By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY- Two horses were killed in a single vehicle accident just north of Gypsum Wednesday morning.

Edward Conway, 60, of Gypsum, had just left Gypsum and was headed west on Kansas Highway 4 when his 2020 Kia Sportage struck two horses in the roadway at approximately 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

A miniature horse that was killed was found on the roadway. A full-sized horse that died was found in the ditch.

The horses were among several horses from Gypsum Stables that had gotten out, Soldan said. Gypsum Stables is owned by James Branscum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663863872101.jpeg" alt="-The Kia Sportage sustained major front-end damage in the collision.&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>-The Kia Sportage sustained major front-end damage in the collision.&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY- Two horses were killed in a single vehicle accident just north of Gypsum Wednesday morning.Edward Conway, 60, of Gypsum, had just left Gypsum and was headed west on Kansas Highway 4 when his 2020 Kia Sportage struck two horses in the roadway at approximately 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.A miniature horse that was killed was found on the roadway. A full-sized horse that died was found in the ditch.The horses were among several horses from Gypsum Stables that had gotten out, Soldan said. Gypsum Stables is owned by James Branscum.

Sheriff: SUV strikes, kills 2 horses on Kansas highway

KANSAS CITY– A former physician pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to falsely certifying that products and tests were medically necessary for more than 2,000 Medicare and Medicaid patients in Missouri whom he never met or examined, according to the United State's Attorney.

“This physician violated his oath and abused his trusted position to support a fraud scheme that cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “He will be held accountable for the specific and essential role he played in the deceit as the larger investigation into other aspects of this criminal scheme unfolds in other courtrooms across the nation.”

Oluwatobi Alabi Yerokun, 36, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of conspiracy to make false statements related to health care matters.

“Physicians who submit false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for their own financial gain undermine the economy and integrity of federal health care programs,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors are held accountable for their health care fraud schemes.”

From February 2019 to April 2021, certain individuals and entities – including marketing, physician recruiting, and telemedicine companies – developed a scheme that targeted the Medicare and Medicaid programs to obtain millions of dollars in reimbursements from those programs.

Yerokun, a physician who practiced medicine in the state of Missouri, among other places, contracted with a staffing company to work as a telemedicine provider. The firm, identified in court documents as Company A, gave Yerokun access to electronic portals so that he could receive information about the patients assigned to him. Yerokun reviewed the information and electronically signed the patient forms and orders he received from Company A.

By pleading guilty, Yerokun admitted that he signed the patient forms and certified that durable medical equipment or genetic tests were medically necessary. For the genetic tests, he also signed a separate letter of medical necessity. Yerokun knew that his orders would be used to submit claims for payments to Medicare and Medicaid, which paid claims submitted by the durable medical equipment companies and testing laboratories.

Yerokun had no doctor-patient relationship with the Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries for whom he signed orders and certified medical necessity. He did not see or communicate with any of them. Before Yerokun signed the orders, he made little effort to find out how or from whom the patient information was obtained, who collected the information, the qualifications of any person gathering or providing the information, or whether the information was accurate and complete. Yerokun provided no follow-up care for these patients after he signed the orders for them to receive durable medical equipment or genetic testing.

By knowingly and willfully electronically signing the orders, Yerokun made false and fraudulent statements and documents certifying medical necessity. The statements and documents were false because, among other things, Yerokun did not have adequate information to assess medical necessity for the beneficiaries.

Yerokun rarely, if ever, declined to sign any orders he received from Company A. For many or most of the patients, less than a minute elapsed between when Yerokun accessed the patient’s information through the electronic portal and when he signed the order for durable medical equipment or genetic testing.&nbsp; Accordingly, he knew his false and fraudulent statements and documents were untrue when he made them.

The orders that Yerokun signed were submitted to durable medical equipment companies and clinical testing laboratories, many of whom paid illegal kickbacks to individuals and entities unknown to Yerokun.

Yerokun ordered durable medical equipment and genetic tests for 2,184 Medicare beneficiaries between March 2019 and April 2021. Company A paid Yerokun approximately $20 for each order that he signed, for a total of $44,860.

The orders that Yerokun signed for durable medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries caused Medicare to be billed more than $6.2 million, and Medicare actually paid those companies almost $3.1 million.

The orders that Yerokum signed for genetic testing for Medicaid beneficiaries caused Medicaid to be billed more than $2.5 million by the laboratories, and Medicaid actually paid those companies almost $525,000.

Under federal statutes, Yerokun is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY– A former physician pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to falsely certifying that products and tests were medically necessary for more than 2,000 Medicare and Medicaid patients in Missouri whom he never met or examined, according to the United State's Attorney.“This physician violated his oath and abused his trusted position to support a fraud scheme that cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “He will be held accountable for the specific and essential role he played in the deceit as the larger investigation into other aspects of this criminal scheme unfolds in other courtrooms across the nation.”Oluwatobi Alabi Yerokun, 36, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of conspiracy to make false statements related to health care matters.“Physicians who submit false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for their own financial gain undermine the economy and integrity of federal health care programs,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors are held accountable for their health care fraud schemes.”From February 2019 to April 2021, certain individuals and entities – including marketing, physician recruiting, and telemedicine companies – developed a scheme that targeted the Medicare and Medicaid programs to obtain millions of dollars in reimbursements from those programs.Yerokun, a physician who practiced medicine in the state of Missouri, among other places, contracted with a staffing company to work as a telemedicine provider. The firm, identified in court documents as Company A, gave Yerokun access to electronic portals so that he could receive information about the patients assigned to him. Yerokun reviewed the information and electronically signed the patient forms and orders he received from Company A.By pleading guilty, Yerokun admitted that he signed the patient forms and certified that durable medical equipment or genetic tests were medically necessary. For the genetic tests, he also signed a separate letter of medical necessity. Yerokun knew that his orders would be used to submit claims for payments to Medicare and Medicaid, which paid claims submitted by the durable medical equipment companies and testing laboratories.Yerokun had no doctor-patient relationship with the Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries for whom he signed orders and certified medical necessity. He did not see or communicate with any of them. Before Yerokun signed the orders, he made little effort to find out how or from whom the patient information was obtained, who collected the information, the qualifications of any person gathering or providing the information, or whether the information was accurate and complete. Yerokun provided no follow-up care for these patients after he signed the orders for them to receive durable medical equipment or genetic testing.By knowingly and willfully electronically signing the orders, Yerokun made false and fraudulent statements and documents certifying medical necessity. The statements and documents were false because, among other things, Yerokun did not have adequate information to assess medical necessity for the beneficiaries.Yerokun rarely, if ever, declined to sign any orders he received from Company A. For many or most of the patients, less than a minute elapsed between when Yerokun accessed the patient’s information through the electronic portal and when he signed the order for durable medical equipment or genetic testing.&nbsp; Accordingly, he knew his false and fraudulent statements and documents were untrue when he made them.The orders that Yerokun signed were submitted to durable medical equipment companies and clinical testing laboratories, many of whom paid illegal kickbacks to individuals and entities unknown to Yerokun.Yerokun ordered durable medical equipment and genetic tests for 2,184 Medicare beneficiaries between March 2019 and April 2021. Company A paid Yerokun approximately $20 for each order that he signed, for a total of $44,860.The orders that Yerokun signed for durable medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries caused Medicare to be billed more than $6.2 million, and Medicare actually paid those companies almost $3.1 million.The orders that Yerokum signed for genetic testing for Medicaid beneficiaries caused Medicaid to be billed more than $2.5 million by the laboratories, and Medicaid actually paid those companies almost $525,000.Under federal statutes, Yerokun is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Doctor admits to fraud involving more than 2,000 patients

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas teen accused in a fatal shooting Sept. 15 made his first court appearance on Tuesday.&nbsp; Laquavion Bentley, 19 of Wichita, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and criminal threat, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He was originally booked on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder, according to Wichita Police.&nbsp; The investigation of the shooting death continues.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Sept. 15, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4500 block of South Hydraulic. Upon arrival, Officers located 21-year-old Devin Bills unconscious and not breathing with two gunshot wounds to his upper body, according to Officer Juan&nbsp;Rebolledo.

Officers began life-saving measures. EMS pronounced Bills deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed that Bills and several other people were outside the residence hanging out when a verbal argument ensued, and shots were fired. Bentley fled the scene in a vehicle. 

Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates October 6. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20075063">Bentley remains jailed </a>on a $500,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663353219108.png" alt="Bentley-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bentley-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas teen accused in a fatal shooting Sept. 15 made his first court appearance on Tuesday.&nbsp; Laquavion Bentley, 19 of Wichita, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and criminal threat, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He was originally booked on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder, according to Wichita Police.&nbsp; The investigation of the shooting death continues.Just after 1:30 a.m. Sept. 15, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4500 block of South Hydraulic. Upon arrival, Officers located 21-year-old Devin Bills unconscious and not breathing with two gunshot wounds to his upper body, according to Officer Juan&nbsp;Rebolledo.Officers began life-saving measures. EMS pronounced Bills deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed that Bills and several other people were outside the residence hanging out when a verbal argument ensued, and shots were fired. Bentley fled the scene in a vehicle. Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates October 6. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20075063">Bentley remains jailed </a>on a $500,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Police continue to investigate suspect for role in Sept. 15 killing

Students hold vigil. President gets ride from police.

