CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A convicted felon in Missouri accused of livestreaming threats to bomb and kill people while he was dressed up as the Batman villain known as The Joker was sentenced Friday to 60 days in jail, with credit for several months served after his arrest.

Jeremy Garnier, 51, of University City, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a terrorist threat. Prosecutors reduced the charge from a felony for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/037459d9047b56dafe2b560d81f0e295">March 2020 incident.</a>

Garnier told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/the-joker-shares-lesson-after-making-threat-at-blueberry-hill-think-before-you-act/article_62b13f50-289b-578c-946a-1b96e31a5bef.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;that he never intended to make a threat and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor to avoid many more months in jail.

“I was talking like The Joker,” Garnier said Saturday in a telephone interview. “I was in character. Everybody knew that it was a joke and that I had no intentions of following through with a threat.”

Garnier told the Post-Dispatch he served more than 20 years in federal and state prison for robbing a credit union in the 1980s and for other felonies, in order to support his crack habit. He said he is now sober and wants to use his platform to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic.

He said he has learned another hard lesson.

“Think before you act,” he said. “Your actions have repercussions. No matter how trivial and joking I thought it was, people took it seriously.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583435783513.png" alt="Jeremy Garnier -photo University City Police&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Jeremy Garnier -photo University City Police&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — A convicted felon in Missouri accused of livestreaming threats to bomb and kill people while he was dressed up as the Batman villain known as The Joker was sentenced Friday to 60 days in jail, with credit for several months served after his arrest.Jeremy Garnier, 51, of University City, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a terrorist threat. Prosecutors reduced the charge from a felony for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/037459d9047b56dafe2b560d81f0e295">March 2020 incident.</a>Garnier told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/the-joker-shares-lesson-after-making-threat-at-blueberry-hill-think-before-you-act/article_62b13f50-289b-578c-946a-1b96e31a5bef.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;that he never intended to make a threat and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor to avoid many more months in jail.“I was talking like The Joker,” Garnier said Saturday in a telephone interview. “I was in character. Everybody knew that it was a joke and that I had no intentions of following through with a threat.”Garnier told the Post-Dispatch he served more than 20 years in federal and state prison for robbing a credit union in the 1980s and for other felonies, in order to support his crack habit. He said he is now sober and wants to use his platform to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic.He said he has learned another hard lesson.“Think before you act,” he said. “Your actions have repercussions. No matter how trivial and joking I thought it was, people took it seriously.”

No joke: Man who dressed as Batman villain learns lesson

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in connection with an October 2021 chase and crash in Wichita has been charged in the case.

On Friday, Ricardo Trevizo, 48 of Colorado Springs, was charged with aggravated battery while DUI, or in the alternative, aggravated battery.&nbsp; He’s also charged with flee or attempt to elude with an alternative count of flee or attempt to elude, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The 5th&nbsp;count is a misdemeanor, drive while license is suspended or canceled. &nbsp;

In October of 2021,&nbsp; police arrested Trevizo after a crash at the intersection of Kellogg and 119th Street, according to Wichita Police.&nbsp; Officers were chasing a vehicle that hit a motorcycle driven by 25-year-old Humberto Estrada. Estrada was critically injured.

Trevizio remains jailed on a bond of $100,000, according online jail records.&nbsp; Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates on Sept. 26, according to the district attorney's office.

Note: Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges.&nbsp; However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663339342927.png" alt="Trevizo-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Trevizo-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in connection with an October 2021 chase and crash in Wichita has been charged in the case.On Friday, Ricardo Trevizo, 48 of Colorado Springs, was charged with aggravated battery while DUI, or in the alternative, aggravated battery.&nbsp; He’s also charged with flee or attempt to elude with an alternative count of flee or attempt to elude, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The 5th&nbsp;count is a misdemeanor, drive while license is suspended or canceled. &nbsp;In October of 2021,&nbsp; police arrested Trevizo after a crash at the intersection of Kellogg and 119th Street, according to Wichita Police.&nbsp; Officers were chasing a vehicle that hit a motorcycle driven by 25-year-old Humberto Estrada. Estrada was critically injured.Trevizio remains jailed on a bond of $100,000, according online jail records.&nbsp; Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates on Sept. 26, according to the district attorney's office.Note: Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges.&nbsp; However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense.

Man charged for Kan. chase, crash that critically injured victim

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug on weapons allegations.

Just before 9p.m. Sept. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver Toyota passenger car in the 200 Block of East Myrtle in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

The vehicle was displaying a Kansas tag that belongs to another vehicle.  The deputy contacted the occupants of the vehicle who were identified as Adam Trollope and Ashley Barrager both of Independence, Kansas. 

 During the traffic stop investigation, the deputy learned there was a loaded handgun, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

 The deputy placed Trollope and Barrager in custody.  The vehicle was transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office where a Search Warrant was preformed on the vehicle. 

 Detectives located a loaded handgun, over 22 grams of marijuana, over 25 grams of methamphetamine, and 20 plus fentanyl pills. 

 Trollope was booked into the Montgomery County Department of Corrections requested charges for a suspended driver’s license, no registration, no liability insurance, distribution of marijuana, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of opiate (Fentanyl), felony drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a firearm by a person addicted/use of a controlled substance, and no drug tax stamp.  Barrager was later released from custody after the investigation was complete.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663588117945.png" alt="Trollope-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Trollope-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug on weapons allegations.Just before 9p.m. Sept. 13, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver Toyota passenger car in the 200 Block of East Myrtle in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.The vehicle was displaying a Kansas tag that belongs to another vehicle. The deputy contacted the occupants of the vehicle who were identified as Adam Trollope and Ashley Barrager both of Independence, Kansas. During the traffic stop investigation, the deputy learned there was a loaded handgun, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl. The deputy placed Trollope and Barrager in custody. The vehicle was transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office where a Search Warrant was preformed on the vehicle. Detectives located a loaded handgun, over 22 grams of marijuana, over 25 grams of methamphetamine, and 20 plus fentanyl pills. Trollope was booked into the Montgomery County Department of Corrections requested charges for a suspended driver’s license, no registration, no liability insurance, distribution of marijuana, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of opiate (Fentanyl), felony drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a firearm by a person addicted/use of a controlled substance, and no drug tax stamp. Barrager was later released from custody after the investigation was complete.

Kansas deputies found fentanyl pills, loaded hand gun

WASHINGTON (AP) — An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-government-and-politics-afghanistan-39287d3289c79f6d4244cbb4969846c5">American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;for more than two years has been released in exchange for a convicted Taliban drug lord jailed in the United States, the White House said Monday, announcing a rare success in U.S.-Taliban talks since the militant group took power a little more than a year ago

Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who had spent more than a decade in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-9692b889f281caca38344fb5e925953c">abducted in January 2020</a>&nbsp;and is believed to have been held since then by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network. He was traded for Bashir Noorzai, a Taliban associate convicted of heroin trafficking conspiracy who had spent 17 years behind bars before his release Monday.

The exchange is one of the most significant prisoner swaps to take place under the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">coming five months after a deal with Russia</a>&nbsp;that resulted in the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed. Though his case has received less public attention than those of other Americans held abroad, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-sports-john-kirby-automated-insights-earnings-paul-whelan-a74999ffe7c4953706dad09931bbec05">WNBA star Brittney Griner and corporate security executive Paul Whelan —</a>&nbsp;who are both held in Russia and whose relatives met with President Joe Biden on Friday — U.S. officials said the deal for Frerichs was the culmination of months of quiet negotiations.

Those discussions gained new momentum in June when Biden granted Noorzai relief from his life sentence, setting the stage for what one administration official described as a “very narrow window of opportunity this month" to carry out the deal.

Biden said in a statement released by the White House, “Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark’s freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly."

Frerichs, 60, had been working on civil engineering projects at the time of his Jan. 31, 2020, abduction in Kabul. He’s believed to have been lured into a meeting to discuss a new project and then transported to Khost, a stronghold of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network near the border with Pakistan.

He was last seen in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-3248c76f48619fb03bc4020c19908e28">video posted last spring by The New Yorker</a>&nbsp;in which he appeared in traditional Afghan clothing and pleaded for his release. He was accompanied Monday by the administration’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and was in stable health, a U.S. official said. His ultimate destination was not immediately clear.

A sister of Frerichs, who is from Lombard, Illinois, thanked U.S. officials who helped secure her brother's release.

