begins with officers approaching the brick home and rapping on the door. It takes about 20 seconds for the door to open and during that time, the officers discuss whether they have the right house.

When the door opens, Paul Pelosi says, “Hi, guys, how are you?”

Both men are facing the officers at the door and a flashlight shows DePape holding the handle of a hammer with his right hand and clutching Pelosi’s right hand, which is gripping around the hammer head, with his left hand.

“What’s going on, man?” the officer asks.

“Everything’s good,” DePape replies.

DePape says no and begins to pull it from Pelosi’s grip. Pelosi says, “Hey, hey.”

DePape wins control of the hammer and attacks Pelosi. The attack happens off-camera but Pelosi can be seen lying on the ground. The officers call for backup as they struggle to get DePape’s hand.

There’s a snoring sound in the background and the officer calls for a medic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674845796426.png" alt="The body-camera footage shows suspect David DePape wrest the tool from 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and lunge toward him the hammer over his head -image SFPD" />
 <figcaption>The body-camera footage shows suspect David DePape wrest the tool from 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and lunge toward him the hammer over his head -image SFPD</figcaption>
 </figure>San Francisco (AP) —Video released publicly Friday shows the husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi fighting for control of a hammer with his assailant during a brutal attack in the couple's San Francisco home last year.The body-camera footage shows suspect David DePape wrest the tool from 82-year-old Paul Pelosi and lunge toward him the hammer over his head. The blow to Pelosi occurs out of view and the officers — one of them cursing — rush into the house and jump on DePape.Pelosi, apparently unconscious, can be seen lying face down on the floor in his pajama top and underwear. Officials later said he woke up in a pool of his own blood.The release comes after a coalition of news agencies, including The Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/news-media-nancy-pelosi-san-francisco-1ea0bd79973f319ba2b28ed5bb74ab8e">sought access to the evidence that prosecutors played in open court</a>&nbsp;last month. The San Francisco District Attorney's Office had refused to make the exhibits available to journalists.A state court judge Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/assault-nancy-pelosi-paul-san-francisco-5a028836901e172998f67efa8c12b7eb">ruled there was no reason to keep the video secret</a>.The evidence includes portions of Paul Pelosi’s 911 call on Oct. 28, as well as video images from Capitol police surveillance cameras, a body camera worn by one of the two police officers who arrived at the house and video from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-government-and-politics-paul-985a574966438975ec9ccdc39061d83c">suspect DePape’s interview with police</a>.The Capitol Police video shows DePape walk up to a glass-panel door, leave and then return wearing a large backpack and carrying two other bags. He set all the items down and pulled out a hammer, pausing to put on gloves, and used it to smash the door glass so he could step through an opening.DePape has pleaded not guilty in ongoing state and federal cases. He is being held in jail without bail.Members of Congress have faced a sharp rise in threats in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.Paul Pelosi was asleep at the couple’s home when DePape allegedly broke in. Nancy Pelosi was in Washington at the time and under the protection of her security detail, which does not extend to family members.Her husband of nearly 60 years later underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands. He has since appeared in public wearing a hat and a glove that covered his wounds.Nancy Pelosi on Thursday told reporters her husband’s well-being was paramount and she did not know if she would view the video once it was released.“I don’t even know if I will see that,” she said. “I mean, it would be a very hard thing to see an assault on my husband’s life, but I don’t know.”Police have said DePape told them there was “evil in Washington” and he wanted to harm Nancy Pelosi because she was second in line to the presidency at the time.DePape told police he was on a “suicide mission,” court documents say, and authorities have said he was drawn to conspiracy theories.Misinformation about the attack has been rampant.The San Francisco police officer's body-camera video begins with officers approaching the brick home and rapping on the door. It takes about 20 seconds for the door to open and during that time, the officers discuss whether they have the right house.When the door opens, Paul Pelosi says, “Hi, guys, how are you?”Both men are facing the officers at the door and a flashlight shows DePape holding the handle of a hammer with his right hand and clutching Pelosi’s right hand, which is gripping around the hammer head, with his left hand.“What’s going on, man?” the officer asks.“Everything’s good,” DePape replies.“Drop the hammer,” the officer says.DePape says no and begins to pull it from Pelosi’s grip. Pelosi says, “Hey, hey.”DePape wins control of the hammer and attacks Pelosi. The attack happens off-camera but Pelosi can be seen lying on the ground. The officers call for backup as they struggle to get DePape’s hand.There’s a snoring sound in the background and the officer calls for a medic.___

Video shows struggle for hammer during attack on Pelosi's husband

PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of child sex crimes appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

&nbsp;Joshua J. Bernal, 33 of Larned is charged with one count of Aggravated Indecent Liberties; lewd fondling, of a child under the age of 14, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The incident was reported to the Larned Police Department on August 29, and investigated by the Kansas Department of Children and Families. It is alleged to have occurred at a private residence in Larned during the Summer of 2022.

Following the presentation of evidence, Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell found the State presented sufficient evidence to support the charge and bound the defendant over to the higher court. Arraignment has been scheduled for March 23.

Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted Bernal faces a mandatory 25 year sentence under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.

Bernal was arrested on October 14, 2022, without incident. He later posted a $50,000 surety bond and is currently subject to electronic GPS monitoring, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674672820293.png" alt="Bernal-photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Bernal-photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of child sex crimes appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.&nbsp;Joshua J. Bernal, 33 of Larned is charged with one count of Aggravated Indecent Liberties; lewd fondling, of a child under the age of 14, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The incident was reported to the Larned Police Department on August 29, and investigated by the Kansas Department of Children and Families. It is alleged to have occurred at a private residence in Larned during the Summer of 2022.Following the presentation of evidence, Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell found the State presented sufficient evidence to support the charge and bound the defendant over to the higher court. Arraignment has been scheduled for March 23.Based on the age of the alleged victim, if convicted Bernal faces a mandatory 25 year sentence under the Jessica’s Law sentencing provisions. He would also be subject to registration as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.Bernal was arrested on October 14, 2022, without incident. He later posted a $50,000 surety bond and is currently subject to electronic GPS monitoring, according to McNett.