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/emporia-state-university-faculty-leaders-wait-for-answers-after-rapid-firing-of-tenured-professors/">Kansas Reflector</a>

EMPORIA — Faculty leaders at Emporia State University are alarmed by 
their administration’s lack of clear direction following the sudden 
layoffs of 33 professors last week.

Professors have unanswered questions about which programs will exist 
beyond the current school year, and what to tell current and prospective
 students.

“Please wait for more information,” faculty senate president Shawn 
Keough told colleagues at a meeting Tuesday. “That’s what’s being pushed
 down at this point.”

The Kansas Board of Regents <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">granted permission to ESU president Ken Hush</a>
 to rapidly fire nearly three dozen professors, including some with 
tenure, and staff members in a cost-saving move permitted by a temporary
 COVID-19 policy that expires at the end of December. No other state 
university has taken the controversial option.

Most faculty members were allowed to remain through the end of the school year in May. Others were immediately dismissed.

Students responded with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/news/students-protest-emporia-state-s-plan-to-cut-programs-dismiss-tenured-professors/article_96dacc6a-349d-11ed-a985-27d052b701e7.html">protests</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/news/sociology-professors-organize-candlelight-vigil-to-honor-dismissed-faculty-and-staff/article_8db9c002-391e-11ed-8a05-331c46c035f5.html">a candlelight vigil</a>. Hush’s office is now guarded by a chain, and the student newspaper, the ESU Bulletin, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/campus_commons/student-protests-continue-amid-mass-faculty-dismissals/article_f5bd0ee2-36e5-11ed-9b47-c72b26a9dc6d.html">photographed him being driven off campus by police</a>.
 Some faculty members were weighing legal assistance from the American 
Association of University Professors and rushing to secure intellectual 
property from university servers.

The author Joyce Carol Oates questioned the university’s actions <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JoyceCarolOates/status/1570786793318125569?s=20&amp;t=vDyeSn87oiyF3tdn0s_r9A">through her Twitter account</a>.

“If a university abolishes tenure, how can it expect to hire 
instructors who could get tenure-track jobs elsewhere?” Oates wrote. “In
 both the short &amp; the long run, this is self-sabotage to a 
university.”

Some of the faculty senate members at Tuesday’s meeting were among 
those who were laid off, and remained silent. Others had questions that 
Keough, the senate president and a business administration professor, 
couldn’t answer.

Howard Pitler, an associate professor of school leadership, said his 
department chair had been told to clear out his desk when he was laid 
off. Pitler wondered about the future of the department. Keough stifled a
 nervous laugh.

“I just chuckled because that’s a lot better than you seeing tears streaming down my face,” Keough said.

Juan Chavarria, an assistant professor of accounting, information 
systems and finance, said his experience in the corporate world was that
 layoffs were immediately followed by a talk from leadership about what 
the organization’s roadmap will be.

“Why can’t we get that roadmap?” Chavarria asked during the faculty senate meeting.

The lack of certainty creates an unhealthy environment, he added.

“It’s not healthy for anybody — not for those who are leaving, not for those who are staying,” Chavarria said.

Mallory Koci, director of the Ethnic and Gender Studies program and 
the only faculty member in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, 
raised concerns about the university’s big <a target="_blank" href="https://www.emporia.edu/admissions-costs/admissions-and-costs/visit-emporia/black-and-gold-visit/">“Black and Gold” recruitment event</a> for prospective students, which takes place on campus Saturday.

Campus leadership needs to release information about the university’s
 plans so that “we are not unduly recruiting students or making promises
 for programs that will no longer exist,” Koci said.

In an interview, Koci said she wants alumni and community members to 
know that “despite the turmoil, there are people who are committed to 
this institution.”

“We can be both critical of the changes in how they’re happening, but
 also be hopeful that there is a path forward where we can be successful
 and work collaboratively,” Koci said. “Even though I’ve gone through a 
whole range of emotions this past week, I am hopeful that there is a 
future that we can create and live into if we care enough.”

Mel Storm, an English professor who started teaching at the university in 1971, was among those who were laid off last week.

Storm said he was targeted because he teaches literature. The English department is gone, he said.

“I don’t think individual merit was looked at, or individual dignity,
 personal concerns,” Storm said. “Obviously at my age, I’d be retiring 
one of these days. My plan was to teach as long as my health allowed, 
because I really enjoy what I do.”

One by one, Storm and the others were called into a “mandatory 
meeting” at a deserted off-campus building. They were told to come alone
 and arrive no more than five minutes early, Storm said. A woman let him
 in the door, and two individuals were present for the meeting: An HR 
person and an administrator who read a statement about the university’s 
plans to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/08/professors-frustrated-by-emporia-state-university-plans-to-eliminate-tenured-faculty-and-programs/">save money by firing employees</a>.

In the past week, former students have sent emails to the professor 
to let him know his teaching meant a lot. The remembrances go back to 
the early 1980s.

“I do seem to have given some direction to a few lives along the way,” Storm said.

“It’s certainly gratifying,” he added. “I suppose in some respects, 
it makes it harder because I think I’m still affecting people’s lives, 
and will be until the 16th of May.”

“I did hope to leave on my own terms when the time came,” Storm said. “It’s kind of a personal affront.”

