KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Leaders of a Kansas county have pledged to find funding to help the local prosecutor's office search through decades of records connected to a former police detective who is accused of abusing Black women and girls.

The Unified Government Commission voted Thursday to commit $1.7 million to digitize boxes of files related to former Kansas City police detective Roger Golubski.

Golubski is accused in two federal indictments of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-kansas-city-civil-rights-violations-ae8bc840668af84d343f444bf8aef79a">sexually harassing and raping Black females</a>&nbsp;for years while he was a law enforcement officer, and of taking bribes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-337f9df63faf6c5ff8d3d50623b902c2">providing protection to a sex trafficking operation</a>&nbsp;in the 1990s.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree told the commission that boxes of files, most of them on paper, are currently stored in an old jail and are not organized or searchable, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article268905067.html">reported</a>.

Golubski was a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, Kansas, from 1975 until 2010 and in Edwardsville, which is also in Wyandotte County, until 2016.

The commission, which is prevented by law from allocating funds without specifying their source, voted to provide the money but still must identify funding sources.

Golubski, 69, has been on home detention since being indicted in September on six federal charges accusing him of assaulting a Black woman and girl, with prosecutors saying he also abused seven other women.

On Monday, Golubski was charged in a separate federal indictment with providing police protection to three other men who prosecutors allege ran a sex trafficking operation involving young girls between 1996 and 1998. He has pleaded not guilty to charges in both cases.

Civil rights groups in the Kansas City, Kansas, area for years called for an investigation into Golubski. The allegations against him gained attention after Lamonte McIntyre, who spent 23 years in prison for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f0aeacf5fd0e4297a8d7b0ca4cda363e">double murder he didn’t commit</a>, sued Golubski and other Kansas City, Kansas, officers.

McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, alleged that Golubski framed Lamont in 1994 because his mother refused the detective’s sexual demands.

The local government agreed in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-96f163ee13c721c0ab53899dcad05897">settle the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;for $12.5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663616484786.png" alt="Golubski photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Golubski photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Leaders of a Kansas county have pledged to find funding to help the local prosecutor's office search through decades of records connected to a former police detective who is accused of abusing Black women and girls.The Unified Government Commission voted Thursday to commit $1.7 million to digitize boxes of files related to former Kansas City police detective Roger Golubski.Golubski is accused in two federal indictments of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-kansas-city-civil-rights-violations-ae8bc840668af84d343f444bf8aef79a">sexually harassing and raping Black females</a>&nbsp;for years while he was a law enforcement officer, and of taking bribes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-337f9df63faf6c5ff8d3d50623b902c2">providing protection to a sex trafficking operation</a>&nbsp;in the 1990s.Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree told the commission that boxes of files, most of them on paper, are currently stored in an old jail and are not organized or searchable, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article268905067.html">reported</a>.Golubski was a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, Kansas, from 1975 until 2010 and in Edwardsville, which is also in Wyandotte County, until 2016.The commission, which is prevented by law from allocating funds without specifying their source, voted to provide the money but still must identify funding sources.Golubski, 69, has been on home detention since being indicted in September on six federal charges accusing him of assaulting a Black woman and girl, with prosecutors saying he also abused seven other women.On Monday, Golubski was charged in a separate federal indictment with providing police protection to three other men who prosecutors allege ran a sex trafficking operation involving young girls between 1996 and 1998. He has pleaded not guilty to charges in both cases.Civil rights groups in the Kansas City, Kansas, area for years called for an investigation into Golubski. The allegations against him gained attention after Lamonte McIntyre, who spent 23 years in prison for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f0aeacf5fd0e4297a8d7b0ca4cda363e">double murder he didn’t commit</a>, sued Golubski and other Kansas City, Kansas, officers.McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, alleged that Golubski framed Lamont in 1994 because his mother refused the detective’s sexual demands.The local government agreed in June to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-96f163ee13c721c0ab53899dcad05897">settle the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;for $12.5 million.

Kan. county to fund search of decades of police detective's cases

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for alleged child sex crimes.

On Nov. 16, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies arrested Chad W. Hartman, 37, of Kincaid, Kansas.&nbsp;

Hartman remains jailed in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668692285711.png" alt="Hartman-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hartman-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man for alleged child sex crimes.On Nov. 16, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Deputies arrested Chad W. Hartman, 37, of Kincaid, Kansas.&nbsp;Hartman remains jailed in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of child sex crimes

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MICHAEL%20LIEDTKE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MICHAEL LIEDTKE&nbsp;</a>

SAN JOSE (AP) —A federal judge on Friday sentenced disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes to more than 11 years in prison for duping investors in the failed startup that promised to revolutionize blood testing but instead made her a symbol of Silicon Valley’s culture of audacious self-promotion.

The sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila was shorter than the 15-year penalty requested by federal prosecutors but far tougher than the leniency her legal team sought for the mother of a year-old son with another child on the way.

Holmes, who was CEO throughout the company’s turbulent 15-year history, was convicted in January in the scheme, which revolved around the company’s claims to have developed a medical device that could detect a multitude of diseases and conditions from a few drops of blood. But the technology never worked.

The sentencing in the same San Jose, California, courtroom where Holmes was convicted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elizabeth-holmes-trial-theranos-ceo-fb79a29d3c426a5cadee7ec5734b6f24">four counts of investor fraud and conspiracy</a>&nbsp;in January marks another climactic moment in a saga that has been dissected in an HBO documentary and an award-winning Hulu series about her meteoric rise and mortifying downfall.

Holmes, 38, faced a maximum of 20 years, but her legal team asked the judge for a sentence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elizabeth-holmes-business-crime-83b407760edf5d73e82f3b9fc08f5ff6">no more than 18 months</a>, preferably served in home confinement.

Her lawyers argued that Holmes deserved more lenient treatment as a well-meaning entrepreneur who is now a devoted mother with another child on the way. Their arguments were supported by more than 130 letters submitted by family, friends and former colleagues praising Holmes.

Prosecutors also wanted Holmes to pay $804 million in restitution. The amount covers most of the nearly $1 billion that Holmes raised from a list of sophisticated investors that included software magnate Larry Ellison, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Walton family behind Walmart.

While wooing investors, Holmes leveraged a high-powered Theranos board that included former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-trials-california-san-jose-024bf70ee5573af9887758d3d421430b">testified against her</a>&nbsp;during her trial, and two former secretaries of state, Henry Kissinger and the late George Shultz, whose son submitted a statement blasting Holmes for concocting a scheme that played Shultz "for the fool.”

Holmes must report to prison on April 27. After giving birth to a son shortly before her trial started last year, she became pregnant at some point while free on bail this year.

Although her lawyers didn’t mention the pregnancy in an 82-page memo submitted to the judge last week, the pregnancy was confirmed in a letter from her current partner, William “Billy” Evans, that urged the judge to be merciful.

If Holmes' pregnancy had a role in determining her sentence, the decision could prove controversial. A 2019 study found that more than 1,000 pregnant women entered federal or state prisons over a 12-month study period; 753 of them&nbsp;<a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305006">gave birth in custody</a>.

According to a 2016 survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than half of women entering federal prison — 58% — reported being&nbsp;<a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/pptmcspi16st.pdf">mothers of minor children</a>.

Federal prosecutor Robert Leach declared that Holmes deserves a severe punishment for engineering a scam that he described as one of the most egregious white-collar crimes ever committed in Silicon Valley. In a scathing 46-page memo, Leach told the judge he has an opportunity to send a message that curbs the hubris and hyperbole unleashed by the tech boom.

Holmes “preyed on hopes of her investors that a young, dynamic entrepreneur had changed healthcare,” Leach wrote. "And through her deceit, she attained spectacular fame, adoration and billions of dollars of wealth.”

Even though Holmes was acquitted by a jury on four counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to patients who took Theranos blood tests, Leach also asked Davila to factor in the health threats posed by Holmes’ conduct.

Holmes’ lawyer Kevin Downey painted her as a selfless visionary who spent 14 years of her life trying to revolutionize health care.

Although evidence submitted during her trial showed the blood tests produced wildly unreliable results that could have steered patients toward the wrong treatments, her lawyers asserted that Holmes never stopped trying to perfect the technology until Theranos collapsed in 2018.

They also pointed out that Holmes never sold any of her Theranos shares — a stake valued at $4.5 billion in 2014, when Holmes was being hailed as the next Steve Jobs on the covers of business magazines.