SW Kansas man will face trial for alleged child sex crime

Police are investigating alleged arson in which a loud explosion damaged a residence in west-central Salina late Thursday night.

A 29-year-old Salina man told police that he was awakened by a loud explosion that broke the glass on his front porch light as well as drywall inside his residence in the 500 block of S. College Avenue, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The incident occurred at approximately 11:50 p.m.

Video from the man's surveillance camera shows a large cloud of smoke from his front porch.

Surveillance video from the neighborhood shows a man who was walking down the street throw an object on the front porch and then run southbound from the area. The explosion is then seen on the video, Forrester said. Other surveillance video from the area is being reviewed, he added. Damage to the light and drywall was estimated at $150.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice are investigating alleged arson in which a loud explosion damaged a residence in west-central Salina late Thursday night.A 29-year-old Salina man told police that he was awakened by a loud explosion that broke the glass on his front porch light as well as drywall inside his residence in the 500 block of S. College Avenue, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The incident occurred at approximately 11:50 p.m.Video from the man's surveillance camera shows a large cloud of smoke from his front porch.Surveillance video from the neighborhood shows a man who was walking down the street throw an object on the front porch and then run southbound from the area. The explosion is then seen on the video, Forrester said. Other surveillance video from the area is being reviewed, he added. Damage to the light and drywall was estimated at $150.

Police investigate possible arson after explosion near Salina home

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month, House Republicans are seeking to restrict presidential use of the nation’s emergency oil stockpile — a proposal that has already drawn a White House veto threat.

A GOP bill set for a vote Friday would require the government to offset any non-emergency withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with new drilling on public lands and oceans. Republicans accuse President Joe Biden of abusing the reserve for political reasons to keep gas prices low, while Biden says tapping the reserve was needed last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">in response to a ban on Russian oil imports following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.</a>

Biden withdrew 180 million barrels from the strategic reserve over several months, bringing the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The administration said last month it will start to replenish the reserve now that oil prices have gone down.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attacked the latest GOP proposal, which follows a bill approved two weeks ago that would prohibit the Energy Department from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-china-92863d8d03fe2cd9b1994e0f1f5579a6">selling oil from the strategic reserve to companies owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.</a>

“House Republicans will vote to raise gas prices on American families ... and help Putin's war aims by interfering with our ability to release oil,'' Jean-Pierre said, referring to the current GOP bill. "These extreme policies would subject working families to immense financial pain and balloon our deficit, all just to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers and big corporations.''

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, appearing with Jean-Pierre at the White House, said the bill would make it ”harder to offer Americans relief in the future" from oil disruptions that could raise prices.

Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and sponsored the GOP bill, accused Granholm and the White House of multiple misleading claims, including an erroneous assertion that the bill could affect use of the reserve during a presidentially declared emergency.

“At a time when gas prices are on the rise, Secretary Granholm and the Biden administration need to be transparent with the American people about their efforts to cover up how they’ve abused the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as an election-year gimmick,'' McMorris Rodgers said.

"Republicans want durable, long-lasting relief at the pump. The best way to do this is by unleashing American energy,'' which her legislation helps accomplish, added McMorris Rodgers, of Washington state.

The heated rhetoric is part of a larger fight over oil drilling and climate change. Republicans say restrictions on oil leasing imposed by the Biden administration hamper U.S. energy production and harm the economy, while Democrats tout&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">a sweeping climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;as a crucial step to wean the nation off fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. The measure authorizes billions in spending to boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power and includes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-business-climate-and-environment-f145b24414ff245f491fd68257b3db60">incentives for Americans to buy millions of electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and more efficient appliances.</a>

Biden, citing the dangers of climate change, canceled the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline in his first days in office and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-biden-halting-federal-oil-and-gas-sales-b8f03552c2c2fa7ec0dfc5debeb3f882">suspended new oil and gas leases on federal lands.</a>&nbsp;The moratorium has since been lifted, under court order, but Republicans complain that lease sales for new drilling rights are still limited.

Biden campaigned on pledges to end new drilling on public lands, and climate activists have pushed him to move faster to shut down oil leasing. Fossil fuels extracted from public lands account for about 20% of energy-related U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making them a prime target for emissions reductions intended to slow global warming.

“Whether on land or at sea, oil drilling poses an unacceptable risk for our wildlife, wild places and waterways,'' said Lisa Frank of Environment America, an advocacy group. “When we drill, we spill. At a time when we should be moving away from this destructive, dangerous practice — and expanding use of renewable power — this bill doubles down on the outmoded energy of the past.''

Frank urged lawmakers to reject the GOP bill and instead move to permanently ban new drilling off U.S. coasts and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Conservative and industry groups support the bill.

“We can continue making the Strategic Petroleum Reserve the nation’s sole response to future disruptions, or we can also utilize more of the vast oil supplies sitting beneath the lands and offshore areas currently kept off limits by the president,'' the Competitive Enterprise Institute and other conservative groups said in a letter to Congress.

The Treasury Department estimates that release of oil from the emergency stockpile lowered prices at the pump by up to 40 cents per gallon. Gasoline prices averaged about $3.50 per gallon on Thursday, down from just over $5 per gallon at their peak in June, according to the AAA auto club.

Morris Rodgers accused Biden of using the reserve to “cover up his failed policies" that she said are driving up energy prices and inflation. Average gas prices are up more than 30 cents from a month ago and are higher than when Biden took office in January 2021, she and other Republicans noted.

“Millions of Americans are paying more at the pump as a result of the Biden administration’s radical ‘rush-to-green’ agenda that has shut down American energy,'' McMorris Rodgers said.

Granholm, citing thousands of unused leases by oil companies, said GOP claims of obstructionism on drilling were off-base. "There's nothing standing in the way of domestic oil and gas production,'' she said, a claim McMorris Rodgers disputed.

"There are plenty of barriers to unleashing domestic oil and gas production, including burdensome regulations and this administration’s discouragement of financial investment in domestic oil and gas industries,'' she said, noting that U.S. oil production is well below its 2019 peak of 13 million barrels of oil a day.