“I am so happy to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home to us. Our family has prayed for this each day of the more than 31 months he has been a hostage. We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us," said a statement from the sister, Charlene Cakora.

Noorzai, at the time of his 2005 arrest, hardly seemed an ideal recipient for presidential clemency. He'd been designated on a list reserved for some of the world's most prolific drug traffickers, and was prosecuted in federal court in New York on charges that accused him of owning opium fields in Kandahar province and relying on a network of distributors who sold the heroin.

When he was sentenced to life imprisonment, the then-top federal prosecutor in Manhattan said Noorzai's "worldwide narcotics network supported a Taliban regime that made Afghanistan a breeding ground for international terrorism."

The deal underscored the two sides to the Taliban’s approach to illegal drugs. In April, they announced a ban on harvesting the poppies that produce opium for making heroin -- an order that also outlawed the manufacture and transportation of narcotics. However, during the years-long Taliban insurgency, they reportedly made millions of dollars taxing farmers and middle men who moved their drugs outside Afghanistan.

A senior administration official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration said that the U.S. government had now determined that Noorzai's release would “not materially change any risk to Americans or fundamentally alter the contours of the drug trade there." Officials also took into account that Noorzai had spent 17 years in prison, and said that it became clear from negotiations that releasing him was the key to getting Frerichs home.

At a press conference Monday, Noorzai expressed gratitude at seeing his “mujahedeen brothers” — a reference to the Taliban — in Kabul.

“I pray for more success of the Taliban,” he added. “I hope this exchange can lead to peace between Afghanistan and America, because an American was released and I am also free now.”

Even before their takeover of Afghanistan in August last year, the Taliban had demanded the U.S. release Noorzai in exchange for Frerichs. But there had been little public indication of Washington proceeding along those lines.

Eric Lebson, a former U.S. government national security official who had been advising Frerichs family, said in a statement that “everything about this case has been an uphill fight.” He criticized the Trump administration for having given away "our leverage to get Mark home quickly by signing a peace accord with the Taliban without ever having asked them to return Mark first.''

“Mark’s family then had to navigate two administrations, where many people viewed Mark’s safe return as an impediment to their plans for Afghanistan,” the statement said.

The collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and takeover by the Taliban in August 2021 raised additional concern that any progress in negotiations could be undone or that Frerichs could be forgotten. But his name was invoked last month when Biden was said by his advisers to have pressed officials to consider any risk posed to Frerichs by the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

The Taliban-appointed foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, hailed the exchange Monday as the start of a “new era" in U.S.-Taliban relations and the opening of a “new door for talks.”

U.S. officials were more circumspect. Though it does not recognize the Taliban government, the U.S. does have interests at stake in Afghanistan and will continue to engage with the Taliban in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-switzerland-taliban-5393b05f911d4eeba6d75ae74ea3fd13">addressing the hunger and humanitarian crisis gripping the country</a>, administration officials said Monday.

But officials say they remain concerned about whether the Taliban are committed to fighting terrorism&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-poverty-united-nations-taliban-d342ae0c186e4c243a87f2cd4c745040">and by the exclusion of girls from high schools there,</a>&nbsp;an issue that drew a United Nations reprimand on Sunday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-government-and-politics-afghanistan-39287d3289c79f6d4244cbb4969846c5">American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;for more than two years by the Taliban has been released, his family said Monday, as a Taliban drug lord jailed by the United States was also freed and returned to Kabul.

Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who had spent more than a decade in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-9692b889f281caca38344fb5e925953c">abducted in January 2020</a>&nbsp;and was believed to have been held since then by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.

Negotiations for his release had centered on a deal that would also involve the release of Bashir Noorzai, a notorious drug lord and member of the Taliban who told reporters in Kabul on Monday that he had spent 17 years and six months in U.S. captivity before being released.

The exchange is one of the most significant prisoner swaps to take place under the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">coming five months after a separate deal with Russia</a>&nbsp;that resulted in the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed. It took place despite concerns from his family and other advocates that the U.S. military departure from Afghanistan, and the collapse of the government there, could make it harder to bring him home and could deflect attention away from his imprisonment.

President Joe Biden, who is in the U.K. to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, called Frerichs’s family on Monday morning to share the “good news” that his administration was able to secure his release, according to a senior administration official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, called the decision to grant Noorzai clemency a “difficult decision” but necessary in order to reunite a U.S. citizen with his family.

A sister of Frerichs, who is from Lombard, Illinois, thanked U.S. government officials who helped secure her brother's release.

In Afghanistan, Noorzai told reporters at a press conference that he had been released from an unspecified U.S. prison and handed over earlier in the day to the Taliban in Kabul, in exchange for an American prisoner held in Afghanistan whom he did not identify. Frerichs’ family subsequently confirmed that it was him.

Frerichs, 60, had been working on civil engineering projects at the time of his Jan. 31, 2020 abduction in Kabul. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-3248c76f48619fb03bc4020c19908e28">last seen in a video posted last spring by The New Yorker i</a>&nbsp;n which he appeared in traditional Afghan clothing and pleaded for his release. The publication said it obtained the clip from an unidentified individual in Afghanistan.

Until Monday, U.S. officials across two presidential administrations had tried unsuccessfully to get him home. Even before their takeover of Afghanistan in August last year, the Taliban had demanded the U.S. release Noorzai in exchange for Frerichs. But there had been no public sign of Washington proceeding with any sort of trade or exchange along those lines.

Eric Lebson, a former U.S. government national security official who had been advising Frerichs' family, said in a statement that “everything about this case has been an uphill fight.” He criticized the Trump administration for having given away "our leverage to get Mark home quickly by signing a peace accord with the Taliban without ever having asked them to return Mark first.

“Mark’s family then had to navigate two Administrations, where many people viewed Mark’s safe return as an impediment to their plans for Afghanistan,” the statement said.

The collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and takeover by the Taliban in August 2021, raised additional concern that any progress in negotiations could be undone or that Frerichs could be forgotten.

But his name surfaced last month when President Joe Biden, who had publicly called for Frerichs' release, was said by his advisers to have pressed officials to consider any risk posed to Frerichs by the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

The Taliban-appointed foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, also spoke at the Kabul press conference alongside Noorzai and welcomed the exchange, saying it marked the start of a “new era" in U.S.-Taliban relations.

“This can be a new chapter between Afghanistan and the United States, this can open a new door for talks between both countries,” Muttaqi said at the presser.

“This act shows us that all problems can be solved through talks and I thank both sides' teams who worked so hard for this to happen,” he added.

The Taliban also posted a brief video Monday on social media showing Noorzai’s arrival at the Kabul airport where he was welcomed by top Taliban officials, including Muttaqi.

