GEARY COUNTY —A Kansas fire department ambulance was involved in an accident just 8a.m. Friday in Geary County.

The crew from the Junction City Fire department were returning from responding to a traffic accident when Medic 2(563) left the roadway and rolled onto its side, according to a social media report.

 The conditions were moderate to heavy rain at the time of the incident. 

 The Kansas Highway Patrol conducted the accident investigation, while Junction City, Kansas Police Department provided traffic units to the scene.  No patients were on board the unit, and both technicians wore their seatbelts.  This just proves that any vehicle can hydroplane given the current conditions and that seat belts save lives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663963294385.png" alt="photo Junction City Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>photo Junction City Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —A Kansas fire department ambulance was involved in an accident just 8a.m. Friday in Geary County.The crew from the Junction City Fire department were returning from responding to a traffic accident when Medic 2(563) left the roadway and rolled onto its side, according to a social media report. The conditions were moderate to heavy rain at the time of the incident. The Kansas Highway Patrol conducted the accident investigation, while Junction City, Kansas Police Department provided traffic units to the scene. No patients were on board the unit, and both technicians wore their seatbelts. This just proves that any vehicle can hydroplane given the current conditions and that seat belts save lives.

No injuries after ambulance accident on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. health officials say 4.4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-90175dd9277dc4bec6b6699c8f14e6f0">updated COVID-19 booster shot.</a>&nbsp;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts bemoaned President Joe Biden’s recent remark that “the pandemic is over.”

The White House said more than 5 million people received the new boosters by its own estimate that accounts for reporting lags in states.

Health experts said it is too early to predict whether demand would match up with the 171 million doses of the new boosters the U.S. ordered for the fall.

“No one would go looking at our flu shot uptake at this point and be like, ‘Oh, what a disaster,’” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If we start to see a large uptick in cases, I think we're going to see a lot of people getting the (new COVID) vaccine.”

A temporary shortage of Moderna vaccine caused some pharmacies to cancel appointments while encouraging people to reschedule for a Pfizer vaccine. The issue was expected to resolve as government regulators wrapped up an inspection and cleared batches of vaccine doses for distribution.

“I do expect this to pick up in the weeks ahead,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha. “We’ve been thinking and talking about this as an annual vaccine like the flu vaccine. Flu vaccine season picks up in late September and early October. We’re just getting our education campaign going. So we expect to see, despite the fact that this was a strong start, we actually expect this to ramp up stronger.”

Some Americans who plan to get the shot, designed to target the most common omicron strains, said they are waiting because they either had COVID-19 recently or another booster. They are following public health advice to wait several months to get the full benefit of their existing virus-fighting antibodies.

Others are scheduling shots closer to holiday gatherings and winter months when respiratory viruses spread more easily.

Retired hospital chaplain Jeanie Murphy, 69, of Shawnee, Kansas, plans to get the new booster in a couple of weeks after she has some minor knee surgery. Interest is high among her neighbors from what she sees on the Nextdoor app.

“There’s quite a bit of discussion happening among people who are ready to make appointments,” Murphy said. “I found that encouraging. For every one naysayer there will be 10 or 12 people who jump in and say, ‘You’re crazy. You just need to go get the shot.’”

Biden later acknowledged criticism of his remark about the pandemic being over and clarified the pandemic is “not where it was.” The initial comment didn’t bother Murphy. She believes the disease has entered a steady state when “we’ll get COVID shots in the fall the same as we do flu shots.”

Experts hope she's right, but are waiting to see what levels of infection winter brings. The summer ebb in case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths may be followed by another surge, Dowdy said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, asked Thursday by a panel of biodefense experts what still keeps him up at night, noted that half of vaccinated Americans never got an initial booster dose.

“We have a vulnerability in our population that will continue to have us in a mode of potential disruption of our social order," Fauci said. “I think that we have to do better as a nation.”

Some Americans who got the new shots said they are excited about the idea of targeting the vaccine to the variants circulating now.

“Give me all the science you can,” said Jeff Westling, 30, an attorney in Washington, D.C., who got the new booster and a flu shot on Tuesday, one in each arm. He participates in the combat sport jujitsu, so wants to protect himself from infections that may come with close contact. “I have no issue trusting folks whose job it is to look at the evidence.”

Meanwhile, Biden’s pronouncement in a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday echoed through social media.

“We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over,” Biden said while walking through the Detroit auto show. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.”

By Wednesday on Facebook, when a Kansas health department posted where residents could find the new booster shots, the first commenter remarked snidely:

“But Biden says the pandemic is over.”

The president's statement, despite his attempts to clarify it, adds to public confusion, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.

“People aren’t sure when is the right time to get boosted. ‘Am I eligible?’ People are often confused about what the right choice is for them, even where to search for that information,” Michaud said.

“Any time you have mixed messages, it’s detrimental to the public health effort,” Michaud said. “Having the mixed messages from the president’s remarks, makes that job that much harder.”

University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi said he's worried the president's pronouncement has taken on a life of its own and may stall prevention efforts.

“That soundbite is there for a while now, and it’s going to spread like wildfire. And it’s going to give the impression that ‘Oh, there’s nothing more we need to do,’” Salemi said.

“If we’re happy with 400 or 500 people dying every single day from COVID, there’s a problem with that,” Salemi said. “We can absolutely do better because most of those deaths, if not all of them, are absolutely preventable with the tools that we have.”

New York City photographer Vivienne Gucwa, 44, got the new booster Monday. She’s had COVID twice, once before vaccines were available and again in May. She was vaccinated with two Moderna shots, but never got the original boosters.

“When I saw the new booster was able to tackle omicron variant I thought, ‘I’m doing that,’” Gucwa said.