Defending herself against criminal charges has left Holmes with “substantial debt from which she is unlikely to recover,” Downey wrote, suggesting that she is unlikely to pay any restitution that Davila might order as part of her sentence.

“Holmes is not a danger to society,” Downey wrote.

Downey also asked Davila to consider the alleged sexual and emotional abuse Holmes suffered while she was involved romantically with Ramesh “Sunny" Balwani, who became a Theranos investor, top executive and eventually an accomplice in her crimes.

Balwani, 57, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 7 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ramesh-balwani-theranos-verdict-d9fb19f13a1c930a6ff091dff10a0b5d">being convicted in a July trial</a>&nbsp;on 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668810636574.jpeg" alt="Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes, center, walks into federal court with her partner Billy Evans, right, and her parents in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. A federal judge sentenced Holmes to prison for duping investors and endangering patients while peddling a bogus blood-testing technology. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)" />
 <figcaption>Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes, center, walks into federal court with her partner Billy Evans, right, and her parents in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. A federal judge sentenced Holmes to prison for duping investors and endangering patients while peddling a bogus blood-testing technology. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MICHAEL%20LIEDTKE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MICHAEL LIEDTKE&nbsp;</a>SAN JOSE (AP) —A federal judge on Friday sentenced disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes to more than 11 years in prison for duping investors in the failed startup that promised to revolutionize blood testing but instead made her a symbol of Silicon Valley’s culture of audacious self-promotion.The sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila was shorter than the 15-year penalty requested by federal prosecutors but far tougher than the leniency her legal team sought for the mother of a year-old son with another child on the way.Holmes, who was CEO throughout the company’s turbulent 15-year history, was convicted in January in the scheme, which revolved around the company’s claims to have developed a medical device that could detect a multitude of diseases and conditions from a few drops of blood. But the technology never worked.The sentencing in the same San Jose, California, courtroom where Holmes was convicted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elizabeth-holmes-trial-theranos-ceo-fb79a29d3c426a5cadee7ec5734b6f24">four counts of investor fraud and conspiracy</a>&nbsp;in January marks another climactic moment in a saga that has been dissected in an HBO documentary and an award-winning Hulu series about her meteoric rise and mortifying downfall.Holmes, 38, faced a maximum of 20 years, but her legal team asked the judge for a sentence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elizabeth-holmes-business-crime-83b407760edf5d73e82f3b9fc08f5ff6">no more than 18 months</a>, preferably served in home confinement.Her lawyers argued that Holmes deserved more lenient treatment as a well-meaning entrepreneur who is now a devoted mother with another child on the way. Their arguments were supported by more than 130 letters submitted by family, friends and former colleagues praising Holmes.Prosecutors also wanted Holmes to pay $804 million in restitution. The amount covers most of the nearly $1 billion that Holmes raised from a list of sophisticated investors that included software magnate Larry Ellison, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Walton family behind Walmart.While wooing investors, Holmes leveraged a high-powered Theranos board that included former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-trials-california-san-jose-024bf70ee5573af9887758d3d421430b">testified against her</a>&nbsp;during her trial, and two former secretaries of state, Henry Kissinger and the late George Shultz, whose son submitted a statement blasting Holmes for concocting a scheme that played Shultz "for the fool.”Holmes must report to prison on April 27. After giving birth to a son shortly before her trial started last year, she became pregnant at some point while free on bail this year.Although her lawyers didn’t mention the pregnancy in an 82-page memo submitted to the judge last week, the pregnancy was confirmed in a letter from her current partner, William “Billy” Evans, that urged the judge to be merciful.If Holmes' pregnancy had a role in determining her sentence, the decision could prove controversial. A 2019 study found that more than 1,000 pregnant women entered federal or state prisons over a 12-month study period; 753 of them&nbsp;<a href="https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305006">gave birth in custody</a>.According to a 2016 survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than half of women entering federal prison — 58% — reported being&nbsp;<a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/pptmcspi16st.pdf">mothers of minor children</a>.Federal prosecutor Robert Leach declared that Holmes deserves a severe punishment for engineering a scam that he described as one of the most egregious white-collar crimes ever committed in Silicon Valley. In a scathing 46-page memo, Leach told the judge he has an opportunity to send a message that curbs the hubris and hyperbole unleashed by the tech boom.Holmes “preyed on hopes of her investors that a young, dynamic entrepreneur had changed healthcare,” Leach wrote. "And through her deceit, she attained spectacular fame, adoration and billions of dollars of wealth.”Even though Holmes was acquitted by a jury on four counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to patients who took Theranos blood tests, Leach also asked Davila to factor in the health threats posed by Holmes’ conduct.Holmes’ lawyer Kevin Downey painted her as a selfless visionary who spent 14 years of her life trying to revolutionize health care.Although evidence submitted during her trial showed the blood tests produced wildly unreliable results that could have steered patients toward the wrong treatments, her lawyers asserted that Holmes never stopped trying to perfect the technology until Theranos collapsed in 2018.They also pointed out that Holmes never sold any of her Theranos shares — a stake valued at $4.5 billion in 2014, when Holmes was being hailed as the next Steve Jobs on the covers of business magazines.Defending herself against criminal charges has left Holmes with “substantial debt from which she is unlikely to recover,” Downey wrote, suggesting that she is unlikely to pay any restitution that Davila might order as part of her sentence.“Holmes is not a danger to society,” Downey wrote.Downey also asked Davila to consider the alleged sexual and emotional abuse Holmes suffered while she was involved romantically with Ramesh “Sunny" Balwani, who became a Theranos investor, top executive and eventually an accomplice in her crimes.Balwani, 57, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 7 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ramesh-balwani-theranos-verdict-d9fb19f13a1c930a6ff091dff10a0b5d">being convicted in a July trial</a>&nbsp;on 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Theranos CEO Holmes sentenced to prison for blood-test scam

NEW YORK (AP) — Swifties, your girl has spoke on the Ticketmaster meltdown.

Taylor Swift posted a story Friday on Instagram expressing her anger and frustration over the hours spent by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">fans trying to buy tickets</a> for her tour next year.

“I'm
 not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them, multiple 
times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they
 could,” she wrote. “It's truly amazing that 2.4 million people got 
tickets, but it really pisses me off that a lot of them feel like they 
went through several bear attacks to get them.”

Of those who lost out, Swift said she hopes to “provide more opportunities for us to all get together and sing these songs.”

Fans
 trying to scoop up tickets Tuesday in a pre-sale for Swift's The Eras 
tour were met by massive delays and error messages that Ticketmaster 
blamed on bots and historically unprecedented demand. It was the most 
tickets sold on the platform in a single day, the company said in a 
statement. A <a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-sale-canceled-music-concert-tour-70c8a21059174c37a06b7a8475239b06">general public sale</a> scheduled for Friday was canceled the day before.

Some fans wondered why Swift hadn't spoken out sooner.

On
 Instagram, the pop star didn't address timing but said she has trust 
issues when it comes to her fans' experience, trying to keep many 
elements of her career in house.

“It's really difficult for me to 
trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties, and 
excruciating for me to just watch mistakes happen with no recourse,” 
Swift said.

In addition to Tuesday's nightmare, Ticketmaster cited
 “extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient 
remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand” as a reason for calling 
off Friday’s sale.

Fresh off one of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-taylor-swift-930a204fbbfccea45f6012f0da4feef6">biggest album launches of her career,</a>
 Swift announced earlier this month that she was going on a new U.S. 
stadium tour, with international dates to follow. Fans who received a 
special code after registering had exclusive access to buy tickets 
Tuesday. Those who didn't score tickets were placed on a waiting list.

The
 52-date Eras Tour kicks off March 17 in Glendale, Arizona, and wraps up
 with five shows in Los Angeles ending Aug. 9. It’s Swift’s first tour 
since 2018.