Disclosure: Sherman Smith is a 2004 graduate of Emporia State University with a degree in English and a minor in journalism. He took classes from English professor Mel Storm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663855860589.png" alt="Shawn Keough, faculty senate president at Emporia State University, listens to concerns from faculty members during a meeting Tuesday. The message from the administration, Keough told them, is “please wait.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Shawn Keough, faculty senate president at Emporia State University, listens to concerns from faculty members during a meeting Tuesday. The message from the administration, Keough told them, is “please wait.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Students hold vigil. President gets ride from police.</h2>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/emporia-state-university-faculty-leaders-wait-for-answers-after-rapid-firing-of-tenured-professors/">Kansas Reflector</a>EMPORIA — Faculty leaders at Emporia State University are alarmed by 
their administration’s lack of clear direction following the sudden 
layoffs of 33 professors last week.Professors have unanswered questions about which programs will exist 
beyond the current school year, and what to tell current and prospective
 students.“Please wait for more information,” faculty senate president Shawn 
Keough told colleagues at a meeting Tuesday. “That’s what’s being pushed
 down at this point.”The Kansas Board of Regents <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">granted permission to ESU president Ken Hush</a>
 to rapidly fire nearly three dozen professors, including some with 
tenure, and staff members in a cost-saving move permitted by a temporary
 COVID-19 policy that expires at the end of December. No other state 
university has taken the controversial option.Most faculty members were allowed to remain through the end of the school year in May. Others were immediately dismissed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663855926009.jpeg" alt="Emporia State University junior Sophia Dawson attends a candlelight vigil Sept. 19, 2022, to honor the 33 faculty and staff members affected by recent cuts. (Mason Hart for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Emporia State University junior Sophia Dawson attends a candlelight vigil Sept. 19, 2022, to honor the 33 faculty and staff members affected by recent cuts. (Mason Hart for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Students responded with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/news/students-protest-emporia-state-s-plan-to-cut-programs-dismiss-tenured-professors/article_96dacc6a-349d-11ed-a985-27d052b701e7.html">protests</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/news/sociology-professors-organize-candlelight-vigil-to-honor-dismissed-faculty-and-staff/article_8db9c002-391e-11ed-8a05-331c46c035f5.html">a candlelight vigil</a>. Hush’s office is now guarded by a chain, and the student newspaper, the ESU Bulletin, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esubulletin.com/campus_commons/student-protests-continue-amid-mass-faculty-dismissals/article_f5bd0ee2-36e5-11ed-9b47-c72b26a9dc6d.html">photographed him being driven off campus by police</a>.
 Some faculty members were weighing legal assistance from the American 
Association of University Professors and rushing to secure intellectual 
property from university servers.The author Joyce Carol Oates questioned the university’s actions <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JoyceCarolOates/status/1570786793318125569?s=20&amp;t=vDyeSn87oiyF3tdn0s_r9A">through her Twitter account</a>.“If a university abolishes tenure, how can it expect to hire 
instructors who could get tenure-track jobs elsewhere?” Oates wrote. “In
 both the short &amp; the long run, this is self-sabotage to a 
university.”Some of the faculty senate members at Tuesday’s meeting were among 
those who were laid off, and remained silent. Others had questions that 
Keough, the senate president and a business administration professor, 
couldn’t answer.Howard Pitler, an associate professor of school leadership, said his 
department chair had been told to clear out his desk when he was laid 
off. Pitler wondered about the future of the department. Keough stifled a
 nervous laugh.“I just chuckled because that’s a lot better than you seeing tears streaming down my face,” Keough said.Juan Chavarria, an assistant professor of accounting, information 
systems and finance, said his experience in the corporate world was that
 layoffs were immediately followed by a talk from leadership about what 
the organization’s roadmap will be.“Why can’t we get that roadmap?” Chavarria asked during the faculty senate meeting.The lack of certainty creates an unhealthy environment, he added.“It’s not healthy for anybody — not for those who are leaving, not for those who are staying,” Chavarria said.Mallory Koci, director of the Ethnic and Gender Studies program and 
the only faculty member in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, 
raised concerns about the university’s big <a target="_blank" href="https://www.emporia.edu/admissions-costs/admissions-and-costs/visit-emporia/black-and-gold-visit/">“Black and Gold” recruitment event</a> for prospective students, which takes place on campus Saturday.Campus leadership needs to release information about the university’s
 plans so that “we are not unduly recruiting students or making promises
 for programs that will no longer exist,” Koci said.In an interview, Koci said she wants alumni and community members to 
know that “despite the turmoil, there are people who are committed to 
this institution.”“We can be both critical of the changes in how they’re happening, but
 also be hopeful that there is a path forward where we can be successful
 and work collaboratively,” Koci said. “Even though I’ve gone through a 
whole range of emotions this past week, I am hopeful that there is a 
future that we can create and live into if we care enough.”Mel Storm, an English professor who started teaching at the university in 1971, was among those who were laid off last week.Storm said he was targeted because he teaches literature. The English department is gone, he said.“I don’t think individual merit was looked at, or individual dignity,
 personal concerns,” Storm said. “Obviously at my age, I’d be retiring 
one of these days. My plan was to teach as long as my health allowed, 
because I really enjoy what I do.”One by one, Storm and the others were called into a “mandatory 
meeting” at a deserted off-campus building. They were told to come alone
 and arrive no more than five minutes early, Storm said. A woman let him
 in the door, and two individuals were present for the meeting: An HR 
person and an administrator who read a statement about the university’s 
plans to <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/08/professors-frustrated-by-emporia-state-university-plans-to-eliminate-tenured-faculty-and-programs/">save money by firing employees</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663855976053.png" alt="English professor Mel Storm describes his dismissal during an interview in his office at Emporia State University. Storm is in his 52nd year of teaching at the university. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>English professor Mel Storm describes his dismissal during an interview in his office at Emporia State University. Storm is in his 52nd year of teaching at the university. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the past week, former students have sent emails to the professor 
to let him know his teaching meant a lot. The remembrances go back to 
the early 1980s.“I do seem to have given some direction to a few lives along the way,” Storm said.“It’s certainly gratifying,” he added. “I suppose in some respects, 
it makes it harder because I think I’m still affecting people’s lives, 
and will be until the 16th of May.”Two days later, he will turn 80.“I did hope to leave on my own terms when the time came,” Storm said. “It’s kind of a personal affront.”Disclosure: Sherman Smith is a 2004 graduate of Emporia State University with a degree in English and a minor in journalism. He took classes from English professor Mel Storm.

Emporia State faculty waits for answers after firing of tenured professors

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas suspect on multiple requested charges after a chase in a stolen SUV.

Shortly before midnight Wednesday, a deputy observed a white 2005 Infiniti QX56 in the 3300 block of SE 6th Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Julie A. Wise, 27, of Topeka, drove away northbound on SE Rice Road at a high rate of speed.

The deputy attempted to catch up to that vehicle in order to conduct a traffic stop. However, the suspect lost control of the vehicle. It crashed through a guardrail, went airborne and came to rest on the north edge of the Shunganunga Creek. 

By the time the deputy made it down to the creek, Wise was crawling out of the wrecked vehicle.

The deputy took Wise into custody. It was discovered that Wise had a felony warrant for her arrest out of the State of Missouri and a misdemeanor warrant for her arrest through Shawnee County. 

The vehicle was also reported stolen through the Topeka Police Department.

Wise received medical attention on scene and was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

After treatment, she is now jailed on requested charges of fugitive from justice – arrest prior to requisition, reckless driving, possession of stolen property, interference with law enforcement, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, speeding, improper turn, failure to signal turn and failing&nbsp;to check for safe passage before passing from a single lane.

Wise served time in the Missouri Dept. of Corrections for endangering the welfare of a child, 2nd degree assault; tampering with airplane/motorboat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663842422319.png" alt="Wise, who has spent time in a Missouri prison, received medical attention on scene and was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wise, who has spent time in a Missouri prison, received medical attention on scene and was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas suspect on multiple requested charges after a chase in a stolen SUV.Shortly before midnight Wednesday, a deputy observed a white 2005 Infiniti QX56 in the 3300 block of SE 6th Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Julie A. Wise, 27, of Topeka, drove away northbound on SE Rice Road at a high rate of speed.The deputy attempted to catch up to that vehicle in order to conduct a traffic stop. However, the suspect lost control of the vehicle. It crashed through a guardrail, went airborne and came to rest on the north edge of the Shunganunga Creek. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663793078711.png" alt="The SUV was reported stolen, according to the sheriff's office-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>The SUV was reported stolen, according to the sheriff's office-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>By the time the deputy made it down to the creek, Wise was crawling out of the wrecked vehicle.The deputy took Wise into custody. It was discovered that Wise had a felony warrant for her arrest out of the State of Missouri and a misdemeanor warrant for her arrest through Shawnee County. The vehicle was also reported stolen through the Topeka Police Department.Wise received medical attention on scene and was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.After treatment, she is now jailed on requested charges of fugitive from justice – arrest prior to requisition, reckless driving, possession of stolen property, interference with law enforcement, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, speeding, improper turn, failure to signal turn and failing&nbsp;to check for safe passage before passing from a single lane.Wise served time in the Missouri Dept. of Corrections for endangering the welfare of a child, 2nd degree assault; tampering with airplane/motorboat.

Wanted Kan. suspect survived police chase crash in stolen SUV 

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/21/nebraskas-first-casino-expected-to-open-saturday-pending-likely-ok-of-license/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday 
morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming 
commission.

A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Race Course Thoroughbred 
track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 
slot machines ready to go.

“We have every expectation that we’ll get a license,” said Lance 
Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic wing of the 
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and operator of WarHorse.

In preparation for the opening, problem gamblers are being urged to file a “voluntary self-exclusion form” to bar their admission to the casino and the temptation to gamble.

“The power of this addiction is as 
intense as any addiction out there,” said Mike Sciandra, a Lincoln-based
 gambling counselor who is himself a recovering gambling addict.

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will meet Friday afternoon 
to consider final approval of the casino license of WarHorse Gaming 
Lincoln.

WarHorse has converted a simulcast/sports bar facility to accommodate
 433 slot machines while a $200 million casino and hotel complex is 
built around it, just off U.S. 77 in southwest Lincoln.

Construction will also begin soon on a second casino, at Omaha’s 
Horseman’s Park, but a temporary casino won’t be ready for occupancy 
until April or May, said Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s 
Benevolent and Protective Association.

Horsemen’s Park is a 28-year-old facility, McNally said, and must be 
almost torn down to accommodate construction around it. The temporary 
Omaha casino will be located in the infield of the racetrack, she said.

A third WarHorse casino project, at the former Atokad Park racetrack 
in South Sioux City, is “on the back burner,” according to Morgan, and 
will be pursued when the permanent casinos are completed in Lincoln and 
Omaha, which is expected in late 2024.

“We’re spending every penny and effort we have to develop these two,” Morgan said.

The permanent casinos will include table games, such as blackjack, as well as slot machines, officials said.

McNally projected that the Lincoln facility will generate about $5 
million a year in property tax relief for the City of Lincoln and 
Lancaster County. It’s been estimated that casino gambling, when fully 
implemented, could add $100 million statewide to a property tax relief 
program run by the state.

Also on Saturday, the Lincoln Race Course will be officially renamed 
“Legacy Downs,” which McNally said is in honor of the long-running 
Thoroughbred horse racing industry in the state.

Nebraska voters approved pari-mutual betting on horses back in 1934, 
and for decades, Nebraska was the only state that offered such gambling 
between Chicago and California.

McNally and Sciandra urged Nebraskans who are problem gamblers to 
register with the self-exclusion program, which is being operated 
through the state gaming commission.

Sciandra said several states, including Iowa, operate such 
registries, which allows a casino to bar entrance to someone who has a 
gambling problem. He said those who somehow get insideof a casino face 
forfeiting any winnings or being charged with criminal trespass.

“We want to make sure that the temptation isn’t there from the get-go,” Sciandra said of the self-exclusion registry.

In Iowa, between 8,000 and 10,000 people at any one time on are the 
“don’t admit” to casinos list, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming 
Commission. Sciandra said that generally, 1-2% of all gamblers have been
 diagnosed as addicts, with an additional 4-6% deemed problem gamblers.

To register, go to the <a target="_blank" href="https://racingcommission.nebraska.gov/responsible-gaming">racing commission’s website</a>.

Casino gambling was approved overwhelmingly by Nebraska voters in 2020, allowing them at licensed racetracks in the state.

The so-called “racinos” are envisioned at the state’s existing 
racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City 
and Hastings. Other communities, such as Norfolk and Ogallala, have also
 expressed interest.

Before any new racinos are allowed, the State Racing and Gaming 
Commission must consider the impact of additional gambling on 
communities, horse racing and other gambling facilities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663853746273.png" alt="A $200 million casino is planned at the Lincoln Race Course by WarHorse, a subsidiary of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. (Courtesy of WarHorse) " />
 <figcaption>A $200 million casino is planned at the Lincoln Race Course by WarHorse, a subsidiary of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. (Courtesy of WarHorse) </figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/21/nebraskas-first-casino-expected-to-open-saturday-pending-likely-ok-of-license/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s first casino is expected to open Saturday 
morning in the Capital City, pending approval by the state gaming 
commission.A temporary casino, located at the Lincoln Race Course Thoroughbred 
track, is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with more than 400 
slot machines ready to go.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663853799192.png" alt="Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., parent company of WarHorse Gaming. (Courtesy of Ho-Chunk Inc.)" />
 <figcaption>Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., parent company of WarHorse Gaming. (Courtesy of Ho-Chunk Inc.)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We have every expectation that we’ll get a license,” said Lance 
Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic wing of the 
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and operator of WarHorse.In preparation for the opening, problem gamblers are being urged to file a “voluntary self-exclusion form” to bar their admission to the casino and the temptation to gamble.“The power of this addiction is as 
intense as any addiction out there,” said Mike Sciandra, a Lincoln-based
 gambling counselor who is himself a recovering gambling addict.The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will meet Friday afternoon 
to consider final approval of the casino license of WarHorse Gaming 
Lincoln.<h2>433 slot machines in temporary facility</h2>WarHorse has converted a simulcast/sports bar facility to accommodate
 433 slot machines while a $200 million casino and hotel complex is 
built around it, just off U.S. 77 in southwest Lincoln.Construction will also begin soon on a second casino, at Omaha’s 
Horseman’s Park, but a temporary casino won’t be ready for occupancy 
until April or May, said Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s 
Benevolent and Protective Association.Horsemen’s Park is a 28-year-old facility, McNally said, and must be 
almost torn down to accommodate construction around it. The temporary 
Omaha casino will be located in the infield of the racetrack, she said.A third WarHorse casino project, at the former Atokad Park racetrack 
in South Sioux City, is “on the back burner,” according to Morgan, and 
will be pursued when the permanent casinos are completed in Lincoln and 
Omaha, which is expected in late 2024.<h2>‘Spending every penny’</h2>“We’re spending every penny and effort we have to develop these two,” Morgan said.The permanent casinos will include table games, such as blackjack, as well as slot machines, officials said.McNally projected that the Lincoln facility will generate about $5 
million a year in property tax relief for the City of Lincoln and 
Lancaster County. It’s been estimated that casino gambling, when fully 
implemented, could add $100 million statewide to a property tax relief 
program run by the state.Also on Saturday, the Lincoln Race Course will be officially renamed 
“Legacy Downs,” which McNally said is in honor of the long-running 
Thoroughbred horse racing industry in the state.Nebraska voters approved pari-mutual betting on horses back in 1934, 
and for decades, Nebraska was the only state that offered such gambling 
between Chicago and California.<h2>Self-exclusion program</h2>McNally and Sciandra urged Nebraskans who are problem gamblers to 
register with the self-exclusion program, which is being operated 
through the state gaming commission.Sciandra said several states, including Iowa, operate such 
registries, which allows a casino to bar entrance to someone who has a 
gambling problem. He said those who somehow get insideof a casino face 
forfeiting any winnings or being charged with criminal trespass.“We want to make sure that the temptation isn’t there from the get-go,” Sciandra said of the self-exclusion registry.In Iowa, between 8,000 and 10,000 people at any one time on are the 
“don’t admit” to casinos list, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming 
Commission. Sciandra said that generally, 1-2% of all gamblers have been
 diagnosed as addicts, with an additional 4-6% deemed problem gamblers.To register, go to the <a target="_blank" href="https://racingcommission.nebraska.gov/responsible-gaming">racing commission’s website</a>.<h2>Voter approval in 2020</h2>Casino gambling was approved overwhelmingly by Nebraska voters in 2020, allowing them at licensed racetracks in the state.The so-called “racinos” are envisioned at the state’s existing 
racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City 
and Hastings. Other communities, such as Norfolk and Ogallala, have also
 expressed interest.Before any new racinos are allowed, the State Racing and Gaming 
Commission must consider the impact of additional gambling on 
communities, horse racing and other gambling facilities.

Nebraska’s first casino to open Saturday, pending license

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor launched a new television ad on Wednesday in which she says men don't belong in women's sports. It's a move seeking to blunt Republican attacks on her for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">vetoing two proposals</a>&nbsp;to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's school and college sports.

Gov. Laura Kelly doesn't go into details on her position in the 30-second ad, which is her first to address what Republicans see as a key education issue that hurts Kelly during a close reelection race. Her campaign later said Kelly believes decisions about transgender athletes should be made by schools, doctors, families and local officials and that the two bills she vetoed would have “created unnecessary new government mandates.”

GOP challenger Derek Schmidt, the state's three-term attorney general,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1572584512084914176">tweeted that Kelly is lying</a>&nbsp;about her record, and the Republican Governors Association released a digital ad Wednesday highlighting Kelly's vetoes. Other Republicans said Kelly is trying to hide an unpopular, liberal stance.

But Democrats said the party’s voters would understand the ad as saying that the issue doesn’t involve men playing women’s sports because trans women are women.

“Men aren’t playing girls’ sports. This is the scare-tactic framing of the far right,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-kansas-topeka-7139d8bedcc50a1d00e1d4cd8ebed70b">Tom Witt,</a>&nbsp;executive director of Equality Kansas, the state’s leading LGBTQ-rights group. “What we’re talking about in this situation is schoolkids in competitive games with their peers at school, and our position is, trans girls are girls; trans boys are boys.”

In the ad, Kelly looks into the camera and says: “Of course men should not play girls' sports. OK, we all agree there,” before criticizing Schmidt on school funding issues.

Her campaign launched the ad after a Republican Governors Association ad featured a collegiate swimmer criticizing Kelly. That followed four other ads in which the RGA raised the issue, and Schmidt says in his most recent television spot that Kelly is aligned with groups pushing “the transgender agenda.”

The swimmer featured in the last RGA ad, University of Kentucky graduate Riley Gaines, said in a phone interview that she was surprised by Kelly's ad because, “It's not aligning with anything she's said thus far.”

Tim Shallenburger, a former state treasurer and Kansas Republican Party chair, said Kelly had to deal with the issue because it's important to many voters. He called Kelly's latest ad “pretty sly,” adding that she's “trying to catch Republicans.”

Joan Wagnon, a former Topeka mayor and Kansas Democratic Party chair, questioned whether Schmidt's stance will play well with moderate Republicans. But Wagnon also said that, had she been the candidate, she's not sure she would have made the ad.

"If you get sucked into those kind of tit-for-tat responses, it clouds your message,” she said.

Kelly is the only Democratic governor running for reelection this year, in a state that former President Donald Trump carried in 2020. That makes her a big target for the national GOP. But Democrats were buoyed in August, when Kansas voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejected</a>&nbsp;a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have allowed the Republican-controlled state Legislature to greatly restrict or ban abortion. Kelly opposed the measure, while Schmidt backed it.

However, Republicans see an opportunity to tap into suburban parents' frustrations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8e5672095558ab92d7505f2a06f9a9b9">coronavirus-related school restrictions</a>&nbsp;and what's taught about racism, gender and sexuality. They were encouraged by Republican Glenn Youngkin's victory in the 2021 governor’s race&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-education-parental-rights-school-curricula-604edece27a483155c409187f258a058">in normally blue Virginia</a>&nbsp;after making parents' rights in education a key issue.

Youngkin and Schmidt were set to campaign together Thursday in the Kansas City area, after a Sunday rally with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dont-say-gay-bill-passes-florida-legislature-b173917e985833963e45a8d0464a4399">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis,</a>&nbsp;a Republican who has pushed conservative education initiatives.

And Republicans across the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-pennsylvania-campaigns-elections-5bb0f7fb8c162d9f4da5c935271bc255">have framed restrictions on transgender athletes</a>&nbsp;as keeping competition fair and preserving opportunities for girls and women, though there are relatively few transgender athletes.

Several polls this year show majorities of Americans oppose transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports, including an NPR/Ipsos poll in June that showed about two-thirds of U.S. adults are opposed to allowing transgender student athletes to compete on women’s and girls’ sports teams. A Washington Post/University of Maryland poll in May showed only about 3 in 10 said transgender women or girls should be allowed to compete.

State Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and the leading sponsor of the two measures, said of Kelly: “She’s having to pivot and backtrack on her two vetoes, and I don’t think Kansans are going to buy it, quite frankly.”

Including Florida and Texas, 18 GOP-led states have laws banning transgender athletes from participating in youth sports, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/sports_participation_bans">the Movement Advancement Project,</a>&nbsp;a Colorado think tank promoting LGBTQ rights. In the Kelly campaign's statement Wednesday, spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald noted that Republican governors in Indiana and Utah have vetoed such measures, although those vetoes were overridden by GOP-controlled Legislatures.

Critics say such bans are discriminatory, and that merely discussing them leads to bullying.

Kelly's veto messages for bills&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">in 2021</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb160_enrolled.pdf">2022</a>&nbsp;also said they would hurt the state's business climate. In her second message, she added that such proposals did not come from athletes or schools but from “politicians trying to score political points.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662042953338.png" alt="Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt&nbsp; (Photos by Sherman Smith and Thad Allton/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt&nbsp; (Photos by Sherman Smith and Thad Allton/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor launched a new television ad on Wednesday in which she says men don't belong in women's sports. It's a move seeking to blunt Republican attacks on her for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-legislature-libraries-9ffb07cf3b25faf848dda6d78bff8856">vetoing two proposals</a>&nbsp;to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's school and college sports.Gov. Laura Kelly doesn't go into details on her position in the 30-second ad, which is her first to address what Republicans see as a key education issue that hurts Kelly during a close reelection race. Her campaign later said Kelly believes decisions about transgender athletes should be made by schools, doctors, families and local officials and that the two bills she vetoed would have “created unnecessary new government mandates.”GOP challenger Derek Schmidt, the state's three-term attorney general,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1572584512084914176">tweeted that Kelly is lying</a>&nbsp;about her record, and the Republican Governors Association released a digital ad Wednesday highlighting Kelly's vetoes. Other Republicans said Kelly is trying to hide an unpopular, liberal stance.But Democrats said the party’s voters would understand the ad as saying that the issue doesn’t involve men playing women’s sports because trans women are women.“Men aren’t playing girls’ sports. This is the scare-tactic framing of the far right,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-kansas-topeka-7139d8bedcc50a1d00e1d4cd8ebed70b">Tom Witt,</a>&nbsp;executive director of Equality Kansas, the state’s leading LGBTQ-rights group. “What we’re talking about in this situation is schoolkids in competitive games with their peers at school, and our position is, trans girls are girls; trans boys are boys.”In the ad, Kelly looks into the camera and says: “Of course men should not play girls' sports. OK, we all agree there,” before criticizing Schmidt on school funding issues.Her campaign launched the ad after a Republican Governors Association ad featured a collegiate swimmer criticizing Kelly. That followed four other ads in which the RGA raised the issue, and Schmidt says in his most recent television spot that Kelly is aligned with groups pushing “the transgender agenda.”The swimmer featured in the last RGA ad, University of Kentucky graduate Riley Gaines, said in a phone interview that she was surprised by Kelly's ad because, “It's not aligning with anything she's said thus far.”Tim Shallenburger, a former state treasurer and Kansas Republican Party chair, said Kelly had to deal with the issue because it's important to many voters. He called Kelly's latest ad “pretty sly,” adding that she's “trying to catch Republicans.”Joan Wagnon, a former Topeka mayor and Kansas Democratic Party chair, questioned whether Schmidt's stance will play well with moderate Republicans. But Wagnon also said that, had she been the candidate, she's not sure she would have made the ad."If you get sucked into those kind of tit-for-tat responses, it clouds your message,” she said.Kelly is the only Democratic governor running for reelection this year, in a state that former President Donald Trump carried in 2020. That makes her a big target for the national GOP. But Democrats were buoyed in August, when Kansas voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively rejected</a>&nbsp;a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have allowed the Republican-controlled state Legislature to greatly restrict or ban abortion. Kelly opposed the measure, while Schmidt backed it.However, Republicans see an opportunity to tap into suburban parents' frustrations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8e5672095558ab92d7505f2a06f9a9b9">coronavirus-related school restrictions</a>&nbsp;and what's taught about racism, gender and sexuality. They were encouraged by Republican Glenn Youngkin's victory in the 2021 governor’s race&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-education-parental-rights-school-curricula-604edece27a483155c409187f258a058">in normally blue Virginia</a>&nbsp;after making parents' rights in education a key issue.Youngkin and Schmidt were set to campaign together Thursday in the Kansas City area, after a Sunday rally with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dont-say-gay-bill-passes-florida-legislature-b173917e985833963e45a8d0464a4399">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis,</a>&nbsp;a Republican who has pushed conservative education initiatives.And Republicans across the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-pennsylvania-campaigns-elections-5bb0f7fb8c162d9f4da5c935271bc255">have framed restrictions on transgender athletes</a>&nbsp;as keeping competition fair and preserving opportunities for girls and women, though there are relatively few transgender athletes.Several polls this year show majorities of Americans oppose transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports, including an NPR/Ipsos poll in June that showed about two-thirds of U.S. adults are opposed to allowing transgender student athletes to compete on women’s and girls’ sports teams. A Washington Post/University of Maryland poll in May showed only about 3 in 10 said transgender women or girls should be allowed to compete.State Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and the leading sponsor of the two measures, said of Kelly: “She’s having to pivot and backtrack on her two vetoes, and I don’t think Kansans are going to buy it, quite frankly.”Including Florida and Texas, 18 GOP-led states have laws banning transgender athletes from participating in youth sports, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/sports_participation_bans">the Movement Advancement Project,</a>&nbsp;a Colorado think tank promoting LGBTQ rights. In the Kelly campaign's statement Wednesday, spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald noted that Republican governors in Indiana and Utah have vetoed such measures, although those vetoes were overridden by GOP-controlled Legislatures.Critics say such bans are discriminatory, and that merely discussing them leads to bullying.Kelly's veto messages for bills&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb55_enrolled.pdf">in 2021</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/sb160_enrolled.pdf">2022</a>&nbsp;also said they would hurt the state's business climate. In her second message, she added that such proposals did not come from athletes or schools but from “politicians trying to score political points.”

GOP hits Kansas governor hard on trans athletes, her new ad

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Mexico early Thursday, causing at least two deaths, damaging buildings and setting off landslides.

The earthquake struck at 1:19 a.m. near the epicenter of a magnitude 7.6 quake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-caribbean-earthquakes-1f14e99e5dc7798280ced335ecb7c543">that hit three days earlier</a>&nbsp;in the western state of Michoacan. It was also blamed for two deaths.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday’s earthquake was centered 31 miles (50 kilometers) south-southwest of Aguililla, Michoacan, at a depth of 15 miles (24.1 kilometers).

Michoacan’s state government said the quake was felt throughout the state. It reported damage to a building in the city of Uruapan and some landslides on highways.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said via Twitter that it was an aftershock from Monday’s quake and was also felt in the states of Colima, Jalisco and Guerrero.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said via Twitter that two people died — a woman who fell down the stairs of her home and a man who had a heart attack. Residents huddled in streets as seismic alarms blared.

The earthquake rattled an already jittery country. Monday's more powerful quake was t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-mexico-caribbean-city-earthquakes-e7c3f5363979518f92aa957108abaa38">he third major earthquake to strike on Sept. 19</a>&nbsp;— in 1985, 2017 and now 2022. The 2017 and 2022 Sept. 19 quakes came very shortly after the annual earthquake drill conducted every Sept. 19 to commemorate the devastating 1985 temblor that killed some 9,500 people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663849056641.png" alt="USGS image" />
 <figcaption>USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>MEXICO CITY (AP) — A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Mexico early Thursday, causing at least two deaths, damaging buildings and setting off landslides.The earthquake struck at 1:19 a.m. near the epicenter of a magnitude 7.6 quake&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-caribbean-earthquakes-1f14e99e5dc7798280ced335ecb7c543">that hit three days earlier</a>&nbsp;in the western state of Michoacan. It was also blamed for two deaths.The U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday’s earthquake was centered 31 miles (50 kilometers) south-southwest of Aguililla, Michoacan, at a depth of 15 miles (24.1 kilometers).Michoacan’s state government said the quake was felt throughout the state. It reported damage to a building in the city of Uruapan and some landslides on highways.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said via Twitter that it was an aftershock from Monday’s quake and was also felt in the states of Colima, Jalisco and Guerrero.Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said via Twitter that two people died — a woman who fell down the stairs of her home and a man who had a heart attack. Residents huddled in streets as seismic alarms blared.The earthquake rattled an already jittery country. Monday's more powerful quake was t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-mexico-caribbean-city-earthquakes-e7c3f5363979518f92aa957108abaa38">he third major earthquake to strike on Sept. 19</a>&nbsp;— in 1985, 2017 and now 2022. The 2017 and 2022 Sept. 19 quakes came very shortly after the annual earthquake drill conducted every Sept. 19 to commemorate the devastating 1985 temblor that killed some 9,500 people.

6.8 aftershock follows Monday's 7.6 quake in Mexico

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">A last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;prevented a railroad strike for now, but many rail workers remain unhappy with working conditions, including some who protested outside their workplaces Wednesday ahead of votes to approve the new contracts.

Handfuls of workers gathered outside railyards across the country in pickets organized by a newly formed workers group separate from the 12 unions that negotiated the deals last week with the major U.S. freight railroads. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the deals, just as the unions are trying to explain the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a">benefits they negotiated</a>&nbsp;to their roughly 115,000 members ahead of contract votes.

Fears about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire economic consequences</a>&nbsp;of a rail strike that could cripple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">all kinds of businesses</a>&nbsp;that rely on railroads to deliver raw materials and finished goods prompted the Biden administration to jump into the middle of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-kansas-city-southern-government-and-politics-8773238e61d632b59ddbba22175d0df2">contract talks last week</a>&nbsp;and urge both sides to reach an agreement. The contract talks included Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and a number of other railroads, so the entire country would have been affected by a strike.

Nearly a dozen BNSF workers gathered near Minot, North Dakota, Wednesday with homemade signs declaring “We demand more!!” and “We will not back down.” Another group of a half dozen workers stood outside their worksite in Olathe, Kansas, with signs saying “Railroad greed driving inflation" and “Greedy railroads harming nations supply chain.”

Workers' concerns about time off and demanding attendance policies at the railroads took center stage in the negotiations. In the end, the unions that represent engineers and conductors secured a promise of three extra unpaid days off for workers to attend doctors' appointments without being penalized and improved scheduling of days off to go with the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses that a special board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommended</a>&nbsp;this summer for the five-year deals.

It remains to be seen whether those concessions are enough to get workers to vote for these deals. A branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-government-and-politics-87bc3c3e0120b8258557767576262d89">rejected a deal</a>&nbsp;last week that didn't include those extra days off, so they are back at the table now working on a new pact. Two smaller unions did approve their deals, but the nine other unions will be counting their votes at various times over the next two months.

The two biggest unions that held out the longest — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors — aren't expected to report the results of their votes until mid November. Members of those unions are still waiting to see all the details of the deals that Biden announced last Thursday because lawyers are still finalizing everything before the full agreements get released.

That puts any potential for a strike out beyond the midterm elections, which mitigates the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political impact</a>&nbsp;of the talks for Biden and the Democrats. If any of the unions do reject their contracts, Congress could still be forced to step in.

Recently retired engineer Marilee Taylor, who left the railroad in Chicago after more than 30 years earlier this year when BNSF imposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strictest attendance policy</a>&nbsp;in the industry, said she doesn't think the tentative agreements do enough to address the schedule and workload concerns after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their workforces over the past six years. Unions say the railroads' strict policies make it hard to take any time off without a penalty.

“The issue remains we're working fatigued," said Taylor, who is active with the Railroad Workers United coalition that urged workers to go on strike. "The safety of ourselves, our coworkers and the people that we serve — whose communities we run through — are at risk .... These conditions are losing many, many workers who cannot maintain 90% of their every breathing moment in service or at the behest of the railroad.”

Norfolk Southern engineer Hugh Sawyer said it's hard to tell how many workers will ultimately vote for these deals because they might decide these agreements are the best they can get, although he said he's not hearing many people happy with them. Even if they remain frustrated, workers may not be willing to go on strike and risk having Congress intervene and impose a contract on them that could be worse than what the unions agreed to.

“We’re sick and tired of the way we’re treated out there,” said Sawyer, a 34-year veteran of the railroad who serves as treasurer of the Railroad Workers United group that includes workers from all the unions. “There's a lot of anger out there.”

One example of the schedule challenges rail workers face is that Sawyer just had outpatient surgery done earlier this week on one of his days off, but he has no idea when he'll be able to schedule an appointment to have the stitches removed from his head next week because he'll be on call then and doesn't know when he'll be working.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">A last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;prevented a railroad strike for now, but many rail workers remain unhappy with working conditions, including some who protested outside their workplaces Wednesday ahead of votes to approve the new contracts.Handfuls of workers gathered outside railyards across the country in pickets organized by a newly formed workers group separate from the 12 unions that negotiated the deals last week with the major U.S. freight railroads. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the deals, just as the unions are trying to explain the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a">benefits they negotiated</a>&nbsp;to their roughly 115,000 members ahead of contract votes.Fears about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">dire economic consequences</a>&nbsp;of a rail strike that could cripple&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">all kinds of businesses</a>&nbsp;that rely on railroads to deliver raw materials and finished goods prompted the Biden administration to jump into the middle of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-kansas-city-southern-government-and-politics-8773238e61d632b59ddbba22175d0df2">contract talks last week</a>&nbsp;and urge both sides to reach an agreement. The contract talks included Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and a number of other railroads, so the entire country would have been affected by a strike.Nearly a dozen BNSF workers gathered near Minot, North Dakota, Wednesday with homemade signs declaring “We demand more!!” and “We will not back down.” Another group of a half dozen workers stood outside their worksite in Olathe, Kansas, with signs saying “Railroad greed driving inflation" and “Greedy railroads harming nations supply chain.”Workers' concerns about time off and demanding attendance policies at the railroads took center stage in the negotiations. In the end, the unions that represent engineers and conductors secured a promise of three extra unpaid days off for workers to attend doctors' appointments without being penalized and improved scheduling of days off to go with the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses that a special board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-transportation-strikes-ba718974eb14fcd615d606bfcdffb3d2">appointed</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommended</a>&nbsp;this summer for the five-year deals.It remains to be seen whether those concessions are enough to get workers to vote for these deals. A branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-government-and-politics-87bc3c3e0120b8258557767576262d89">rejected a deal</a>&nbsp;last week that didn't include those extra days off, so they are back at the table now working on a new pact. Two smaller unions did approve their deals, but the nine other unions will be counting their votes at various times over the next two months.The two biggest unions that held out the longest — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors — aren't expected to report the results of their votes until mid November. Members of those unions are still waiting to see all the details of the deals that Biden announced last Thursday because lawyers are still finalizing everything before the full agreements get released.That puts any potential for a strike out beyond the midterm elections, which mitigates the potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-congress-cbc8eb5b29b817033d42204480b282da">political impact</a>&nbsp;of the talks for Biden and the Democrats. If any of the unions do reject their contracts, Congress could still be forced to step in.Recently retired engineer Marilee Taylor, who left the railroad in Chicago after more than 30 years earlier this year when BNSF imposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strictest attendance policy</a>&nbsp;in the industry, said she doesn't think the tentative agreements do enough to address the schedule and workload concerns after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their workforces over the past six years. Unions say the railroads' strict policies make it hard to take any time off without a penalty.“The issue remains we're working fatigued," said Taylor, who is active with the Railroad Workers United coalition that urged workers to go on strike. "The safety of ourselves, our coworkers and the people that we serve — whose communities we run through — are at risk .... These conditions are losing many, many workers who cannot maintain 90% of their every breathing moment in service or at the behest of the railroad.”Norfolk Southern engineer Hugh Sawyer said it's hard to tell how many workers will ultimately vote for these deals because they might decide these agreements are the best they can get, although he said he's not hearing many people happy with them. Even if they remain frustrated, workers may not be willing to go on strike and risk having Congress intervene and impose a contract on them that could be worse than what the unions agreed to.“We’re sick and tired of the way we’re treated out there,” said Sawyer, a 34-year veteran of the railroad who serves as treasurer of the Railroad Workers United group that includes workers from all the unions. “There's a lot of anger out there.”One example of the schedule challenges rail workers face is that Sawyer just had outpatient surgery done earlier this week on one of his days off, but he has no idea when he'll be able to schedule an appointment to have the stitches removed from his head next week because he'll be on call then and doesn't know when he'll be working.“It's just ridiculous,” he said.

Deal that prevented rail strike still needs worker support

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 11a.m. Tuesday, the suspect robbed the the Bank of America at 3100 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the FBI.

The suspect is described as a man in his late 30s to 40s. He is Black with short hair and has stubble on his face.

He was wearing a blue t-shirt, black shorts and had a blue cloth on his left hand. He&nbsp;indicated he had a weapon, but no weapon was seen.

He left the bank to the southwest with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries in the robbery.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the FBI at 816-512-8200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663805725544.png" alt="Suspect security camera image -FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Suspect security camera image -FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery asking the public for help to identify a suspect.Just after 11a.m. Tuesday, the suspect robbed the the Bank of America at 3100 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a media release from the FBI.The suspect is described as a man in his late 30s to 40s. He is Black with short hair and has stubble on his face.He was wearing a blue t-shirt, black shorts and had a blue cloth on his left hand. He&nbsp;indicated he had a weapon, but no weapon was seen.He left the bank to the southwest with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries in the robbery.Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the FBI at 816-512-8200.

FBI asks for help to ID suspect in Kansas City bank robbery

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces were among 10 prisoners, including five British nationals, released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-kharkiv-94bc7030832a892de71856fbb3f311af">Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27,</a>&nbsp;went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-middle-east-alabama-d5bd7856dd98d23ff1689cc632ecb14b">became friends because both are from Alabama</a>.

Their families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke.

“They are safely in the custody of the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states,” the statement said.

Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives and are in “pretty good shape,” according to an official with the U.S. embassy.

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed the releases and thanked the governments of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia for their work to secure the detainees‘ freedom. “We look forward to our citizens being reunited with their families,” he said in a tweet.

In a later statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States “is appreciative of Ukraine including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations" and thanked Saudi government partners for securing the release of the 10 prisoners, including the two Americans.

The Saudi embassy released a statement saying it helped secure the release of 10 prisoners from Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. Shaw confirmed that Drueke and Huynh were part of the group.

The United Kingdom said five British nationals had been released, and lawmaker Robert Jenrick said one of them was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-donetsk-57a664fe64f348818d1ab491afe111c7">Aiden Aslin, 28, who had been sentenced to death</a>&nbsp;after he was captured in eastern Ukraine.

“Aiden’s return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden’s sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace,” Jenrick tweeted.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss heralded the news on social media.

“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” she tweeted.

Moroccan media reported that the released prisoners included Brahim Saadoun, 21, who was sentenced to death in June after being accused of terrorism and trying to overturn the constitutional order. Captured by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine, the court claimed he was a mercenary, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-executions-50f449882abf772d49d599479287cb21">Saadoun’s father said he had enlisted in Ukraine’s regular army</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-veterans-8a2998adb5428530e98c13fc738548c5">Russian state television</a>&nbsp;had previously said Drueke and Huynh were being held by Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The U.S. does not recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and has no diplomatic relations with them, making it necessary for others to lead efforts to get the men released.

Drueke joined the Army at age 19 after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and he believed he could help Ukrainian fighters because of his training and experience with weapons, Shaw said previously. Drueke left in mid-April.

Druke's mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said.

“He got on the phone and said, ‘Hi mom, it’s your favorite child,’” she said.

Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/hartselle/hartselle-man-leaving-friday-for-europe-to-join-ukrainian-foreign-legion/article_2f5663de-3cf8-5012-bf42-ba9ff47feb92.html">The Decatur Daily</a>, he couldn’t stop thinking about Russia’s invasion.

“I know it wasn’t my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something,” Huynh told the paper. “Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. ... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine.”

Huynh told his fiance he wants a meal from McDonald's and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said.

The two men bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-tuscaloosa-f681daefd0a682a9fd6ae376f963e58c">Relatives spoke with Drueke several times by phone</a>&nbsp;while the two were being held.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces were among 10 prisoners, including five British nationals, released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-kharkiv-94bc7030832a892de71856fbb3f311af">Alex Drueke, 40, and Andy Huynh, 27,</a>&nbsp;went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-middle-east-alabama-d5bd7856dd98d23ff1689cc632ecb14b">became friends because both are from Alabama</a>.Their families announced their release in a joint statement from Dianna Shaw, an aunt of Drueke.“They are safely in the custody of the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia and after medical checks and debriefing they will return to the states,” the statement said.Shaw said both men have spoken with relatives and are in “pretty good shape,” according to an official with the U.S. embassy.President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed the releases and thanked the governments of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia for their work to secure the detainees‘ freedom. “We look forward to our citizens being reunited with their families,” he said in a tweet.In a later statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States “is appreciative of Ukraine including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations" and thanked Saudi government partners for securing the release of the 10 prisoners, including the two Americans.The Saudi embassy released a statement saying it helped secure the release of 10 prisoners from Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Croatia. Shaw confirmed that Drueke and Huynh were part of the group.The United Kingdom said five British nationals had been released, and lawmaker Robert Jenrick said one of them was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-donetsk-57a664fe64f348818d1ab491afe111c7">Aiden Aslin, 28, who had been sentenced to death</a>&nbsp;after he was captured in eastern Ukraine.“Aiden’s return brings to an end months of agonising uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark who suffered every day of Aiden’s sham trial but never lost hope. As they are united as a family once more, they can finally be at peace,” Jenrick tweeted.British Prime Minister Liz Truss heralded the news on social media.“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” she tweeted.Moroccan media reported that the released prisoners included Brahim Saadoun, 21, who was sentenced to death in June after being accused of terrorism and trying to overturn the constitutional order. Captured by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine, the court claimed he was a mercenary, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-politics-executions-50f449882abf772d49d599479287cb21">Saadoun’s father said he had enlisted in Ukraine’s regular army</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-veterans-8a2998adb5428530e98c13fc738548c5">Russian state television</a>&nbsp;had previously said Drueke and Huynh were being held by Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The U.S. does not recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and has no diplomatic relations with them, making it necessary for others to lead efforts to get the men released.Drueke joined the Army at age 19 after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and he believed he could help Ukrainian fighters because of his training and experience with weapons, Shaw said previously. Drueke left in mid-April.Druke's mother received a call from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning and an embassy worker handed the phone to the man, Shaw said.“He got on the phone and said, ‘Hi mom, it’s your favorite child,’” she said.Huynh moved to north Alabama two years ago from his native California and lives about 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Drueke. Before leaving for Europe, Huynh told his local newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/morgan_county/hartselle/hartselle-man-leaving-friday-for-europe-to-join-ukrainian-foreign-legion/article_2f5663de-3cf8-5012-bf42-ba9ff47feb92.html">The Decatur Daily</a>, he couldn’t stop thinking about Russia’s invasion.“I know it wasn’t my problem, but there was that gut feeling that I felt I had to do something,” Huynh told the paper. “Two weeks after the war began, it kept eating me up inside and it just felt wrong. I was losing sleep. ... All I could think about was the situation in Ukraine.”Huynh told his fiance he wants a meal from McDonald's and a Pepsi-Cola when he returns home, Shaw said.The two men bonded over their home state and were together when their unit came under heavy fire.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-alabama-veterans-tuscaloosa-f681daefd0a682a9fd6ae376f963e58c">Relatives spoke with Drueke several times by phone</a>&nbsp;while the two were being held.

2 US veterans captured in Ukraine are coming home

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded struggling 
individuals and businesses, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, that they
 may qualify for late-filing penalty relief if they file their 2019 and 
2020 returns by September 30.

Besides providing relief to both individuals and businesses impacted 
by the pandemic, this step is designed to allow the IRS to focus its 
resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer 
correspondence to help return to normal operations for the 2023 filing 
season.

"We thought carefully about the type of penalties, the period covered
 and the duration before granting this penalty relief. We understand the
 concerns being raised by the tax community and others about the 
September 30 penalty relief deadline," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Given planning for the upcoming tax season and ongoing work on 
the inventory of tax returns filed earlier this year, this penalty 
relief deadline of September 30 strikes a balance. It is critical to us 
to not only provide important relief to those affected by the pandemic, 
but this deadline also allows adequate time to prepare our systems and 
our workstreams to serve taxpayers and the tax community during the 2023
 filing season."

The relief, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/covid-tax-relief-irs-provides-broad-based-penalty-relief-for-certain-2019-and-2020-returns-due-to-the-pandemic-1-point-2-billion-in-penalties-being-refunded-to-1-point-6-million-taxpayers">announced</a>
 last month, applies to the failure-to-file penalty. The penalty is 
typically assessed at a rate of 5% per month, up to 25% of the unpaid 
tax, when a federal income tax return is filed late. This relief applies
 to forms in both the Form 1040 and 1120 series, as well as others 
listed in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2022-36_IRB#NOT-2022-36">Notice 2022-36</a>, posted on IRS.gov.

For anyone who has gotten behind on their taxes during the pandemic, 
this is a great opportunity to get caught up. To qualify for relief, any
 eligible income tax return must be filed on or before September 30, 
2022.

Those who file during the first few months after the September 30 
cutoff will still qualify for partial penalty relief. That's because, 
for eligible returns filed after that date, the penalty starts accruing 
on October 1, 2022, rather than the return's original due date. Because 
the penalty accrues, based on each month or part of a month that a 
return is late, filing sooner will limit any charges that apply.