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month, House Republicans are seeking to restrict presidential use of the nation’s emergency oil stockpile — a proposal that has already drawn a White House veto threat.A GOP bill set for a vote Friday would require the government to offset any non-emergency withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with new drilling on public lands and oceans. Republicans accuse President Joe Biden of abusing the reserve for political reasons to keep gas prices low, while Biden says tapping the reserve was needed last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">in response to a ban on Russian oil imports following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.</a>Biden withdrew 180 million barrels from the strategic reserve over several months, bringing the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The administration said last month it will start to replenish the reserve now that oil prices have gone down.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attacked the latest GOP proposal, which follows a bill approved two weeks ago that would prohibit the Energy Department from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-china-92863d8d03fe2cd9b1994e0f1f5579a6">selling oil from the strategic reserve to companies owned or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.</a>“House Republicans will vote to raise gas prices on American families ... and help Putin's war aims by interfering with our ability to release oil,'' Jean-Pierre said, referring to the current GOP bill. "These extreme policies would subject working families to immense financial pain and balloon our deficit, all just to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers and big corporations.''Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, appearing with Jean-Pierre at the White House, said the bill would make it ”harder to offer Americans relief in the future" from oil disruptions that could raise prices.Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and sponsored the GOP bill, accused Granholm and the White House of multiple misleading claims, including an erroneous assertion that the bill could affect use of the reserve during a presidentially declared emergency.“At a time when gas prices are on the rise, Secretary Granholm and the Biden administration need to be transparent with the American people about their efforts to cover up how they’ve abused the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as an election-year gimmick,'' McMorris Rodgers said."Republicans want durable, long-lasting relief at the pump. The best way to do this is by unleashing American energy,'' which her legislation helps accomplish, added McMorris Rodgers, of Washington state.The heated rhetoric is part of a larger fight over oil drilling and climate change. Republicans say restrictions on oil leasing imposed by the Biden administration hamper U.S. energy production and harm the economy, while Democrats tout&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">a sweeping climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;as a crucial step to wean the nation off fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. The measure authorizes billions in spending to boost renewable energy such as wind and solar power and includes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-business-climate-and-environment-f145b24414ff245f491fd68257b3db60">incentives for Americans to buy millions of electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and more efficient appliances.</a>Biden, citing the dangers of climate change, canceled the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline in his first days in office and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-biden-halting-federal-oil-and-gas-sales-b8f03552c2c2fa7ec0dfc5debeb3f882">suspended new oil and gas leases on federal lands.</a>&nbsp;The moratorium has since been lifted, under court order, but Republicans complain that lease sales for new drilling rights are still limited.Biden campaigned on pledges to end new drilling on public lands, and climate activists have pushed him to move faster to shut down oil leasing. Fossil fuels extracted from public lands account for about 20% of energy-related U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making them a prime target for emissions reductions intended to slow global warming.“Whether on land or at sea, oil drilling poses an unacceptable risk for our wildlife, wild places and waterways,'' said Lisa Frank of Environment America, an advocacy group. “When we drill, we spill. At a time when we should be moving away from this destructive, dangerous practice — and expanding use of renewable power — this bill doubles down on the outmoded energy of the past.''Frank urged lawmakers to reject the GOP bill and instead move to permanently ban new drilling off U.S. coasts and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.Conservative and industry groups support the bill.“We can continue making the Strategic Petroleum Reserve the nation’s sole response to future disruptions, or we can also utilize more of the vast oil supplies sitting beneath the lands and offshore areas currently kept off limits by the president,'' the Competitive Enterprise Institute and other conservative groups said in a letter to Congress.The Treasury Department estimates that release of oil from the emergency stockpile lowered prices at the pump by up to 40 cents per gallon. Gasoline prices averaged about $3.50 per gallon on Thursday, down from just over $5 per gallon at their peak in June, according to the AAA auto club.Morris Rodgers accused Biden of using the reserve to “cover up his failed policies" that she said are driving up energy prices and inflation. Average gas prices are up more than 30 cents from a month ago and are higher than when Biden took office in January 2021, she and other Republicans noted.“Millions of Americans are paying more at the pump as a result of the Biden administration’s radical ‘rush-to-green’ agenda that has shut down American energy,'' McMorris Rodgers said.Granholm, citing thousands of unused leases by oil companies, said GOP claims of obstructionism on drilling were off-base. "There's nothing standing in the way of domestic oil and gas production,'' she said, a claim McMorris Rodgers disputed."There are plenty of barriers to unleashing domestic oil and gas production, including burdensome regulations and this administration’s discouragement of financial investment in domestic oil and gas industries,'' she said, noting that U.S. oil production is well below its 2019 peak of 13 million barrels of oil a day.

House GOP seeks new restrictions on use of US oil stockpile

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon fleeing police died from injuries in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.

On Thursday morning, police were in the area of Hydraulic and Wassal in Wichita following up on information regarding a vehicle that had been involved in several larcenies in the Wichita area, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

An officer spotted the suspect vehicle and witnessed it commit a traffic violation at Washington and Wassal. The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at Pawnee and Washington.

The suspect immediately accelerated away from the officer going left of the center line northbound on Washington.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the suspect vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; 59-year-old Kennedy Jewel Edmond of Wichita,&nbsp; was northbound in the 1700 Block of South Washington in Wichita attempting to pass a 2010 Buick LaCrosse driven by 67-year-old Lamoine Hutton of Tulsa on the right.

The Toyota sideswiped the Buick and overturned. Edmond ran from the vehicle, then collapsed behind a truck nearby. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, according to Wichita Police Officer Trevor Macy.

Hutton was not injured.&nbsp; EMS observed a passenger in the Toyota identified as 49-year-old Donald Allen Maggard&nbsp; of Wichita. He refused treatment.&nbsp;

Edmond had previous convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, theft burglary and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections.&nbsp;In Sept. police in Wichita arrested Edmond on requested charges of aggravated battery and fleeing police, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.

Police requested the Kansas Highway Patrol to take over the accident investigation for accountability and transparency purposes.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash after a driver fled from police.

The officer initiated a pursuit that was quickly terminated. After the termination of the pursuit, the suspect continued northbound on Washington at a high rate of speed.

Just north of Funston, the suspect vehicle attempted to pass another vehicle on the right. The suspect lost control of the vehicle when sideswiped the vehicle he attempted to pass.