At the press conference, Noorzai expressed thankfulness at seeing his “mujahedeen brothers" — a reference to the Taliban — in Kabul.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-government-and-politics-afghanistan-39287d3289c79f6d4244cbb4969846c5">American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;for more than two years has been released in exchange for a convicted Taliban drug lord jailed in the United States, the White House said Monday, announcing a rare success in U.S.-Taliban talks since the militant group took power a little more than a year agoMark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who had spent more than a decade in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-9692b889f281caca38344fb5e925953c">abducted in January 2020</a>&nbsp;and is believed to have been held since then by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network. He was traded for Bashir Noorzai, a Taliban associate convicted of heroin trafficking conspiracy who had spent 17 years behind bars before his release Monday.The exchange is one of the most significant prisoner swaps to take place under the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">coming five months after a deal with Russia</a>&nbsp;that resulted in the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed. Though his case has received less public attention than those of other Americans held abroad, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-sports-john-kirby-automated-insights-earnings-paul-whelan-a74999ffe7c4953706dad09931bbec05">WNBA star Brittney Griner and corporate security executive Paul Whelan —</a>&nbsp;who are both held in Russia and whose relatives met with President Joe Biden on Friday — U.S. officials said the deal for Frerichs was the culmination of months of quiet negotiations.Those discussions gained new momentum in June when Biden granted Noorzai relief from his life sentence, setting the stage for what one administration official described as a “very narrow window of opportunity this month" to carry out the deal.Biden said in a statement released by the White House, “Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark’s freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly."Frerichs, 60, had been working on civil engineering projects at the time of his Jan. 31, 2020, abduction in Kabul. He’s believed to have been lured into a meeting to discuss a new project and then transported to Khost, a stronghold of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network near the border with Pakistan.He was last seen in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-3248c76f48619fb03bc4020c19908e28">video posted last spring by The New Yorker</a>&nbsp;in which he appeared in traditional Afghan clothing and pleaded for his release. He was accompanied Monday by the administration’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and was in stable health, a U.S. official said. His ultimate destination was not immediately clear.A sister of Frerichs, who is from Lombard, Illinois, thanked U.S. officials who helped secure her brother's release.“I am so happy to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home to us. Our family has prayed for this each day of the more than 31 months he has been a hostage. We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us," said a statement from the sister, Charlene Cakora.Noorzai, at the time of his 2005 arrest, hardly seemed an ideal recipient for presidential clemency. He'd been designated on a list reserved for some of the world's most prolific drug traffickers, and was prosecuted in federal court in New York on charges that accused him of owning opium fields in Kandahar province and relying on a network of distributors who sold the heroin.When he was sentenced to life imprisonment, the then-top federal prosecutor in Manhattan said Noorzai's "worldwide narcotics network supported a Taliban regime that made Afghanistan a breeding ground for international terrorism."The deal underscored the two sides to the Taliban’s approach to illegal drugs. In April, they announced a ban on harvesting the poppies that produce opium for making heroin -- an order that also outlawed the manufacture and transportation of narcotics. However, during the years-long Taliban insurgency, they reportedly made millions of dollars taxing farmers and middle men who moved their drugs outside Afghanistan.A senior administration official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration said that the U.S. government had now determined that Noorzai's release would “not materially change any risk to Americans or fundamentally alter the contours of the drug trade there." Officials also took into account that Noorzai had spent 17 years in prison, and said that it became clear from negotiations that releasing him was the key to getting Frerichs home.At a press conference Monday, Noorzai expressed gratitude at seeing his “mujahedeen brothers” — a reference to the Taliban — in Kabul.“I pray for more success of the Taliban,” he added. “I hope this exchange can lead to peace between Afghanistan and America, because an American was released and I am also free now.”Even before their takeover of Afghanistan in August last year, the Taliban had demanded the U.S. release Noorzai in exchange for Frerichs. But there had been little public indication of Washington proceeding along those lines.Eric Lebson, a former U.S. government national security official who had been advising Frerichs family, said in a statement that “everything about this case has been an uphill fight.” He criticized the Trump administration for having given away "our leverage to get Mark home quickly by signing a peace accord with the Taliban without ever having asked them to return Mark first.''“Mark’s family then had to navigate two administrations, where many people viewed Mark’s safe return as an impediment to their plans for Afghanistan,” the statement said.The collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and takeover by the Taliban in August 2021 raised additional concern that any progress in negotiations could be undone or that Frerichs could be forgotten. But his name was invoked last month when Biden was said by his advisers to have pressed officials to consider any risk posed to Frerichs by the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.The Taliban-appointed foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, hailed the exchange Monday as the start of a “new era" in U.S.-Taliban relations and the opening of a “new door for talks.”U.S. officials were more circumspect. Though it does not recognize the Taliban government, the U.S. does have interests at stake in Afghanistan and will continue to engage with the Taliban in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-switzerland-taliban-5393b05f911d4eeba6d75ae74ea3fd13">addressing the hunger and humanitarian crisis gripping the country</a>, administration officials said Monday.But officials say they remain concerned about whether the Taliban are committed to fighting terrorism&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-poverty-united-nations-taliban-d342ae0c186e4c243a87f2cd4c745040">and by the exclusion of girls from high schools there,</a>&nbsp;an issue that drew a United Nations reprimand on Sunday.___WASHINGTON (AP) — An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-government-and-politics-afghanistan-39287d3289c79f6d4244cbb4969846c5">American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;for more than two years by the Taliban has been released, his family said Monday, as a Taliban drug lord jailed by the United States was also freed and returned to Kabul.Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who had spent more than a decade in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-9692b889f281caca38344fb5e925953c">abducted in January 2020</a>&nbsp;and was believed to have been held since then by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.Negotiations for his release had centered on a deal that would also involve the release of Bashir Noorzai, a notorious drug lord and member of the Taliban who told reporters in Kabul on Monday that he had spent 17 years and six months in U.S. captivity before being released.The exchange is one of the most significant prisoner swaps to take place under the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-united-states-prisoner-exchange-8fd1e58e690350019c7aab55af41bbbf">coming five months after a separate deal with Russia</a>&nbsp;that resulted in the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed. It took place despite concerns from his family and other advocates that the U.S. military departure from Afghanistan, and the collapse of the government there, could make it harder to bring him home and could deflect attention away from his imprisonment.President Joe Biden, who is in the U.K. to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, called Frerichs’s family on Monday morning to share the “good news” that his administration was able to secure his release, according to a senior administration official.The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, called the decision to grant Noorzai clemency a “difficult decision” but necessary in order to reunite a U.S. citizen with his family.A sister of Frerichs, who is from Lombard, Illinois, thanked U.S. government officials who helped secure her brother's release.“I am so happy to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home to us. Our family has prayed for this each day of the more than 31 months he has been a hostage. We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us," said a statement from the sister, Charlene Cakora.In Afghanistan, Noorzai told reporters at a press conference that he had been released from an unspecified U.S. prison and handed over earlier in the day to the Taliban in Kabul, in exchange for an American prisoner held in Afghanistan whom he did not identify. Frerichs’ family subsequently confirmed that it was him.Frerichs, 60, had been working on civil engineering projects at the time of his Jan. 31, 2020 abduction in Kabul. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taliban-3248c76f48619fb03bc4020c19908e28">last seen in a video posted last spring by The New Yorker i</a>&nbsp;n which he appeared in traditional Afghan clothing and pleaded for his release. The publication said it obtained the clip from an unidentified individual in Afghanistan.Until Monday, U.S. officials across two presidential administrations had tried unsuccessfully to get him home. Even before their takeover of Afghanistan in August last year, the Taliban had demanded the U.S. release Noorzai in exchange for Frerichs. But there had been no public sign of Washington proceeding with any sort of trade or exchange along those lines.Eric Lebson, a former U.S. government national security official who had been advising Frerichs' family, said in a statement that “everything about this case has been an uphill fight.” He criticized the Trump administration for having given away "our leverage to get Mark home quickly by signing a peace accord with the Taliban without ever having asked them to return Mark first.“Mark’s family then had to navigate two Administrations, where many people viewed Mark’s safe return as an impediment to their plans for Afghanistan,” the statement said.The collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and takeover by the Taliban in August 2021, raised additional concern that any progress in negotiations could be undone or that Frerichs could be forgotten.But his name surfaced last month when President Joe Biden, who had publicly called for Frerichs' release, was said by his advisers to have pressed officials to consider any risk posed to Frerichs by the drone strike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.The Taliban-appointed foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, also spoke at the Kabul press conference alongside Noorzai and welcomed the exchange, saying it marked the start of a “new era" in U.S.-Taliban relations.“This can be a new chapter between Afghanistan and the United States, this can open a new door for talks between both countries,” Muttaqi said at the presser.“This act shows us that all problems can be solved through talks and I thank both sides' teams who worked so hard for this to happen,” he added.The Taliban also posted a brief video Monday on social media showing Noorzai’s arrival at the Kabul airport where he was welcomed by top Taliban officials, including Muttaqi.At the press conference, Noorzai expressed thankfulness at seeing his “mujahedeen brothers" — a reference to the Taliban — in Kabul.“I pray for more success of the Taliban,” he added. “I hope this exchange can lead to peace between Afghanistan and America, because an American was released and I am also free now.”

Last American held by Taliban freed in swap for drug trafficker

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico's central Pacific coast on Monday, killing at least one person and setting off a seismic alarm in the rattled capital on the anniversary of two earlier devastating quakes.

There were at least some early reports of damage to buildings from the quake, which hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.

It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers (23 miles) southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said via Twitter that the secretary of the navy told him one person was killed in the port city of Manzanillo, Colima when a wall at a mall collapsed.

In Coalcoman, Michoacan, near the quake's epicenter, buildings were damaged, but there were not immediate reports of injuries.

“It started slowly and then was really strong and continued and continued until it started to relent,” said 16-year-old Carla Cárdenas, a resident of Coalcoman. Cárdenas ran out of her family’s hotel and waited with neighbors.

She said the hotel and some homes along the street displayed cracks in walls and segments of facades and roofs had broken off.

“In the hotel, the roof of the parking area boomed and fell to the ground, and there are cracks in the walls on the second floor,” Cárdenas said.