“I don’t want to deal with omicron again. I was kind of thrilled to see the boosters were updated.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663895423323.png" alt="On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky received her updated COVID vaccine-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky received her updated COVID vaccine-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. health officials say 4.4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-90175dd9277dc4bec6b6699c8f14e6f0">updated COVID-19 booster shot.</a>&nbsp;The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts bemoaned President Joe Biden’s recent remark that “the pandemic is over.”The White House said more than 5 million people received the new boosters by its own estimate that accounts for reporting lags in states.Health experts said it is too early to predict whether demand would match up with the 171 million doses of the new boosters the U.S. ordered for the fall.“No one would go looking at our flu shot uptake at this point and be like, ‘Oh, what a disaster,’” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If we start to see a large uptick in cases, I think we're going to see a lot of people getting the (new COVID) vaccine.”A temporary shortage of Moderna vaccine caused some pharmacies to cancel appointments while encouraging people to reschedule for a Pfizer vaccine. The issue was expected to resolve as government regulators wrapped up an inspection and cleared batches of vaccine doses for distribution.“I do expect this to pick up in the weeks ahead,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha. “We’ve been thinking and talking about this as an annual vaccine like the flu vaccine. Flu vaccine season picks up in late September and early October. We’re just getting our education campaign going. So we expect to see, despite the fact that this was a strong start, we actually expect this to ramp up stronger.”Some Americans who plan to get the shot, designed to target the most common omicron strains, said they are waiting because they either had COVID-19 recently or another booster. They are following public health advice to wait several months to get the full benefit of their existing virus-fighting antibodies.Others are scheduling shots closer to holiday gatherings and winter months when respiratory viruses spread more easily.Retired hospital chaplain Jeanie Murphy, 69, of Shawnee, Kansas, plans to get the new booster in a couple of weeks after she has some minor knee surgery. Interest is high among her neighbors from what she sees on the Nextdoor app.“There’s quite a bit of discussion happening among people who are ready to make appointments,” Murphy said. “I found that encouraging. For every one naysayer there will be 10 or 12 people who jump in and say, ‘You’re crazy. You just need to go get the shot.’”Biden later acknowledged criticism of his remark about the pandemic being over and clarified the pandemic is “not where it was.” The initial comment didn’t bother Murphy. She believes the disease has entered a steady state when “we’ll get COVID shots in the fall the same as we do flu shots.”Experts hope she's right, but are waiting to see what levels of infection winter brings. The summer ebb in case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths may be followed by another surge, Dowdy said.Dr. Anthony Fauci, asked Thursday by a panel of biodefense experts what still keeps him up at night, noted that half of vaccinated Americans never got an initial booster dose.“We have a vulnerability in our population that will continue to have us in a mode of potential disruption of our social order," Fauci said. “I think that we have to do better as a nation.”Some Americans who got the new shots said they are excited about the idea of targeting the vaccine to the variants circulating now.“Give me all the science you can,” said Jeff Westling, 30, an attorney in Washington, D.C., who got the new booster and a flu shot on Tuesday, one in each arm. He participates in the combat sport jujitsu, so wants to protect himself from infections that may come with close contact. “I have no issue trusting folks whose job it is to look at the evidence.”Meanwhile, Biden’s pronouncement in a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday echoed through social media.“We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over,” Biden said while walking through the Detroit auto show. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.”By Wednesday on Facebook, when a Kansas health department posted where residents could find the new booster shots, the first commenter remarked snidely:“But Biden says the pandemic is over.”The president's statement, despite his attempts to clarify it, adds to public confusion, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.“People aren’t sure when is the right time to get boosted. ‘Am I eligible?’ People are often confused about what the right choice is for them, even where to search for that information,” Michaud said.“Any time you have mixed messages, it’s detrimental to the public health effort,” Michaud said. “Having the mixed messages from the president’s remarks, makes that job that much harder.”University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi said he's worried the president's pronouncement has taken on a life of its own and may stall prevention efforts.“That soundbite is there for a while now, and it’s going to spread like wildfire. And it’s going to give the impression that ‘Oh, there’s nothing more we need to do,’” Salemi said.“If we’re happy with 400 or 500 people dying every single day from COVID, there’s a problem with that,” Salemi said. “We can absolutely do better because most of those deaths, if not all of them, are absolutely preventable with the tools that we have.”New York City photographer Vivienne Gucwa, 44, got the new booster Monday. She’s had COVID twice, once before vaccines were available and again in May. She was vaccinated with two Moderna shots, but never got the original boosters.“When I saw the new booster was able to tackle omicron variant I thought, ‘I’m doing that,’” Gucwa said.“I don’t want to deal with omicron again. I was kind of thrilled to see the boosters were updated.”

4.4M Americans roll up sleeves for omicron-targeted boosters

Kobach, Mann debate for first time ahead of November election

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/23/kansas-attorney-general-candidates-split-on-voter-fraud-abortion-rights-immigration/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic 
candidates for Kansas attorney general clashed on immigration issues, 
women’s rights and voting laws during their first debate Thursday, held 
at the Wichita Crime Commission Forum.&nbsp;

Both candidates said the federal 
government failed to do enough about immigration. GOP candidate Kris 
Kobach said he viewed the role of Kansas attorney general as a position 
to fight illegal immigration.&nbsp;

Kobach said President Joe Biden’s 
administration has allowed unprecedented illegal immigration, leading to
 higher crime rates and “an extraordinary number of terrorists” entering
 the U.S. Kobach has said previously that if elected, he would create a 
special unit in the Attorney General’s Office concentrating on suing the
 Biden administration, along with federal agencies.&nbsp;

Kobach’s stance on illegal 
immigration has been part of his platform for years, including in his 
failed 2018 general election gubernatorial run and in his failed 2020 
primary campaign for the U.S. Senate.&nbsp;

“If you think that border issues have
 nothing to do with Kansas crime, then you’re not following the issues 
carefully,” Kobach said. “Absolutely affects us here in Kansas. It 
affects wages here in Kansas. Criminals are coming to Kansas because of 
the open border.”&nbsp;

Democratic opponent Chris Mann, a 
Lawrence attorney and former police officer, said that he felt the 
government did not do enough to prevent illegal immigration, but the 
problem with crime related to illegal immigration is that undocumented 
people don’t feel comfortable speaking to police officers. Mann said 
getting immigrants to trust the justice system will reduce crime.

“They’re afraid that people like him 
are going to send them back if they come forward,” Mann said. “So we 
need to make sure that we have a statewide approach that brings these 
people out of the shadows, that makes them willing to participate in the
 criminal justice system.”&nbsp;

Mann criticized Kobach’s performance 
as secretary of state from 2011-2019, referencing his citizenship law. 
The law required residents to prove their citizenship before registering
 to vote and prevented 35,000 eligible voters from participating in 
elections.&nbsp;

After a five-year legal battle on the constitutionality of the law, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office had to<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/10/kansas-agrees-to-1-9m-settlement-for-defending-kobachs-baseless-voter-fraud-claims/"> pay $1.9 million in fees and expenses</a>
 to the American Civil Liberties Union and other attorneys when the law 
was ruled unconstitutional, with no evidence to support his claims of 
widespread voter fraud. Kobach was ordered by a federal judge to take 
six hours of remedial law class after the trial.&nbsp;

As the top law enforcement officer in the state, the Kansas attorney general can provide
 legal services to state agencies and boards, issue opinions, protect 
consumers and defend the state in civil proceedings.&nbsp;

Kobach said Mann would not be willing
 to defend Kansas laws, referencing Mann’s criticisms of Kobach’s proof 
of citizenship law and pointing to anti-abortion laws. Kobach was one of
 several Kansas Republicans who supported an amendment that would 
nullify a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision focused on a statewide 
right to abortion.&nbsp;

“You can’t do that as attorney 
general,” Kobach said. “You can’t say I don’t like these pro-life laws. I
 don’t like this proof of citizenship law. I’m not going to defend it. 
When I’m attorney general, I will defend every Kansas law.”&nbsp;

Mann said he would defend laws but would not attack constitutional rights.&nbsp;

“I would not waste the resources of 
the office to attack women’s constitutional rights,” Mann said. “My 
opponent has specifically said that he would go on the offensive against
 women’s constitutional rights. You can watch the debate where he said 
that.”&nbsp;

Mann also mentioned his endorsement 
by the Kansas Livestock Association, which announced its support of him 
ahead of Thursday’s debate. The organization, which typically endorses 
Republicans, endorsed Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt in 
2018.&nbsp;