The suspect vehicle overturned and came to rest in the 1700 block of S. Washington, according to Macy.

The driver ran from the vehicle, then collapsed behind a truck nearby. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.

A passenger was also in the suspect vehicle – he was seen on scene by EMS but refused treatment. The driver of the civilian vehicle that was struck was uninjured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674756123276.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon fleeing police died from injuries in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.On Thursday morning, police were in the area of Hydraulic and Wassal in Wichita following up on information regarding a vehicle that had been involved in several larcenies in the Wichita area, according to Officer Trevor Macy.An officer spotted the suspect vehicle and witnessed it commit a traffic violation at Washington and Wassal. The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at Pawnee and Washington.The suspect immediately accelerated away from the officer going left of the center line northbound on Washington.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the suspect vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; 59-year-old Kennedy Jewel Edmond of Wichita,&nbsp; was northbound in the 1700 Block of South Washington in Wichita attempting to pass a 2010 Buick LaCrosse driven by 67-year-old Lamoine Hutton of Tulsa on the right.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674778276822.png" alt="Edmond had previous convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, theft burglary and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections.&nbsp; In Sept. police in Wichita arrested Edmond on requested charges of aggravated battery and fleeing police, according to Sedgwick County arrest records." />
 <figcaption>Edmond had previous convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, theft burglary and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections.&nbsp; In Sept. police in Wichita arrested Edmond on requested charges of aggravated battery and fleeing police, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Toyota sideswiped the Buick and overturned. Edmond ran from the vehicle, then collapsed behind a truck nearby. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, according to Wichita Police Officer Trevor Macy.Hutton was not injured.&nbsp; EMS observed a passenger in the Toyota identified as 49-year-old Donald Allen Maggard&nbsp; of Wichita. He refused treatment.&nbsp;Edmond had previous convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, theft burglary and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections.&nbsp;In Sept. police in Wichita arrested Edmond on requested charges of aggravated battery and fleeing police, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.Police requested the Kansas Highway Patrol to take over the accident investigation for accountability and transparency purposes.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash after a driver fled from police.On Thursday morning, police were in the area of Hydraulic and Wassal in Wichita following up on information regarding a vehicle that had been involved in several larcenies in the Wichita area, according to Officer Trevor Macy.An officer spotted the suspect vehicle and witnessed it commit a traffic violation at Washington and Wassal. The officer followed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at Pawnee and Washington.The suspect immediately accelerated away from the officer going left of the center line northbound on Washington.The officer initiated a pursuit that was quickly terminated. After the termination of the pursuit, the suspect continued northbound on Washington at a high rate of speed.Just north of Funston, the suspect vehicle attempted to pass another vehicle on the right. The suspect lost control of the vehicle when sideswiped the vehicle he attempted to pass.The suspect vehicle overturned and came to rest in the 1700 block of S. Washington, according to Macy.The driver ran from the vehicle, then collapsed behind a truck nearby. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.A passenger was also in the suspect vehicle – he was seen on scene by EMS but refused treatment. The driver of the civilian vehicle that was struck was uninjured.Police requested the Kansas Highway Patrol to take over the accident investigation for accountability and transparency purposes.

Driver who died in crash fleeing police had history of crime

By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-26/despite-a-ballot-box-loss-anti-abortion-lawmakers-in-kansas-propose-a-complete-ban">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kan. — Republican lawmakers in Kansas have 
introduced legislation that would outlaw abortion beginning at 
fertilization — without exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life 
or health of the mother.

The <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2181_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">near-total ban</a>
 is the most extreme anti-abortion legislation introduced in Kansas so 
far this legislative session. It comes less than six months after Kansas
 voters dealt a landslide upset to abortion opponents when they rejected
 an anti-abortion ballot measure.

And while the bill would almost 
surely be struck down by Kansas courts — they’ve already ruled the state
 constitution includes a right to abortion — it reflects efforts by a 
faction of the anti-abortion movement to pursue hardline restrictions 
anyway.

Rep. Brett Fairchild, a St. John Republican and one of the
 bill’s seven co-sponsors, said in an email that the introduction of the
 abortion ban fulfills one of his campaign promises.

“This bill simply provides for equal protection under the law for all human beings, both born and unborn,” he said.

The
 bill would also restrict the use of fetal tissue in medical research 
and make it a crime to destroy fertilized embryos, which could 
jeopardize the legality of common fertility treatments like in vitro 
fertilization.

If the bill were to become law — likely needing an 
override of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly — it would face immediate 
scrutiny from Kansas courts. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that
 the state’s constitution protects the right to an abortion. Last year, 
by a formidable 19-point margin, voters rejected a proposed 
constitutional amendment that would have eliminated those protections.

“It’s
 an unconstitutional bill, on its face,” said Teresa Woody, a longtime 
attorney representing abortion providers in Kansas, including in the 
2019 case.

The bill seeks to get in front of those almost certain 
challenges by declaring any court decision overruling the act itself a 
violation of the Kansas and U.S. constitutions. Additionally, it states 
that any judge who enjoins or overrules the legislation is subject to 
impeachment and removal.

Woody said those provisions don’t stand legal muster, and called them a “gross intrusion” into the separation of powers.

“This
 law has to be interpreted by the Kansas courts — because that’s their 
job; to interpret the laws vis a vis the Constitution of Kansas,” she 
said. “It would be a breach of separation of powers for the Legislature 
to say that they can control the outcomes and opinions of the Kansas 
appellate court.”

Abortion providers and reproductive rights advocates decried the bill.

“Anti-abortion
 lawmakers went to considerable effort in 2022 to ban abortion through a
 ballot measure in a special election that failed resoundingly by any 
measure,” said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, a spokesperson for the Trust Women
 clinic in Wichita. “To continue to introduce anti-abortion legislation 
they know will not pass constitutional muster is a subversion of 
democracy, and a shameful waste of taxpayer resources and time.”

In
 a statement, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes spokesperson 
Anamarie Rebori Simmons said conservative lawmakers are “intentionally 
and continually subverting the will of the voters.”