She said the town’s hospital was seriously damaged, but she had so far not heard of anyone injured.

Mexico's National Civil Defense agency said that based on historic data of tsunamis in Mexico, variations of as much as 32 inches (82 cm) were possible in coastal water levels near the epicenter. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said that hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 186 miles (300 kilometers) of the epicenter.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum tweeted that there were no reports of damage in the capital

Alarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017. The magnitude 8.0 quake centered near the coast of Guerrero state in 1985 killed at least 9,500 people. More than 360 people died in the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck in 2017.

“This is a coincidence,” that this is the third Sept. 19 earthquake, said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Paul Earle. “There’s no physical reason or statistical bias toward earthquakes in any given month in Mexico.”

Nor is there a season or month for big earthquakes anywhere on the globe, Earle said. But there is a predictable thing: People seek and sometimes find coincidences that look like patterns.

“We knew we’d get this question as soon as it happened,” Earle said. “Sometimes there are just coincidences.”

The quake was not related to or caused by the drill an hour or so earlier, nor was it connected to a damaging temblor in Taiwan the day before, Earle said.

Humberto Garza stood outside a restaurant in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood holding his 3-year son. Like many milling about outside after the earthquake, Garza said the earthquake alarm sounded so soon after the annual simulation that he was not sure it was real.

“I heard the alarm, but it sounded really far away,” he said.

Outside the city's environmental ombudsman's office, dozens of employees waited. Some appeared visibly shaken.

Power was out in parts of the city, including stoplights, snarling the capital's already notorious traffic.

There were no immediate reports of significant damage from the quake that hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.

Michoacan's Public Security Department said there were no immediate reports of significant damage in that state beyond some cracks in buildings in the town of Coalcoman.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum also tweeted that there were no reports of damage in the capital

Alarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major, deadly quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017.

Humberto Garza stood outside a restaurant in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood holding his 3-year son. Like many milling about outside after the earthquake, Garza said that the earthquake alarm sounded so soon after the annual simulation that he was not sure it was real.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico’s central Pacific coast on Monday, setting off an earthquake alarm in the capital.

There were no immediate reports of damage from the quake that hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.

It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).

Alarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663613880213.png" alt="USGS image" />
 <figcaption>USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico's central Pacific coast on Monday, killing at least one person and setting off a seismic alarm in the rattled capital on the anniversary of two earlier devastating quakes.There were at least some early reports of damage to buildings from the quake, which hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers (23 miles) southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said via Twitter that the secretary of the navy told him one person was killed in the port city of Manzanillo, Colima when a wall at a mall collapsed.In Coalcoman, Michoacan, near the quake's epicenter, buildings were damaged, but there were not immediate reports of injuries.“It started slowly and then was really strong and continued and continued until it started to relent,” said 16-year-old Carla Cárdenas, a resident of Coalcoman. Cárdenas ran out of her family’s hotel and waited with neighbors.She said the hotel and some homes along the street displayed cracks in walls and segments of facades and roofs had broken off.“In the hotel, the roof of the parking area boomed and fell to the ground, and there are cracks in the walls on the second floor,” Cárdenas said.She said the town’s hospital was seriously damaged, but she had so far not heard of anyone injured.Mexico's National Civil Defense agency said that based on historic data of tsunamis in Mexico, variations of as much as 32 inches (82 cm) were possible in coastal water levels near the epicenter. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said that hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 186 miles (300 kilometers) of the epicenter.Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum tweeted that there were no reports of damage in the capitalAlarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017. The magnitude 8.0 quake centered near the coast of Guerrero state in 1985 killed at least 9,500 people. More than 360 people died in the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck in 2017.“This is a coincidence,” that this is the third Sept. 19 earthquake, said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Paul Earle. “There’s no physical reason or statistical bias toward earthquakes in any given month in Mexico.”Nor is there a season or month for big earthquakes anywhere on the globe, Earle said. But there is a predictable thing: People seek and sometimes find coincidences that look like patterns.“We knew we’d get this question as soon as it happened,” Earle said. “Sometimes there are just coincidences.”The quake was not related to or caused by the drill an hour or so earlier, nor was it connected to a damaging temblor in Taiwan the day before, Earle said.Humberto Garza stood outside a restaurant in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood holding his 3-year son. Like many milling about outside after the earthquake, Garza said the earthquake alarm sounded so soon after the annual simulation that he was not sure it was real.“I heard the alarm, but it sounded really far away,” he said.Outside the city's environmental ombudsman's office, dozens of employees waited. Some appeared visibly shaken.Power was out in parts of the city, including stoplights, snarling the capital's already notorious traffic.-------MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico's central Pacific coast on Monday, killing at least one person and setting off a seismic alarm in the rattled capital on the anniversary of two earlier devastating quakes.There were no immediate reports of significant damage from the quake that hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers (23 miles) southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said via Twitter that the secretary of the navy told him one person was killed in the port city of Manzanillo, Colima when a wall at a mall collapsed.Michoacan's Public Security Department said there were no immediate reports of significant damage in that state beyond some cracks in buildings in the town of Coalcoman.Mexico's National Civil Defense agency said that based on historic data of tsunamis in Mexico, variations of as much as 32 inches (82 cm) were possible in coastal water levels near the epicenter. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said that hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 186 miles (300 kilometers) of the epicenter.Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum also tweeted that there were no reports of damage in the capitalAlarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major, deadly quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017.Humberto Garza stood outside a restaurant in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood holding his 3-year son. Like many milling about outside after the earthquake, Garza said that the earthquake alarm sounded so soon after the annual simulation that he was not sure it was real.“I heard the alarm, but it sounded really far away,” he said.Outside the city's environmental ombudsman's office, dozens of employees waited. Some appeared visibly shaken.Power was out in parts of the city, including stoplights, snarling the capital's already notorious traffic.--------MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico’s central Pacific coast on Monday, setting off an earthquake alarm in the capital.There were no immediate reports of damage from the quake that hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).Alarms for the new quake came less than an hour after a quake alarms warbled in a nationwide earthquake simulation marking major quakes that struck on the same date in 1985 and 2017.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Update: Magnitude 7.6 earthquake shakes Mexico

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/17/topsoil-protection-should-be-stressed-in-the-next-farm-bill-u-s-house-ag-panel-told/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at
 a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House 
Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming 
practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect topsoil.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee 
Chair David Scott said he held the hearing Wednesday to discuss ways 
policymakers and the Department of Agriculture could help farmers 
incorporate regenerative agriculture practices. That investment in soil 
health would curb climate change and prevent a food shortage, the 
Georgia Democrat said.

Regenerative agriculture occurs in 
farming and grazing practices that focus on rebuilding organic matter in
 topsoil, restoring degraded soil biodiversity and improving the water 
cycle. All of these mitigate climate change by growing plants that 
capture carbon dioxide and move it into the soil.&nbsp;

“Conventional agriculture models are 
degrading American soil,” Jeff Moyer, the chief executive officer of 
Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, said. Rodale was a pioneer 
in organic farming.

About 95% of food is grown from 
topsoil, which is the most important component to food systems. If soil 
cannot filter water and adsorb carbon, it will hinder farmers’ ability 
to grow food to feed people, creating a food crisis. Around the world, 
soil is eroding 10<a target="_blank" href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/03/slow-insidious-soil-erosion-threatens-human-health-and-welfare"> to 40 times faster than it can be replaced.&nbsp;</a>

Moyer said that a third of the 
world’s soil has already degraded, and if “the current rate of soil 
degradation continues, all of the world’s topsoil could be lost within 
60 years.”

“The very start of our food supply 
chain is the Earth, and we are losing the viable component of carbon,” 
Scott said, adding that it’s important to get carbon back into the soil.
 Carbon is the primary energy source for plants.

<a target="_blank" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EF002396">A study</a>
 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in February found that “the 
Midwest has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since
 farmers began tilling the soil, 160 years ago.”&nbsp;

“The historical erosion rates exceed 
predictions of present-day erosion rates from national soil erosion 
assessments and levels considered tolerable by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture,” according to the report.

The Biden administration has funneled
 as much as $3 billion to projects that will reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and sequester carbon in agriculture. On Wednesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">USDA announced</a> an expansion of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to fund conservation programs.

Scott said a documentary, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://kissthegroundmovie.com">Kiss the Ground</a>,” helped open his eyes to the need to invest in regenerative agriculture.

“That is the way that we make sure that we have food security,” he said.

Republicans on the committee stressed
 that USDA programs based around regenerative agriculture should not 
become mandatory, and the top GOP lawmaker, Glenn Thompson, of 
Pennsylvania, argued that “tying food policy to climate policy is 
harmful.”&nbsp;

“Small farmers can’t always take on 
the risks that large farms can when adopting new practices, and I 
certainly don’t want to be the person that walks on to one of their 
farms and tells them the federal government mandates that they uphold 
your economic viability of their operations and livelihoods for the sake
 of climate change,” Thompson said.

He added that inflation was also more of an issue to farmers and that many farmers in his state <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/100551/eib-222.pdf">already practice regenerative agriculture</a> such as cover crops, which help prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients in the soil.&nbsp;

Rep. Jim Baird, an Indiana 
Republican, also questioned whether organic food was more nutritious 
than that produced by standard farming practices.&nbsp;

Rebecca Larson, the vice president of
 the Western Sugar Cooperative in Denver, said there’s no substantial 
research that organic food has more nutrients and much of that rhetoric 
is “fear-based marketing.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26878105/">A study from 2019</a> has found that organic production can boost some key nutrients in foods, but most of those increases are moderate.

Rick Clark, a farmer from 
Williamsport, Indiana, said he adopted regenerative farming practices 
for his 7,000-acre cattle farm to rebuild the soil health over the past 
decade.&nbsp;

“We need to preserve our soil, ’cause that is going to be the future of our farming,” he said.

Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, asked Clark how Congress can support regenerative farming efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Clark, a representative from 
Regenerate America, urged lawmakers to consider bolstering education and
 technical assistance to farmers wanting to start using those practices,
 such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from USDA. 
Regenerate America is a coalition of farmers and business partners that 
lobby for regenerative farming practices in the upcoming farm bill.&nbsp;

“Teaching and a support group is so critical here,” he said.

Clark said that he believes these 
programs should remain voluntary but that the government should consider
 giving farmers who implement these practices the biggest share of 
federal subsidiary benefits. He also urged lawmakers to bolster crop 
insurance to help reduce the risk farmers have when implementing 
regenerative farming practices.&nbsp;

“This means bolstering crop insurance
 by removing outdated barriers and creating incentives that recognize 
the risk-reduction benefits of soil health and conservation practices 
and reward farmers implementing those practices — like a ‘good driver’ 
discount on your car insurance,” he said.

Moyer also pushed for lawmakers to 
reform crop insurance because current policies “create disincentives for
 American farmers seeking to transition and operate under a regenerative
 organic model.”

Clark added that USDA should consider
 defining what regenerative agriculture means and those practices should
 be added to labels for consumers. Clark added that many of the 
practices used in regenerative farming originated from Indigenous 
farming practices, and said those voices need to be heard by the 
committee.

&nbsp;Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina 
Democrat, asked one of the witnesses, Steve Nygren from Chattahoochee 
Hills, Georgia, how regenerative agriculture can help build local 
economies.

Nygren is the founder and chief 
executive officer of Serenbe, which is an urban village within the city 
limits of Chattahoochee Hills that he and his wife <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=47383">created</a> with the vision of a sustainable community.&nbsp;

“Soil health leads to economic vitality,” he said.

He said the shrinking of family farms
 has an economic impact on the local community. Industrial agriculture 
is not going to support the local economy the way local farmers do, he 
said.&nbsp;

“Think of soil health as a way to bring small towns back to life,” Nygren said.

He pointed to his state as an 
example. In 1950, nearly half of Georgia’s food came from the state, and
 today that number is nearly a quarter. In Serenbe, 70 percent of the 
40,000 acres is reserved for agriculture and each week 75 families pay 
$34 for their weekly produce.&nbsp;

“If we bring small farms back into 
rural communities across the United States we’ll not only have a local 
food system that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels to get it to the shelf, 
but it can go directly from the farms to the consumer … it will really 
stimulate the local economy,” he said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663608069576.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/17/topsoil-protection-should-be-stressed-in-the-next-farm-bill-u-s-house-ag-panel-told/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at
 a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House 
Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming 
practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect topsoil.U.S. House Agriculture Committee 
Chair David Scott said he held the hearing Wednesday to discuss ways 
policymakers and the Department of Agriculture could help farmers 
incorporate regenerative agriculture practices. That investment in soil 
health would curb climate change and prevent a food shortage, the 
Georgia Democrat said.Regenerative agriculture occurs in 
farming and grazing practices that focus on rebuilding organic matter in
 topsoil, restoring degraded soil biodiversity and improving the water 
cycle. All of these mitigate climate change by growing plants that 
capture carbon dioxide and move it into the soil.&nbsp;“Conventional agriculture models are 
degrading American soil,” Jeff Moyer, the chief executive officer of 
Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, said. Rodale was a pioneer 
in organic farming.About 95% of food is grown from 
topsoil, which is the most important component to food systems. If soil 
cannot filter water and adsorb carbon, it will hinder farmers’ ability 
to grow food to feed people, creating a food crisis. Around the world, 
soil is eroding 10<a target="_blank" href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/03/slow-insidious-soil-erosion-threatens-human-health-and-welfare"> to 40 times faster than it can be replaced.&nbsp;</a>Moyer said that a third of the 
world’s soil has already degraded, and if “the current rate of soil 
degradation continues, all of the world’s topsoil could be lost within 
60 years.”“The very start of our food supply 
chain is the Earth, and we are losing the viable component of carbon,” 
Scott said, adding that it’s important to get carbon back into the soil.
 Carbon is the primary energy source for plants.<a target="_blank" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EF002396">A study</a>
 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in February found that “the 
Midwest has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since
 farmers began tilling the soil, 160 years ago.”&nbsp;“The historical erosion rates exceed 
predictions of present-day erosion rates from national soil erosion 
assessments and levels considered tolerable by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture,” according to the report.<h2>USDA project funding</h2>The Biden administration has funneled
 as much as $3 billion to projects that will reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and sequester carbon in agriculture. On Wednesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">USDA announced</a> an expansion of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to fund conservation programs.Scott said a documentary, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://kissthegroundmovie.com">Kiss the Ground</a>,” helped open his eyes to the need to invest in regenerative agriculture.“That is the way that we make sure that we have food security,” he said.Republicans on the committee stressed
 that USDA programs based around regenerative agriculture should not 
become mandatory, and the top GOP lawmaker, Glenn Thompson, of 
Pennsylvania, argued that “tying food policy to climate policy is 
harmful.”&nbsp;“Small farmers can’t always take on 
the risks that large farms can when adopting new practices, and I 
certainly don’t want to be the person that walks on to one of their 
farms and tells them the federal government mandates that they uphold 
your economic viability of their operations and livelihoods for the sake
 of climate change,” Thompson said.He added that inflation was also more of an issue to farmers and that many farmers in his state <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/100551/eib-222.pdf">already practice regenerative agriculture</a> such as cover crops, which help prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients in the soil.&nbsp;Rep. Jim Baird, an Indiana 
Republican, also questioned whether organic food was more nutritious 
than that produced by standard farming practices.&nbsp;Rebecca Larson, the vice president of
 the Western Sugar Cooperative in Denver, said there’s no substantial 
research that organic food has more nutrients and much of that rhetoric 
is “fear-based marketing.”<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26878105/">A study from 2019</a> has found that organic production can boost some key nutrients in foods, but most of those increases are moderate.<h2>Rebuilding soil health</h2>Rick Clark, a farmer from 
Williamsport, Indiana, said he adopted regenerative farming practices 
for his 7,000-acre cattle farm to rebuild the soil health over the past 
decade.&nbsp;“We need to preserve our soil, ’cause that is going to be the future of our farming,” he said.Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, asked Clark how Congress can support regenerative farming efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Clark, a representative from 
Regenerate America, urged lawmakers to consider bolstering education and
 technical assistance to farmers wanting to start using those practices,
 such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from USDA. 
Regenerate America is a coalition of farmers and business partners that 
lobby for regenerative farming practices in the upcoming farm bill.&nbsp;“Teaching and a support group is so critical here,” he said.Clark said that he believes these 
programs should remain voluntary but that the government should consider
 giving farmers who implement these practices the biggest share of 
federal subsidiary benefits. He also urged lawmakers to bolster crop 
insurance to help reduce the risk farmers have when implementing 
regenerative farming practices.&nbsp;“This means bolstering crop insurance
 by removing outdated barriers and creating incentives that recognize 
the risk-reduction benefits of soil health and conservation practices 
and reward farmers implementing those practices — like a ‘good driver’ 
discount on your car insurance,” he said.Moyer also pushed for lawmakers to 
reform crop insurance because current policies “create disincentives for
 American farmers seeking to transition and operate under a regenerative
 organic model.”Clark added that USDA should consider
 defining what regenerative agriculture means and those practices should
 be added to labels for consumers. Clark added that many of the 
practices used in regenerative farming originated from Indigenous 
farming practices, and said those voices need to be heard by the 
committee.<h2>Economic benefits</h2>&nbsp;Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina 
Democrat, asked one of the witnesses, Steve Nygren from Chattahoochee 
Hills, Georgia, how regenerative agriculture can help build local 
economies.Nygren is the founder and chief 
executive officer of Serenbe, which is an urban village within the city 
limits of Chattahoochee Hills that he and his wife <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=47383">created</a> with the vision of a sustainable community.&nbsp;“Soil health leads to economic vitality,” he said.He said the shrinking of family farms
 has an economic impact on the local community. Industrial agriculture 
is not going to support the local economy the way local farmers do, he 
said.&nbsp;“Think of soil health as a way to bring small towns back to life,” Nygren said.He pointed to his state as an 
example. In 1950, nearly half of Georgia’s food came from the state, and
 today that number is nearly a quarter. In Serenbe, 70 percent of the 
40,000 acres is reserved for agriculture and each week 75 families pay 
$34 for their weekly produce.&nbsp;“If we bring small farms back into 
rural communities across the United States we’ll not only have a local 
food system that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels to get it to the shelf, 
but it can go directly from the farms to the consumer … it will really 
stimulate the local economy,” he said.&nbsp;