“KLA is issue driven and supports 
candidates that are competent and capable of supporting the livestock 
industry in Kansas,” said Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock 
Association, in a Thursday news release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663951449994.png" alt="Kris Kobach, left, and Chris Mann. (Photos by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach, left, and Chris Mann. (Photos by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kobach, Mann debate for first time ahead of November election</h2>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/23/kansas-attorney-general-candidates-split-on-voter-fraud-abortion-rights-immigration/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic 
candidates for Kansas attorney general clashed on immigration issues, 
women’s rights and voting laws during their first debate Thursday, held 
at the Wichita Crime Commission Forum.&nbsp;Both candidates said the federal 
government failed to do enough about immigration. GOP candidate Kris 
Kobach said he viewed the role of Kansas attorney general as a position 
to fight illegal immigration.&nbsp;Kobach said President Joe Biden’s 
administration has allowed unprecedented illegal immigration, leading to
 higher crime rates and “an extraordinary number of terrorists” entering
 the U.S. Kobach has said previously that if elected, he would create a 
special unit in the Attorney General’s Office concentrating on suing the
 Biden administration, along with federal agencies.&nbsp;Kobach’s stance on illegal 
immigration has been part of his platform for years, including in his 
failed 2018 general election gubernatorial run and in his failed 2020 
primary campaign for the U.S. Senate.&nbsp;“If you think that border issues have
 nothing to do with Kansas crime, then you’re not following the issues 
carefully,” Kobach said. “Absolutely affects us here in Kansas. It 
affects wages here in Kansas. Criminals are coming to Kansas because of 
the open border.”&nbsp;Democratic opponent Chris Mann, a 
Lawrence attorney and former police officer, said that he felt the 
government did not do enough to prevent illegal immigration, but the 
problem with crime related to illegal immigration is that undocumented 
people don’t feel comfortable speaking to police officers. Mann said 
getting immigrants to trust the justice system will reduce crime.“They’re afraid that people like him 
are going to send them back if they come forward,” Mann said. “So we 
need to make sure that we have a statewide approach that brings these 
people out of the shadows, that makes them willing to participate in the
 criminal justice system.”&nbsp;Mann criticized Kobach’s performance 
as secretary of state from 2011-2019, referencing his citizenship law. 
The law required residents to prove their citizenship before registering
 to vote and prevented 35,000 eligible voters from participating in 
elections.&nbsp;After a five-year legal battle on the constitutionality of the law, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office had to<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/09/10/kansas-agrees-to-1-9m-settlement-for-defending-kobachs-baseless-voter-fraud-claims/"> pay $1.9 million in fees and expenses</a>
 to the American Civil Liberties Union and other attorneys when the law 
was ruled unconstitutional, with no evidence to support his claims of 
widespread voter fraud. Kobach was ordered by a federal judge to take 
six hours of remedial law class after the trial.&nbsp;As the top law enforcement officer in the state, the Kansas attorney general can provide
 legal services to state agencies and boards, issue opinions, protect 
consumers and defend the state in civil proceedings.&nbsp;Kobach said Mann would not be willing
 to defend Kansas laws, referencing Mann’s criticisms of Kobach’s proof 
of citizenship law and pointing to anti-abortion laws. Kobach was one of
 several Kansas Republicans who supported an amendment that would 
nullify a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision focused on a statewide 
right to abortion.&nbsp;“You can’t do that as attorney 
general,” Kobach said. “You can’t say I don’t like these pro-life laws. I
 don’t like this proof of citizenship law. I’m not going to defend it. 
When I’m attorney general, I will defend every Kansas law.”&nbsp;Mann said he would defend laws but would not attack constitutional rights.&nbsp;“I would not waste the resources of 
the office to attack women’s constitutional rights,” Mann said. “My 
opponent has specifically said that he would go on the offensive against
 women’s constitutional rights. You can watch the debate where he said 
that.”&nbsp;Mann also mentioned his endorsement 
by the Kansas Livestock Association, which announced its support of him 
ahead of Thursday’s debate. The organization, which typically endorses 
Republicans, endorsed Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt in 
2018.&nbsp;“KLA is issue driven and supports 
candidates that are competent and capable of supporting the livestock 
industry in Kansas,” said Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock 
Association, in a Thursday news release.

Kansas AG candidates split on voter fraud, abortion, immigration

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal Sept. 17, car crash and fire have identified the man who&nbsp; died as&nbsp;s Dale A. Kruger, 34, of Silver Lake, Kansas, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just before 6p.m. on Saturday, a 2015 Ford Taurus driven by Kruger was westbound on NW 46th Street at Landon Road north of Topeka, according to Christian. The car traveled off the road to the south and caught on fire.&nbsp;

Kruger was the only occupant and he was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663952558934.png" alt="Location of the fatal crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Location of the fatal crash -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal Sept. 17, car crash and fire have identified the man who&nbsp; died as&nbsp;s Dale A. Kruger, 34, of Silver Lake, Kansas, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just before 6p.m. on Saturday, a 2015 Ford Taurus driven by Kruger was westbound on NW 46th Street at Landon Road north of Topeka, according to Christian. The car traveled off the road to the south and caught on fire.&nbsp;Kruger was the only occupant and he was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died after car crash, fire

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.

Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.

“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”

Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.

The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.

Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation.

“I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”

Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.

“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”

The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.

Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663945114449.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves wants to head off an
increase in postal rates.Graves, a Republican, co-sponsors legislation that would direct
the Postal Regulatory Commission to rethink the authority it gave the United
States Postal Service to raise rates.“Americans are paying more for everything,” Graves tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The last thing we need is higher postage rates,
particularly when the U.S. Postal Service; they actually posted a $60 billion
profit last quarter.”Graves says the Postal Service has become profitable since
Congress lifted the requirement that it pre-fund retirement benefits.The Postal Regulatory Commission recently removed the requirement
that the Postal Service only raise rates to adjust to inflation.Graves signed on to legislation, entitled <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8781/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22ensuring+accurate+postal+rates%22%2C%22ensuring%22%2C%22accurate%22%2C%22postal%22%2C%22rates%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1&amp;s=6">Ensuring Accurate
Postal Rates Act</a>, which would repeal the move of the Postal Regulatory
Commission to allow the Postal Service to raise rates higher than the rate of
inflation. “I think the Postal Service is just taking advantage of this
opportunity and they’re going in with these huge rate hikes to generate
capital,” Graves says. “It’s not needed at this point. They need to get their
act cleaned up and that’s what this bill is trying to do.”Graves contends the Postal Service has taken advantage of the
change to raise rates in an effort to generate capital. Graves says the
legislation goes beyond just sending the Postal Service a message.“Yes, it does,” Graves says. “It forces them to rethink this
postal hike that they are doing. We’ll take that authority back away from them
if we have to, but this is going to force them to go back to the table and
rethink that postal hike.”The original sponsor of the legislation is Virginia
Congressman Gerald Connolly.Graves so-sponsors the legislation along with fellow
Republican Jake LaTurner of Kansas as well as Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of
Kansas City.

A move in Congress could cut off a hike in postal rates

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary in Salina and asking the public for help to ID a suspect.

On Sept. 16, officers with the Salina Police Department responded to a burglary at Wingstop, 1621 S. Ohio Street in Salina, according to a statement from CrimeStoppers.

An employee arrived to open the business and discovered the safe was missing. Video surveillance shows during the early morning hours, an unknown suspect forced entry through the rear door and removed the safe.

Anyone with information on the incident or identification of the individuals involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Det. Jones, case 2022-27424.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663936490772.jpeg" alt="Security camera images from&nbsp;Crimestoppers" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images from&nbsp;Crimestoppers</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary in Salina and asking the public for help to ID a suspect.On Sept. 16, officers with the Salina Police Department responded to a burglary at Wingstop, 1621 S. Ohio Street in Salina, according to a statement from CrimeStoppers.An employee arrived to open the business and discovered the safe was missing. Video surveillance shows during the early morning hours, an unknown suspect forced entry through the rear door and removed the safe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663936604659.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone with information on the incident or identification of the individuals involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Det. Jones, case 2022-27424.