NEW YORK (AP) — Swifties, your girl has spoke on the Ticketmaster meltdown.Taylor Swift posted a story Friday on Instagram expressing her anger and frustration over the hours spent by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-concert-tickets-parents-34399cca6403c97f0983a5c69c7edec0">fans trying to buy tickets</a> for her tour next year.“I'm
 not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them, multiple 
times, if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they
 could,” she wrote. “It's truly amazing that 2.4 million people got 
tickets, but it really pisses me off that a lot of them feel like they 
went through several bear attacks to get them.”Of those who lost out, Swift said she hopes to “provide more opportunities for us to all get together and sing these songs.”Fans
 trying to scoop up tickets Tuesday in a pre-sale for Swift's The Eras 
tour were met by massive delays and error messages that Ticketmaster 
blamed on bots and historically unprecedented demand. It was the most 
tickets sold on the platform in a single day, the company said in a 
statement. A <a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-sale-canceled-music-concert-tour-70c8a21059174c37a06b7a8475239b06">general public sale</a> scheduled for Friday was canceled the day before.Some fans wondered why Swift hadn't spoken out sooner.On
 Instagram, the pop star didn't address timing but said she has trust 
issues when it comes to her fans' experience, trying to keep many 
elements of her career in house.“It's really difficult for me to 
trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties, and 
excruciating for me to just watch mistakes happen with no recourse,” 
Swift said.In addition to Tuesday's nightmare, Ticketmaster cited
 “extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient 
remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand” as a reason for calling 
off Friday’s sale.Fresh off one of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-taylor-swift-930a204fbbfccea45f6012f0da4feef6">biggest album launches of her career,</a>
 Swift announced earlier this month that she was going on a new U.S. 
stadium tour, with international dates to follow. Fans who received a 
special code after registering had exclusive access to buy tickets 
Tuesday. Those who didn't score tickets were placed on a waiting list.The
 52-date Eras Tour kicks off March 17 in Glendale, Arizona, and wraps up
 with five shows in Los Angeles ending Aug. 9. It’s Swift’s first tour 
since 2018.

Taylor Swift angry for fans in Ticketmaster meltdown

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System announced on Nov. 18, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS), Ken Johnson has resigned after seven years in the role.

Prior to serving as the CEO, Johnson served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

According to HRHS in a press release, Nick Baldetti, Chief Quality Officer, will be acting as the CEO on an interim basis, as a nationwide search for a new leader begins effective immediately.

The Board of Directors has expressed its appreciation for all that Johnson has done to support and lead the organization.

The press release stated, they wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.&nbsp;

Hutchinson Regional Medical System has no further comment at this time.&nbsp;

This is a working story, more information will follow as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596450831912.jpeg" alt="Ken Johnson-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ken Johnson-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JUDD WEIL&nbsp; Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System announced on Nov. 18, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS), Ken Johnson has resigned after seven years in the role.Prior to serving as the CEO, Johnson served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.According to HRHS in a press release, Nick Baldetti, Chief Quality Officer, will be acting as the CEO on an interim basis, as a nationwide search for a new leader begins effective immediately.The Board of Directors has expressed its appreciation for all that Johnson has done to support and lead the organization.The press release stated, they wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.&nbsp;Hutchinson Regional Medical System has no further comment at this time.&nbsp;This is a working story, more information will follow as it becomes available.

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System CEO resigns

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;named a special counsel on Friday to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-classified-information-8dd6297eaebc358ffc15c153dc1b000e">classified documents</a>&nbsp;at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election.

The move, announced just three days after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">formally launched his 2024 candidacy</a>, is a recognition of the unmistakable political implications of two investigations that involve not only a former president but also a current White House hopeful.

Garland said Friday that Trump’s announcement of his presidential candidacy and President Joe Biden’s likely 2024 run were factors in his decision to appoint Jack Smith, a veteran prosecutor, to be the special counsel. Garland said the appointment would allow prosecutors to continue their work “indisputably guided” only by the facts and the law.

“The Department of Justice has long recognized that in certain extraordinary cases, it is in the public’s interest to appoint a special prosecutor to independently manage an investigation and prosecution,” Garland said from the Justice Department’s podium. “Based on recent developments, including the former president’s announcement that he is a candidate for president in the next election and the sitting president’s stated intention to be a candidate as well, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel.”

Though the appointment installs a new supervisor atop the probes — both of which are expected to accelerate now that the midterm elections are over — the special counsel will still report to Garland, who has ultimate say of whether to bring charges.

Smith, a veteran prosecutor who led the Justice Department’s public integrity section in Washington and who later served as the acting chief federal prosecutor in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Obama administration, is set to begin his work “immediately,” Garland said. Smith has also been the chief prosecutor for the special court in the Hague that is tasked with investigating international war crimes.

The Justice Department described Smith as a registered independent, an effort to blunt any attack of perceived political bias. Trump is a Republican, and Biden is a Democrat.

“Throughout his career, Jack Smith has built a reputation as an impartial and determined prosecutor who leads teams with energy and focus to follow the facts wherever they lead,” Garland said. “As special counsel, he will exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide whether charges should be brought.”

“The extraordinary circumstances here demand it,” Garland said of the appointment.

The special counsel’s probe will combine the investigation into “whether any person or entity unlawfully interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election” and the investigation into the classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Garland said he would ensure the special counsel receives the resources to do the work “quickly and completely.”

Smith said he plans to conduct the probes “independently and in the best traditions of the Department of Justice.”

Representatives for Trump did not immediately return messages seeking comment, and Biden ignored questions shouted by reporters about the appointment.

The decision to appoint a special counsel may still raise questions with members of Congress. Garland has spoken repeatedly of his singular focus on the facts, the evidence and the law in the Justice Department’s decision-making and of his determination to restore political independence to the agency following the tumultuous years of the Trump administration.

And there does not seem to be an obvious conflict like the one that prompted the last appointment of a special counsel to handle Trump-related investigations. The Trump Justice Department named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead the investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump 2016 presidential campaign.

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Colleen Long, Zeke Miller and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661941600753.jpeg" alt="This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;named a special counsel on Friday to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-donald-trump-mar-a-lago-classified-information-8dd6297eaebc358ffc15c153dc1b000e">classified documents</a>&nbsp;at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election.The move, announced just three days after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">formally launched his 2024 candidacy</a>, is a recognition of the unmistakable political implications of two investigations that involve not only a former president but also a current White House hopeful.Garland said Friday that Trump’s announcement of his presidential candidacy and President Joe Biden’s likely 2024 run were factors in his decision to appoint Jack Smith, a veteran prosecutor, to be the special counsel. Garland said the appointment would allow prosecutors to continue their work “indisputably guided” only by the facts and the law.“The Department of Justice has long recognized that in certain extraordinary cases, it is in the public’s interest to appoint a special prosecutor to independently manage an investigation and prosecution,” Garland said from the Justice Department’s podium. “Based on recent developments, including the former president’s announcement that he is a candidate for president in the next election and the sitting president’s stated intention to be a candidate as well, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel.”Though the appointment installs a new supervisor atop the probes — both of which are expected to accelerate now that the midterm elections are over — the special counsel will still report to Garland, who has ultimate say of whether to bring charges.Smith, a veteran prosecutor who led the Justice Department’s public integrity section in Washington and who later served as the acting chief federal prosecutor in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Obama administration, is set to begin his work “immediately,” Garland said. Smith has also been the chief prosecutor for the special court in the Hague that is tasked with investigating international war crimes.The Justice Department described Smith as a registered independent, an effort to blunt any attack of perceived political bias. Trump is a Republican, and Biden is a Democrat.“Throughout his career, Jack Smith has built a reputation as an impartial and determined prosecutor who leads teams with energy and focus to follow the facts wherever they lead,” Garland said. “As special counsel, he will exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide whether charges should be brought.”“The extraordinary circumstances here demand it,” Garland said of the appointment.The special counsel’s probe will combine the investigation into “whether any person or entity unlawfully interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election” and the investigation into the classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.Garland said he would ensure the special counsel receives the resources to do the work “quickly and completely.”Smith said he plans to conduct the probes “independently and in the best traditions of the Department of Justice.”Representatives for Trump did not immediately return messages seeking comment, and Biden ignored questions shouted by reporters about the appointment.The decision to appoint a special counsel may still raise questions with members of Congress. Garland has spoken repeatedly of his singular focus on the facts, the evidence and the law in the Justice Department’s decision-making and of his determination to restore political independence to the agency following the tumultuous years of the Trump administration.And there does not seem to be an obvious conflict like the one that prompted the last appointment of a special counsel to handle Trump-related investigations. The Trump Justice Department named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead the investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump 2016 presidential campaign.___Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Colleen Long, Zeke Miller and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.

AG names special counsel to lead Trump-related investigations

LANE COUNTY — On Sunday, November 13th, a concerned citizen reportedly found two antelope shot and left for dead in a winter wheat field on the Lane-Ness Road just north of Kansas 4 Highway in Lane County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Game Wardens.

 Game wardens investigated and found one antelope to still be alive and had to euthanize it due to its wounds. 

It is believed the antelope were shot sometime between midnight on Nov. 11 and before noon Nov. 13.