Topsoil protection should be stressed in the next farm bill, panel told

By TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OLATHE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis worked to broaden his 2024 presidential foundation Sunday by traveling to Kansas to headline an endorsement rally for Republican gubernatorial nominee Derek Schmidt.

Presence of DeSantis and other conservatives at Schmidt campaign events less than two months ahead of the November election appears to reflect competitiveness of the contest with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Schmidt’s strategy could be associated with the insurgent campaign for governor by right-wing independent state Sen. Dennis Pyle, who is expected to peel votes away from the GOP nominee.

DeSantis, who emerged on the stage after a flashy promotional video, said he was in Kansas to help convince undecided voters to side with the GOP’s nominee. DeSantis devoted much of his 50-minute speech to his own accomplishments as Florida governor and a roster of decisions made by President Joe Biden, but sprinkled those remarks with praise for elements of Schmidt’s campaign agenda.

“Part of the reason I’m here is because if you look over the last few years governors have been more important to peoples’ freedoms than ever before,” he said. “You saw this here in Kansas and they saw it in California, New York and Illinois and all these states where you had leftist governors locking people down. In Florida, we lifted people up.”

DeSantis said Kelly was in step with Biden’s agenda, including response to the COVID-19 pandemic, proclaiming there was “no daylight between them. Basically, it’s like having Biden as governor here.”

He touched on a campaign talking point favored by Schmidt about Kelly’s veto of two sweeping tax bills that included repeal of the state sales tax on groceries. Subsequently, Kelly advocated for elimination July 1 of the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries. The Republican-led Legislature rejected that idea and approved a bill signed by the governor in 2022 phasing out that regressive state tax over three years.

“Right when people needed her, she stood on the side of the tax collector rather than the taxpayer,” DeSantis said. “I think you need a governor like Derek Schmidt who is going to put taxpayers first.”

Midway through the speech, to the delight of the audience, DeSantis delved into his effort to throw a spotlight on influx of immigrants into the United States. He defended his stir-the-pot expenditure of $615,000 Florida tax dollars — $12,300 per person — to fly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He has said people boarded those two flights voluntarily. There have been calls for a federal investigation to determine whether the immigrants were misled and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/09/15/authoritarian-politicians-advocates-react-to-fls-transport-of-migrants-to-mass/">the flights approximated human trafficking</a>.

“They were homeless. They were hungry. They were trying to get to places like Florida and others. They were given basically a lottery ticket to get to the wealthiest sanctuary,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “If you’re going to support open borders, then you should have to deal with the consequences.”

DeSantis referred to establishment of Martha’s Vineyard as a sanctuary jurisdiction and the hostility expressed by some in that wealthy enclave after unexpected arrival of immigrants. The governor said the position of those island residents amounted to “self-congratulatory virtue signaling.”

He also said immigration was one example of how elites and leftists in the United States wanted to impose an ideology on the nation while casting dissenters as second-class citizens.

The governor encouraged the audience to be culture warriors against the “woke mind virus,” but warned the stakes were high and the struggle would be difficult.

He illustrated that point while attacking Disney, pressing for greater scrutiny of school curriculum and library books, demanding transgender boys be forbidden from playing sports against girls, and denouncing The New York Times’ “1619 Project” regarding U.S. history and racism.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Republican nominee for Kansas governor, gestured to the crowd in Olathe gathered Sunday for a campaign speech by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Schmidt in the race against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Schmidt, who has served as Kansas attorney general for more than a decade, told more than 1,000 people at the “united and win” rally that support of DeSantis was welcomed. Schmidt also used the event to plow through a critique of Kelly’s work as chief executive of Kansas.

“My friends, here in Kansas, we are going to retire Laura Kelly in November,” Schmidt said. “We need a Kansas governor who didn’t hurt our kids by rushing to lock them out of school, who won’t trail far behind the nation in recovering jobs her lockdowns destroyed, who never again will lose hundreds of millions of tax dollars to unemployment fraud.”

Schmidt touted his work as attorney general, including his presence as a legal thorn in the side of Biden. He vowed to constrain state government spending approved by the Kansas Legislature and Kelly. He repeatedly asserted Kelly was wrong to send students home at outset of the pandemic by ordering school buildings temporarily closed and requiring instruction to be performed online.

“The truth is Laura Kelly has done more damage to more of our children than any other governor in the history of this state,” Schmidt said.

Nicole Vannicola and Carrie Walker, both of Eudora, stand in line Sunday before start of the Olathe political rally headlined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wallace said she hoped to learn more about DeSantis’ views on separation of church and state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

The Kansas Democratic Party staged a street protest outside the hotel in advance of the Schmidt-DeSantis event that also featured a speech attacking Kelly by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.

Emma O’Brien, spokesperson for the state Democratic Party, said Schmidt had again sought out-of-state support because of the presence of Pyle, a lifelong Republican who threated to attract conservative votes that might otherwise go to Schmidt.

“On the heels of his former boss, Republican Governor Bill Graves, throwing his support behind Governor Kelly, Derek Schmidt hurried to fly in an out-of-state, divisive politician for a ‘unity rally’ in a last-ditch attempt to stop the massive number of Kansas Republicans running from his campaign,” O’Brien said.

Kelly has modeled her campaign along lines of her successful effort in 2018 in which she promised to cross the political aisle and reverse budget and policy miscues by former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. Kelly has made reference during the campaign to Schmidt’s endorsements of Brownback.

Madison Andrus, spokesperson for Kelly’s campaign, said people rallying to Schmidt stood in contrast to the governor’s “bipartisan coalition” and “common-sense leadership.”

Olathe resident Judah Prince, right, attended the Olathe rally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Prince hopes DeSantis wins the 2024 presidential nomination because DeSantis offers conservative values without recklessness of former President Donald Trump. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

A long line formed in the parking lot outside the Embassy Suites hotel in Olathe before Turning Point Action, the Arizona political organization in charge of the event, opened doors to a conference facility with more than 700 seats. Those chairs filled and several hundred were left to stand in the ballroom.

Olathe residents Linda and Ron Schmidt, who weren’t related to the candidate for governor, said they didn’t frequently attend political rallies but wanted to get a glimpse of the GOP candidate for governor and a potential GOP candidate for president.

“We’re here to support Derek Schmidt and excited for the bonus of seeing the next president — DeSantis,” Linda Schmidt said.

Ron Schmidt wore a red cap with the “Make America Great” slogan popularized by Trump. He said the federal government’s deficit spending was driving too much borrowing and contributed to consumer inflation.

Judah Prince, also of Olathe, said he was a conservative who voted for Kelly four years ago because he was concerned GOP nominee Kris Kobach would be a poor choice for governor. Prince said Kelly had done reasonable well as governor and that he was prepared to support Kobach’s run for attorney general.