Safe stolen from restaurant in Salina

DOUGLAS COUNTY —The city of Lawrence reported unfortunate news Thursday. Kansa, the bald eagle, and Serena, the barn owl – part of the Birds of Prey exhibit at Prairie Park Nature Center,  2730 Harper Street in Lawrence, were killed last week by raccoons, according to a statement from the city. 

The raccoons were able to breach space between an outside wood fence and the wired-fence cage area where the birds were housed. 

Unfortunately, raccoons are common predators with caged animals at zoos and nature centers. Staff have since added additional measures to fortify the cage area and keep out predators.

Kansa was acquired by the nature center in January 2003 from the Kansas State University veterinary clinic as a one-year-old bird. She had sustained a traumatic injury to her wings due to a powerline collision in southern Kansas. Following an extensive rehabilitation, she went on display in May 2003. Over many years as one of the premier animal ambassadors of Prairie Park Nature Center, Kansa participated in hundreds of events and programs at the nature center. She was deeply loved by staff and visitors. Her antics and loud voice will be forever missed.

Serena, the barn owl, came to the nature center in 2011 from Walden’s Puddle in Tennessee following a wing injury that left her unable to be released. She was an excellent education ambassador for nature center programs on owls, the prairie ecosystem, adaptations and many other programs. Parks and Recreation staff are working on a tribute to honor the birds for the service they provided the Lawrence community. Information on this will be released at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663933756806.png" alt="Photo courtesy Prairie Park Nature Center&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Prairie Park Nature Center&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —The city of Lawrence reported unfortunate news Thursday. Kansa, the bald eagle, and Serena, the barn owl – part of the Birds of Prey exhibit at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper Street in Lawrence, were killed last week by raccoons, according to a statement from the city. The raccoons were able to breach space between an outside wood fence and the wired-fence cage area where the birds were housed. Unfortunately, raccoons are common predators with caged animals at zoos and nature centers. Staff have since added additional measures to fortify the cage area and keep out predators.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663933733959.png" alt="Photo courtesy&nbsp;Prairie Park Nature Center " />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy&nbsp;Prairie Park Nature Center </figcaption>
 </figure>Kansa was acquired by the nature center in January 2003 from the Kansas State University veterinary clinic as a one-year-old bird. She had sustained a traumatic injury to her wings due to a powerline collision in southern Kansas. Following an extensive rehabilitation, she went on display in May 2003. Over many years as one of the premier animal ambassadors of Prairie Park Nature Center, Kansa participated in hundreds of events and programs at the nature center. She was deeply loved by staff and visitors. Her antics and loud voice will be forever missed.Serena, the barn owl, came to the nature center in 2011 from Walden’s Puddle in Tennessee following a wing injury that left her unable to be released. She was an excellent education ambassador for nature center programs on owls, the prairie ecosystem, adaptations and many other programs. Parks and Recreation staff are working on a tribute to honor the birds for the service they provided the Lawrence community. Information on this will be released at a later date.

Popular bald eagle, owl killed by raccoons at Kan. nature center

Topeka, Kan. (AP) — Governors races often are overshadowed by the fight for control of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-biden-sports-donald-trump-9dc668f08bdc2db8d87497f58a105ae9">during midterm elections</a>. But this fall, which candidate wins a state’s top executive post could be pivotal for the nation’s political future.

With abortion rights, immigration policies and democracy itself in the balance, both parties are entering the final weeks before the Nov. 8 election prepared to spend unprecedented amounts of money to win seats for governor. Those elected will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-cabinet-only-on-ap-election-2020-19131c0f468839bf2b847bd7b3dfaf5c">in power for the 2024 election</a>, when they could influence voting laws as well as certification of the outcome. And their powers over abortion rights increased greatly when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">U.S. Supreme Court in June</a>&nbsp;left the question to states to decide.

“Governors races matter more than ever,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, the group working to elect Democrats to lead states.

For Democrats, Cooper said, governors "are often the last line of defense" on issues that have been turned over to states, including gun laws and voting rights in addition to abortion. That's been especially true in places with Democratic governors and Republican-controlled legislatures, such as Wisconsin and Kansas — states both parties have made top targets for victory in November. Democrats are leading Republican candidates in two important battleground states with GOP-led statehouses, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-health-d67531f2dd6856ac167ce48b3ec890ab">Gov. Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;is the only Democratic governor running for reelection in a state carried by former President Donald Trump in 2020. The former legislator won the office in 2018 against a fiery conservative after running as a moderate who promoted bipartisanship.

She now faces three-term state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who has repeatedly tried to tie her to President Joe Biden and criticized her as too liberal for the red state. Schmidt's campaign has been hurt, however, by a third-party bid from a conservative state lawmaker.

During a debate at the Kansas State Fair this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-presidential-legislature-cd8d1d6f24da4612b7faeb325a4611bf">Schmidt portrayed Kelly's position</a>&nbsp;on abortion as too extreme, telling a crowd she supports abortion without restrictions.

Kansas has been the unlikely site of Democratic hopes in regard to abortion rights. In August, Kansas voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly defeated a proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution that would have allowed the GOP-controlled Legislature to greatly restrict or ban abortion. Kelly opposed the measure, though she has tried to focus her campaign elsewhere.

Schmidt said he respects the outcome of the vote but that the abortion debate isn't over.

“What was not on the ballot was Governor Kelly’s position,” he said.

Throughout nearly two decades in elective politics, Kelly has opposed nearly every restriction on abortion now in Kansas law. But asked about Schmidt’s characterization of her position on abortion, she said, “You know, I have never said that.”

Kelly hasn't emphasized abortion as an issue, though many Democrats think it would help her. Instead, she has been touting the state’s fiscal strength and her work to lure businesses and jobs.

“Maybe I'm not flashy, but I'm effective,” she said at the end of the state fair debate.

In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-wisconsin-janesville-democracy-b509e9b7b853c6884852a3d779cceadf">warns voters that democracy</a>&nbsp;is on the ballot this fall and notes he has vetoed more bills than any governor in modern state history, including measures Republicans pushed to change how elections are conducted.

Evers faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-donald-trump-campaigns-376cd7c0233e619f8574897b724854d9">businessman Tim Michels</a>, who was endorsed by Trump. Michels has claimed the 2020 presidential election was rigged —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">a lie Trump has pushed</a>&nbsp;in an effort to overturn his loss to Biden — and supports changes to voting and election laws in the state, a perennial presidential battleground.

Michels is among several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-b5c2ee83bb655c43e1deb9c46f2a6020">Trump-backed nominees who emerged</a>&nbsp;from sometimes brutal GOP primaries. In some cases, more moderate or establishment Republicans warned that the far-right pick endorsed by Trump would struggle to win in a general election.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, chair of the Republican Governors Association, acknowledged the intraparty turmoil during a discussion at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Policy last week.

“We’re a divided nation right now, and it is very tribal. And much of that crept into this cycle,” said Ducey, who is term-limited.