The near-total ban is a notable departure from the <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-12/how-kansas-lawmakers-could-try-to-restrict-abortion-this-year" target="_blank">more measured approach</a> put forth this year by Republican leadership and the state’s most prominent anti-abortion lobbying group, Kansans for Life.

Jeanne
 Gawdun, a senior lobbyist for Kansans for Life, said its lawyers have 
not reviewed the bill and referred to its 2023 legislative agenda in 
which the group outlined priorities including funding for anti-abortion 
crisis pregnancy centers.

Republicans are expected to introduce 
legislation that would do that in short order. Legislation already 
introduced in the Kansas Senate seeks to <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-20/kansas-abortion-bill-republicans-want-local-governtments-enact-bans" target="_blank">enable local governments to enact their own abortion bans</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-12/how-kansas-lawmakers-could-try-to-restrict-abortion-this-year" target="_blank">ban the prescription</a> of <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-12-20/kansas-planned-parenthood-telehealth-abortion-pill-court-ruling" target="_blank">abortion pills over telemedicine</a>.

But
 the near-total ban, introduced the day after hundreds of anti-abortion 
protestors rallied outside of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka for the
 state’s annual March for Life, reflected the urging of some more ardent
 members of the anti-abortion movement.

At the rally, Scott 
Stringfield, the medical director of Choices Medical Clinic, a Wichita 
crisis pregnancy center, invoked the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 
2001, and urged lawmakers to act aggressively to enact abortion 
restrictions.

“The men who were willing to pay the price of their 
lives to do such a heinous act when they flew those planes into the Twin
 Towers and into the Pentagon — you have to look at one thing: They were
 principled. They were willing to die for what they believed in,” 
Stringfield told protestors from the steps of the capitol. “And so I 
would encourage you to always choose principle over pragmatism.”

Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674763122792.png" alt="Anti-abortion protestors rallied outside the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka on Tuesday for the annual March for Life. Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Anti-abortion protestors rallied outside the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka on Tuesday for the annual March for Life. Rose Conlon / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By ROSE CONLON <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-26/despite-a-ballot-box-loss-anti-abortion-lawmakers-in-kansas-propose-a-complete-ban">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kan. — Republican lawmakers in Kansas have 
introduced legislation that would outlaw abortion beginning at 
fertilization — without exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life 
or health of the mother.The <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2181_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">near-total ban</a>
 is the most extreme anti-abortion legislation introduced in Kansas so 
far this legislative session. It comes less than six months after Kansas
 voters dealt a landslide upset to abortion opponents when they rejected
 an anti-abortion ballot measure.And while the bill would almost 
surely be struck down by Kansas courts — they’ve already ruled the state
 constitution includes a right to abortion — it reflects efforts by a 
faction of the anti-abortion movement to pursue hardline restrictions 
anyway.Rep. Brett Fairchild, a St. John Republican and one of the
 bill’s seven co-sponsors, said in an email that the introduction of the
 abortion ban fulfills one of his campaign promises.“This bill simply provides for equal protection under the law for all human beings, both born and unborn,” he said.The
 bill would also restrict the use of fetal tissue in medical research 
and make it a crime to destroy fertilized embryos, which could 
jeopardize the legality of common fertility treatments like in vitro 
fertilization.If the bill were to become law — likely needing an 
override of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly — it would face immediate 
scrutiny from Kansas courts. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that
 the state’s constitution protects the right to an abortion. Last year, 
by a formidable 19-point margin, voters rejected a proposed 
constitutional amendment that would have eliminated those protections.“It’s
 an unconstitutional bill, on its face,” said Teresa Woody, a longtime 
attorney representing abortion providers in Kansas, including in the 
2019 case.The bill seeks to get in front of those almost certain 
challenges by declaring any court decision overruling the act itself a 
violation of the Kansas and U.S. constitutions. Additionally, it states 
that any judge who enjoins or overrules the legislation is subject to 
impeachment and removal.Woody said those provisions don’t stand legal muster, and called them a “gross intrusion” into the separation of powers.“This
 law has to be interpreted by the Kansas courts — because that’s their 
job; to interpret the laws vis a vis the Constitution of Kansas,” she 
said. “It would be a breach of separation of powers for the Legislature 
to say that they can control the outcomes and opinions of the Kansas 
appellate court.”Abortion providers and reproductive rights advocates decried the bill.“Anti-abortion
 lawmakers went to considerable effort in 2022 to ban abortion through a
 ballot measure in a special election that failed resoundingly by any 
measure,” said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, a spokesperson for the Trust Women
 clinic in Wichita. “To continue to introduce anti-abortion legislation 
they know will not pass constitutional muster is a subversion of 
democracy, and a shameful waste of taxpayer resources and time.”In
 a statement, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes spokesperson 
Anamarie Rebori Simmons said conservative lawmakers are “intentionally 
and continually subverting the will of the voters.”The near-total ban is a notable departure from the <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-12/how-kansas-lawmakers-could-try-to-restrict-abortion-this-year" target="_blank">more measured approach</a> put forth this year by Republican leadership and the state’s most prominent anti-abortion lobbying group, Kansans for Life.Jeanne
 Gawdun, a senior lobbyist for Kansans for Life, said its lawyers have 
not reviewed the bill and referred to its 2023 legislative agenda in 
which the group outlined priorities including funding for anti-abortion 
crisis pregnancy centers.Republicans are expected to introduce 
legislation that would do that in short order. Legislation already 
introduced in the Kansas Senate seeks to <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-20/kansas-abortion-bill-republicans-want-local-governtments-enact-bans" target="_blank">enable local governments to enact their own abortion bans</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-01-12/how-kansas-lawmakers-could-try-to-restrict-abortion-this-year" target="_blank">ban the prescription</a> of <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/news/2022-12-20/kansas-planned-parenthood-telehealth-abortion-pill-court-ruling" target="_blank">abortion pills over telemedicine</a>.But
 the near-total ban, introduced the day after hundreds of anti-abortion 
protestors rallied outside of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka for the
 state’s annual March for Life, reflected the urging of some more ardent
 members of the anti-abortion movement.At the rally, Scott 
Stringfield, the medical director of Choices Medical Clinic, a Wichita 
crisis pregnancy center, invoked the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 
2001, and urged lawmakers to act aggressively to enact abortion 
restrictions.“The men who were willing to pay the price of their 
lives to do such a heinous act when they flew those planes into the Twin
 Towers and into the Pentagon — you have to look at one thing: They were
 principled. They were willing to die for what they believed in,” 
Stringfield told protestors from the steps of the capitol. “And so I 
would encourage you to always choose principle over pragmatism.”Rose
 Conlon reports on health for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can 
follow her on Twitter at @rosebconlon or email her at conlon@kmuw.org.

Anti-abortion lawmakers in Kansas propose a complete ban

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service and partners nationwide today kicked off their <a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/partner-toolkit/eitc-awareness-day/eitc-awareness-day-2">Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day</a> outreach campaign to help millions of Americans who earned $59,187 or less last year take advantage of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</a>.

"This is an extremely important tax credit that helps millions of 
hard-working people every year," said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug 
O'Donnell. "But each year, many people miss out on the credit because 
they don't know about it or don't realize they're eligible. In 
particular, people who have experienced a major life change in the past 
year – in their job, marital status, a new child or other factors – may 
qualify for the first time. The IRS urges people to carefully to review 
this important credit; we don't want people to miss out."

In 2022, 31 million eligible workers and families across the country 
received about $64 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits, with an average
 amount of more than $2,000.

The IRS administers the EITC, which Congress originally approved in 
1975. It was developed in part to offset the burden of Social Security 
taxes and provide an incentive to work.

The IRS and partners urge people to check to see if they qualify for 
this important credit. They also encourage people who don't normally 
file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions-for-individuals">valuable credits</a>.

The EITC is a tax credit for certain people who work and have low to 
moderate income. A tax credit usually reduces tax owed and may also 
result in a refund. Even though millions of people get the EITC, the IRS
 estimates that about 20% of EITC eligible taxpayers do not claim it.

Workers at risk for overlooking the EITC include those:

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">free options</a> can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.

To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax 
return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a
 tax return. There's no need to guess about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">EITC eligibility</a>; find out with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant">EITC Assistant</a>.

Workers with qualifying children may be eligible for EITC if their 
adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $53,057 in 2022 ($59,187 for 
married filing jointly). These individuals can receive a maximum of 
$6,935 in EITC, up from $6,728 in 2021.

The maximum EITC for taxpayers with no dependents is $560, available 
to filers with an AGI below $16,480 in 2022 ($22,610 for married filing 
jointly), and it can be claimed by eligible workers between the ages of 
25 and 64. Married but separated spouses who do not file a joint return 
may qualify to claim EITC if they meet certain requirements.

EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in 2022:

To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit.
 Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were 
below the income requirement to file a tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Free tax preparation help is available</a> online and through volunteer organizations.

Those eligible for the EITC have these options:

The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social 
Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return 
and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be 
issued before the April due date of the return. There are special rules 
for those in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/military-and-clergy-rules-for-the-earned-income-tax-credit#Military">military</a> or those out of the country.

Most EITC refunds deposited by late February

While the IRS began accepting 2022 returns on January 23, 2023, the 
IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or 
Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. This is due to 
the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/when-to-expect-your-refund-if-you-claimed-the-earned-income-tax-credit-or-additional-child-tax-credit">2015 PATH Act</a> law passed by Congress, which provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>
 should show an updated status by February 18 for most early EITC/ACTC 
filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available 
in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 28 if taxpayers 
chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax 
return.

Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return even 
if someone else prepares it for them. Since the rules for claiming the 
EITC can be complex, the IRS urges taxpayers to understand all of them.

Be sure to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">choose a tax preparer</a>
 wisely. Beware of scams that claim to increase the EITC refund. Scams 
that create fictitious qualifying children or inflate income levels to 
get the maximum EITC could leave taxpayers with a penalty.