Unlike the failure-to-file penalty, the failure-to-pay penalty and 
interest will still apply to unpaid tax, based on the return's original 
due date. The failure-to-pay penalty is normally 0.5% (one-half-of-one 
percent) per month. The interest rate is currently 5% per year, 
compounded daily, but that rate is due to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-interest-rate-increases-for-the-fourth-quarter-of-2022-6-rate-applies-to-most-taxpayers-starting-oct-1">rise</a> to 6% on October 1, 2022.

Taxpayers can limit these charges by paying promptly. For more 
information, including details on fast and convenient electronic payment
 options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>. Penalty and interest charges generally don't apply to refunds.

The notice also provides details on relief for filers of certain 
international information returns when a penalty is assessed at the time
 of filing. No relief is available for applicable international 
information returns when the penalty is part of an examination. To 
qualify for this relief, any eligible tax return must be filed on or 
before September 30, 2022.

Penalty relief is automatic. This means that eligible taxpayers who 
have already filed their return do not need to apply for it, and those 
filing now do not need to attach a statement or other documents to their
 return. Generally, those who have already paid the penalty are getting 
refunds, most by the end of September.

Penalty relief is not available in some situations, such as where a 
fraudulent return was filed, where the penalties are part of an accepted
 offer in compromise or a closing agreement, or where the penalties were
 finally determined by a court.

This relief is limited to the penalties that the notice specifically 
states are eligible for relief. For ineligible penalties, such as the 
failure-to-pay penalty, taxpayers may use existing penalty relief 
procedures, such as applying for relief under the reasonable cause 
criteria or the First-Time Abate program. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief">IRS.gov/penaltyrelief</a> for details.

This relief doesn't apply to 2021 returns. Whether or not they have a
 tax-filing extension, the IRS urges everyone to file their 2021 return 
soon to avoid processing delays. For <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-tax-extension-filers-dont-overlook-these-important-tax-benefits">filing tips</a>, visit IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded struggling 
individuals and businesses, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, that they
 may qualify for late-filing penalty relief if they file their 2019 and 
2020 returns by September 30.Besides providing relief to both individuals and businesses impacted 
by the pandemic, this step is designed to allow the IRS to focus its 
resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer 
correspondence to help return to normal operations for the 2023 filing 
season."We thought carefully about the type of penalties, the period covered
 and the duration before granting this penalty relief. We understand the
 concerns being raised by the tax community and others about the 
September 30 penalty relief deadline," said IRS Commissioner Chuck 
Rettig. "Given planning for the upcoming tax season and ongoing work on 
the inventory of tax returns filed earlier this year, this penalty 
relief deadline of September 30 strikes a balance. It is critical to us 
to not only provide important relief to those affected by the pandemic, 
but this deadline also allows adequate time to prepare our systems and 
our workstreams to serve taxpayers and the tax community during the 2023
 filing season."The relief, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/covid-tax-relief-irs-provides-broad-based-penalty-relief-for-certain-2019-and-2020-returns-due-to-the-pandemic-1-point-2-billion-in-penalties-being-refunded-to-1-point-6-million-taxpayers">announced</a>
 last month, applies to the failure-to-file penalty. The penalty is 
typically assessed at a rate of 5% per month, up to 25% of the unpaid 
tax, when a federal income tax return is filed late. This relief applies
 to forms in both the Form 1040 and 1120 series, as well as others 
listed in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/irb/2022-36_IRB#NOT-2022-36">Notice 2022-36</a>, posted on IRS.gov.For anyone who has gotten behind on their taxes during the pandemic, 
this is a great opportunity to get caught up. To qualify for relief, any
 eligible income tax return must be filed on or before September 30, 
2022.Those who file during the first few months after the September 30 
cutoff will still qualify for partial penalty relief. That's because, 
for eligible returns filed after that date, the penalty starts accruing 
on October 1, 2022, rather than the return's original due date. Because 
the penalty accrues, based on each month or part of a month that a 
return is late, filing sooner will limit any charges that apply.Unlike the failure-to-file penalty, the failure-to-pay penalty and 
interest will still apply to unpaid tax, based on the return's original 
due date. The failure-to-pay penalty is normally 0.5% (one-half-of-one 
percent) per month. The interest rate is currently 5% per year, 
compounded daily, but that rate is due to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-interest-rate-increases-for-the-fourth-quarter-of-2022-6-rate-applies-to-most-taxpayers-starting-oct-1">rise</a> to 6% on October 1, 2022.Taxpayers can limit these charges by paying promptly. For more 
information, including details on fast and convenient electronic payment
 options, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a>. Penalty and interest charges generally don't apply to refunds.The notice also provides details on relief for filers of certain 
international information returns when a penalty is assessed at the time
 of filing. No relief is available for applicable international 
information returns when the penalty is part of an examination. To 
qualify for this relief, any eligible tax return must be filed on or 
before September 30, 2022.Penalty relief is automatic. This means that eligible taxpayers who 
have already filed their return do not need to apply for it, and those 
filing now do not need to attach a statement or other documents to their
 return. Generally, those who have already paid the penalty are getting 
refunds, most by the end of September.Penalty relief is not available in some situations, such as where a 
fraudulent return was filed, where the penalties are part of an accepted
 offer in compromise or a closing agreement, or where the penalties were
 finally determined by a court.This relief is limited to the penalties that the notice specifically 
states are eligible for relief. For ineligible penalties, such as the 
failure-to-pay penalty, taxpayers may use existing penalty relief 
procedures, such as applying for relief under the reasonable cause 
criteria or the First-Time Abate program. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief">IRS.gov/penaltyrelief</a> for details.This relief doesn't apply to 2021 returns. Whether or not they have a
 tax-filing extension, the IRS urges everyone to file their 2021 return 
soon to avoid processing delays. For <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-tax-extension-filers-dont-overlook-these-important-tax-benefits">filing tips</a>, visit IRS.gov.

Haven't filed 2019, 2020 tax returns? No COVID penalty relief

WASHINGTON COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Washington County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle driven by&nbsp; Anne S.&nbsp;Nielsen, 71, Manhattan, was southbound on Kansas 148 three miles south of Hanover.

The driver failed to stop at a stop sign at U.S. 36.&nbsp; A westbound 2005 Ford F350 driven by Jeffry S. Clark, 60,&nbsp;Thermopolis, Wyoming, struck the Volkswagen.&nbsp;Both vehicles came to rest in the center median.

Nielsen was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Marysville Funeral Home. EMS transported Clark to the Hanover Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WASHINGTON COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Washington County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle driven by&nbsp; Anne S.&nbsp;Nielsen, 71, Manhattan, was southbound on Kansas 148 three miles south of Hanover.The driver failed to stop at a stop sign at U.S. 36.&nbsp; A westbound 2005 Ford F350 driven by Jeffry S. Clark, 60,&nbsp;Thermopolis, Wyoming, struck the Volkswagen.&nbsp;Both vehicles came to rest in the center median.Nielsen was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Marysville Funeral Home. EMS transported Clark to the Hanover Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after 2-vehicle crash

KANSAS CITY – A man was sentenced in federal court this month for transporting what court documents describe as “an extraordinary quantity of methamphetamine” in a borrowed car as he traveled from California, across I-70 in Kansas and through Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

Johnny Jordan Thompson, 48, from California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Thompson was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663093488650.png" alt="The trooper searched the vehicle and found 11 packages of methamphetamine, which weighed approximately 20 pounds in the trunk. Another approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine was later found hidden under the carpet of the passenger floorboard.-photo courtesy KOMU TV" />
 <figcaption>The trooper searched the vehicle and found 11 packages of methamphetamine, which weighed approximately 20 pounds in the trunk. Another approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine was later found hidden under the carpet of the passenger floorboard.-photo courtesy KOMU TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A man was sentenced in federal court this month for transporting what court documents describe as “an extraordinary quantity of methamphetamine” in a borrowed car as he traveled from California, across I-70 in Kansas and through Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.Johnny Jordan Thompson, 48, from California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Thompson was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.On Dec. 21, 2021, Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Thompson admitted that he was transporting approximately 28 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle he was driving when he was pulled over by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on Sept. 12, 2019.The trooper stopped Thompson, who was driving a loaned vehicle from a dealership in Ontario, Calif., on Interstate 70 in Cooper County. The trooper searched the vehicle and found 11 packages of methamphetamine, which weighed approximately 20 pounds in the trunk. Another approximately eight pounds&nbsp; of methamphetamine was later found hidden under the carpet of the passenger floorboard.According to court documents, Thompson has spent most of the past 20 years in prison on offenses ranging from vehicle theft to armed bank robbery to, most recently, attempted murder (after he was hired to kill someone). He was discharged from parole in the attempted murder case in California in December 2018 and committed this federal offense less than a year later.