The RGA doesn’t endorse in primaries. But as governor, Ducey endorsed businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson for Arizona's GOP nomination for governor. She lost to former TV news anchor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-censures-phoenix-donald-trump-5cccb6b2ba8d47eda24826ad5623dc36">Kari Lake, who had Trump’s backing</a>.

Ducey and Trump have feuded over the governor's refusal to cede to Trump’s wishes and overturn the 2020 election results in his state. Lake has said she would not have certified Biden’s victory, even though it has been affirmed by multiple reviews.

Cooper said the DGA will be “leaning in hard” in Arizona as well as in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-biden-presidential-georgia-79f42eb29feb778a1ca6543f3cbf63e0">a tight contest in Georgia</a>, where GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is facing Democrat Stacey Abrams, a former state legislative leader who lost a close 2018 race to him. In the primary, Kemp easily defeated former Sen. David Perdue, who was endorsed by Trump.

Both the Democratic and Republican governors associations entered 2022 having raised record amounts of money — over $70 million each — in what they say is a sign that voters are increasingly focused on state races. Cooper attributed some of the increased interest to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

The RGA is bullish about defending Republican governorships in Arizona and Georgia, and is heavily focused on picking up a handful of blue states in the West, including Oregon and New Mexico.

At the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-abortion-nevada-legislature-8116e7ccde2168ffdd8ed9fde48bb90d">top of the list is Nevada</a>, where Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo is among Republicans' most prized recruits this election cycle and is challenging Gov. Steve Sisolak.

In Oregon, GOP hopes rest on an independent candidate siphoning enough support from the Democrat and allowing the Republican to pull out a victory.

Democrats, meanwhile, are confident they will take back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-presidential-connecticut-donald-trump-ea21ee30c7d436f44b08c22f88f4b878">governorships in Massachusetts and Maryland</a>, two blue states currently led by moderate Republicans, after far-right Republicans won their party’s nominations.

Pennsylvania, a top presidential battleground, is another state where the GOP nominee could hurt Republicans' chances in November. GOP voters chose Doug Mastriano from a crowded field, picking a Trump-backed candidate who opposes abortion rights without exceptions, spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and organized bus trips to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the day of the violent insurrection. He faces Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Asked about the race during the discussion at Georgetown, Ducey was blunt.

“Another axiom that we have at the RGA is that we don’t fund lost causes, and we don’t fund landslides,” he said.

In Michigan, a swing state where Trump and his allies also tried unsuccessfully to overturn his 2020 loss, Trump-backed nominee Tudor Dixon won a chaotic GOP primary. Democrats have repeatedly criticized Dixon for her stance against abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. A measure to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-health-constitutions-michigan-supreme-court-620a6e4b963d7bb3152c20607da5e479">enshrine abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in the state constitution also will be on the November ballot, and Democrats are hoping it will help their candidates.

First-term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has millions more in her campaign fund than Dixon, but said after an appearance at the Detroit Auto Show that she was taking nothing for granted.

“This is Michigan, and it’s always tight in Michigan,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662846700435.png" alt="Kansas&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;is the only Democratic governor running for reelection in a state carried by former President Donald Trump in 2020." />
 <figcaption>Kansas&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;is the only Democratic governor running for reelection in a state carried by former President Donald Trump in 2020.</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. (AP) — Governors races often are overshadowed by the fight for control of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-biden-sports-donald-trump-9dc668f08bdc2db8d87497f58a105ae9">during midterm elections</a>. But this fall, which candidate wins a state’s top executive post could be pivotal for the nation’s political future.With abortion rights, immigration policies and democracy itself in the balance, both parties are entering the final weeks before the Nov. 8 election prepared to spend unprecedented amounts of money to win seats for governor. Those elected will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-cabinet-only-on-ap-election-2020-19131c0f468839bf2b847bd7b3dfaf5c">in power for the 2024 election</a>, when they could influence voting laws as well as certification of the outcome. And their powers over abortion rights increased greatly when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">U.S. Supreme Court in June</a>&nbsp;left the question to states to decide.“Governors races matter more than ever,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, the group working to elect Democrats to lead states.For Democrats, Cooper said, governors "are often the last line of defense" on issues that have been turned over to states, including gun laws and voting rights in addition to abortion. That's been especially true in places with Democratic governors and Republican-controlled legislatures, such as Wisconsin and Kansas — states both parties have made top targets for victory in November. Democrats are leading Republican candidates in two important battleground states with GOP-led statehouses, Michigan and Pennsylvania.Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-health-d67531f2dd6856ac167ce48b3ec890ab">Gov. Laura Kelly</a>&nbsp;is the only Democratic governor running for reelection in a state carried by former President Donald Trump in 2020. The former legislator won the office in 2018 against a fiery conservative after running as a moderate who promoted bipartisanship.She now faces three-term state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who has repeatedly tried to tie her to President Joe Biden and criticized her as too liberal for the red state. Schmidt's campaign has been hurt, however, by a third-party bid from a conservative state lawmaker.During a debate at the Kansas State Fair this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-presidential-legislature-cd8d1d6f24da4612b7faeb325a4611bf">Schmidt portrayed Kelly's position</a>&nbsp;on abortion as too extreme, telling a crowd she supports abortion without restrictions.Kansas has been the unlikely site of Democratic hopes in regard to abortion rights. In August, Kansas voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly defeated a proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution that would have allowed the GOP-controlled Legislature to greatly restrict or ban abortion. Kelly opposed the measure, though she has tried to focus her campaign elsewhere.Schmidt said he respects the outcome of the vote but that the abortion debate isn't over.“What was not on the ballot was Governor Kelly’s position,” he said.Throughout nearly two decades in elective politics, Kelly has opposed nearly every restriction on abortion now in Kansas law. But asked about Schmidt’s characterization of her position on abortion, she said, “You know, I have never said that.”Kelly hasn't emphasized abortion as an issue, though many Democrats think it would help her. Instead, she has been touting the state’s fiscal strength and her work to lure businesses and jobs.“Maybe I'm not flashy, but I'm effective,” she said at the end of the state fair debate.In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-wisconsin-janesville-democracy-b509e9b7b853c6884852a3d779cceadf">warns voters that democracy</a>&nbsp;is on the ballot this fall and notes he has vetoed more bills than any governor in modern state history, including measures Republicans pushed to change how elections are conducted.Evers faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-donald-trump-campaigns-376cd7c0233e619f8574897b724854d9">businessman Tim Michels</a>, who was endorsed by Trump. Michels has claimed the 2020 presidential election was rigged —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">a lie Trump has pushed</a>&nbsp;in an effort to overturn his loss to Biden — and supports changes to voting and election laws in the state, a perennial presidential battleground.Michels is among several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-wisconsin-donald-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-b5c2ee83bb655c43e1deb9c46f2a6020">Trump-backed nominees who emerged</a>&nbsp;from sometimes brutal GOP primaries. In some cases, more moderate or establishment Republicans warned that the far-right pick endorsed by Trump would struggle to win in a general election.Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, chair of the Republican Governors Association, acknowledged the intraparty turmoil during a discussion at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Policy last week.“We’re a divided nation right now, and it is very tribal. And much of that crept into this cycle,” said Ducey, who is term-limited.The RGA doesn’t endorse in primaries. But as governor, Ducey endorsed businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson for Arizona's GOP nomination for governor. She lost to former TV news anchor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-presidential-censures-phoenix-donald-trump-5cccb6b2ba8d47eda24826ad5623dc36">Kari Lake, who had Trump’s backing</a>.Ducey and Trump have feuded over the governor's refusal to cede to Trump’s wishes and overturn the 2020 election results in his state. Lake has said she would not have certified Biden’s victory, even though it has been affirmed by multiple reviews.Cooper said the DGA will be “leaning in hard” in Arizona as well as in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-biden-presidential-georgia-79f42eb29feb778a1ca6543f3cbf63e0">a tight contest in Georgia</a>, where GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is facing Democrat Stacey Abrams, a former state legislative leader who lost a close 2018 race to him. In the primary, Kemp easily defeated former Sen. David Perdue, who was endorsed by Trump.Both the Democratic and Republican governors associations entered 2022 having raised record amounts of money — over $70 million each — in what they say is a sign that voters are increasingly focused on state races. Cooper attributed some of the increased interest to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.The RGA is bullish about defending Republican governorships in Arizona and Georgia, and is heavily focused on picking up a handful of blue states in the West, including Oregon and New Mexico.At the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-abortion-nevada-legislature-8116e7ccde2168ffdd8ed9fde48bb90d">top of the list is Nevada</a>, where Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo is among Republicans' most prized recruits this election cycle and is challenging Gov. Steve Sisolak.In Oregon, GOP hopes rest on an independent candidate siphoning enough support from the Democrat and allowing the Republican to pull out a victory.Democrats, meanwhile, are confident they will take back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-presidential-connecticut-donald-trump-ea21ee30c7d436f44b08c22f88f4b878">governorships in Massachusetts and Maryland</a>, two blue states currently led by moderate Republicans, after far-right Republicans won their party’s nominations.Pennsylvania, a top presidential battleground, is another state where the GOP nominee could hurt Republicans' chances in November. GOP voters chose Doug Mastriano from a crowded field, picking a Trump-backed candidate who opposes abortion rights without exceptions, spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and organized bus trips to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the day of the violent insurrection. He faces Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro.Asked about the race during the discussion at Georgetown, Ducey was blunt.“Another axiom that we have at the RGA is that we don’t fund lost causes, and we don’t fund landslides,” he said.In Michigan, a swing state where Trump and his allies also tried unsuccessfully to overturn his 2020 loss, Trump-backed nominee Tudor Dixon won a chaotic GOP primary. Democrats have repeatedly criticized Dixon for her stance against abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. A measure to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-health-constitutions-michigan-supreme-court-620a6e4b963d7bb3152c20607da5e479">enshrine abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in the state constitution also will be on the November ballot, and Democrats are hoping it will help their candidates.First-term Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has millions more in her campaign fund than Dixon, but said after an appearance at the Detroit Auto Show that she was taking nothing for granted.“This is Michigan, and it’s always tight in Michigan,” she said.