On a similar line of thought, Prince said he was hopeful DeSantis won the Republican nomination for president. He said DeSantis had the right values to lead the nation but would be less volatile than Trump. He said Trump had made a “lot of reckless decisions.”

Carrie Wallace and Nicole Vannicola, both of Eudora, were part of the throng attending the rally. Wallace said she was intrigued by DeSantis’ remarks indicating religion ought to take a more prominent place in the political environment.

“I’m very interested in his comments recently about how church and state should not be separated,” Wallace said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Ron-DeSantis-3-16x9b-1024x576.jpg" alt="Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s campaign for Kansas governor Sunday during an Olathe rally. Schmidt is campaigning against Gov. Laura Kelly and two other candidates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s campaign for Kansas governor Sunday during an Olathe rally. Schmidt is campaigning against Gov. Laura Kelly and two other candidates. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">Kansas Reflector</a>OLATHE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis worked to broaden his 2024 presidential foundation Sunday by traveling to Kansas to headline an endorsement rally for Republican gubernatorial nominee Derek Schmidt.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerekSchmidtKS</a> is a proven leader and will continue to fight for the people of Kansas as Governor. He will support law enforcement, ensure safe communities, and protect the freedoms of the people of the Kansas. I’m proud to stand with him.<a href="https://t.co/8X3928vBBv">https://t.co/8X3928vBBv</a> <a href="https://t.co/WadKAkQuGe">pic.twitter.com/WadKAkQuGe</a>&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantisFL/status/1571615205645324288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Presence of DeSantis and other conservatives at Schmidt campaign events less than two months ahead of the November election appears to reflect competitiveness of the contest with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Schmidt’s strategy could be associated with the insurgent campaign for governor by right-wing independent state Sen. Dennis Pyle, who is expected to peel votes away from the GOP nominee.DeSantis, who emerged on the stage after a flashy promotional video, said he was in Kansas to help convince undecided voters to side with the GOP’s nominee. DeSantis devoted much of his 50-minute speech to his own accomplishments as Florida governor and a roster of decisions made by President Joe Biden, but sprinkled those remarks with praise for elements of Schmidt’s campaign agenda.“Part of the reason I’m here is because if you look over the last few years governors have been more important to peoples’ freedoms than ever before,” he said. “You saw this here in Kansas and they saw it in California, New York and Illinois and all these states where you had leftist governors locking people down. In Florida, we lifted people up.”DeSantis said Kelly was in step with Biden’s agenda, including response to the COVID-19 pandemic, proclaiming there was “no daylight between them. Basically, it’s like having Biden as governor here.”He touched on a campaign talking point favored by Schmidt about Kelly’s veto of two sweeping tax bills that included repeal of the state sales tax on groceries. Subsequently, Kelly advocated for elimination July 1 of the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries. The Republican-led Legislature rejected that idea and approved a bill signed by the governor in 2022 phasing out that regressive state tax over three years.“Right when people needed her, she stood on the side of the tax collector rather than the taxpayer,” DeSantis said. “I think you need a governor like Derek Schmidt who is going to put taxpayers first.”Midway through the speech, to the delight of the audience, DeSantis delved into his effort to throw a spotlight on influx of immigrants into the United States. He defended his stir-the-pot expenditure of $615,000 Florida tax dollars — $12,300 per person — to fly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. He has said people boarded those two flights voluntarily. There have been calls for a federal investigation to determine whether the immigrants were misled and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/09/15/authoritarian-politicians-advocates-react-to-fls-transport-of-migrants-to-mass/">the flights approximated human trafficking</a>.“They were homeless. They were hungry. They were trying to get to places like Florida and others. They were given basically a lottery ticket to get to the wealthiest sanctuary,” he said to laughter from the crowd. “If you’re going to support open borders, then you should have to deal with the consequences.”DeSantis referred to establishment of Martha’s Vineyard as a sanctuary jurisdiction and the hostility expressed by some in that wealthy enclave after unexpected arrival of immigrants. The governor said the position of those island residents amounted to “self-congratulatory virtue signaling.”He also said immigration was one example of how elites and leftists in the United States wanted to impose an ideology on the nation while casting dissenters as second-class citizens.The governor encouraged the audience to be culture warriors against the “woke mind virus,” but warned the stakes were high and the struggle would be difficult.He illustrated that point while attacking Disney, pressing for greater scrutiny of school curriculum and library books, demanding transgender boys be forbidden from playing sports against girls, and denouncing The New York Times’ “1619 Project” regarding U.S. history and racism.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Derek-Schmidt-rally-4-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Republican nominee for Kansas governor, gestured to the crowd in Olathe gathered Sunday for a campaign speech by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Schmidt in the race against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Schmidt welcomes support</h2>Schmidt, who has served as Kansas attorney general for more than a decade, told more than 1,000 people at the “united and win” rally that support of DeSantis was welcomed. Schmidt also used the event to plow through a critique of Kelly’s work as chief executive of Kansas.“My friends, here in Kansas, we are going to retire Laura Kelly in November,” Schmidt said. “We need a Kansas governor who didn’t hurt our kids by rushing to lock them out of school, who won’t trail far behind the nation in recovering jobs her lockdowns destroyed, who never again will lose hundreds of millions of tax dollars to unemployment fraud.”Schmidt touted his work as attorney general, including his presence as a legal thorn in the side of Biden. He vowed to constrain state government spending approved by the Kansas Legislature and Kelly. He repeatedly asserted Kelly was wrong to send students home at outset of the pandemic by ordering school buildings temporarily closed and requiring instruction to be performed online.“The truth is Laura Kelly has done more damage to more of our children than any other governor in the history of this state,” Schmidt said.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Vannicola-and-Wallace-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nicole Vannicola and Carrie Walker, both of Eudora, stand in line Sunday before start of the Olathe political rally headlined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wallace said she hoped to learn more about DeSantis’ views on separation of church and state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Democrats join fray</h2>The Kansas Democratic Party staged a street protest outside the hotel in advance of the Schmidt-DeSantis event that also featured a speech attacking Kelly by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.Emma O’Brien, spokesperson for the state Democratic Party, said Schmidt had again sought out-of-state support because of the presence of Pyle, a lifelong Republican who threated to attract conservative votes that might otherwise go to Schmidt.“On the heels of his former boss, Republican Governor Bill Graves, throwing his support behind Governor Kelly, Derek Schmidt hurried to fly in an out-of-state, divisive politician for a ‘unity rally’ in a last-ditch attempt to stop the massive number of Kansas Republicans running from his campaign,” O’Brien said.Kelly has modeled her campaign along lines of her successful effort in 2018 in which she promised to cross the political aisle and reverse budget and policy miscues by former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. Kelly has made reference during the campaign to Schmidt’s endorsements of Brownback.Madison Andrus, spokesperson for Kelly’s campaign, said people rallying to Schmidt stood in contrast to the governor’s “bipartisan coalition” and “common-sense leadership.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Olathe-resident-Judah-Prince-1024x768.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Olathe resident Judah Prince, right, attended the Olathe rally with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Prince hopes DeSantis wins the 2024 presidential nomination because DeSantis offers conservative values without recklessness of former President Donald Trump. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)<h2>Pumped for rally</h2>A long line formed in the parking lot outside the Embassy Suites hotel in Olathe before Turning Point Action, the Arizona political organization in charge of the event, opened doors to a conference facility with more than 700 seats. Those chairs filled and several hundred were left to stand in the ballroom.Olathe residents Linda and Ron Schmidt, who weren’t related to the candidate for governor, said they didn’t frequently attend political rallies but wanted to get a glimpse of the GOP candidate for governor and a potential GOP candidate for president.“We’re here to support Derek Schmidt and excited for the bonus of seeing the next president — DeSantis,” Linda Schmidt said.Ron Schmidt wore a red cap with the “Make America Great” slogan popularized by Trump. He said the federal government’s deficit spending was driving too much borrowing and contributed to consumer inflation.Judah Prince, also of Olathe, said he was a conservative who voted for Kelly four years ago because he was concerned GOP nominee Kris Kobach would be a poor choice for governor. Prince said Kelly had done reasonable well as governor and that he was prepared to support Kobach’s run for attorney general.On a similar line of thought, Prince said he was hopeful DeSantis won the Republican nomination for president. He said DeSantis had the right values to lead the nation but would be less volatile than Trump. He said Trump had made a “lot of reckless decisions.”Carrie Wallace and Nicole Vannicola, both of Eudora, were part of the throng attending the rally. Wallace said she was intrigued by DeSantis’ remarks indicating religion ought to take a more prominent place in the political environment.“I’m very interested in his comments recently about how church and state should not be separated,” Wallace said.

DeSantis campaigns for Schmidt in Kan. governor's race

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon for alleged theft involving horses. Just before midnight Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to the 8100 block of SE California Avenue to check the welfare of a woman, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.

The caller was on his way home with a trailer full of horses, when he was flagged down by a woman. The caller notified law enforcement and continued home. Once at his residence, the caller was unloading horses, when someone stole his truck and proceeded to drive away with several horses inside. The caller was able to catch up to the driver nearby and notify law enforcement of their location. Deputies arrived and placed the woman identified as 35-year-old Brianna M. Nowack into custody. &nbsp;All horses were accounted for and none were harmed. &nbsp;Nowak was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft from a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and theft of all other. She has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson and had absconded four times since 2020, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663527393520.png" alt="Nowak has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Nowak has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon for alleged theft involving horses. Just before midnight Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to the 8100 block of SE California Avenue to check the welfare of a woman, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.The caller was on his way home with a trailer full of horses, when he was flagged down by a woman. The caller notified law enforcement and continued home. Once at his residence, the caller was unloading horses, when someone stole his truck and proceeded to drive away with several horses inside. The caller was able to catch up to the driver nearby and notify law enforcement of their location. Deputies arrived and placed the woman identified as 35-year-old Brianna M. Nowack into custody. &nbsp;All horses were accounted for and none were harmed. &nbsp;Nowak was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft from a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and theft of all other. She has a previous conviction for attempted aggravated arson and had absconded four times since 2020, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-

Sheriff: Kan. felon attempted to steal trailer full of horses

STAFFORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by 16-year-old Shane Riley Sheets of St. John was&nbsp;eastbound in the 100 block of NE 20th Street. 

The car entered the north ditch and struck a tree. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Minnis Chapel. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

USD 349 has counselors and staff&nbsp; available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week.

STAFFORD COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a student from Stafford High School died in a car accident early Monday, according to USD 349 and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Counselors and staff are available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week, according to the school district.

The Kansas Highway Patrol has not released details of the crash including the name of the student who died.&nbsp;

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592389654778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STAFFORD COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in Stafford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by 16-year-old Shane Riley Sheets of St. John was&nbsp;eastbound in the 100 block of NE 20th Street. The car entered the north ditch and struck a tree. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Minnis Chapel. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.USD 349 has counselors and staff&nbsp; available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week.-------STAFFORD COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a student from Stafford High School died in a car accident early Monday, according to USD 349 and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.Counselors and staff are available to meet with students and staff throughout the day and throughout the week, according to the school district.The Kansas Highway Patrol has not released details of the crash including the name of the student who died.&nbsp;Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

KHP IDs 16-year-old who died after car struck a tree

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex in Shawnee.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a medical emergency at at apartment in the 7400 Block of Flint, according to a media release from police.

At the scene, officers located a 25-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Officers took to into custody for questioning.

The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene investigations unit is assisting police.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex in Shawnee.Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a medical emergency at at apartment in the 7400 Block of Flint, according to a media release from police.At the scene, officers located a 25-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Officers took to into custody for questioning.The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene investigations unit is assisting police.

Police: 25-year-old Kan. woman found dead after shooting

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on sex allegations. Just after 8p.m. Friday, police arrested 55-year-old Charles McMullen of Ogden on requested charges that include one count of rape in connection to a September 2, 2022, incident involving a 58-year-old female victim, according to the Riley County police department.

He is also accused of an additional count of rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in connection to a July 5, 2022, incident involving a 51-year-old female victim. Both victims were known to McMullen.

McMullen remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $500,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on sex allegations. Just after 8p.m. Friday, police arrested 55-year-old Charles McMullen of Ogden on requested charges that include one count of rape in connection to a September 2, 2022, incident involving a 58-year-old female victim, according to the Riley County police department.He is also accused of an additional count of rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in connection to a July 5, 2022, incident involving a 51-year-old female victim. Both victims were known to McMullen.McMullen remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $500,000.

Police: Kansas man held on $500K bond for multiple sex crimes

TOPEKA (AP) — Federal prosecutors seeking to keep a former Kansas police detective in jail for allegedly preying on Black women and girls have revealed more details of the accusations against him, including complaints from seven more women.

Roger Golubksi, 69, faces a federal court hearing Monday during which prosecutors will argue he should remain in jail until his trial.

He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">arrested and charged</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on six counts of civil rights violations alleging that as an officer with the Kansas City, Kansas, police department, he sexually abused a Black woman and a teenager more than two decades ago. Five of the counts allege that Golubski kidnapped or tried to kidnap the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663616484786.png" alt="Golubski is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Golubski is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) — Federal prosecutors seeking to keep a former Kansas police detective in jail for allegedly preying on Black women and girls have revealed more details of the accusations against him, including complaints from seven more women.Roger Golubksi, 69, faces a federal court hearing Monday during which prosecutors will argue he should remain in jail until his trial.He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">arrested and charged</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on six counts of civil rights violations alleging that as an officer with the Kansas City, Kansas, police department, he sexually abused a Black woman and a teenager more than two decades ago. Five of the counts allege that Golubski kidnapped or tried to kidnap the victims.Prosecutors filed a motion Friday that included graphic details of his encounters with the two victims and that added complaints from seven other females who say Golubski harassed and abused them. Golubski has not been charged in those seven cases, but prosecutors argued they provided more evidence that he is dangerous and has shown “nothing but utter contempt for the law.”Golubski, who retired in 2010, has pleaded not guilty. He faces a possible life sentence on each of the six counts.His attorney, Tom Lemon, did not respond to a message Monday seeking reaction to the new motion. Lemon argued last week that Golubski should be released before trial because he needs medical attention for several health issues, including failing kidneys, diabetes and recovering from quintuple bypass surgery.Prosecutors responded in their motion that all of Golubski’s medical conditions could be treated in a detention facility.“He has spent decades lording his power over his victims and the community by demonstrating how unbound by legal limits he feels,” prosecutors wrote. “The only way to assure community safety is detention.”The motion alleges Golubski displayed his gun or hit some of his victims with it while demanding sex. He told the victims he would have them or their relatives imprisoned or killed if they ever told anyone what he did, prosecutors said.The charges accuse Golubski of sexually assaulting a girl more than 10 times over about three years. He repeatedly told the girl, who was 13 when the abuse allegedly began, that he would kill her or her grandmother. He told her he would throw her in a river and sang a version of childhood song with the phrase, "where they won’t find her until she stank,” according to the motion.The other victim in the charged case, Ophelia Williams, was raped and sexually assaulted several times over two or three years, according to the motion. He initially abused Williams shortly after her two sons were arrested, prosecutors said.The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault, but Williams has told her story publicly.The seven other victims were abused or threatened by Golubski between 1980s and 2004, prosecutors said.One woman said she called the Kansas City, Kansas, police internal affairs department to report her encounter with Golubski but was told “there was nothing they could do because it was (her) word against the defendant’s,” prosecutors wrote.The Kansas City, Kansas, police department said Monday that Chief Karl Oakman would not have any comment on the motion. Mayor Tyrone Garner was out of the office Monday. He said in a statement released Thursday that he remained committed to pushing for improvements in police-community relations to restore trust.Another victim said Golubski sexually assaulted and raped her periodically between the mid-1990s and 2004 while threatening to take away her children, prosecutors said. In 2016, the woman was in the hospital when Golubski showed up and said, “Long time no see,” according to the indictment, prompting her to change hospitals, according to the motion.Civil rights groups for years sought an investigation into Golubski. The allegations gained attention after Lamont McIntyre,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-kansas-city-ks-state-wire-3e379716ed9e4dba83412311eaadfd08">who spent 23 years in prison</a>&nbsp;for a double murder he didn’t commit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-kansas-7b4c4af7410f67d20fd19cb2e9235aad">sued Golubski</a>&nbsp;and other Kansas City, Kansas, officers. McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, alleged that Golubski framed Lamont in 1994 because she refused the detective’s sexual demands.The local government agreed in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-96f163ee13c721c0ab53899dcad05897">settle the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;for $12.5 million.