 If you have any information regarding this case, please contact  Game Warden Haneke at 620-450-7194.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668798987245.png" alt="photo KDWP Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>photo KDWP Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>LANE COUNTY — On Sunday, November 13th, a concerned citizen reportedly found two antelope shot and left for dead in a winter wheat field on the Lane-Ness Road just north of Kansas 4 Highway in Lane County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Game Wardens. Game wardens investigated and found one antelope to still be alive and had to euthanize it due to its wounds. It is believed the antelope were shot sometime between midnight on Nov. 11 and before noon Nov. 13. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Game Warden Haneke at 620-450-7194.

Kan. game warden had to euthanize antelope shot, left to die

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY and NATE KING Salina Post

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two people from Texas after a high-speed chase that began in Saline County and ended in Harvey County.

Just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a Saline County deputy observed a BMW 328 traveling 88mph on Interstate 70 west of Salina, according to Undersheriff Brent Melander.

The deputy stopped the car near Halstead Road and made contact with the driver,identified as Braelyn Eskridge, 21, of Aubrey, Texas.

&nbsp;Eskridge told the deputy that he didn't have identification. A passenger in the car identified as Starlett Smith, 42, of Arlington, Texas, did provide a Texas identification card, according to Melander.

During the discussion with Eskridge and Smith, the deputy smelled marijuana.

The deputy returned to his vehicle to run a records check. When the deputy returned to the BMW, Eskridge allegedly said he had a warrant and drove off, Melander said. 

The BMW headed eastbound on Interstate 70 before turning south onto Interstate 135 with deputies in pursuit.

Deputies north of the Mentor exit on Interstate 135 placed stop sticks on the highway, which flattened the front driver-side tire.

The BMW continued, then used the Mentor exit and traveling east at a high rate of speed before turning south on S. Ohio Street. During that time, Smith allegedly was tossing marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the BMW, according to Melander.

The car continued at a high rate of speed across Kansas Highway 4 before turning west on E. Lapsley Road, then south on Old 81 Highway before re-entering I-135 at the Bridgeport exit.

Kansas Highway Patrol troopers put down stop sticks in McPherson County. KHP Technical Trooper Ben Gardner told Salina Post that Eskridge positioned the BMW in such a way as to attempt to strike a trooper deploying the stop sticks. The trooper was not injured.

The BMW continued into Harvey County, where it finally crashed south of Newton. 

Eskridge was booked into the McPherson County Jail on the following requested charges of Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, Aggravated assault with deadly weapon and Flee or attempt to elude law enforcement by engaging in reckless driving, according to online records.

Smith, who was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement, Destroying evidence, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Melander.&nbsp; Saline County may also pursue charges against Eskridge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668792056315.png" alt="Eskridge -photo McPherson Co." />
 <figcaption>Eskridge -photo McPherson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY and NATE KING Salina PostHARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two people from Texas after a high-speed chase that began in Saline County and ended in Harvey County.Just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a Saline County deputy observed a BMW 328 traveling 88mph on Interstate 70 west of Salina, according to Undersheriff Brent Melander.The deputy stopped the car near Halstead Road and made contact with the driver,identified as Braelyn Eskridge, 21, of Aubrey, Texas.&nbsp;Eskridge told the deputy that he didn't have identification. A passenger in the car identified as Starlett Smith, 42, of Arlington, Texas, did provide a Texas identification card, according to Melander.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668779809582.jpeg" alt="Smith photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the discussion with Eskridge and Smith, the deputy smelled marijuana.The deputy returned to his vehicle to run a records check. When the deputy returned to the BMW, Eskridge allegedly said he had a warrant and drove off, Melander said. The BMW headed eastbound on Interstate 70 before turning south onto Interstate 135 with deputies in pursuit.Deputies north of the Mentor exit on Interstate 135 placed stop sticks on the highway, which flattened the front driver-side tire.The BMW continued, then used the Mentor exit and traveling east at a high rate of speed before turning south on S. Ohio Street. During that time, Smith allegedly was tossing marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the BMW, according to Melander.The car continued at a high rate of speed across Kansas Highway 4 before turning west on E. Lapsley Road, then south on Old 81 Highway before re-entering I-135 at the Bridgeport exit.Kansas Highway Patrol troopers put down stop sticks in McPherson County. KHP Technical Trooper Ben Gardner told Salina Post that Eskridge positioned the BMW in such a way as to attempt to strike a trooper deploying the stop sticks. The trooper was not injured.The BMW continued into Harvey County, where it finally crashed south of Newton. Eskridge was booked into the McPherson County Jail on the following requested charges of Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, Aggravated assault with deadly weapon and Flee or attempt to elude law enforcement by engaging in reckless driving, according to online records.Smith, who was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement, Destroying evidence, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Melander.&nbsp; Saline County may also pursue charges against Eskridge.

Suspect throws evidence from car during Kan. high-speed chase

MANHATTAN—Members of the Kansas State University and University of Iowa women's basketball teams honored Ava Jones of Nickerson prior to Thursday's night's game in Manhattan.

Both teams wore shirts during their pregame warmups that said they "Believe in Ava Jones."&nbsp;

Ava has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Iowa. In July, Ava, her mother and father were critically injured when a drunk driver struck them on a street in Louisville.&nbsp; Ava's father, Trey Jones, died from his injuries.

Both teams shared photos on social media with the special shirts.

The University of Iowa told Ava she would keep her scholarship&nbsp;whether or not she would be able to play basketball.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kansas State defeated No. 4 Iowa 84-83.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668040995679.jpeg" alt="Ava Jones signed with Iowa earlier this month" />
 <figcaption>Ava Jones signed with Iowa earlier this month</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN—Members of the Kansas State University and University of Iowa women's basketball teams honored Ava Jones of Nickerson prior to Thursday's night's game in Manhattan.Both teams wore shirts during their pregame warmups that said they "Believe in Ava Jones."&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bigger than basketball 💛💜 <a href="https://t.co/oVKYpNj9GK">https://t.co/oVKYpNj9GK</a>&mdash; Iowa Women&#39;s Basketball (@IowaWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaWBB/status/1593423333411913728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Ava has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Iowa. In July, Ava, her mother and father were critically injured when a drunk driver struck them on a street in Louisville.&nbsp; Ava's father, Trey Jones, died from his injuries.Both teams shared photos on social media with the special shirts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 in <a href="https://twitter.com/avajones_35?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@avajones_35</a> 💛<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/RZNXXjT0aR">pic.twitter.com/RZNXXjT0aR</a>&mdash; Iowa Women&#39;s Basketball (@IowaWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaWBB/status/1590445371934867461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The University of Iowa told Ava she would keep her scholarship&nbsp;whether or not she would be able to play basketball.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kansas State defeated No. 4 Iowa 84-83.&nbsp;

K-State and Iowa basketball teams believe in Ava Jones

RILEY COUNTY—A Riley County teen arrested in connection with a burglary has&nbsp; been charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and burglary, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Just after 2a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a business alarm at Casey's in the 300 block of Riley Avenue in Ogden, according to police.

&nbsp;A window was broken out, around $1,200 loss, and approximately $1,800 worth of tobacco products were stolen.&nbsp; Police used a K9 to help them catch 16-year-old Estevan Rochin of Ogden in the 200 block of 16th Street in Ogden.

Rochin is also charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and burglary in connection to an October 27, 2022 break-in at the convenience store where a window was broken out, around $1,200 and $1,500 worth of tobacco products were stolen.

 He is also charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and attempted burglary in connection to an October 26, 2022 attempted break-in at the Ogden Valero. A window and door were damaged in an attempt to enter the business, this resulted in an approximate total loss of $1,750. 

After Thursday's arrest, Rochin was processed by juvenile intake and released to a guardian.

RILEY COUNTY—A Riley County teen arrested in connection with a burglary has&nbsp; been charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and burglary, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Just after 2a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a business alarm at Casey's in the 300 block of Riley Avenue in Ogden, according to police.&nbsp;A window was broken out, around $1,200 loss, and approximately $1,800 worth of tobacco products were stolen.&nbsp; Police used a K9 to help them catch 16-year-old Estevan Rochin of Ogden in the 200 block of 16th Street in Ogden.Rochin is also charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and burglary in connection to an October 27, 2022 break-in at the convenience store where a window was broken out, around $1,200 and $1,500 worth of tobacco products were stolen. He is also charged with an additional count each of criminal damage to property and attempted burglary in connection to an October 26, 2022 attempted break-in at the Ogden Valero. A window and door were damaged in an attempt to enter the business, this resulted in an approximate total loss of $1,750. After Thursday's arrest, Rochin was processed by juvenile intake and released to a guardian.----------

Kan. teen captured after burglary is linked to additional crimes

DETROIT (AP)—Ford is recalling more than 550,000 F-150 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front windshield wiper motor may stop functioning, causing the wipers to stop working.

The automobile maker said that the inoperative windshield wipers on the 2021-2022 models can reduce visibility in certain conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 453,650 of the vehicles in the U.S. and 103,076 in Canada.

Recall notification letters are expected to be mailed in the U.S. on Jan. 3. Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor for free.

DETROIT (AP)—Ford is recalling more than 550,000 F-150 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front windshield wiper motor may stop functioning, causing the wipers to stop working.The automobile maker said that the inoperative windshield wipers on the 2021-2022 models can reduce visibility in certain conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash.Ford Motor Co. is recalling 453,650 of the vehicles in the U.S. and 103,076 in Canada.Recall notification letters are expected to be mailed in the U.S. on Jan. 3. Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor for free.

Ford recalling some F-150 vehicles due to wiper motor

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a large 'side show' with cars blocking an intersection with dozens of people on the street surrounding a car doing donuts in the middle of the road, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.

Police recovered more than 100 shell casings from the scene that occurred the weekend of November 12.&nbsp;Approximately 90 vehicles blocked roads, performed dangerous stunts, and discharged firearms.

&nbsp;"At one scene alone, working with a police helicopter, officers used stop sticks to prevent people from driving away. Police issued 33 citations and towed four vehicles.&nbsp;

The KCPD command staff is exploring new ways to stop illegal sideshows and street racing.

"These are selfish, high-risk, dangerous events for everyone involved, including spectators. Please encourage loved ones to stay away from them."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668783213179.png" alt="Image Kansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Image Kansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a large 'side show' with cars blocking an intersection with dozens of people on the street surrounding a car doing donuts in the middle of the road, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.Police recovered more than 100 shell casings from the scene that occurred the weekend of November 12.&nbsp;Approximately 90 vehicles blocked roads, performed dangerous stunts, and discharged firearms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668783732372.png" alt="Image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;"At one scene alone, working with a police helicopter, officers used stop sticks to prevent people from driving away. Police issued 33 citations and towed four vehicles.&nbsp;The KCPD command staff is exploring new ways to stop illegal sideshows and street racing."These are selfish, high-risk, dangerous events for everyone involved, including spectators. Please encourage loved ones to stay away from them."

Police work to stop illegal sideshows, street racing in Kansas City

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — In 1993, 
Alabama's hit song reminded everyone there are "Angels Among Us." On the
 evening of Oct. 8, an accidental hero was among the shoppers at the 
Great Bend Walmart. Twenty-nine-year-old Eric Keller just happened to be
 at the back of the store when a 23-month-old toddler suffered a 
life-threatening seizure. Keller sprang into action, using CPR to save 
the little girl's life. Thursday evening, he was recognized by the 
American Red Cross with a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.

"Emergencies
 can happen at any time," said Red Cross Executive Director Jane 
Blocher, who drove from Lawrence to present the award. "In a Walmart, in
 a parking lot, at a wedding, on a hot day at the swimming pool, and 
even inside your own home. But regardless of where they happen, 
emergency situations have one thing in common: a crowd of people 
standing around, staring at someone in distress and wondering who should
 do something and then trying to remember what to do. That is until a 
hero emerges from the crowd."

Keller originally told his story in 
an effort to share the importance of learning CPR and using it in an 
emergency. Over the past month, Keller has applied to assist on more Red
 Cross missions.

"It's really opened some doors," he said. "I 
actually applied for the Volunteer Connection for Red Cross and started 
that. I think Fort Myers (Fla.) is where I'd like to go and put in some 
work there, but close to home or anywhere that needs it. That's the 
direction I'd like to take."

For Thursday's ceremony, Keller was 
reunited with Nova Gomez, who is now two years old, and her mother, Lacy
 Rodriguez, who has since completed her own CPR certification classes. 
The Barton County 911 dispatcher who handled the original call also 
attended to meet all the parties involved.

Blocher took special 
note of the location of the ceremony, given the history of the Red 
Cross. "To give an award like this in the county that was named after 
our beloved founder, Clara Barton, is especially meaningful," she said. 
"She was a nurse that tended to the wounds of soldiers on the 
battlefield of the Civil War, giving first aid and other assistance. I 
think she's shining down on Eric."

The American Red Cross began 
giving out Life Saving Awards in 1911. The Certificate of Extraordinary 
Personal Action was created more than 70 years ago, and is awarded to 
individuals who step up in times of emergency. Since 2018, more than 
2,030 awards have been handed out worldwide. Actions behind those awards
 have saved 1,032 lives. Blocher was pleased to add one more to that 
number Thursday night.

"We have so many heroes that walk among us 
every day that we don't know about," she said. "Hopefully, his actions 
will inspire others to take the lifesaving training. As I've said 
before, you don't really know when you can ever put that training into 
action, but knowing you're armed with those critical skills that can 
help save a life, it's so important."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668783069002.jpeg" alt="Eric Keller received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony Thursday night. Keller was joined by, from left: Great Bend Walmart Store Manager Darin Dreiling, Lacy Rodriguez, Nova, and Red Cross Executive Director Jane Blocher." />
 <figcaption>Eric Keller received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony Thursday night. Keller was joined by, from left: Great Bend Walmart Store Manager Darin Dreiling, Lacy Rodriguez, Nova, and Red Cross Executive Director Jane Blocher.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — In 1993, 
Alabama's hit song reminded everyone there are "Angels Among Us." On the
 evening of Oct. 8, an accidental hero was among the shoppers at the 
Great Bend Walmart. Twenty-nine-year-old Eric Keller just happened to be
 at the back of the store when a 23-month-old toddler suffered a 
life-threatening seizure. Keller sprang into action, using CPR to save 
the little girl's life. Thursday evening, he was recognized by the 
American Red Cross with a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action."Emergencies
 can happen at any time," said Red Cross Executive Director Jane 
Blocher, who drove from Lawrence to present the award. "In a Walmart, in
 a parking lot, at a wedding, on a hot day at the swimming pool, and 
even inside your own home. But regardless of where they happen, 
emergency situations have one thing in common: a crowd of people 
standing around, staring at someone in distress and wondering who should
 do something and then trying to remember what to do. That is until a 
hero emerges from the crowd."Keller originally told his story in 
an effort to share the importance of learning CPR and using it in an 
emergency. Over the past month, Keller has applied to assist on more Red
 Cross missions."It's really opened some doors," he said. "I 
actually applied for the Volunteer Connection for Red Cross and started 
that. I think Fort Myers (Fla.) is where I'd like to go and put in some 
work there, but close to home or anywhere that needs it. That's the 
direction I'd like to take."For Thursday's ceremony, Keller was 
reunited with Nova Gomez, who is now two years old, and her mother, Lacy
 Rodriguez, who has since completed her own CPR certification classes. 
The Barton County 911 dispatcher who handled the original call also 
attended to meet all the parties involved.Blocher took special 
note of the location of the ceremony, given the history of the Red 
Cross. "To give an award like this in the county that was named after 
our beloved founder, Clara Barton, is especially meaningful," she said. 
"She was a nurse that tended to the wounds of soldiers on the 
battlefield of the Civil War, giving first aid and other assistance. I 
think she's shining down on Eric."The American Red Cross began 
giving out Life Saving Awards in 1911. The Certificate of Extraordinary 
Personal Action was created more than 70 years ago, and is awarded to 
individuals who step up in times of emergency. Since 2018, more than 
2,030 awards have been handed out worldwide. Actions behind those awards
 have saved 1,032 lives. Blocher was pleased to add one more to that 
number Thursday night."We have so many heroes that walk among us 
every day that we don't know about," she said. "Hopefully, his actions 
will inspire others to take the lifesaving training. As I've said 
before, you don't really know when you can ever put that training into 
action, but knowing you're armed with those critical skills that can 
help save a life, it's so important."

Life-saving actions at Great Bend Walmart honored by Red Cross

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. agriculture officials proposed changes Thursday to the federal program that helps pay the grocery bills for low-income pregnant women, babies and young children, including extending a bump in payments for fresh fruits and vegetables allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The update also adds more whole grains, canned fish and non-dairy options to their shopping carts. The effort is aimed at expanding the number and type of healthy foods available to families who get assistance from the Agriculture Department's program known as WIC, officials said.