Governors races take on new prominence, with higher stakes

KANSAS CITY (AP) — An 84-year-old man was convicted Thursday of shooting and killing a Kansas City lawyer who had won a multi-million judgment against him in a civil lawsuit.

A Jackson County jury deliberated about two hours before finding David Jungerman, of Raytown, guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Oct. 25, 2017, death of 39-year-old Tom Pickert, who was shot in front of his home after he returned from walking his children to school.

Prosecutors contended Jungerman shot Pickert because he was upset the attorney had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/742acc90aae04325a9dfb9cee9625a8a">won a $5.75 million judgment</a>&nbsp;for a homeless man who Jungerman shot in 2012 because he thought the man was stealing from one of his businesses.

“We are very, very thankful that the jury has spoken and that justice has finally been brought to this family,” Tim Dollar, assistant Jackson County prosecutor, said after the verdict was announced.

Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 18. Jungerman’s attorney, Daniel Ross, said they plan to appeal.

Prosecutors said 10 days before Pickert was shot, a garnishment was filed against Jungerman. The day before Pickert was shot, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office served Jungerman with property liens that would have prevented Jungerman from selling or transferring his property.

During the trial, prosecutors played an audio recording of Jungerman bragging about the murder to his farmhand, Kansas City media reported. Jungerman apparently recorded the conversation by accident and it was later discovered by authorities during a search of his house.

"The thing that sort of bothers me about me is that when I think about it, I grin. That (expletive) has caused me a lot of trouble,” Jungerman said on the audio.

Dollar said during closing arguments that the recording showed Jungerman had “ice water” in his veins.

“These two people are laughing,” Dollar said. "That is what he is thinking about when he says it makes me grin. What kind of monster would smile or laugh about that? That’s what he is talking about. That’s what was in his mind.”

Jungerman’s defense argued the police investigation was sloppy, with missing reports and destroyed evidence. They said about a quarter of the audio recording of Jungerman was missing.

“The state (prosecutors) ignored the facts. Why?” Ross said. “Because this fellow had a judgment against him and the lawyer who got it died, therefore he’s guilty. And that has been their approach since October 2017.”

KANSAS CITY —A jury on Thursday convicted a Raytown man in the 2018 murder of Kansas City lawyer Thomas Pickert in front of his residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

David Jungerman, 84, Raytown, was convicted of Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, KCPD officers responded at about 8:07 a.m. on Oct. 25, 2017, to a Kansas City residence. They found the Pickert’s body on the front walk. 

He had been shot once by a .17 caliber bullet. Before the shooting, the victim had obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $5.75 million against Jungerman on behalf of his client. The day before the murder, Jungerman was served property liens by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. 

The defendant owns a white van and told the media that no one used his van that day and that he had the only key to that van. A witness – a man walking his dog -- told police that he saw an older white man with grey hair standing behind an idling white van.&nbsp;

The fatal bullet, according to court records, was identified as a .17 caliber round, a relatively rare caliber. On March 8, 2018, a search warrant was obtained for the defendant’s car. 

Under the passenger seat an unspent .17 caliber bullet was located. A witness told police that he had a conversation with Jungerman in March 2018. During that conversation, Police executed search warrants, according to court records, at the defendant’s home and business. At his business, police found a print out from the Jackson County property tax database.