Visit IRS online to learn about other tax credits

IRS.gov is a valuable first stop to help taxpayers get it right this 
filing season. They can check to see if they also qualify for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents">Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service and partners nationwide today kicked off their <a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/partner-toolkit/eitc-awareness-day/eitc-awareness-day-2">Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day</a> outreach campaign to help millions of Americans who earned $59,187 or less last year take advantage of the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</a>."This is an extremely important tax credit that helps millions of 
hard-working people every year," said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug 
O'Donnell. "But each year, many people miss out on the credit because 
they don't know about it or don't realize they're eligible. In 
particular, people who have experienced a major life change in the past 
year – in their job, marital status, a new child or other factors – may 
qualify for the first time. The IRS urges people to carefully to review 
this important credit; we don't want people to miss out."In 2022, 31 million eligible workers and families across the country 
received about $64 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits, with an average
 amount of more than $2,000.The IRS administers the EITC, which Congress originally approved in 
1975. It was developed in part to offset the burden of Social Security 
taxes and provide an incentive to work.The IRS and partners urge people to check to see if they qualify for 
this important credit. They also encourage people who don't normally 
file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions-for-individuals">valuable credits</a>.The EITC is a tax credit for certain people who work and have low to 
moderate income. A tax credit usually reduces tax owed and may also 
result in a refund. Even though millions of people get the EITC, the IRS
 estimates that about 20% of EITC eligible taxpayers do not claim it.Workers at risk for overlooking the EITC include those:<ul>
 <li>Living in non-traditional homes, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild</li><li>Whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed</li><li>Without children</li><li>With limited English skills</li><li>Who are veterans</li><li>Living in rural areas</li><li>Who are Native Americans</li><li>With earnings below the filing requirement</li>
 </ul>The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options">electronically</a> and choosing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">direct deposit</a> for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">free options</a> can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.<h2>Who can get the EITC?</h2>To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax 
return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a
 tax return. There's no need to guess about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">EITC eligibility</a>; find out with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant">EITC Assistant</a>.Workers with qualifying children may be eligible for EITC if their 
adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $53,057 in 2022 ($59,187 for 
married filing jointly). These individuals can receive a maximum of 
$6,935 in EITC, up from $6,728 in 2021.The maximum EITC for taxpayers with no dependents is $560, available 
to filers with an AGI below $16,480 in 2022 ($22,610 for married filing 
jointly), and it can be claimed by eligible workers between the ages of 
25 and 64. Married but separated spouses who do not file a joint return 
may qualify to claim EITC if they meet certain requirements.EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in 2022:<ul>
 <li>$53,057 ($59,187 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children who have valid Social Security numbers (SSNs).</li><li>$49,399 ($55,529 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children who have valid SSNs.</li><li>$43,492 ($49,622 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child who have valid SSNs.</li><li>$16,480 ($22,610 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children who have valid SSNs.</li><li>Investment income must be $10,300 or less.</li>
 </ul><h2>How to claim the EITC</h2>To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit.
 Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were 
below the income requirement to file a tax return. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Free tax preparation help is available</a> online and through volunteer organizations.Those eligible for the EITC have these options:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">Free File on IRS.gov</a>.
 Free brand-name tax software is available that leads taxpayers through a
 question-and-answer format to help prepare the tax return and claim 
credits and deductions if they're eligible. Free File also provides 
online versions of IRS paper forms, an option called <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms">Free File Fillable Forms</a>, best suited for taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-free-tax-return-preparation-programs">Free tax preparation sites</a>.
 EITC-eligible workers can seek free tax preparation at thousands of 
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the 
Elderly (TCE) sites. To locate the nearest site, use <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prep">Find a Location for Free Tax Help</a> on IRS.gov, the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go smartphone application</a>, or call toll-free <a href="tel:800-906-9887">800-906-9887</a>. Taxpayers should bring all required documents and information.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">Find a trusted tax professional</a>.
 The IRS reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can prepare 
their tax return and provide helpful information and advice. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Tips for choosing a return preparer</a>,
 including certified public accountants, enrolled agents, attorneys and 
many others who don't have a professional credential, and details about <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/irs-tax-pro-association-partners">national tax professional groups</a> are available on IRS.gov. EITC recipients should <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts">watch out for unscrupulous return preparers</a>.</li>
 </ul>The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social 
Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return 
and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be 
issued before the April due date of the return. There are special rules 
for those in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/military-and-clergy-rules-for-the-earned-income-tax-credit#Military">military</a> or those out of the country.<h2>Most EITC refunds deposited by late February</h2>While the IRS began accepting 2022 returns on January 23, 2023, the 
IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or 
Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. This is due to 
the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/when-to-expect-your-refund-if-you-claimed-the-earned-income-tax-credit-or-additional-child-tax-credit">2015 PATH Act</a> law passed by Congress, which provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds">Where's My Refund?</a>
 should show an updated status by February 18 for most early EITC/ACTC 
filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available 
in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 28 if taxpayers 
chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax 
return.<h2>Get it right</h2>Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return even 
if someone else prepares it for them. Since the rules for claiming the 
EITC can be complex, the IRS urges taxpayers to understand all of them.<h2>Look out for scams</h2>Be sure to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">choose a tax preparer</a>
 wisely. Beware of scams that claim to increase the EITC refund. Scams 
that create fictitious qualifying children or inflate income levels to 
get the maximum EITC could leave taxpayers with a penalty.<h2>Visit IRS online to learn about other tax credits</h2>IRS.gov is a valuable first stop to help taxpayers get it right this 
filing season. They can check to see if they also qualify for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/does-my-childdependent-qualify-for-the-child-tax-credit-or-the-credit-for-other-dependents">Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents</a>.<h2>Related items</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/">EITC Central</a>, helpful resources for IRS partners and others</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-596">Publication 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals">Tax Professionals</a>, another place for valuable EITC resources and assistance</li>
 </ul>

IRS, partners promote benefits of Earned Income Tax Credit

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 497 in Lawrence investigated a bomb threat at West Middle School, 2700 Harvard Road in Lawrence.&nbsp; Officials indicated there was a written threat left on a technology device Wednesday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Officers, along with the ATF's Explosive Detection Unit, searched the entire building and found nothing of concern, according to USD 497. The school district transported students to another facility during the investigation and district officials communicated directly with parents.

&nbsp;Authorities were able to identify and question the student responsible for the threat, who was ultimately booked into the Juvenile Detention Center.

After the "all clear," the district transported all West students and staff from Free State High School back to West. The middle school families received additional information via phone, email and text.&nbsp;

The report of a written threat left on a technology device yesterday. Police are investigating. All West students &amp; staff are safe and have been bused to Free State High, where we will serve them lunch &amp; provide support.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 497 in Lawrence investigated a bomb threat at West Middle School, 2700 Harvard Road in Lawrence.&nbsp; Officials indicated there was a written threat left on a technology device Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers, along with the ATF's Explosive Detection Unit, searched the entire building and found nothing of concern, according to USD 497. The school district transported students to another facility during the investigation and district officials communicated directly with parents.&nbsp;Authorities were able to identify and question the student responsible for the threat, who was ultimately booked into the Juvenile Detention Center.After the "all clear," the district transported all West students and staff from Free State High School back to West. The middle school families received additional information via phone, email and text.&nbsp;The report of a written threat left on a technology device yesterday. Police are investigating. All West students &amp; staff are safe and have been bused to Free State High, where we will serve them lunch &amp; provide support.

Student accused of bomb threat at Kansas middle school

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a drug overdose death and have made an arrest.

On August 22, police responded to a call of an unresponsive subject in the 1500 Block of Patriot Drive in Junction City, according to a media release.

First responders discovered Caytlin P. Hinkle, 19, of Junction City unresponsive. EMS attempted to resuscitate her but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Following an autopsy, it was determined that Hinkle’s cause of death was “Acute Fentanyl Intoxication.” 

Following a 5-month investigation, on Thursday afternoon, detectives within the Junction City Police Department’s Drug Task Force arrested Alyzah Benitez, 22, of Junction City, in connection with Hinkle's death

&nbsp;Benitez is being held on requested charges of Distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm or death. Ms. Benitez was transported to the Geary County Detention Facility where she is being held with no bond pending a first appearance in Geary County District Court.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674817344508.png" alt="Benitez-photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Benitez-photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a drug overdose death and have made an arrest.On August 22, police responded to a call of an unresponsive subject in the 1500 Block of Patriot Drive in Junction City, according to a media release.First responders discovered Caytlin P. Hinkle, 19, of Junction City unresponsive. EMS attempted to resuscitate her but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. Following an autopsy, it was determined that Hinkle’s cause of death was “Acute Fentanyl Intoxication.” Following a 5-month investigation, on Thursday afternoon, detectives within the Junction City Police Department’s Drug Task Force arrested Alyzah Benitez, 22, of Junction City, in connection with Hinkle's death&nbsp;Benitez is being held on requested charges of Distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm or death. Ms. Benitez was transported to the Geary County Detention Facility where she is being held with no bond pending a first appearance in Geary County District Court.&nbsp;

Kan. woman accused in 19-year-old's fentanyl overdose death

JOHNSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 8a.m. Thursday in Johnson County.

The Overland Park police reported a vehicle driven by&nbsp;26-year-old&nbsp; Marquan Wilson, Kansas City, Missouri&nbsp;was entering northbound on U.S. 69 Highway from the ramp of westbound Interstate 435. 

While traveling north on U.S. 69, Wilson initiated a lane change and struck a northbound vehicle.&nbsp;

After impact, Wilson driver lost control of the car. It struck the cement barrier and rolled Wilson and a passenger identified as&nbsp;44-year-old r Amie Wood of Kansas City, Missouri were ejected and pronounced deceased on scene. There were no other injuries reported.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674786619219.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 8a.m. Thursday in Johnson County.The Overland Park police reported a vehicle driven by&nbsp;26-year-old&nbsp; Marquan Wilson, Kansas City, Missouri&nbsp;was entering northbound on U.S. 69 Highway from the ramp of westbound Interstate 435. While traveling north on U.S. 69, Wilson initiated a lane change and struck a northbound vehicle.&nbsp;After impact, Wilson driver lost control of the car. It struck the cement barrier and rolled Wilson and a passenger identified as&nbsp;44-year-old r Amie Wood of Kansas City, Missouri were ejected and pronounced deceased on scene. There were no other injuries reported.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

2 dead after ejected in crash on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. special operations forces have killed a senior Islamic State group official and 10 other terrorist operatives in remote northern Somalia, the Biden administration announced Thursday.

The operation carried out on Wednesday targeted Bilal al-Sudani, a key financial facilitator for the global terrorist organization, in a mountainous cave complex.

“This action leaves the United States and its partners safer and more secure, and it reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting Americans from the threat of terrorism at home and abroad,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3279923/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-somalia-operation/">said in a statement.</a>

President Joe Biden was briefed last week about the proposed mission, which came together after months of planning. He gave final approval to carry out the operation this week following the recommendation of Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, according to two senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the operation on the condition of anonymity.

Al-Sudani, who has been on the radar for U.S. intelligence officials for years, played a key role in helping to fund IS operations in Africa as well as the ISIS-K terrorist branch operating in Afghanistan, Austin said.

The U.S. Treasury Department alleged last year that al-Sudani had worked closely with another IS operative, Abdella Hussein Abadigga, who had recruited young men in South Africa and sent them to a weapons training camp.

Abadigga, who controlled two mosques in South Africa, used his position to extort money from members of the mosques. Al-Sudani considered Abadigga a trusted supporter who could help the IS supporters in South Africa become better organized and recruit new members, according to Treasury..

Al-Sudani had originally been designated the Treasury Department in 2012 for his role with al-Shabab, another terrorist organization operating in Somalia. He helped foreign fighters travel to an al-Shabab training camp and facilitated financing for violent extremists in Somalia, according to a senior administration official.

No civilians were injured or killed in the operation, Pentagon officials said. One American involved in the operation was bitten by a military dog, but was not seriously injured, according to an administration official.

U.S. officials provided scant details about how the operation was carried out or the circumstances surrounding al-Sudani's killing. One official said that U.S. forces had intended to capture al-Sudani but that did not prove to be “feasible” as the operation was carried out.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. special operations forces have killed a senior Islamic State group official and 10 other terrorist operatives in remote northern Somalia, the Biden administration announced Thursday.The operation carried out on Wednesday targeted Bilal al-Sudani, a key financial facilitator for the global terrorist organization, in a mountainous cave complex.“This action leaves the United States and its partners safer and more secure, and it reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting Americans from the threat of terrorism at home and abroad,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3279923/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-somalia-operation/">said in a statement.</a>President Joe Biden was briefed last week about the proposed mission, which came together after months of planning. He gave final approval to carry out the operation this week following the recommendation of Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, according to two senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the operation on the condition of anonymity.Al-Sudani, who has been on the radar for U.S. intelligence officials for years, played a key role in helping to fund IS operations in Africa as well as the ISIS-K terrorist branch operating in Afghanistan, Austin said.The U.S. Treasury Department alleged last year that al-Sudani had worked closely with another IS operative, Abdella Hussein Abadigga, who had recruited young men in South Africa and sent them to a weapons training camp.Abadigga, who controlled two mosques in South Africa, used his position to extort money from members of the mosques. Al-Sudani considered Abadigga a trusted supporter who could help the IS supporters in South Africa become better organized and recruit new members, according to Treasury..Al-Sudani had originally been designated the Treasury Department in 2012 for his role with al-Shabab, another terrorist organization operating in Somalia. He helped foreign fighters travel to an al-Shabab training camp and facilitated financing for violent extremists in Somalia, according to a senior administration official.No civilians were injured or killed in the operation, Pentagon officials said. One American involved in the operation was bitten by a military dog, but was not seriously injured, according to an administration official.U.S. officials provided scant details about how the operation was carried out or the circumstances surrounding al-Sudani's killing. One official said that U.S. forces had intended to capture al-Sudani but that did not prove to be “feasible” as the operation was carried out.The operation comes days after Africa Command said it had conducted a collective self-defense strike northeast of Mogadishu, the capital, near Galcad. In that incident, Somalia National Army forces were engaged in heavy fighting following an extended and intense attack by more than 100 al-Shabab fighters.The U.S. estimated approximately 30 al-Shabab fighters were killed in that operation.The offensive by Somalian forces against al-Shabab has been described as the most significant in more than a decade.Al-Shabab holds a much larger footprint in Somalia than does IS.