“These proposals will promote healthier lifestyles and brighter futures for millions of children,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services.

The revisions would make permanent payments authorized by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic that increased vouchers for fruits and vegetables to $25 a month for children ages 1 to 5 and to $49 a month for breastfeeding women.

“This increase in fruits and vegetables has really made it attractive for families to have their children in the program longer,” said Geraldine Henchy, director of nutrition policy for the nonprofit Food Research &amp; Action Center, who applauded the changes. “Kids really love fruit.”

At the same time, the plan would reduce the amounts of some foods, for example reducing or eliminating juice allowed for some recipients. It also reduces the amount of milk and cheese covered under the program, a move that drew immediate criticism from the dairy industry.

“It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed rule would decrease access to dairy products and the unique nutrient profile they provide," the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said in a statement.

More than 6.2 million pregnant women, mothers, babies and young children participate in the program annually. The federal government currently pays about $5 billion a year to run the program, which is administered through states and other jurisdictions. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides vouchers to mothers and children who qualify and specifically lists the amount and types of food they can buy.

The proposed changes to WIC would also expand access to whole grains, encompassing foods from different cultures, including quinoa, blue cornmeal and teff, an ancient East African cereal grass. The plan also allows more non-dairy options, including soy-based yogurts and cheeses, and requires lactose-free milk to be included.

“It reflects the fact that different people have different capacities to tolerate different kinds of food,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak said.

More canned fish, such as tuna, would be available as well as easy-to-prepare canned beans, in addition to dried beans, officials said. The plan would also change the amount of infant formula provided to partially breastfed babies.

Increasing the voucher for fruits and vegetables to $25 a month during the pandemic has allowed Elizabeth Loya, 28, of Los Angeles, to encourage her 4-year-old daughter, Gisselle, to sample new foods.

“She tried Brussels sprouts and, two weeks ago, she tried asparagus,” Loya said. “She liked them.”

The proposed changes are based on a 2017 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the national Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They'll be evaluated after a three-month public comment period. ___

By JONEL ALECCIA&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. agriculture officials proposed changes Thursday to the federal program that helps pay the grocery bills for low-income pregnant women, babies and young children, including extending a bump in payments for fresh fruits and vegetables allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUSDA%2Fposts%2Fpfbid023X4gEgg8sjMEELnomVfVDZBtQ7MFGZdbYbpecwvbW4kXkzjoKZZT99ivS2wVmBvwl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="619" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The update also adds more whole grains, canned fish and non-dairy options to their shopping carts. The effort is aimed at expanding the number and type of healthy foods available to families who get assistance from the Agriculture Department's program known as WIC, officials said.“These proposals will promote healthier lifestyles and brighter futures for millions of children,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services.The revisions would make permanent payments authorized by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic that increased vouchers for fruits and vegetables to $25 a month for children ages 1 to 5 and to $49 a month for breastfeeding women.“This increase in fruits and vegetables has really made it attractive for families to have their children in the program longer,” said Geraldine Henchy, director of nutrition policy for the nonprofit Food Research &amp; Action Center, who applauded the changes. “Kids really love fruit.”At the same time, the plan would reduce the amounts of some foods, for example reducing or eliminating juice allowed for some recipients. It also reduces the amount of milk and cheese covered under the program, a move that drew immediate criticism from the dairy industry.“It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed rule would decrease access to dairy products and the unique nutrient profile they provide," the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said in a statement.More than 6.2 million pregnant women, mothers, babies and young children participate in the program annually. The federal government currently pays about $5 billion a year to run the program, which is administered through states and other jurisdictions. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides vouchers to mothers and children who qualify and specifically lists the amount and types of food they can buy.The proposed changes to WIC would also expand access to whole grains, encompassing foods from different cultures, including quinoa, blue cornmeal and teff, an ancient East African cereal grass. The plan also allows more non-dairy options, including soy-based yogurts and cheeses, and requires lactose-free milk to be included.“It reflects the fact that different people have different capacities to tolerate different kinds of food,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak said.More canned fish, such as tuna, would be available as well as easy-to-prepare canned beans, in addition to dried beans, officials said. The plan would also change the amount of infant formula provided to partially breastfed babies.Increasing the voucher for fruits and vegetables to $25 a month during the pandemic has allowed Elizabeth Loya, 28, of Los Angeles, to encourage her 4-year-old daughter, Gisselle, to sample new foods.“She tried Brussels sprouts and, two weeks ago, she tried asparagus,” Loya said. “She liked them.”The proposed changes are based on a 2017 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the national Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They'll be evaluated after a three-month public comment period. ___

USDA program keeps extra COVID-era money for fruits, veggies

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed near Japanese waters Friday in its second major weapons test this month that showed a potential ability to launch nuclear strikes on all of the U.S. mainland.

While it's unclear whether North Korea possesses functioning nuclear-armed missiles, some experts say Friday’s launch involved its longest-range missile, which is still under development and is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to overcome U.S. missile defense systems.

North Korea’s recent torrid run of weapons tests aims to advance its nuclear arsenal and win greater concessions in future diplomacy. It comes as China and Russia have opposed U.S. moves to toughen U.N. sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear program.

The United States quickly condemned the launch and vowed to take “all necessary measures” to guarantee the safety of its territory and its allies South Korea and Japan.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/g-20-summit-health-business-china-canada-daa03c57c21d4b2b61fac0061b00321b">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;met with the leaders of those countries and of Australia, Canada and New Zealand who are attending a regional forum in Bangkok to discuss the launch.

“We again call for North Korea to stop further unlawful, destabilizing acts. On behalf of the United States, I reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our Indo-Pacific alliances,” Harris said at the start of the meeting. “Together the countries represented here will continue to urge North Korea to commit to serious and sustained diplomacy.”

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the ICBM launch from North Korea’s capital region around 10:15 a.m. Japan said it appeared to fly on a high trajectory and land west of its island of Hokkaido.

According to South Korean and Japanese estimates, the missile flew 6,000-6,100 kilometers (3,600-3,790 miles) at a maximum altitude of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that depending on the weight of a potential warhead, the missile had a range exceeding 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), “in which case it could cover the entire mainland United States.”

Kwon Yong Soo, a former professor at Korea National Defense University in South Korea, said he believes North Korea tested a developmental Hwasong-17 missile, which he said can carry three to five nuclear warheads and fly as far as 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles).

North Korea has two other ICBMs — Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 — and their test launches in 2017 showed they could potentially reach parts or all of the U.S. homeland, respectively. But Kwon said North Korea needs a longer-range missile like the Hwasong-17 capable of flying a lengthier route to the American mainland to evade current U.S. missile defense systems.

The exact status of North Korea’s nuclear and missile technologies is shrouded in secrecy.

Chang Young-keun, a missile expert at Korea Aerospace University in South Korea, said North Korea has shown that its missiles have ICBM-class flight ranges but has yet to publicly prove that warheads will be able to survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric reentry. Some experts believe North Korea has likely acquired such technologies.

Chang said Friday's launch was successful and that the flight details indicated it was the same type of missile that North Korea tested in March, when North Korea claimed to have launched a Hwasong-17, but South Korea insisted it was a Hwasong-15.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the launch “needlessly raises tensions" and shows that North Korea is prioritizing unlawful weapons programs over the wellbeing of its people. “Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement,” Watson said.

In his opening comments at the meeting in Bangkok, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch “utterly unacceptable," saying the missile fell inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone west of Hokkaido. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the international community must work together to get North Korea to realize that each of its provocations only deepens its international isolation and economic hardship.

Later Friday, South Korea's military said its F-35 fighter jets conducted drills simulating aerial strikes on North Korean mobile missile launchers at a firing range near its land border with North Korea. It said a group of eight South Korean and U.S. fighter jets separately performed flight training off the Korean Peninsula's east coast.

The exercises “showed we have a strong resolve to sternly deal with an ICBM launch and any other provocations and threats posed by North Korea, and the allies' overwhelming capacity and readiness to launch precision strikes on the enemy,” South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier ordered officials to boost security cooperation with the United States and Japan and push for strong international condemnations and sanctions on North Korea, according to his office.

In recent months, North Korea has performed dozens of shorter-range missile tests that it called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-seoul-south-korea-nuclear-weapons-north-6ce0a8da47f8eb9228d4b33223ebfa3b">simulations of nuclear attacks on South Korean and U.S. targets</a>. On Nov. 3, North Korea also launched a suspected Hwasong-17 missile, but experts say that weapon failed to fly its intended flight and fell into the ocean after a stage separation.

North Korea halted weapons launches for about a week before it fired a short-range ballistic missile on Thursday. Before that launch, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui threatened to launch “fiercer” military responses to steps by the U.S. to bolster its security commitment to South Korea and Japan.

Choe was referring to President Joe Biden’s recent meeting with Yoon and Kishida on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Cambodia. In their joint statement, the three leaders strongly condemned North Korea’s recent missile tests and agreed to work together to strengthen deterrence. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea and Japan with a full range of capabilities, including nuclear weapons.

Choe didn’t describe what steps North Korea could take but said that “the U.S. will be well aware that it is gambling, for which it will certainly regret.”

North Korea sees the U.S. military presence in South Korea and Japan as proof of American hostility. It has said its recent series of weapons launches were a response to what it called provocative military drills between the United States and South Korea.

There have been concerns that North Korea might conduct its first nuclear test in five years as its next major step in strengthening its military capability against the United States and its allies.

North Korea has been under multiple rounds of United Nations sanctions over its previous nuclear and missile tests. But no new sanctions have been applied this year as it has conducted dozens of ballistic missile launches, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions.

China and Russia, two of the Security Council’s veto-wielding members, oppose new U.N. sanctions. Washington is locked in a strategic competition with Beijing and in a confrontation with Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664842519726.png" alt="&nbsp;This photo provided by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sept. 8, 2022.&nbsp; (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) (Uncredited/KCNA via KNS)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;This photo provided by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sept. 8, 2022.&nbsp; (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) (Uncredited/KCNA via KNS)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed near Japanese waters Friday in its second major weapons test this month that showed a potential ability to launch nuclear strikes on all of the U.S. mainland.While it's unclear whether North Korea possesses functioning nuclear-armed missiles, some experts say Friday’s launch involved its longest-range missile, which is still under development and is designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to overcome U.S. missile defense systems.North Korea’s recent torrid run of weapons tests aims to advance its nuclear arsenal and win greater concessions in future diplomacy. It comes as China and Russia have opposed U.S. moves to toughen U.N. sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear program.The United States quickly condemned the launch and vowed to take “all necessary measures” to guarantee the safety of its territory and its allies South Korea and Japan.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/g-20-summit-health-business-china-canada-daa03c57c21d4b2b61fac0061b00321b">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;met with the leaders of those countries and of Australia, Canada and New Zealand who are attending a regional forum in Bangkok to discuss the launch.“We again call for North Korea to stop further unlawful, destabilizing acts. On behalf of the United States, I reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our Indo-Pacific alliances,” Harris said at the start of the meeting. “Together the countries represented here will continue to urge North Korea to commit to serious and sustained diplomacy.”South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the ICBM launch from North Korea’s capital region around 10:15 a.m. Japan said it appeared to fly on a high trajectory and land west of its island of Hokkaido.According to South Korean and Japanese estimates, the missile flew 6,000-6,100 kilometers (3,600-3,790 miles) at a maximum altitude of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that depending on the weight of a potential warhead, the missile had a range exceeding 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), “in which case it could cover the entire mainland United States.”Kwon Yong Soo, a former professor at Korea National Defense University in South Korea, said he believes North Korea tested a developmental Hwasong-17 missile, which he said can carry three to five nuclear warheads and fly as far as 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles).North Korea has two other ICBMs — Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 — and their test launches in 2017 showed they could potentially reach parts or all of the U.S. homeland, respectively. But Kwon said North Korea needs a longer-range missile like the Hwasong-17 capable of flying a lengthier route to the American mainland to evade current U.S. missile defense systems.The exact status of North Korea’s nuclear and missile technologies is shrouded in secrecy.Chang Young-keun, a missile expert at Korea Aerospace University in South Korea, said North Korea has shown that its missiles have ICBM-class flight ranges but has yet to publicly prove that warheads will be able to survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric reentry. Some experts believe North Korea has likely acquired such technologies.Chang said Friday's launch was successful and that the flight details indicated it was the same type of missile that North Korea tested in March, when North Korea claimed to have launched a Hwasong-17, but South Korea insisted it was a Hwasong-15.U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the launch “needlessly raises tensions" and shows that North Korea is prioritizing unlawful weapons programs over the wellbeing of its people. “Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement,” Watson said.In his opening comments at the meeting in Bangkok, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch “utterly unacceptable," saying the missile fell inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone west of Hokkaido. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the international community must work together to get North Korea to realize that each of its provocations only deepens its international isolation and economic hardship.Later Friday, South Korea's military said its F-35 fighter jets conducted drills simulating aerial strikes on North Korean mobile missile launchers at a firing range near its land border with North Korea. It said a group of eight South Korean and U.S. fighter jets separately performed flight training off the Korean Peninsula's east coast.The exercises “showed we have a strong resolve to sternly deal with an ICBM launch and any other provocations and threats posed by North Korea, and the allies' overwhelming capacity and readiness to launch precision strikes on the enemy,” South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier ordered officials to boost security cooperation with the United States and Japan and push for strong international condemnations and sanctions on North Korea, according to his office.In recent months, North Korea has performed dozens of shorter-range missile tests that it called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-seoul-south-korea-nuclear-weapons-north-6ce0a8da47f8eb9228d4b33223ebfa3b">simulations of nuclear attacks on South Korean and U.S. targets</a>. On Nov. 3, North Korea also launched a suspected Hwasong-17 missile, but experts say that weapon failed to fly its intended flight and fell into the ocean after a stage separation.North Korea halted weapons launches for about a week before it fired a short-range ballistic missile on Thursday. Before that launch, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui threatened to launch “fiercer” military responses to steps by the U.S. to bolster its security commitment to South Korea and Japan.Choe was referring to President Joe Biden’s recent meeting with Yoon and Kishida on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Cambodia. In their joint statement, the three leaders strongly condemned North Korea’s recent missile tests and agreed to work together to strengthen deterrence. Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea and Japan with a full range of capabilities, including nuclear weapons.Choe didn’t describe what steps North Korea could take but said that “the U.S. will be well aware that it is gambling, for which it will certainly regret.”North Korea sees the U.S. military presence in South Korea and Japan as proof of American hostility. It has said its recent series of weapons launches were a response to what it called provocative military drills between the United States and South Korea.There have been concerns that North Korea might conduct its first nuclear test in five years as its next major step in strengthening its military capability against the United States and its allies.North Korea has been under multiple rounds of United Nations sanctions over its previous nuclear and missile tests. But no new sanctions have been applied this year as it has conducted dozens of ballistic missile launches, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions.China and Russia, two of the Security Council’s veto-wielding members, oppose new U.N. sanctions. Washington is locked in a strategic competition with Beijing and in a confrontation with Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.-----------

North Korea test-fires ICBM with range to strike entire US

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Several fires led to significant monetary damage to a Kansas print shop and ultimately, investigators tracked down a suspected serial arsonist.

Just after 9p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; Lawrence Police and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical were called to the fire at 725 N 2nd Street, according to police spokesperson Laure McCabe.&nbsp; This report came amidst multiple reports of dumpster fires along North Second and Third Streets.

Fire Investigators and Police were able to determine four fires were all connected. Within two hours, the teams identified, located, and arrested the suspect. The 19-year-old woman was taken into custody in the 100 block of Maple Street just before 11pm and transported her to jail.&nbsp;

LDCFM Division Chief Kevin Joles says crews performed an offensive attack to contain the flames with the help of sprinkler systems. “Sprinkler systems continually prove their value through incidents like this and one and we believe the system significantly reduced potential damage to nearby businesses last night,” says Joles.

LKPD Sgt. Drew Fennelly oversaw the Police Department’s efforts saying, “This investigation is a great example of multi-agency cooperation. We worked together to provide a swift resolution to a potentially life-threatening series of crimes that caused&nbsp; significant damage, but thankfully no injury.”

Damage was also found, and fire extinguished at 1010 N 3rd Street; 100 Riverfront Road; 725 N 2nd Street and 401 N 2nd Street, according to McCabe.&nbsp;Police have not released the suspect's name or the requested charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668717138518.png" alt="&nbsp;Lawrence Police and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical on the scene of the arson fires-photos courtesy Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Lawrence Police and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical on the scene of the arson fires-photos courtesy Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Several fires led to significant monetary damage to a Kansas print shop and ultimately, investigators tracked down a suspected serial arsonist.Just after 9p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; Lawrence Police and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical were called to the fire at 725 N 2nd Street, according to police spokesperson Laure McCabe.&nbsp; This report came amidst multiple reports of dumpster fires along North Second and Third Streets.Fire Investigators and Police were able to determine four fires were all connected. Within two hours, the teams identified, located, and arrested the suspect. The 19-year-old woman was taken into custody in the 100 block of Maple Street just before 11pm and transported her to jail.&nbsp;LDCFM Division Chief Kevin Joles says crews performed an offensive attack to contain the flames with the help of sprinkler systems. “Sprinkler systems continually prove their value through incidents like this and one and we believe the system significantly reduced potential damage to nearby businesses last night,” says Joles.LKPD Sgt. Drew Fennelly oversaw the Police Department’s efforts saying, “This investigation is a great example of multi-agency cooperation. We worked together to provide a swift resolution to a potentially life-threatening series of crimes that caused&nbsp; significant damage, but thankfully no injury.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668769926318.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Damage was also found, and fire extinguished at 1010 N 3rd Street; 100 Riverfront Road; 725 N 2nd Street and 401 N 2nd Street, according to McCabe.&nbsp;Police have not released the suspect's name or the requested charges.

Police arrest 19-year-old woman for series of Kansas arson fires

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, along with state tax 
agencies and the nation's tax industry, today announced a special week 
focusing attention on empowering taxpayers to protect sensitive 
financial information against identity thieves as the holidays and the 
2023 tax season get closer.

Now in its seventh year, the annual National Tax Security Awareness 
Week takes place from November 28 - December 2. The event is part of a 
larger effort that continues by the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>,
 the coalition of the IRS, the states and the nation's tax software and 
tax professional community. The group formed in 2015 to combat 
tax-related identity theft by strengthening protections against fraud 
and raising security awareness.

With the holidays and tax season approaching, the Summit partners 
warned taxpayers and tax professionals to take extra steps to protect 
their financial and tax information. People face a heightened risk in 
coming months as fraudsters take advantage of the holiday season to 
trick people into sharing sensitive personal information by email, text 
message and online. Identity thieves use that information to try to file
 tax returns and steal refunds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, along with state tax 
agencies and the nation's tax industry, today announced a special week 
focusing attention on empowering taxpayers to protect sensitive 
financial information against identity thieves as the holidays and the 
2023 tax season get closer.Now in its seventh year, the annual National Tax Security Awareness 
Week takes place from November 28 - December 2. The event is part of a 
larger effort that continues by the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>,
 the coalition of the IRS, the states and the nation's tax software and 
tax professional community. The group formed in 2015 to combat 
tax-related identity theft by strengthening protections against fraud 
and raising security awareness.With the holidays and tax season approaching, the Summit partners 
warned taxpayers and tax professionals to take extra steps to protect 
their financial and tax information. People face a heightened risk in 
coming months as fraudsters take advantage of the holiday season to 
trick people into sharing sensitive personal information by email, text 
message and online. Identity thieves use that information to try to file
 tax returns and steal refunds.To help combat this, the Summit partner's National Tax Security 
Awareness Week will feature a week-long series of educational materials 
to help protect individuals, businesses and tax professionals from 
identity theft. The effort will include a November 29 webinar titled <a href="https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1148/47098">Deeper Dive Into Emerging Cyber Crimes and Crypto Tax Compliance</a>, special informational graphics and a social media effort on Twitter and Instagram through @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity."Taxpayers and tax professionals need to remain vigilant for 
increasingly sophisticated scams that look to steal sensitive financial 
information," said IRS&nbsp;Acting Commissioner Doug O'Donnell. "The Security
 Summit effort focuses on highlighting simple steps that small 
businesses and people in all walks of life can take to protect their 
information, helping them avoid problems at tax time."The IRS and Summit partners continue to see constantly evolving 
threats and scams. They mimic IRS and others in the tax community 
through fake emails, texts and online scams. These schemes frequently 
use recent tragedies or charitable groups to coax people into sharing 
sensitive financial data."The heightened risk to taxpayers poses a real threat. The criminals 
continue to evolve and are always looking for opportunities to 
fraudulently obtain this information," said Neena Savage, President of 
the Board of Trustees for the Federation of Tax Administrators and Tax 
Administrator for Rhode Island. "We urge everyone to take the steps 
necessary to protect their sensitive information, which simultaneously 
helps strengthen the joint work conducted by the states, the IRS and the
 tax industry through the Security Summit partnership."As Security Summit partners increased their joint defenses against 
identity theft in recent years, including through the Identity Theft 
Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), fraudsters have 
increasingly looked for ways to obtain sensitive personal financial 
information to help slip past common defenses. That has made tax 
professionals – who hold valuable tax information for their clients – a 
tempting target for scam artists."The innovative Summit partnership between the public and private 
sectors has created important protections against tax-related identity 
theft,'&nbsp;said Julie Magee, Tax Regulatory Lead at Cash App Taxes and an 
original member of the Security Summit who currently serves as the 
group's communications co-chair.&nbsp;"This collaborative effort continues to
 thwart identity thieves, helping protect taxpayers and tax 
professionals while also safeguarding the federal and state tax systems 
essential to running our nation."With International Fraud Awareness Week underway through November 19 
this year, the Security Summit offers a preview of the upcoming National
 Tax Security Awareness Week that begins November 28.<h2>National Tax Security Awareness Week 2022 highlights</h2><h2>Cyber Monday: Protect personal and financial information online</h2>The IRS and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners remind people to take these basic steps when shopping online:<ul>
 <li>Use security software for computers and mobile phones – and keep it updated.</li><li>Make sure anti-virus software for computers has a feature to stop 
malware, and that there is a firewall enabled that can prevent 
intrusions.</li><li>Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts.</li><li>Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.</li><li>Shop only secure websites; look for the "https" in web addresses 
and the padlock icon; avoid shopping on unsecured and public Wi-Fi in 
places like coffee shops, malls or restaurants.</li>
 </ul><h2>Tax professionals should review their security protocols</h2>As identity thieves continue targeting tax professionals, the IRS and the Summit partners urge practitioners to review the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/tax-security-2-point-0-the-taxes-security-together-checklist">"Taxes-Security-Together" Checklist</a>, including:<ul>
 <li>Deploy basic security measures.</li><li>Use multi-factor authentication to protect tax software accounts.</li><li>Create a Virtual Private Network if working remotely.</li><li>Create a written data security plan as required by federal law.</li><li>Know about phishing and phone scams.</li><li>Create data security and data theft recovery plans.</li>
 </ul><h2>Get an Identity Protection PIN</h2>Taxpayers who can verify their identities online may opt into the IRS
 IP PIN program – a tool taxpayers can use to protect themselves – and 
their tax refund. Here's what taxpayers need to know:<ul>
 <li>The Identity Protection PIN or IP PIN is a six-digit code known 
only to the individual and the IRS. It provides another layer of 
protection for taxpayers' Social Security numbers on tax returns.</li><li>Use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/the-identity-protection-pin-ip-pin">Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)</a> tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN to immediately get an IP PIN.</li><li>Never share the IP PIN with anyone but a trusted tax provider.</li>
 </ul><h2>Businesses should watch out for tax-related scams and implement safeguards</h2>Most cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Some details from this segment include:<ul>
 <li>Learn about best security practices for small businesses.</li><li>IRS continues protective masking of sensitive information on business transcripts.</li><li>A Business Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039-B, is available for businesses to report theft to the IRS.</li><li>Beware of various scams, especially the W-2 scam that attempts to steal employee income information.</li><li>Check out the "Business" section on IRS's <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a>.</li>
 </ul>Earlier this year, the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yourself-summer-2022">Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself</a>&nbsp;campaign
 encouraged tax professionals to focus on fundamentals and to watch out 
for emerging vulnerabilities for those practitioners using cloud-based 
services for their practice.<h2>Additional resources</h2>In addition to reviewing IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data</a>PDF, tax professionals can also get help with security recommendations by reviewing <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2016/NIST.IR.7621r1.pdf">Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals</a>PDF&nbsp;by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> pages for tax pros, individuals and businesses have important details as well.The IRS and Security Summit partners also share YouTube videos on 
security steps for taxpayers. The videos can be viewed or downloaded at <a href="https://youtu.be/V3hdiCtKj5s">Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJYQL89qMfI">Security Measures Help Protect Against Tax-Related Identity Theft</a>.Employers can share <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf">Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers</a>PDF, with their employees and customers and tax professionals can share with clients.