 It showed the victim’s home address. An Olympus audio recorder with a recording was recovered. The first part of the recording captured a court hearing that the defendant attended in November 2017. But after the hearing, the recorder continued to run. Later, the defendant talked to his employee about a .17 caliber rifle and about killing the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663893726992.png" alt="Jungerman-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jungerman-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — An 84-year-old man was convicted Thursday of shooting and killing a Kansas City lawyer who had won a multi-million judgment against him in a civil lawsuit.A Jackson County jury deliberated about two hours before finding David Jungerman, of Raytown, guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Oct. 25, 2017, death of 39-year-old Tom Pickert, who was shot in front of his home after he returned from walking his children to school.Prosecutors contended Jungerman shot Pickert because he was upset the attorney had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/742acc90aae04325a9dfb9cee9625a8a">won a $5.75 million judgment</a>&nbsp;for a homeless man who Jungerman shot in 2012 because he thought the man was stealing from one of his businesses.“We are very, very thankful that the jury has spoken and that justice has finally been brought to this family,” Tim Dollar, assistant Jackson County prosecutor, said after the verdict was announced.Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 18. Jungerman’s attorney, Daniel Ross, said they plan to appeal.Prosecutors said 10 days before Pickert was shot, a garnishment was filed against Jungerman. The day before Pickert was shot, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office served Jungerman with property liens that would have prevented Jungerman from selling or transferring his property.During the trial, prosecutors played an audio recording of Jungerman bragging about the murder to his farmhand, Kansas City media reported. Jungerman apparently recorded the conversation by accident and it was later discovered by authorities during a search of his house."The thing that sort of bothers me about me is that when I think about it, I grin. That (expletive) has caused me a lot of trouble,” Jungerman said on the audio.Dollar said during closing arguments that the recording showed Jungerman had “ice water” in his veins.“These two people are laughing,” Dollar said. "That is what he is thinking about when he says it makes me grin. What kind of monster would smile or laugh about that? That’s what he is talking about. That’s what was in his mind.”Jungerman’s defense argued the police investigation was sloppy, with missing reports and destroyed evidence. They said about a quarter of the audio recording of Jungerman was missing.“The state (prosecutors) ignored the facts. Why?” Ross said. “Because this fellow had a judgment against him and the lawyer who got it died, therefore he’s guilty. And that has been their approach since October 2017.”----------KANSAS CITY —A jury on Thursday convicted a Raytown man in the 2018 murder of Kansas City lawyer Thomas Pickert in front of his residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.David Jungerman, 84, Raytown, was convicted of Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, KCPD officers responded at about 8:07 a.m. on Oct. 25, 2017, to a Kansas City residence. They found the Pickert’s body on the front walk. He had been shot once by a .17 caliber bullet. Before the shooting, the victim had obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $5.75 million against Jungerman on behalf of his client. The day before the murder, Jungerman was served property liens by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The defendant owns a white van and told the media that no one used his van that day and that he had the only key to that van. A witness – a man walking his dog -- told police that he saw an older white man with grey hair standing behind an idling white van.&nbsp;The fatal bullet, according to court records, was identified as a .17 caliber round, a relatively rare caliber. On March 8, 2018, a search warrant was obtained for the defendant’s car. Under the passenger seat an unspent .17 caliber bullet was located. A witness told police that he had a conversation with Jungerman in March 2018. During that conversation, Police executed search warrants, according to court records, at the defendant’s home and business. At his business, police found a print out from the Jackson County property tax database. It showed the victim’s home address. An Olympus audio recorder with a recording was recovered. The first part of the recording captured a court hearing that the defendant attended in November 2017. But after the hearing, the recorder continued to run. Later, the defendant talked to his employee about a .17 caliber rifle and about killing the victim.Jungerman will be sentenced on Nov. 18.

Man guilty of killing KC attorney who won judgement against him 

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.

Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.

Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.

“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.

Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.

“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”

“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.

The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.

“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.

“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.

Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.

But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.

In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.

Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”

And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."

In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”

Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.

The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.

Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.

“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.

The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.

There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.

Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.

“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880655086.png" alt="The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department" />
 <figcaption>The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in Ukraine, Thursday-photo courtesy U.S. State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States urged other nations to tell Russia to stop making nuclear threats and end “the horror” of its war in Ukraine as all three countries' top diplomats spoke — but didn't quite meet — at a high-profile U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday.Held alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly">annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders</a>, the session followed a striking development in the war this week: Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">called up a portion of its reserves</a>&nbsp;for the first time since World War II. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin said his nuclear-armed country would “use all means available to us” to defend itself if its territory is threatened.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw Putin's remark as particularly menacing given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">plans for referendums</a>&nbsp;in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine on whether to become part of Russia.Western nations have condemned those votes as illegitimate and nonbinding. But, in their wake, Moscow might see any Ukrainian attempt to retake those areas as an attack on “Russian territory,” Blinken warned.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663880635322.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Security Council meeting on Thursday-photo courtesy State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>“Every council member should send a clear message that these reckless nuclear threats must stop immediately,” he said.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov didn't mention his country's nuclear capacity or the new troop mobilization during his own remarks at the council meeting, which France called to discuss accountability for alleged abuses and atrocities during the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">7-month-long war</a>.Instead, Lavrov repeated his country’s frequent claims that Kyiv has long oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine’s east — one of the explanations Moscow has offered for the invasion — and that Western support for Ukraine is a menace to Russia.“What's particularly cynical is the position of states that are pumping Ukraine full of weapons and training their soldiers," he said, maintaining that their goal is to prolong fighting “to wear down and weaken Russia.”“That policy means the direct involvement of the West in the conflict,” said Lavrov. He added that Ukraine had become “an anti-Russia staging ground to create threats against Russian security” and his country wouldn't accept it.The Security Council has held dozens of contentious meetings on Ukraine since the war began in February, but Thursday’s session had special stature.“That President Putin picked this week, as most of the world gathers at the United Nations, to add fuel to the fire he started shows his utter contempt and disdain for the U.N. Charter, the U.N. General Assembly and this council," Blinken told foreign ministers around the group's famous horseshoe-shaped table.“Tell President Putin to stop the horror he started. Tell him to stop putting his interests above the interests of the rest of the world, including his own people,” Blinken added.Regardless, no one expects the council to act against Russia, since Moscow has veto power as a permanent member.But the meeting was still a rare moment for top diplomats from Ukraine and Russia to appear in the same room — made all the more extraordinary for the fact that Lavrov is under U.S. sanctions.In a sign of the charged atmosphere, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba apparently objected as council staffers prepared to put a placard marking Ukraine’s seat next to Russia’s. The placard was ultimately moved to another spot.Ahead of the meeting, Kuleba wryly told reporters that he planned to keep a “social distance” from Lavrov. But it turned out he didn't have to: The Russian appeared only just before speaking and left right after, prompting Kuleba to quip later in his own speech that "Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers.”British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he thought Lavrov didn't care to hear “the collective condemnation of this council.”And in an interview with The Associated Press, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Lavrov's decision not to hear other speakers in person "a sign of insecurity."In an undiplomatic exchange, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its allies of covering up alleged misdeeds by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s government on the rationale that “he’s a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.” Kuleba later chided Russia for the “inappropriate slang.”Blinken argued that Russia should face further censure and isolation for its invasion, pressing other countries to join in Washington's forceful condemnations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the conflict</a>. He cited the discovery of mass graves in Ukraine and repeated allegations from Ukrainians that they were tortured by Russian soldiers.The International Criminal Court&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/and%20sent%20teams%20to%20gather%20evidence.%20Other%20nations%20also%20are%20supporting%20investigation%20efforts%20by%20sending%20experts.%20The%20prosecutor%20hasn%E2%80%99t%20yet%20announced%20any%20charges%20linked%20to%20the%20conflict.">opened an investigation in March</a>&nbsp;into possible crimes amid the war and sent teams to gather evidence. Prosecutor Karim Khan told the council Thursday that he’s dispatching more ICC staffers next week to look into allegations emerging from eastern Ukraine.Khan hasn’t yet announced any charges linked to the conflict, but he reiterated that he believes there are reasonable grounds to think that crimes have been committed.“The picture that I’ve seen so far is troubling indeed,” he said.The meeting came less than a week after Ukraine's Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4">announced the discovery of a mass burial site</a>&nbsp;near a northeastern city, Izium, that had recently been recaptured from Russian forces. Zelenskyy said investigators found evidence that some of the dead were tortured.French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told the council that the discovery prompted her country to send more investigators to join others who have been in Ukraine since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-business-criminal-investigations-bed8a5fac1dab4cfcdf45aed815ff510">hundreds of civilians were found dead in another city, Bucha,</a>&nbsp;after a Russian withdrawal in late March.There are “so many violations of the laws of war and so many actions for which Russia must be held accountable," she said.Other council members also called for accountability, but in varying tones.“Investigations into violations of international humanitarian law should be objective and fair, based on fair facts, rather than an assumption of guilt, and without being politicized,” said Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, which has maintained strong ties with Russia.___

US urges world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged theft.

Shortly before 1:00a.m. on Thursday police responded to the 800 block South 6th Street in Atchison&nbsp; to check on the welfare of a person, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

After officers arrived they observed a 2017 Chevrolet 4 door vehicle at the scene and determined it was a vehicle reported stolen in Leavenworth on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Officers arrested 31-year-old Sacandra L. Casiano, 31, Atchison, on a requested charge of possession of stolen property. She is being held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663872038313.png" alt="Casiano-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Casiano-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged theft.Shortly before 1:00a.m. on Thursday police responded to the 800 block South 6th Street in Atchison&nbsp; to check on the welfare of a person, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.After officers arrived they observed a 2017 Chevrolet 4 door vehicle at the scene and determined it was a vehicle reported stolen in Leavenworth on Tuesday.&nbsp;Officers arrested 31-year-old Sacandra L. Casiano, 31, Atchison, on a requested charge of possession of stolen property. She is being held without bond.

Police: Kansas woman arrested for alleged vehicle theft

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched report of shooting in the 3800 Block of SW South Park Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.

At the scene officers located a man with a gunshot wound , who was subsequently transported to a local hospital.

During the investigation, police arrested Rajhgerio Smith, 21, Topeka on requested charges Criminal Possession of a firearm, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, according to Eubanks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663784338974.png" alt="Smith-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched report of shooting in the 3800 Block of SW South Park Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.At the scene officers located a man with a gunshot wound , who was subsequently transported to a local hospital.During the investigation, police arrested Rajhgerio Smith, 21, Topeka on requested charges Criminal Possession of a firearm, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer and Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, according to Eubanks.

Suspect accused of assault on Kan. officer during shooting arrest

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating alleged child sex crimes have located a suspect.

On Sept. 9, Garden City police issued an alert to help locate 23-year-old Fredis Enrique Rivera of Garden City for alleged aggravated solicitation of a child, according to a statement from police.

On Wednesday, police reported that had Rivera in custody on a $75,000 bond on requested charges that include&nbsp;Attempted aggravated indecent liberties w child under the age of 14 and&nbsp;Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Sex act with a child under the age of 14, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663872908509.png" alt="Rivera-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Rivera-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating alleged child sex crimes have located a suspect.On Sept. 9, Garden City police issued an alert to help locate 23-year-old Fredis Enrique Rivera of Garden City for alleged aggravated solicitation of a child, according to a statement from police.On Wednesday, police reported that had Rivera in custody on a $75,000 bond on requested charges that include&nbsp;Attempted aggravated indecent liberties w child under the age of 14 and&nbsp;Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Sex act with a child under the age of 14, according to online jail records.

Police capture wanted SW Kansas child sex crime suspect

KANSAS CITY (AP) —BNSF Railway Co. has asked a federal court to require victims of a deadly Amtrak crash in Missouri to pursue settlements through arbitration, rather than lawsuits.

BNSF owns the railroad tracks used by Amtrak when a Southwest Chief train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-derailment-missouri-a5ca59f5243b1a1008f4cf9b11c2fb31">collided with a pickup truck</a>&nbsp;that was blocking an intersection near Mendon, Missouri. Three train passengers and the truck driver died and dozens more were injured in the June 27 collision.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-missouri-transportation-8f2523647ba8f581bd2222458d6a2580">Multiple lawsuits have been filed</a>&nbsp;since the collision against both railway companies. Missouri transportation officials, Chariton County leaders and areas residents had been pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">for safety upgrades</a>&nbsp;at the crossing, which is steep and had no lights or other signals to warn about an approaching train.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, BNSF asked for a preliminary injunction to require the victims to use arbitration rather than proceed with their lawsuits in court. The company also asked the judge to halt action on lawsuits pending in Missouri courts until the arbitration question is settled.

BNSF, based in Fort Worth, Texas, argues that when passengers bought tickets from Amtrak, they checked a box agreeing to terms and conditions, which includes binding arbitration agreements. BNSF argues the terms apply to the company because it is the host railroad for Amtrak.

Grant Davis, who was appointed as a lead attorney for a plaintiff’s committee working to consolidate pre-trial matters in the numerous lawsuits, said BNSF is trying to take away his clients’ constitutional right to a jury trial.

“We believe they are wrong factually and legally on this issue," Davis said. “The fact that BNSF was not a party to (Amtrak’s) poor attempt at an arbitration agreement is fatal to this effort. It’s adding insult to injury for BNSF to file a case against the very people it injured."

Among the defendants named in the lawsuit are relatives of the three passengers who died: Rochelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, both of De Soto, Kansas; and Binh Pham, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656361752974.png" alt="An image courtesy a video posted by Robert Nightingale, who was a passenger aboard the Amtrak train that derailed on Monday, June 27, in Mendon, Missouri." />
 <figcaption>An image courtesy a video posted by Robert Nightingale, who was a passenger aboard the Amtrak train that derailed on Monday, June 27, in Mendon, Missouri.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —BNSF Railway Co. has asked a federal court to require victims of a deadly Amtrak crash in Missouri to pursue settlements through arbitration, rather than lawsuits.BNSF owns the railroad tracks used by Amtrak when a Southwest Chief train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-derailment-missouri-a5ca59f5243b1a1008f4cf9b11c2fb31">collided with a pickup truck</a>&nbsp;that was blocking an intersection near Mendon, Missouri. Three train passengers and the truck driver died and dozens more were injured in the June 27 collision.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-missouri-transportation-8f2523647ba8f581bd2222458d6a2580">Multiple lawsuits have been filed</a>&nbsp;since the collision against both railway companies. Missouri transportation officials, Chariton County leaders and areas residents had been pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-accident-missouri-investigation-10b519f9c4bf04d4a3cd490fddae217c">for safety upgrades</a>&nbsp;at the crossing, which is steep and had no lights or other signals to warn about an approaching train.In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, BNSF asked for a preliminary injunction to require the victims to use arbitration rather than proceed with their lawsuits in court. The company also asked the judge to halt action on lawsuits pending in Missouri courts until the arbitration question is settled.BNSF, based in Fort Worth, Texas, argues that when passengers bought tickets from Amtrak, they checked a box agreeing to terms and conditions, which includes binding arbitration agreements. BNSF argues the terms apply to the company because it is the host railroad for Amtrak.Grant Davis, who was appointed as a lead attorney for a plaintiff’s committee working to consolidate pre-trial matters in the numerous lawsuits, said BNSF is trying to take away his clients’ constitutional right to a jury trial.“We believe they are wrong factually and legally on this issue," Davis said. “The fact that BNSF was not a party to (Amtrak’s) poor attempt at an arbitration agreement is fatal to this effort. It’s adding insult to injury for BNSF to file a case against the very people it injured."Among the defendants named in the lawsuit are relatives of the three passengers who died: Rochelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, both of De Soto, Kansas; and Binh Pham, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri.